Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 5. no 7 (the Ireland edition)

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette:

I was in Ireland earlier this month, traveling with my Philadelphia friend Kevin and his extended family. I had a wonderful time. I had the chance to hear lots of music, on the streets, pubs and on our bus.

Dublin, Ireland
Temple Bar
Sunday, March 1, 2008

The Temple Bar (Barra an Teampaill) area of Dublin reminds me of a medieval Broad Ripple. Temple Bar is just south of the River Liffey in central Dublin. It is chock full of restaurants, pubs, art galleries and shops all tucked on a web of narrow cobbled streets.


The area has a lively nightlife and plenty of music, both on the streets and in the pubs. I saw a fun band on the street that was drawing a big crowd. They had a jammy Celtic sound. The name of the band is Slàinte, translates to ‘health’ and is also a popular drinking toast. I had no luck researching them.

We had just wandered in to the Aul Dubliner Bar when I heard the last few songs of Mick McDonnell’s set. It wasn’t until he was on the search for a bandage that we started chatting. I wound up trading a Hello Kitty Band-aid (doesn’t everyone keep one in their wallet?) for a most excellent CD – Still Here.


McDonnell’s band Sundrive has a great grown-up pop sound – actual hooks, harmonies and melodies that remind me of the good old days. It is one of those records that makes me smile even before I press the play button.

Mick and Steve Cranley met while working on a project for in 1997 and began collaborating and playing on each others recordings. They started writing together and recording as Sundrive. The first time they played public was to an estimated 100,000 people at the Party in the Park show in August of 2002. I look forward to following their career.

www.myspace.com/sundrivetheband

Saw Doctors
On the bus
March 2-9

This was my first introduction to the Saw Doctors. Boy was I missing out! Good rockin’ sing-along fun. The Saw Doctors are from County Galway, but ironically they were in the States when we were in Ireland. But I got to hear plenty of their music as we toured the coast of Ireland. In fact we drove through Tuam, hometown to three of the band members and stopped to take photographs of the sign for N17, the title of one of their songs. N17 is the road from Tuam to Galway. The N17 is the road a young person leaving the west of Ireland would likely take when emigrating. I’ve still got several Saw Doctors songs stuck in my head, in a good way.

http://www.sawdoctors.com/

Kitchen Bar
Victoria Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Friday, March 7, 2008

I was blown away by Belfast. I honestly expected a war-torn shell of a town. Admittedly I was only there for four hours and I hadn’t done my homework. Three of us peeled off from the group and took a bus to Belfast center. Our first stop was Victoria Square the just-opened-the-day-before commercial, residential and entertainment center. It took six years to build the 800,000 square foot property. 100,000 people visited the center the first day and I’m guessing that just as many were there on day two.

The development is multi-level streets covered by a massive glass dome. Not only does it look Back to the Future-ish but it is environmentally cool. Sections of the roof are covered with moss and heather to attempt to reduce the carbon footprint of Victoria Square. The covering soaks up the rainwater allowing it to evaporate naturally over time and not overload the drainage systems.

The anchor store is the UK’s largest House of Fraser. The department store is quite swanky. I had a grand time wandering through the store and trying on clothes. I was at the counter ready to pay for a wonderful outfit. I remembered at the very last second that the dollar/pound conversion rate was two to one. It was not a $400-cute outfit, I sweetly said thank you and raced out of the store.



I met up with my friends at the Kitchen Bar. The original pub opened in 1859 and was the favorite drinking spot for performers at the Empire, Belfast’s famous music hall. It moved from the original site to make way for the construction of Victoria Square. We sat in the bar, wait, now that I’m thinking of it the whole place was probably bar- anyway, there was a band. A loud cover band, too loud for the space. I had to resist the urge to reach over and turn down them down. As it turns out cover band set lists are universal. “Mustang Sally,” anyone? It was the one and only place that I’ve ever wanted to hear “Brown Eyed Girl,” after all the fabulous Van Morrison was born and raised in Belfast.

I’m so glad that I got to explore a little bit of Belfast. I can’t wait to go back.

Music shopping
Tower Records
Secret Book and Record Store
Dublin, Ireland
Sunday, March 9, 2008

In my pretend life I walk around the city, wandering in to record and book stores with no time constraints. In my real life I usually hit the ground running with too little sleep , looking longingly at Luna, Northside Newsstand, Vibes and Big Hat Books as I wiz by on my way to work, or what ever activity I have planned for the day.

I got to have a pretend life afternoon in Dublin. I walked around the city popping in to what ever shop caught my fancy. I was excited to stumble across a Tower Records. Ireland boasts two of the handful of Tower Records left in the world. All of the Tower Records in the States closed in 2006 (tower.com is still alive and well). I had a blast browsing the record stacks. I’d smile when I ran across a familiar name and stopped myself from shouting out, “hey she slept on my sofa, or woo hoo I wrote about him.”
In my black jeans, boots, messenger bag and camera slung over my shoulder, I convinced myself that I was one of the cool kids. I think I blew that when after an hour of wandering around the store I made my purchase: The Monkees- The Works, A 3 CD Retrospective.

After leaving Tower Records I wandered down side streets and saw a sign for Secret Book and Record Store. Thankfully there were plenty of signs and arrows. I’m not sure that I would have wandered down that street or down a narrow hallway through that mostly empty building otherwise. Secret Book and Record Store sounded like my kind of place. And was it ever. If I ever opened a book store I would look just like this. I left any hope of looking like one of the cool kids at the door, with my exclamation of “Wow, this place looks just like my house!” And it does. Bookcases along the wall, books on tables and stacked everywhere. Quirky artifacts lined the tops of the bookcases. Tons of CDs in the back corner. Since I felt like I was at home I tossed my junk in the corner and started digging. I wound up with three books and as many CDs. I thoroughly enjoyed every second that I spent in there.

Second Friday, Second Helpings
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Upper Room

This was the inaugural Second Friday, Second Helpings songwriter night. PJ Christie, Lance Drake and Chris Haskett kicked it off. They took turns playing three song sets, sometimes joining in on each other’s songs. They combined originals with quirky covers. I giggled out loud when Lance played an Echo and the Bunnymen song.

Lance and PJ clearly have a great camaraderie. They have played in bands together and know each other’s songs. Big fun. Lance is Chicago based and was down for the show. I first met PJ when he wandered by Kipp Normand’s yard sale. PJ and his family relocated to Indianapolis after Hurricane Katrina.

Chris Haskett is a CATH coffeehouse veteran. I really enjoy his solo songs; he’s got a wide range. I was secretly hoping he’d pull out his harmonium and I was not disappointed. I’m not quite sure how a harmonium works, but it involves bellows, a keyboard and a pretty cabinet. And Chris makes it sound real pretty.

Thanks to Chris, PJ and Lance for playing and Jeff Sample for hosting the event. Second Helpings collected 50 pounds of rice and pasta and over $40 in cash.

The next Second Friday, Second Helpings will be April 11 at the Upper Room. I will preview the show in the next issue of the Gazette.

www.myspace.com/chrishaskett
http://www.secondhelpings.org/
http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/


Jeff Black
House Concert
Saturday, March 16, 2008

Jeff Black warned us “this show moves real fast, so hang on.” Man was he right. He started out playing the piano and didn’t look back. Jeff has a very big and powerful sound- not your typical singer-songwriter. He filled the room. He also played harmonica, guitar and banjo.

He told a few stories between his songs, but his songs really were the story. You really felt like you had learned something by the end of one of his songs. I’m really glad that I had a chance to experience Jeff up close and personal.

http://www.jeffblack.com/

Previews:
A Keen Holiday
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Mugshots
6525 N. College Ave
9 pm, 21+


A Keen Holiday is a three-piece blues-rock band. They have been playing together for almost a year, and have released their first album a few months ago. Their sound is good old fashioned blues rock and roll. This show promises to be a good time.

www.myspace.com/akeenholiday.


Out and about: It’s almost Broad Ripple Farmers Market time again! The Market runs Saturday mornings, May 3 through October 25. Let me know if you’re interested in playing. queenbeenora@gmail.com

Dublin, Ireland Street Musicians

first published on nuvo.net:

The Temple Bar area (central Dublin, just south of the River Liffey) reminded me of a medieval Broad Ripple. It is chock-full of restaurants, pubs, galleries and music.

Click here to view photographs 0f street musicians.

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 5. no 6

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette:

Steve Poltz and the Cynics
The Truckee Brothers
February 25, 2008
Locals Only

I’m still on a Steve Poltz high, and not just because he kissed me from the stage when I leaned in for a photograph.

I always have a great time at Steve’s shows and feel inspired when I leave. He is a great songwriter and an amazing entertainer. He throws his all in to his performances- facial expressions and body contortions included. He’s gracious, funny and charming. Steve has such a loyal Indianapolis audience that I’m starting to recognize his fans and where they like to sit.

Another thing that Steve does consistently well is touring with other great musicians. I must say, I was initially disappointed when I heard that Steve was travelling with a band, Steve Poltz and the Cynics. Count me in the cynic group; I just couldn’t fathom how I would enjoy the show as much as I do when Steve plays solo. Boy was I wrong. But first Steve appeased us naysayers by starting out with a solo acoustic set.

I guess now is the point when I should admit to not taking notes during the show. I searched and searched for my little notebook before I left and could not find it (It later turned up in my bed). It didn’t occur to me to bring my computer or paper or even jot notes on a cocktail napkin. It was probably just as well; I was having too much damn fun. Maybe there is a correlation -- less writing, more concentrating on the music. Anyway, the whole point of that story is that I know he played a lot of his own great songs and did some quirky covers. The only cover song I can remember is TLC’s Chasing Waterfalls. And that might have been because of the aforementioned kiss. Just saying.

The Cynics joined Steve and I was charmed from the second the boys stepped on the stage. Actually I was pre-charmed, I heard a few songs of the opening band, The Truckee Brothers when I walked in. I enjoyed what I heard. And magically the Truckee Brothers turned in to The Cynics. They are fun as can be together, all playing off of each other marvelously. Chris played bass and guitar and Patrick played drums. They both sang harmonies. On occasion tour manager, Christopher was brought to the stage to play bass. They fit right in to the quirkiness of a Poltz show.


Sitting backstage (read the edge of the pool table) with the guys I pointed out the artwork on the wall. The very talented Cara Jean Wahlers had several pieces hanging. Patrick bought one right off of the wall. Patrick is an amazing artist, creating the album covers for the last two Steve Poltz CDs.
A seriously good time was had by all.

http://www.poltz.com/
http://www.truckeebrothers.com/
http://www.localsonlyindy.com/


Ireland
March 1-10

I had great intentions of writing about the music I saw in Ireland this week. I even took my notebook- and managed to return with it. I also took my beloved iBook and something jiggled loose and the airport is not working. Notice how calm I am? I’m hoping it is that simple, and they can do something magic at the Apple Store. A tree fell on my house while I was gone so I’m also with out Internet access at home. I’m writing this at Northside Newsstand, using my iPhone to look up Web sites and such. Newsstand Joe is going to do something mysterious to transmit this column. I think it involves squirrels. I’ll fill you in on the Ireland music next time.

I will leave you with a tantalizing tidbit: I traded a Hello Kitty Band-Aid for a great CD. More to come. Cheers.

Previews

Second Fridays for Second Helpings
The Upper Room (above the Broad Ripple Steakhouse)
Friday, March 14, 2008

From the Musical Family Tree Web site:

“Following the success of the Broad Ripple Fall Music Festival, a few of us put our heads together to try to see if we could create a series based on the kind of success we had combining music, raising money and awareness, and building new venues for music.

The Upper Room has been booking live music for some time. Jeff Sample has a long history in Indianapolis music both as a musician and songwriter, and through his bookings at Birdy’s – supporting original local music 300 days a year.

Second Helpings feeds the hungry and provides vocational opportunities in the community. Nora Spitznogle promotes original music tirelessly in Indianapolis by talking about music, going to shows, and writing for both Nuvo the Broad Ripple Gazette. She is well known in the songwriter scene since her booking and hotel services were the primary force behind CATH as a performance space.

Musical Family Tree is dedicated to building a community around Indiana music. Thousands of mp3’s are available from hundreds of bands and their work in the community promoting shows, releases and behind the scenes awareness for dozens of cultural efforts in the city and beyond.
So PJ Christie has been one of the driving forces behind the scenes on MFT since the beginning and has a long history promoting a dozen bands, songwriting and performing. The good people of Indianapolis have a lot to be thankful that these three individuals have come together to promote a monthly event called Second Fridays, Second Helpings at The Upper Room to benefit Second Helpings beginning March 13, 2008. Musical Family Tree is supporting the effort by providing access to the top performers in the area.

March 13 will feature PJ Christie, Lance Drake and Chris Haskett in a songwriter in the round type of event. Currently PJ can been seen playing bass for local favorites The Vulgar Boatmen while his own band is on hiatus. Lance is tearing up the Chicago scene in his acoustic quartet Deep Cricket Night. Chris plays with his new project, My Special Purpose and has joined Ben Justus as the drummer.

But all of them will come together to play new and old material and support each other in a once in a lifetime performance. Come out and be a part of it.”

Nora notes: I’m blushing as I read this - and honored to be tossed in the same group as Jeff and PJ. I hope to see you at the show. I’ll be there beaming- and collecting rice and pasta (we use 125 pounds a day!). Mark your calendars for second Friday for the rest of the year.

http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/
http://www.secondhelpings.org/

Second Friday, Second Helpings

From the Musical Family Tree site. Sign up for the social networking site while you're there. I love it!

Second Fridays, Second Helpings
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Upper Room (above the Broad Ripple Steakhouse)
10 pm. Donation (cash/pasta) to Second Helpings, please

Following the success of the Broad Ripple Fall Music Festival, a few of us put our heads together to try to see if we could create a series based on the kind of success we had combining music, raising money and awareness, and building new venues for music.

The Upper Room has been booking live original music for some time. Jeff Sample has a long history in Indianapolis music both as a musician and songwriter, and through his bookings at Birdy's - supporting original local music 300 days a year.

Second Helpings feeds the hungry and provides vocational opportunities in the community. Nora Spitznogle promotes original music tirelessly in Indianapolis by talking about music, going to shows, and writing for both Nuvo and the Broad Ripple Gazette. She is well-known in the songwriter scene since her booking and hotel services were the primary force behind CATH as a performance space.

Musical Family Tree is dedicated to building a community around Indiana music. Thousands of mp3's are available from hundreds of bands and their work in the community promoting shows, releases, and behind the scenes awareness for dozens of cultural efforts in the city and beyond.PJ Christie has been one of the driving forces behind the scenes on MFT since the beginning and has a long history promoting a dozen bands, songwriting and performing.

The good people in Indianapolis have a lot to be thankful that these three individuals have come together to promote a monthly event called Second Fridays, Second Helpings at The Upper Room to benefit Second Helpings beginning March 14, 2008. Muscial Family Tree is supporting the effort by providing access to the top performers in the area.

This night has been in the making for a couple months but unfortunately our busy schedules have not allowed for a proper kickoff meeting, so we are counting on all of you to help make this first event special. Come out for a night of good original music and bring a donation of food for Second Helpings.March 14 will feature PJ, Lance Drake and Chris Haskett in a songwriter in the round type of event.

The three of them played in the highly regarded band Baroo in Chicago from 1999 to 2001. Previously and since, they have all performed in a wide variety of bands. Currently PJ can be seen playing bass for local favorites The Vulgar Boatmen while his own band is on hiatus. Lance is tearing up the Chicago scene in his acoustic quartet Deep Cricket Night. Chris plays with his new project, My Special Purpose and has joined Ben Justus as the drummer.

But all of them will come together to play new and old material and support each other in a once in a lifetime performance. Come out and be a part of it! Many of you might want to be a part of future shows, let us know if you are interested!

Queen Bee in Barfly comix

(click on the comix to make it bigger)

The very talented Wayne Bertsch included the Queen Bee in his piece in this week's NUVO.
Thanks Wayne!

spud puppies

first published in NUVO

To read a bit about the Spud Puppies click here.

The amazing bluegrass band is playing a "Time and Space Hiatus" show Saturday (3/8/08) at Locals Only.

It was very difficult to squish over five years in to 300 words.