Watch Tyler Smilo Play a Trio of Songs on Top of the Renaissance Centre

Photo courtesy of David Strenio

I'm a sucker for a good live music series. There are several great ones that are just a few clicks away, showcasing some great artists in different locales. You can get anything from Chris Bathgate playing "Serpentine" in a dark studio for Sleepover Shows, Andrew Bird doing "Spare-Ohs" for La Blogotheque's A Take Away Show in the streets of Montmarte, Paris, or Bill Callahan performing "River Guard" in an English cab for the unsurprisingly titled Black Cab Sessions.

Fortunately for Erieites, The Flaship City has been treated to some of this live music magic thanks to local singer-songwriter Tyler Smilo. I've been a fan of the Smilo since the release of his debut solo album Blood Into Sound earlier this year, not to mention his work in local rock groups Daybreak Radio and Potwhole, and now he continues to impress with three new additions to his ongoing Rooftop Sessions. As you may have been able to guess by the name, the videos showcase the scruffy Smilo braving heights on the top of various Erie buildings, including a pair of songs on the King's Rook Club from this past October and an Eddie Aranda-shot session in September.

Smilo didn't stop there, however, as he just released a trio of new live tracks, this time weathering the, um, cold weather from the top of the Renaissance Centre right on 10th and State streets. Shot and directed by R. Frank Photography with audio by Ben Wayt, a bundled-up Smilo gives heartfelt performances of "These Will Be the Days," "Texas," and "Slippin' Away" with Lake Erie and Presque Isle in view from the top of Erie's tallest building. Fortunately for Smilo, he seems to have just avoided the recent snowfall, although it would be cool to see someone perform with an inch of snow built up on his or her guitar.

Either way, check out the latest Rooftop Sessions and look out for Smilo's new album Dust in a Grave when it drops sometime in the near future, as well as a Rooftop Sessions DVD package with bonus features that will come out sometime this winter. Enjoy!

"These Will Be the Days"

"Texas"

"Slippin' Away"