Forward thinking music commentary/promotion
Review: Fashion Week - Darker Things (2013)

Review: Fashion Week – Darker Things (2013)

By Ryan Getz Fashion Week, in one sentence, is meat and potatoes alternative rock with a touch of acoustic singer/songwriter thrown in. Blame frontman Jason Turner for that one caveat. The band has assembled a group of talented members and amassed an impressive resume in their short career as a...
TUNED UP Special: August Burns Red interview, album announcement

TUNED UP Special: August Burns Red interview, album announcement

Today’s a good day. You know why? Because Dustin Davidson from powerhouse August Burns Red took some valuable time after touring in Europe and wrapping up recording of the band’s forthcoming album Rescue & Restore, out June 25th to answer some questions straight from I Am Tuned Up. You can...
Concert Review: twenty | one | pilots at the LC Pavilion (Columbus)

Concert Review: twenty | one | pilots at the LC Pavilion (Columbus)

April 26th, 2013 ought to be another day that will go down in Columbus live music history. Schizoid pop powerhouse twenty | one | pilots ruled the night, and their gusto has never been higher. The atmosphere at the LC that night was one of community and family. The unofficial...
TUNED UP Special: Introducing History's History (exclusive interview)

TUNED UP Special: Introducing History’s History (exclusive interview)

So, on a Wednesday evening I (Ray Cobra) met with Griffen Holt on Facebook to discuss his band History’s History and their new album. The conversation quickly became one of two people discussing their love of certain bands and the influence they had on them. Ray Cobra: What is your name and...
Review: Surrogate - Post-Heroic (2013)

Review: Surrogate – Post-Heroic (2013)

Review by Ryan Getz Let me begin by sharing a bit of background behind the Chico, CA based band known as Surrogate. You might best know the guys from their stint as members of Number One Gun, who released notable records on Tooth and Nail Records in the mid-2000s, garnering...
Concert Review: Iceage w/ Unholy Two, Messrs at Ace of Cups (Columbus)

Concert Review: Iceage w/ Unholy Two, Messrs at Ace of Cups (Columbus)

Review by Gerrit Carstensen North Campus venue Ace of Cups played host last Thursday to an interesting group of Danish punk musicians calling themselves Iceage. The group of four held the attention of the large crowd packed into Ace of Cups as they conjured up their chaotic soundscapes, and charged...
Review: Last of the Wildmen - Ship Set Sail EP (2013)

Review: Last of the Wildmen – Ship Set Sail EP (2013)

This group of five from a small town in Northwest Ohio really has a lot of guts. Not just guts, but raw passion. Their new release, Ship Set Sail, is their first proper release under the moniker Last of the Wildmen and their first professionally recorded release with any kind...
Concert Review: Memphis May Fire, Sirens and Sailors and more at Skully's Music Diner (Columbus)

Concert Review: Memphis May Fire, Sirens and Sailors and more at Skully’s Music Diner (Columbus)

Lineup: Memphis May Fire | Sirens and Sailors | Affiance | Live My Last | Fixed in Color | Amative | Carev Dvor Review by Jamarr Stokes For over 20 years, Skully’s Music Diner has been the host to some of the biggest names in music, and on March 27th,...
Concert Review + Photography: Minus the Bear / Circa Survive / Now, Now at Newport Music Hall

Concert Review + Photography: Minus the Bear / Circa Survive / Now, Now at Newport Music Hall

This show was an alternative lovers’ dream. Despite my relative unfamiliarity with all three of these groups, I knew how naive of me it would be to assume this would be anything other than an enjoyable show. IATU was the perfect vehicle to test this hypothesis. Now, Now from Minnesota...
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TUNED UP Special: Belated Rock on the Range 2013 picks

TUNED UP Special: Belated Rock on the Range 2013 picks

So, since this festival is already underway this might be more of a retrospective pick thing, but anyway here are some picks from our contributors of standout performers at this year’s Rock on the Range Festival, held at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH. Marco Castro: Brian “Head” Welch: Yes, I want to see him play...
Review: Over the Ocean - Be Given to the Soil (2013)

Review: Over the Ocean – Be Given to the Soil (2013)

Review by Ray Cobra Every so often I come across a band or album, that at first I really can’t get into. The first Deftones album was that way for me back in 1995, as well as Rush, the album Suburbia: I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing by The Wonder Years and  Hot...
Review: EndAnd - Mechanics & Energetics of Stilt-Running

Review: EndAnd – Mechanics & Energetics of Stilt-Running

By Jon McAllister EndAnd has quite the eclectic style of noisey punk rock.  After releasing their two EPs (Adventures in Lo-Fi/Hi-Fi) last summer, the Brooklyn-based trio has found that sweet spot to produce a noise punk album that just barely transcends the sludged out sound of stoner-metal as well as the instrumental intricacies of metal....
Festival Recap: Art of Music Festival (Columbus)

Festival Recap: Art of Music Festival (Columbus)

Recap by Gerrit Carstensen The Art of Music Festival was the first of a hopefully annual event, taking place on the campus of The Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD). The festival celebrated the marriage of music and art, and music as an art form. The festival boasted seven bands, a food truck and...

Relevant Discoveries (week of 5/10/2013)

Ryan Getz recommends: BAD VEINS Coming from the same town as Walk the Moon and Public is another rising star in club ready rock and roll – Bad Veins. These guys are tight, polished and want you to have fun while at the same time taking their craft very seriously. They also are on tour...
Review: Evan Andree - Flags Pt. III (2013)

Review: Evan Andree – Flags Pt. III (2013)

Review by Ryan Getz Evan Andree may have completed one of the biggest turns for the better I’ve seen all year. Last year, he submitted his Invisible Sap EP to IATU for review. What followed from that was a solid, albeit not particularly great trio of pop songs. Andree must have taken this criticism to...
Review: Man or Astro-man? - Defcon 5..4..3..2..1 (2013)

Review: Man or Astro-man? – Defcon 5..4..3..2..1 (2013)

Review by Jon McAllister It’s safe to assume that our Spaced-out Surf-Punk needs have been lacking the attention they once received from Man or Astro-man? over a decade ago.  After releasing 10 fantastic full-length albums (not to mention nearly 30 7” singles/EPs) between 1993 and 2001 and touring relentlessly in between recording sessions, the band...
Concert Review: Marriage w/ Brujas Del Sol at Ace of Cups (Columbus)

Concert Review: Marriage w/ Brujas Del Sol at Ace of Cups (Columbus)

Review by Gerrit Carstensen At Ace of Cups last Wednesday the rhythm-heavy, experimental noise rock group Marriage filled the venue with palpable sound waves emitted from a battery of drums and a wall of enormous amplifiers.  The group of five, based out of Austin Texas, had a compliment including two bass guitars and an electric...
Concert Review + Photography: Sir Sly w/ JMSN at Double Happiness (Columbus)

Concert Review + Photography: Sir Sly w/ JMSN at Double Happiness (Columbus)

Two buzz bands brought the heat to the eclectic up and coming Columbus bar and venue Double Happiness recently. JMSN and Sir Sly certainly know how to put on a show. JMSN, despite having a larger fanbase (per their Facebook page) played first. The ambience of the venue made for a challenging (photo) shoot, but...
Relevant Discoveries (week of 5/3/2013)

Relevant Discoveries (week of 5/3/2013)

Ryan Getz recommends: Mayfly This band from Troy, Ohio channels influences from Thrice and the defunct Flicker Records band Staple. The at times foreboding sound is catchy, and goes beyond the somewhat cliche “nu-metal/grunge” descriptor sometimes used for bands in this sphere. Definite Deftones and Chevelle vibes are to be had as well. The band...
Review: Young Galaxy - Ultramarine (2013)

Review: Young Galaxy – Ultramarine (2013)

Review by Ryan Getz This Montreal based group has been subject to rave reviews across the globe since the release of Ultramarine, and for good reason. This dreamgaze meets electronica band (shoegaze influenced dream pop – think Silversun Pickups collaborating with Joy Electric and Neon Indian). For the jargon/musical underground illiterate – let me put...
Industry news: New PBS Series caters to underprivileged countries

Industry news: New PBS Series caters to underprivileged countries

Editor’s note: This is too cool. What better way to contribute to the positive advancement of the music industry than to give exposure and opportunity for creativity to those who don’t normally get that? Read the below press release from Big Hassle: PBS Digital Studios is thrilled to announce a new weekly digital program called Beat Making Lab,...