Dayton Music Insider: Enjoy Dayton’s original music this weekend, at home or in person

Brainiac — (from left) Tim Taylor, John Schmersal, Juan Monasterio and Tyler Trent — featured in a mid-’90s promotional photo. CONTRIBUTED/FILE

Brainiac — (from left) Tim Taylor, John Schmersal, Juan Monasterio and Tyler Trent — featured in a mid-’90s promotional photo. CONTRIBUTED/FILE

Friends, it’s been awhile. There just hasn’t been much to write about since the coronavirus pandemic has effectively shut down live music for the foreseeable future. There are however, some small venues who are attempting to bring live music back in limited ways. And there are lots of cool ways you can explore and support Dayton’s original music scene from home.

There’s also a bonus opportunity mentioned at the end of article for musicians themselves!

Tim Taylor, lead singer for Brainiac, pictured in 1995 at Lollapalooza. Taylor was killed in a car accident in 1997. (ARCHIVE IMAGE)

icon to expand image

WATCH FROM HOME

If you’re not up for going out yet, I get it! Safety first. Or even if you are going out, there are some really cool documentaries and virtual shows that are “must watch” viewing for Dayton music fans.

The first thing I'd like to bring your attention to is that "Brainiac: Transmissions After Zero" is now free to watch on Amazon Prime (for subscribers). If you're not a subscriber, you can rent or buy digitally the film on Amazon,  iTunes, or Vimeo.

>> Dayton Music Insider: 7 great music documentaries to enjoy at home

The film is required viewing for any Dayton music fans, as it’s steeped in Dayton music culture, and reminds us why this city is so cool. The documentary focuses on Brainiac, a 90s indie rock band that pushed the envelope sonically and inspired countless musicians during their brief, but memorable career.

>> READ MORE: Brainiac documentary: A Q&A with directory Eric Mahoney

The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance has started to offer free virtual concerts, called the “Summer Streams” series. On July 6 at 10 a.m., the Dayton Philharmonic presents “Where in the World?” a family friendly concert. They invite you to take a virtual trip around the world with the DPO Woodwind Quintet, featuring composers from over a dozen different countries by performing works that give us a feel for the music and the culture of their homelands.

ajc.com

icon to expand image

I also encourage you to mark your calendar for July 9 at 8 p.m. That is the date and time when Tip Jar: A Show of Thanks will be replaying on Dayton.com's FB page. The show is free to watch!

This virtual concert was produced by yours truly, and was a labor of love for all involved. Fourteen local musicians contributed their time and talent to create a highly entertaining showcase of  Dayton’s original music. The concert doubles as a fundraiser to help local restaurant workers who have been financially affected by the coronavirus shutdown.

The creative forces behind Tender Mercy and the Idea Collective have come up with the Tip Jar - a virtual concert taking place on Saturday, May 30.

icon to expand image

>> Dayton musicians unite for epic virtual concert

The concert originally aired the end of May, however it coincided with the first weekend of George Floyd protests. While the concert did air, our collective attention turned to the protests, understandably. We decided to replay the concert a bit later, in hopes of achieving the financial goal for the fundraiser.

Everyone involved in this truly special show hopes you’ll tune in and be reminded that our independently owned music and food workers are the people who make this city so special.

Tip Jar - a virtual benefit concert created by Tender Mercy and the Idea Collective - is scheduled for a replay date on Thursday, July 9 on Dayton.com's Facebook page. Mariah J shown here.

icon to expand image

>> REPLAY: Dayton musicians come together for virtual concert to help Ohio restaurant workers

Later this month, Dayonians have the opportunity to support Levitt Pavilion, as it tries to financially maintain through this crisis. Levitt Presents: A Virtual Fundraiser will be held Thursday, July 23, at 7 p.m. via Facebook live within a private Facebook group. Ticket-holders will enjoy an evening emceed by Faith Daniels of WROU with live music and a Q&A session featuring Kyshona Armstrong, a Nashville recording artist.

Ticket prices range from $25-$75. A portion of the ticket price, $25, is a tax-deductible donation to Levitt Dayton and attendees will receive an acknowledgement of their gift after the event. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or visit LevittDayton.org for more information.

Recording artist Kyshona Armstrong. CONTRIBUTED

icon to expand image

>> READ MORE: Live music, local food part of a virtual fundraiser for Levitt Pavilion Dayton

MUSIC VIDEOS

There’s lot of great new music coming out of Dayton this summer. In particular, the hip-hop community has been producing some amazing tracks, and powerful music videos.

  • Eman Jones "Call to Action" - this new video dropped and I wondered how he could make such a timely track and professional video so soon (since the George Floyd protests). Turns out it just perfectly aligned. I'm digging what's he's putting down. Check out for yourself here.
  • YelloPain "Impossible Game" - this brand new, powerful video was released this week and was directly inspired by the George Floyd protests. Shot in Dayton, many of the locations and faces are familiar, including several "Dayton Strong" signs. Watch here.
  • Tino's "You Know" - Tino has come out with a new album entitled "Past Due" and one of his signature tracks, "You Know" is on YouTube as a lyric video. Beyond Tino's adorable childhood photo, it's great for someone like me to catch some of those lyrics that Tino rolls out quicker than my mind can catch them!
  • Dave Zup "Moss" - Dave is actually a Cleveland artist who has chosen to donate 100% of proceeds from sales from June 19th through July 3rd to a special partnership between the Institute of Applied Creativity for Transformation at University of Dayton, the Community Builders Academy and Brixilated. All three of these groups are committed to bringing positive change to local communities by fighting system racism and oppression through education, collaboration and action in Dayton. Just 2 more days to purchase from Bandcamp here. They lyric video can be viewed here.
Tyheir Kindred,  the rapper known as YelloPain, said he hopes  the song “My Vote Dont Count” illustrates why votes do count. It was posted on Facebook Jan. 14, 2020 and  had received more than 4 million views by Jan. 26, 2020. The photo was taken at Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar.

icon to expand image

>> READ MORE: Dayton Music Insider: Support Black musicians in Dayton

LIVE MUSIC IN PERSON

Opportunities to see live music have understandably been few and far between since the March shutdown. It will be one of the last events and industries to fully recover. However, there are a few shows happening with the use of masks and social distancing.

Showcase Thursday at Yellow Cab - This week Yellow Cab features original music from Steve Greene, Paschal's new band, Grit and Harmony, Debbie DeCasio, and Matt Baumann. Music 6:30-9 p.m. No cover. All ages.

"Fruition" Album Release Party - On Thursday July 2, Ric Sexton, a skilled saxophone, trumpet, & trombone player from Dayton celebrates his debut  album from 7-10pm at Therapy Cafe. Admission is free but they would love for you to RSVP via Eventbrite here.

ajc.com

icon to expand image

First Friday Downtown - the Downtown Dayton Partnership is hosting roving musicians on First Friday July 3rd throughout downtown, featuring Berachah ValleyHarmonica Neil, Joseph Glenn on the steel drums, Edde Osborne, and Dave the Magician!

Carmen Clouse is performing acoustic music at Courtyard Lounge in Englewood on Friday, July 3, from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. No cover. 21+

Wright Dunbar Day - The first annual Wright Dunbar Day will feature music all day with DJ Conviction, and a live performance by Premium Blend. The event runs from 1 - 6 p.m. on Sunday July 5 in the Wright Dunbar neighborhood, between West 2nd and 3rd streets near North Williams Street. Free admission and family friendly!

>> READ MORE: Wright Dunbar Day celebration planned this holiday weekend

OPPORTUNITY FOR MUSICIANS

ruef Design, a Dayton, OH-area digital marketing agency, is offering to produce, film, and edit a music video for a local artist for free, absolutely free. They want to extend their video production services to one local musician  or  group who has recorded music recently and wants to make a music video for the next hit single from Dayton. The deadline to enter is coming up soon on July 10, so don't delay. Details on signing up can be found at: https://ruef.com/music-video-contest/

As always, thank you for supporting live music!

Your Dayton Music Insider,

Libby Ballengee

About the Author