Tuned-In Thursday: “Charm” by Clairo

Tuned-In Thursday: “Charm” by Clairo

Claire Cottrill, a.k.a. “Clairo” has been making music for a little over a decade now, since she was sixteen. It has slowly evolved from meandering and derivative bedroom pop to dauntless and exciting soft rock with chamber pop elements. It’s an artistic evolution that I have seen take place since 2017, when I first listened to Clairo with her single, “Flaming Hot Cheetos.”

“Flaming Hot Cheetos” is the type of music I would have made if I was still in my teens, its catchy and kitschy, but so overwhelmingly endearing in its naiveté.

Following up that single is one of my favorite songs from Cottrill, “Pretty Girl,” it is simple yet oh-so catchy and has an ear-worm quality. The dulled Casio-keyboard hits mixed with Cottrill’s not-so-yet-honed vocals makes this DIY for sure, yet it also makes it in an odd sense, practical and professional.

“Diary 001,” Cottrill’s debut EP, which includes her 2017 singles, as well as “Immunity,” her 2019 debut with the hit song “Bags,” still bask in this youthful ignorance, both musically and lyrically.

However, with her next album, 2021’s “Sling,” and now her newest record released last week, “Charm,” Clairo has brought in both her lyrical and musical stylings which made her initially appealing and refined them down to a science.

“Charm” starts out with “Nomad,” small with twangy guitars and classic muffled drums and piano draw the listener in, then it rolls on ahead with a solid chorus and vocal backings by Cottrill.

“But I’d rather be alone than a stranger/You’d come visit me late at night/I’d rather wake up alone than be reminded/Of how it was a dream this time,” Clairo sings.

“Sexy to Someone” is the second track and was the lead single for “Charm.” “Sexy” is about the little things that people do in order to appeal not only to the masses (in the dating scene) but to themselves. It’s a positive, uplifting track that aims to empower not only women, but everyone who is hard on themselves.

This is a song that I could never imagine 18-year old Cottrill writing, however, now that Clairo is much older – it makes sense that she would eventually tackle this theme.

“Sexy to somebody, it would help me out/Oh, I need a reason to get out of the house/And it’s just a little thing I can’t live without,” Clairo sings on the second track.

The songs on this 11-track LP keep on moving on and each one of them are injected with Cottrill’s quirks: her laughs, lyrical musings, her somewhat hushed-yet-precise vocal stylings – it’s simply a cute album. (One might even say ‘charming’.)

My favorite tracks on the record are the pair of “Juna” and “Add Up My Love.” Both have catchy melodies and a very solid rhythm section to back them up. “Juna” has somewhat of an old-RnB or even a lounge music quality to it because it is so lax. “Add Up My Love.” By comparison, is a lot more upbeat but it is equally as good as its sister track.

My only complaint is that the album seems a little disjointed, the best tracks are at the beginning and besides “June” and “Add Up” occupying the middle spaces on seven and eight, there are no clear standout moments. Clairo is not exactly on auto-pilot in these moments, but she’s not exactly trying anything new and exciting here.

Nevertheless, “Charm” is a wonderful progression of Clairo’s comforting and youthful songwriting and composing. The hits may not be there, but as solid of an album as this is – I cannot complain.

Orion Ara Chamber of Commerce Celebrate Shawarma House Ribbon Cutting in Oxford

Orion Ara Chamber of Commerce Celebrate Shawarma House Ribbon Cutting in Oxford

OXFORD, Mich. – On Thursday, July 11, 2024, a delicious new restaurant, Shawarma House, was incorporated into the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Shawarma House opened its doors last year after Alex Baiz, one of the owners, and his family bought the restaurant and decided the Orion-Oxford area needed a little taste of the Mediterranean.

Restaurant exterior

Baiz’s and his family, who are from Dearborn, Mich., have owned multiple different restaurants in the past but this is their first venture into the Orion-Oxford area.

ONTV’s Lexi McKinney spoke to Baiz about his experience trying to open a restaurant and his time working with the chamber.

“We we’re trying to bring an authentic palette to the area,” Baiz said.

“We [have] a lot of different restaurants, this is the first time the community is actually very, very supportive,” Baiz said.

The Orion Area Chamber have been a vital part in this community, due to their continued support of local business – both small and large. Another aspect of the community that Baiz likes is the fact it is not only community-focused, but it is family-focused as well.

“This is a family area, that is what we’ve noticed. There’s a lot of families that come in,” Baiz said.

Guests, friends, family, and members of the chamber as well as board of trustees visited the restaurant during a brief open house where Shawarma House served platters of chicken, beef and lamb shawarma, as well as vegetables, salads and dips like hummus and garlic.

Photo by ONTV

Tasty would be an understatement, ONTV staff in particular were happy that a quality Mediterranean restaurant was a part of the community.

For more information about the Orion Area Chamber and their upcoming events, visit orionareachamber.com.

You can find Shawarma House at 1386 S Lapeer Rd, Oxford, Mich. To see Shawarma Houses’ menu in full and for more information about the restaurant, visit shawarmahousemi.com.

‘Fifty Amp Fuse’ Perform Pop and Rock Hits at Wildwood Amphitheatre Show

‘Fifty Amp Fuse’ Perform Pop and Rock Hits at Wildwood Amphitheatre Show

ORION TWP, Mich. – On Thursday, July 11, 2024, the tribute band Fifty Amp Fuse performed classic pop and rock hits at Orion Township’s Wildwood Amphitheatre. The set included classic songs such as “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl),” by Looking Glass, “How long” by Ace, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor and “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls. The last two songs, were accompanied by one of the bands three lead vocalists, Barb “Barbie” Alent.

Alent’s vocal range is impressive for a cover band, there’s no doubt she is talented when she is slinging out beautiful melodies on rock-tinged covers of “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele and “One Way Or Another” by Blondie.

Alent is not the only talented vocalist in the six-person band, lead vocalist Ethan “Chef” Phoenix brings the heat as his soulful and impactful vocals kick off more pop-heavy cuts that the band played. Songs like Cee-lo Green’s “Forget You,” Bruno Mars’s “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Roxanne” by The Police, all demonstrate Phoenix’s unique vocal style and talent on the big stage.

Alent and Phoenix occasionally performed duets, like on the bands cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N Roses.

Other members of the band include band leader and guitarist, Remy Lambert, drummer Steve Cooley and bassist Chris Smith.

Lambert in particular was a joy to see on stage. His stage presence along with the audience interaction – always encouraging dancing and having fun – was a welcome feature of that night’s performance.

Alent and the other band members played “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC and closed off the set with everyone on stage – Alent, Phoenix and Lambert took charge with vocals – and played the decadent “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen.

All of the members played and performed their hearts out on stage, delivering quality covers to residents, families and music lovers of the Orion area.

The next Wildwood event will be a concert performance by Cast Iron Cornbread, covering pop, rock and blues Thursday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Next week a free screening on the 2023 movie “Barbie” will be held at the Amphitheatre on Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.

For more information about free events like these put on by the township, visit orionparks.com.

‘Adrian and Meredith’ Kick Off LO Live Concert Series at 20 Front Street

‘Adrian and Meredith’ Kick Off LO Live Concert Series at 20 Front Street

LAKE ORION, Mich. – On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, residents of Lake Orion and the Orion area gathered inside the intimate concert venue, 20 Front Street, in order to not only get away from the rain caused by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl, but to listen to the first performance of the 2024 “LO Live” concert series by the Americana band, Adrian and Meredith.

The Nashville-based but Michigan-born duo of Adrian and Meredith have been touring all across the country for several years now, playing original music that fits the Americana genre.

The LO Live concert series is held Wednesdays in July and August, in the outdoor gazebo in Children’s park. However, due to the excess rain caused by Beryl on Wednesday, the concert was moved indoors. Nevertheless, the show goes on.

ONTV spoke with the duo about their music and what it is like to play such an intimate venue like 20 Front Street.

“The small towns and the small venues that’s our favorite place, the stories and the people and everyone that gathers – that’s why we love to be here,” Meredith said. “A lot of storytelling here tonight,” Adrian added.

20 Front Street has a seating capacity of around 100 people, so the venue was packed with folks looking to be taken away by soulful yet twangy instrumentation and lovely vocal performances.

“At the end of the day we call it, ‘American Roots’ music, we like to take the audience on a bit of a journey,” Meredith said.

ONTV’s Joe Johnson spoke with Lisa Sokol, a community outreach and events manager at 20 Front Street about the LO Live concert series.

“We’re really lucky that [20 Front Street] is available to us for rain-out days,” Sokol said. “It’s just this wonderful thing, this collaboration that happens that’s really unique to Lake Orion.”

Additionally, ONTV spoke to Janet Bloom, a member of the Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority about LO Live’s opening night.

“To be able to come to one of Michigan’s premiere listening rooms is really a great opportunity, first of all, to showcase a great band… but also for those that maybe haven’t had the opportunity to come to 20 Front Street,” Bloom said.

Despite the hardships faced due to inclement weather, the concert was a success, bringing light not only to a great band but to a wonderful music venue located in downtown Lake Orion.

The next concerts in the LO Live series will be taking place (weather-permitting) at Children’s park, Wednesdays at 6:30 until 8:00 p.m.

Jill Jack will be playing Wednesday, July 17 with a soulful singer-songwriter performance. Then country popstar Grace West will be swinging by Lake Orion July 24, then to round off the month, South For Winter, a folk-blues band from New Zealand will be performing at the park.

For more information about 20 Front Street and their upcoming events, visit 20frontstreet.com, and for more information about the Lake Orion DDA and their events, visit downtownlakeorion.org.

Lake Orion High School Band Plays Wildwood Amphitheatre Show

Lake Orion High School Band Plays Wildwood Amphitheatre Show

ORION TWP, Mich. – On Thursday, June 27, the Lake Orion High School Concert Band performed on the stage of the Wildwood Amphitheatre to a large crowd consisting of friends, family and music enthusiasts alike.

Band Director Michael Steele welcomed audience members to their “9th Annual ‘Starry Night’ Concert,” which took the listeners into fantastical yet familiar worlds.

Steele addressing the large crowd – Photo by ONTV

The band, which is comprised entirely of current Lake Orion High School students, played classics such as “Lawrence of Arabia” by Maurice Jarre and recognizable tunes like “Summer of ’69 (The Music of Woodstock),” arranged by Ted Rickets, “Eighties Flashback,” arranged by Paul Martha, and “A Tribute to Dave Brubeck,” arranged by Patrick Roszell.

The band opened the concert with “King Cotton March” by John Phillip Sousa, a playful and triumphant track that set the tone for the entire night.

After the first song, Steele took the microphone and gave his gratitude to the LOHS Concert Band members for their dedication to art and music.

“I’m indebted to these guys for giving up their time and for putting in their immense energy and their great talent and I think you’re really going to enjoy tonight’s performance,” Steele said.

The show was about an hour plus a brief intermission right before “Lawrence of Arabia,” which ended up being a good choice since it is such a long-winded, epic and taxing track to play.

Many different soloists were given their time to shine at Wildwood, Saxophone, Trumpet and Oboe (to name a few) were brought center stage to display their prowess.

Overall, the LOHS Concert Band’s Wildwood concert was a blast to hear and experience, you can find the full Wildwood video along with other free concerts on ONTV’s YouTube page: youtube.com/user/orionontv. As well as, orionontv.org/watch.

Trumpet soloist – Photo by ONTV

The next free Wildwood concert will be 50 Amp Fuse, playing pop hits July 11 at 7 p.m.

For more information on the LOHS Concert Band, visit their Facebook page or their website at lakeorionschools.org/high-school-home/departments/fine-and-performing-arts/band.

Lake Orion Horseshoe Club Celebrates with ‘Red, White, and Blue Night’

Lake Orion Horseshoe Club Celebrates with ‘Red, White, and Blue Night’

LAKE ORION, Mich. – On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Lake Orion Horseshoe Club hosted a patriotic-themed “red, white, and blue” night at their grounds. Residents, club-member or not, were invited to join the club for a fun night of horseshoe pitching.

The Lake Orion Horseshoe Club has been operating for more than 60 years, taking care of the local horseshoe grounds since they were constructed in the early 1960s. According to their website, “The members began the task of preparing the grounds and constructing the 15 regulation horseshoe courts according to standards as set forth by the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA). For over 60 years our Club has acted as a sole caretaker for the courts making them available to the entire community. The Club promotes sportsmanship amongst its members while promoting the art of horseshoe pitching.”

Wide shot of club – Photo by Joe Johnson

On their “Red, White, and Blue” celebration night, over 40 participants who came were dressed in stars and stripes, as well as patriotic gear. Prizes were given out to the best dressed of the night.

ONTV’s Joe Johnson spoke to Lake Orion Horseshoe Club President, Ron Price about the event today and how he felt seeing a packed crowd at the grounds.

“It’s exciting, especially the new people, to participate in something like this and come down and dress up and celebrate the Fourth of July,” Price said.

The LOHC will be hosting a banquet two weeks after their 15-week long season ends, somewhere in mid-August. However, next big event for the LOHC will be hosting the state doubles tournament at the grounds in Lake Orion on August 3.

“Patriotic Ron Price” – Photo by Joe Johnson

If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in the LOHC activities, Price always welcomes new members.

“We have a Facebook page… we also have a website, lakeorionhorsehoe.com, you’ll see our website – we have all of the information on there. Again, we’re happy to take on new members,” Price said.

The club grounds is located on 160 S Anderson St, north of the Orion Art Center. For more information about the club and their upcoming meetings and events, visit lakeorionhorseshoeclub.com.