From left: Jeremy Styles, Jocelyn Mackenzie and Emily Hope Price

Pearl and the Beard know how to make an entrance, and keep a crowd entertained. Playing to a mix of students, couples, parents and young adults, their energy, banter and ultimately their talent certainly won this trio many new fans.

There was a lot of laughter when Jeremy Styles shared his love of sports movies (or maybe just the Karate Kid) to the surprise of his band-mates. In addition, and not-to-be-missed: Jocelyn Mackenzie’s ever-present smile during every song. Her happiness throughout is as infectious as the music.

When the opening notes of “Sweetness” started, the crowed roared for this fan-favorite. The live version did not disappoint; it’s better than the recording. Other songs off their previous album included “Prodigal Daughter,” “Reverend” and Emily-breaks-down-the-house “Hot Volcano.” All the usual instruments were there too: cello, guitar, drums, electric guitar, and piano to name a few.

There were plenty of new songs, including “Devil’s Head Down,” “Again Animal,” “Yet” and “You.” In fact, Emily revealed that nine of the fifteen songs on their set list were new, then fretted over ruining the surprise of just how many songs would be played. Turns out she didn’t ruin the surprise after all.

Jocelyn was speechless when a fan requested a song not included in their set list. Despite already playing fifteen songs – one for the encore – Pearl and the Beard played the requested song, “Douglas Douglass” anyway. They also confirmed to me afterward that this was not planned and only added as a result of the request. Take note future Pearl and the Beard concert-goers!

It seems risky to play so many new songs. What if the audience doesn’t like them? What if they are expecting more songs they already know and love? However, the new songs were a treat and a preview of the incredible music on the horizon for this beloved indie folk-pop band of three.

Want to know more about Pearl and the Beard’s upcoming music, their song-writing process and more? Click here to read our exclusive interview.

Check out Again Animal below:

Check out Pearl and the Beard on Facebook!
Find more tour dates here!

Who: Pearl and the Beard When: September 5th, 2013 Where: The Ark – 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Local band Jack & the Bear will open. Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm Tickets: $12, Buy tickets here Pearl and the Beard: Hailing from New York, it is Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price, and Jeremy Styles who form this intriguing indie folk trio.

What happens when three individually stellar artists come together is nothing short of amazing. Their talent rivals many of today’s most recognizable names; vocally stunning and each a musician in the truest sense of the word. A typical Pearl and the Beard experience (and it is an experience) includes a beautiful blend of voices, with Styles on guitar and Price on cello. Mackenzie plays drums and has been known to shake a tambourine and whip out a kazoo. There will be hand-claps, too.

Fan Jennifer Howard, who already has her ticket to attend the show, shares, “I saw Pearl and the Beard before I knew who they were, when they opened for Ingrid Michaelson in Royal Oak last year. I was immediately drawn in by the vocal harmonies. Emily’s expressive playing sealed the deal, and I knew I’d see them every time they were in town. This will be my third time seeing them live.”

Indeed, If there is one show you should see this fall, it’s Pearl and the Beard. This is a band that is meant to be heard (and seen) live, for it is there, on the stage, belting out vocal sweetness, that you too will become a fan. Pearl and the Beard’s most recent full-length release was 2011’s “Killing the Darlings.” Listen below and check out Pearl and the Beard on Facebook! Find more tour dates here!

Lenka took the stage at the Crofoot Ballroom’s intimate upstairs Pike Room in Pontiac, Michigan on July 25, 2013. With glittery eyeliner and a signature dress, she immediately opened with one of the best tracks off her third and latest album, “Nothing Here But Love.”

Vocally, she was stellar, matching the quality of the recording. Her soft, ethereal tone carried wonderfully across a respectful, quiet crowd that just wanted to enjoy her voice.

Lenka took fans back to her debut album for “Trouble is a Friend” for the second song of the night. Then, “After The Winter” marked a return to a slew of songs from her most recent release (titled “Shadows”). Calling its music “lullabies for adults” Lenka explained that her son inspired much of the album.

When Lenka began to tear up, she told the crowd she missed her son and had been away from him for five days. As one band member handed her a handkerchief, everyone (including Lenka) seemed instantly aware of the number of moms and daughters in the audience. All together now…awww!

Lenka graciously introduced her band, and, worth noting is Paul Cartwright, who was outstanding on violin. If Lenka’s songs are great on their own, his handiwork and talent made them exceptional. Later, Lenka kicked up the pace – album two (no pun intended!) favorites “Everything at Once” and “Heart Skips a Beat” added energy to the set.

Then, all too quickly, before singing “We Will Not Grow Old”  Lenka  announced it as the last song. But as any concert-goer knows, a hearty applause and some enthused cheering will bring any act back to the stage.

This was no exception and the encore was a three-song treat. “Live Like You’re Dying” was first, followed by the uplifting “Roll With the Punches.” Although slightly predictable, Lenka ended with her biggest U.S. hit, “The Show.” With the audience singing along, it was the perfect end to a night that was, to quote a Lenka lyric, “a sugar bomb” – sweet, explosive, addicting, and irresistible.

Lenka’s tour heads out of the U.S. next; see the rest of her 2013 dates here: http://lenkamusic.com/events/

Check Lenka out on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lenka
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LenkaMusic

Listen to songs from “Shadows” here:

Nothing Here But Love:

After the Winter:

March 16, 2013 – Lindsey Stirling played the Crofoot, Pontiac, Michigan to a  full house. The sold-out show could not have been more packed, with fans crowding the balcony, the stage and piled out nearly into the hallway. The crowd was mixed with kids, parents, teens, 20-somethings, men and women, all cramped into the intimate venue the Crofoot offers.

Playing songs like Electric Daisy Violin, Song of the Caged Bird, Transcendence and Crystallize, Lindsey catered to the likes of her hard-core fans. She knew her audience when she played her famous Zelda medley. What’s more, there was something for everyone in the crowd. A Michael Jackson medley came as a surprise, while less surprising and equally incredible was her Phantom of the Opera medley.

All this was done with Lindsey’s signature dance moves as she glided across the stage, frequently spinning, twirling, kicking her feet and prancing in a faerie-esque manner that evoked sheer happiness.

When Lindsey thanked everyone for coming and for allowing her to live her dream when the industry told her she couldn’t do it, you could feel that gratitude as deeply and as fully as you could feel the vibrations in your body from the bass-heavy music that accompanied the violin.

There was an encore, a lovely version of Evanescence’s “My Immortal” where the music and even Lindsey’s upbeat dancing were lessened to accommodate the melody that so aptly wound down the high-energy show.

One of the most inventive pieces was Lindsey’s reworking of Rihanna’s hit song “We Found Love.” African elements mixed in with her elegant violin made this the song arguably better than its original inspiration. She even sang vocals on the track, changing the words to “we found love in a whole new place.”

And certainly, those who go see Lindsey Stirling live will leave finding themselves even more in love with her.

Photo by Traci Grant

Owl City took the stage at the Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac, Michigan on October 7th. First though, he was preceded by opener Matthew Koma’s high energy set. Koma’s best song was easily “Neon Red.”

Photo by Brett Stawinski

Then, finally, Adam Young emerged to the roar of the crowd. At one point, Young talked about always dreaming of playing the main room at the Crofoot, having previously done a show in one of their smaller rooms years ago.

He jumped around. He glided across the stage. He waved his arms. He sang. Boy, did he sing. The music was loud and the lights were bright but it was clear that Young’s vocals are up to par. He never sounded out of breath, despite his motion-heavy, can’t-help-but-shake-it-along-with-him approach to the show.

He performed songs such as “Deer in the Headlights,” “Silhouette,” “Shooting Star” and included a stunning instrumental-only track called “Seaboards.” Of course, there was also this summer’s mega-hit “Good Time,” with keyboardist Breanne Düren filling in for Carly Rae Jepsen.

Photo by Brett Stawinski

When Young played “Fireflies,” Young called it the sing-along portion of the show, and he couldn’t have been more right. His own voice was trounced by that of the crowd, which knew every word to the 2009 chart topper.

But then the crowd was constantly singing along, and it was clear that Young’s fan base, made up largely of teen girls, was out in full force at the show. Screams erupted after each song concluded, and everyone wanted more. Thankfully, an encore took care of that.

The bottom line: Owl City is not a good time. It’s a great time.

Photo by Traci Grant

You don’t go into listening to a post-rock album if you’re after a quick musical fix or a catchy hook. Rather, you ease back into your favorite relaxing spot (I’m on my couch with my legs up), put on some good headphones (I’ve got the Grado SR-60i cans over my ears), and close your eyes. You listen to this music to feel something, to be taken on a journey, to envision what could have been, to dream of the endless possibilities that might be ahead. And this is how I entered Caspian‘s Waking Season.

To say that this album is an aural representation of beauty is an understatement. It’s an album that is full of rich, gorgeous tones and sounds. From the piano in the beginning of the title track to the indie folk rock drums in “Hickory” to thick over-driven bass of “Fire Made Flesh”, this album is a treat for those who are constantly looking for new sounds in their music.

Never sounding haughty or arrogant, Waking Season is an album that should be heard by any fan of post-rock, such as Explosions In The Sky or Russian Circles, or even fans of bands such as Katatonia, Porcupine Tree, and Karnivool.

You can buy the album HERE.

Jonathan Barkan is the music editor of www.Bloody-Disgusting.com, the internet’s #1 source for all things horror. You can follow him on Twitter at @BD_JonnyB

Photo by Traci Grant

Vienna Teng took the stage at her now-local venue, the Ark in Ann Arbor, MI on Saturday, September 30th. The piano-playing singer/songwriter threw in a few surprises, including a switch to playing the guitar. She sounded incredible, more powerful, emotive and impressive than a recording can possibly do justice.

Songs included “Augustine,” “The Tower,” “Watershed,” “Eric’s Song,” and “Gravity.” She started the show without a set list, taking audience suggestions written on sticky notes, making every effort to involve the crowd. She even invited guests onto the stage to harmonize (though no brave souls stepped up). At one point she asked, “Does anyone have any questions,” informing everyone that she would talk about most subjects.

Photo by Brett Stawinski

School was a topic heavy on her mind; she talked often of her experience at the University of Michigan and the way that what she was learning would show up lyrically in her songs. She mused on finding her way back to the love affair she has with music before performing “Harbor.” Vienna also played new songs and shared music that wasn’t even finished, offering her audience a unique experience to allow her to grow as a performer as she tried out the guitar.

The intimate setting of Ann Arbor’s The Ark was a complement to the depth of what Vienna shared both personally and musically with a crowd as diverse as the messages in her music.

Photo by Brett Stawinski

While her music and lovely voice touched the audience, it was her personality and demeanor that endeared them to her. Her closing cover of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” may have also done the trick. The chance to see Vienna Teng in such a  moving, fun and inspiring concert – this opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo.

Photo by Traci Grant

THE STAR SCOOP: Tell us about what motivated you to become a personal trainer?

MICHELLE BETTS: I was motivated to become a personal trainer at the end of a very destructive, 8-year relationship. In order to heal the hurt in my heart, I turned to the gym. I started going to the gym religiously, taking many of the classes and became friends with the instructors and staff. It made me feel and look good. I also began pursuing acting and that motivated me as well; I wanted to look and feel my best. It turned into a way of life for me. I would run around Los Angeles in my gym clothes and would get asked constantly what I did to stay so fit, a big factor in my motivation, as well. Probably the most influential factor, however, was Tony Robbins. I started one of his programs and it led me to finding the passion I had for fitness and personal training.

THE STAR SCOOP: How has that decision shaped the person we see on “Tough Love: Miami”?

MICHELLE BETTS: Becoming a personal trainer definitely shaped me into the person you see on “Tough Love: Miami.” Before I became a trainer I was unhappy with where I was in life; I was bar-tending late nights, and it wasn’t making me happy. As a personal trainer I started getting up early in the morning and was excited to train my clients. When a client sees and feels improvement it is such a gratifying feeling. When you truly love what you do it shows, and I believe I have been perceived as the positive, nice girl on the show because of it. Also, being a personal trainer I have to push my clients and be really tough on them, because of this I understood what the host, Steve Ward was doing. I didn’t fight him on things, I took his criticism and advice better than most, I just gave in to trusting him…….and I am very grateful for that.

THE STAR SCOOP: What do you think viewers will take away from “Tough Love: Miami”?

MICHELLE BETTS: I have had a really positive responses from fans. I think the show does so well because the viewers can relate to myself or one of my cast mates. The viewers have told me that they learn from our mistakes. My fans have been amazing, telling me that I’m a role model and wishing me the best. That really makes me feel like it wasn’t just about me, yes I helped myself and my life has changed, but I’ve also helped many other people. It’s wonderful!

THE STAR SCOOP: Everyone seems to make a new year’s resolution to get fit. Do you have a few tips for people to get started for 2012?

MICHELLE BETTS: A few tips….well, I can go on and on, so I’ll make it short and sweet. First, know what you want and why you want it. What is your fitness goal and why? You need to root of your problem, and then know the path to solve it. Second, once you’ve identified what you want, make a plan and stick to it, but be realistic. Make little baby goals to reward yourself along the way. I tell everyone I know to schedule your exercise and fitness plan like it’s a job and stick to it. Once you start exercising and working out it gives you momentum to do more.

THE STAR SCOOP: What about people who are already on the right path. What can they do to keep up the good work, or to mix it up a little so they aren’t bored with the same old workouts or food choices?

MICHELLE BETTS: Another thing I tell my clients is do something you like that is fun. For example, would be take a dance class or join a sporting league. Make it something that you have fun and look forward to doing and do it with a friend. Make it a weekly catch up session where you get some form of exercise or body movement in, and spend time with someone you love. As far as food choices, change things up by eating fruits and veggies that are in season. The seasons change, use what’s in season to add variety to your meals.

THE STAR SCOOP: Will you be opening a wellness center anytime or is this still hope for the future? Can you tell us more about this plan?

MICHELLE BETTS: I am determined to open up a wellness center in the future. I would really like it to be for women who have been through some type of abuse. A center where you could go to feel good again. Exercise is so good for your body and mind, it was my form of healing and I would love to give that back to other women. I believe that if you can, you should help, I would like to do it in a large capacity.

THE STAR SCOOP: Lastly, what would you like your readers to know about you?

MICHELLE BETTS: Wow, that’s hard to answer. I am constantly trying to live my life by doing the “right” thing, morally and ethically. I don’t screw people over and I’m not a liar. Sometimes I think life in LA would be easier if I gave in to that cut throat mentality. You know the saying “nice girls finish last”……I’m living proof that it’s wrong. On a side note, my favorite musician is Eminem….I LOVE his music! Thank you for the interview! Check out http://www.michellebettsfitnessfanatic.blogspot.com and http://www.michellebetts.com!