Archive for July, 2009
Get Yer Tickets Now, Vol. 1
July 30th, 2009
Posted in Local Music
Here’s a look into what’s happening over the next several months:
Indie, punk rock band, the Gaslight Anthem, is coming back to town for the second time within a year. The last time they were here, they played a crowded Mad Hatter, but on Wednesday, September 9, there will be a lot more rock and better yet, more room to rock. They’re playing Bogart’s with another pretty big band you may have heard of – Murder By Death. A post-punk band from Indiana, with a wide range of styles from instrumental, punk, alt. country and gothic. But the aggressive, rock and roll doesn’t stop there. Make sure you get there early enough to catch Philly Americana punk band, Loved Ones, and country, folk-punk act, Ninja Gun.
Built to Spill returns to the Southgate House on Friday, October 2. As one of the more popular bands in the indie rock movement of the ’90s, the best may actually be yet to come for the band. Vocalist Doug Martsch states that “I do think Built to Spill could be something better than ever just because our lineup is better than ever…I think there is potential for the five of us to collaborate on something that is just way better than anything that I have ever come up with by myself or that we have done in the past.” Martsch cites a ton of bands as influences, ranging from older acts like Dinosaur Jr., Neil Young, Pavement and Camper Van Beethoven, to newer acts like Modest Mouse, the Strokes and Death Cab for Cutie. But you can also discover some of their influences in the selection of cover songs, like Elliott Smith, David Bowie, The Cure, Captain Beefheart, Cheap Trick, The Clash, Brian Eno, The Smiths and Talking Heads. Built to Spill is preparing their seventh full-length album, There is no Enemy, to be released in October of 2009. Opening the show is the Swiss indie-rock band, Disco Doom.
Multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Bird, will be coming to Bogart’s on Wednesday, October 14. Not exactly the type of venue you would expect someone like him to play in, it’s a venue designed perfectly for hardcore and metal bands, both with the sound system and the spacious and disgustingly sticky floor. But this show will be one for the ages nonetheless, particularly because of the amazing talents that Bird possesses. The classically-trained, indie-folk musician has a style all his own, bouncing around from the violin, guitar, mandolin and glockenspiel, not to mention he’s pretty much the greatest whistler of all-time. He’s able to use several instruments in just one song, because he’s become a master of live looping. Opening the show for Andrew Bird is Annie Clark, otherwise known as St. Vincent. Also a multi-instrumentalist, Annie was previously a member of both the Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens’ touring band. Her first bout as a solo artist came with her debut album, Marry Me
Philadelphia’s psychedelic, indie rock band, Dr. Dog, comes to the Mad Hatter on Thursday, October 15. Strongly influenced by a wide range of bands like the Beatles, Tom Waits, Pavement and Roy Wood, they combine folk, blues, soul, bluegrass and a lot of harmonizing. Nearly twenty musicians have been a part of the band at different times over the past ten years, but for the most part Dr. Dog remains a five-piece. These five members have taken to being called by their odd nicknames: Taxi, Tables, Text, Thanks and Trouble. They recently signed with Anti-Records, and will be releasing an album this fall.
Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop of the Scottish alternative rock band, Travis, make what I believe is their first trip to the Southgate House on Wednesday, October 21. Dubbed “A Chronological Acoustical Journey Through the Travis Back Catalogue”, expect to hear stripped down versions of songs like “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?”, “Sing”, “Love Will Come Through” and “Selfish Jean.” The influence that both the Beatles and Oasis have had on the band is uncanny, and Travis are often credited with having paved the way for bands like Coldplay, Keane and Snow Patrol. I’m pretty excited about this show because Travis was one of my favorite bands of the early 00’s and I think the last time I saw them was 2001 at Bogart’s. Tickets go onsale this Saturday.
Quite possibly the scariest band of all-time, The Misfits, will return to the Southgate House just in time for Halloween. The hell-raising happens Tuesday, October 27 with Oxboard Drain opening. Good luck trying to find out who that band is. I’ve searched the internet high and low and can’t find anything. Named after Marilyn Monroe’s final movie, the Misfits have withstood the test of time, creating a legacy and making history when they set out to make an impression. They’ve inspired way too many bands to count, but you might notice their influence in bands like Slayer, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson and Slipknot. There’s been a huge rotating cast in the band’s thirty-plus year career, most notably founding members Glenn Danzig and bassist, Jerry Only, who is the only remaining member. Head to the Southgate House this Halloween holiday to scare or be scared. You might even want to dress up too – you know the Misfits will be looking scary as hell.
On Tuesday, December 8, Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys comes to the Southgate House with his other band, The Fast Five. Also on the bill, is the Americana singer/songwriter son of Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle, and the nineteen-year old Alt. Country and Folk singer/songwriter, Jessica Lea Mayfield. Auerbach is still on the road in support of his solo debut, Keep It Hid
Other Shows to Look Out For
Southgate House
Gil Mantera’s Party Dream with Eat Sugar and Enlou – Sunday, August 2
Deerhunter/Dan Deacon/No Age – Tuesday, August 4
The Breeders with Times New Viking – Wednesday, August 5
Son Volt with Cary Hudson – Friday, August 7
Bad Veins with now, now every children and Hazle Weatherfield – Saturday, August 8
Langhorne Slim with Low Anthem in the ballroom and Trevor Hall with Alex Carruthers in the parlour – Monday, August 10
The Duke and the King (featuring Simon Felice of the Felice Brothers) with Wonky Tonk – Tuesday, August 11
Iris DeMent with the Tillers – Thursday, August 13
Cowboy Mouth in the ballroom and Lord T & Eloise in the parlour – Thursday, September 10
James McMurtry – Friday, September 11
Sea Wolf with Port O’ Brien and Sara Lov – Sunday, October 4
Ten Out of Tenn Tour with Madi Diaz and Kyle Andrews - Tuesday, October 6
The Raveonettes with the Black Angels – Saturday, October 24
Vic Chesnutt Band (featuring Guy Picciotto of Fugazi) with Clare and the Reasons – Wednesday, November 4
Northside Tavern
Gringo Star – Tuesday, August 25
Bus Driver – Wednesday, September 9
Why? with Serengeti and Polyphonic – Thursday, September 24
Mad Hatter
Airborne Toxic Event with Hazle Weatherfield – Wednesday, August 5
Bogart’s
Silversun Pickups with Cage the Elephant and Manchester Orchestra – Monday, September 14
Mute Math – Tuesday, September 22
Farm Aid 2009
July 29th, 2009
Posted in Uncategorized
(from FarmAid.org)
Working to keep family farmers on their land, Farm Aid brings together family farmers and citizens to guarantee family farm food is available to you. Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant family farm centered system of agriculture in America.
Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised nearly $35 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land.
“I’ve always believed that the most important people on the planet are the ones who plant the seeds and care for the soil where they are grown.” – Willie Nelson
“Just as rock & roll is loud and proud, so is Farm Aid. Farm Aid’s greatest accomplishment, I believe, is in the spirit. It’s the fact that we represent the spirit of the good fight, to keep something good happening. It just keeps getting stronger and stronger…” - Neil Young
“We all see what’s happening with agriculture, what’s happening to our small towns. They are goinng out of business. That’s a direct result of the farm problem. We’re still doing Farm Aid because it is contributing. It’s doing a job.” – John Mellencamp
“We’re at a moment when a lot of people are asking. ‘What is America? What represents America?’ Certainly, I think that the family farm is a main ingredient of what made America.” – Dave Matthews
“Farm Aid puts family farmers on center stage. We shine a national spotlight on family farmers – for our food, our health, our environment, our country. Farm Aid has always done that.” – Carolyn Mugar, Executive Director
Farm Aid 2009 (presented by Horizon Organic) will be held at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Missouri on Sunday, October 4, 2009. There are still plenty of seats available through Live Nation. The full lineup will be announced over the coming weeks. Already confirmed to perform are:
Willie Nelson
Neil Young
John Mellencamp
Dave Matthews
Jason Mraz
Wilco
Jamey Johnson
Phosphorescent
List of Cincinnati area family farms and markets:
Findlay Market
McGlasson Farms
Gorman Heritage Farm
Doerflein Family Farm
Brown’s Family Farm Market
Bare Family Farm
Atwood Village Family Farm
Faragher Family Farm
Pennington Family Farm
Garver Family Farm Market
Dean Family Farm
That Guy’s Family Farm
Kinman Farms
Irons Fruit Farm
Turpin Farms
Burger Farm & Garden Center
Benton Farm
Shaw Farms Produce
Barn-N-Bunk Farm Market
Bowen Family Farms
Sunrock Farm
Parky’s Farm
Hidden Valley Fruit Farm
Millat Family Farm
This Week’s CD Releases and Reissues
July 28th, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
Critic’s Pick:
10 Foot Ganja Plant: Bush Rock
10 Foot Ganja Plant is a roots, Reggae spinoff of John Brown’s Body. While they mix a wide range of styles, they maintain a traditional ’70s Jamaican sound with a jamband feel. Bush Rock is their most inspired and accomplished to date. It’s their fifth studio album, the first since 2005’s Bass Chalice. The album features the core crew associated with John Brown’ Body like Kevin Kinsella, as well as guest vocals from Kyle McDonald of Slightly Stoopid.
Critic’s Pick:
Amadou & Mariam: The Magic Couple
The husband and wife duo have found a name for an album that is both appropriate and true. They are music’s magic couple, because they are Malian blind blues legends. The 50-something’s first met at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind many years ago. Some of their famous fans include Damon Albarn (Blur) and Chris Martin (Coldplay). They’re not just a traditional African and Malian band, rather, they combine other world influences like Indian and Arab, as well as R&B.
Anthem In: The Cloudbusting EP
Band of Skulls: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
Beardfish: Destined Solitaire
Critic’s Pick:
Blur: Midlife: A Beginner’s Guide To Blur
This two-disc compilation spans the career of the popular British band of the 90’s. Rather than focus merely on hit singles, the compilation features a large portion of 1993’s Modern Life is Rubbish and 2003’s Think Tank.
Carla Bruni: Quelqu’un M’a Dit
Deee-Lite: The Very Best Of Deee-Lite
Divine Heresy: Bringer Of Plagues
Dogs Die in Hot Cars: Please Describe Yourself
Duke Special: Songs From The Deep Forest
Critic’s Pick:
Elbow: Asleep In The Back
This was the debut album from the famous British pop band, released in 2001. Four of the twelve songs on this album were released as singles in the UK, including the title track, “Asleep in the Back.” NME gave it 9 out of 10 stars, however, the album was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2001. Elbow is also re-releasing two other albums, Cast Of Thousands
Elvis Presley: From Elvis In Memphis
Critic’s Pick:
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood: Live From Madison Square Garden
When I first heard that Clapton and Winwood would be getting back together to do a series of concerts, I almost jumped out of my skin. At night I dreamt of Cream getting back together to do a reunion tour, even though that around this same time the biggest reunion rumors happened to be Led Zeppelin (which didn’t happen and never will – neither will Cream.)
I’ve never seen Clapton, have never made it to Madison Square Gardens, or New York City for that matter. While concerts don’t last forever (and the memories fade quickly depending on what substances you’re putting into your body), the good thing is that recorded music will last longer than the human race. Looking over this two-disc compilation (also available on DVD), some of my favorite numbers include “Georgia On My Mind”, “Little Wing”, “Voodoo Chile”, “Can’t Find My Way Home”, “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Cocaine.”
Eureka: Shackleton’s Voyage
Critic’s Pick:
The Features: Some Kind Of Salvation
Nashville’s best kept secret has been around since the mid-90’s, but their debut wasn’t released until 2004. They’ve had plenty of time to come into their own, finding their persona and sound. All that time may have been a good thing for the band, because this album has been called “a masterpiece.” I first heard about this band through Bonnaroo. They were one of three local bands to win a spot to play at the festival in 2009.
Fred Hersch: Fred Hersch Plays Jobim
Gang of Four: Return The Gift
George Thorogood & the Destroyers: The Dirty Dozen
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Umsindo
Critic’s Pick:
Howling Bells: Radio Wars (Digital Version)
This is the second release of the indie pop band from Australia. Their sound has been described as “blues-noir desolation” and “bruising, narcotised rock ‘n roll.” They have toured with the Killers, Placebo, Mercury Rev, Snow Patrol and more recently, Coldplay.
Critic’s Pick:
Iggy Pop: Iggy & Ziggy – Cleveland ‘77
This live album manages to capture the energy from this historic in-concert collaboration between David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Ziggy Stardust is on keys, while the Iguana handles the vocals, in a set that includes “I Wanna Be Your Dog”, “TV Eye”, “Raw Power”, “Gimmie Danger”, “Sister Midnight” and “Search & Destroy.”
Indukti: Idmen
John Adams: Dr. Atomic Symphony/Guide To Strange Places
Critic’s Pick:
John Entwistle: Rigor Mortis Sets In
This was the third release of the late John Entwistle, formerly of The Who. Originally released in 1973, the album consists of classic rock ‘n roll covers like “Mr. Bass Man”, “Hound Dog” and “Lucille” and new versions of Entwistle songs. The album cost roughly $14,000 to make, with nearly a third of that going to alcohol.
John Zorn: O’o
Kevin Hearn: Havana Winter
Kid British: It Was This or Football: First Half
Kieran Kane: Somewhere Beyond the Roses
Lou Reid & Carolina: My Own Set Of Rules
Merzbow: 13 Japanese Birds, Vol. 7
Critic’s Pick:
Michael Jackson: The Stripped Mixes
When news hit of the tragic death of the King of Pop just over a month ago, the world of entertainment was pretty shaken up. But there is obviously some money to be made on his legacy, and that’s why there are plans of at least ten albums being re-released this year. This particular album features his classic, Motown-era songs. Unreleased and stripped down versions of songs like “I’ll Be There”, “Who’s Lovin’ You”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “ABC” and “Never Can Say Goodbye.”
Neon Horse: Haunted Horse: Songs Of Love, Defiance & Delusion
The Octopus Project: Golden Beds EP
Owl City: Ocean Eyes
Porcupine Tree: Metanoia
The Radio Dept.: David
Starflyer 59: Ghosts Of The Past
Stina Nordenstam: The World Is Saved
Summer Cats: Songs for Tuesdays
Critic’s Pick:
Talking Heads: Rome Concert 1980
My first David Byrne concert experience came at Bonnaroo this past summer, so I can’t even imagine how amazing it must have been for those who saw his first famous band in the beautiful Eternal City. It also happened to land smack dab in the middle of a time when New Wave was at its best. What makes it even better is that the setlist features some of my favorite Head tunes: “Psycho Killer”, “I Zimbra”, “Take Me to the River”, “Life During Wartime” and “Houses in Motion.”
The Trashcan Sinatras: In the Music
Trevor Hall: Trevor Hall
The Twang: Barney Rubble
Ty Segall: Lemons
Critic’s Pick:
Various Artists: Funny People
Later this week, this highly anticipated comedy/drama will be released, which features a stellar cast of actors and actresses. I’ve recently rediscovered my love for watching movies, which I plan on incorporating into my blog somehow in the future. As for the soundtrack, it features three of the Beatles going at it solo (McCartney’s “Great Day”, Ringo’s “Photograph” and Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels”). It also features songs from Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation, James Taylor (who makes a cameo in the movie), Warren Zevon, Adam Sandler, Neil Diamond, Larry Goldings and Andrew Bird’s cover of Wilco’s “Jesus, Etc.”
Music for Couch Potatoes
July 27th, 2009
Posted in Uncategorized
I’d like to introduce you to one of the newest features on my blog. “Music for Couch Potatoes” is a weekly listing of all the musical happenings on television for that given week. The idea originally came from my web developer, Chris Beatty. This new feature will include listings of all the musical guests performing on late night talk shows, programs like Austin City Limits and the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and The Colbert Report and programs that will be airing on Fuse and the 101 Network, for those of you who have DirecTV.
*All times listed are Eastern Time
The Late Show with David Letterman (11:30 pm, CBS)
Monday, July 27: Dave Matthews Band
Appearing on the Late Show twice in one week, are rock superstars the Dave Matthews Band. They will be performing songs from their latest album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. Dave will also sit down for an interview on Monday night.
Tuesday, July 28: Silversun Pickups
Indie rockers, Silversun Pickups, return to the Late Show for a second time. This time they’ll be performing a song off of their new album, Swoon.
Wednesday, July 29: Elbow
British indie rock band, Elbow, will be performing their first single, “Grounds For Divorce”, from 2008’s The Seldom Seen Kid.
Thursday, July 30: Cage the Elephant
The hardcore, punk rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky will mark their U.S. television debut with a song from their self-titled debut album.
Friday, July 31: Dave Matthews Band
The Tonight Show with Conan O’ Brien (11:35 pm, NBC)
Monday, July 27: The Fray
The piano-driven, pop rock band from Denver will be performing their second single, “Never Say Never”, from their latest album, The Fray.
Thursday, July 30: Regina Spektor
The Soviet-born American singer/songwriter will perform the first single, “Laughing With”, from her latest album, Far.
Friday, July 31: Ben Harper & Relentless7
The lap slide guitar master will be joined by the members of his newest band, Relentless7, to perform the second single, “Fly One Time”, from their debut album, White Lies for Dark Times.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (12:05 am, ABC)
Wednesday, July 29: The Sounds
The Swedish New Wave band returns to Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform a song from their latest album, Crossing the Rubicon.
Thursday, July 30: Jack’s Mannequin
The piano-driven, pop rock band from L.A. will be performing “Swim”, from their most recent album, The Glass Passenger.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12:35 am, NBC)
Monday, July 27: Spinal Tap
Wednesday, July 29: Passion Pit
The indie, dance rock band from Cambridge, Massachusetts will be performing a tune from their latest album, Manners. If there’s only one band you tune into to watch on late night television this week, please make that band Passion Pit. You will not be disappointed.
Thursday, July 30: Jarvis Cocker
A key member in the British pop movement of the mid-90’s with his former band Pulp, Jarvis Cocker will be performing a song from his latest solo album, Further Complications.
Friday, July 31: Jimmy Buffett
The man with an easy-going, beach bum persona will be joined by the Roots to perform “Margaritaville.” I’ve never been a fan but it sounds like it might be pretty good.
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:35 am, CBS)
Monday, July 27: Gavin DeGraw
The singer/songwriter from New York returns to the Late Late Show, this time performing the first single, “Stay”, from his latest album, Free.
Thursday, July 30: Franz Ferdinand
The indie, dance-punk band from Scotland will be performing a tune from their latest album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand.
Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35 am, NBC)
Monday, July 27: Adele (repeat; from April 14, 2009)
Tuesday, July 28: The Duke Spirit (repeat; from April 15, 2009)
Wednesday, July 29: Lykke Li (repeat; from April 16, 2009)
Thursday, July 30: Ben Harper & Relentless7 (repeat; from April 17, 2009)
Friday, July 31: Crystal Antlers (repeat; from April 22, 2009)
Fuse (DirecTV 339, DISH 158)
Monday, July 27: The Black Eyed Peas: Then & Now – the group discusses their new album, “The E.N.D.” – 4 pm
Wednesday, July 29: Warped Hall of Fame – all the reasons Warped Tour is different from any other tour – 11 am, 11:30 am – and at 3 pm catch Steven’s Untitled Warped Show
Saturday, August 1: Bonnaroo 2009 – highlights from this year’s festival – 11 pm
The 101 Network (DirecTV 101)
Monday, July 27: Tinted Windows – superband featuring Taylor Hanson, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) perform songs from their debut album – 9 pm
Austin City Limits
Wednesday, July 29: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings/Carolyn Wonderland (11 pm on channels 193 and 918)
Saturday, August 1: Wilco (repeat; from September 15, 2007) (11 pm on channels 193 and 918 and 11:30 pm on channels 2 and 190)
Setlist: You Are My Face, Handshake Drugs, Side With the Seeds, Via Chicago, Impossible Germany, Sky Blue Sky, Too Far Apart, Hate It Here, Walken, I’m the Man Who Loves You, On and On and On
Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour (filmed at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington, KY)
Wednesday, July 29: Kruger Brothers/Carolina Chocolate Drops (1 am on channels 193 and 918)
Friday, July 31: Kruger Brothers/Carolina Chocolate Drops (2 pm on channels 193 and 918)
Saturday, August 1: Richie Havens (Midnight on channels 2 and 190)
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (11 pm, Comedy Central)
Tuesday, July 28: Spinal Tap
The Colbert Report (11:30 pm, Comedy Central)
Monday, July 27: Movits!
Weekly Concert Calender
July 26th, 2009
Posted in Indie Summer, Local Music, Weekly Concert Calender
Sunday, July 26
Catch the great Americana/Roots trio, The Tillers, on the last Sunday of every month at Northside Tavern. Hear some fine originals and maybe some Woody Guthrie covers. The music’s always free and starts at 10 pm.
Monday, July 27
In CityBeat’s last issue of the “Best of Cincinnati”, the Southgate House was voted for having the best open mic night in the area. There’s a great rotating cast of hosts including Ryan Mallott of 500 Miles to Memphis (he’ll be hosting this week), Billy Catfish, Mike Kuntz and Kinsey Rose, as well as a number of aspiring singer-songwriter’s from the area. Did I mention it’s free?
Tuesday, July 28
Catch the latest in indie pop rock, when Chicago’s Yourself and the Air comes to the Southgate House. See them before they play MidPoint – I’ve got them listed as one of my ten must-see’s of MidPoint 2009. Opening the show are Thing One (fresh off their gig this past weekend on Fountain Square) and another fine up-and-coming band, Come On Caboose. Doors open at 8 pm, the show’s at 9 and tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
If it’s free music you’re looking for, look no further than Northside Tavern. The music’s always free, although it starts a little later than most of the shows around town. Playing on this night are a freak-folk duo from Kansas, called Drakkar Sauna and our very own, Chocolate Horse, who happen to be one of my local must-see’s of MidPoint 2009.
If you don’t mind spending a bit of green, classic rock icon, Jackson Browne, will be bringing a “peaceful, easy feeling” to PNC Pavilion. There’s a free cook-out at 6:30 pm, with the show starting at 8. Tickets still remain and range from $39.50-$79.50, plus service fees.
Wednesday, July 29
It’s a full day of adrenaline-fueled, hardcore and punk rock, when the Vans Warped Tour returns to Riverbend. Featuring a slew of younger bands, a couple of old school acts like Bad Religion and Less Than Jake, locals Banderas and even Shooter Jennings. Wait…Shooter Jennings playing a punk rock show? Didn’t he open for someone like Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney or Toby Keith the last time he was in town? Don’t tell the teenage punk rockers. Anywho, there will be several stages and a number of activities going all day and night. Doors open at 11 am and the music starts at noon. Tickets range from $33.50-$40, plus service fees.
Thursday, July 30
Towards the end of the week we’ll be seeing quite a few release parties. Thistle’s instrumental, post-rock side project, Ampline and France’s post-hardcore band, Atomic Garden, are celebrating their split 7″ releases at the Southgate House, along with bands Disguised As Birds, Knife the Symphony and The Strongest Proof. It all starts in the ballroom at 9 pm, and tickets are cheap. $5 for 21+ and $8 for those 18-20.
Friday, July 31
The Macy’s Music Festival returns to Paul Brown Stadium. The first night of the two-day fest features music from R&B/Soul singer Charlie Wilson (of The Gap Band), the multi-Grammy winner sensation John Legend, American Idol season three winner Fantasia, R&B/Soul singer Eric Benet and the long-established R&B/Dance/Vocal group The Whispers.
The other two CD Release parties happening this week take place on Friday night. The Harlequins are releasing their first full-length LP, entitled ”Baron von Headless”, and are playing at the Southgate House with Wonky Tonk, The Flux Capacitors and The Happy Maladies. The show starts at 9 pm in the ballroom, and tickets are $7 for 21+ and $10 for 18-20. Also at the Southgate House, playing upstairs in the parlour, are The Host, Rosemary Device, Freezing Scene and New Vega. That show is at 9:30, and tickets are $5 for 21+ and $8 for 18-20.
There’s all kinds of madness happening at the Mad Hatter, where Horseshoes & Handgrenades are releasing their album. Joining them for the show are Milkweed, Gabriel’s Hounds, Killbot, Avignon, Don’t Forget to Tip Your Waitress and Earth Stands Still. Doors open at 8 pm but who knows when the music will actually start. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door.
With Woodstock celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, there’s no better way to reminisce than with the sounds of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Of course the nice thing is that you won’t have to suffer through the rain and mud or the lack of food or proper restroom facilities. The trio is playing PNC Pavilion, although it’s a shame that Neil Young won’t be joining them. Tickets are a pretty penny, ranging from $42.50-$79.50, plus service fees. The show starts at 8 pm.
The free shows of the night include Johnnytwentythree and Fists of Love at Northside Tavern and Indie Summer on Fountain Square. Indie Summer returns with another stellar lineup (yet again), with Chicago’s Baby Teeth, Matthew Shelton’s Picnic, Nathan Holscher and the Ohio 5 and Messerly and Ewing.
Saturday, August 1
Day two of the Macy’s Music Festival features legendary R&B/Soul singer Anita Baker, R&B singer and record producer Joe, multi-Grammy Award winning musician and composer Robin Thicke, legendary R&B/Soul group The Ojays and twenty-two year old R&B/Soul singer Jazmine Sullivan.
It should be a busy night for the bartenders and staff at the Southgate House. Playing in the ballroom are 500 Miles to Memphis, Cari Clara, Dutch Henry and Stereo Deluxe, while the Koala Fires, Spd Gvnr (pronounced ”Speed Governor”) and the Never Setting Suns are playing upstairs in the parlour. For ticket information and show times visit the Southgate House’s website here.
Acoustic troubadour, Mike Perkins, will be playing at the Mad Frog in Clifton. His debut album, Sway, features several well known musicians from the Columbus area including saxophonist Jerry DePizzo of O.A.R. and Ward Scott and Robb McCormick of The Shantee, as well as West African drummers Sogbety Diomande and Papa Zumana.
Head over to Northside Tavern, for DANCE_MF presented by Project Mill. Featuring the latest in indie, dance and new wave music, this party has been described as a mix of “Studio 54, CBGB’s and Warhol’s Factory.” I’ve never been but have heard that the place is usually a packed house of 20 and 30 somethings. Make some new friends or meet that special someone.
Take A Drive
If you happen to be going out of town during the week or would like to (but don’t want to travel too far), there are a few good shows within a reasonable driving distance.
There’s a couple of good shows on Monday night in Indianapolis. Cursive and Love Language will be playing at Radio Radio and Paolo Nutini is playing at The Vogue with Erin McCarley and Matt Hires.
On Tuesday, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are playing at the House of Blues in Cleveland with Amanda Blank.
On Wednesday, Josh Ritter is playing in Louisville at Waterfront Park with the Young Dubliners. The Dave Matthews Band will be in Cuyahoga Falls (near Cleveland), at the Blossom Music Center with special guests Old Crow Medicine Show.
On Friday, The Crystal Method are playing in Columbus at Boma, while the Dave Matthews Band return to Noblesville’s Verizon Wireless Music Center (the venue formerly known as Deer Creek) for a two-night stand (Fri & Sat) with special guests Hill Country Revue, which features Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew of the North Mississippi Allstars.
MidPoint 2009 Lineup Updates
July 24th, 2009
Posted in Local Music, MidPoint Music Festival
Earlier today, MidPoint organizers announced details for this year’s festival regarding bands, venues and other exciting information. Executive Director, Dan McCabe, stopped by WOXY this afternoon to discuss all of this, as well as spinning some tunes from some of the bands playing this year. I’ve got sound problems with my computer, so I couldn’t tune in, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying to dig up the latest info on the web. If you visit the MidPoint site, you will find a forum discussing the 229 bands that have been confirmed so far to play the festival.
This morning, Mike Breen of CityBeat posted some info regarding some of the details. Here’s what he revealed:
There will be a showcase stage at the Contemporary Arts Center for the first time.
There will also be a showcase stage at Madonna’s.
22 showcase stages throughout downtown and Over the Rhine with over 250 performances (so does this mean they’re not going back to the Southgate House?)
This year marks the debut of independent film screenings with the inclusion of the six-year old Lite Brite Test.
Garfield Suites Hotel will serve as the Headquarters, with room specials for festival attendees.
Grammer’s Topic Design Tent will host outdoor performances.
Scion Streetcar System will be expanding, up to Liberty Street and Grammer’s.
Multiple independent record label showcases.
Bootzilla Productions Stage at Havana Martini Club, hosted by Bootsy and Patty Collins.
More outdoor fun this year at Fountain Square on Friday and Saturday nights.
MidPoint Salsa Dance Showcase at Javier’s, hosted by Son Del Caribe.
Stage partnerships with Buzzgrinder.com, Donewaiting.com, Buddahden.com, Venus Zine, Topic Design, Segway Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Blues Society, Chicken Laid An Egg Boutique and many more to be announced.
Now, onto the band list, which I’ve been working on for the past month or so. I’d expect more to be announced. I’ll keep updating this post, adding in links and other stuff…
IIJUICY (Cincinnati)
Blues/R&B/Soul
46 Long (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Blues/Jamband
Abiyah (Cincinnati)
Electronica/Hip-Hop
Aeolian Race (Boston)
Prog/Psychedelic/Rock
Aficionado
Aimee Allen
Alan Cohen Experience
Allison Tartalia
Almost Free
alu
Amanda Overmyer
The Ambassadors (Philippines)
Pop/Punk/Rock
Amilia K. Spicer
Amo Joy (Indianapolis)
Indie/Pop/Psychedelic
Critic’s Pick:
Andrea Belanger (Boston)
Acoustic/Indie/Pop
“Andrea Belanger, a Fall River native and current student at Berklee College of Music, has been wowing audiences with her insightful lyrics and lilting guitar work. She is definitely a star in the making.” – Patrick Norton, Narrows Center for the Arts
Andy Shaw Band
Critic’s Pick:
Annie Lynch and the Beekeepers (Boston)
Acoustic/Folk/Indie
In December 2006 at the Berklee of College of Music, Annie Lynch (lead vocals, guitar) met three other students who would ultimately become the Beekeepers: Ken Woodward (upright bass), Alexandra Spalding (cello, vocals) and Mat Davidson (mandolin, guitar, accordion, clarinet, vocals). The quartet started playing together in living rooms and basements, and would move on to coffeehouses and clubs around the Northeast.
Getting their band name from the fascination they had with the mysterious disappearances of bee colonies throughout the world, they were also inspired by the bee being a symbol of “hard work and community”, which is a quality they’ve maintained to keep in sight as a tight-knit musical group.
On May 12, 2009, Annie and the Beekeepers released their first album, an EP, Squid Hell Sessions, which draws on the sounds of Joni Mitchell, Gillian Welch, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
“…Strong, passionate, honest music with poetic lyrical content and unique layered harmonies.” – quote from http://www.annielynch.com/live/
Recommended if you like: Neko Case, Horse Feathers or Thao Nguyen
Artists & Authors
Athens
The Atriums (Cincinnati)
Aurora and Zon del Barrio
The Aviation Orange (New York)
Indie/Rock
Ayurveda
Critic’s Pick:
Bad Veins (Cincinnati)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Banderas (Cincinnati)
Garage/Post Punk/Rock
Critic’s Pick:
The Baltic Sea (Portland, Maine)
Experimental/Indie/Rock
“…Atmospheric and instrumental-heavy rock.”
Recommended if you like: King Crimson, Mogwai or Caspian
Baron Von Swagger
Battery Point
Bearin’ Peace (New Jersey)
Reggae/Rock/Soul
Before Dawn (Austin, TX)
Electro/Experimental/Rock
“Before Dawn is by no means a “small band”, but rather a kick-in-the-balls sequence of strong guitar riffs and infectious bass lines. This isn’t simplistic head bopping music, but ass shaking tunes with a heartbeat, a direct reflection of the sincerity and integrity of the group.” – Elliot Cole, Pastepunk, Alternative Press, Status, Soundcheck
Big John Bates
The Black Owls (Granville, OH)
Americana/Garage/Indie
Black Saints Cartel (Cincinnati)
Alternative/Powerpop/Rock
Black Signal (Ft. Mitchell, KY)
Experimental/Prog/Rock
Black Swan Green
Blacklight Barbarian (Cincinnati)
Blues/Psychedelic/Rock
Blair Carman (Cincinnati)
Country/Gospel/Rockabilly
Critic’s Pick:
Blastronauts (Columbus/Boston/New York)
French Pop/Indie/Psychedelic
Bloodsugars (Brooklyn)
Indie/Pop
Bojibian (Philadelphia)
Rock
“A well-executed kitchen sink cocktail of pop, post-punk, classic rock and more…” – Main Line Today
Boldface
Bowery Boy Blue (New York)
Indie/Rock
Brandon Dawson (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Folk/Soul
Brent Reed
Brett Mitchell
Brett Rosenberg (Nashville)
Country/Folk Rock/New Wave
Brian Stewart (Baltimore)
Acoustic/Indie/Rock
Brighton, MA (Chicago)
Indie/Rock
The Broderick (Australia)
Hardcore/Metal/Prog
Buckra (Cincinnati)
Alt/Powerpop/Rock
Critic’s Pick:
Buffalo Boots (Israel)
Alt/Blues/Rock
Bulls Gap
Burbank International
Burrito Deluxe (Nashville)
Americana/Country/Rock
By Sunlight
Caleb Hawley
Captain Kneal and the Noisemakers (Cleveland)
Drum & Bass/Rock/Trance
Cara Suja
Carley Tanchon (Nashville)
Alt/Folk Rock
Cash Flagg (Cincinnati)
Indie
Cassavettes (Boston)
Americana/Folk/Rock
Cerronato
Critic’s Pick:
Chairlift (Brooklyn)
Electronic/Indie/Pop
A trio that started off with the hopes of making music for haunted houses in Colorado, they would make a move to Brooklyn, which may have ultimately been the best thing for the band, as they’ve played with/made friends with bands like MGMT and Yeasayer.
I’ve seen them twice this year, and am ecstatic that they’ll be coming back soon. In a world that’s becoming devoured by electro-indie bands, there is honestly something very special about the music Chairlift is creating, making them stick out well above the rest of the electro-indie bands. They absolutely killed at both Bonnaroo and on tour with Peter, Bjorn and John, and I’m sure they will do exactly the same at MidPoint. Not to miss!
Recommended if you like: Passion Pit, School of Seven Bells or Matt & Kim
Critic’s Pick:
Charlie Hustle (Brooklyn)
Hip-Hop/R&B/Rap
Critic’s Pick:
Chemic (Louisville)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Chick Pimp, Coke Dealer at a Bar (Cincinnati)
Rap/Psychedelic/Swing
Chico Fellini (Lexington)
Pop/Rock
CHILDE
Critic’s Pick:
Cinema, Cinema (Brooklyn)
Experimental/Punk
Cletus Got Shot (Arkansas)
Americana/Bluegrass/Psychobilly
Clint Crighton
CoachHouse
Coby Brown
Colleen Kattau and Some Guys
Critic’s Pick:
Coltrane Motion (Chicago)
Electro/Indie
Recommended if you like: Harlem Shakes, Viva Voce or The 1900s
Come On Go With Us (Mississippi)
Southern Rock
Cornerstone (Denmark)
Classic Rock/Metal/Rock
Cory Mon and the Starlight Gospel
Critic’s Pick:
Courtenay Green and the Red Scare (Los Angeles)
Alt/Indie/Pop
Craig Bickhardt
CREATURES! (Louisville)
Rock
The Cringe
Culture Queer (Cincinnati)
Electro/Experimental/Pop
The Cut Off
Daisy Cutter
Damen Samuel
Danger Is My Middle Name
Critic’s Pick:
Dare Dukes (Savannah, GA)
Acoustic/Folk Rock/Indie
Recommended if you like: Vic Chestnutt, Clem Snide or The Felice Brothers
Daredevil Christopher Wright (Wisconsin)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Daughters and Sons (Cincinnati)
Funk/R&B/Rock
Critic’s Pick:
Decibully (Milwaukee)
Folk Rock/Psychedelic/Soul
Formed in Milwaukee 2001, the seven members of Decibully are all multi-instrumentalists with outstanding resumes. Making unique sounds with a number of instruments, like the lap steel, synths, and often, using multiple drummers and percussionists, Decibully is known for their cohesive and strong live performances. Also well known for their albums, City of Festivals and Sing Out, America!
Recommended if you like: The Snake the Cross the Crown, Headlights, Matt Pond PA or Pedro the Lion
Derek James and the Lovely Fools
Critic’s Pick:
Detox Retox (Washington DC)
Indie/Rock
“Detox Retox gets you on your feet with an edge that’s razor sharp, backed by a rhythm that’s irresistibly moving and impossible to stop dancing to.” – Consequence of Sound
Critic’s Pick:
deVries (Brooklyn)
Critic’s Pick:
Dick Prall (Chicago)
Indie/Pop/Rock
“Smart, introspective and filled with great hooks…” – Chicago Sun-Times
Recommended if you like: Toad the Wet Sprocket, Wilco or Josh Rouse
Dirk Quinn Band (Philadelphia)
Experimental/Funk/Jazz
Critic’s Pick:
Dishwater Blonde
DJ Sid the Apocalypze
Critic’s Pick:
Drew Danburry
Eagle to Squirrel (Cincinnati)
Electro/Experimental
Earl Okin
Early Day Miners (Bloomington, IN)
Gothic/Soul
Recommended if you like: Red House Painters, Low or Sun Kil Moon
Critic’s Pick:
Eat Sugar (Cincinnati)
Indie/New Wave/Soul
Recommended if you like: The Faint or Slow Claw
Echo Sun
Eclipse (Cincinnati)
Hip-Hop/Jamband/Jazz
Effron White
The Electric Souls
Critic’s Pick:
Ellery (Cincinnati)
Folk/Indie/Pop
Ellison
Elyssa
The Emeralds (Cincinnati)
Rock
Empire State Express
Enlou (Cincinnati)
Indie/Pop
Eric Falstrom (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Folk/Rock
Eric Matthew Tepe (Cincinnati)
Americana/Indie/Pop
Critic’s Pick:
Eric Wilson and the Empty Hearts (Nashville)
Folk/Indie/Rock
Essence of Ape
ESW
The Evolution Control Committee (San Francisco)
Electronica/Experimental
Fairmount Girls (Cincinnati)
Indie/Rock
Family Order (Chicago)
Fare Trade Records
Fictionist
Critic’s Pick:
Finding Fiction (New York)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Fists of Love (Cincinnati)
Psychedelic/Rock/Soul
Critic’s Pick:
Flaregun (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Folk/Spiritual
for algernon
For Feather (Brooklyn)
Experimental/Psychedelic/Rock
Fox Jaws
Future Plant
Geoff Koch
Geographer (San Francisco)
Indie/Rock
Ghost of a Stranger (Buffalo)
Indie
Critic’s Pick:
Giant Wow (Cincinnati)
Alternative/Powerpop/Rock
Recommended if you like: Weezer, Foo Fighters or Pixies
Critic’s Pick:
Giselle Grayson (Los Angeles)
Hip-Hop/Pop/R&B
Critic’s Pick:
God Made Me Funky (Toronto)
Funk/Hip-Hop/R&B
Recommended if you like: will.i.am, K’naan or The New Mastersounds
Goose (Cincinnati)
Rock
Great Balls of China
Greg Summerlin
GreyMarket (Tampa, FL)
Alternative/Electronica/Rock
grrRoPoLis aka Montana Boys
Gudrun Holck
Halo Stereo
Harley Poe (Indiana)
Country/Folk Rock/Punk
Harmony Gullette
Critic’s Pick:
Heartless Bastards (Cincinnati/Austin)
Alt/Garage/Rock
Led by one of the more memorable female voices in rock in recent years (Erika Wennerstrom), the Heartless Bastards are back to being a four-piece, with original drummer, Dave Colvin, back in the mix and Jesse Ebaugh on bass and Mark Nathan on guitar. 2009 is going to be a hell of a year for the Heartless Bastards, as they’ve released what I think is their best effort yet, The Mountain. They’ll be spending most of the year on the road, as they’re playing pretty much every major musical festival out there, and will be touring with Wilco, the Decemberists, Jenny Lewis and the Avett Brothers.
Recommended if you like: The Black Keys, The Dead Weather, The Detroit Cobras
The High End Trio
The Highgears
Hojas Rojas
Hollus (Chicago)
Americana/Psychedelic/Rock
Hugo
Hyperpotamus
Ill Poetic
In Cadeo
Inflowential
Instrument
Ivan Ives
J. Dorsey Blues Revival
The Jack Fords
Critic’s Pick:
Jake Speed and the Freddies (Cincinnati)
Americana/Folk/Roots
James and the Rainbros (Detroit)
Funk/Indie/Soul
Critic’s Pick:
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Muscle Shoals, Alabama)
AltCountry/Americana/Southern Rock
Recommended if you like: The Drive-By Truckers, Justin Townes Earle or Son Volt
Jeff Rolka
Jeff Scott Roberson (Cincinnati)
Americana/Folk/Soul
The Jellyhearts
Jessica Irvine
Joe Thompson
John Eichleay (Brooklyn)
Alt/Americana/Rock
Jiva
John William Gordon (Oakland)
Experimental/Jamband/Jazz
John the Savage (Milwaukee)
Electronic/Experimental/Psychedelic
Johnnytwentythree (Cincinnati)
Experimental/Rock
Jon Justice Band (Cincinnati)
Blues
Jookabox (Indianapolis)
Acousmatic/Drum & Bass/Punk
Josh Weinstein
Julie the Band
Junior Giant
Kagero (Brooklyn)
Electroacoustic/Flamenco/Rock
Recommended if you like: David Bowie, Muse or Gogol Bordello
Kan-Dee (Cincinnati)
Indie/Pop/R&B
Karate Coyote (Columbus)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Kathleen Haskard
Katie Costello
Kemal Evans Band
Kentucky Nightmare (Indiana)
Country/Pop
Kentucky Struts (Cold Spring)
Country/Indie/Rock
Ketch Harbour Wolves (Toronto)
Alt/Indie/Rock
Kevin Gordon (Nashville)
Blues/Indie/Rock
The Keys (Wales)
Garage/Indie/Psychedelic
Kid Skeleton
Kidd Russell
Critic’s Pick:
Kim Taylor (Cincinnati)
Country/Soul
Recommended if you like: Beth Orton, Catie Curtis or Over the Rhine
Critic’s Pick:
Kinetic Stereokids (Flint, MI/Chicago)
Experimental/Hip-Hop/Indie
Recommended if you like: Beastie Boys or Beck
King James
Kink Ador (Nashville)
Indie/Rock/Soul
Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa
Kuchi Guru (Lexington)
Kurt Brunus Project
The Kyle Sowashes
La Pupuna
Latin Giants of Jazz
Lauren Frost (Chicago/L.A.)
Folk/Pop/R&B
Lauren Smith
LAZ
Lead Pipe Cinch (New York)
Alternative/Hard Rock
Critic’s Pick:
Lee Baby Sims Show (Kansas)
Americana/Blues/Roots
Len’s Lounge (Cincinnati)
Country/Folk/Rock
Light In August (Michigan)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Critic’s Pick:
Lightning Love (Michigan)
Indie/Pop
Recommended if you like: Camera Obscura, Headlights or Mates of State
Liz Bowater
Loto Ball Show
Louise Mosrie (Nashville)
Americana/Country/Folk
Love In October (Chicago)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Recommended if you like: Hot Rod Circuit, Motion City Soundtrack or Dear and the Headlights
low-fi
Critic’s Pick:
Loyal Divide (Chicago)
Electronica/Indie/Psychedelic
Recommended if you like: Cymbals Eat Guitars or Pela
Lunic
Lying Delilah
Critic’s Pick:
Lynch Rider Lulu (London)
Alt/Pop/Rock
Machinegun Mojo
Mack West (Florence, KY)
Acoustic/Country
Mad Anthony
Magic Shop (Detroit)
Country/Garage/Rock
Magnolia Mountain (Cincinnati)
Americana/Country/Folk
Makers of Sense
Critic’s Pick:
Mallory (Cincinnati)
Alternative/Experimental/Indie
Mardelay! (Indianapolis)
Indie/Rock
Mark Zaleski Band (Massachusetts)
Jazz/Jamband/Rock
Recommended if you like: The Derek Trucks Band
Critic’s Pick:
Mary Bragg (Brooklyn)
Americana/Country/Folk
Recommended if you like: June Carter Cash, Iris DeMent, Nanci Griffith, Alison Krauss or Gillian Welch
Matt Stell and the Crashers (Arkansas)
Matthews Pop (New York)
Pop/Rock
Critic’s Pick:
Matthew Shelton’s Picnic (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Folk/Pop
Mavis ‘Swan’ Poole (New York/DC/NC)
Christian/Jazz/Neo-Soul
Mean Tambourines (Nashville)
Glam/Pop/Post-Punk
Mel Flannery Trucking Co. (New York)
Indie/Jazz/Pop
Messerly and Ewing (Cincinnati)
Critic’s Pick:
Micachu (UK)
Electronic/Indie/Pop
Recommended if you like: Grizzly Bear, the Dirty Projectors or Here We Go Magic
Michael Christmas (Austin, TX)
Drum & Bass/Funk/Soul
Michelle Mondesir aka Muze
Michelle Willis Group (Ontario)
Critic’s Pick:
Middle Distance Runner (Washington DC)
Pop/Soul/Southern Rock
Recommended if you like: Radiohead, Blur orArcade Fire
Mike Fair and the Adventure Seekers
Mock Orange (Evansville, IN)
Indie/Rock
Recommended if you like: Hot Rod Circuit, Pedro the Lion or Look Mexico
Modern Science (Las Vegas)
Funk/Indie/Pop
Moon High (Columbus)
Folk/Indie
Moth! Fight!
My Left Arm
My My My (Chicago)
Acoustic/Rock/Soul
Nakia and His Southern Cousins
Nathan Xander (Chicago)
Americana/Folk/Rock
Recommended if you like: Townes Van Zandt
NCM
Nelly Kate (Virginia)
Experimental/Pop
The Nepenthe
NiCad
Nick Arnold (Australia)
Acoustic/Alt
Nick Wolff Band
Ninja Academy
Noctaluca (Cincinnati)
Alt/Rock
Nude
NUMA
OK to Drive (Lebanon, OH)
Acoustic/Alternative/Rock
Old School Abbey (West Virginia)
Americana/Pop/Rock
ONCE-LER
Oral Fuentes Reggae Band
Oso Bear
Pale Hollow (Cleveland)
Americana/Folk Rock/Soul
Pamela Richardson (Chicago)
Alt/Americana/Indie
Paper Airplane (Kansas)
Indie/Pop/Prog
Parachute Musical
Patient Zero
Pegasi51
Persona Grata (Pittsburgh)
Metal/Progressive/Rock
Pete Dressman and the Soul Unified Nation
Critic’s Pick:
Peter Adams (Cincinnati)
Indie/Folk Rock/Psychedelic
Recommended if you like: Radiohead, the Beatles or Neutral Milk Hotel
Peter Parker
Philpot
Pictures of Then
Pike
Poisonous Glass
Critic’s Pick:
Pomegranates (Cincinnati)
Electro/Indie/Pop
Recommended if you like: Harlem Shakes, Wye Oak, Say Hi or These United States
Poptek Recs (Dayton, OH)
Indie/Powerpop
The Portraits
Press Color
The Prohibitionists (Cincinnati)
Blues/Garage/Rock
Proud Simon (Brooklyn)
Americana/Folk/Indie
Rambler 454
Red Meets Green
Rebel Red (New York)
Americana
Critic’s Pick:
Red Card Royale (St. Louis)
Alternative/Funk/Rock
Recommended if you like: Guided By Voices, Turnbull AC’s or Tapes ‘n Tapes
Rese Jhordan
RethinkPopMusic
Return of Simple (Cleveland)
Indie/Pop/Prog
Ric Hordinski (Cincinnati)
Rick Ryman and the Workin Stiffs
Rosella
Rubber Knife Gang
Ruetschle (Dayton, OH)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Russell Howard
Salient (Nashville)
Alternative/Pop/Rock
Samantha Marais
Samantha Tieger
Critic’s Pick:
Sarah Bordges and the Broken Singles (Boston)
Country/Rock/Rockabilly
Say It With A Smile (Champaign, IL)
Acoustic/Alternative/Indie
Critic’s Pick:
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (Chicago)
Indie/Pop
Recommended if you like: The 1900s, Ha Ha Tonka or The Purrs
Scott Metcalf (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Indie/Rock
Scotty Lust and the Two Timers (Louisville)
Blues/Punk/Rock
Scratch Track
Section 4
Serenity Fisher (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Folk/Pop
Serial Thrillers
The Sewing Circle
Sexual Disaster Quartet (Lexington)
Jazz/Rock/Soul
Shake Anderson
Shayna Zaid and the Catch
Sheeba Darwin
Sleddogs
Smith Bros.
SOHIO (Seven Mile, OH)
Alternative/Indie/Rock
Somos Collective
Son Of The Sun (New York)
Country/Indie/Rock
Sound Cannon
Springload
Critic’s Pick:
State Song
Stereo Deluxe
Straw Boss
Stucco Jones (Columbus)
Garage/Punk/Rock
Super Desserts (Columbus)
Folk/Indie/Pop
Super-Massive
Surgeon
Sweet Cyanide (South Africa)
Alternative/Progressive/Rock
Recommended if you like: Green Day, Cheap Trick or Kiss
Telling On Trixie (New York)
Powerpop/Rock
Temple 8
Critic’s Pick:
Terrible Empty Pockets (Columbus)
Indie/Pop
Described as “The Killers with David Byrne of the Talking Heads taking over on vocals.”
The Book of Law
The Chocolate Horse (Cincinnati)
Alternative/Folk/Rock
The Crick Gypsies
The Dead Beats
The Dirty Sunshine
The Dreadful Yawns
Critic’s Pick:
The Elms (Indiana)
Rock/Soul
The Flux Capacitors
The Frankl Project (Cincinnati)
Punk/Reggae/Rock
Recommended if you like: Black Tie Bombers
The Free Press (Toronto)
Indie/Pop/Rock
The Good Time Engineers
The Greens (West Virginia)
Acoustic/Alt/Rock
The Harlequins (Cincinnati)
Pop/Psychedelic
The Instructions
The Karl Walters Jr. Trio (Brooklyn)
Experimental/Jazz/Progressive
“…influences ranging from the high, bluesy wails of Louis Armstrong, to the stark, sharp cubistic rhythms of Incubus, to the savory and sweet melody lines of Antonio Carlos Jobim…” – from LastFM
The Koala Fires (Cincinnati)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Recommended if you like: Frank Black and the Catholics, Superchunk or Fizzgig
Lewis Brothers (Chillicothe, OH)
Country/Folk/Rock
The Lighthouse and the Whaler
Critic’s Pick:
The Lions Rampant (Burlington, KY)
Blues/Garage/Rock
The Micah Walk Band
The Mighty
The Minor Leagues (Cincinnati)
Indie/Pop
Lead singer Ben Walpole describes them with the following phrase: “Ray Davies fronting The Clash with Phil Spector on production…”
The Moon and the Stars
The Never Setting Suns (Cincinnati)
Indie/Rock
The Past Times
The Peelers (Ontario)
Celtic/Folk/Punk
Recommended if you like: The Pogues, Flogging Molly or The Waterboys
Pharaoh Loosey
The Photographic (Louisville)
Ambient/Psychedelic
The Pinstripes
The Rattlesnakin Daddies
The Rocco John Group
Critic’s Pick:
The Rosewood Thieves (New York)
Folk/Indie/Soul
Recommended if you like: Annuals, White Rabbits or Ha Ha Tonka
Critic’s Pick:
The Seedy Seeds (Cincinnati)
Electro/Indie/Pop
Recommended if you like: Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Say Hi or Pomegranates
Shiny and the Spoon
The Sleeping Sea
Spookfloaters
The States
Critic’s Pick:
Stephanie’s Id (Asheville, NC)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Recommended if you like: Feist, Rachael Yamagata or Nicole Atkins
Stick Figure Drawings
The Sonny Moorman Group
SOUSE
The Story Of (Austin, TX)
Experimental/Indie/Pop
Critic’s Pick:
The Subjects (Brooklyn)
Indie/Pop/Rock
Recommended if you like: Bauhaus or Killing Joke
The Subtle Urge (Philadelphia)
Experimental/Progressive/Rock
The Sunday Dogs
Critic’s Pick:
The Sundresses (Cincinnati)
Blues/Indie/Rock
Recommended if you like: the Doors, Iggy Pop or the White Stripes
The Syd Natanists
Televox
Terry Kinakin
Critic’s Pick:
The Tillers (Cincinnati)
Americana/Folk/Roots
Recommended if you like: Woody Guthrie, Yonder Mountain String Band or Old Crow Medicine Show
Tristen Shields (Cincinnati)
Acoustic/Electronica/Folk
Recommended if you like: Wussy, The Sundresses or the Fairmount Girls
Critic’s Pick:
The Twilight Revival (Chicago)
Americana/Indie/Rock
Recommended if you like: Rhett Miller
The Upset Victory (Cincinnati)
Alternative/Rock
Thomas Nicholas Band (Los Angeles)
Acoustic/Rock
Thunderhawk
Tony Q. Rastafara
Critic’s Pick:
Toy Horses (Wales)
Acoustic/Indie/Pop
A uke fuelled, melodic indie duo that formed in the UK in late 2007. Have had airplay on BBC Radio One, BBC Radio Six Music, XFM London (featured band), BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. Recently recorded four new tracks in Nashville with Ken Croomer (Wilco). Played SXSW in 2009 and were tipped by influential DJ Nic Harcourt as “one to watch.” Their song “But What About the Future” just won 2nd place in the Billboard World Song Contest!
Tropidelic
Troubadour Dali
Trouble With Boys (Louisville)
Pop/Punk/Rock
Redefining the term “boy band”, this group of four barely-teenage boys were all born in either 1995 or 1996, essentially missing out on the best years of alternative rock and grunge. But the good thing is that music lasts forever, so these boys found some inspiration in bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Foo Fighters and even Kiss.
Tumbledown House (Montana)
Indie/Jazz
The Uniphonics (Iowa)
Experimental/Funk/Hip-Hop
The Urban Monks
Vahe Sarkissian (Philadelphia)
Experimental/Fusion/Progressive
The Vanguard
Vanity Theft
Vesper (New York)
Experimental/Rock
Vlada Tomova’s Balkan Tales
VTG
Wake the Bear
Watson Park (NKY)
Indie/Pop/Rock
The Way Downs (Cincinnati)
Blues/Rock/Soul
Critic’s Pick:
Western Civ (Chapel Hill)
Alt/Indie/Rock
Recommended if you like: Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Sonic Youth or Deerhunter
Where They Landed
Whirling Dervish
White Girls
White is Gray
Whitney Barricklow (Cincinnati)
Pop
Critic’s Pick:
The Wildbirds (Milwaukee)
Blues/Classic Rock/Garage
Recommended if you like: The Greenhornes, The Whigs or the Redwalls
Will Quinlan and the Diviners
William F. Gibbs (South Carolina)
AltCountry/Indie/Singer-Songwriter
Winslow
Critic’s Pick:
The Winter Sounds (Chicago/Athens, GA)
Indie/Rock
Within Reason
Critic’s Pick:
Wonky Tonk
The Wrenfields
Critic’s Pick:
Wussy (Cincinnati)
Indie/Folk/Rock
Recommended if you like: The Ass Ponys, Heartless Bastards or Bob Pollard
Critic’s Pick:
The Young Republic (Tennessee)
Folk/Pop/Rock
“…if the Pixies made country music, they’d sound a lot like the Young Republic” – Phil Alexander, Editor of MOJO Magazine
Recommended if you like: The 1900s
The Zest of Yore (Austin, TX)
Hardcore/Trance
Yardsale
You, You’re Awesome
Critic’s Pick:
Yourself and the Air (Chicago)
Indie/Rock
Recommended if you like: The Cure, Modest Mouse or Minus the Bear
Zi Punt
Zionplanet 10
ZOFKA
In Stores Now – New Music Tuesday
July 22nd, 2009
Posted in Local Music, New Music Releases
This isn’t the entire list of every major music release yesterday (as you’ve probably come to find that I don’t typically care too much about what’s going on in mainstream or pop radio). These are just the albums that stick out to me…albums I think people would like who aren’t really into what’s popular or on the radio.
Critic’s Pick:
Assembly of Dust: Some Assembly Required
Many will tell you that this is AOD’s strongest work yet, which I can’t help but think has partially to do with the long list of guest musicians: Richie Havens, David Grisman, Mike Gordon, Bela Fleck, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, John Scofield, Keller Williams, Grace Potter, Martin Sexton, Al Schnier and Jeff Pevar. There’s even some local boys on this album – Zach and Andrew Gabbard of the Buffalo Killers appear on the track, “Pedal Down.” While those guest musicians may certainly help record sales, these aren’t songs that were written to fit the guests. Assembly of Dust has built an impressive following since 2002, and they’ve always done it the tough, old school way – constant touring (which includes a lot of smaller festivals and some bigger ones, like Bonnaroo), releasing live albums, all without having the mindset to be a ”radio band.” This is Americana, roots rock at its finest.
Critic’s Pick:
Bad Veins: Bad Veins
Somewhere in Cincinnati, about two years ago, I caught my first Bad Veins show. I can’t remember where it was, if it was outside during the summertime or indoors during the colder months. But I remember my exact thoughts and feelings of that show. First…wow! Second…these guys are going to go places. Third…are they really from this area? After a couple years and a number of shows later, it kind of feels like I could see into the future. Not to come off as arrogant or anything, but a whole heck of a lot of people in this city (and other cities) have been standing firm behind this band for years now – even though their first full-length album officially came out yesterday. They’ve been slowly making a name for themselves across the country and have played some pretty big shows at places like South by Southwest 2008, New York’s CMJ 2007 (where they were named “Breakout Act”) and tours alongside VHS or Beta, Snowden and Enlou, to name a few. So if you’re into the whole indie pop thing, love live electronics, orchestrated symphonies and bands that know how to play a live show, then come down to Fountain Square this Friday night, where they’ll be hosting a CD Release Party. And while you can pick up this album in places like Target or Best Buy, support the local scene buy purchasing it at either Shake-It or Everybody’s Records.
Blue Roses: Blue Roses
Bill Frisell: Disfarmer
Betty LaVette: Change Is Gonna Come Sessions
Critic’s Pick:
Magnolia Electric Co.: Josephine
Delbert McClinton: Honky Tonkin’ All Night
Critic’s Pick:
Portugal. the Man: The Satanic Satanist
Critic’s Pick:
Riceboy Sleeps: Riceboy Sleeps
Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs: Under The Covers: Vol. 2
Critic’s Pick:
Wye Oak: The Knot
Best Albums of 2009…so far
July 20th, 2009
Posted in New Music Releases
Around the beginning of July I decided that it was about time to start putting together a list of the year’s best album releases. My current Top 10 includes Andrew Bird’s Noble Beast, the Dark Was the Night compilation, Booker T’s Potato Hole, the Decemberists Hazards of Love, Dan Auerbach’s Keep It Hid, the Low Anthem’s Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, Passion Pit’s Manners, Sara Watkins self-titled debut, Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest and Phoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
Here is my list of some of the best albums of the year. If you’re looking to get yourself some new music, check out this list. Most of these albums will end up on nearly all of the “Best of” lists for this year.
Critic’s Pick:
Amadou & Mariam: Welcome to Mali
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Andrew Bird: Noble Beast
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion
Critic’s Pick:
Antony and the Johnsons: The Crying Light
Band of Skulls: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
Bat for Lashes: Two Suns
Critic’s Pick:
Bell X1: Blue Lights on the Runway
The Bird and the Bee: Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Bon Iver: Blood Bank
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Booker T. Jones: Potato Hole
Broken Records: Until The Earth Begins To Part
Critic’s Pick:
Bruce Springsteen: Working On A Dream
Critic’s Pick:
Camera Obscura: My Maudlin Career
The Crocodiles: Summer Of Hate
Critic’s Pick:
Dan Auerbach: Keep It Hid
Dan Deacon: Bromst
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Dave Matthews Band: Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King
Critic’s Pick:
The Dead Weather: Horehound
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
The Decemberists: Hazards Of Love
Depeche Mode: Sounds Of The Universe
Dinosaur Jr.: Farm
Critic’s Pick:
The Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca
Discovery: LP
Critic’s Pick:
Doves: Kingdom Of Rust
Critic’s Pick:
Eels: Hombre Lobo
Critic’s Pick:
Elvis Perkins in Dearland: Elvis Perkins In Dearland
Fever Ray: Fever Ray
Critic’s Pick:
Gomez: A New Tide
Critic’s Pick:
Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest
Critic’s Pick:
Handsome Furs: Face Control
Critic’s Pick:
Harlem Shakes: Technicolor Health
The Horrors: Primary Colours
Ida Maria: Fortress ’round My Heart
Critic’s Pick:
Iron & Wine: Around The Well
James Blackshaw: The Glass Bead Game
Japandroids: Post-Nothing
Jarvis Cocker: Further Complications
John Parish & PJ Harvey: A Woman A Man Walked By
Critic’s Pick:
John Vanderslice: Romanian Names
Junior Boys: Begone Dull Care
Critic’s Pick:
The Low Anthem: Oh My God Charlie Darwin
Critic’s Pick:
M. Ward: Hold Time
Critic’s Pick:
Manchester Orchestra: Mean Everything To Nothing
Marissa Nadler: Little Hells
Critic’s Pick:
Metric: Fantasies
Micachu and the Shapes: Jewellery
Neko Case: Middle Cyclone
Other Lives: Other Lives
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Passion Pit: Manners
Pete Yorn: Back & Fourth
Critic’s Pick:
Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
The Prodigy: Invaders Must Die
Royksopp: Junior
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Sara Watkins: Sara Watkins
Sonic Youth: The Eternal
Critic’s Pick:
St. Vincent: Actor (Amazon Exclusive)
Street Sweeper Social Club: Street Sweeper Social Club [Explicit]
Sunset Rubdown: Dragonslayer
Telefon Tel Aviv: Immolate Yourself
Telepathe: Dance Mother
Todd Snider: The Excitement Plan
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Various Artists: Dark Was The Night (Red Hot Compilation)
The Veils: Sun Gangs
Critic’s Pick:
White Lies: To Lose My Life …
Critic’s Pick:
White Rabbits: It’s Frightening
Critic’s Pick/Top 10 Pick:
Wilco: Wilco [The Album]
Critic’s Pick:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: It’s Blitz!
A Look at What’s to Come (Future Releases)
Architecture in Helsinki: Vision Revision
Arctic Monkeys: Humbug
Bad Veins: Bad Veins
Band of Horses: No Title Yet
Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1
Built to Spill: There Is No Enemy
Coldplay: No Title Yet
Crystal Castles: No Title Yet
The Elms: The Great American Midrange
Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh)
Face to Face: No Title Yet
The Flaming Lips: No Title Yet
Flight of the Conchords: I Told You I Was Freaky
The Harlequins: Baron von Headless
Imogen Heap: Ellipse
Ingrid Michaelson: Everybody
Interpol: No Title Yet
Jet: Shaka Rock
The Lions Rampant: It’s Fun To Do Bad Things
Los Campesinos!: No Title Yet
Modest Mouse: No One’s First and You’re Next
Muse: The Resistance
Mute Math: Armistice
Pearl Jam: Backspacer
Portugal. the Man: The Satanic Satanist
Radiohead: No Title Yet
Rilo Kiley: No Title Yet
The Streets: No Title Yet
Vampire Weekend: No Title Yet
The White Stripes: No Title Yet
Wolfmother: Cosmic Egg
Yim Yames (Jim James of My Morning Jacket): Tribute To
Musicians Call-In Sick
July 20th, 2009
Posted in Uncategorized
Beastie Boys Adam “MCA” Yauch Diagnosed with Cancer
Earlier today the Beastie Boys released this statement:
Adam “MCA” Yauch of Beastie Boys was diagnosed last week as having a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. Luckily it was caught early and is localized in one area, and as such is considered very treatable. It will however require surgery and several weeks of additional treatment. Fortunately the cancer is not in a location that will affect Yauch’s vocal chords. Beastie Boys have canceled all upcoming concert appearances to allow time for Yauch’s surgery and recovery. The release of the band’s forthcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 will also be pushed back.
John Medeski Also Ill
Also today, the official website of Medeski, Martin and Wood released this statement:
While on tour overseas in early July, John began experiencing flu-like symptoms, and very severe headaches. He was seen by doctors in Croatia, Slovenia, and finally in Austria, where he was admitted to the University of Innsbruck Hospital on July 5. It was determined that John was fighting a severe bacterial infection and experiencing cluster headache symptoms. On July 6, the doctors advised us that John could not continue with the tour. After 150+ tests, MRIs, pain management protocols, antibiotics, and 3 days of excellent care in the University hospital, no one could identify John’s infection.
On July 7, John checked out of the hospital to rest in a hotel until he was strong enough to travel home. Though the infection has still not been identified, he is currently in treatment here in the US, and doing MUCH better. His headaches have subsided, and while not at 100%, he is functioning very well.
Needless to say, we’re glad to have John back and feeling better as the band looks forward to Camp and upcoming shows this fall. Thanks again for everyone’s well wishes!!!
This Week in Music
July 20th, 2009
Posted in Indie Summer, Local Music
Top Shows of the Week
Tuesday, July 21
Steve Miller Band – Fraze Pavilion
8 pm
SOLD OUT!
Kyle English (of The Turkeys) and Jason Ludwig (of Noctaluca) – Northside Tavern
10 pm
Free
Ages 21+
Wednesday, July 22
Kid Rock with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Stone Cherry – Riverbend Music Center
6:30 pm
$30.50-$86
Pick of the Week:
The Walkmen with Cass McCombs and Pomegranates – Mad Hatter
8 pm
$12 adv/ $14 dos
All Ages
Friday, July 24
Scott Miller & the Commonwealth – Southgate House
9 pm
$15
Ages 18+
Local Pick of the Week:
Indie Summer – Fountain Square
Bad Veins (CD Release party) with You, You’re Awesome, Thing One and A Decade To Die For
Cash Flagg with Nathan Holscher and Tonefarmer – Northside Tavern
10 pm
Free
Ages 21+
Fuck Knights with the Mysts of Time – The Comet
10 pm
Free
Ages 21+
Saturday, July 25
Incubus with the Duke Spirit – Riverbend Music Center
8 pm
$22.50-$39.50
The Builders & Butchers with Queen City Outlaws, Pilgrim and Wonky Tonk – Mad Hatter
8 pm
$5
All Ages
Blacklight Barbarian with Daughters & Sons – Northside Tavern
10 pm
Free
Ages 21+
