Tag: Nate Leavitt

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OldJack @ The Rosebud Bar 8.25.2011

Members of OldJack* closed out the release party for the new Nate Leavitt EP, Inference. Nate himself even got up and played a few songs with the band. To start their set, Dan Nicklin, Ryan Peters and Derek Feeney played several numbers that OldJack are currently working on in the studio. Then they busted out some familiar favorites with a few of their past collaborators. Ryan Spaulding, of Ryan’s Smashing Life, even got in on the action. It was loose, fun and a fitting way to end the night.

* I wont lie. I debated long and hard about what to title this post. Calling this an “OldJack” show isn’t completely accurate, despite members of the band doing songs by the band. However, “Dan Nicklin, Ryan Peters, Derek Feeney (For The Majority Of The Time) And Assorted Former OldJack Collaborators @ The Rosebud 8.25.2011” seemed a bit obnoxious.

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Nate Leavitt @ The Rosebud Bar 8.25.2011

Nate Leavitt celebrated the release of Inference, his new EP, with a fantastic night of music at The Rosebud. It was a multi-set affair for Mr. Leavitt, his guitar and his harmonica. He was even joined by Dan Nicklin of OldJack for a couple of songs.*

*Nate returned the favor by performing with the members of OldJack. More on that later…

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Nate Leavitt – Inference (2011)


Nate Leavitt
Inference
2011

Nate Leavitt’s new solo EP is a somber affair. The four songs that make up Inference are built around Nate’s acoustic guitar and intimate vocals. “My End” is nicely augmented by tremolo and slide guitars. “Alone Together” and “Won’t You Be Mine” both feature a touch of piano to go with their feelings of longing and vulnerability. The songs are heartfelt and personal in both their nature and delivery.

“The World Today” stands out as a beautiful contradiction. The song’s sunny melody and major chord progression are tempered by its world-weary sentiment. It’s a work of profound simplicity. This is the sound of innocence lost.

Where to get it:

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Parlour Bells – “Speak Up” (2011)


Parlour Bells
“Speak Up”
2011

Parlour Bells are making me look good. Ever since I caught their set at Brighton Music Hall back in March, I’ve been blabbering on about what a great band they are to see live.

Now along comes their new single, “Speak Up”. Drummer Brandon Erdos immediately make his presence know with the clock-steady beat that anchors the song. Glenn DiBenedetto pulls you along as his voice weaves a melody through the thumping bass and strummed guitars. There’s a simplicity to the song that draws you in before Nate Leavitt’s harmonized guitars carry you out. Well played.

Where to get it:

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Brendan Boogie And The Best Intentions @ The Rosebud Bar 7.9.2011

Brendan Boogie is a man with a plan. His plan was to release six EPs in the first half of 2011 with a celebratory shindig thrown every month. He just successfully completed* this cycle with another fun night at The Rosebud in honor of Songs From The Armory Vol. 3.

The opening featured Brendan Boogie and his latest co-conspirators playing the songs from the new EP. It was loose and fun for just about everyone involved.**

The second part of the set had Brendan and The Best Intentions ripping through some of their finest material. I know there was a lot of (probably well-deserved) hype about a certain catch-us-before-our-reunion event elsewhere in town, but Brendan and his gang were putting on a memorable show of their own. No regrets here. It was a blast.

* Well, he did take April off, so the sixth EP didn’t come out until July. For some reason I feel the need to mention this (again). I don’t know if this is because I don’t want people to think I don’t know how to count or if I just like giving Brendan a hard time. It’s most likely the latter, but the former gives me a plausible out.

** Seriously, almost everyone had fun with this part. Almost…

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Parlour Bells @ The Rosebud Bar 6.17.2011

I’m a sucker for Parlour Bells.

There’s something about their ’80s inspired, moody pop that gets to me. It’s more than just the catchy tunes. Everyone in the band knows exactly what needs to be done. They’ve also got style to go with their substance. They’ve got showmanship. They’ve got a flask.

This Rosebud show proves that the fantastic set I caught at Brighton Music Hall a couple of months ago was no fluke. Parlour Bells are onto something.



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OldJack @ Lizard Lounge 5.14.2011

I’m sitting here trying to describe how I felt during OldJack’s set at the underground den known as Lizard Lounge this past weekend. I write and rewrite, my words always coming up short. It’s frustrating, because I want to find some concise way to convey how wonderful it is seeing OldJack play. If you haven’t had a chance to see them, I want to tell you that there’s a good chance you are missing out on something that may bring you great joy. Did you see them in The Rumble? Unreal. OldJack breathes life into whatever room they inhabit. There is something special about the moments when Dan Nicklin, Kelly Davis, Christie Beaulieu and Emily Belastock all sing together. I want to grab you by the scruff of your neck and drag you to an OldJack show so you can see what I’ve been fortunate enough to see.

Oh, I guess I feel lucky.



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Parlour Bells @ Brighton Music Hall 3.30.2011

I enjoy the rare occasion when I don’t know much about a band the first time I see them. It’s nice when you can see a band without any preconceived notions. There really are so few surprises in life these days.

This is exactly what happened with Parlour Bells at Brighton Music Hall. I knew Brendan Boogie was playing bass in the band. I was also aware that his musical wife Magen Tracy and Best Intention Nate Leavitt were among the cast of characters. That was about it. I don’t think I had heard any of their stuff online. Nobody had really hyped them to me. Just going to check out something new.

Wow. Parlour Bells are pretty great. Glenn DiBenedetto is a mesmerizing front man with the vocal abilities to back it up. The more I see of Nate Leavitt on guitar, the more I am coming to the realization that he always knows exactly what to play. Magen Tracey provides keyboards and an all important female vocal to intertwine with Mr. DiBenedetto. Brendan Boogie and drummer Brandon Erdos prove to be a skillful rhythm section. The band has a confidence that can’t be faked.

They won me over.