Tech N9ne w/ UBI | It Goes Up Tour | Photos
June 25, 2019 Leave a comment
UBI
Tech N9ne
Worcester, MA at The Palladium on 6/8/19| Photos courtesy of Ashley Grace
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Keeping NEPA Strange an Interview w/ Josh Balz by Emily Sulkowski
June 16, 2019 Leave a comment
Being odd is typical for artists. It’s what makes us all unique. Josh Balz took the idea of odd and amplified it. Owner of the Strange and Unusual Oddities Parlor in Kingston and Philadelphia, PA, Josh has certainly added a little gem to the often dreary North East, PA. I sat down with him to talk about how life has been after his transition from being in a touring band to running his store full time.
I started by asking if the transition from touring to being grounded back in PA was strange?
“ I love the area, I grew up here and always lived here.” He says.
He certainly thought the transition was strange, since the hectic touring life took a lot out of a person, “ I never felt busy, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, since I was only running the store, not doing both.” He said while talking about reconfiguring his life after leaving his band.
I asked about his music, Strange Kids, which he’s released two singles under, and more importantly if he was releasing more music, “ I’d like to, it’s more of a hobby right now.” Genre wise, Strange Kids and Motionless in White are very different. Josh said, “ It’s all based on my emotions, what I’m feeling at the time.”
In NEPA, Josh is somewhat of a hometown hero. I asked him if support from local fans had ever changed after coming home. “ I think there’s more support now. The store and Motionless have the same vibe. It goes hand in hand.” His employees at the store said his fair share of fans still come in, excited to meet him. Fans and locals alike still love the shop, enjoying how different it is among the repetitiveness the Valley seems to see often.
Owning a store like this comes from a love for weird things. “ I always enjoyed them (oddities). The stuff comes from all over. A lot of vintage taxidermy” He said when I asked how he finds his unique items, “ It’s definitely a process.”
In a town full of pizza shops, I wondered how a shop selling human bones and spell books does so well, “ I wanted to do something different here,” Josh said when I asked what inspired him, “ Everyone told me I was going to fail.”
Balz said that the shop does very well, being able to sell such unique, incredible items and still stay afloat, where in a huge city it would be difficult. Having the backing he did, it’s no surprise the shop is well loved and received. While wrapping things up, I asked him how it feels to know his music and his parlor help so many people. Being weird isn’t always easy, and he’s always made people like him feel a little less like outsiders. I asked if he ever wanted to have that effect on people. “ Always. I’ve always been a very supportive person. I love helping other people.”
Josh has always encouraged people to be themselves, and be interested in unique things. He’s very proud of who he is, and everything he’s built. “ I hope people come in, to see the shop and try the cafe.”
The Strange and Unusual Oddities Parlor sits at 467 Wyoming Avenue in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Now boasting a Harry Potter themed cafe called Steamy Hallows, serving cookies, Butter Brew coffee and hot chocolate covered in glitter, The Strange and Unusual is a little gem in a town that people seem to forget. Give the shop a visit, buy a skull or two with your coffee, and never be afraid to be a little weird.
Interview courtesy of Emily Sulkowski | SHOP NOW : The Strange and Unusual
Follow Josh Balz here
The Rockstar Disrupt Fest Unleashes in the United States | Top 5 Anticipated Sets
June 14, 2019 Leave a comment
With the Vans Warped Tour coming to an end in 2018, a lot of us were wondering what we would do to fill that void. Well, the Rockstar Disrupt Fest was announced, and it is a game changer in the scene. Unlike a lot of festivals, you get the best of both worlds. The event starts off on an outdoor stage on the festival grounds and then shifts into an amphitheater concert at night. And unlike other festivals, there will only be one band performing at a time, so you don’t have to pick and choose which bands to see. The lineup is absolutely stacked, and bands include: The Used, Thrice, Circa Survive, Sum 41, The Story So Far, Atreyu, Sleeping With Sirens, Andy Black, Four Year Strong, Memphis May Fire, Trophy Eyes, Meg & Dia, Juliet Simms, and Hyro The Hero. Lineups differ from date to date so make sure to check your date on rockstardisrupt.com to see what bands are playing. The festival kicks off in exactly one week, Friday, June 21st, in Dallas, TX, and tours the country for over a month until Sunday, July 28th, in Albuquerque, NM. Two of our photographers will be attending the tour, and each have listed their top 5 most anticipated sets to see on the Rockstar Disrupt Festival.
Laura’s Top 5 Most Anticipated Sets
- Super stoked to cover Atreyu for the 2nd time. I had the unique experience of being a part of The Photo Odyssey with Porter McKnight (bassist of Atreyu) exploring downtown Denver with our cameras. That evening I sat through their sound check and photographed their set.
- Sum 41 were my middle school heroes and during one of their shows in 2012 was when I first crowd surfed. That night is one of my all-time most memorable shows I’ve ever attended.
- Memphis May Fire blew my mind when they toured with Atreyu last year. Their stage presence was a blast to photograph and I can’t wait to see them again!
- Sleeping With Sirens is with no doubt going to bring a contagious energy to the crowd that I cannot wait to capture through my lens.
- The Used is one of those bands that makes you sing along to all of their songs. It’ll be my first time seeing them play live and I already know for a fact I’ll “savor every moment of this” set as they close the night.
Jamie’s Top 5 Most Anticipated Sets
- Atreyu has been a band I have been listening to for several years since their song “Ravenous” was on Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. The band has released nothing but excellence in their 7-album discography, with a perfect blend of metalcore, hard rock, and post-hardcore. I am thoroughly excited to see them finally and to photograph their set.
- Circa Survive was yet another band I got into from playing Rock Band as a kid, specifically through their song “The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is The Dose” from their 2007 album “On Letting Go”. Throughout their career, Circa Survive has garnered a large following and has continued to evolve their sound, which is a mixture of post-hardcore, progressive metal, progressive rock, and indie rock. They are a unique blend and I cannot wait to finally see them.
- Sleeping With Sirens was one of my favorite bands in the post-hardcore and hard rock scene for quite some time. While I haven’t been a big fan of their last two albums, I cannot wait to see them again after several years and finally photograph them. Kellin Quinn’s distinct vocal range is a powerhouse to have in the scene and I cannot wait to see him showcase it again.
- Hyro the Hero is the first band on the lineup that caught my eye, since I had just seen them open for Nothing More, Of Mice & Men, and Palisades at The Belasco in February. The band is named after front man and rapper Hyron Fenton but includes a lot of musical talent from bassist Dave Gracious, drummer Troy Wageman, and guitarist Matty Mac. This four piece is going to be such a great way to kick off the Disrupt Fest with high energy and I cannot wait!
- Memphis May Fire has been a regular band in my daily rotation for several years. Their powerhouse metalcore sound resonates with me and pushes me through my daily life. While I wasn’t the biggest fan of their newest album, their discography as a whole has been impressive to me and have helped shape my musical taste over the years. They always have an incredible stage presence and I am stoked to finally see them again!
The Rockstar Disrupt Fest looks to be an exciting event and will help fill the void other tours once stayed in. The tour will also cover new ground with the festival and amphitheater mixture idea. Check out the dates below, pick up your tickets at the link below, and keep up with the festival by following their socials!
DATES
FRI. JUN 21
DALLAS, TX
SAT. JUN 22
AUSTIN, TX
SUN. JUN 23
THE WOODLANDS, TX
TUE. JUN 25
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
WED. JUN 26
TAMPA, FL
FRI. JUN 28
ATLANTA, GA
SAT. JUN 29
CHARLOTTE, NC
TUE. JUL 2
SYRACUSE, NY
WED. JUL 3
TORONTO, ON
FRI. JUL 5
MANSFIELD, MA
SAT. JUL 6
HOLMDEL, NJ
SUN. JUL 7
HARTFORD, CT
TUE. JUL 9
BRISTOW, VA
WED. JUL 10
CLARKSTON, MI
FRI. JUL 12
TINLEY PARK, IL
SAT. JUL 13
THORNVILLE, OH
SUN. JUL 14
NOBLESVILLE, IN
MON. JUL 15
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO
WED. JUL 17
DENVER, CO
SAT. JUL 20
IRVINE, CA
TUE. JUL 23
AUBURN, WA
WED. JUL 24
NAMPA (BOISE), ID
FRI. JUL 26
CHULA VISTA, CA
SAT. JUL 27
PHOENIX, AZ
SUN. JUL 28
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Keep up with Rockstar Disrupt Fest on social media! Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
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Interview with AMMO
June 5, 2019 Leave a comment
What inspired you to start a career in music?
I was working a corporate job in New York and flying around doing shows for MTV. My whole life became about climbing the corporate ladder and cheap, fleeting fame. Both made me incredibly unhappy. So I started writing music again. First, in private. Then, after I had more confidence, I started sharing it with friends. Writing and performing made me so happy I quit my job in New York, stopped making TV shows with MTV, and moved to Nashville to make a record.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before?
It’s got a lot of heart, a lot of soul. I like Bossa Nova, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Rock. There’s a lot of those influences in my music.
To a new listener, what song would you suggest they listen to?
My favorite song I’ve released is ‘Macy.” I love the writing, the style, the production. I was lucky enough to work with Mike Wuerth who is an incredibly talented producer in New York. Together, we made something I was really proud of.
What is your biggest goal for this year, musically
Keep pissing people off and causing trouble and making art that hurts, helps, and heals.
What is the meaning behind your most recent release?
The next song I plan to release is called “Blue Eyed Blues.” It’s about ‘white tears.’ While I was writing it I thought to myself: what does Donald Trump cry about at night? Missing out on a yacht sale? How stupid. People are dying all over the world from illness and starvation and we have all these rich, white people in control, whining and complaining about shit that doesn’t matter at all. That’s the Blue Eyed Blues.
What inspired the the song Macy?
My ex girlfriend. I’m a queer person so I don’t align myself with gender or sexuality. This song is about discovering as much while I was in the middle of my relationship with her.
Will there be any upcoming new releases or tour dates in 2019?
Oh god. I have terrible anxiety and any time I think I’m feeling brave enough to release music I freak out and put it off. Luckily I just signed with Revel Relations for my PR and Twin Crest Entertainment for my Management and they are helping me find the motivation and the courage release music and start scheduling shows.
Something you want your fans to know?
Be yourself. Unapologetically. Make people angry. For every person who hates you for being brave enough to be yourself, there will be another person who is inspired. Life isn’t about getting everyone to love you, its about finding the courage to love yourself.
Name a 501C3 you are supportive of.
National Center for Transgender Equality. They are incredible. I would encourage anyone who is in the process of transitioning or considering doing so to check them out. You have rights. You have people who will stand up for you and fight for your right to live however you’d like. No one can take your choice from you! Your body, your life: it’s yours to do whatever you want with.
Questions courtesy of Cristine Trimarco
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ANDY BLACK | The Ghost of North America Tour 2019 ft The Faim and Kulick
June 1, 2019 Leave a comment
Kulick
The Faim
Andy Black
Photos courtesy of Madison Boyce
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REVIEW| Adequate Fur- The World is Waking Up
June 1, 2019 Leave a comment
When Teagan first emailed me about this music video release, the semester was reaching mid-point and I was apartment hunting. Now that the dust from that storm has settled, I am able to give this outlet, my featured artists, my team, and myself the right amount of time that is needed. Self care is important.
Though this review is a bit delayed, I am glad I waited until now to listen to to this song again.
With everything I just went through, at the fault of a loved one, this song resonates with me, and sparks even more motivation within me. A lyric, “unnecessary evil moves quietly” is defined by me as if someone goes out of their way to try to sabotage someone else’s plan that it IS unnecessary and evil. The song continues onward with the message of how much power a person can have, and teaches you to never underestimate anyone.
Well, Adequate Fur, the world sure is waking up all around me, and I love it too.
Review courtesy of Cristine Trimarco.
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