UPDATE: Here's a slideshow by the great Observer photog Jeff Siner.
Some days this is not a bad way to make a living. Today I spent five hours at the Neighborhood Theatre watching the Avett Brothers shoot a video for "I and Love and You," the title track from their new record due out in September. I plan on writing a longer piece on the Avetts closer to when the record comes out -- this is a big moment for them. They've signed with a major label (Columbia Records), music guru Rick Rubin produced the album... it's one of those "on the verge of being huge" stories.
For now, though, a few vignettes from the video shoot:
-- Shooting a video means doing the song over... and over... and over. The director wanted Scott Avett to stage-dive into the crowd at the end of the song, and he dove at least a dozen times before everyone was satisfied with the shot. By the end he was about to lose his pants.
-- Between takes, the band played mini-sets of some older tunes, another song off the new record ("Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise"), and even an untitled tune that's not on any album yet.
-- If you're an Avetts fan, and you're used to their "punkgrass" sound: This is different. "I and Love and You," as well as many of the other new songs, draw their heart from piano and Joe Kwon's cello.
-- Intrigued? The Avetts play two shows at the Myrtle Beach House of Blues this weekend, and play Bojangles Coliseum Aug. 8.
-- The director begged audience members (fans who signed up online) not to post video from the shoot to YouTube. But lots of people had their cellphone cameras out. We'll see if everyone keeps the promise.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Avett Brothers video report
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20 comments:
This band sucks...unfortunately, I had to watch part of their opening act at the latest Dave Matthews show in Charlotte. Lame country-rock fusion southern-college frat band. If you enjoy this garbage, more power to you. Wave that confederate flag high (2nd place isn't all that bad in a war)!
The only thing unfortunate at the DMB show was DMB himself. This guy plays the same emotionless show every year and yet people still take out a 2nd mortgage to watch it. Of course I'd expect someone with a music IQ like anon 10:58 to respond with a post dogging the Avetts. Enjoy listening to the same monotonous crap that is Charlotte radio, douche.
i like what ME said. DMB hasn't been the same in what, 5, maybe 10 years. The Avett Brothers are great. i've seen them 4 times in the past year and they have a sound thats going to last a long time. it is a different sound, someone that listens to the frattastic dmb wouldn't really get. you can have your dmb, jack johnson and john mayers. i'll take the avetts anyday.
I thought Dave Matthews was the "southern-college frat band." That's how he got his start, as any astute, avid music critic like yourself would know. Sorry you paid to go see him. By the way, you should quit tryin' to hide that Rascall Flatts CD under your car set.
Those mofo's rock.
EVERY Avetts concert I've been to is an amazing experience and today's video shoot was no different--the band entertained by playing impromptu ditties & some complete songs along with sharing witty tales from the past to pass the time between shots. They were genuinely thankful for the fans' support and made it well worth the hours spent standing. This band is where music should be heading...
lol, Anonymous - you're kidding, right?? I was at that DMB show and DMB fans were leaving soon after Dave started - even THEY thought the Dave part sucked!! Most people I talked to at the show were far more impressed with the Avetts, a band they'd never heard of before that night, than with the band they paid $50 to see. You don't have to like the Avetts (although you're missing out on something special if you don't) but you can't deny that their star is rising and Dave's has already fallen. I was at the video shoot today too... the music these guys put out there is absolutely infectious and they are the most humbly gracious gentlemen around. Looking forward to Myrtle Beach this weekend!
I've never even heard of Rascall Flatts or Joe Johnson, so you're attempt at making a point is a bit inane...not surprising if you were educated in the south. John Mayer is a superb guitarist, but his music blows.
Hey, "Me", I've lived in Chicago, metro Detroit, and Toronto, so my "music IQ" (whatever the hell that means) is likely a bit more advanced that yours, especially if you grew up in this hill-billy town. I've been to many Montreaux and Chicago Jazz fests, seen Pink Floyd, RHCP, Steve Winwood, DMB, the Grateful Dead, etc., so spare me your ignorant comments. Who the hell listens to Charlotte radio, anyway? What are you...20 years old?
Comparing DMB to the Avett Brothers is laughable. Let's wait until at least one of their songs makes the record charts (although that's hardly a mark of good music). I think that DMB's newer music is far better than his twangy early stuff. I suspect music fans like you think Stadium Arcadium is a bad album ("I love Scar Tissue, Californication, Soul to Squeeze, and that's it."...all good songs, but why should a band keep pumping out clone albums).
I'm into classic rock, RHCP, DMB, and tons of jazz. I've seen the best and worst musicians play.
Dave Matthews is from South Africa, and he never was southern per se. Duh! He did make his start in Virginia (or somewhere like that), but calling him a southern-college frat band is plain stupid.
Hey, I hope the Avett Brothers make it big...I'm happy whenever anyone becomes financially independent (even "evil" bankers).
Oh, the DMB concert was packed...don't know who you saw leaving. I saw LOTS of empty seats when the Avett Bros. were playing...good time to take a leak and get some beer.
as always anon 1058 and any other yankee that moves here and complains about our way of life, if you don't like it you can either go back up north and move back in with your parents or come to recognize that the south is the greatest place on the planet. btw, how the hell do you arrive at the absurd notion that the avetts represent confederate flag waving rednecks? i'm missing that connection there pal.
"I've never even heard of Rascall Flatts or Joe Johnson." Anonymous - you must not be as tuned into the music scene as you claim to be because if you haven't heard of either of these two then you've got your head under a rock - I have no idea what being from Chicago has to do with anything. I think you just undermined your whole "higher music IQ" claim there because those bands are undeniably huge. Oh and by the way - moving down here to insult the locals and call this a hick place to live with a bunch of rebel-flag waving rednecks is a stellar way to show appreciation to the people who DON'T kick your ass on a daily basis for being a pain in the ass Yankee ingrate who bitches and moans all day long about our customs and having to live here. Don't like it here?? THEN GO HOME... and don't let that "redneck" screen door smack you too hard in the ass on your way out!!
Lola lowered the BOOM!
I and Love and You.
why are there so many ignorant people in the world that just have to make an ass out of themselves? yes, anon 10:58 im talking about you; dumb-ass yankee. the avetts are great, and have made a name for themselves all on their own, through consistently making good music, and personally connecting with their fans. any top 40 band that you like probably doesn't even write their own music, but gets it from their record labels writers. the avetts are true musicians who sing their own songs in their own way, and that is what makes them so great.
Speechless.....and a little angry. Glad to see folks back the Avetts! See you all in Myrtle Beach and Charlotte!
I walked into Puckett's Farm Equipment ~8 years ago and was shocked to find that I had to pay a $5 cover charge. I asked the guy at the door who was playing. He replied "The Avett Brothers. They're from Concord and are really something special. They are releasing their first CD tonight. You won't regret seeing this show."
He was right -- I've been a fan ever since.
My favorite band out right now. These guys deserve every bit of success they will undoubtedly get.
As one of the biggest DMB out there, I will agree that the shows in CLT generally do suck. Why? Because people in CLT are not about the music - they are there for the party. If you look at the set lists from their shows you will realize that the band knows this. They save their energy for venues where the true fans are!
The Avett Brothers are amazing, and the video shoot was a wonderful experience! That said, I am always amazed by people who take time out of their day to spread negativity. If you dislike a band so much, why would you waste your time reading or writing about them. Come to think of it, if you dislike a place so much, why would you live there? Please, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. If you have to though, at least have the courage of your convictions, and don't post anonymously.
The Avetts are great. I'm glad they're finally getting the widespread recognition they deserve. Selfishly, I'm sad that I can't see them in tiny venues like the good ole days. Can't wait for their upcoming local shows!
To this guy,
"Hey, "Me", I've lived in Chicago, metro Detroit, and Toronto, so my "music IQ" (whatever the hell that means) is likely a bit more advanced that yours, especially if you grew up in this hill-billy town. I've been to many Montreaux and Chicago Jazz fests, seen Pink Floyd, RHCP, Steve Winwood, DMB, the Grateful Dead, etc., so spare me your ignorant comments. Who the hell listens to Charlotte radio, anyway? What are you...20 years old?"
ummmm, i hope you realize all the bands you listed were influenced by southern music culture.
Here's my two cents directed at the first fellow to comment...
Listen buddy, I live in South Carolina and I'm proud to be from the South and I'm even more proud to claim neighbor-of-North Carolina, specifically because of The Avetts.
I don't claim to be more musically erudite than anyone (but then again, down here we're raised not to shoot mouths off), but here's two thoughts:
1. Dave Matthews Band? About as hot Monica Lewinsky. Avett Bros? Have Rick Rubin producing their album. For someone who knows so much about music, that should carry some water.
2. As such a music aficionado, I'm surprised you don't recognize The South - like Mississippi and Southern Appalachia - as the cultural hearth of folk/rock/popular music in American history. Sure isn't Detroit. Where do you think all those people came from?
Hey, all's not lost though. They made a movie about "Mama Mia" 30 years later. Maybe 30 years after "Under the Table and Dreaming" pop culture will come full circle to embrace the dredges of the 90's?
Til then you keep rockin' the socks and sandals buddy.
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