Hello internet people.

So, in case you missed it, or in case you just want to relive the awesomeness, here’s the skinny on the Matty Sheets birthday party that occurred last night, March 12th, 2010. This night happened almost exactly the way I wanted it to.

Matty Sheets and the Blockheads

Matty Sheets and the Blockheads was the first of four musical acts to go on. This group essentially involves Matty and whomever he chooses to play with him. Playing with Matty that night was Emily Stewart on banjo, Jessica Pennell on accordion, James Marshall Owen on ukulele, and Gael McKeon on upright bass. I even sat in for a few. ‘Twas a joy and an honor, as Matty’s music holds a very special place in my heart.

Antigravity Animated

Antigravity Animated, the second act of the night is a hip hop/R & B experience that I’m slightly biased in favor of due to the fact that it’s my own creation. Last night’s set starred me, Taylor Bays (if you couldn’t figure that out) as the MC, along with DJ Nincompoop 17,000, my robot DJ. The theme of the set was a dream that I had wherein I was selected for a game show called “The Mic is Right” that selects one lucky member of the audience (Me, go figure) to rap for the entertainment of everybody else. The set also included the destruction of an Olsen Twins VHS tape.

Go me.

The Leeves

Next, The Leeves shook the building with their signature make-you-laugh-cry-and-dance-your-ass-off sound. I can’t say this enough times. The Leeves kick ass. They have consistently been one of the funnest bands to see live along with playing some of the best music to be found in Greensboro. The room swarmed with little Leevlings, dancing and jumping like a solid mass of fleshy love, as is the norm at their shows. Their set included a combination of older and newer songs along with a brand new one, appropriately titled “House Shows”. Damn right. TEH LEVS!

Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands

Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands closed out the night with an hour (possibly more) of maddeningly ecclectic sound. This band is truly difficult to put a label on. Depending on the song being played, I could describe them using a variety of descriptions ranging from circus nightmare theme to Spanish traditional song to experimental noise. The band is composed of Crystal Bright playing accordion and whatever other little toy she decides to pick up (There’s one instrument that I couldn’t name that looks like a big hamburger that she hits with mallets.), Pete Lewis on the drums, Chris Micca on bass, and Diego Diaz on acoustic guitar and electric lapsteel. Definitely a hell of a wall of sound.

Let me go on a rant for a minute.

Crystal Bright is an amazing multi-instrumentalist badass with the voice of a damn banshee and I’m fucking in love with her. Okay. Done. Pretty short rant really. I’m proud of myself.

A big thanks to everyone who came out. I know Matty appreciated it. I had an amazing time myself. I very much encourage anyone and everyone to create their own posts with their own pictures/videos from the night. It was EPIC!

Photos by: Taylor Bays

The Graveyard Fields

The Alcazar Hotel

Thanks for the memories.

Local legend Bruce Piephoff pulled together an all-star ensemble for his DMP performance last February (sweet Jesus, it’s been that long?). With Renee Mendoza (Filthybird) on vocals, Scott Walker, Landon Walker & Jennie Walker Brunner on bass, cello and violin (Walker Family Band) and David “Driveway” Moore on harmonica (ETI & The Goodbye House), Bruce led the audience through a memorable set of narratives steeped in southern tales — stories of inequality and of politics and with bits of love splashed here and there.

Please enjoy this beautifully shot slice of that down home pie.

And remember, Bruce’s live album is currently available on Amie Street for only $1.82.

MUSIC VIDEO CREDITS

Director: Harvey K. Robinson
Editor: Zach Hadgraft
Camera: Mark Wagoner, Alex Maness, Blake Faucette
Gaffer: Jonathan Faw
Grips: Matty Sheets, Barry Staples
Sound: Danny Bayer, Don Ravon and Cesar Oviedo

Like most open jams, Monday has its regulars: the wiry art-funk of Carla R; the Trower/Vaughn/Hendrix blues worship of Stickers for Cigarettes; the spacey reggae/hip hop of Xuluprophet; and the duo that plays each week under a different name, but always includes an original titled either “I’m the Batman” or “No More Dead Cops,” but either way it ought to be the theme song for the next installment in the Caped Crusader silver screen franchise. Any and all experimentalism is spelled with a little “E”; it’s what punk must have been like before it started taking itself too seriously. There’s also the house band, and of course my sub-Ed Sullivan MC’ing.

Photo by Dan Bayer

Sometimes I think open mics are the purest form of public musical expression; rough-hewn garage bands bump shoulders with semi-professional part-time pickers, original visions too far out to fully elucidate bang heads with questionable-or-not covers of classic rock chestnuts. Too varied to coalesce into a self-policing “scene,” not polished enough to charge admission to, sometimes teetering on the brink of musical chaos, it’s an opportunity for musicians and audiences alike to take chances on new approaches and new talent.

There are other open mics in town too: Matty Sheets hosts one at the Flatiron, and there are open blues jams at Plum Krazy’s, the Clubhouse and Club Zion. The blues jams, as the name implies, are pretty much rooted in that genre, but still fun nonetheless, and a good chance to work on your chops while meeting other local musicians.

So don’t let your lack of a band, or a missing member, or fear of public performance keep you from going out and being part of Greensboro’s music scene. Open mics are a chance to experiment and hone your craft, or just to play music in public without the stress of having to hunt down regular gigs. Most importantly, it’s fun!

Photo by Elizabeth Lemon

The Goodbye House is a great band, combining elements of all the members’ previous musical directions, but coming together in a real organic way, kinda like one of Elvis Presley’s mashed banana and peanut butter sandwiches.

Here’s a taste:

[Click through to the post to listen to audio]

And of course the Leeves’ brand of jazz/punk can’t be underestimated either. It was simply a rockin’ night all the way around.

The reason I’m thanking everybody is because, as a local musician, I’ve come to realize that community will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times of no community. As part of the dotmatrix project, I’ve watched a community grow around local original music, seen more people coming out to shows — despite (or maybe because of) the bad economy — and I’ve watched musicians collaborate on some really great music.

Photo by Paula McLean

Usually I’ve seen this from behind the soundboard, but in the last few months I’ve seen it from the stage, playing with the Knaves, alongside bands such as Switchblade 85, Come Hell or High Water, the Brand New Life and so many others.

In the midst of uncertain times, to be able to get up and play your music in front of and alongside appreciative people is truly a wonderful thing.

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In June of 2009, the dotmatrix project hit another milestone.  It was our first opportunity to feature three performances in a single evening.  We were pleased to showcase three singer/songwriters all local to Greensboro, NC.

Randy Furches is a high-spirited, high energy person and performer.  He kicked off the evening with a short set that showed off his love for all varieties of music.  There was some Blues, some Folk, and a little bit of Hip-Hop.  He brought along with him two musicians to accompany him during his set.  Hank Johnson provided some extra flavor on guitar and on mandolin.  King-Kev-O helped Randy finish his set off, bringing his own lyricism to the stage on “Cryogenics.”

ALBUM CREDITS
Recording Engineers: Don Ravon, Dan Bayer, Jerrod Smith
Mixing Engineers: Dan Bayer, Cesar Oviedo
Mastering Engineers: Cesar Oviedo
Cover Design: Sean Coon
Cover Photograph: Elizabeth Lemon

Morgan McPherson is a talented young performer who I believe has a long and prosperous career ahead of her.  For this evening, she was accompanied by Ron May on bass and Strother Bullins on drums.  The magic these guys brought to the stage can also be found on Morgan’s EP, Destiny Save Me, which was recently recorded in Nashville.  It should be available soon.  You can check out her myspace for more information on that.

ALBUM CREDITS
Recording Engineers: Don Ravon, Dan Bayer, Jerrod Smith
Mixing Engineers: Dan Bayer
Cover Design: Sean Coon
Cover Photograph: Doug Klesch

Kristen Leigh has done quite a bit of traveling as well, going as far as the West coast, to produce her music.  Fortunately, for us, she still calls Greensboro home.  When she’s not performing purely solo, Ueli Schweizer joins her on violin, as he did for us this evening.  Sara Dickson, Kristen’s friend and tutor on piano, also accompanied the talented songwriter during the performance.

ALBUM CREDITS
Recording Engineers: Don Ravon, Dan Bayer, Jerrod Smith
Mixing Engineers: Don Ravon
Cover Design: Sean Coon
Cover Photograph: Matty Sheets

photo by Elizabeth Lemon

Eventually, the time came to bring Greensboro’s own musical legend, Scott Manring, to the stage. Harvey did an amazing job in the video of capturing the back story of how Signs was birthed between these two gentlemen. I particularly enjoyed watching their faces as they felt time slipping back to the days of its original recording some 30 years ago.

Sheer exuberance.

MUSIC VIDEO CREDITS

Director: Harvey K. Robinson, monkeywhale productions
Director Photography:: Harvey K. Robinson
Editor: Zach Hadgraft
Camera: Mark Wagoner, Alex Maness, Blake Faucette
Gaffer: Jonathan Faw
Grips: Matty Sheets, Barry Staples, David Moore
Sound: Danny Bayer, Don Ravon

We’re still working on Jim’s live album, but it’ll come out soon enough. Patience…

Elizabeth Lemon, one of DMP’s photography leads and curator of tomorrow night’s photo exhibit opening at The Green Bean, was featured in an interview by Matty Sheets over at Monkeywhale.

Congrats, Elizabeth.

Kristen and Ueli making sweet, sweet music together.

Check out more of Matty’s photos over at his electronic photograph book.

Morgan was channeling Tori Amos all night long.

Check out more of Matty’s photos over at his electronic photograph book.