Broad Ripple Gazette vol 7, no 5

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Previews:


Girls Rock! Indianapolis benefit featuring Neon Love Life, Pravada, Ari No Drink
Friday March 5, 2010
Talbott Street
2145 N. Talbott Street
$5, 8:00pm – 2:00am, 21+

I’m really excited about this. Girls Rock! Indianapolis is a non-profit organization dedicated to building positive self-esteem in girls and encouraging creative expression through music. Their music education programs will provide girls with an opportunity to participate in an environment that fosters leadership, encourages social change, and cultivates a supportive community of female peers and mentors. Rock on!

This show will help raise funds for their first week-long camp this July 19-23 at Park Tudor for girls ages 9 – 16. Not surprisingly the Girls Rock! Indianapolis is lead by some kick-ass women rockers who play in the band Neon Love Life. You might remember Ashley Plummer from the Peggy Sues and as part of the early Broad Ripple Gazette staff. The rest of the band includes Tasha Blackman, Lindsay Manfredi and Sharon Rickson.

There are two other bands on the bill, Pravada (indie-pop) and Ari No Drink (funk/rock). Between the bands DJ sets by Annie and Andy of A-Squared Industries. As if that is not enough there will be go-go dancers, raffles and a drag show. What more can you ask for, really?



www.talbottstreet.com

http://girlsrockindy.com



March of Dimes benefit featuring Everything Now!, Jenn Cristy, The Cousin Brothers, Eisenhower Field Day
Friday, March 19, 2010
Locals Only
2449 East 56th Street
$6, 8:30. 21+

This is the third year that Ace Cash Express has hosted a benefit for March of Dimes. The March of Dimes works to prevent birth defects and reduce infant mortality. There are four awesome bands on the bill. Not only does Everything Now! have a most excellent name they are a terrific band. Based in Muncie but touring the country they have an ever-changing sound. Think Flaming Lips mixed with Bowie and T-Rex.

Jenn Cristy will knock your socks off with her high-energy, piano-fronted, original rock music. Although Jenn had a sweet gig as a John Mellencamp backing vocalist she’s now out front. Where she clearly belongs!

The Cousin Brothers have a unique blend of rocked-up bluegrass. They appeal to a wide audience, voted Indianapolis’ number one country band and number two folk band by the readers of NUVO newsweekly.

I was smitten with Eisenhower Field Day the first time I saw them. They’re an energetic power-pop trio of goodness. Their sound is a lot bigger than you would expect from a trio paired with pretty harmonies and smart lyrics.

www.localsonlyindy.com
www.myspace.com/eisenhowerfieldday
http://thecousinbrothers.com
www.everythingnowmusic.com
www.jenncristy.com

Chair-ity Affair to benefit Care for Kids Foundation
March 19, 2010
Mavris Center
121 S. East Street
7:00 – 11:00, $50.

What a cool idea! Chairs for a charity event. The evening will feature live music, a strolling dinner and an auction of unique works of chair art.

The Care For Kids Foundation’s mission is to support programs and services which provide positive life changing experiences that impact the outcomes of vulnerable children.

They work with nonprofit youth organizations and agencies that serve children who experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, or children who may be orphans or live with foster parents.

www.careforkidsnow.com

Evan Dando
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Radio Radio

I almost didn’t go to this show. I was so tired that I’d taken a four-hour long sofa nap after work. In my dress. When I woke up I debated doing the sensible thing and stumbling down the hallway to put on my pajamas and go to bed for real. Luckily my not-so sensible side won. Evan Dando fronted the wildly popular band, The Lemonheads and was a favorite of mine in the late 80s.

The Lemonheads have deep Indiana connections; at least four past and present band members are Hoosiers. I’ve felt connected to Evan ever since I met him in the Red Key two years ago and my first-ever interview for the magazine Ghettoblaster (don’t let the name throw you, it’s a quirky mix of music features, CD reviews and movie blurbs. You can find it locally at Barnes and Noble) was with Evan in anticipation of his latest record, Varshons. The album is produced by Gibby Haynes (who I also got to interview) and is Evan’s “varshons” of cover songs.

I got to Radio Radio just in time to hear the end of Evan’s solo set. He sounded great, although it was a little surreal to see him in a golf shirt playing two feet from me. He brought Vess von Ruhtenberg and Devon Ashley (and for a confusing minute current drummer Mark Cutsinger) on stage for a short set. Good stuff.

Finest Grain and Odyssey Favor
Friday, February 19, 2010
Birdy’s


I had a blast at the show. Finest Grain was celebrating the release of their newest CD, In the Story – the adventures of kid B. Sean Jackson and Kent Vernon started the evening playing as a duo, really showing off their fine harmonies and great songwriting. I love it when I get to see singer/songwriters perform in that setting. For the second part of the concert they brought musicians who contributed to the record to the stage to join them. It was the first time I’d heard Finest Grain with a full band and they sounded great.

Odyssey Favor played next. They’re full of good power poppy fun. They played original songs and covered some other songwriters, including a Finest Grain tune. I always enjoy seeing them perform and I enjoy them off stage too. I’m a big fan of bass player, Jenny Elig. Not only is she a slammin’ player but she’s one stylish chick – and the fashion writer for the Indianapolis Star. Her footwear of choice for the gig? A very futuristic looking yet nostalgic pair of Moon Boots. Remember those? Popular in the 1970, no discernable right or left foot, came in only three sizes, S,M,L with “Moon Boot” written boldly around the top. Jenny can pull them off. Which is just as impressive as her bass playing.

www.finestgrain.com
http://odysseyfavor.com

www.birdyslive.com