Now that summer is finally upon us and festival season is in full swing Buzzafied has been busy covering the larger gatherings around Nashville but we branched out this summer and headed north to the true dairy land. Most people would not think of taking a road trip to Wisconsin to see great live music but actually it is home to the worlds largest music festival, Summerfest. Close to a million people pack into the 75 acre festival grounds on the lakefront in Milwaukee each year for this 11 day occasion. Every year over 700 bands play throughout a mixture of stages ranging from small tents to the massive Marcus Amphitheater. People of course go not only for the wide range of music but also the fireworks, food, and more importantly…beer. This however is not the festival we decided to attend, we headed further north to the small city of Fond du Lac to take part in Walleye Weekend and see the band Thriving Ivory.
Walleye Weekend comes with a title of its own, the “Worlds Largest Fish Fry”, however we were more interested in seeing Thriving Ivory, Verona Grove, Cartel, and even the BoDeans. On route to the WIXX Stage we were able to see softball tournaments, the weigh in for the fishing tournament, and quite possibly the “Worlds Largest Mullet”. Tempting as it was to get engulfed with these other attractions we were able to make it in time to catch the last few songs of a great cover band called Oil Can Harry. Now when it comes to cover bands they have to be doing something beyond great to impress us. When the female vocalist started singing “Beat it” by Michael Jackson right after doing a cover of “Sweet Child of Mine” that was better than the original, we almost felt the need to bow down and kiss feet. Unfortunately you’re going to have to go to Wisconsin to hear this jawsome cover band due to the lack of internet ready music. The main attraction however has their music up and ready for you listening pleasure.
Remember a year ago when your favorite cheesy pop radio station started playing the Jonas Brothers? You know like early winter, late autumn? Or better known as the time when you lost all faith in radio and shot your car stereo with a 45 to try and make Taylor Swift get off all the stations? Yeah around that time this band out of San Francisco popped up with their single “Angels on the Moon”. Long story short we all missed the tour because it started before the single finally made it big and we all could fall in love with this extremely talented band called Thriving Ivory.
Clayton Stroope is the lead singer who has a vocal sound that literally makes this band instantly stand out. His range is unmatched in today’s alternative rock world, and he is able to easily reenact the album perfectly live with even more passion shining through with his extremely rare timbre that draws you in until the end. Stroope isn’t a one-man band by any means. Without the harmonious keyboard and a combination of drums and bass lines that give life to these amazing ballads, we would not be speaking so highly of this indie style band.
The follow up album is set to be released later this summer but you can already download their single “Where We Belong” on itunes and hear it on radio stations all across the nation. It’s another ballad like ditty but when a band is able to do it right, why mess with a good thing. This way of thinking appeared to be the motto for their show, playing a set consisting of 6 songs off the last album and only two new songs, “Where We Belong” included. The second song of the night “Love Alone” had what can only be described as almost a jam band sound mixed with a dance remix feel, it has us wishing we had video taped the whole set. Alas we, like thousands of others, will just have to wait for the album to hit stores. We left the Worlds Largest Fish Fry with full bellys, another album on the shopping list and with this to say:
Thriving Ivory is the Stroke 9 of this decade, a band that is so underrated it’s sickening. Despite receiving immaculate reviews on their self titled release, producing two chart topping singles and being one of the most talented and unique group of musicians to come out of California in years this band has yet to become a household name. Fair warning though, pre-order the next album and buy your concert tickets in advance because it’s inevitable that Thriving Ivory will be the next big thing in the rock world.
Check out the Buzzafied YouTube Channel to see some video highlights from the show and see the full set list from the show. Then head on over to theThriving Ivory website for music and news about the band.
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Big thank you to all the fans, I hope I got all your names right in the video.
Hi, I loved the video, i thought it was very cool how you took those people and asked them somethings and they responded to that, i had fun watching the video to see how people react to that.
I have been a fan of Thriving Ivory since I first heard “Angels on the Moon” in 2008. I’ve since bought the album and am still listening to all the songs now, after two years. I love the “Hey Lady” video also. The song is amazing (and Clayton Stroope looks really hot!). I just wish more people knew about them.
Bethany “Hey Lady” was my favorite until I heard their new one “Love Alone”. I think they are making the correct changes in their style that will propel them into that mainstream audience. The best way to get more people to know about them, is reposting reviews, tweeting about them and calling your local radio station. Not to mention using Thriving Ivory quotes on facebook status updates….thats my favorite. Everyone always asks and then you can tell them its the greatest band everz. Hook, line, sinker. Thanks for commenting. If you have another band you’d like to get reviewed, post your suggestions, we’re all about hearing new music! And don’t forget to get the new EP from Stroke 9 via the quick blurp article we have up, if you like TI you’ll appreciate Stroke9.