Hallmarker chicks rock out!

Softee is a band composed of four Hallmark Cards gals: Sarah, Steph, Mimi and Flora.




They made the cover of a local Kansas City magazine, HERLIFE.

Like a groupie I went around the office and got each gal to autograph my magazine. It's gonna be work some money one day!!!

KC's Sprint Center Ranked Among the Top Venues in the World

Yup, you read that right -- The 2-year-old Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City was recently ranked No. 14 on the list of the world's top venues. It also ranked No. 5 in the U.S. venue rankings. Check out the full article here.

Say What You Need to Say

In a new series of 15-second television spots that feature John Mayer's "Say" as a musical backdrop, Hallmark's new ad campaign reminds us that there are little things we can do that will have a big impact on people.

In the midst of the current economic recession, people are turning inward to close family and friends to get through the tough times. Sometimes something as little as a 99-cent greeting card is all it takes to give people a smile or a laugh.

I for one, am very proud of this ad campaign and of Hallmark.

Have no fear for givin' in
Have no fear for gettin' over
You better know that in the end
It's better to say to much
Than to never say what you need to say...
-John Mayer, "Say"

The Get Up Kids Reunion

After 3 years apart, the band that some claim "to have started it all" had reformed to play one night only at Record Bar in Kansas City, Mo. The Get Up Kids reunion show was barely publicized and was only allowed to house 250 people. Being that they were all back home for the holiday season, and they felt it was a good idea to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their second release, Something to Write Home About (which is the record that sent them skyward). The set included every song off of that album, and an encore of some favorites. Matt Pryor, the lead vocalist, said "it was going way better than he expected" and it seemed like the band was happy to be playing shows together again. As a side note, they said they would try and do this at least once a year, and joked around about only playing at the Record Bar. Only in KC.

I took some photos and a video but because my camera is wonky, here is someone else's. Enjoy.


-Josh

Z.L. Newton and KC Songwriters

Ah yes, I'm back. Have no fear. I haven't been around for a while because I've been working hard of lots of cool stuff I can't talk about. I'm sure you didn't even notice i was gone, but I'm sorry anyhow. As time goes by I am slowly becoming the token music guy. But that's a perfect role for me, because I just love it. Here's what's tonight:

Tonight, starting at 7, at Blayney's Irish Pub in Westport (415 Westport Rd.), they are holding part of the KC Songwriters Acoustic Showcase. If you are into folk music, you are in for a folkin' good time (sorry, some Shoebox-eque humor there). Pubs are the perfect atmosphere for it.

Maybe most importantly, one of Hallmarks own designers, Z.L. Newton (flyer pictured above) will be subbing in at the show at 7:30. He has a talent for story telling, and a shaky folk voice that's perfect to tell it with. He'll also have CD's for sale at the show, one of which is a brand new EP.

So, go, have a cold one and enjoy some music if you live in the area. And if you don't, try clicking on some of those links and giving the bands a listen.

The lineup is as follows:
7:00 Kaye Johnston
7:30 Z.L. Newton - myspace.com/palermoproject
8:00 Elaine McMilian
8:30 Dan Divine

Sorry, I'm not sure if there is a cover.

Until next time,
Josh

MO Music (Part 2 - Hallmarker Edition)

There are so many note-worthy bands in Kansas City (and surrounding areas), that i could have dozens of these posts. But there won't be many this good. Haha. What can i say, Hallmarkers like to rock. Check it:

Softee - A lo-fi pop-rock four piece. All of the members cute girls, all of them designers. And you would be able to tell from the glorious posters, cd covers, and endless creative merchandise they have. My first month at Hallmark, i heard about these ladies more times than i did greeting cards. They don't disappoint either. The shows are always full of energy and way fun. Tomorrow, they have another butt-kicking performance, 10PM at the Brick, to kickoff there newest EP "Birds & Aliens" (see above poster). Expect good times, some surprises and a chance to buy a limited edition first run of the EP (w/ screen printed CD sleeve).
Playing with Softee, will be two other solid bands:
Big Surrender
The ACB's
I hope to see you there.

NoMathmatics - DJ-ing, retro video playing, dancing robot machines! Again, this brings another big crowd in KC. They encourage their crowds to come dawning sweatbands, 80's attire, or robot suits. And one of the guys is an art director on Shoebox. Why wouldn't you go really?

Travoltron - Nate and Samantha L. listed in our bloggers on the right, also are part of a band... this one. Sort of a disco indierock powerpop sound that makes you want to dance. I've only seen them once, but oh did i ever dance.

(you can totally tell they are creatives just by their flashy myspaces, huh?)



There are definitely some more Hallmark bands, but they escape me at the moment.

Some other notable bands this time around: The Architects, It's Over!, Aaron Hale and the Boy Detectives (EP out this Tues), Queen's Club

Stay tuned for part 3, which will likely be rap and hip-hop. If you have recommendations, please let me know!

-Josh

Feist and a Lesson in Storytelling

One of the schools that Bess and I visited in Atlanta this week used the following videos as a lesson in a design class: audience and storytelling are critical to design problem-solving, and this was the example the professor used. Very cool, I think. Enjoy!

MO Music (Part 1)

(and KS music too)

Pretty much anytime you see me here at work, I have my ears covered in headphones. Most likely dancing at my desk... like now. Music just keeps my creative juices flowing. I'd like to think that a lot of people are the same way. Believe it or not, Kansas City has a lot of offer when it comes to a music scene. Probably the biggest act from Kansas City, is American Idol winner David Cook, and of course there is always the jazz. If neither of these are your thing, maybe some of these will interest you:

The Get Up Kids - The Get Up Kids are probably the most recognizable indie band from the area. They're from Lawrence, KS, which is about 45 minutes from KC. Now defunct, the band originally laid ground for most of the bands in the scene today. Yeah, right there in the midwest. The New Amsterdams, The Terrible Twos, and Reggie and the Full Effect are the current spawns from TGUK. All of which are pretty notable.

The Terrible Twos - Out of that group, locally, Matt Pryor's children's music group, definitely get a lot of recognition — at least with the mothers. At the end of the month (July 29th) they have their latest effort coming out, and what songs i have heard from it i really like... what, it makes me feel young again. Like, 5 years old young.


Vedera - (vay-dare-ah) Freshly signed to Epic Records, they put their new EP on iTunes and now in a couple stores in Kansas. It's just 3 songs from their upcoming full length due out soon. This weekend they have a show at the Beaumont Club here in KC, and then they are back out on the road to do some west coast shows. I really recommend checking this one out on MySpace.

Republic Tigers - Appearing on Letterman, and as background music on the ever-popular Grey's Anatomy, Buildings and Mountains has become the juggernaut that launched the Republic Tigers into stardom. But they still hang out here. In fact, I saw a couple members on July 4th just having a good time with friends like the rest of us. They used to just play the local bars here in KC, and love the Record Bar, their old stomping ground. But for now, at least until August, they are on the road, so you should look them up.


I saved a bunch of artist for another time because the post was getting a little lengthy. I hope that tickles your creativity for now.

-Josh

"Breathtaking..."

There you have it, folks... That's my review of last night's performance of "ESO:TERRA" by Kansas City-based Performance Ensemble Quixotic.

From the program: "Quixotic's "Eso:terra" or "Mystery of Earth," is a dynamic combination exploring the concepts of "progression" on philosophical and metaphysical levels. A Living Installation of the first order, "Eso:terra" is a multimedia kaleidoscope of rich lighting, compelling movement, flowing fabrics, aerial artistry, live original music, and poetry that moves the viewer profoundly by appealing to all of the senses. A fusion of presitgious [LOCAL!] performers, video textures, and tapestries or sound -- at once exotic spiritual, "Eso:terra" has the dimension to be an enrapturing experience for all."

This is the first time that I have been to something like this, and I'd go again in a heartbeat. The sheer strength and athleticism of the performers was amazing (I could see every performer's six-pack abs from the middle of the Uptown Theater for goodness sake), the aerial stunts in media such as fabric, netting, and trapeze had me on the edge of my seat, and oh, the music: drums of all sizes and shapes, a digerydoo, wind chimes, an electric violin, an upright bass, keyboards, saxophones...

This is a show I would recommend to anyone and everyone. You don't have to be and artist or creative to appreciate a show like this. I took my boyfriend, Eric, who usually opts out of more "artsy" things for sports, camping, and video games, and he was very impressed. He even tried doing one of the stunts when we got home... [side note: there should be a disclaimer on the program: "All stunts are performed by professional athletes. Do not attempt.]

Tickets are still available for tonight's performance if anyone is looking for something to do on a Friday night in KC!