Shane Handler, Author at Glide Magazine

Greensky Bluegrass- Hardly Strictly Newgrass

Shane Handler October 12, 2011 No Comments

So take a listen to the bluesy Stomp of “Bring Out Your Dead” from Greensky Bluegrass’ fourth studio effort Handguns and you get something that sounds like The Black Keys gone Telluride. Yes, Greensky Bluegrass are hardly strictly bluegrass, as the Kalamazoo, MI band has won over crowds from Bonnaroo to the Northwest String Summit. The 14 tracks on Handguns stretch from the 11 minute jam vehicle “All Four” to the old timey flavors of “Hot Dogs (On Parade)” to the anthemic qualities of “Don’t Lie.” On the heels of the release of Handguns, Glide had a chance to get some very personal and revealing answers from band members : Paul Hofffman (mandolin), Anders Beck (dobro), Dave Bruzza (guitar), Mike Devol (upright bass) and Mike Bont (banjo).

Matthew Ryan – Beyond The Obvious

Shane Handler October 5, 2011 No Comments

Matthew Ryan’s 13th album, I Recall Standing As Though Nothing Could Fall (2011) continues to genre define, while evolving with the spare music accompaniment that accompanies Ryan’s raw lyrics. Ryan said it best about his lyrical motivations in this interview with Glide – “I’m just documenting the life and observations of a fairly intelligent human that has a stubborn belief that we’re capable of so much more.”

Chris Velan

Shane Handler August 29, 2011 No Comments

“There are the things that haunt my mind: The blurred relationship of good vs. evil, ghosts, and the lessons and stories of history….. I’d like to think that this isn’t an exhaustive list,” says Montreal based artist Chris Velan on the vast inspiration of lyrical themes found in his songs. His latest recording Fables For Fighters (NewSong Recordings/Fontana North) is influenced by a range of influences spanning David Byrne, Randy Newman, Neil Young, West African music and reggae that can be summed up best as “smart pop/folk song-smithing.”

Wheeler Brothers

Shane Handler July 28, 2011 No Comments

Austin via Baton Rouge Americana indie rockers Wheeler Brothers released their debut album Portraits on June 21 on Bismeaux RecordsEstablishing a loyal, local fanbase, Wheeler Brothers began 2011 with a sold out performance at Austin's esteemed venue The Parish. Glide recently chatted with the band via email for a get to know the Wheeler Brothers session,

Ben Folds: Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ 7/18/11

Shane Handler July 25, 2011 No Comments

And for a finale Folds played his role of Glee conductor and divided the audience into three part harmonies to sing “Not the Same,” his retrospective to an acquaintance’s acid trip turned born again. 28 songs in two hours is nothing to complain about, especially for a guy on less than six hours sleep, with plenty of dust storm related improv. It might be too early in the game too coin Folds as an "American Original," but there's no argument that his hows certainly fall into the unique category.

McDowell Mountain Music Festival

Shane Handler April 25, 2011 No Comments

Since 2004, The McDowell Mountain Music Festival has served as a vital event for fans of roots/world/jam based bands that typically skip the Phoenix market on their tour routes. With a list of prior headliners ranging from The Flaming Lips, The Black Crowes, Ratdog, Gov’t Mule and The John Butler Trio; The McDowell Mountain Music Festival has staged a local festival that can be best summed up in one word – “chill.” With 100% of the festival’s proceeds benefiting local charities Phoenix Day and Ear Candy, it goes without saying that his year’s event offers a lot to feel good about

The Arcade Fire: Comerica Theatre, Phoenix, AZ 4/13/11

Shane Handler April 18, 2011 No Comments

The Arcade Fire re-write the rules of what a rock band looks like, appearing as the “high school band geeks” gone rock star cool. And as the band and fans sang in unison "ooh ooh ooh oooh” on the set finale “Wake Up," the Comerica Theater sounded like a World Cup soccer match – call it a win-win night for all in attendance.

Green Mtn. Concert Services – Inside The Security Side

Shane Handler March 16, 2011 No Comments

Over the past 15 years, Green Mtn. Concert Services (GMCS), an established leader in Crowd Management and Security have been sought after for concerts and sporting events throughout the Northeast since 1995. From the Grateful Dead in Highgate, Phish festivals, and Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, the folks at GMCS have not only spearheaded the safety of the events but also the planning of it. Glide recently caught up with GMCS President and CEO Kevin Cheney to get a bit more insight to what goes on in the world of security and event services.

Bright Eyes: The People’s Key

Shane Handler February 21, 2011 No Comments

Obviously Bright Eyes has entered a new world of discovery that is a few crystals short of entering Enya territory, making The People's Key a love it or hate it recording. But like Bob Dylan during his Slow Training Coming/Saved era, this will serve as another chapter in his still burgeoning career.

Gregg Allman: Low Country Blues

Shane Handler January 20, 2011 No Comments

Low Country Blues, Allman’s first solo album since 1997 and produced by – who else these days T Bone Burnett- pays homage to his roots with a reworking of songs from Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Otis Rush, Skip James and more. Burnett has assembled a band that includes guitarist Doyle Bramhall II and Dr. John to capture the spirit of swamps blues and themes of regret, tears and redemption. Allman’s voice stars front and center, a breather from competing with the guitar acrobats of the fertile gunslingers in his “other” band.

Shane Handler

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