Dan Calderon
Writer
Dan Calderon is a contributor to Flatland, KCPT’s digital magazine, where he writes the bi-weekly music column, “Sympathetic Vibrations,” examining local and national music. Dan has been a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area and splits his time as an attorney and a DJ when he is not writing for Flatland.
Stories by Dan Calderon
Sympathetic Vibrations | Rebuke Box
“The times they are a-changin.’” That chorus from Bob Dylan’s 53-year-old protest hymn is undoubtedly a classic. Aided greatly by Dylan’s poignant and timeless songwriting, the track has enjoyed the decades-long effect of inspiring listeners, uniting otherwise dissonant parties, and challenging established ideas – feats typically necessary to effectuate any sort of change. Many local…
Sympathetic Vibrations | Steps Toward Common Ground
Race has been a part of the jazz conversation for much of its history. The genre’s origins are owed to African American culture, but it was adopted and perhaps catapulted — some would say appropriated — into the mainstream by white consumers. During the heyday of the Hollywood Canteen, a serviceman’s nightclub open during World…
Sympathetic Vibrations | Style from Strife
Ed. note: The rapper’s materials linked here contain explicit language. Kansas City’s Abnorm, a talented, gritty MC whose young career has seen a lifetime of experiences, will headline this Saturday at the recordBar. While deserved, this top billing is a far cry from where Abnorm started – sneaking into that same venue as a teenager…
Sympathetic Vibrations | KC’s Musical Cup Runneth Over
Sympathetic Vibrations will be on a short hiatus through the end of the year while Flatland and The Bridge collaborate on a written series called “Making the Band,” wherein rock sorceress Michelle Bacon and I will take a closer look at the lesser known cogs in the music industry machine here in KC. Look for…
Sympathetic Vibrations | Brewing Magic for Sporting KC
Last Thursday, Sporting Kansas City’s season ended following a 1-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC in the first knockout round of the MLS playoffs. The loss was devastating – delivered after the Sounders netted a squeaker in the 87th minute. Sporting’s success in getting a playoff bid this season is no doubt owed to solid…
Sympathetic Vibrations | A Windstorm of Student Talent
For Steven Davis, who serves as the chair of large ensembles at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, a student performance next week highlights the conservatory’s greatest strengths — a partnership with city’s performing arts community, collaboration with guest performers and composers, and original music from the conservatory’s acclaimed composition program. That performance will take…
Sympathetic Vibrations | Recycled Joy
On the third floor of a creaky warehouse in the West Bottoms sits an army of pianos. They are meticulously arranged in rows, with price tags that comically belie their monetary value – and more importantly, the value the instruments could bring to their potential recipients. The pianos have formed rank in this spot, thanks…
Sympathetic Vibrations | A Brave Composition
If there is a musical equivalent to rock climbing without a rope, local musician J. Ashley Miller is doing it. Miller, 34, has spent the last year developing a “brutalist pop opera” despite having no formal training in the genre and limited theater production experience. The project, “Echosis,” will debut this weekend with a two-night…
Sympathetic Vibrations | Brass Knacks
A chunk of jazz history is being preserved right off 12th St. and Vine. And that should seem confusing, considering the city razed much of the historic entertainment district in the ’60s and the official museum is a full six blocks south. Nevertheless, on most days, on the second floor of a nearby warehouse, you’ll…
Sympathetic Vibrations | The Spoils of Authenticity
What catchall phrase would you use to describe a band that draws much of its influence from rock ’n’ roll, garage rock, mod, blues, and psych from the ’50s and ’60s? If you’re Rory Cameron, the lead singer of The Conquerors, it’s not the obvious one. “I don’t really like the throwback moniker very much….