Weekend Preview: Oberhofer & Sharon Van Etten in Cincinnati
Now that record store day is in the books, we in Cincinnati have the pleasure of another fabulous indie music based weekend on deck. On Friday, Sharon Van Etten will be performing at Mayday in the Northside in support of her fabulous recent album Tramp. One of my own Record Store Day vinyl purchases from Shake-It, the album is the first true triumph of Sharon’s young career. Intimately emotional and heart wrenching, I’d hate to be the guy that inspired this is album, but I thank him for being around Sharon to inspire this masterpiece of sound. Tickets are still available via TicketFly for a measly $10. Don’t miss out as this will probably reach a sell out shortly. Check out Sharon’s recent Tiny Desk Concert courtesy of NPR below if you’re still on the fence.
If that wasn’t enough, we have Tacoma born and current Brooklynite band Oberhofer in town on Saturday with Chicago based Young Man at the MOTR Pub in Over the Rhine (OTR). Oberhofer is touring in support of his debut LP Time Capsules II, which Brett reviewed earlier this year. A healthy dose of fun pop, I’ve been digging on it recently and am excited to see the show in person. As always at the MOTR pub, this is a FREE show so get out early and have a few beers at OTR’s best music spot. Check out Oberhofer’s Late Night debut on David Letterman below with album hit “Away Frm U” below.
Connect with Sharon Van Etten via Facebook | Twitter
Connect with Oberhofer via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Sharon Van Etten Makes Good on Cincinnati Show (Video)
The Southgate House was THE venue to go see in Cincinnati (well really in Newport, KY…but to settle all arguments now, directly across the river is still Cincy). When I was in high school, which now seems about forever ago, I used to drink disgusting booze like Mad Dog 20/20 and pursue other various forms of fun under the bridge before heading to shows there. I saw the Black Keys before anyone knew they were good, after about 20 Rolling Rocks thanks to the man I call “Foot Clapper” who I will never meet again. What I’m trying to say is that venue bleeds music and the camaraderie that spawns from seeing a show there. And it still did, up until New Years Eve of this past year when it was shut down in a bitter family dispute (once more, in case they didn’t hear it the first time…1, 2, 3, fuck you…). In any case, one of the travesties of the venue shutting down was that the original Sharon Van Etten show scheduled for this February was changed to Grand Rapids, MI (Ohioans…commence booing for our neighbors to the north). But cry not my fellow Cincinnati residents, Sharon has just announced a new show at Mayday on 4-27-12.
Van Etten’s new album Tramp drops on 2-7-2012, and is one you do not want to miss. An album that cuts deep at the human core of relationships with others, it is a direct onslaught of truth for anyone not living in the haze of marital bliss. A record meant for those who have been through pain and heartache, it somehow manages to make everything better while reminding you that you’re better off without that certain someone.
Watch a video for a song from her new LP entitled “Give Out” courtesy of Soundcheck Live in the Greene Space below.
Connect with Sharon Van Etten via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 
Saturday: Purity Ring at Mayday – Cincinnati
If you’re a regular reader here on Thoughts on Tracks, you know my love for Purity Ring. And if you aren’t a regular reader here on our fun little blog, well then, I’ll just be honest and say you probably should be. In any case, if you’re within a short car ride, megabus trip, riverboat or even walking distance to Cincinnati then you need to get yourself here this Saturday night for when Purity Ring blows the lid off Mayday in the eclectic Northside neighborhood. Having gotten the opportunity to scope them in person earlier this summer, I honestly can’t think of a better way to get some fun on with a Saturday night and can promise some fun electronic vibes to go along with a killer light set. Saturday Night. “Fineshrine”. A few beverages. And maybe even one of Mayday’s famous hot dogs? Yes, please, and thank you.
You can catch up with my review of the debut LP Shrines from early July if you missed it and check out a video below of my personal track of the summer live along with an interview with the duo. Tickets are still available for pre-sale via Ticketfly and will also be available at the door for just $10.
Connect with Purity Ring via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman