Author: Ady

Philly area freelance photographer

Joseph Arthur from Philly 11-19-16 to Akron 11-23-16

Joseph Arthur played the Tin Angel on 11-19-16 and it was timely for me. I haven’t been to a show in awhile and the in the midst of this post election crisis/haze/mess I really had no idea how badly I needed to get out. And doubly, how badly I needed it to be one of his shows.

Photo Credit: Shan

For the 11 days after the election I kept to myself, limiting my time in public mainly for not knowing where to find my people. I knew that going to the show would be good for me so I grabbed a ticket and made a plan to do something I knew I would enjoy. Being there was cathartic and it was necessary because it somewhat got me out of the post-election slump. (See why…check out The Campaign Song live from Tin Angel here.)

The Tin Angel show was the first show on his tour that I had been able to see since the June 3rd release of The Family. And by the way, the album is phenomenal if you haven’t heard it yet. You can find the info here. Several of the tracks have quickly taken to my favorites list like You Keep Hanging on, which has been running in my head on and off for days.

These two shows: Philly and Akron were both a beautiful combination of musical genius, showmanship and edginess that somehow he pulls off with a comedic twist. His personality can’t help but shine through whenever/wherever he plays. I know I’ve said it before, but I suspect this is because he so genuinely speaks his truth which is something I respect.

So, we fast forward a few days to my trip home for Thanksgiving. Home…Ohio… for both Joe and Sis Diss. For four consecutive years now Shan and I made it to the Thanksgiving Eve show at The Tangier in Akron, Ohio (click here to find some of our previous posts). Of course the show was every bit entertaining as the one I had gone to just days before. It does feel different to see a home show than it does to see a Philly show or a NYC show. And trust me when I say I’ve seen him play in all these places so many times I’ve lost my count! But, I think being “home” brings out different qualities in us all, and I don’t think there is an exception to this rule even for rock stars. So it is always fun to be able to share in the hometown experience.

I wondered what it would be like seeing him play shows a few days apart. Would it be the same? Would the set list vary? How would it be different? But of course his chameleon-like ability to change up any song arrangement making you feel like it’s the first time you’ve ever heard it made the two shows feel like completely separate spaces in time for me.

Photo Credit: Shan

As a side note can I just say that when I was searching for the Philly set list I came across a youtube video from a Milwaukee show in September where he covers Prince’s When Doves Cry. I would have loved to have seen that one live for myself-wow. His vocal range has always been perplexing to me. Just when you think he can’t get any higher he can, or any lower he does, and with pitch perfect accuracy. Truly a gift. Add his live painting on stage to his musical talent and he never ceases to blow my mind. I can sincerely say that each time I leave one of his shows I always walk out with a sense of admiration.

But can I just share a quick regret coupled with an apology for the iPhone photos (in spite of the missing camera somehow Shan managed to finesse an iPhone camera in ways I can’t-thank you for that Shan). I didn’t have my “real” camera with me at either show this past month sigh. Maybe January 1 in NYC I’ll get to fix that at the City Winery show. I just might be there with my camera and some hope for 2017.

~Ady O

Photo Credit: DebDeb

Photo Credit: Shan

Photo Credit:Shan

Joseph Arthur at Tangier Akron OH 11/2016

{click the links here and here and here if you want to go on a past JA show photo treasure hunt}

The Morelings WXPN The Key Studio Session

If you’ve followed Sisters Dissonance adventures over the years you are aware that we have had some amazing experiences doing what we do. The Morelings WXPN The Key Studio session was no exception. On 2-6-16 I had the opportunity to photograph their performance while they did a live set.

I have been to the WXPN venue many times hanging around and photographing shows. But this was my first time in The Key Studio. It is great! The walls leading into the studio are signed by all the names of the bands who’ve walked the halls and played the stage there, adding to the ambiance which is timeless and very cool. The studio session sounded amazing from where I listened in the recording booth with John Vettese (yes! I got to meet and kinda hang out with John Vettese. He’s as cool as you’d imagine). The dreamy ethereal sounds combined with stormy visuals created a session that only The Morelings could bring to WXPN. Trust me, you don’t want to miss the live broadcast of the show — 3/15 at 9pm EST on 88.5 FM, or on the web at XPN.org. While you listen live you can view the photo set here.

On Thursday you can find The Morelings live at a WXPN curated, Red Bull Sound Select sponsored show at The Foundry at The Fillmore opening for Good Old War and Gabriel Garzon Montano.

The link on Facebook is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/949858278403066/

You can RSVP for $3 advance tickets

https://www.redbullsoundselect.com/events/2016/03/red-bull-sound-select-presents-philadelphia

~Ady

The Morelings Johnny Brendas Philadelphia 9-24-15

The Morelings, a Philadelphia foursome comprised of Kedra Caroline (vocals, bass) Matthew William (guitar) Shawn Riley (drums) and Jake Detwiler (keys, bass, guitar) played at Johnny Brendas this past week on 9-24-15.

Being able to have creative freedom behind the camera lens for The Morelings is such an honor. The dreamy, electric swirl of sound that Matt, Shawn and Jake’s instruments create along side the always stunning, smokey-smooth dreamy voice of Kedra is truly thrilling to hear. I found myself during the show at a few points with my camera at my side, taking in the sounds and the scene- forgetting my mission to capture the night because I was drawn in. It was a unique photography moment for me, the mix up of sound, the visuals, and the lights all creating a cocoon of musical magic and I didn’t want to miss it all while behind the lens. But I did get shots, phew! You can see them here.

The Morelings opened with Before and ended with Same Century. They played a set full of mostly new material except No Sign from the previously released EP, which you can hear by clicking here. And one last link to check out to their New Order cover of Lonesome Tonight .

I hear that they have been working on an album since June, I hope to see that sometime soon. So, keep your eyes and ears on the look out for more to come including a Q & A of the band with Sisters Dissonance.

~Ady

Desaparecidos 8-7-15 Union Transfer Philly

I wanted to get this photo set out there for everyone- click here– , but I haven’t paired my words to my set yet. Stay tuned for a short review/vibe from the show, which was phenom!

~Ady

Night Windows Q & A with Ben Hughes

Night Windows Review and Q & A with Ben Hughes

Night Windows the band envisioned, created and executed by Ben Hughes alone has released its debut LP Musicassette/Magnetic Memory. I’ve sat with the album on several occasions listening to the sounds, the lyrics, the melodies, and the composition and I like it. In learning about this new band, I’ve also learned a few things about myself. The first thing I do when I listen to a new band, or artist is to try to figure out who the influences are and secondly I listen to the lyrics– carefully. As for the influences, we all have them, we can’t get away from our roots, and where our musical footprints have derived from. For Night Windows I hear a few I recognize, but it is balanced out with a healthy dose of Ben’s own sound to create Musicassette/Magnetic Memory which is evident and testimonial to talent.

Listening to Musicassettte/Magnetic Memory took me on what I like to think of as a music journey. I got the feelings of personal discovery through the tracks along with many different stories to tell. Often themes of personal struggle with the human condition and just making it by in the world– in a sometimes first and sometimes third person experience, so much so I can’t quite tell if Ben’s talking about himself or someone else.

There’s a Friend of Mine carries an islandish sound with strumming patterns and vocal sounds that has a familiar type of feel in such a subtle way that it’s almost new all at once (if that could make any sense). My favorite track on the album is Home, which takes the listener inward with the minor key and lyrics.

I could continue to review each song individually, speculate on influence and genere, but I won’t! I will just say that Ben is a chameleon with his vocals- something I like most about a singer and respect due to the complexity and skill that requires. He’s capable of adapting his voice to each song to give the song the feeling he’s striving for that you hear in the lyrics. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to Musicassette/Magnetic Memory I suggest you check it out here!

Night Windows will play at Ortleib’s Saturday the 21st @6pm. GO see!

Read the Q & A interview that Ady had a chance to do below.

June 18, 2014 Interview with Ben Hughes of Night Windows

Ady: You recently released your debut LP Musicassette/Magnetic Memory. What was it like to go through the process of writing and recording a full length release in your bedroom? I did read that you created this body of work all from your bedroom?

Ben: The process of writing and recording Musicassette/Magnetic Memory was a lot of

things. It was a triumph one day, a defeat the next. It was a real learning experience. I have been making albums from my bedroom since 2005, but this was the first one that I knew I’d actually release. I had a better recording set up (thanks to my friends for teaming up and buying me a new set up for my birthday), more space to work with (a music room and a garage), and more instruments at my disposal.

I’d wake up early and record before work, and then get right back to it when I got home. Then when I was done recording all of the songs, I started the mixing and mastering phase of the production. This was the most difficult for me, because I had a lot more tools to use and wasn’t sure how to use them. Ryan Buzby (longtime friend and bandmate) kind of coached me along through the process, so that helped out a lot.

As for what you read about the bedroom studio, it was a bedroom down the hall from mine that I labeled the Music Room 170.

Ady: What about your debut release are you most satisfied about?

Ben: I’d have to say that I am most satisfied that I made it through the process without losing my initial vision for the album. It was really cool to hear it all come together the way that I imagined at the beginning of the process.

Well, I did shave 5 songs off of the album, because I am not generally a fan of long albums, and it seemed more focused and stronger without the 5 songs that I cut out. Plus, now I have 5 unreleased songs from the Musicassette sessions that I can either use as singles or an EP, so it all worked out.

Ady: Where is the name Night Windows from?

Ben: Night Windows is a song from The Weakerthans album Reunion Tour (One of my favorite albums). I looked everywhere for a fitting name for this project and Night Windows just felt right to me.

Ady: As you know, Sisters Dissonance is all about the live show. when will Night Windows hit the road to play some gigs?

Ben: We are booking some shows from mid July to late August in the tri-state area. I’ll keep you posted!

Ady: What advice can you give to rising musicians? Especially those that are from the NJ/Philly area?

Ben: Don’t rely on gimmicks, don’t be an asshole, develop a good filter (friends, bandmates, etc), and most of all, focus on the songs.

Ady: And lastly the Sisters Dissonance question no one can escape: If you were a superhero what would your super hero name be and what power would you possess?

Ben: Well, it’s kind of funny — I once dubbed myself Consumption Man after a day of heavy eating and drinking, so as much as I’d hate to have that be my super hero name, I might have to go with it. Consumption Man possesses the power to consume anything and everything in sight! All for the greater good? lol