The Dear Hunter ACTS Podcast Series

9/7/16 11:52AM
http://supercreative.tv/the-dear-hunter-2/ 
Act II discussion is there. Haven't listened yet, but hopefully later today or tomorrow.
9/1/16 11:33AM
http://supercreative.tv/the-dear-hunter-1/

Just passing this along as it's a great new Podcast Series for fans of The Dear Hunter especially. It is Casey Crescenzo and Artist Alex Dandino talking about The Acts albums and the Graphic Novels. Presumably there will be 1 done for each of the Acts, leading up to the release of Act V and I imagine Act VI eventually.

A lot of details and anecdotes shared that even among the many interviews and discussions I've taken with Casey, I don't recall him sharing much if at all about. 

Kimbra singing live with AS TALL AS LIONS "Where Do I Stand"

As Tall as Lions did some reunion shows recently and Kimbra joined them for the track she sang on, on the album.

I'd love to see this, or even ATAL live again. Or another album even. Maybe this will spark that?

As Tall As Lions: Farewell Documentary Coming 12/25/13

For Sale on Christmas Day at http://www.astallaslions.com/



they've been posting about this off and on, over the last week or 2 on Facebook. As Tall As Lions of course are still over, finished, retired, broke up, indefinite hiatus, etc since 2011? I know I was down when they broke up, but in truth, I know a bunch of others who were more or less devastated.

To be honest, they ended up breaking up, much like a lot of other bands over the last 5 or more years, so they in a way, were sort of a number in the whole breakup due to not getting big/no major label contract situation. Or maybe just due to losing money and members having other priorities, like family, bills, etc.
But I can't deny, I have come to really appreciate them, and especially their last record from 2009 You Can't Take It With You. I have even come to notice many bands who remind me of them (K Sera and Empires from Chicago in some ways, come to mind among others).

I'll also never forget seeing them floor me on the dredg/RX Bandits tour, namely with the group drum jam at the end. And the last time I got to see them at The Varsity Theater, a show I was loving but ended up leaving a few minutes early because I wanted to see Judgement Day at the 400 Bar the same night. As it turned out, I was early for JD. In retrospect, I wish I had stayed for the whole show and been able to chat a little with the band afterwards.

edit: I just noticed this along with a bunch of other videos from the show I saw them open for Mutemath at First Ave October 17th, 2009.




Although Rob Parr, who was a touring member of As Tall As Lions, but I am not certain was actually on any of their records, may not have been at the last show I saw (whether due to cost, other commitments, or some other reason). Rob though since, has been a touring member of The Dear Hunter, and also has released some music of his own which I recall purchasing. But I've come to really enjoy chatting with him at TDH shows, and ATAL often come up. I suspect he could show up in some if not a lot of the footage in this documentary.

I wonder a bit about the people with this Transcend Motion Pictures and what kind of film or other work they've done. Maybe some other band docs, or documentaries of other kinds?

Also Kimbra, of all people is a fan and appears on a b-side from YCTIWY. Maybe she'll appear as well?


https://www.facebook.com/astallaslions/posts/10152141255794680

As Tall As Lions Official documentary trailer is here!

Trailer includes a sneak peak of never released B side "To the Sound". A digital copy of the song is included with purchase of the documentary - not to mention bonus live footage. 

Full documentary will be available for purchase on 12.25.13

Also I'll fully admit to not hearing this project of some of the members titled Blocks
http://blocks.bandcamp.com/

K Sera - Collisions and Near Misses (2013)

http://www.facebook.com/kseratheband
https://twitter.com/KSeraCA
https://ksera.bandpage.com/
http://ksera.bandcamp.com/




1.Collisions 02:44
2.Near Misses 03:15
3.Meditations in an Emergency 03:38
4.Dream, Like I Do 04:01
5.St. Peter 03:44
6.Carry 02:59
7.Hollow Ground of London 05:16
8.True Enough To Be Interesting 03:30
9.Ambien 04:14
10.The Economist 03:30



This is the debut album from the San Francisco-based college-prog band, an album that Casey Crescenzo of The Dear Hunter produced. More to add in due time, but I saw their name last year in Alternative Press and they mentioned working with Casey on this debut record. The EP I checked out was not amazing, but had enough to have me curious.

I've checked this record out once and while it's not the most original thing I've ever heard, the styles, influences (The Dear Hunter? 22? Panic at the Disco? As Tall As Lions?) seem to have enough appeal, along with the all-important songwriting which sounds like it's good enough and varied enough to impress me enough to plan to go back to this more.

I'll hopefully add more here or in another entry soon/later in the year. But on the surface, 1 of the 1st new bands of 2013 that has my attention.

TheBlack & TheWhite (As Tall As Lions related)

http://www.facebook.com/astallaslions/posts/468483889866026

PEOPLE OF THE WORLD
The wait is over - Julio and Cliff would like to introduce... TheBlack&TheWhite. Song
preview below, 'Future' drops on iTunes Tuesday. Join us -
http://www.facebook.com/theblackandthewhitemusic - it all begins TODAY



Future-Tuesday from Meritime on Vimeo.

I'm not sure how I feel about this, but it sounds intrguing. A bit different than much of the ATAL stuff, and maybe more in the vein of some of the member's project Kilimanjaro? Regardless, I'm curious to check this out at least. I still miss ATAL, but this might makeup a little for that.

The Dear Hunter - Triple Rock Social Club (7/22/11)

Awesome show last night. But that's not too surprising. Here's what I recall of the set list.

Edit: here's a set list from last week, which I'm pretty sure is the same.

Never Forgive Never Forget
We've Got a Score to Settle
Echo
Mr. Malum
She's Always Singing
The Dead Don't Starve
The Church and The Dime
He Said He Had a Story
Home
Fall and Flee
The Thief
Lost But Not All Gone
Filth and Squalor
Red Hands

the band are *tight* as they say. And while this lineup I had never seen them in. Nick, Casey's brother, is the only member who was with them the last time they played here in September of 2009. I think this may be the most cohesive group Casey's brought here. Although, the others were good too, including Erick Serna, Josh Rheault of course and Nate Patterson (formerly of The Receiving End of Sirens), Josh and some others who used to play with TDH actually have a new project coming in a few weeks called mThe Mercies.

Casey's cousin Max along with a fella named Connor and Robert Parr, who the whole show (and even seeing amongst the crowd) I knew I recognized. He had at least played with live, As Tall As Lions, at at least 1 of the 1st two shows I saw them. The last one at The Varsity Theater, he wasn't with them though. Not sure why (budget?), but it was cool to see another familiar face with The Dear Hunter last night.

The show itself was great. Energetic, and actually pretty loud at times. As you can see by the set list, it was mostly stuff off The Color Spectrum. Some of which are among my favorites like "Echo" "Lost But Not All Gone" and "Home" which is one that I almost tear up now hearing. And "Mr.Malum," man the vocal performance on that song is just immense! One of the best vocal parts Casey's ever written, and it was just as outstanding live.

As I told Casey, I think each show they've played here in Minnesota has been better than the last. I suppose at some point they may not be able to top themselves, something I'd say Fair to Midland has struggled to do the last few shows here.

But The Dear Hunter in concert is an EVENT for me. And hopefully for others as well. Hopefully they'll headline more shows here, although in chatting with Casey and Connor I believe, they mentioned coming back (or translation, ON TOUR and maybe  but not guaranteed to be back in MN) in October with Manchester Orchestra. They likely would be opening for MO though, but perhaps it will be held at The Varsity Theater.

Whether I'll be able to use my Lifetime Membership Badge for that show? it may or may not happen. Supposedly for the Non-Headlining shows, they do allow like 5 guest list spots, and as evidenced last night, there aren't many Lifetime Members too close, a couple were there from Wisconsin. But beyond them and like 1 or 2 others, sadly/luckily, unless someone travels from further out of town, I won't be likely competing for Lifetime Member guestlist slots HERE. Now if it was a show in Philadelphia, or Los Angeles or something, I probably would.

It was interesting how I walked up and showed my badge and ID and the security guy just marked my hand and I went in. So maybe they put me on the Guestlist and just never emailed me. Or maybe Casey did after I received a message from him on the Lake and the River message board.

I did mention both Falling Up and The River Empires to fans and Casey, although I didn't really get to ask Casey why he hasn't promoted/mentioned The River Empires all that much. Shoot. I also wish I had asked/mentioned to Casey about Used Bin Radio and touring with dredg and Porcupine Tree. Hopefully next time.

So, I should probably add some stuff about the other bands as well.
The Felix Culpa
O'Brother
Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

The Felix Culpa I actually re-checked out a few months ago and have begun to really like. I saw them actually open for The Dear Hunter back in 2009 and remember liking them, but not enough to go back to them. But I don't recall if it was on The Lake and the River, 5/8 forums, or just a blog or something, but I believe their album Sever Your Roots from 2010 impressed me more than enough, that I was excited to see them again. And they were pretty good, except the fact they began at 5pm on the nose I guess, I only caught maybe their last 4 songs.

They're progressive rock of a sort, using varied dynamics, and emotional (hardcore) vocals at times. I guess the thing I want to do is go back and listen to Sever Your Roots on cd and write a more proper review of it. But my interest in them is definitely higher than it was a few months ago.

O'Brother and Kay Kay were kind of both a mixed bag. On one hand, they both had some wonderful moments. O'Brother at times were reminding me of the Doom/Sludge stuff I saw at the Triple Rock with Zebulon Pike. But they also had these softer textural sections which I enjoy. They have a debut album expected in a month or 2 (October did they say?), and I will check it out. One big reason in fact is the fact Timbre will be playing harp on like 4 songs.

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground I saw at Station 4, at the show The Dear Hunter were supposed to be at back in July 2009, but didn't make it due to food poisoning. And I recall mewithoutYou was the headlining band that night. And compared to mwY, Kay Kay was great (I never got into mwY even with the fact Timbre played with them as well, their christian element certainly didn't help). I actually recall after that show, buying their cd and thinking I would get really into Kay Kay. But I probably played it once or twice since.

Why? I'm not sure, as on paper (lots of chamber instruments, piano, vocal harmonies), I should love them. Part of what I struggled with last night is their vocals. Their lead singer isn't punchy or really upfront/strong in his vocal delivery; he doesn't really extend himself much. They played 4 new songs, and there was one track he did, which I was really vibe-ing on. I guess those 4 tunes are from a new record, so I suppose I owe it to myself to at least check that out and perhaps revisit the album I bought a few years ago.

I also should add, Howler played with 2 other bands AFTER this show at The Triple Rock, and I was unclear if I should stick around for various reasons (sleep, I went to a Midnight screening of Captain America with the gf and another friend just on Thursday), but I did. I saw Jordan Gatesmith in the parking lot behind the club and if the timing or he had been hanging outside the front of the club, I would have been able to introduce him to Casey. It should have happened, but so be it. I gave him some burned copies of TCS to check out as I don't believe he knows Casey or TDH. But it is odd in a way to have one of Minnesota's best (and youngest) musicians/songwriters in the very same place/time as one of the world's best. But neither knows/knew that. But years from now, maybe it'll be noted. Much like when I ran into Dean Magraw and Earl Root together at Pizza Luce in the Warehouse District after an Opeth concert 2001.

Howler 's performance was, fun energetic, and a bit mesmerizing at times, live last night. The single "I Told You Once" is catchy, even if it may become overplayed on Radio K. I am a little on the fence about them overall, only that Jordan's vocals heavily emphasize the punk-screaming, and their tendency to use power chords/distortion, may hurt the other parts of their music. But I will say, their best moments are really good. Almost trippy or psychedelic. Jordan told me he likens some of their music to the band Television which I can see, and I do like them (from the brief amounts of their music I've heard. Marquee Moon of course is regarded as a classic. And Local Natives played on a tribute/benefit album for them a few years ago).

I should not forget though a little bit of a rant about this show. The Dear Hunter HEADLINE here at The Triplerock, yet the only media publication that talked anything about it as far as I know, being Vita.mn and Jay Boller. Props to Jay anyway. But I find it still pretty PATHETIC that the Twin Cities Music Media don't give The Dear Hunter the time of day. I'm referring to Jon Bream, Chris Riemenschneider and of course the people in charge of 89.3 (MW?) and even Radio K (sorry Kayleigh). I suppose to add to that group, just the hipster bloggers like at Reveile.org , Citypages and even some of those people who keep blogs that others know like Culture Bully and Minneapolis Fucking Rocks blog.

I have to continue to say to those folks: WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU??? And why do you continue to SLEEP ON, The Dear Hunter's music? They were just on NATIONAL FUCKING TV, lol. They come in town to HEADLINE and at a  rather prominent/hip venue like The Triple Rock, and you don't say one fucking word about them. "It's going right under their noses"

Years from now, if/when The Dear Hunter become even a fraction of how popular they should be, I hope those folks remember this and wonder why the fuck they didn't give them their deserved attention. Is it because they're "prog"?? Well if that's the case, those people should take their heads out of their asses. The Color Spectrum is FILLED with short/radio-friendly and amazingly accessible songs that have little to no element of the common stereotype of "prog rock." But because TDH get the "prog" label, those people won't hear about them in the 1st place, or even if they do, they will decide they suck without even hearing 1 note. Which by the way, the fact they do that is fundamentally what's wrong with the people in charge/influence in the music media today, in Minnesota and around the globe actually. But Minnesota it frequently sticks out like a sore thumb maybe worse than other markets.