Tag Archives: musicians

Oct1

Polka Premiere

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Polka Premiere

Hello! My Johnny and I absolutely LOVE Polka music and are lucky enough to be dear friends with the singer and accordionist from the Chardon Polka Band, Jake. For those of you who are not hip, the Chardon Polka Band is one of the best touring Polka parties all across America. Johnny used to play shows with them way back in the day and I have known them through work for the past decade. It is so exciting to watch them live out their Polka dreams and we just adore them!

The Chardon Polka Band has a phenomenal show that airs nationally on PBS called The World According To Polka and its third season premiere was this past Friday. Over one year ago, Jake contacted us asking if Johnny might play some tunes on their very first episode that revolves around trains. We were thrilled and took a drive to a historic village in Burton, Ohio to record his part of the episode. Take a look and be sure to peep my TikTok for some snippets:

As it has been a phat minute since then we honestly kind of forgot about it lol. Until we received an email inviting us to the season premiere party at the PBS station in Kent, Ohio. The festivities were this past Thursday and it was a blast!! Johnny and I went out for a celebratory dinner at a super cool restaurant down the road from the station called Mike’s Place. We enjoyed every bite of our meals and rolled into the shindig both stuffed with food AND feelings!

At the party, we got to mingle with all of our friends from the Chardon Polka Band, PBS employees, musicians, and diehard Polka enthusiasts. There were pretzels and pierogies, dancers, and Dyngus Day Festival character actors and the station was radiating with pure joy. After we got settled into the auditorium, it was time for the show to begin. It started with some clips of all of the great work that PBS does in our local community and then Jake took the stage to speak about what the Chardon Polka Band has been up to and presented a larger than life trailer of The World According To Polka. We were then treated to a viewing of the first episode of their new music education show on PBS and the season premiere of The World According To Polka with my Johnny.

The Polka Train episode was so wonderful from start to finish. The Chardon Polka Band visited several train related locations in Northeast Ohio. This included a model train museum, a one eighth scale train ride in a Metro Park, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and the last stop in Burton where we filmed. Seeing Johnny on screen was simply amazing and I was so incredibly proud of him. He gave extensive knowledge to the two songs they were performing together and why the train motif was so popular in music upon its invention. Johnny played guitar and sang in both songs and when each of them were over the whole audience went wild. Everyone sitting by us acted like they were sitting by a celebrity and it was just so freaking cool! ❤

Being able to take part in this season premiere party was such a gift. The Chardon Polka Band does so much good everywhere they go and we are so thankful that Johnny got to share in that. Be sure to tune into The World According To Polka every Friday on PBS and give the Chardon Polka Band a listen. You will love them as much as we do!

Has something exciting happened to you recently? What is your favorite show on PBS? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug29

Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

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Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

Live performances are among the most unique and exciting adventures you can have. No matter what you enjoy, from stage plays to rock concerts, no streaming channel can match what being there offers. From sensory engagement to unpredictability, here are some examples:

Adventure and Experience:

With the rise of streaming services, it’s easy to forget the unique experience of attending a show. What’s better, relaxing on the couch and pressing a button, or planning, booking with Broadway.com, and venturing out on a trip? The convenience of streaming has its benefits. But there is nothing like experiencing a live performance, even if you do it only once. Nothing compares to the overall adventure of seeing musical idols, stunning plays, and comedians right before your very eyes.

Engaging the Senses:

Just being in the same space as a performer you love creates a tangible experience that brings the senses to life. The sound, sights, and even smells of a packed auditorium are like nothing you can get at home. Adding to the excitement is the energy of the crowd, which makes a significant contribution to the experience. Through light, sound, and smell, your brain creates powerful memories connected to emotions that will typically last for the rest of your life.

Live Performances Feel More Connected:

In 2024 alone, Ticketmaster sold 637 million tickets. It’s safe to say live performances are alive and well, and whether you enjoy stage plays like Hamilton or want to rock out at an AC/DC concert, you can only get the connection you crave from a live show, and not a TV channel:

  • Performers will usually interact with the audience in a direct manner.
  • The experience feels more personal and conversational because of this.
  • Being among an excited crowd provides more energy and electrifies a performance.

Unpredictable and Organic Performance:

While stage shows and artists might tour with a set of performances, every show is unique. There are many variables that can impact a show directly, making each experience different from the last. Improvisation, audience participation, and surprising moments can make a show memorable. Singers might begin to sing in a different key than usual, actors can bring an audience member on stage, and an unexpected event can cause the show to change to a once in a lifetime memory.

The Emotional Impact:

The vivid sensory experience of a live performance is unlike anything else. Because of this, the emotions attached to it while you are there become much more pronounced, and this forges solid memories. More than a studio production, a live show has the power to evoke an even deeper emotional response due to the unfiltered energy that a band, singer, or actor exudes over the crowd. What makes it even more special is that that moment will never happen again.

The adventure and experience are why live performances deliver something no streaming platform can. Go to a show and have the time of your life!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug14

The Struts Concert

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The Struts Concert

Hello! This past Tuesday I got to recelebrate my birthday with Johnny’s gift – seeing Dirty Honey and The Struts at the House Of Blues! As soon as I saw that The Struts were coming our way for their tenth anniversary tour of their debut album, Everybody Wants, I told Johnny that was the gift for me and he delivered! We had the absolute best time rocking out and dancing the night away to one of our favorite bands and new favorite too. Dirty Honey freaking ruled! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

After a fantastic dinner at Barrio for the most delicious tacos ever, Johnny and I headed to the House Of Blues which is my all time favorite venue. It’s rather small and provides ample opportunity to get up close and personal at the stage and it is just so freaking cool! After paying an arm and a leg for insanely overpriced drinks, we were able to squeeze our way through to the front of the right stage wing and had a phenomenal view of the bands. This was super lucky because by the time we got to the venue after dinner it was jam packed with fans!

Rather than listen to Dirty Honey prior to the concert, we decided the first time we hear them should be live and that was an excellent decision. They were So. So. SO. Good!! Dirty Honey was serving MAJOR Led Zeppelin vibes but they did it in their own way. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Greta Van Fleet but let’s be real – they could simply be a Led Zeppelin cover band. Dirty Honey just oozed pure rock n’ roll sex appeal in a way that felt so vintage but fresh and new. We’re talking killer riffs, thumping bass, and the voice of Marc Labelle that would make Robert Plant oh so proud. From gravel lows to the highest of highs, his voice was carved by the rock gods and Johnny and I were mesmerized. If they come to your neck of the woods, I cannot recommend checking them out enough and you can thank me later. 🙂

Very shortly after Dirty Honey completed their set, the night kept on rocking with The Struts. It was very exciting when they took the stage because I have a big fat crush on Luke Spiller and it’s wild to see your celebrity crushes IRL. I just love his fashion and voice and he really is a pint sized power house! Taking a trip down memory lane with The Struts as they revisited their debut album was such a treat because it’s just banger after banger. We’re talking “It Could Have Been Me”, “Kiss This”, “Put Your Money On Me”, “She Makes Me Feel”, and “Where Did She Go” – just to name a few. It was amazing to hear It Could Have Been Me live because that will always be my favorite as it was the first song by The Struts Johnny ever played for me. ❤

The band’s energy from start to finish was captivating and it was impossible to not dance your ass off and sing your heart out. Spiller was flitting about the stage at rapid speed giving ALL of the drunk aunt feels and I was living for it. It’s always interesting to see how a band compares live to their albums and I think The Struts sounded even better live. It was so real and hearing the songs not sound as studio album perfect only enhanced the glam rock party atmosphere of their music. This concert really was a party and it wasn’t over until The Struts said so. We were gifted with a four song encore including their rendition of “We Will Rock You”, “Body Talks”, “Pretty Vicious”, and “One Night Only” to wrap the show in the most wonderful bow. 20/10 one of the best nights ever!

The Struts have been on my concert bucket list for a good long while and everything about the night exceeded my expectations. Shout out to my main squeeze for such a perfect gift! ❤

Have you seen The Struts or Dirty Honey before? What did you think of their performance? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov18

Funko Pop Albums

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Funko Pop Albums

Hello! A few weekends ago I went with Johnny and my brother to Akron Comicon and a wonderful time was had by all. It is a tradition of ours and we look forward to it every year. It was so much fun to see all of the vendors, cosplayers, and D-list celebrities and we all walked away with a little something something for ourselves too. I recently learned of the Funko Pop Albums collection when I purchased a Britney Spears one for my sister earlier that week. There were plenty of them at Comicon too and Johnny and I simply had to get these to display by our record player:

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When I saw the Albums Funkos being peddled, I immediately locked eyes on Alice Cooper. Johnny and I are huge, avid fans of his. In fact, we plan on being Alice Cooper and Cold Ethyl for next Halloween! I honestly don’t think we have ever come down from the joy of seeing him in concert a few months back so the Welcome To My Nightmare Funko was as good as ours. It looks perfect in our record corner where we frequently play his vinyls. And, if you haven’t seen the 1975 TV special that Alice Cooper did with Vincent Price called The Nightmare – watch it and thank me later. It is one of mine and Johnny’s favorite things in the world and we quote it constantly.

What Johnny was drawn to wasn’t Alice Cooper but Angus Young. Highway To Hell by AC/DC is one of his desert island record choices and also features his favorite form of Angus: Lil Devil lol. We got the biggest kick out of the little Funko in his likeness! Johnny dressed up as Angus Young during our very first Halloween together as a couple and it sounds silly but this Funko makes me highly sentimental. His band at the time was playing a Halloween show and I will never forget Johnny in his schoolboy getup duck walking across the stage! All Halloweens are my favorite, but that one holds an extra special place in my heart. ❤

Alice Cooper, Angus Young, and Funko Albums – oh my! We absolutely love the newest additions to our knick knack shelves!

Do you collect anything? What are some of your desert island albums? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb27

Constellations Merch!!

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Constellations Merch!!

Hello everyone!!! I have been working as the social media manager for an awesome local metalcore band called Constellations. It is legit the most fun job I have ever had and it is so exciting to be a part of their continued growth. In case you aren’t following Constellations on social media (You should!), an amazing guitarist named Heather has joined my favorite ragtag group of gents. She is fantastic and it’s even better having her on board! We also just released… MERCH! The designs are made by our very own vocalist, Tre’, and he did a banner job. Sometimes he models too as you are about to see:

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This past Friday, our online merch shop officially opened for business and it is yet another stepping stone that Constellations has completed in a short time. February 19th was the one month anniversary for the release of the band’s first single “RIP” and we can’t wait to start teasing new music soon! I also am looking forward to rocking some merch in a few brand new OOTDs on my end. 😀 To help support my sweet crew, you don’t have to buy anything from the shop (Even though it would be VERY NICE!). You can show them love on social media and, in turn, show your favorite Lil Red blogger some love too:

Facebook: ConstellationsBand

Instagram: @constellations330

X: @seeingstars330

TikTok: @constellationsband

YouTube: ConstellationsBand330

Spotify: Constellations

Shop merch here!

On behalf of Constellations and yours truly: Thank you! Some extra follows and likes might not seem like a big deal, but it means the world and galaxies to us. Stay tuned for more great successes from the band because I just know there are going to be a ton!

How do you support local artists? What is your favorite song by a local band? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan21

Constellations Call To Action

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Constellations Call To Action

Hi everyone!! My most recent work endeavor has been doing social media management for a local metalcore band called Constellations. It has been an absolute blast and I have had the best time collaborating and getting to know all of the guys. They are, of course, amazingly talented. But, most importantly, they are the sweetest, kindest, goofiest dudes you could ever hope to meet. It makes my job not only easy, but a complete pleasure. I am SO proud to even know them and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for my new besties.

This past Friday, Constellation’s first single called RIP dropped and it was most exciting!! We have all been working so hard for this release for the past month and change and it was a joy to share in the big day all together. It would mean a lot to all of us if you took the time to follow our social media pages and give RIP a listen. Even if metalcore isn’t your thing, it would be doing your favorite Lil Red blogger a huge favor! You can give some love to our pages at the following:

Facebook: ConstellationsBand

Instagram: constellations330

TikTok: constellationsband

YouTube: ConstellationsBand330

X: seeingstars330

You can also stream RIP on Spotify!!!

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Myself and all of the guys from Constellations can’t thank you enough for your support! Let us know what you think about RIP in the comments. 🙂 Much love. -Sarah

Jan7

Seeing Stars

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Seeing Stars

Hello darlings!! Starting at the beginning of December, I began a very fun project that I am stoked about. I became the social media manager for a local metalcore band called Constellations. The guys welcomed me into their circle with open arms to kick start strategizing for a content schedule to build up to the release of their debut single RIP. It has been an absolute blast getting to know all of my new besties, spitballing ideas, and enjoying their music. My favorite thing is our group chat, which one of the members created for all of us for social media chatter. It makes me feel so legit and like a real part of the team. ❤

It would mean so much to all of us if you gave Constellations a follow and like on their Facebook page: ConstellationsBand. We will also be releasing their other social media pages soon! Even if metalcore isn’t your thing, this band has a fantastic array of additional content including their “hot takes”, a band game, and clips talking about all things music. They are SO endearing and funny and I just know all of you will love them too. 🙂 Thanks in advance for helping support Lil Red on her latest work adventure!

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Who is your favorite local band? What is your preferred genre of music? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec11

How You Can Harmonize Your Concert Experience

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How You Can Harmonize Your Concert Experience

Who doesn’t love going to a good concert? Getting to see your favorite performer live just feels unreal, doesn’t it? There’s so much anticipation, so much hype, and all of it is thrilling! Even though it’s exciting, concerts aren’t really what they used to be; even concerts today aren’t the same as they were a decade ago. Nowadays, there are phones recording everything everywhere, high ticket prices thanks to a certain company, and sometimes you have to drive really far just to see your favorite performers, like Weird Al. In general, it all feels a bit different. With that said, it’s important to make the most of concerts as the prices and etiquette change. Here’s everything you need to know:

Plan Everything Far in Advance:

Seriously, who wants to feel stressed out before, during, and after a concert? You’ll want to go ahead and choose your tickets wisely based on your preferences for seating, proximity to the stage, and overall concert atmosphere. Basically, as soon as you find out about the concert, buy the tickets ASAP. It is also helpful to keep tabs on who is playing by entering a search for “Uncasville concerts” (or your local area). The last thing you want is to find out your favorite band is playing and the tickets are sold out!!

Transportation is another big part of concert prep. You’ll need to research your options, whether it’s public transit, ride share services, or parking facilities near the venue. No matter what, you’ll need to always plan for potential traffic and make sure you have a reliable way to get there and back.

Another thing you’ll need to do in advance is to have an idea about the policies at the venue; they all vary no matter which MSG bag policy is common for that venue, but more and more venues are getting strict about this; there are even some that won’t allow for phone or camera usage either.

Comfortable Attire:

While it’s totally understandable that you want to look as cute as possible, being comfortable matters way more. This especially goes for shoes; you’ll want to opt for comfortable shoes, especially if there’s standing involved (for some reason, standing concerts seem to be getting more common). You’ll likely be on your feet for an extended period and comfortable footwear can make a significant difference. Of course, sometimes it’s just fun to wear whatever you like! Sassy cowboy boots seems like the only way to go if you are seeing Shania Twain in Guilford (or your local area).

You Need Ear Protection:

No matter how far away you are from the stage or speakers, you’ll still need ear protection. People will be screaming all around you, seriously everywhere, there will be screams (unless this is a classical concert, of course). So it’s best to just consider bringing ear protection to safeguard your hearing without compromising the music experience.

Contribute to a Positive Atmosphere:

This seems to be a problem nowadays, not just the etiquette but this questionable toxicity that’s been growing. You need to embrace the collective excitement, and you definitely need to respect the performers and fellow concertgoers to create an enjoyable environment for everyone.

Concerts are an amazing experience and they can be even better with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct18

The Wiz At Playhouse Square Review

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The Wiz At Playhouse Square Review

Hello! This past Saturday, Johnny and I spent a rousing evening at Playhouse Square to see The Wiz. Nothing pleases me more than a night out at one of my favorite places with my favorite guy! I admit that I have never seen The Wizard of Oz in its entirety or have seen The Wiz. However, I knew the story line and a few songs from The Wiz and with a plot and music that fun, it was sure to be a great show. And, it was. The Wiz was a celebration of Black excellence from start to finish and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have seen it! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Lol, Johnny had way more fun than these pictures lead you to believe! 😀

We all know the basic plot of The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz stayed true to this. Dorothy gets swept away to the land of Oz after a tornado hits her Kansas home. To return back to the life she knew and her beloved Aunt Em, she must travel to the Emerald City to meet The Wiz. Along the way, she meets new friends that could also use some help from The Wiz. A scarecrow who needs a brain, a tinman who needs a heart, and a lion who needs some courage. The quartet makes their way to the Emerald City together, but must be wary of the Wicked Witch who wants to foil their plans. During their journey, the foursome learns that what they wanted can be found within themselves – they just need to know where to look!

The cast of The Wiz was absolutely divine and there was no weak link to be found. Nichelle Lewis was stunning as Dorothy and her voice was pure magic. Dorothy was spunky and brave and it was impossible to look away from her. And when she sang those high notes? Wow! It was such a joy to see Dorothy’s interactions with her newfound friends and they all worked together so beautifully. Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion were perfectly cast and their physicality as the characters were sublime. When the foursome was all together, it was like watching a movie come to life onstage and it was so neat to see the real deal happening before my eyes.

Of course, a shout out needs to be given to Melody A. Betts who played Aunt Em and Evillene. She was so lovely as sweet Aunt Em who took Dorothy in after her parents passed and a force to be reckoned with as Evillene. Her song as Evillene “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” was mine and Johnny’s favorite from the entire show. Deborah Cox as Glinda also gave a very strong performance and her glittering gowns were everything. She blew us away during her number “He’s The Wiz”.

The Wiz featured a very creative set with moving parts and huge projections set on a screen. Rather than a different set for each location, they used the images and lighting to bring the space to life. The woods had a projection of the woods, the poppy field was a projection of a field of poppies and… you get the point! I thought that this was such a good idea for the set of The Wiz because it’s a play about a journey. The location of the characters changed frequently and using images instead of full set changes helped keep the show moving along seamlessly.

Finally, let’s talk about some of my favorite songs! The soundtrack of The Wiz is rooted in soul, gospel, and R&B and it was jam packed with bangers. From upbeat to ballads, the hits just kept on coming with The Wiz. As I mentioned before, our favorite number was “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” which was a gorgeous tip of the cap to Aretha Franklin. “You Can’t Win” sung by the Scarecrow gave us all of the James Brown vibes and we loved the Tinman’s smooth rendition of “Slide Some Oil To Me”. Every actor brought their own special flavor to each song and paid homage to the greats. Don’t even get me started on the dance numbers which tied the show together perfectly. “The Emerald City” dance which began Act II was fabulous!

If The Wiz is coming to your neck of the woods, then I cannot recommend seeing it enough. It was a celebration, it was a joy, and it is not one that should be missed. You will love it!!

What is your favorite song from The Wiz? What is the last musical you have seen? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct28

Setting Up Your Home Music Studio

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Setting Up Your Home Music Studio

Do you have a passion for music? If so, then you likely know just how costly such a hobby can be. It’s fair to say that it’s often quite expensive to develop a love for music, as finding the cash to be able to afford to pay for professional studio time might cost a lot more than you have to spend. However, this doesn’t have to dampen your creative spirit. In fact, there’s an excellent solution: why not build your own home music studio? You’ll be able to record and edit your own tracks for a much smaller fee all in the comfort of your own home!

Having your own music studio can certainly take your music career to new heights, and it truly couldn’t be any simpler to begin designing and building your home studio today. So, what are you waiting for? If you’re ready to discover more, then check below to uncover some of the best tips and tricks that you can utilize to create the most amazing music studio before you know it:

First Things First: Prioritize Soundproofing:

The first and most important aspect of a home music studio is top quality soundproofing, as the last thing you want is angry neighbors knocking at your door. Having to deal with complaints day in and day out will certainly block your vibe and ruin your flow, so it’s a risk that just isn’t worth taking.

Investing in top quality soundproofing will help you to avoid this issue, as well as improve the end product of the tracks you record in your home music studio. Good soundproofing can easily block out any noises from outside of your recording space, so things like passing traffic won’t be heard in the background of any of your songs. Sourcing the correct soundproofing for your unique space is key, so take your time to look around for the best fit.

Find Quality Equipment:

When you’ve laid the foundations of your music studio with top soundproofing, it’s time to invest in a range of quality equipment that you can use to record and edit your tracks…

It’s fair to say that many artists start off with nothing more than a laptop and a pair of headphones, so if you have a limited budget then don’t worry about trying to splash out on anything more. Whenever you do have the funds, investing in a quality microphone and speaker set should be your next priority. If you wish to take your home music studio to a whole new level, then you can take the opportunity to source a variety of instruments, amps, and more to allow for all manner of musicians and artists to record in your space. Whenever you do decide to buy some instruments, make sure you get musical instrument insurance – just in case.

Once you have your soundproofing and key pieces of equipment, it is up to you to design and decorate your space. You can also add some color changing LED lights to your home music studio, as this can take the atmosphere to a whole new level!

Featured Image By: Pexels