Hey gang! Summer really turned it up this week and trapped Baltimore in a pretty gnarly heat wave, but that didn’t keep all matter of awesome music from making it’s way to Joe’s. I see no real need to dawdle, so here’s what went down.
Wednesday July 6th, 2016 - Benefit for Orlando - Pellars // Blacksage // Maxine // Joseph and The Beasts (Solo) // Deafscene
Wednesday saw an awesome lineup of local bands come together to help raise money for relief following the Orlando shootings. Half-melted from the heat, I got there early to get some grub and prepare for what I knew would be a crowded night. Right as we were about to kick off the show, the power went out, I guess the ACs running at full blast blew the fuse (the taps were still working at least)! After a few minutes power was restored and we were able to kick things off with a wonderful poem by the lovely Janea Kelly. Joseph Mulhollen of Joseph and the Beasts played some acoustic arrangements of the band’s music. The group is finishing up the recording of a new record and I can’t wait to hear the finished result. Deafscene made their first appearance at the new Joe Squared location, playing a ton of new songs from their upcoming album. It was awesome to see the old Hour Haus residents throw down in their home base and the new songs are killer! After pop-punkers Maxine tore the crowd asunder with their vicious set, the lights went dark and a sole blue light illuminated the stage for Blacksage. The whole crowd was drawn in and it was awesome to see the place pack out for such a strong performance. A very animated set by Pellars brought the night home with a very unique and high energy brand of synth pop.
Janea Kelly
Joseph & The Beasts (sans Beasts)
Friday July 8th, 2016 - Pony Bones // Leo & Cygnus // Boss Company // R.J. Jackson (comedian)
The music theory sleeves were rolled up for Friday’s show as we launched into a very dynamic night of counterpoint and time changes. Boss Company is a Cello heavy 3-piece of what I’d maybe call "cabaret meets lounge meets kinda weird”, and I loved it. Slightly irreverent and really fun. Between Leo & Cygnus’s very lush return set DownSquared and Pony Bones' romp of indie tunes was comedian R.J. Jackson. I don’t want to give away his set, but he did mention a traumatic experience involving the band Blue October. I’m not gonna lie, the urge to play that one Blue October song (you remember the one right? RIGHT?!), it was just too overwhelming and “Hate Me Today” rang through the speakers as his walk off music to both applause and laughter. Another great Friday DownSquared!
Saturday July 9th, 2016 - D.T. Huber // Robert “Fireball” Mitchell // Fort Defiance
Acoustic singer-songwriters reigned supreme on Saturday as we got all rootsy DownSquared. D.T. Huber returned to start things off before a set of original songs by the one and only Fireball Mitchell. I’d like to give a special mention to Nashville’s Fort Defiance, a husband and wife duo who play some very genuine folk music. The two had undoubted chemistry onstage and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them perform. If I recall correctly I believe they said they’ll be on the road for just about the rest of the year, and I wish them luck in all their travels!
That’s it for this week. Next weekend is Artscape so I’m sure I’ll have plenty to report back for you. Until then!
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