Indianapolis Indians day game
Wednesday, June 3, 2008
My flight back from Washington D.C. circled around the city and I had a birds-eye view of Victory Field, including the lit scoreboard. I took that as a sign that I should attend the day game instead of unpack or heaven forbid, go to work. I had a feeling that I’d find my dad and his buddies there and I did. As Dad and his group yelled “Nora,” I heard my name being shouted from another direction. Typically when I hear the name Nora, I know they mean me. I looked over to see musician Steve Poltz from San Diego and Dave Queisser of Locals Only. I’d missed Steve’s concert the night before but had gotten text updates from Cara Wahlers and Tammy Lieber.
Steve and Dave sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” which made up for me missing the show. For once I got to entertain them and took them up to visit Bruce Schumaker in the public announcer’s booth. They almost behaved, and I loved every second of it.
Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses
Wednesday, June 3, 2008
Birdy’s
Not long ago I realized that I really like everyone on the Lost Highway record label. Their roster includes Elvis Costello, Lyle Lovett, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, The Jayhawks, Hayes Carll and Willie Nelson. And, true to form I really liked what I heard of their newest, and I’m guessing youngest artist, Ryan Bingham.
I tried to connect with Ryan for a phone interview but between his aggressive touring schedule and my busy days of spreadsheets and meetings about meetings we couldn’t connect. The one afternoon that I had open, he was taping an appearance on Conan O’Brien. It made me feel like I was sitting at the big kids table to be skipped over for Conan – I’m sure he struggled with the decision, but I’m sure he made the right choice.
The night Ryan played in Indianapolis he literally blew in with the storm. They had to fight bad weather all the way from Pennsylvania. They arrived hours later than they planned to but it didn’t slow them down at all.
Ryan and the Dead Horses hit the stage running and didn’t slow down. They played a high-energy set that really showed off his Texas music roots. The songs incorporate everything from Mariachi to boot stomping roadhouse rock
Ryan’s songs are uncommonly personal and reveling, and if you didn’t know anything about the 26 year old, you might think it was a put-on. His youth gave him plenty of song material, and it’s all real. His family moved so often that he quit unpacking the cardboard box that held his things. On his own since his mid-teens he supported himself by traveling on the junior rodeo circuit (and has the belt buckle to prove it) and sleeping on friends’ sofas and the back of his truck. He didn’t seriously start playing guitar until he was 17.
He started entertaining friends on the rodeo circuit, which led to a regular gig in a Texas bar. He was bouncing from rodeo to music gigs and the night he double booked himself he made the easy choice of playing music. Again, I think he choose wisely.
Ryan and the band had the attention of the audience all night. His voice is often compared to Tom Waits. I thought he sounded like the perfect blend of whiskey and cigarettes. Ryan sang, “I’m a book, not a page…” And I believed him.
I look forward to hearing at lot more from this very talented young man.
www.binghammusic.com
www.losthighwayrecords.com
NUVO Cultural Vision Awards
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Thursday, June 5, 2008
This is the 10th year for the Cultural Vision Awards and I’ve had the honor of attending the presentation for at least half of them. It always makes me proud as can be to live in this community.
Congratulations to Kevin Phillips and Mark Latta of Standard Recording Company for being among this year’s recipients.
From there, I headed to:
Chuck Prophet
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Radio Radio
Chuck Prophet is an amazing guitar player. And he’s been proving it for years. He was part of the cosmic country rock band Green On Red when he was in his teens. He had the stereotypical musical career heartaches, an addiction to crack cocaine, a manager that stole his publishing rights and threw away his master recordings. He kicked the cocaine and regained the publishing rights and is a musician’s musician. His songs have been covered by the likes of Kim Richey and Heart. He’s played on tons of recordings by his fellow musicians including Cake and Warren Zevon.
He’s got a great voice to match that stellar guitar playing and the songs to match. The crowd was age appropriate to Chuck (he’s 43). Several people were dancing - including me, for just a minute, it was an accident, really. I was just trying to get to the other side of the room for a photograph. No more short cuts for me. Anyway, Chuck said that he “was not used to going places where people dance – in a friendly way, anyway.”
Since I was on a roll (binge is such an ugly word), I headed to:
Jason and the Punknecks
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Sam’s Saloon
This was my first trip to Fountain Square’s newest music venue. Luckily I got to plop down with Broad Ripple’s own Otto and Cara Wahlers so I felt at home. Okay, I’ll admit it. The band scared me a little bit. It was not the tattoos or the outfits. I thought they looked cute as buttons. And they were good high-energy cow punk musicians. I’m just hoping the between-songs chatter was just part of this Hollywood, California’s bands shtick. I’ll leave it at that.
Loretta – CD release and farewell show
Friday, June 6, 2008
Birdy’s
I was so excited for the guys in Loretta. Birdy’s was packed full of the cool kids, parents and people like me, that fall somewhere in between. The band played all of the songs from their new release "Message Received, Not Understood" and lots of their older tunes. The band has been playing since 1999 and I think they got a good send off. They certainly will be missed.
James McMurtry
Monday, June 9, 2008
Birdy’s
I was happy to see such a good crowd for the rainy Monday night James McMurtry show. I’ve seen James (yep, he’s the son of writer Larry) several times in the last ten years and I think he keeps getting better each time. He certainly had found his roots rock groove. The audience was really in to the music, tapping boots and singing along.
I got a good look at the glamorous life a touring musician lives as I saw James and the band load out their equipment in the rain. Ah, the life of a rock star.
and since it was on the way home…
All in the Family Jam
Monday, June 9, 2008
Mousetrap
I may have mentioned that I’m not a fan of jam bands, and mainly because I didn’t understand it. I grew up musically on punk rock- three chords, 90 seconds and done. I’ve come to realize that when musicians “jam” it takes a lot more talent and trust on their part. And I cannot imagine what it takes to jam with musicians you don’t typically play with, which is what the All in the Family Jam is about. Sort of an open stage jam session. I’m glad I stopped in.
The All in the Family Jam is typically on Wednesday nights.
I’m out of room and time for more reviews….I promise reviews of David Sedaris, Scott Rudicel and the concert for LonPaul next time.
Previews:
Indianapolis Songwriters Café
Jason Wilber, Cara Wahlers, Stasia Demos, Marc Jeffares
Friday, June 20, 2008
Boulevard Place Café
4155 Boulevard Place
$5, 7-9,all ages, non-smoking
I rarely give you all an order, but I’m doing it this time: Go see this show. Seriously. Four great musicians, a great concept and its only five dollars. What more could you ask for?
Jason Wilber is one of my favorite singer/songwriters. Galway Waltz was the soundtrack in my head for my Ireland trip. In his spare time he tours with John Prine and played on his Grammy winning record.
Cara Jean Wahlers sings like a bird and writes songs like an old soul, a quirky old soul, but an old soul.
Stasia Demos’ fans range from toddlers to their parents. If you don’t like Stasia then there is no hope for you.
I don’t know a thing about Marc, but if he’s in the company of these three, then he’s got to be a good egg.
If you go, write me a review – I’m just sick that I have to miss it.
www.indianapolissongwriterscafe.com
Susan Cowsill
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave
317-727-1696
$10, 8:00 pm, all ages, non smoking
America’s beloved Susan Cowsill has been a pop icon since she was touring while in kindergarten. As the youngest member of the seminal family band The Cowsills. The Cowsills were the real life inspiration for The Partridge Family. Susan has made quite a post Cowsills career playing with the Continental Drifters and as a solo musician.
In what surely must be her best musical decision yet, she and husband Russ Broussard are taking Tad Armstrong and Aaron Stroup on the road with them for a summer tour. Tad and Aaron have played together for years, most recently in Middletown. And as you know, they are two of my favorite musicians. Ever. I’ll see you there!
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