Click here and scroll down to 'Friday roots' for the NUVO Soundcheck preview that I wrote for the Ryan Bingham show. I'm a big fan of Ryan and have been listening to his new record, Roadhouse Sun pretty much nonstop for the last month. Great stuff.
While you're reading the previews, scroll down to Saturday and read Scott Shoger's 'Butt Rock' blurb about the Kid Rock/Lynard Skynyrd show. The best two sentances I've read in a long time.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Broad Ripple Gazette vol 6, no 12
first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette.
Previews:
Teen Arts and Music Festival
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Broad Ripple Park
1550 Broad Ripple Avenue
11 AM – 7 PM, all-ages, free
This is the fifth year for the Teen Arts and Music Festival and it keeps getting bigger and better. There will be twelve bands on the main stage and an open stage for teen singer-songwriters, poets and dancers to perform. Dozens of teen artists will have their work on display and for sale.
The lineup is stellar – including two bands I’ve heard before and love – Sanuk and Razorback Llama and the teenagers at heart band, Tim Brickley and The Bleeding Hearts.
11:00 Cities of Noise
11:30 The Grimes Girls
noon Rebel Harriet
12:40 Aquatones
1:20 Reload
2:00 Star Sixty-Seven
3:00 Razorback Llama
3:40 Tim Brickley and The Bleeding Hearts
4:20 Consensus
5:05 The Are You Ready’s
5:50 Sanuk
6:35 Rocketbot
Bring a lawn chair, blankets and sunscreen. Food will be available. It promises to be a fun day!
www.myspace.com/teenartsandmusicfestival
Derelicks Yard Sale
Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2009
52nd Street and Clarendon Road (Rocky Ripple)
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
I know this is not the classified section, but this yard sale is benefiting two favorite things – making records and hunger relief. The talented and quirky band, The Derelicks are hosting a rummage sale to help finance the recording of their next record, Flat Can Cover Sessions, and to raise some cash for Gleaners Food Bank. I’m sure it will be chock-full of treasures!
www.thederelicks.com
Cameron McGill, David Townsend James, the Medders
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Indy Hostel, outdoor stage
4903 Winthrop Ave
doors 7:00, music 7:30, $7. all-ages
The first time I heard Chicago’s, Cameron McGill I was charmed by his alt-country sound sincerity. He’s charmed a lot of other folks in the last four years, performing with his band, What Army? (isn’t that the best band name, ever?). He’s doing a solo tour to promote his new record, Warm Songs for Cold Shoulders.
David Townsend James hails from Indianapolis and I enjoyed what I heard on his MySpace page, Americana – folk.
Here are Hostel John Newton’s words about The Medders: I saw these guys play a house show down in Nashville. Don't be fooled by the country-western sound (which they do quite well) - Cheyenne (lead singer) has one of the best voices for Chuck Berry around. Bring your dancing shoes!
I love their story – three sons of a Nashville Country song writer, finding their own sound and regrouping in Nashville after college. Read and hear more on their MySpace page.
I would plan my weekend around this show, if I were you. I’ll be in Germany with my family, hopefully listening to Volksmusik, but most likely watching a band that features a klezmer (not that there is anything wrong with that!).
www.indyhostel.us
www.cameronmcgill.com
http://www.myspace.com/davidtownsendjames
http://www.myspace.com/themedders
Reviews:
Ice Cube Head Gallery Show
Friday, June 5, 2009
No one is more surprised by my life than I am. Seriously. And I can trace all of the cool stuff I get to do back to my job at Some Guys Pizza. I worked at Some Guys when I first moved back to Indianapolis in 1996-ish. I was my first independent restaurant gig and I know I drove them crazy with my corporate restaurant mentality. I soon got over that. I met and worked with so many cool people – including owner/operators Nancy Carey and Keith Carey. I met Second Helpings co-founder, Kristen Cordoza through the Carey’s and many amazing friends.
One of the folks that really shaped my Indianapolis experience was co-worker Jeff Ayers. Jeff was my not-so-evil landlord for almost a year. I can honestly say that I laughed every single day that I lived in that house; Jeff is one of the funniest and most creative guys I know.
All of the art in the show was a riffed from a disconcerting photograph of Jeff taken last winter. Here is Jeff’s artist statement:
“ In the Beginning: The idea behind Ice Cube Head the picture and Icecubehead.com was completely unplanned and serendipitous. It began like this: I have two large dogs, Louis and Grrrl. They are mostly outdoor dogs and their water dish is a five-gallon plastic bucket. In the winter, when one bucket starts to freeze, I switch it out with a fresh one. The water in the bucket freezes from the top down and along the sides. Given a certain amount of partial freezing, followed up by several hours indoors thawing, you can get a perfectly formed hollow ice cylinder out of the bucket, open on one end, like a giant glass or a vase. Just the right size to fit snuggly over a man’s head. Shortly after making this discovery, I was playing a game of winter bocce with an artist friend, Jim Kelly. I asked him to take a picture of me wearing the ice helmet. To make the image more humorous, especially given the below-freezing temperature and my pathetic physique, I stripped to the waist. The result is a slightly disturbing image of a half-naked grown man whose head appears to be frozen inside a giant ice cube.
“There is a group of bocce players who regularly congregate at my house, several of whom are artists of one type or another. We decided that we would all draw, paint, whatever medium, a version of the photo, then gather them all together and have a little party. The initial results, particularly the work of Jim Kelly and Sean Gelarden, were so impressive and fun that we decided to invite others to participate. The group expanded beyond our bocce circle to include a wide spectrum of contributors, from trained art professionals to people who hadn’t drawn a picture since early school days. Jim, Sean and I then decided we would print some of the best pieces and offer them for sale at a gala party at my house.”
The art work was amazing. The Ice Cube Head interpretations ranged from traditional mediums to a night light and an unsettling tableau of monkey with a glass on his head. Go to the Web site to see the art work (do yourself a favor and type in the address, Googling “Ice Cube Head” brings up Web sites that make a Catholic girl blush).
www.icecubehead.com
Previews:
Teen Arts and Music Festival
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Broad Ripple Park
1550 Broad Ripple Avenue
11 AM – 7 PM, all-ages, free
This is the fifth year for the Teen Arts and Music Festival and it keeps getting bigger and better. There will be twelve bands on the main stage and an open stage for teen singer-songwriters, poets and dancers to perform. Dozens of teen artists will have their work on display and for sale.
The lineup is stellar – including two bands I’ve heard before and love – Sanuk and Razorback Llama and the teenagers at heart band, Tim Brickley and The Bleeding Hearts.
11:00 Cities of Noise
11:30 The Grimes Girls
noon Rebel Harriet
12:40 Aquatones
1:20 Reload
2:00 Star Sixty-Seven
3:00 Razorback Llama
3:40 Tim Brickley and The Bleeding Hearts
4:20 Consensus
5:05 The Are You Ready’s
5:50 Sanuk
6:35 Rocketbot
Bring a lawn chair, blankets and sunscreen. Food will be available. It promises to be a fun day!
www.myspace.com/teenartsandmusicfestival
Derelicks Yard Sale
Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2009
52nd Street and Clarendon Road (Rocky Ripple)
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
I know this is not the classified section, but this yard sale is benefiting two favorite things – making records and hunger relief. The talented and quirky band, The Derelicks are hosting a rummage sale to help finance the recording of their next record, Flat Can Cover Sessions, and to raise some cash for Gleaners Food Bank. I’m sure it will be chock-full of treasures!
www.thederelicks.com
Cameron McGill, David Townsend James, the Medders
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Indy Hostel, outdoor stage
4903 Winthrop Ave
doors 7:00, music 7:30, $7. all-ages
The first time I heard Chicago’s, Cameron McGill I was charmed by his alt-country sound sincerity. He’s charmed a lot of other folks in the last four years, performing with his band, What Army? (isn’t that the best band name, ever?). He’s doing a solo tour to promote his new record, Warm Songs for Cold Shoulders.
David Townsend James hails from Indianapolis and I enjoyed what I heard on his MySpace page, Americana – folk.
Here are Hostel John Newton’s words about The Medders: I saw these guys play a house show down in Nashville. Don't be fooled by the country-western sound (which they do quite well) - Cheyenne (lead singer) has one of the best voices for Chuck Berry around. Bring your dancing shoes!
I love their story – three sons of a Nashville Country song writer, finding their own sound and regrouping in Nashville after college. Read and hear more on their MySpace page.
I would plan my weekend around this show, if I were you. I’ll be in Germany with my family, hopefully listening to Volksmusik, but most likely watching a band that features a klezmer (not that there is anything wrong with that!).
www.indyhostel.us
www.cameronmcgill.com
http://www.myspace.com/davidtownsendjames
http://www.myspace.com/themedders
Reviews:
Ice Cube Head Gallery Show
Friday, June 5, 2009
No one is more surprised by my life than I am. Seriously. And I can trace all of the cool stuff I get to do back to my job at Some Guys Pizza. I worked at Some Guys when I first moved back to Indianapolis in 1996-ish. I was my first independent restaurant gig and I know I drove them crazy with my corporate restaurant mentality. I soon got over that. I met and worked with so many cool people – including owner/operators Nancy Carey and Keith Carey. I met Second Helpings co-founder, Kristen Cordoza through the Carey’s and many amazing friends.
One of the folks that really shaped my Indianapolis experience was co-worker Jeff Ayers. Jeff was my not-so-evil landlord for almost a year. I can honestly say that I laughed every single day that I lived in that house; Jeff is one of the funniest and most creative guys I know.
All of the art in the show was a riffed from a disconcerting photograph of Jeff taken last winter. Here is Jeff’s artist statement:
“ In the Beginning: The idea behind Ice Cube Head the picture and Icecubehead.com was completely unplanned and serendipitous. It began like this: I have two large dogs, Louis and Grrrl. They are mostly outdoor dogs and their water dish is a five-gallon plastic bucket. In the winter, when one bucket starts to freeze, I switch it out with a fresh one. The water in the bucket freezes from the top down and along the sides. Given a certain amount of partial freezing, followed up by several hours indoors thawing, you can get a perfectly formed hollow ice cylinder out of the bucket, open on one end, like a giant glass or a vase. Just the right size to fit snuggly over a man’s head. Shortly after making this discovery, I was playing a game of winter bocce with an artist friend, Jim Kelly. I asked him to take a picture of me wearing the ice helmet. To make the image more humorous, especially given the below-freezing temperature and my pathetic physique, I stripped to the waist. The result is a slightly disturbing image of a half-naked grown man whose head appears to be frozen inside a giant ice cube.
“There is a group of bocce players who regularly congregate at my house, several of whom are artists of one type or another. We decided that we would all draw, paint, whatever medium, a version of the photo, then gather them all together and have a little party. The initial results, particularly the work of Jim Kelly and Sean Gelarden, were so impressive and fun that we decided to invite others to participate. The group expanded beyond our bocce circle to include a wide spectrum of contributors, from trained art professionals to people who hadn’t drawn a picture since early school days. Jim, Sean and I then decided we would print some of the best pieces and offer them for sale at a gala party at my house.”
The art work was amazing. The Ice Cube Head interpretations ranged from traditional mediums to a night light and an unsettling tableau of monkey with a glass on his head. Go to the Web site to see the art work (do yourself a favor and type in the address, Googling “Ice Cube Head” brings up Web sites that make a Catholic girl blush).
www.icecubehead.com
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 6. no 11
Musical Family Tree presents Math Bats reunion show w/ The Last Digit, Bramble Grit, Cheeses from France.
Friday, May 29, 3009
Birdy’s, 2131 E. 71st Street
9:00, 21+, $6.00
I am continually amazed at how things in my life circle back around, especially in the music world. Cue the flashback music, and travel with me to 1979. The year that young, innocent, wide-eyed, braces wearing Nora went from zero to punk rock musically. We didn’t listen to much music when I was growing up. I got most of my music education from the AM radio, singing, “Run, Joey Run,” at the top of my lungs on the tractor.
So you can imagine how my little mind was blown by punk rock. And I wound up with a front row seat for some the most amazing things that were happening in the Midwest (and national) scene. After a chance meeting in the Purdue Student Government office (I’d snuck in one night to use the typewriter) I was the assistant to the treasurer of the student government and hanging out with the punk band crowd of Dow Jones and the Industrials. They were the smartest, hippest and most fascinating people that I knew. It truly changed my life and gave me the courage to be my own person.
The Last Four (5) Digits was one of the bands I was seeing play at parties and backroom concerts, including a memorable gig at the Sigma Nu House at Purdue – forever dubbed as the Sigma Nu-wave House in L5D history. The band followed up their wildly successful 1982 east coast tour – including a CBGB gig with Marky Ramone in the audience with a raucous Bill Levin promoted headlining show at the Vogue. And then they broke up (see band name timeline below).
The original band lineup was: Brad Garton (Mr. Science from Dow Jones and the Industrials) Mike Sheets, Julie Huffaker, John Koss, and A. Xax (Dave Fulton). The lineup Friday includes everyone but Mr. Science.
The Last Four (4) Digits last played at a benefit show for the late Dow Jones and the Industrials drummer Tim North six years ago. I got the chance to catch up with them after a Last Digit practice last week. I’ll admit to being awestruck. They are working on new stuff for the show – including a mash-up of one of their songs with an E-In-Brino tune.
This will be a great show if you’re an old school punk rock fan, or if you want a peek in to new wave history. I’ll be there for sure.
Here is my attempt of a L4D timeline. Ground Zero: Joint Chiefs of Staff to Last Four (5) Digits to Last Four (4) Digits to Weird Jimmy Hoffa. They are playing this show under the name of The Last Digit.
www.myspace.com/lastfourdigits
www.birdyslive.com
JJ & Kai Tribute
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Avenue
7:30 & 9:30 pm, $12.
Trombonists Tom Garling and Dave Dickey will be giving a special tribute to trombone legends J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding. Original arrangements J.J and Kai did in the 50s, plus new arrangements will be performed. The band includeds Jeremy Allen on bass, Jason Tiemann on drums and Chip Stephens on piano.
www.thejazzkitchen.com
54th and Monon Art Fair (Reese Kitchens)
Saturday, June 6, 2009
10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
54th Street and the Monon Trail
This always feels like the kickoff to summer for me. The juried fair features more than 60 local artists. Free hot dogs, lemonade, music and balloons and great artwork are featured. Good stuff!
Reviews:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition viewing party
May 17, 2009
Locals Only
We laughed, we cried. Big thanks to the folks at Locals Only for opening up on a sunny Sunday so we could all watch. It was really cool to see our city featured in the two-hour season finale. If you missed it, you can still catch it at www.abc.com.
Willie Nelson
May 18, 2009
Vogue
What more could be said about Willie Nelson that has not been said already? The show was excellent. He started with Whiskey River and played two hours of rock and roll. The Vogue was sold out for the show. I loved standing in the middle of a packed venue. There are a good chunk of shows that I see that I’m one of a dozen people in the room – including the band. The crowd was multigenerational and enthusiastic. It did my little heart good to stand with hundreds of people on a Monday night listening to live original music. Don’t ever miss a chance to see Willie Nelson in concert. You won’t be sorry.
Friday, May 29, 3009
Birdy’s, 2131 E. 71st Street
9:00, 21+, $6.00
I am continually amazed at how things in my life circle back around, especially in the music world. Cue the flashback music, and travel with me to 1979. The year that young, innocent, wide-eyed, braces wearing Nora went from zero to punk rock musically. We didn’t listen to much music when I was growing up. I got most of my music education from the AM radio, singing, “Run, Joey Run,” at the top of my lungs on the tractor.
So you can imagine how my little mind was blown by punk rock. And I wound up with a front row seat for some the most amazing things that were happening in the Midwest (and national) scene. After a chance meeting in the Purdue Student Government office (I’d snuck in one night to use the typewriter) I was the assistant to the treasurer of the student government and hanging out with the punk band crowd of Dow Jones and the Industrials. They were the smartest, hippest and most fascinating people that I knew. It truly changed my life and gave me the courage to be my own person.
The Last Four (5) Digits was one of the bands I was seeing play at parties and backroom concerts, including a memorable gig at the Sigma Nu House at Purdue – forever dubbed as the Sigma Nu-wave House in L5D history. The band followed up their wildly successful 1982 east coast tour – including a CBGB gig with Marky Ramone in the audience with a raucous Bill Levin promoted headlining show at the Vogue. And then they broke up (see band name timeline below).
The original band lineup was: Brad Garton (Mr. Science from Dow Jones and the Industrials) Mike Sheets, Julie Huffaker, John Koss, and A. Xax (Dave Fulton). The lineup Friday includes everyone but Mr. Science.
The Last Four (4) Digits last played at a benefit show for the late Dow Jones and the Industrials drummer Tim North six years ago. I got the chance to catch up with them after a Last Digit practice last week. I’ll admit to being awestruck. They are working on new stuff for the show – including a mash-up of one of their songs with an E-In-Brino tune.
This will be a great show if you’re an old school punk rock fan, or if you want a peek in to new wave history. I’ll be there for sure.
Here is my attempt of a L4D timeline. Ground Zero: Joint Chiefs of Staff to Last Four (5) Digits to Last Four (4) Digits to Weird Jimmy Hoffa. They are playing this show under the name of The Last Digit.
www.myspace.com/lastfourdigits
www.birdyslive.com
JJ & Kai Tribute
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Avenue
7:30 & 9:30 pm, $12.
Trombonists Tom Garling and Dave Dickey will be giving a special tribute to trombone legends J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding. Original arrangements J.J and Kai did in the 50s, plus new arrangements will be performed. The band includeds Jeremy Allen on bass, Jason Tiemann on drums and Chip Stephens on piano.
www.thejazzkitchen.com
54th and Monon Art Fair (Reese Kitchens)
Saturday, June 6, 2009
10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
54th Street and the Monon Trail
This always feels like the kickoff to summer for me. The juried fair features more than 60 local artists. Free hot dogs, lemonade, music and balloons and great artwork are featured. Good stuff!
Reviews:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition viewing party
May 17, 2009
Locals Only
We laughed, we cried. Big thanks to the folks at Locals Only for opening up on a sunny Sunday so we could all watch. It was really cool to see our city featured in the two-hour season finale. If you missed it, you can still catch it at www.abc.com.
Willie Nelson
May 18, 2009
Vogue
What more could be said about Willie Nelson that has not been said already? The show was excellent. He started with Whiskey River and played two hours of rock and roll. The Vogue was sold out for the show. I loved standing in the middle of a packed venue. There are a good chunk of shows that I see that I’m one of a dozen people in the room – including the band. The crowd was multigenerational and enthusiastic. It did my little heart good to stand with hundreds of people on a Monday night listening to live original music. Don’t ever miss a chance to see Willie Nelson in concert. You won’t be sorry.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Last Four (4) Digits, Friday, May 29th
Here is a preview for the Last Digit show at Birdy's May 29th.
It's hard to do justice to a band that you watched 25 years ago with wide-eyed, slam-dancing amazement -- in 300 words or less.
last-digit-return-indiana-new-wave
It's hard to do justice to a band that you watched 25 years ago with wide-eyed, slam-dancing amazement -- in 300 words or less.
last-digit-return-indiana-new-wave
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Previews:
ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Indianapolis edition
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Locals Only
2449 E. 56th Street (just off of 56th Street and Keystone Avenue)
smoke-free, 21+, doors 6:30
If you’ve been around me at all in the last month you know how much I loved hanging around the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition site. The day has finally come – the special two-hour season finale will air Sunday, May 17. I had a blast being on the building site each day and I can’t wait to see what the inside of the house looks like. I’m also looking forward to seeing how they piece the show together. This photo is of a scene that they shot several times in front of the house. Think it will make the cut?
The lovely folks at Locals Only are opening up the pub for a viewing party. If you’ve never been to Locals Only this is the perfect time to check it out. The food is wonderful and the kitchen will be in full swing. There is plenty of room for everyone to sit and watch the show.
This is the kick-off to my birthday week (I like to stretch the celebration out) that also includes the Willie Nelson show and a Phillies game in Cincinnati. I’ll be the one in the Home Makeover tee shirt. I’ll try to restrain myself from wearing the hard hat. I’ll see you there!
http://localsonlyindy.com
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome
Vulgar Boatmen
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Spencer’s Stadium Tavern
802 S West St Indianapolis
21+, 9:00
This is should be on your short list of shows this week. The Vulgar Boatmen are playing an acoustic show at Spencer's. And they don’t play often. They had an especially fun time when they were there last. We've played there twice before and had an especially fun time last spring.
www.spencerstavern.com
www.myspace.com/vulgarboatmen
Reviews:
Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart
Big Roots Show
April 30, 2009
Locals Only
The Thursday Big Roots Show continues to host great local and touring musicians. I was really looking forward to this show. I first saw husband and wife team Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart in 2002 (before I ever dreamed about writing about music) and I have been talking about her talent and quirkiness ever since. Think honky-tonk folk.
Stacey Earle is a great storyteller. She led in to a song about mother’s intuition with a story about the tablet the song was written in and a trash bag. She walked among the crowd singing and charming us all. Mark Stuart is an amazing guitar player, but switched to the piano to accompany Stacey for her last song. They ended the show with a piano duet – Chopsticks.
You can hear another member of the Earle family, Stacey’s nephew Justin Townes Earle, June 5 at Radio Radio.
Scott Ballantine and Karen Irwin
May 7, 2009
Wine Cellar (Corner Wine Bar)
Scott Ballantine and Karen Irwin are playing every Thursday in May in the Wine Cellar at the Corner Wine Bar. Karen Irwin has a bigger than life voice and it is fun to see her in this intimate venue. Scott Ballantine is a terrific guitar player – he is amazing to watch. They play a mix of standards and classic pop songs.
The Wine Cellar serves the wonderful food -- including the 12.95 Filet Mignon special and has a full bar along with the great wine selection that you would expect in a wine cellar.
From there I headed to The Big Roots Show….
I’d joked; half seriously that Jason and the Punknecks scared me. I had a much better time watching them than I did the last time I saw them (at the now defunct Sam’s Saloon). Husband and wife team, Jason and Polly Punkneck could not be any different than Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle that I saw on the same stage the week before. Honky-tonk folk to honky-tonk folk.
Jason and Polly play with great enthusiasm. Polly assured us that, “we like morality, just not normalcy.” Good to know.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Indianapolis 500 Mini Marathon music reviews
I walked the 13.1 mile route and reviewed the bands along the way.
Read all about it here:http://www.nuvo.net/sports/article/nora-walks-and-reviews-mini
I had a blast and got a sports byline all at the same time!
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