Closed until further notice

It's hard for me to say this, but after much thought, I have decided to close down Circles of Concrete. This wasn't an easy decision. I love music and I love writing about music, but lately updating the blog has felt more like a chore than fun.

It's become harder and harder to write about good music and for a while, I haven't really written about music that really excites me, but rather promoting the bands that email me (those artists are still good though). And with the majority of my work day spent on a computer, the last thing I want to do is spend more time on one.

Over the past three and a half years, I've been exposed to some truly amazing music (I would have nevered discovered Passenger, Farewell Flight or Greg Laswell otherwise) and met many other music nuts like myself (Contrast Podcast-ers, I'm talking to you). I thank all of you who read the blog regularly and those that came by once and a while. I only hope that I've exposed you to some great artists as well.

I work as a music writer in my day job, so it's not like I'll fully stop doing this. If you want to still let me know about your band, feel free to continue emailing me at concretecircles@gmail.com. I'd love to still listen to your stuff and I also know a lot of other music writers and I can easily pass on your stuff to them.

I'm sure this isn't the last you hear from me. But until then, take care and keep listening to good music.

Prabir/Goldrush plays at Six Burner

Prabir (of the now defunct Prabir and the Substitutes) has teamed up with two classical musicians from the Richmond Symphony to play songs of a different variety as Prabir/Goldrush.

Their style is quite different from the days of the Substitutes. A little more mellow. A little more grown up. I like where Prabir is heading and looking forward to see what comes next.

The trio is playing a free show tonight at Six Burner. Come and hear for yourselves.

Read an interview with them on Richmond.com: http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/jan/26/prabirgoldrush-strikes-it-rich

Birds and Arrows at Plaza Bowl

Husband/wife guitar/drums duo Birds and Arrows will be playing with Katharine Whalen's Lucky at Plaza Bowl on Jan. 30.

Here's what's being said about them:

Starmaker, the full-length debut from young duo Birds & Arrows, plays like a scrapbook that chronicles the love and lives of husband and wife Pete and Andrea Connolly. Both the album art and songs are deeply personal, edging on voyeuristic at times, but offering a sort of universal truth for their intimacy. On the title track, Andrea and Pete sing in unison, identifying God as the "starmaker" who pushes a pin through black paper like on a schoolchild's art project. By casting God as the craft artist, the Connollys afford themselves the power to create their own world, one of instant nostalgia and familiarity, not unlike the best of Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. Artwork of Native Americans and spaceships collides with lyrics about traveling and love. Birds & Arrows' domain is strange and beautiful, full of wide-eyed wonder.

Listen to "Starmaker"

[DOWNLOAD]

The Undeserving covers "Pants on the Ground"

As much as it pains me to write something as horrible as "Pants on the Ground," (seriously, this is why I think the mainstream-listening culutre are a bunch of idiots) this cover by Ohio-based rockers The Undeserving actually sounds like a good song when it's tackled by actual professionals.

Brian Mackey Comes Out of the House

Singer/songwriter Brian Mackey has been in my ears lately. His relaxing, yet upbeat songs of joy and heartbreak are just the thing to catch my attention. He's playing shows right now promoting his latest release Feng Shui for Slobs (love that title!)

From his bio:
Brian Mackey, in his own words, says he's "in love with the idea of love. Every long winding search of dead ends, broken relationships and struggles could make it ..easy for someone to just give up. But Brian shows "all of us".

I'm looking forward to seeing what things happen with this guy in the coming year.

Come Out of the House


Painted Red

Mixtape Monday - Jan. 18

Some tracks that have popped up in my inbox lately.

The Parade Schedule - Backyard

[DOWNLOAD]

Briana Nadeau - Hold You

[DOWNLOAD]

The Treats - Yahweh Won't Look The Other Way

[DOWNLOAD]

The Treats - We Had Fun

[DOWNLOAD]

INU - The Bailing

[DOWNLOAD]

Happy Birthday Sarah Blacker! (Show at The Camel tonight)

Jazzy/folk-rock singer/songwriter Sarah Blacker is coming to the Camel tonight, Jan. 11 for a birthday performance (yes, she even plays on her birthday!) in support of her new album, The Only Way Out is Through.

From her bio:
Sarah Blacker will treat you like an old friend before a show and stop you dead in your tracks once she starts to sing. Her songs are mature with sharp, eloquent lyrics that are easy to relate to and a seemingly endless ability to capture audiences of all kinds with her unique and aesthetic sound. Though just the size of a woodland fairy, her instrumental skills on the guitar, mandolin, and djembe are enough to make any fellow male peers weak in the knees, (and equally as impressed) with a sound much bigger than her size.

Her lyrics range from relating the chaos of falling in love to the ability to digest dark chocolate and red wine in the album's opening track to honest confessions to her parents about an inability to work a regular job. There is a grace in Sarah’s laid-back, soulful flare and a great energy that really comes through in the slight turning of a phrase or a small change in vocal color that speaks volumes.

I'm bummed I'm going to miss this show. Sounds like it'll be a blast.

Mixtape Monday - Jan. 11

Some tracks that have popped up in my inbox lately.

Furcast - All For Me

[DOWNLOAD]

Mist and Mast - Burning Homes

[DOWNLOAD]

A Classic Education - What My Life Could Have Been

[DOWNLOAD]

Standing Shadows - High Rise

[DOWNLOAD]

The Vandelles - Lovely Weather

[DOWNLOAD]