Steve Aves - My Thoughts #Live MusicSteve Aves - My Thoughts #Live Musichttps://www.steveaves.com/blogs/tag/live-musicSat, 07 Mar 2026 06:24:48 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Stumbling Across Old Friends]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/stumbling-across-old-friends  I was perusing the events in town for the weekend of January 18, 2025 when my eye caught a strangely named band performing at my favorite record ]]>

Stumbling Across Old Friends

 I was perusing the events in town for the weekend of January 18, 2025 when my eye caught a strangely named band performing at my favorite record store.

A group hang with approachable ambiance: The trio of musicians behind Swim Ignorant Fire’s latest, lovely album will play an official release show at Reverberation Vinyl. It is, like it sounds, a record store, so if you’re not prepared to stand or sit on the floor, bring a milk crate or tiny travel stool and prepare to get cozy with your neighbors in the stacks. 6 p.m. Saturday; donations accepted at the door. Facebook.com/reverberationvinyl.

Hmmmmmmm.  

  I followed a link within the article to read more.

Ambient emo meets coffee house cool: Fatherhood hasn’t slowed down composer/musician Stephen Holliger, who released a new LP on Bandcamp and cassette earlier this month. The eponymous album, titled after Holliger’s musical moniker Swim Ignorant Fire, is an extension of his ongoing collaboration with pedal steel guitarist Nate Hahn and multi-instrumentalist Stefen Robinson. And it’s the strongest yet, with a celestial, vintage vibe and rhythmic underbelly that’s less purely ambient than other recent offerings—primed to run in the background or accompany deep, focused listening.

A bass clarinet with a pedal steel guitar and a bass player? Interesting. My grandson is playing a bass clarinet, so maybe he and I should attend. Then I saw the pedal steel player's name, Nate Hahn. WHAT?? I have a fraternity brother with that name! Could it be him? Yup, it was.

Markell and I attended the show. Loads of fun. Great to see Nate again.

Listen to the album
Nate Hahn and Me

Nate Hahn and Me

After 20+ years, Nate and still recognize each other.

Markell asks Nate about the pedal steel guitar

Markell asks Nate about the pedal steel guitar

Nate explains the pedal steel

Nate shows Markell how to play the pedal steel

Nate shows Markell how to play the pedal steel

Nate explains the pedal steel

What Happens When I Press This Pedal

What Happens When I Press This Pedal

Nate explains the pedal steel to Markell

Nate jams with the band

Nate jams with the band

Swim Ignorant Fire

]]>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:07:13 -0600<![CDATA[Another Stellar Samantha Fish Concert]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Another-Stellar-Samantha-Fish-Concert     I have been to  6 Samantha Fish shows since 2016. I've watched her develop her own so ]]>
    I have been to  6 Samantha Fish shows since 2016. I've watched her develop her own sound, her own style. It has been interesting to me how artists like her grow into a music career outside the top-pop-genre grind.
    Yeah, she's a smart, talented artist.
Below are 2 videos other people took of the show. I am not good at taking concert photos or videos - I am too focused on the moment.
]]>Sun, 15 Oct 2023 16:09:15 -0600<![CDATA[Music of the Month is Thick as a Brick]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/music-of-the-month-is-thick-as-a-brickThis 1972 album by the band Jethro Tull is difficult to describe, so I'll just share my experience of it.]]>
Music of the Month


Jethro Tull's "Thick As A Brick"

This 1972album by the band Jethro Tull is difficult to describe, so I'll just share my experience of it.

"Thick as a Brick" follows 2 very popular releases by the band, "Benefit" and "Aqualung." Unlike anything else released at the time, what you had on this new album was one song that ran onto both sides of the LP. This meant when you listened to the album, you listened to ALL of it, you could not play particular songs.

The music and lyrics were exceptionally unique, like a stream of consciousness that was coherent.

The album cover itself was fabulous. 16 pages like a newspaper. I still have it.

    When I replaced my turntable 4 years ago, the first album I played was "Thick as a Brick." It still sounded great to me!
]]>Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:32:49 -0600<![CDATA[WWOZ Radio at Jazz Fest 2023 - Friday]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/WWOZ-Jazz-Fest-2023]]>

Listen to Jazz Fest Live!

Listen Now
]]>Fri, 05 May 2023 09:25:24 -0600<![CDATA[Music of the Month is Eric Dolphy]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/music-of-the-month-is-eric-dolphyThis month's music is from Eric Dolphy, his 1963 concert at the University of Illinois. I like Dolphy's playing because it is explosive, and a bit out of kilter. He approaches a song from the edges, though not out of "left field" as the saying goes.]]>
Eric Dolphy Music


    This month's music is from Eric Dolphy, his 1963 concert at the University of Illinois. Details on the concert are found HERE.

     I like Dolphy's playing because it is explosive, and a bit out of kilter. He approaches a song from the edges, though not out of "left field" as the saying goes.

                    You cannot ignore him.                                                           

                    I chose "The Illinois Concert" because it showcases not only his band at the time (which included a 22 year old Herbie Hancock 2 months before he joined Miles Davis), but also Dolphy's performance with the U of I band. I imagine being in college and playing with Dolphy would be a treat, and also very challenging.

]]>Mon, 05 Sep 2022 15:13:08 -0500<![CDATA[Elvis Costello and The Imposters]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/elvis-costello-and-the-impostersThe new album by Elvis Costello & The Imposters is excellent. Therefore, I am heading to see them tomorrow.]]>

The Boy Named If tour


    The new album from Elvis ia a great rocker!

I'm seeing him tomorrow. If I remember, I'll post some photos on twitter.

]]>Fri, 05 Aug 2022 14:05:38 -0500<![CDATA[Music of the Month is Spoon]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/music-of-the-month-is-spoonSpoon will be at the Canopy Club this July 15.]]>
Spoon Music

Spoon Will Be At The Canopy Club in Urbana

    I first heard Spoon's music around the time of their Gimme Fiction album. There is something about the band's music that gets me listening to the entire album when I play their music.

    Go to the show.

]]>Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:27:15 -0500<![CDATA[Music of the Month is Charles Mingus]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Music-of-the-Month-is-Charles-MingusThis month's featured recording is disc #2 from The Great Concert of Charles Mingus]]>
    I enjoy many styles of music, yet jazz music is one of my top 2. Particularly live jazz recordings.
    The live recording of Charles Mingus, The Great Concert of Charles Mingus, is one of my most favorite recordings I own. This concert is one where I wish I could have been there, sitting in front of the band, at that midnight show.
    I am streaming disc 2 of the concert CD. Link is here.



    If you can find the 3 album original release, get it!  That is what I also own, and it is better than the CD release.  You get liner notes, pictures, and a longer version of "Meditations On Integration (Or For A Pair Of Wire Cutters)" with Charles' rants about racism in America.

    Visit the Charles Mingus WEBSITE to learn more about his recordings (legitimate ones!) and his legacy.



]]>Sat, 09 Apr 2022 16:25:19 -0500