Broad Ripple Gazette vol 9, no 10

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

danny flanigan + the rain chorus
Friday, May 18, 2012
Locals Only
2449 E. 56^th Street
Indianapolis, IN
9:00 pm, 21+, $5, nonsmoking

Even though Danny Flanigan lives in Louisville, I feel like he belongs to Broad Ripple too. 

He played here at least once a month from 1991 – 2001. And I was at a good deal of those shows. Danny is one of the first people to make me realize that I really loved and appreciated great songwriting and hearing music live.

Danny has a new record; Hope is a Word, his first in eight years. He has played a few solo shows in Indianapolis in the last year, but this will be the first in a long time with his band, The Rain Chorus. The members of the band are Cary Shields (drums), Tim Halcomb (bass), Philip Wakeman (mandolin), and Indianapolis’ own John Byrne (guitar). I caught up with Danny recently to talk about music, Indy, and the band.

I asked Danny how his solo shows differ from a full band gig. “I’m fortunate to have excellent musicians that play to the music,” Danny said. “Thanks to the presence of drums the tunes are more upbeat, energetic – electric folk Midwest rock type thing – the up-tempo songs are more aggressive, and there’s more color thanks to the player’s taste and talents.”

Danny enjoys playing in Indianapolis because of the “authentic fans of music – not just mine – good intelligent community oriented peeps digging on some tunes. There have been so many great bands from Indianapolis over the years.”

I asked Danny what has changed for him in the last ten years, “I got busy being a dad - and there wasn't a new record to share. Now the boys are old enough that they're glad dad gigs in the region again. ‘get out of here dad, don't you have a gig in Indianapolis tonight?’ And hopefully I’m a better songwriter. Songwriting is a craft, so by definition you have to do it to get better at it. I’ve never stopped writing songs, I never will. The band just stopped playing out as much. Hopefully people will come hear us playing the latest batch of tunes.”

Locals Only is a great place to see music. The staff is friendly, the food is good, the beer selection is diverse, and there is plenty of room for everyone.

I know I will be there, and I hope to see you too.

http://localsonlyindy.com
www.dannyflanigan.com

Summertime in Broad Ripple

I love how outdoor music starts popping up all over Broad Ripple in May. Be sure to stop and give some love the to the musicians at the Broad Ripple Farmers Market (Saturdays, 8:00 – noon, behind Broad Ripple High School). They are donating their time – and waking up much earlier than some are them are accustomed to.

The Broad Ripple Art Fair features four outdoor stages with dozens of bands playing over the two day fair (May 19 and 20). The schedule was not available at press time, but the music is always top notch.

There are several venues in Broad Ripple that feature outdoor music. Part of the fun in following your ears! 

I'll see you out and about!