Matt and Kim, Wellmont Theatre. Atypical Father/Daughter Dance

Matt and Kim, Wellmont Theatre 11.17.12

So much energy it was exhausting to watch.

Visual program was most entertaining.  Lyrics, live feed from the show, and some nonsense filled the video screen.

Who doesn't like confetti?

Lots of folks in these parts belong to country clubs.  Some of them are super nice (read: super expensive.)  Baltrusol in nearby Summit, NJ is something like a bajillion dollars a year.  It hosts major golf Championships, fashion from Lily Pulitzer and some major movers and shakers from the NYC area.

Folks like me can get overpriced grounds tickets the next time the US Open or PGA comes to town.  Other than that the daunting fence does an admirable job of keeping my sorry ass away.  Which means I will not be able to attend one of those father/daughter dances those clubs embrace.  Not that my daughter would want to go to such a thing.  But nevertheless, the bonding moments between father (almost 40) and daughter (10) are forever fleeting.

Leave it to music to form a common bond.  Since she is not permitted to drive it has been established that the parents control the radio dial.  More specifically, I control the dial.  These days that means plenty of newer alternative, some 80s, some 90s, and the occasional adult alt.  I have been careful to not listen to Howard Stern with her in tow.  She will have plenty of time to hear about Bradley Cooper's conquests and porn star sound effects later in life (much, much, later in life.)

For the most part she digs what she is hearing.  She has seen Gotye, The Bravery, Cut/Copy, and Blondie to name a few.  Last night the Wellmont in Montclair, NJ presented a Brooklyn double bill:  Oberhofer and Matt and Kim.

"Let's Go", the addictive single from Matt and Kim's fourth LP Lightning brought us here.  The duo is a sheer force of high energy, high voltage, high octane dance pop.  It is a rather simple formula.  Matt Johnson is the man behind the keyboards and vocalist.  Kim Schifino plays drums.  But the formula is successful because they are having so much fun it's contagious.  Johnson's vocals, a high pitched squeak that is admittedly not for everyone, is serviceable and suits the material.  His humor, attitude and showmanship are exemplary.

When you add Schifino's voracious drumming, spirited stage antics and vulgar banter between songs the Matt and Kim live show goes from ordinary to exceptional.  It is just two folks on stage so you have to forgive some pre-programmed music.  Johnson's keyboard has tracks, hooks and grooves to pull from.  Last night they sampled from Sugarhill Gang and DJ Kool.  So, in that sense, there were some moments when the event took on a dj set and/or club night.  The countless tweens and drunken college kids further emphasized that feeling too.

But when Matt and Kim reached into their original material things went remarkably well.  The opening song, "Block After Block" was fast and furious.  "Daylight", probably their most popular song, was performed with an avid enthusiasm.  The whole darn concert was a giddy, free wheeling smile fest.  These guys should be working at Disney because it is hard to imagine a more happy duo.

Last night marked the final show of their 6 week tour and they were intent to go out in style.  Balloons were thrown into the audience to be blown up and released.  They blew confetti into the crowd a few times mid song.  Kim crowd surfed on hands and shaked her ample booty from various points on the stage.  Matt propelled himself from his keyboard stool and appeared to take flight.  They thanked New Jersey.  They thanked everyone.  They had a blast.

My 10 year old date stared in awed amazement for the 90 minute set.  It was the first time she saw crowd surfing.  It was her first concert that had "a light show, and movie screen."

"It was so much fun dad, they were really good!" was her assessment once she got her hearing back.

The Brooklyn duo might never get higher praise.  This is a highly critical and highly opinionated young lady to say the least.  Her father was quite impressed too.

Good thing events like this exist.   This is the kind of dance I approve of.  Soon the little one will want nothing to do with me.

"Just drop me off and pick me up dad." I can hear her say.

"Sure, no problem."  Think it will occur to her that I will park the car and hover around the venue rather than make myself scarce?

Youth is, after all, wasted on the young.  And acting your age is grossly overrated!!

For more:  Setlist looked something like this...  Matt and Kim official page.   Please note they will be supporting Passion Pit in the winter, with a notable show on 2.8 at New York's Madison Square Garden.  It is suddenly a much more interesting event (although I am still a bit shocked Passion Pit is playing MSG.)

Also, check out Oberhofer here.  They started off the evening with some quality, upbeat rock.  The guitar work and Brad Oberhofer's voice had a tendency to grow repetitive.  Overall, they have a good vibe and are easy to root for.

Oberhofer, Wellmont Theatre 11.17.12

NJ's smallest hipster.  Had a great view all night and managed to score a seat for Matt and Kim!

Sounds of Summer 2012, Part 3

"There is someone here who laughs too hard at everything."  That might be the best lyric of 2012 so far. (as written/performed by Swedish alt top act Miike Snow from their precocious and toe tapping single "Paddling Out.")

This humble blog has a tendency to do that.  We giggled a bit when JLO and Steven Tyler both left American Idol this week.  Perhaps, we hoped, that God forsaken show will fade into our memories and folks can start recognizing the talent already out there.  You know, the kids who have been busting their asses touring 10 months a year.  The kids not worrying about their stylist or image.  Rather, they go about their business perfecting their craft.  They play small clubs to rabid fans in hopes of landing a commercial or soundtrack spot.  These days that is the best way to make coin in the music business.  Hell even the American Idol's fail to bring home big paychecks.

And don't give me Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood either.  They are supreme talents who deserve all the acclaim they receive.  But for every Clarkson and Underwood I raise you a Ruben Studdard or Taylor Hicks, Kris Allen, and Lee DeWyze.  Those guys are poster children for how the big talent shows FAIL as indicators of commercial success.  They may have had some flashing appeal and/or a few hits.  But you could argue their successes could have been achieved with or without Idol.  After all, we live in a World that helped Taco, Rockwell, Right Said Fred, Kajagoogoo, Baja Men, and many more 1 hit wonders grab their collective fifteen minutes.  There is no shortage of hits, and hit-makers, making music today.

Popular music is as much as about the image, timing and marketing behind the song/artist as it does with the song/artist him/herself.

It is the intention of this space to remind readers that there are options.  Strip away the packaging and focus group research and you might just find some hidden gems.  Allow me to take a look at today's Billboard Top 10 and offer some healthy alternatives.  Interested?  Scared?  It's ok, you can do it.

#10 Billboard track:   "Starships" by Nicky Minaj  Minaj has a certain something.  Her disastrous Grammy performance aside she has been chruning out catch dance tracks the past few years.  She runs the risk of becoming too gimmicky with the cartoon voice, wigs and overall wacky persona.  Take away all the goofiness and look here for another single lady doing weird stuff.  It's Canadian Clair Boucher, or alter ego Grimes.  Big synths, weird hair and a personality that won't quit.  Sound Familiar?  "Genesis" Grimes From Jools Holland show April, 2012  Probably more performance art than music/rock and roll.  Still pretty darn cool.

#9 Billboard Track:  "Titanium" David Guetta featuring Sia  Everyone likes a dj these days.  Mr Guetta  has done quite nicely mixing beats and bringing aboard super talent to sing.  Long before Sia became our latest Nelly Furtado she was the voice that fronted indie darlings Zero 7.  She also had some success as a solo act, notably the amazing track "Breathe Me" which you might remember from the series finale of Six Feet Under.  Give some of her other work a listen:

"In the Waiting Line" Zero 7  Their signature song and notable too for soundtrack work, this time in the Zach Braff vehicle Garden State.  As chill a song as you can make.

"Destiny" live from Top of The Pops.  A stirring live version from Zero 7.  A strong dose of R and B that makes for a great bar-b-q companion.
 
"Breathe Me" Sia  As sad and haunting a love song you will ever hear.  Aching and heartfelt vocals and a simple and elegant piano line.

#8 Billboard Track:  "What Makes You Beautiful" One Direction  These guys don't need any more press so let's move on.  Boy bands come and go.   Every 3 or 4 years guys like this capture a large amount of attention, like New Edition, Backstreet Boys, New Kids, NSync, you name it.  If it is male harmonies you like give Brooklyn's Tanlines a try.  It's just as queer to admit liking them as One Direction.  "All of Me" Tanlines  Fast forward through the first wasteful minute.  Also, "Brothers" Tanlines

#7 Billboard Track:  "Scream" Usher  Hmm, not really in my wheelhouse.  Does the alt/indie World have an equivalent?   Probably not.  In that case look here for some other tall guys singing songs.  "Away From You" Oberhofer or "Only The Horses" Scissor Sisters  This has more a David Guetta feel, but Usher has played with him too, right?  Good, clean, foot stomping goodness from this group of merrymakers.

#6 Billboard Track: "Wide Awake" Katy Perry  Ms Perry is a tough one to figure.  She has the whole conservative background and rebelling girl vibe.  She kissed a girl, and sang with Snoop.  She, like Gaga and Minaj, dons wigs and acts zany.  But somewhere in all the packaging is a singer/songwriter.  Why can't she just do that act, like say Ms Clarkson.  She can sing, right?  She doesn't have to dance or wear cupcake bras set on fire, right?  Why do we make her do it?  Or does she make herself do it?  Whatever the case may be there are several female singers and songwriters who are doing it sans wardrobe malfunctions and marketing teams.  Midwestern Eleanor Friedberger is one of them, and you should take a look/listen.  Think today's Rickie Lee Jones.   "My Mistakes" Eleanor Friedberger. Cheeky little video that only makes me like her more or "Roosevelt Island" Eleanor Friedberger  She absolutely killed this song last week at South St Seaport.  A jazzy and straight up funky little number spoken over with brashness by our heroine.  A hidden gem if there ever was one.

#5 Billboard Track:  "Lights" Ellie Goulding  Sometimes the masses are spot on.  This diddy is straight up addicting.  Got nothing to say except enjoy.

# 4 Billboard Track: "Somebody That I Used To Know" Gotye  Like, # 5 the masses are on the money.  This is a viral video (almost 300 million hits!!) and song.   But this Aussie is no one hit wonder.  Do yourself a favor and explore his entire LP.  It is well worth it.  He is also performing live in and around the NYC area in the coming months and his live act is most worthy.  Get the hell on board already.   His LP Making Mirrors is (understatement) brilliant.  "Easy Way Out" Gotye or "Eyes Wide Open" Gotye for further evidence.

#3 Billboard Track:  "Where Have You Been" Rhianna  There is plenty of synth and techno in the alt World.  There are also plenty of female voices.  And it is doubtful these artists have been assaulted by Chris Brown.  Let's celebrate that.  New Zealand's own "Girls Like You" Naked and The Famous or "You're Early" 2:54  Ok, these brit sisters are more rock than dance.  But they are still worth a listen. This is early Sarah McLachan if there ever was!!  Remember, Sarah was quite a performer before she became Ms Animal Abuse Downer.

#2 Billboard Track: "Call Me Maybe" Carly Rae Jepsen  Sugary sweet cut from the Justin Bieber talent factory.  Not offensive.  Not Earth shattering.  A classic summer pop song.  No harm in liking this track for sure.  But if you like female voices without the cheesy videos and overly sweet sentiment take a trip to Sweden, or Iceland.  Their chicks are a bit darker and sing with a bit of an edge as evidence suggests here:  Iceland's Of Monsters and Men "Mountain Sound" and Sweden's First Aid Kit "Emmylou"  Both live videos and both performed quite well.  Big futures await both youthful acts.  First Aid Kit are the second sister act listed here too.  Coolness.

#1 Billboard Track:  "Payphone" Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa  There are several things that defy logic here and they are not the songs success.  It is more of the same for Adam Levine and CO and that's all good.  However, why does he need to use Autotune on the track and why, oh why, does he cast himself as a gun wielding here in this video.  Sheer bloody fantasy for sure.  At least he isn't a boxer or something, what, wait?  He does that in the video for "One More Night"??  Oh Moses smell the Roses.  Oh, and Minka Kelly is his girl???  Boy oh boy he is living the dream.  Sour grapes much.  Yes indeed.   Give this some attention so you can forget all about Levine's amazing life:

New Killers track "Runaways"  Brandon Flowers' voice is as good as Levine's if not better.  No effect here either.  So glad they are coming out with a new record.  Their new single is a very promising sign.

Plenty of options out there folks.  Happy listening.