New American Music Union

This was written for and originally printed in the Herald-Dispatch.
It’s rough being a college student with a terrible sense of financial planning, a love of music and a commitment to reconcile the two.
However, as a true music fan, I sensed an opportunity to see Bob Dylan, the Raconteurs, Spoon, The Black Keys, The Roots and Gnarls Barkley at the New American Music Union, and I was already Pittsburgh-bound.

Read the rest here:
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/entertainment/x2021817700/New-American-Music-Festival-a-joy-to-experience

Black and White Portraits in the Sun

Here are a few black and white portraits of Erin Stockhausen, taken with my new Canon EOS 40D. Enjoy!

Surprise of the New Year: Old School Abbey

I admit, it is hard to impress anyone by calling a band the surprise of the year when we are just entering the second month of the year, but you must understand I attend a lot of live shows. Old School Abbey opened for Chris Barron, the long lost former Spin Doctor, at the V Club last Saturday. The show was packed full of an energy that must have intimidated Barron, who was only playing his second show since his vocals were suspended by medical issues.

Old School Abbey carries the attitude and look of the unsung hero. They play like veterans that have known each other for years, but broadcast the spirit of a fresh young band digging for something that the world of music has been expecting for years. The sound is fresh and danceable, but also makes an excellent soundtrack for barroom chill out.

Tinges of Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Keller Williams, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, and a whole host of acoustic solo rockers drip all over the sound Old School Abbey, but a delightful electric twist adds a new sort of energy. Twin acoustic guitar rhythms layered underneath reinforce the organic quality of a band that seems to be ready to break out at any moment.

The vocals are masterful, but not classic. Not for a moment will you sense that anyone in the band has been through vocal training, nor will you ask any of them to sing Amazing Grace at your funeral. Contrarily, Old School Abbey sounds the way rock should—unpolished and bustling with energy. OSA is the sort of group who will probably be ignored all too long by mainstream radio, only to find out that when they do make the big time, everyone has already passed a copy of their albums to most of their friends.

Impressed as I was by Old School Abbey’s live sound, I could not wait to hear the studio work. Girl Like You is an impressively solid album with at least one powerful ballad, Lay Down, a track that earned enough respect to grace the Relix Magazine sampler CD. The song has a very Hotel California vibe and just as gracefully navigates slow and winding verses with a powerful chorus that is only overridden by a well thought, well placed guitar solo.

OSA finds their sound just as fitting on a preteen’s iPod as it does from a bar full of smoke and liquor. They will pass your time on a long drive, and they will bring the crowd to your campsite at your next music festival. OSA drives a sound from Beckley to the masses and speaks in a language that breathes as clearly into the ears of the music aficionado as the pop radio crowd. OSA is based in Beckley, with sights on the world. You can get your fix for Old School Abbey on iTunes or MySpace, you may check them out at http://www.oldschoolabbey.com/.

Marshall Winter 2008

Here are some snow photos from some snow we recently got here at MArshall Univerisity in Huntington, WV:

V for Versatile: The V Club

Following my usual habits, I arrive at the V Club far earlier than any sort of crowd has developed. I find that this is where you see the true character of the bar, when club hoppers have yet to start their outings of jumping from one bar to the next. I slip into a side door that turned out to be the band's entrance without a bouncer guarding the way. No one caused any static, but I went to the bouncer on the opposite and paid my fare.
After I was able to settle up with my entrance fee, I felt much more relaxed about scanning the bar. The bar was not what you typically found in the Huntington area, with sprawling standing areas and darkened dance floors. The V Club is something much more matured. The bar is centered in the room with plenty of bartenders to keep those riding the stools filled with whatever libations they seek, but most of the visitors chose the seats along the outside edges of the bar.
The lighting was dim, but by no means was it a darkened atmosphere. The V Club reminds you of a chilled out lunge where hipsters go to avoid the typical partygoers. The lineup at the bar had perhaps one of the most diverse age groups that I had seen at any recent bars. The pinnacle of the bar was the stage. It is not a large stage at all; in fact any band with only a handful of members will find themselves practically shoulder to shoulder. Herein lies the beauty of the V Club, the delicate balance of bar, lounge, and intimate rock house. The live musical acts nearly find themselves amongst the crowd when they take the stage. Crowds of people do not flock to the stage staring and grappling at the band, because to do so just would not feel right here.

The cool thing to do is to sit and enjoy the music, and chat amongst friends. It is tempting to say that the V Club is more like a coffee shop plus alcohol minus coffee, but the bands do get a bit too loud for that. The V offers you a chance to relax without being wired, and listen without being bored.

Sadly, not every event remains so chilled. I have yet to see a packed day at the V Club but Marshall Student, Robin Bailiff said, "It was such a cluster fuck, we barely had room to move around. I did not like it all that much.” Yet, Ken Lester Graphic Designer from Huntington had a different opinion. “People love the 80’s night and its outstanding 80’s atmosphere. They bring in a lot of bands from in state and out of state, with a great sound.”

The acoustics at the V Club are outstanding; with little mixing issues that typically irk me at these sorts of clubs. One of my favorite acts is the acoustic soldier, Jeff Ellis, a Huntington native who regularly plays the bar. Cabin, and indie band from Louisville will play this week, and the bar has housed such greats at Marc Ford, the former guitarist of the Black Crowes.

An outdoor patio area is currently in the works for the V Club, offering a beautiful outdoor drinking area that is most pleasant in the warmer months. Relatively new to the bar scene, the V Club is quickly becoming the refuge from the typically harder edge of the Huntington music scene. I have personally witnessed acoustic performances, classic rockers, blues virtuosos, and even a Latin guitar band all at the V Club.

If you are seeking a chill place to unwind while listening to some of the greatest acts to come through the state, the V Club is hard to rival. The mission of the V Club seems to offer an oasis from the frat boy attitude of most bars and they are daftly taking the music scene back to its heart and soul.

Essentials

WHERE:
741 6th Ave HUNTINGTON, WV,
United States

SERVICE: Partial Food and Full Bar

ENTERTAINMENT: Rotating band schedule, Open Mic and Theme Nights

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFO: http://www.myspace.com/wvvclub

A Review of the South Charleston Memorial Ice Skating Rink

The South Charleston Memorial Ice Skating Rink is not only one of the only places in best Virginia with year round ice skating, but also a mecca for competing West Virginia Figure Skaters. Large competitions are frequently held on the well-groomed ice within the arena, along with a host of hockey and general skating activity.

The smoothly raked ice offers excellent opportunities for high quality seed skating, and lessons are also offered year round. A short six-week period is used for maintenance, but other than that skating is always available. The Charleston Figure Skating Club has been
actively using the rink and even offers live shows; the next one available will be The Nutcracker.

If all you seek is an evening of entertainment, the SCMISR also provides frequent opportunities to skate with your sweetheart or friends. A lobby area offers up an arcade and a concession stand should you find yourself flat on the ground a few too many times. I find nothing more soothing after a long skid across some cold ice, then a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

The location of the rink is ideal, providing excellent shopping opportunities in the South Charleston area, particularly helpful if you just want to drop off the kids somewhere to go shopping, or if you want a nice restaurant meal to be followed by some romantic ice
skating.

Perhaps one of the biggest concerns that you may have at the rink is being showed up by some very talented young figure skaters. In preparation for various levels of competition it is not hard to find world class figure skating coming from boys and girl as young as
eleven. It really is awe-inspiring, and there is no cost to watch a practice.

If you feel you are a budding superstar yourself, the rink offers small personal level lessons that will have you confidently skating around the rink in no time. One of their latest pieces of equipment, who was being used by some children during my visit, was a special harness that can help you nail that perfect lift your partner to the sky moment, without a sudden intimate encounter with the ice below.

Ice skating in Charleston is one of the most premier spots that I have visited. I am usually accustomed to a run down ice skating rink on the outside of some small town, so the arcade, concessions, and overall comfort of the rink make for a truly memorable experience. One of my early dates with my current girlfriend took place here, and we had a blast.

The South Charleston Memorial Ice Skating Rink is not a seasonal, open for a few months, let's give it a shot type of establishment—this is a professional skating rink that happens to extend open arms to the amateur and recreational skater.

7 Ways to a White (and Green) Winter: Hitting the Slopes on the Cheap

The time is coming soon. Snowfall is beginning to present itself all across the state, and if you are anything like me you are eyeballing those skis that have sat in the corner for far too long. Similarly, you may also be worrying that in addition to the rear side bruises typically associated with the ski/snowboard season, your wallet can suffer even harsher injury. So here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to hit the slopes on the cheap.

1.) The Ultimate in Cheap- Get a few friends, some used ski’s, an ATV, some rope, and a hill—Bam—instant ski slope. It’s not luxury, but it’s cheap.

2.) Seriously- Find deals online here a few highlights for the West Virginia Ski Season.

Snowshoe Mountain- Offering deals such as Couples December, Family Christmas Packages, Subaru Demo Days, and Early Season Packages which are all available now on their website at some very attractive price schemes. http://www.snowshoemtn.com

Canaan Valley- Currently features excellent deals for the military during the midweek, great senior ski packages, and a “Romance Package” for that special someone. Make sure you check out their web-exclusive discounts currently featuring November deals and “Wonderful Wednesdays”

http://www.canaanresort.com

Timberline- With a well developed snowboard park, this place is already a college favorite, but student discounts make it even more appealing. Plus shopping online for your ski packages can save up 10 percent here.

http://www.timberlineresort.com/

3.) Pack the Food- This should be obvious if you have done any traveling, but you can save a lot of money by bringing your own food. Some places even let you grill out in the parking lot—tailgate! Also, there is a nifty product out their that uses former military technology to chemically heat a prepared cup of Hot Cocoa. It’s amazing.

4.) Ski in Flocks- Group discounts are the best way to make out of the skiing deal without losing a lot of cash. Sometimes, organizing the trip is even more lucrative, canceling your costs completely.

5.) Ski Frequently- Season passes can be like little presents from heaven, the skiing quickly becomes much cheaper, and you have an excuse to go skiing. Who can stop you if you have to ski 2.3 more times to make that season pass pay off?

6.) Watch Those Lodging Costs- Sometimes it may be cheaper to stay just a little bit away from the ski resort. The price of driving just a few miles or less down the road will probably save you a good chunk of money, even if you are not quite as comfy.

7.) Be A Ski Bum- Hey, if it’s what you love, by all means ski for a living. It can be an excellent way to pick up some cash during the season, and what job could be more fun than skiing all day for free? I have a friend that does this, and every time I visit his resort, I watch as my jealously fuels his burning sense of self-satisfaction. That burning sense of self-satisfaction could be yours.