Thursday, October 1, 2015
Ray Bonneville-"Bad Man's Blood"
Saw this talented troubadour last night at a very intimate space called the Focal Point in Maplewood. This tune could easily be the opening theme for the next True Detective, assuming there is one after last season's debacle.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Tame Impala wows Pageant crowd
June, 1st - The Pageant, St. Louis, Mo
In anticipation of their third proper studio full-length, "Currents" (out July 17th in the U.S.), Australian psychedelic-rock outfit Tame Impala made their intentions clear at the outset with a trippy instrumental weaving synth, drums and guitar with a pulsating light show hellbent on mesmerizing the near-capacity crowd.
That's precisely what the five-piece band from Perth accomplished. Straight into "Let It Happen" off the aforementioned upcoming "Currents," frontman and brainchild (or mad scientist) Kevin Parker led the audience across an ninety-plus minute dreamy landscape replete with swirling guitars and rafters-shaking bass to complement his lilting falsetto.
The band wears its Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd and Revolver-era Beatles influences proudly on its tie-dyed sleeves. Dancing around barefoot, Parker feverishly worked his many foot pedals to create his wall of sound, confidently stopping and starting and cueing his bandmates like the foreman of giant roaring machine.
The crowd pumped their fists and sang along as the set borrowed heavily from their popular 2012 release, "Lonerism," with tracks "Why Won't They Talk To Me," and the foot stomping "Elephant," the high point of the show for me.
After seeing Tame Impala several times in both intimate rooms and at an outdoor festival in front of 50,000 people, I can say this band is getting better and tighter each time out. They're still booking the 1,200 seat venues but as word of their tremendous live shows gets out, that will become a distant, dreamy memory.
In anticipation of their third proper studio full-length, "Currents" (out July 17th in the U.S.), Australian psychedelic-rock outfit Tame Impala made their intentions clear at the outset with a trippy instrumental weaving synth, drums and guitar with a pulsating light show hellbent on mesmerizing the near-capacity crowd.
That's precisely what the five-piece band from Perth accomplished. Straight into "Let It Happen" off the aforementioned upcoming "Currents," frontman and brainchild (or mad scientist) Kevin Parker led the audience across an ninety-plus minute dreamy landscape replete with swirling guitars and rafters-shaking bass to complement his lilting falsetto.
The band wears its Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd and Revolver-era Beatles influences proudly on its tie-dyed sleeves. Dancing around barefoot, Parker feverishly worked his many foot pedals to create his wall of sound, confidently stopping and starting and cueing his bandmates like the foreman of giant roaring machine.
The crowd pumped their fists and sang along as the set borrowed heavily from their popular 2012 release, "Lonerism," with tracks "Why Won't They Talk To Me," and the foot stomping "Elephant," the high point of the show for me.
After seeing Tame Impala several times in both intimate rooms and at an outdoor festival in front of 50,000 people, I can say this band is getting better and tighter each time out. They're still booking the 1,200 seat venues but as word of their tremendous live shows gets out, that will become a distant, dreamy memory.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Savory Frothy Coffee made with Coconut Oil
The coconut oil craze is enjoying a remarkably long shelf life. I was really expecting the buzz to die down after awhile, but you can find more and more products containing coconut oil coming to market each month. And why not? Its health benefits are widely touted. You can use it in cooking, from stir frying and baking to skin care; my wife puts it on her face. And while she walks around glistening in the moonlight before it soaks in, her skin glows and she looks ten years younger than her actual age (which I will not divulge).
I love to put it in my coffee. While that may not seem like a traditional way to flavor one's cup of morning joe, bear with me. A little dollup of coconut oil, with its high concentration of healthy fats, makes your morning (or afternoon) ritual quite a treat.
Ingredients: High quality coffee beans (not ground)
Unrefined coconut oil
Your preferred milk (almond, coconut, cow, goat, creamer. etc)
Cinnamon
I start with some good quality beans and grind 'em up right before I brew. I have a little Krups grinder that I've had for 10 years or so and it has always performed beautifully. You can get 'em at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond or department stores.
When your coffee is done brewing grab your coconut oil. I have read extensively to use 'unrefined' or virgin oil as it is not processed. The processing basically consists of heating and bleaching then deodorizing to remove the coconut oil flavor and aroma. I for one, love the aroma and flavor, and it is so subtle in the coffee, that even if you don't 'love it' you won't notice it that much. Here's a good explainer of the difference between refined and unrefined. Here's the brand I'm currently using with which I have had great results.
To blend, you don't need to haul out the giant food processor or blender. Of course if that's all you have, by all means. I use a NurtiBullet blender. It came with several cups and detachable blades which makes this a very easy process. You can use an immersion blender too. They run about $30 for a good brand like Cuisinart.
Scoop a little dollop of coconut oil and put it in your cup, then pour your hot coffee over it. You'll notice the oil start to melt and liquify; this is a good thing. I like to mix in a little creamer and almond or coconut milk to give it a creamier texture, but trial and error will best determine your preferred combo.
I love to put it in my coffee. While that may not seem like a traditional way to flavor one's cup of morning joe, bear with me. A little dollup of coconut oil, with its high concentration of healthy fats, makes your morning (or afternoon) ritual quite a treat.
Ingredients: High quality coffee beans (not ground)
Unrefined coconut oil
Your preferred milk (almond, coconut, cow, goat, creamer. etc)
Cinnamon
I start with some good quality beans and grind 'em up right before I brew. I have a little Krups grinder that I've had for 10 years or so and it has always performed beautifully. You can get 'em at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond or department stores.
When your coffee is done brewing grab your coconut oil. I have read extensively to use 'unrefined' or virgin oil as it is not processed. The processing basically consists of heating and bleaching then deodorizing to remove the coconut oil flavor and aroma. I for one, love the aroma and flavor, and it is so subtle in the coffee, that even if you don't 'love it' you won't notice it that much. Here's a good explainer of the difference between refined and unrefined. Here's the brand I'm currently using with which I have had great results.
Scoop a little dollop of coconut oil and put it in your cup, then pour your hot coffee over it. You'll notice the oil start to melt and liquify; this is a good thing. I like to mix in a little creamer and almond or coconut milk to give it a creamier texture, but trial and error will best determine your preferred combo.
Then I add a dash of cinnamon on top.
I then blend for literally five or six seconds and this magical concoction appears.
A few hearty mugs of this in the a.m., and I'm not usually hungry 'til lunchtime. The fat in the oil is quite satiating, eliminating my early morning hunger pangs. Of course it does taste great with eggs and potatoes as well. Enjoy!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Friday, August 8, 2014
St. Louis concerts to put on the calendar
Upcoming St. Louis-area concerts to see:
Aug. 15th - Geoffrey Louis Koch - Old Rock House
http://oldrockhouse.com/event/geoffrey-louis-koch/
Aug. 23rd - El Monstero - Art Hill, Forest Park
http://www.thepageant.com/show/253/el-monstero-at-art-hill.aspx
Sept. 2nd - The Breeders - Off Broadway
http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/event/629023-breeders-st-louis/
Sept. 6th & 7th - LouFest - Forest Park
Arctic Monkeys, OutKast, Yo La Tengo, Cake, Matt & Kim, Delta Spirit and more.
http://www.loufest.com/
Sept. 12th - The Afghan Whigs - The Ready Room
http://www.thereadyroom.com/event/579187-afghan-whigs-st-louis/
Sept. 19th -Bob Mould Band w/ Cymbals Eat Guitars - Old Rock House
http://oldrockhouse.com/event/bob-mould-band/
Sept. 20th - Spoon - The Pageant
http://www.thepageant.com/show/262/spoon.aspx
Spoon's latest single, The Rent I Pay
Aug. 15th - Geoffrey Louis Koch - Old Rock House
http://oldrockhouse.com/event/geoffrey-louis-koch/
Aug. 23rd - El Monstero - Art Hill, Forest Park
http://www.thepageant.com/show/253/el-monstero-at-art-hill.aspx
Sept. 2nd - The Breeders - Off Broadway
http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/event/629023-breeders-st-louis/
Sept. 6th & 7th - LouFest - Forest Park
Arctic Monkeys, OutKast, Yo La Tengo, Cake, Matt & Kim, Delta Spirit and more.
http://www.loufest.com/
Sept. 12th - The Afghan Whigs - The Ready Room
http://www.thereadyroom.com/event/579187-afghan-whigs-st-louis/
Sept. 19th -Bob Mould Band w/ Cymbals Eat Guitars - Old Rock House
http://oldrockhouse.com/event/bob-mould-band/
Sept. 20th - Spoon - The Pageant
http://www.thepageant.com/show/262/spoon.aspx
Spoon's latest single, The Rent I Pay
Friday, Oct. 3rd - Pearl Jam - Scottrade Center
Oct. 7th - Tune-Yards - The Ready Room
Oct. 12th- The Rural Alberta Advantage - The Firebird
Oct. 12th - The War on Drugs - The Ready Room
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Wild Beasts - Wanderlust (Official Video)
Excellent new single off the latest Wild Beasts record, "Present Tense."
Friday, August 23, 2013
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