Action Item Shows Indiana Some Love

The Stronger The Love Tour Poster

Thursday, October 27, pop group Action Item played their first show in Indianapolis at the Emerson Theater, with opening acts Hollywood Ending, Days Difference, and Burnham. Though the crowd was extremely small, all four bands still performed their hearts out, giving every ounce of energy and emotion into each song. Despite dealing with several technical difficulties through out the course of the night, the positive, energetic vibe never faltered.

Me with the guys from Hollywood Ending

The first act, Hollywood Ending, played with enthusiasm, performing originals such as “You Got Me” and “I’m So Over You.” The Radio Disney’s N.B.T. contestants also performed covers of Busted’s “Year 3000” and One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” paying tribute to their bass player Chris Bourne’s British roots. Their upbeat pop sound got the crowd jumping and doing the “sloppy joe,” starting the night off on the right foot.

Me with the guys from Days Difference

Up next, alternative pop band Days Difference graced the stage, slowing down the pace with unhurried ballads such as their original tracks “Speakers” and “Are You Happy” from their self-titled debut album. Lead singer Jeremy William Smith showed off his keyboard skills as his melodic vocals started the crowd swaying.  The Virginia natives frequently come to Indiana or the surrounding area. On November 9 they will be opening up for Owl City at the Expo Five in Louisville, KY.

Me with the guys from Burnham

Surprisingly talented, Burnham, a group of three brothers, wowed the crowd. With unyielding talent, better than expected for their young ages, the group brought more stage presence than any band before them. Giving off a “Jonas Brothers” feel, the band made the young teenage girls go crazy. Lead singer Forrest Burnham, at just 15 years of age, showed off his vocal abilities covering Bruno Mars’ “The Lazy Song”, making it the most memorable of their performance, having changed some of the lyrics to better suit his age.

Me with the guys from Action Item

Last but most definitely not least, the headlining band Action Item showed Indiana some love. As their first Headlining Tour, The Stronger The Love Tour, Action Item showed their excitement, constantly speaking giddily of it during their set, and on their twitter accounts. Playing all the best tracks from their debut album, The Stronger The Love, early works from their two EPs, The World and I and Boy With the Microphone, and their brand new single “Learn to Fly,” Action Item performed an extremely fun, energetic, and lengthy set.

Me receiving a group hug from Action Item

Before, during, and after the concert, all four bands mingled with the audience, taking pictures, signing autographs, and holding conversations. Some fans had the luxury of VIP tickets and were able to eat dinner with the band. The small crowd size provided the night with intimacy, a luxury that many concert-goers find hard to get with their favorite bands. Despite the amazing performances the bands gave for the crowd, the best part of the night was getting to know all of them personally, and getting that connection with such great musicians.

By: Valerie Cox

Here are some extra pictures I took with the bands:

Me with Danny from Hollywood Ending

Me with Tyler from Hollywood Ending

Me with Chris from Hollywood Ending

Jenna Nicholls Read My Album Review

Hello fellow readers! I've just received some amazing news. A little bit ago I reviewed Jenna Nicholls' album The Blooming Hour for the WIUX blog. Turns out she read it and loved it! Here is her comment on the WIUX site:

Also, I WIUX blog reader commented on my article:

Check out my article that got all this buzz here: www.wiux.org/blog

Jenna Nicholls - The Blooming Hour

Hey everybody! Check out my album review for Jenna Nicholls' newest album The Blooming Hour on the WIUX blog now: www.wiux.org/blog

Rod Lunn - The Same Mistake

Hey guys! My album review for Rod Lunn's The Same Mistake is now up on the WIUX blog! Go check it out here: www.wiux.org/blog

My full, Uncut Review of Compass Rose's Block Party Performance!

So as you might have heard, some of my concert review was cut to fit the blog. But, many people liked my original uncut version better, so I will post it here for your viewing pleasure. Here it is, enjoy:

Compass Rose Graces Neighborhood Block Party

By: Valerie Cox

Nashville recording artist and local rock band Compass Rose graced a private block party in Northwood Estates, a neighborhood near Cascades Golf Course, Saturday, October 1, leaving the crowd cheering for more. By the end of the night, the crowd had grown twice the original amount, due to the band’s classic sound and undeniable love for performing. The band bestowed the bash with an abundance of energy, performing both crowd-pleasing cover songs and genuine original tracks from their debut album Run With The Moon, which released back in the spring. It is available for download on iTunes now, or get a physical copy from their website or at one of their concert.

Starting the night off with a bang, Compass Rose rocked out to a heartfelt cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason.” With honest female vocals belting through the speakers, the crowd began singing along and nodding their heads to the music. Young children frolicked around the yard and driveway of the home hosting the stage. “Run With The Moon,” the title track from their debut album followed shortly after. The combination of male and female vocals produced perfect harmonies. Due to its catchy lyrics and relatability, this track was the most memorable original song of the night.

The majority of the concert was made up of the band’s rendition of standard cover songs, both current and classic. Some of my personal favorites, KT Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and ADELE’s “Rolling In The Deep,” showed just how talented Compass Rose is. Their covers lived up to the originals, which is impressive due to how challenging both the songs are. The sun had finally set, and the band was playing by the lights of the garage.

After a short intermission, the band returned with a segment of old pop covers that got the crowd up and excited, showing their dancing abilities (or lack there of). Guests broke out glow bracelets, giving the event even more of that concert vibe. The best songs of the segment included Rose Royce’s “Car Wash,” the B-52’s “Love Shack,” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” While the band gave it their all, the crowd was growing rapidly, proving the songs to be crowd-pleasers. Due to the passionate energy of the band, their covers of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing “ and Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” remain vividly in my mind and the mind of the other guests.

After hours of performing, Compass Rose finished their set. The air was filled with the loud echo-y chatter of applause, along with whistles and howls. Breaking through the noise you could faintly hear chanting of the word “encore.” The crowd caught on quickly, joining in until all you could here was the loud booming of the word. Compass Rose, pleased with their audiences reaction, performed one last cover. The crowd went wild and took advantage of the last performance of the night.

After an amazing night, the concert was over. The band packed up their equipment, took a bit of time to talk to fans, and proceeded to head out. Because of their connection with the crowd, classic rock sound, musical talent, and carefully chosen set list, Compass Rose gained an abundance of fans, including me. I look forward to seeing them perform in the future, and hope that everyone checks the band out for themselves.

Check them out at: www.compassroseband.net

Compass Rose Concert Review

My concert review of the Compass Rose Block Party is now on the WIUX Blog! You can view it here: www.wiux.org/blog and check out the band's website here: compassroseband.net! 

Seapony - Go With Me

The dreamy and slightly distorted surf pop album Go With Me features a beachy set of songs by the easy-going Seapony. In 2010, the band formed in Seattle, Washington. Go With Me, their debut LP, released May 31, 2011, just in time for summer. Full of cheery pop music, the album proves easy to listen to, catchy, and definitely fun. Each song has that surf inspired sound with airy female vocals, smoothly blurred guitar, and simple drum machine beats. The tracks tell of love, with lyrics of just a few lines each. They carry an air of childlike wonder. Many of the tunes are short feature a twangy surf guitar. The harmonic melodies transition into each other smoothly, making it hard to tell where one song begins and another one ends. The album provides for lovely background music that is soothing, soft, and sweet.

Wistful melodies and lovelorn lyrics start the album off in “Dreaming.” This soft surf smash is by far the most memorable track on the album. Immediately following “Dreaming” on the album comes the alluring slow-tempo ballad “I Never Would.” Reflecting an innocent romance, it showcases the tenderness and vulnerability of the vocals. The lyrics are thoughtfully written and easily relatable. Further along the album, you’ll find a lullaby of heartsickness, entitled “I Really Do.” Full of fluttery strums and country twang, the beautifully sung lyrics make this song one of the best on the album.

The indie pop album can sound mundane because the same guitar chords appear over and over as well as every song being in the same major, with the same airy vocals and perfectly fuzzed-out guitar. This makes the rest of the tracks unmemorable, as they offer nothing different to the album. Despite the similarities between each song, Seapony has produced a sun-bathed sound perfect for summer. With its intentionally simple lyrics, and breathy female vocals that float calmly over unending streams of dreamy fuzz, Go With Me chills you out and makes you feel as if you’re lying Oceanside. Seapony proves to be just as sweet and dreamy as the name implies, going as far as selecting a summery and dreamy haze for their album cover. Their easy-going charm and beachy surf pop sound make for a sweet listening experience. Overall, Seapony’s debut album Go With Me is a must-add to any indie pop fan’s collection of summery hits.

7/10

Check them out here: www.hardlyart.com/seapony

Similar artists: Best Coast, Foster the People, Youth Lagoon, The Softies