Heavy Brushes
2014 in Review: Favorite Concerts →
Johnny Showcase and Buried Beds are highlights from the year in Philadelphia music.
While this year certainly had its ups and downs, I couldn't be happier with the music and performances I got to be a part of. There were some banner moments for me as a drummer, and The Swollen Fox picked two of them in two separate top ten lists.
The Philadelphia music scene is many things, and while not the biggest or most influential, it carries our city's diverse, stalwart artistry. Shout outs go to fellow list mates and musical compadres: TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Perseverance Jazz Band, and Divers - and of course to the other great bands that I didn't see but are great.
Buried Beds
In June of this year, I had the distinct pleasure of doing 10 shows on the east coast with Philadelphia's chamber pop wizard band Buried Beds. Touring in support of the magnificently talented Kishi Bashi, we brought our show to the TLA on June 6th, 2014. It my first time playing that stage, and a good time was had by all. The night has been ranked as an Editor's Pick in the Swollen Fox's 2014 in Review top 10, and I'm honored to have been a part of it.
Johnny Showcase
While playing the TLA certainly crossed an item off the ol' bucket list, this August 20th gig is gonna need a bigger bucket. Of funk. A big bucket of funk. I GOT TO OPEN FOR GEORGE CLINTON!!! It was an inconceivable gift to set up my drums and play that night, and the Fox's Elizabeth Thorpe (and the sold out crowd) seemed to agree it was worth remembering. In summary: George. Clinton. Parliament. Funkadelic.
Thanks to the editors, writers, and photographers at The Swollen Fox, and all the killer musicians and bands in Philly. Here's to the New Year!
Read the full article: http://theswollenfox.com/2014-in-review-favorite-concerts/
Win Tickets to Halloween Freak Freak from JUMP Philly →
If you want a pair of tickets to party with Johnny with PCX and Josh Hey, like us on facebook and email us at FreeJumpStuff@gmail.com (give us your name and put “JOHNNY” in the subject line).
The Spoils of Tour: Buried Beds and Kishi Bashi
What a tour. Sharing the stage with the mega-talented Kishi Bashi, I had the pleasure of spending ten days on the road with Philly's own Buried Beds. Nearly every show was sold out, and the crowds were incredible.
Charlie Heim on the Time →
Photos taken by Johnny Showcase himself. Thanks for the love, Johnny.
Red Bull Sound Select
Johnny Showcase, hopped up on Red Bull, leaps.
So, apparently there's this neat music-appreciation dealie that the hyperactivity beverage giant Red Bull put together. It only makes sense, as they sponser pretty much everything else that is cool and done by skilled professionals at their flavor of cool (lookin at you, Felix). Johnny Showcase was recently added to their list of supported artists, and to toast the occasion we performed at their September event at Sigma Sound (!) in Philladelphia.
Johnny Showcase on NPR! →
So we got featured by Newsworks.org the other day. Here's the video, and you can read the post here.
"With catchy lyrics spiced with sexual innuendo and familiar rhythm and blues, the cabaret does indeed make audiences laugh just as much as it inspires them to dance and hum along."
The Bailey Hounds Ride White Swans like T.Rex →
Obviously, you dress up for Halloween. For most musicians, you play somewhere on Halloween. This year, I was not behind the kit for once, and got to get all 70s psyched-out on saxophone and congas backing The Bailey Hounds.
2009 Penn State Jazz Festival →
From left: pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Tom Baldwin, saxophonist Tim Warfield, and the Centre Dimensions Big Band. Photo from PSU News gallery
UPDATE: check out the exclusive recording below!
Taken from the article in the Daily Collegian:
This weekend, the 2009 Penn State Jazz Festival will host masterclasses and professional jazz musicians in hopes of inspiring and motivating young musicians.
The entire student-run event is expecting high school jazz bands from around the region to participate in this weekend's activities.
High school attendees aren't the only ones hoping to gain some insight from these musicians.
Charlie Heim (graduate-music education) said he was excited for the weekend for more selfish reasons.
"These are legit-pro guys," Heim said. "Everyone is going to get the chance to check out a lot of good music."
Heim said he is most looking forward to working with the professionals first-hand.
Click the title above to read the whole article.
Outstanding School of Music groups perform at Kimmel Center →
Four of Penn State's outstanding musical groups will perform Feb. 17 in the Penn State School of Music's third annual President's Concert