Austin City Limits Fest 2012: Day Three

Scott Avett

Here is my Day Three recap of the great Austin City Limits Fest: http://ghettoblastermagazine.com/2012/austin-city-limits-festival-2012-day-three-recap/

I can't wait to do it all again!

Austin City Limits Fest: Day Two

 The Wheeler Brothers

Here is my ACLF2012 recap: http://ghettoblastermagazine.com/2012/austin-city-limits-fest-2012-day-two-recap/

Indiana State Fair 2012 - a few of my favorite things

There are still (only!) three days left of the Indiana State Fair.
Here is a photo essay of a few of my favorite things:http://www.punchnels.com/visuals/a-year-at-the-fair/

photos from the Ramble at Radio Radio

The Indianapolis Star used a few of my photos from the Ramble at Radio Radio. 

Jon Martin

Click here to see them. 

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol. 8 no. 20

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Benefit Concert for the Stagehands of the Indiana State Fair Tragedy
Sunday, October 2
8 Seconds Saloon
111 North Lynhurst Drive
2:00pm - 11:00pm, 21+, $10

Money raised from this mega-show will benefit the Local 30 Stagehands Memorial Fund. There will be two stages of bands and nine hours of live music– there is something for everyone! Laura Steele and Jimmy Cain will emcee the concert and they have promised a once-in-a-lifetime silent auction as well as several raffles and concert memorabilia for sale.

If you can’t make it to the show, but would like to donate it’s easy as pie! You can go to any Fifth Third bank. Specify the Local 30 Stagehands Memorial Fund.

Here is the epic lineup:

2:00pm Opening Ceremony
2:15pm The 3:1 Blues Revue (Tom Kiefaber, Ranch Wuertz, Joe O'Conell, Nick Neureiter, Jay Stein, Charlie Cheeseman, and Brent Bennett)
4:00pm The Remedies (Mike Oz)
5:00pm The Splendid Trend
5:45pm Minsky Kinks Burlesque Troupe
6:00pm Smoke Ring
7:00pm Why On Earth
8:00pm One-Eyed Dog (Erikk D. Lee)
9:15pm Healing Sixes
10:30pm Threat Level
11:30pm Radio FX
12:30pm Recoil

http://8secondssaloon.com
www.iatse30.org

Carrie Newcomer
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Second Presbyterian Church
7700 N. Meridian Street
7:30, all-ages, non-smoking, $18

I’ve always liked being a waitress. My previous jobs all involved working in a nursing home or hospital, so waitressing was a relative breeze. And no one was going to get hurt if I goofed up a drink order. My first waitressing gig was at the Ground Round in Lafayette. Not only was there a constant supply of popcorn, but also Carrie Newcomer played there every week with her pop-folk group, Stone Soup.

It was awesome having Carrie’s sweet voice as the background to my work, but there was one night that I made the whole band stop in their tracks. The Ground Round was one of those popcorn and peanut baskets on the tables places. It was the early 1980s, in a college town so pitchers of beer were a big seller. One evening I had two pitchers in one hand and six mugs in the other when I slipped. I went down hard on my knees and landed on sharp peanut shells. Just as I was waffling between being proud that I didn’t drop the glass pitchers and mugs and bursting into to tears, I realized that the beer had wooshed straight up out of the pitcher and was raining all over the dining room. The band stopped playing as they ducked for cover and tried to protect their instruments. I might have gotten the biggest round of applause that night.

This is Carrie’s debut of her new CD, Everything is Everywhere. Carrie is a wonderful songwriter, and one of the first musicians I ever heard that fit that title. Her voice is gentle, yet powerful enough to get the emotion of her songs to the audience. You will be totally charmed by her. Promise.

The show will benefit Global Gifts and The Interfaith Hunger Initiative, both worthy causes.

www.carrienewcomer.com
www.interfaithhungerinitiative.org
www.globalgiftsindy.com.

Broad Ripple Music Fest
Saturday, October 15, 2011

I will have the full schedule for Broad Ripple Music Fest in the next issue.

Reviews:

I had the good fortune to attend the Austin City Music Fest. Here is my recap of the first day.

Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne and his band looked like true Texans (or at least and HBO version) in their vests, and fedoras and heavy sprinkling of beards. They played a mellow set, with LaMontagne on acoustic guitar and raspy voice. While I enjoyed the bluesy-folksy set, and pedal steel makes me swoon, I’m not sure what all of the fuss is about – but the 20,000 people singing along clearly disagreed with me.

Kurt Vile and Violators

You can set your watch by the start times of the music at the Austin City Limits Festival. In the last five years I can only think of one time that the stage didn’t start exactly on time. With 130 bands and eight stages the production has to be a well-oiled machine. Kurt Vile and his crew started a few minutes late, giving the stage manager an incredulous look when told that all of the stages start on time. Vile bounded out, looked around for the rest of the band and went backstage to fetch them. Jet lag can be blamed – they were in Europe just two days ago.

After the faltering start the set was indie-stoner-rock at it’s best. Plenty of electric guitars – not a bass guitar in sight – distortion and hair, although I wouldn’t have minded a chorus or something.

Cold War Kids

I enjoyed the energy of the Cold War Kids after the heavy-liddedness of Kurt Vile. Their swagger juxtaposed with their sensitivity for some great fun and pop goodness. They seemed genuinely happy to be there and the crowd of thousands was thrilled to be singing and dancing along. 

Foster The People

Mark Foster, the person was in the hospital earlier today with bronchitis. You never would have guessed by his energy and sound. You’ll recognize their song, “Pumped Up Kicks,” even if you’ve never heard of the band. The clean-scrubbed LA based band has only been together since 2009. I loved how the cabinets for their keyboards and such looked like they’d been fabricated in their grandparent’s basement. The set was big clean fun.

Charles Bradley

I had the good fortune to have a telephone interview with Charles Bradley last year. His humbleness and lack of pretention was totally charming, but his answer to almost every question I posed was, “if I can’t help you, I sure ain’t gonna hurt you.” It took a tremendous amount of cajoling on my part to get his story. And a good story it is.

Bradley has earned his made-for-soul raspy voice the hard way. His music is very personal. His first-ever album, No Time for Dreaming, released last year, “ is based on true stories that I lived.”

Bradley opened with the heart-wrenching song, “Heartache and Pain,” the song about his brother’s death. In the interview Bradley told me that he puts his whole essence into this music, “If you’re watching me on stage sometimes I turn away, I’ve got to catch myself and let the lyrics out, because I’d be so full of emotion.”

He wasn’t joking. I’ve never seen such an expressive performance. The audience was re-living the day his brother died with him.

Although Bradley, 63, has been singing for years, this is the first time he’s been able to perform full-time. He was inspired by seeing James Brown at the Apollo Theater in 1964, when he was 16 years old. 

He eventually found a career in cooking, which took him Maine to Alaska, making California his home for decades. “Music and being a chef have been my whole life.” Bradley was able to squeeze in occasional music gigs and a little studio work along the and was ready to buy his first house.  “Then life hit me real hard.” He was laid off of his restaurant job after 17 years.

He started performing his James Brown routines under his alter ego “Black Velvet” when Gabriel Roth of Daptone records happened to catch his show and recognized Bradley’s raw talent.

Bradley kept telling the ACLF crowd, “I love you, I love you” And I believe him with my whole heart.

Sara Bareilles

I didn’t expect to be so totally charmed by Sara Bareilles, but I’m not even sure what I expected. I realized that I’d looped her in with the Indiana State Fair stage collapse. Bareilles had finished playing not long before the accident.

Bareilles is delightful and is a strong singer-songwriter-piano player with an intimate stage presence.

Coldplay

I was torn – Coldplay or Kanye? They were both playing just minutes apart on opposite sides of the 350 acre Zilker Park. And photo rules state that you can only shoot the first three songs of the set – except in the case of Kanye, where you could only shoot the second and third songs. I let laziness make the decision. The Coldplay stage is easier to fight the crowds to the photo pit.

Coldplay are the ultimate arena rockers. There set was fun and happy and professional – and not nearly as boring as that sounds. They’re comfortable in their own rocker skins and know how to put on a rocking good show. Well done, guys. 

Nora reviews the Mini Marathon

I walked all 13.1 miles of the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon and reviewed all of the bands. You can read all about it here.

ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Indianapolis photographs

You can find photos of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition here. 

I had a blast! 

Saw Doctors photos

Photos from The Saw Doctors show at The Vogue - click here. 

Review to follow....

Mardi Gras at Yat's

Here are photos from the Mardi Gras celebration at Yat's (the happiest place on earth). 

Company of Thieves photos

Click here to see 'em. 

Tonic Ball VII- photos

You can find them on NUVO.net here. 

And more here. 

It was a blast- more later....

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 5. no 23

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Reviews:
Broad Ripple Music Fest
October 25, 2008

I want to start out by saying that I love working at the Red Key. That said, working most Saturdays I've missed my fair share of stuff. Broad Ripple Music Fest Saturday I felt extra Cinderella-like. I'd had the last two weeks off - I really needed to work tonight and I've exhausted my options for getting my shift covered.

And as the music columnist for the Broad Ripple Gazette, I felt like I should be out seeing music. And to add to the layer of guilt, two venues choose Second Helpings to partner with to raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit.

I managed to see one band before work and sneak over to Luna for a minute during my waitressing shift (shhhh, don’t tell Russel). I caught Rodeo Ruby Love at Trinity ES Jungle (6151 Central Avenue, downstairs) before work. The minute I heard their quirky, beautiful pop sound I remembered who much I liked them and was sorry that I’d waited a whole year to see them again. They played at Luna for the BRMF last year.

I caught a few minutes of Grampall Jookabox set. Grampall Jookabox is David Adamson of Archer Avenue and Big Big Car fame. I didn’t get to see enough of his set to be able to describe it, but I’m not sure that seeing more of it would have helped. I really liked what I heard – it had a hip-hop feel layered over textures of dense beats. I think. I was playing hooky when I crossed the street to Luna. I overheard a couple talking about going to the Red Key so I tried to beat them out the door. It was close.

I was thrilled to hear that the Broad Ripple Music Fest went so well. I’ll be there next year, promise!

http://rodeorubylove.com/
www.myspace.com/grampalljookabox


A Night of Fortune
Rivera Club
October 29

All of my worlds collided in a very good-way at the Night of Fortune…Fun, Fashion and Finds for the Home. It was hosted by Marigold (work there), The Rivera Club (enthusiastic member) and Style Salon (new fan). And – the icing on the cake (oh, I’m a big fan of cake also) – it benefitted Second Helpings (work there too). And – here’s the scary part. I was a model. I was sure I’d trip or step on the edge of my skirt or something but it turned out okay. The women from Style made me hair all smooth and flat and did something fancy with my makeup. For the last trip down the runway we all were sporting G.Thrapp Jewelers goodies. Carol Golden (what a great name for a jewelry store person!) put the necklace, earrings and bracelet on me and I ran up to the stage with out seeing what I was wearing. When I heard the description of the necklace and earrings I stopped in my tracks. I was wearing more diamonds than I ever have. Wheeee!

The evening drew a standing room only crowd – over 200 people, collected 400 pounds of rice and a healthy monetary donation to Second Helpings. Several Broad Ripple merchants showed off their lovely goods and there was a wine tasting. Thanks to everyone that attended and special thanks to Marigold, Rivi, and Style for making me feel so glamorous.

http://www.secondhelpings.org/
http://style820.com/
http://www.marigoldclothing.com/
http://www.rivi.org/


Tim Brickley’s Troubadour Night
D’Vine, a wine bar
October 29, 2008

I blew it by not getting to the Tim Brickley hosted Troubadour series sooner. The lineups always looked great and I don’t know why I couldn’t ever pull it off. The theme for this night was Hoot Night: Political Songs. The lineup was amazing – Tim Brickley, PJ Christie, Cara Jean Wahlers, Cliff Snyder, Gideon Wainwright, Luke Austin Daugherty, Scott Sanders, Richard Sullivan, Paul Matthew Lauck and Dale Lawrence. Each musician played a short set, often joined by Tim Brickley on guitar. I enjoyed each and every one of them and got to see a different side of several of the songwriters.

I have to say that my very favorite was Dale Lawrence’s acoustic version of his Gizmos song, “Bible Belt Baby.” He told me that it was the first time he’d sung that acoustically. I’m glad I was there to hear it.

Since I was still all giddy (and made up) from the fashion show and the Philadelphia Phillies World Series win, D’Vine was the perfect place to celebrate.

http://www.timbrickley.com/
http://www.dvineawinebar.com/

Tad Armstrong CD release party
Sam’s Saloon
October 30, 2008



It’s no secret that I’m a big Tad Armstrong fan, but I had to push myself to go to the show. After all of the excitement of the night before – in retrospect the World Series celebratory glass of champagne might not have been such a good idea and I had a late running meeting after work. I was so glad that I launched myself out of the house. The vibe of the evening was warm and cozy.

“Scorpio Falling” is Tad’s first ever solo record. Tad is a triple threat. A great songwriter, fine musician and killer vocalist. The record is full of introspective, confessional songs. And they could be a slice of anyone’s life. He’s getting great, well-deserved press, everywhere from the Huffington Post to well, the Broad Ripple Gazette.

Tad played a great mix of songs from the new record, Middletown tunes and covers. He surrounded himself with excellent musicians. David Egland played guitar, John Byrne played pedal steel and guitar, Matt Wilson bass and Adam White drums. Tad alternated playing keyboard and guitar with David and John harmonizing.

I missed the opening band, ESW. I’ll quote the review that my friend Tim Considine gave me, “ESW did a fine opening set--including a rocking "Frankenstein" for Halloween. Adam White (drums) and Matt Wilson (bass) stayed on to back-up Tad. They do cool funk/jazz/experimental music which is popular in places like Chicago but more of a harder sell here. The ESW line-up last night was: Josh Silbert (saxes and keyboards); Adam White (drums); Matt Wilson (bass);and sitting in-- Brian Deer (guitar).” I look forward to hearing ESW with my own ears.

http://www.eswmusic.com/
http://www.tadarmstrong.net/


The ReachArounds
Daddy Jacks
Halloween night, 2008

I got to hang out with my niece and nephew during prime trick-or-treating time. I swung by the hospital to visit the Lieber twins (yep, Tammy Lieber of Tammy’s Take) is now a proud mother. I took Tammy a severed finger cookie, held the beautiful babies for a while and drug her to Daddy Jacks.


I had to show off my bee costume, you know. I always enjoy hearing the ReachArounds (even if I do blush and cringe every time I type their name). They have great range, covering everything from the Jayhawks to Iggy Pop. They keep the crowd dancing and singing along. It was especially fun to see Tammy dancing with Elvis and a ladybug dancing with a monster. There were a few outfits that I was not sure if they were costumes or not.

Previews:
Tonic Ball
The King vs. Queen
Radio Radio and Fountain Square Theatre
Tonic Gallery
Big Car Gallery
November 21, 2008

It’s time for Tonic Ball VII. This year half of the bands will cover songs of The King (Elvis Presley) and Queen. I’ll have the full line up with times in the next issue but I wanted to give you the heads up. Thirty bands have all be confirmed – Brian Deer, Jennie Devoe, Red Light Driver, Dale Lawrence, Bigger Than Elvis, Vess Ruthenberg and The Common to name a few. Tickets (only $20- less than a buck a band) are available at Future Shock, both Luna Music locations and there is a good chance you can buy one from me at the Red Key on Saturday night.

I love that Fountain Square Theatre is all-ages. This is a great chance for under 21 folks to hear a dozen bands. Or a great time for you to share your love of music with your children, nieces and nephews and neighbors.

The Tonic Gallery is a limited silent auction of Indiana’s finest artists. The Gallery event is free and always fun. Look for pieces from Kipp Normand, Rob Day, Kyle Ragsdale, John Spitznogle and Bernadette Ostrozovich to name a few.

http://www.tonicball.org/

Tad Armstrong -- review and photos

I've made no secret of my love of Tad Armstrong's music over the years. I got the chance to review and photograph his CD release show for NUVO.

Read the review here and see the photos here.

Now run out and buy a copy or two of Scorpio Falling. You deserve it, really.

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 5. no 14

David Sedaris
June 10, 2008
Big Hat Books

I took the day off from work under the guise of helping Liz Houghton get ready for the David Sedaris reading at her bookstore. David Sedaris is one of the funniest people ever. He is laugh out loud hilarious. Just seeing someone read one of his books makes me giggle. I was hoping that being in the same room some of his wonderful humor would rub off on me.

I worried about what to wear to meet him and what I would say. After all the biggest fear/thrill is that somehow you would make your way in to one of his stories. As I was racing out the door I remembered that his new book (When You Are Engulfed in Flames) has a skull on the cover. I ran back to grab the Halloween skull ring from my jewelry box. Yep, the ring is indicative of the precious jewels that I keep nestled safely in its velvet home.

When David arrived at the store I was so nervous that I could even glance his way. I kept thinking ‘look busy Spitznogle, Sedaris is in the house.’ Liz dragged me over for an introduction. Any witty thought I ever had flew out of my head as I shook his hand. “See my ring? It is a skull. I love a theme.” I babbled. “Does it glow in the dark?” David asked. “Why yes, it does!” I blushingly squeaked and scurried back to the tent.

David was charming and signed books for hours. He took time to speak with all 750 people. The last customer left the store after midnight. I love hearing what he wrote in peoples books. Mine? “Nora, thanks for doing stuff.”

Special thanks to my mom, Meg, sister, Beth and cousin Sarah for volunteering at the last minute and to Uncle Jim for waiting in the book signing line.

Susan Cowsill
Saturday, June 28, 2007

Indy Hostel

It was the perfect night to inaugurate the new outdoor Indy Hostel stage. Susan pointed out the last time she played in a backyard in Indianapolis it was just a few blocks away. She and her husband Russ landed in Indianapolis and reunited with her daughter after Hurricane Katrina here.

The Hostel was the only second stop on Susan’s summer tour. Her band is drummer/husband Russ Broussard, guitar player/singer Aaron Stroup and bass player/singer Tad Armstrong. They swore that they’d only heard some of the songs for the first time last night. I loved watching how much fun they were having and they sounded amazing. They played lots of Susan originals, a few Middletown songs and a handful of Cowsills tunes.


I was not sure if I could have named a Cowsills song, but I sure recognized them when played Indian Lake and The Rain, The Park and Other Things. Tad also tours as part of the Cowsill family band – Susan called him “little Jeremy Cowsill.”
I am continually amazed by Aaron Stroup’s guitar playing. He really is a remarkable player and just makes it look so easy. He makes incredible sounds with out the help of tremolo bars and fancy pedals. It’s always a treat to hear Mr. Stroup play. I’m glad they added Indianapolis to their tour.

Thanks to Joe and Yats for the amazing food and for just being the generous man that he is.

http://www.susancowsill.com/

Calligraphy Exhibition
Indianapolis Art Center

820 E. 67th Street
June 27-August 24 2008


I love how the Art Center carries the theme of their exhibition all the way through out the property. The trees were festooned with red ribbons and Chinese Lanterns were hanging from the building.

The calligraphy show is hanging in conjunction with the Two Worlds, One Language Through Art exhibition. The Art Center will present programs, workshop and lectures based on a cultural exchange with artists from the Shandong College of Arts (Jinan, China).

The calligraphy exhibition is in two parts. There are amazing pieces by Dick Beasley
(1934 b. –1992 d.). He was a noted calligrapher and multi-media artist. He joined Northern Arizona University in 1968 where he taught design, painting, printmaking, drawing, and calligraphy. His calligraphic design and artistic abilities resulted in a prolific output of commissions for the University, numerous regional and national organizations, and private collectors. The pieces in the exhibition are amazing.

I was really interested in the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana member’s exhibition. My favorite calligrapher, Fran Herr has two pieces in the show. When ever I get a card from her I hang the envelope on my bulletin board because her work is so amazing. Mrs. Herr (she’s the mom of my best friend since I was six years old, she’ll always be Mrs. Herr to me) has two pieces in the show. Just Letters is a study of letters of the alphabet painted on fabric. The ABC’s are floating through the piece. The second piece, Change is ink on paper, “Without change there would be no butterfly.”

I also loved Bruce Westphal’s pieces. Evolution is a study of the alphabet and Inspire is well, inspiring. I can’t wait to go back and study every thing more carefully.

There are currently two other exhibits hanging at the Art Center: Art, Harmony and Nature: From the Land of Confucius -featuring more than 60 prints and paintings by master artists and professors from the Shandong College of Arts. Outside Looking In: Paintings by Becky Fehsenfeld is a collection of oil paintings by local artist Becky Fehsenfeld, recollecting her travels in China. Also incorporated into the exhibition are sketches and mementos that Becky has collected during her visits.

http://www.indplsartcenter.org/
http://www.calligin.org/
http://www.beckystudio.com/


Flower Man Jam
South of Broad Ripple
June 30, 2008

The Flower Man Jam is the official start of summer for me. I rode my bike to the great farm house at the corner of Rosslyn and Kessler and got to soak in a terrific Bluegrass jam. Be sure and stop by Helen’s for amazing flowers. You can catch her at the Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.

Preview:

April Combs, Michael Mann (Arson Garden) and Brandon Whyde
Second Friday, Second HelpingsFriday, July 11, 2008The Upper Room (above Broad Ripple Steak House)929 Westfield Boulevard
10 pm, 21 +

I am very excited about this concert. It is one of those rare shows that I have not heard any of the musicians yet. Husband and wife team April Combs and Michael Mann were part of the acclaimed indie band Arson Garden. Arson Garden made three internationally-acclaimed albums and group was named "the only art rock band in America that matters" by the Chicago Reader (and received rave reviews from hundreds of other publications).

I’ve been listening to April songs all day and I can see why she is widely regarded as one of the top singers from the fertile Bloomington indie scene that centered around Second Story, The Bluebird, and Jake's. April’s music video aired on MTV and she performed at a Lollapalooza Festival. She has recorded every where from Hit City to Prince's Paisley Park Studio. April and Michael are based in Cincinnati, catch them while you can.

Google Brandon Whyde name and you get links to People Magazine and photographs of Josh Kelly and Katherine Heigl's wedding. And all of the Google hit are legitimate. You see, Brandon played at Josh and Katherine’s wedding. I can’t wait to hear the stories and the songs!

They will be passing the bucket to benefit Second Helpings. Cash, rice or pasta is greatly appreciated. I’ll see you there.

www.myspace.com/aprilcombsmusic
www.myspace.com/brandonwhyde
http://www.secondhelpings.org/


Middletown
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Upper Room (above Broad Ripple Steak House)
929 Westfield Boulevard
10 pm, 21 +

Aaron Stroup is back in town and we know what that means! You guessed it! The semi-annual Middletown reunion show. Stasia Demos, Tad Armstrong and Aaron will be cranking out all of the favorites (shhhh, everyone be quiet during Green With Envy). All three are great musicians, songwriters, singers and all-around swell people. Hopefully Stasia’s shoulder will have recovered enough by then for her to play accordion.

http://www.tadarmstrong.net/

Broad Ripple Farmers Market
behind Broad Ripple High School
8:00- noon

July 5: Robert Bruce Scott
July 12: Patchwork (I heard a bit of their new CD recently. It’s lovely. Just lovely.)

In other news:

On the very day that it went in to effect, a federal judge threw out the Indiana law requiring bookstores and other retailers to pay a registration fee if they want to sell sexually explicit material.

U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker found the new law passed earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly to be vague, too broad and potentially applicable against "unquestionably lawful, nonobscene, nonpornographic materials being sold to adults."

"A romance novel sold at a drugstore, a magazine offering sex advice in a grocery store checkout line, an R-rated DVD sold by a video rental shop, a collection of old Playboy magazines sold by a widow at a garage sale ... would appear to necessitate registration under the statute," Barker wrote.

The American Civil Liberties Union took on the case for a team of plaintiffs that included the Indianapolis Museum of Art, booksellers and publishers.

Broad ripple gazette, vol 5. no 13

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Steve Poltz
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.

www.poltz.com
www.indyindians.com
www.localsonlyindy.com

and later that night…

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.

www.lorettamusic.net
www.birdyslive.com

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.

www.jamesmcmurtry.com
www.birdyslive.com

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!

www.susancowsill.com
www.indyhostel.us

I'll see you out and about!

Jason and the Punknecks

first published in NUVO

I saw this talented, but slightly disturbing band, Jason and the Punknecks.
See the photographs here.

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.

Soul Bus at the Slippery Noodle Inn

Here are photographs from Soul Bus show at the Slippery Noodle Inn last night.
I can't quite get the right setting for that light.

As always the band sounded great.