All of our work can be found at the Music in Motion - Columbus website.
These are my contributions. A few aren't ones that I specifically wrote, but contributed on.
January
- Unfortunately I spent most of January preparing for our yearly inventory at my day job. Stay tuned!
February
The Music In Motion Columbus Birthday Bash 2018
What better way to cap off our first year as a music magazine than with a birthday show! Illogic, Lizard McGee (of Earwig fame), We Are The Movies,
Orion and the Constellations, and Red Skylark played at the Big Room Bar at CD102.5. It was a wonderfully eclectic show with the pop-punk ferocity of We Are The Movies, straight-forward lyrics from Illogic, bluesy jazzy stylings of Orion and the Constellations, the "emotional butter" of Lizard McGee, and the 90s inspired rock sounds of Red Skylark.
Music In Motion Columbus Releases Compilation Album
What I believe to be our crowning achievement for our first year of operation, Rick slaved tirelessly on this project. 18 tracks, including 7 that were specifically recorded for the compilation, titled "The Fog That Surrounds Us". The album was released at our first birthday show.
Late Night Double Feature with Miller and The Hunks and The Turbos at The Shrunken Head – 2/17/18
In what ended up being a great show to kick off Year 2 of MiM for me, I got to hang out with some old friends and make new friends covering Miller and the Hunks again. My boys Courtney from Work were there as well. It's always a good night of music at the Shrunken Head. MATH had the crowd more pumped than any show I've been to in a while.
Stopping the Stigma with MAELSTRØM MAGNET
It took some work, but I was finally able to catch up with Mael and we talked over the course of a week and a few e-mails about anxiety, music, and what it's like to be a female musician. When I started writing this article, I honestly felt like I was kind of lost, but it ended up being one of my more favorite articles I've written.
March
Full-Throttle Rock and Locked-in with Columbus' Henodus
My old friend Brandon introduced me to the guys from Henodus and we got together for maximum shenanigans! We talked about the origin of the band and their sucky future. His words, not mine... haha
April
United in Concert: Autism Awareness Fundraiser – Henodus Rocks BRP
My friend Brandon and I talked about this show for a few months before he got all of the details hammered out. I knew that I had to do my part to help promote not only the show, but the importance of awareness towards issues surrounding the autism spectrum. Also, Henodus kicked ass.
May
Jesse Clendenin Earns Promotion to Associate Editor of Music In Motion Columbus
Hello, it's me. We worked so hard in 2017 and against some odds we persevered. Year two got off to a slower start than we anticipated, but Rick and I are going to bang heads to make things bigger and better this year!
Review - Cairo Knife Fight at The Shrunken Head - 5/25/18
I took a vacation to celebrate 2 years of marriage to my beautiful wife mid-May and told Rick I'd be ready to get the ball rolling again after a couple of stagnant months. As fate would have it, my first day back I was called on to cover LA's Cairo Knife Fight. It ended up being a really cool night despite the low turnout.
Podcast The Cat Club Podcast Memorial Day All-Local Special 2018 – Episode 55
I got to head back to Casa Gethin to join Rick for another exciting podcast episode! He mistakenly states that I hadn't been on the podcast since last Memorial Day, forgetting out exciting shenanigans in Episode 24. This time around things were much more somber, but it was good to be back in studio for another round.
June
Album Review – Threat Level Midnight Earn Passing Grade
This was an album that I had had my eyes on for several months before finally getting the chance to review it. I had asked Rick about it after it was released but everything lapsed between all the madness happening at work in January and February. Finally having the chance to sit down and give it a good spinning, I found myself more than excited for the potential this band shows.
REVIEW – DAYMARE Return With A Vengeance at The Spacebar – 6/9/18
I've known Dustin from Daymare for 13 years and even now he still surprises me sometimes with his musical gumption. I was grateful to have a chance to enjoy this show and to put some closure on our friend Malena's death. Also, this band is just fantastic.
The Raquels Want To Be A Little Different
I had been following The Raquels online after hearing a few of their singles on Spotify. I had no idea they'd be so cool to hang out with, but that's what this business is all about. They are about to embark on a major tour that might make or break them, and I'll definitely be rooting for them.
The Raquels Take Flight at Spacebar – 6/23/18
A quick turnaround is always nice on an interview, and as it happened the guys from The Raquels had one more Columbus show before heading out on their huge tour. What a great time!
July
Buckle up for the Radio Free Conspiracy Theory
This one kind of got kicked around because Rick was busy working his jobs and I was busy moving. Once we were finally settled into our new place and had internet, I made sure to put the finishing touches on one of the more intriguing records I have reviewed.
August
Threat Level Midnight Bids Farewell After Two Year Run
I was super sad to find out that my first opportunity to see TLM was going to be my last, but the band made the best of it. What a great show. I hope that some of them stick around Columbus and continue to make great music here in the 614!
ALBUM REVIEW – Letters of Transit Quickly Mesh with Release of Debut EP
In what ended up being my last piece for the year, I got the chance to listen to Letters of Transit's solid debut EP. I'm looking forward to big things from these guys going forward.
stay tuned...
\\\\
That's all for now! Keep your eyes on the Music in Motion Columbus page for more great reviews and articles from myself, Rick, Susie, Jamie, Chase, Quinton, and our entire team! Support Local!
Monday, December 31, 2018
Sunday, December 23, 2018
2018 Jester One Christmas!
My feeling for Christmas haven't changed since the last time around, but I was feeling a new group of songs this time around.
Starting things off this year is my all-time favorite Christmas song, Tiffany's Christmas Tree by Irwin Icon. My wife is still a little perplexed that my favorite Christmas song is kind of a stalker song about a guy who delivers a Christmas tree to an unsuspecting woman who he felt a connection with. I just think it's a great fun song, lyrical theme aside. Video
Amy Grant's version of Hark! the Herald Angels Sing is required listening every year for me. I just love how her voice sounds, and Hark! has always been one of my favorite carols. Video
My Christmas tastes always vary between the classic carols and the modern madness, which brings us to Do You Hear What I Hear? by Bing Crosby. Wouldn't be Christmas without the ol Binger, right? Video
The first time I heard The Real Meaning Of Christmas by The Winans this year, I really felt moved emotionally. It reminded me of Pastor Simon, and of course listening to The Winans always puts me in a good place. Video
Of course, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer has come under fire this year for various reasons, including its theme of bullying. The movie seems more and more ridiculous with each passing year, but it was what it was at the time, and it's a classic for me. Bowling for Soup decided to put their own spin on the misfit song Rudolph and Hermey sing - We're A Couple of Misfits. It's a perfect song for a band like those guys. Video
Bing Crosby appears again with The Secret Of Christmas, which I feel is an ever-important message in the current world we live in. Video
Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Nat King Cole, either. Here's his rendition of the lovely Caroling, Caroling. Something about Christmas bells gets me going every year. Video
I feel like Leona Lewis has a beautiful voice and can really hit the notes. The biggest downfall for her, IMO is that she seems to be trying to be a 2000s version of Whitney Houston. It just doesn't work. One More Sleep is a catchy, fun Christmas tune though - well worth the ridiculous amount of plays I've given it. Video
Jim Brickman's version of The Gift is definitely my favorite version of the song, but something about how Peabo Bryson sings it in this version with the incomparable Roberta Flack really hit me this year. Video
Relient K has two amazing Christmas CDs with both original and classic Christmas hits. In Like A Lion (Always Winter) is one that found new life for me, again with the passing of Pastor Simon. It's interesting how many things have found new life in such a tragic event. Video
Great Big Sea are a group that get a lot of love from me around St Patrick's Day, so it was a pleasant surprise to find a "Christmas" song from them in Seven Joys Of Mary. They do a wonderful job on this traditional hit. Video
I literally don't know anything about Mr. Little Jeans other than the fact that hearing Dear Santa at work for the last month has been an absolute treat. Not that I'm a big fan of songs asking (or, usually demanding) Santa for specific gifts, but this one hits the spot in 2018. Video
I kept hearing Johnny Cash on the work muzak throughout this year and decided that I should see what his Christmas music is all about. I found a stirring version of The Christmas Guest, which is one of those songs that you just cannot skip once you get started. Video
Diana Krall could sing me a page from the Yellow Pages and I'd just be melting all over it. What a voice. Her Christmas album was one of the most anticipated ones for me to revisit this year, including What Are You Doing New Years Eve? So so good. Video
I love Nick Lachey's voice. I just do. 98 Degrees comes up enough times in my life because of it. This Gift is cheesy and corny but at least it's a song written specifically for Christmas, as opposed to a love song with the word Christmas added to it. Video
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals always bring the fun wherever they go. It's nice to see the Krampus side of things on Naughty Naughty Children (Better Start Actin' Nice), as opposed to the present demanding world we live in. Video
Another surprise ditty from the work muzak - Asher Angel giving a little dance groove to the holiday season with Snow Globe Wonderland. I suppose not all of those little Disney starts are intolerable. Video
You knew I would have some Trans-Siberian Orchestra on here. Obviously everyone knows this song to the point where it's almost cliche for me to include it, but Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 really hits you good. There's a reason why they play it twice during their live sets. Video
Aaand last but surely not least, my Christmas anthem, This Christmas (I'll Burn It To The Ground) by Set It Off. It's just not December til I hear this one. Lol. Video
I hope you all have a great holiday!! Hit shuffle and enjoy!
-J1
Starting things off this year is my all-time favorite Christmas song, Tiffany's Christmas Tree by Irwin Icon. My wife is still a little perplexed that my favorite Christmas song is kind of a stalker song about a guy who delivers a Christmas tree to an unsuspecting woman who he felt a connection with. I just think it's a great fun song, lyrical theme aside. Video
Amy Grant's version of Hark! the Herald Angels Sing is required listening every year for me. I just love how her voice sounds, and Hark! has always been one of my favorite carols. Video
My Christmas tastes always vary between the classic carols and the modern madness, which brings us to Do You Hear What I Hear? by Bing Crosby. Wouldn't be Christmas without the ol Binger, right? Video
The first time I heard The Real Meaning Of Christmas by The Winans this year, I really felt moved emotionally. It reminded me of Pastor Simon, and of course listening to The Winans always puts me in a good place. Video
Of course, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer has come under fire this year for various reasons, including its theme of bullying. The movie seems more and more ridiculous with each passing year, but it was what it was at the time, and it's a classic for me. Bowling for Soup decided to put their own spin on the misfit song Rudolph and Hermey sing - We're A Couple of Misfits. It's a perfect song for a band like those guys. Video
Bing Crosby appears again with The Secret Of Christmas, which I feel is an ever-important message in the current world we live in. Video
Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Nat King Cole, either. Here's his rendition of the lovely Caroling, Caroling. Something about Christmas bells gets me going every year. Video
I feel like Leona Lewis has a beautiful voice and can really hit the notes. The biggest downfall for her, IMO is that she seems to be trying to be a 2000s version of Whitney Houston. It just doesn't work. One More Sleep is a catchy, fun Christmas tune though - well worth the ridiculous amount of plays I've given it. Video
Jim Brickman's version of The Gift is definitely my favorite version of the song, but something about how Peabo Bryson sings it in this version with the incomparable Roberta Flack really hit me this year. Video
Relient K has two amazing Christmas CDs with both original and classic Christmas hits. In Like A Lion (Always Winter) is one that found new life for me, again with the passing of Pastor Simon. It's interesting how many things have found new life in such a tragic event. Video
Great Big Sea are a group that get a lot of love from me around St Patrick's Day, so it was a pleasant surprise to find a "Christmas" song from them in Seven Joys Of Mary. They do a wonderful job on this traditional hit. Video
I literally don't know anything about Mr. Little Jeans other than the fact that hearing Dear Santa at work for the last month has been an absolute treat. Not that I'm a big fan of songs asking (or, usually demanding) Santa for specific gifts, but this one hits the spot in 2018. Video
I kept hearing Johnny Cash on the work muzak throughout this year and decided that I should see what his Christmas music is all about. I found a stirring version of The Christmas Guest, which is one of those songs that you just cannot skip once you get started. Video
Diana Krall could sing me a page from the Yellow Pages and I'd just be melting all over it. What a voice. Her Christmas album was one of the most anticipated ones for me to revisit this year, including What Are You Doing New Years Eve? So so good. Video
I love Nick Lachey's voice. I just do. 98 Degrees comes up enough times in my life because of it. This Gift is cheesy and corny but at least it's a song written specifically for Christmas, as opposed to a love song with the word Christmas added to it. Video
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals always bring the fun wherever they go. It's nice to see the Krampus side of things on Naughty Naughty Children (Better Start Actin' Nice), as opposed to the present demanding world we live in. Video
Another surprise ditty from the work muzak - Asher Angel giving a little dance groove to the holiday season with Snow Globe Wonderland. I suppose not all of those little Disney starts are intolerable. Video
You knew I would have some Trans-Siberian Orchestra on here. Obviously everyone knows this song to the point where it's almost cliche for me to include it, but Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 really hits you good. There's a reason why they play it twice during their live sets. Video
Aaand last but surely not least, my Christmas anthem, This Christmas (I'll Burn It To The Ground) by Set It Off. It's just not December til I hear this one. Lol. Video
I hope you all have a great holiday!! Hit shuffle and enjoy!
-J1
Thursday, December 20, 2018
The 2018 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #1
#1. Florence + The Machine - Sky Full Of Song
I suppose there are a few absolutes in life - death, taxes, and Florence + The Machine making the Jester One Top 20 Countdown. The inaugural edition had "Kiss With A Fist" being on the honor roll, 2012 saw "Shake It Out" and "What The Water Gave Me" doubling at 12, and "Ship To Wreck" landed at #20 in 2015. Florence + Co are known for their massive sound, blending orchestral soundscapes, Isabella Summers' talent behind a keyboard and of course Florence Welch's enormous voice. Along the way, their 4 albums have hit #1 in a combined 8 countries and have been certified several times platinum. I could go on and on talking about the accolades that the band has been given and the awards they've won, but this is 2018, so let's talk about their current body of work.
High As Hope is a different kind of beast for Florence. You won't find the colossal firepower of songs like "Shake It Off" and "Dog Days Are Over" anywhere there. Instead, the work is stripped down and dialed back - many of the songs seem to feature just Florence, a keyboard and a flutter of sounds. It is a deep and emotional record, reaching deeper inside of Welch's heart and soul to pull out the pain of the last few years for herself. The second single "Hunger" features one of the darker lines that I've ever heard from the group - "At seventeen, I started to starve myself, I thought that love was a kind of emptiness, and at least I understood then the hunger I felt, and I didn't have to call it loneliness". It is uttered almost candidly, as if Welch herself is better than what she has written and knows that music is her way to work through these things and persevere. Other standout tracks include "Grace", "South London Forever", and "100 Years". It only reached #2 in most of the charts it usually tops (UK, US, Australia, NZ), but if you really want to understand love, you ought to give this record a spin.
The day that "Sky Full Of Song" was released was a day that inevitably changed 2018 for me. The song popped up on my Spotify "Release Radar" channel and I excitedly put it in my queue for the morning. The moment it came on I had to stop playing the game I was entertaining myself with. The second you hear Welch wail "How deeply are you sleeping, or are you still awake", you know you're onto something amazing. The first 20 seconds of the song are just Welch before she is joined by a soft bass and the twinkle of a harp. There isn't a whole lot to the song musically - it's simply Florence against the world. She sounds as amazing as ever as she sings about the difficuly of performing and how music takes her to another place. There wasn't some bubbling up process for me; it was an immediate dawning. I listened to the song over and over again, just trying to grasp every emotion Welch was throwing at me. I actually had to pull myself away from the song for a few days, just to come back and re-imagine what I was feeling all over again. Even without the usual exploding orchestral, it's a humongous song for the band. The song cracked out 25m streams on Spotify and its video has another 12m views while showing an anguished Florence sitting on the floor, singing in black and white in an empty room surrounded by small flowers.
This is the first time a returning band reached #1. I am fairly sure that Florence + The Machine will be back whenever they decide to release another record as well. "Pain" and "Sky Full Of Song" were back and forth throughout most of the summer but the English juggernaut was not to be denied. Two years in a row we have a female led alternative rock act with a softer, heart-stirring #1. What a great time to be around. Thank you again everyone for turning in :-)
Favorite line: "I thought I was flying, but maybe I'm dying tonight."
Title: Sky Full Of Song
Artist: Florence + The Machine
Album: High As Hope.
Previous #1s
2017: Morning Theft - Skeleton Twins
2016: DMA's - Lay Down
2015: Purity Ring - Heartsigh
2014: Cadets - A Drop In The Ocean
2013: Surfer Blood - Demon Dance
2012: Fun. - Some Nights
2011: Young The Giant - My Body
2010: Hockey - Song Away
2009: Morrissey - I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
I suppose there are a few absolutes in life - death, taxes, and Florence + The Machine making the Jester One Top 20 Countdown. The inaugural edition had "Kiss With A Fist" being on the honor roll, 2012 saw "Shake It Out" and "What The Water Gave Me" doubling at 12, and "Ship To Wreck" landed at #20 in 2015. Florence + Co are known for their massive sound, blending orchestral soundscapes, Isabella Summers' talent behind a keyboard and of course Florence Welch's enormous voice. Along the way, their 4 albums have hit #1 in a combined 8 countries and have been certified several times platinum. I could go on and on talking about the accolades that the band has been given and the awards they've won, but this is 2018, so let's talk about their current body of work.
High As Hope is a different kind of beast for Florence. You won't find the colossal firepower of songs like "Shake It Off" and "Dog Days Are Over" anywhere there. Instead, the work is stripped down and dialed back - many of the songs seem to feature just Florence, a keyboard and a flutter of sounds. It is a deep and emotional record, reaching deeper inside of Welch's heart and soul to pull out the pain of the last few years for herself. The second single "Hunger" features one of the darker lines that I've ever heard from the group - "At seventeen, I started to starve myself, I thought that love was a kind of emptiness, and at least I understood then the hunger I felt, and I didn't have to call it loneliness". It is uttered almost candidly, as if Welch herself is better than what she has written and knows that music is her way to work through these things and persevere. Other standout tracks include "Grace", "South London Forever", and "100 Years". It only reached #2 in most of the charts it usually tops (UK, US, Australia, NZ), but if you really want to understand love, you ought to give this record a spin.
The day that "Sky Full Of Song" was released was a day that inevitably changed 2018 for me. The song popped up on my Spotify "Release Radar" channel and I excitedly put it in my queue for the morning. The moment it came on I had to stop playing the game I was entertaining myself with. The second you hear Welch wail "How deeply are you sleeping, or are you still awake", you know you're onto something amazing. The first 20 seconds of the song are just Welch before she is joined by a soft bass and the twinkle of a harp. There isn't a whole lot to the song musically - it's simply Florence against the world. She sounds as amazing as ever as she sings about the difficuly of performing and how music takes her to another place. There wasn't some bubbling up process for me; it was an immediate dawning. I listened to the song over and over again, just trying to grasp every emotion Welch was throwing at me. I actually had to pull myself away from the song for a few days, just to come back and re-imagine what I was feeling all over again. Even without the usual exploding orchestral, it's a humongous song for the band. The song cracked out 25m streams on Spotify and its video has another 12m views while showing an anguished Florence sitting on the floor, singing in black and white in an empty room surrounded by small flowers.
This is the first time a returning band reached #1. I am fairly sure that Florence + The Machine will be back whenever they decide to release another record as well. "Pain" and "Sky Full Of Song" were back and forth throughout most of the summer but the English juggernaut was not to be denied. Two years in a row we have a female led alternative rock act with a softer, heart-stirring #1. What a great time to be around. Thank you again everyone for turning in :-)
Favorite line: "I thought I was flying, but maybe I'm dying tonight."
Title: Sky Full Of Song
Artist: Florence + The Machine
Album: High As Hope.
Previous #1s
2017: Morning Theft - Skeleton Twins
2016: DMA's - Lay Down
2015: Purity Ring - Heartsigh
2014: Cadets - A Drop In The Ocean
2013: Surfer Blood - Demon Dance
2012: Fun. - Some Nights
2011: Young The Giant - My Body
2010: Hockey - Song Away
2009: Morrissey - I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)