broad ripple gazette vol 7, no 9

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette 

Previews:

Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market Music
Behind Broad Ripple High School
1115 Broad Ripple Avenue
Starting May 1, 8:00 – 12:30

Yay! It’s Farmer’s Market season! Be sure and stop by and enjoy the music.

May 1 – Chad Mills (read more about Chad below)
May 8 – Dave Duvall
May 15 – Caleb Hawkins


www.chadmillslive.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/lastdropjugband
www.deepriverrootsband.com
www.broadripplefarmersmarket.com 

Otis Gibbs
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Vogue Nightclub
6259 N. College Ave.
317.259.7029
21+, nonsmoking, seated show, doors 6:30, music 7:00, $10. 

Otis Gibbs is coming home for the release of his newest album, Joe Hill’s Ashes, and I couldn’t be more excited. The record has already spent time on the Euro Americana Chart -- it is currently at number two, right behind fellow Broad Ripple guy, John Hiatt.

Otis is a folk singer-songwriter in the Woody Guthrie, Billy Bragg and Pete Seeger sense. He writes heartbreakingly beautiful songs about tragic events and everyday observations. He is also a terrific storyteller – he is one of the few musicians that I’ve seen the whole room get quiet when he speaks.

The Vogue is opening early for this show and will kick us all out by 9:30 so they can get ready for their Saturday Dance Night. The show is early, nonsmoking and seated. I can’t imagine why anyone would not be there (unless they’re under 21).

I’ve helped work his merchandise table for the last two CD release shows and I wrote to him to ask if I could help with this one – it’s my not-so secret dream to be in charge of merch sales for a world touring musician. Come by and say hello and buy a CD or tee shirt while you’re there.

www.otisgibbs.com
http://thevogue.com 

Soul Bus
Every Monday
Daddy Jack’s (Après Jack’s)
9419 N. Meridian St.
317.843.1609
21+, nonsmoking, free, 8:00



Soul Bus is awesome – the band is made up of some of the most talented musicians in Indianapolis. Even though the band could technically be called a cover band, they are not your dad’s VFW band. Often they’re covering the songs of one of band members and they always keep it fresh.

You can’t go wrong with Jes Richmond, Tad Robinson, David Murray, Jeff Chapin and Gordon playing for you.

The vibe in Après Jack’s is grown-up without being stuffy. The food is good – I had a delightful grilled chicken and fresh fruit salad the last time I was there. You’ll feel comfortable alone or with a group. Insider tip – Dave Murray almost always has a stash of chocolates on him. Just ask.
There is music almost every night – you can check out the calendar on their Web site. See you there!

www.konajacksindy.com


Shelly Miller and LVNMUZIQ
Friday, May 7, 2010
Urban Element
901 N. Pennsylvania
317.423.2983
8:30, $7.00
all-ages, nonsmoking, reservations recommended

Urban Element is a great place for dinner and drinks and it will be even better on Friday, May 7. Chicago’s Shelley Miller has not played in Indianapolis for five years. In that time she’s recorded two critically acclaimed records and made a name for herself teaching guitar and songwriting lessons at the acclaimed Old Town School of Folk Music.

Shelley is a CATH coffeehouse alumnus and played the Midwest Music Summit in 2004, where she met fellow crashers-on my floor NYC musicians Dave Golden and Jeremiah Birnbaum. They did an impromptu Sunday morning show at CATH that was amazing and let to collaboration and friendship between the three of them – and goes down in CATH history as one of my favorite things.

Shelley also did something awesome when she heard that CATH was closing. She drove out of her way on tour to personally deliver a sweet note and made-me-giggle pink furry purse. Don’t you just love her from that story?

She is opening for Hoosier by birth, Liz Snavely. Liz is an urban folk, acoustic singer-songwriter (LVNMUZIQ) She has been playing out since 2006 and has logged over 300 shows in 25 states. Some of her influences include Tracy Chapman, Damien Rice, and David Gray. 


It promises to be a fun evening!

www.shelleymiller.net
www.segmentofsociety.com

Chad Mills CD Release Show
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Birdy’s
2131 E. 71st Street
317.254.8971
21+, doors 8:00, music 9:00, $10 (includes CD!)

I’m not quite sure why I wandered into Chad Mills’ last CD release show at Birdy’s in 2006, but I sure was glad I did. He brilliantly included a CD with the price of admission (as he is this time). I’m sure I would have bought one anyway after hearing him that night. Two Places @ Once has found a permanent home in the player in my truck and at some point I bought a second copy for work. (I can’t seem to remember to move CDs back and forth and I might possibly be the last person in the city to have an iPod – even my mother has one!). The record is perfect for singing along driving with the windows down and for my nonprofit office – and trust me – that’s a fine line.

I have not heard the new record, Make the Door, yet but Chad is really proud of it so I’m sure it’s wonderful. Jenn Christy will open the show and Finest Grain will play after Chad. Do you think anyone would miss me if I snuck out of my Red Key shift for an hour or so?

As disappointed as I am that I have to miss the show I’ll get to hear a little snippet as I walk the Mini Marathon route that morning. Chad will be playing in his usual spot in front of the Hi Neighbor Tavern. It is always fun to see Chad play and see his beautiful family nestled on blankets and in strollers among the Harley’s parked in front of the bar.

This will be a great show – put it on your calendar. Seriously.
www.chadmillslive.com
www.birdyslive.com

I’ll review all four of my record store stops for Record Store Day in the next issue.

Woo Hoo! Sanuk wins Record Store Day Battle of the Bands!

I'm so excited for this young band! You can listen to some of Sanuk's music here: http://www.myspace.com/sanukmusic

Here is the link for Scott Shoger's blog post for NUVO about the win. 

A link to the review I wrote about their CD release show. A link to a Broad Ripple Gazette review and  Broad Ripple Gazette preview.

I just realized that my first review that I wrote about them is not online. I'll work on that!

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 7 no 8

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Record Store Day updates
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Broad Ripple CD and Vinyl
LUNA music
Underground Record Shop
Vibes

I profiled Record Store Day in the last issue but wanted to pass along this update. Underground Record Shop has been forced even further underground but you can find them on Saturday celebrating in the alley behind the Village Pantry (63rd Street and College Avenue) in Broad Ripple with live music and vinyl record sale.
1:00 PM - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame member Art Adams and his band.
2:30 ~ Country folk music with Mr. Terry Lee Hickman
3:00 ~ Bluegrassy sounds from The Blue Moon Express
4:30 ~ Bluesy acoustic duo Rich Hynes & Allen Stratyner
All of the record stores will have music and specials. It will be a fun day in Broad Ripple. Promise!

Rousseau McClellan (School 91) Silent Auction and Chili Dinner
Saturday, April 17, 2010
4:00pm - 8:00pm
5111 Evanston Ave.
Indianapolis, IN

The Montessori based school is an IPS magnet and was a National Blue Ribbon winner in 2008 (that’s a big deal!). The proceeds from the event are used to purchase Montessori materials that have not been provided by district in the past. Bidding opens at 4:00 and tables start to close at 5:30. A chili supper will follow. Everyone is welcome and there are some great items in the auction including baskets put together from each class, adult and children’s jewelry hand-crafted by Principal Margaret Higgs, a PEZ starting kit for a budding collector and party at Marigold Clothing store for spring clothes shopping.

www.391.ips.k12.in.us

Perspektive.Material by Orkestra Projekt
Saturday, April 17
Where: The Earth House
237 N. East St, Indianapolis, IN
7:30pm (doors7:00), all ages, nonsmoking, $9 - $19 (students/adults)

Orkestra Projekt closes its seventh season with an evening of music in by bringing a little SoHo vibe to Earth House with a casual atmosphere, free hors d'oeuvres and drinks.
The cornerstone of this concert will be Smoke, Steel, Stone, Cinder by native Indianapolis composer, Thomas Osborne. They will also perform The Geometry of Sound, a piece by Rodion Shchedrin, a Russian composer, that will split the ensemble into two separate sections that will completely surround the audience. It sounds like you’ll be wrapped in a warm hug of delightful orchestra music.

www.orkestraprojekt.com

Tad Robinson CD release show
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317. 253. 4900
8:00 & 10:00, nonsmoking, 21 +, call for reservations

Acclaimed soul-blues vocalist Tad Robinson is celebrating the release of his newest record, Back in Style, with two shows at the Jazz Kitchen. If you’ve never heard Tad sing you’re missing out in hearing one of the greatest vocalists in the genre. Tad travels all over the world performing at festivals and with other soul legends but calls central Indiana home. And we’re damn happy to have him here!
He’ll be performing with equally as talented musicians, Kevin Anker (keyboards), Paul Holdman (guitar), Dave Murray (bass), Jeff Chapin (drums) and a horn section: Michael Stricklin (saxophone) and Marlin McKay (trumpet).

The official release date is not until May 18 but you can beat the rest of the world by putting your hands on a copy of the new CD early -- it will be available at the show.
www.thejazzkitchen.com

http://tadrobinson.com

Russel Settle Memorial Party
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Just Judy’s
2210 East 54th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317.254.8796
starting at 4:00 pm, all ages

The delightfully curmudgeonly Russ Settle died on Easter Sunday, April 4. Russ celebrated 59 years of owning the Red Key on April 2. He is already missed – there is a Russ sized hole in our neighborhood. His family is throwing a memorial party on Saturday, April 24 at Just Judy’s. I’m not sure of all of the details but I can promise laughter and tears and most likely music. The Red Key will be closed that day.
I loved every second of working with him. I was lucky enough to walk him to his car on Saturday night and snap this beautiful photograph of him. The Gazette will be doing a feature on the life and times of Russel in the future. I’ll see you there, I’ll be the one laughing through my tears.

Reviews:
Final Four Friday
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Lawn at White River and the Wholesale District
Downtown Indianapolis

Let me start off with how damn proud I am of our city. They pulled out all stops and the perfect weather didn’t hurt anything. I crashed my brother and his coworker’s party at the Rathskeller and from there we headed to the Lawn. The walk along the canal was beautiful – each time I made it – I had to trek back to the car with my camera. No fancy cameras were allowed in the park and mine with its detachable lens was deemed “professional.”

Stone Temple Pilots played to an estimated crowd of 20,000. I was impressed with STP leader Scott Weiland’s energy and vocals. He’s had well-documented battles with drugs and law enforcement but he seems to be back on his game. I can’t remember the last time I saw Stone Temple Pilots but I can remember the first. Lollapalooza 1992, Montage Mountain, Scranton Pennsylvania. It was the second year for the festival and it was an awesome, although long rainy day. The bill that year was heavy on rock and rage – the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Cypress Hill and Ice Cube and I loved every second of it.

It was fun to be singing along with thousands of folks (mostly guys my age) to big rock songs. STP opened with hit, Vasoline and ripped though an hour and a half set of eighteen songs including, Sex Type Thing, Creep, Crackerman, Hollywood Bitch and Plush and songs from their new record, Stone Temple Pilots, that will be released next month. They had the whole crowd dancing to their encore song, Doors cover Roadhouse Blues. I loved every second of it although it was a little strange to be standing there in my work dress and sober vs. a beer-soaked music festival on a ski mountain.

After the show was over we ventured to the Wholesale District – when did South Meridian start getting called that anyway? There were thousands of people in the streets and clubs and cars and motorcycles cruising. We popped our heads into the Slippery Noodle tent and caught the end of Big James and the Chicago Playboys. They have a fun funk-y sound and where about as opposite as could be from the Stone Temple Pilots.
The city and venues did a great job entertaining our guests.

Bring it on Super Bowl 2012 – we’re ready!

Russel Settle 1918 - 2010

I had the great honor of working with Russ at the Red Key Tavern. Here is the piece I wrote for NUVO.

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 7 no 7

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Record Store Day
April 17, 2010

This is the third annual Record Store Day and I’m so proud of how our local record stores have pulled out the stops. In fact I think it’s remarkable how many record stores we have in town. Thanks for supporting them!

Super-exciting news is that Sanuk is going to be included in a limited edition vinyl record that will be sold on Record Store Day. Which is huge! They were one of nine bands chosen from submissions from all over the country for the Record Store Day High School Battle of the Bands. Thanks to Indy CD and Vinyl for championing them. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

One of the great features of Record Store Day is, you guessed it – records! Several recording artists put out limited releases just for the event. And some are crazy-limited, only 500 copies. Each store handles it differently and not each store will bring in the same titles. Both LUNA music and Indy CD and Vinyl have lists on their Web sites and offers to hold records.

I’m writing this before the Broad Ripple area record stores have posted their set times and final plans. If something is different that what I’m telling you, blame me. I probably made it up.

www.recordstoreday.com


Indy CD and Vinyl
806 Broad Ripple Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
free, all-ages

Indy CD and Vinyl is tucked in the heart of Broad Ripple. Last year they threw an all-day party and I assume that it will be just as fabulous this year. The store is chock-full of records, CDs, music DVDs and assorted pop culture goodness.

The confirmed bands are: *Slothpop *Crescent Ulmer *Burnt Ones *Sanuk – winners of the national Record Store Day Battle of the Bands *Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes – I say if you don’t like Mandy Marie, you’re not going to like heaven. *Thunders – power pop goodness, *Bears of Blue River.

I’m sorry I don’t have more details, but I promise fabulousness. Check their Web site for up to date information.

http://indycdandvinyl.com

LUNA records
5202 North College Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
free, all-ages

LUNA founder and cool guy personified, Todd Robinson said he is “throwing a block party that coincides with Record Store Day.” The famous annual sidewalk sale will feature $1 CD and loads of cheap vinyl and other goodies. Upland Brewery will be pouring their hoppy-goodness in a glass and the Standard Recording guys will be grilling free hot dogs and veggie burgers while they last (the hot dogs and the Standard guys).
I’m really excited about the Handmade Promenade shop that will be taking place outside featuring handmade indie crafts.

LUNA will have live music inside – Amo Joy, Beta Male, Burnt Ones, Grey Granite, John Rambo and the Vietnam Wars, Oreo Jones, Thunderhawk and Jookabox – not necessary in that order and the times are to be determined. And DJs outside between sets – Action Jackson, DJ Jessica, Liz Foster, Mrlunatrontoyou, Rusty Redenbacher, Slater Hogan (aka Kid Delicious aka Ian Tate) will be keeping the music going.

Other activities planned: Indie Volumes photo booth, Big Car Gallery doing illustrations behind the bands as they play and My Old Kentucky Blog will be shooting video.

I work next door at the Red Key at 5:00 that day. How many times do you think I’ll sneak out the door to pop over to Luna?

www.lunamusic.net

Vibes Music
1051 East 54th Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46220

I’m writing this column three weeks before Record Store Day, so I was not able to get Vibes Music schedule. But anything John Zeps does is fabulous so I’m sure great things are on tap. Vibes is right where 54th Street meets the Monon Trail.

http://www.myspace.com/vibesrecords

Reviews:


Highland Bagpipers
March 17, 2010
Just Judy’s
2210 East 54th Street
Indianapolis, IN

I snuck out of work for forty-five minutes to see my sweet niece walk in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade and thought that was the end of my celebrating – I was helping a friend pack for a move. By a quirky set of circumstances I wound up at Just Judy’s while the bagpipers were there. They were goose-bumpy good. Owner Judy Guerra has hosted the bagpipers for years. She told me that it is one of her favorite days of the year.

Not only does Judy’s have great food but the atmosphere is like a family reunion. I don’t hang out there as often as I should, but I’m always glad I’m there when I walk though the door. You will be too.

And for the record, I drank a Guinness – it wouldn’t be Saint Patrick’s Day without one.

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 7, no 6

 first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Bill Constable Benefit Dinner, Auction/Raffle and Social
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Goodland Indiana Town Center

I first met Bill Constable when we both working at Houlihan’s in Glendale Mall in the late 1980s. I was a brand-new manager and Bill was a bartender. When Bill gave his two-week notice the general manager asked me to get Bill’s keys and to tell him that we didn’t need him anymore. At the time it was the restaurant’s policy that anyone who handled money was immediately let go in case they weren’t so careful in their last shifts. Bill was the first employee that I had to “terminate,” even though technically he was leaving under his own steam. I remember being terrified and having a shaky voice as we stood in the mall in front of the stained glass windows in front of the bar. Bill laughed and made me feel better and the incident helped form my management style. I swore that I’d never fire someone that didn’t have an inkling it was coming. It didn’t stop me from having to terminate people, but no more blindsiding.

I didn’t see Bill again until the mid 1990s when I was working at Some Guys Pizza and he came walking though the door with his accordion. I had no idea that Bill was a musician. As it turned out we have a ton of mutual friends (we didn’t even need facebook to tell us). I was thrilled to have the funny and talented Bill back in my orbit.

I loved going to college football games and screaming and waving until Bill and his co-worker Rupert (yes, that Rupert) would notice me and wave back. They both worked with the giant crane-like things that ran the camera down the field. This fall Bill thought he had the flu and was diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

As a testament to how much everyone loves Bill a big group of his friends and his whole hometown have come together for a benefit to help Bill with medical expenses. Goodland is about an hour and a half northwest, just off of I-65.

The day starts at 1:00 and is chock-full fun. Dart tournament, bake sale, auction and raffles (signed New Orleans Saints helmet, a Dell computer ,weekend trips and much more), hog roast and bands full of Bill’s friends are performing. The Broad Ripple based band, The ReachArounds are on the bill.

Even if you’ve never met Bill this would be a great time for a road trip. This day will be a great example of what life is like in small town Indiana. Folks pulling out all of the stops for one of their own. And who can resist a bake sale?

Check out the Web site for directions, auction items and events.

www.billconstable.com

Reviews:

Austin City Limits Festival day three
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Zilker Park, Austin, TX

Recap: The Austin City Limits Festival is three days long. I had a photo pass which allowed me to be in the “photo pit” right in front of the stages for the first three songs of the band’s sets. Friday featured beautiful weather. It rained all day Saturday.

And by Sunday morning the park smelled like Uncle Cletus’s pig barn. And sort of looked like it too – with 800 bales of straw strewn over the mud. Profits from previous ACLF shows had gone to refurbishing Zilker Park, including putting down sod to replace the grass that had been tramped on by thousands of festival goers and to help with the dust problems of years past.

Under the newly laid sod was Dillo Dirt, a fertilizer the city had laid down before the new grass was planted. Dillo Dirt is compost the city of Austin makes from treated sewage sludge and yard trimmings collected curbside. According to the city's Web site, the 130- to 170-degree temperatures generated during the composting process kill pathogens and poses no health risk even to people who accidentally ingest some. The risk might have been cooked out but the smell was still there. And the consistency of the mud was weird – foamy. The kind of foamy that sucked thousands of people out of their shoes.

My boots stayed on though sheer will and clever curling of my toes while walking. This was the day I finally gave up on how I looked. I was sporting muddy boots, rolled up jeans and tee-shirt and a pink bandana to catch the sweat around my neck. None of that mattered though – Indiana’s own Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band was playing.

They’d started by the time I got in the tent. The rain and mud changed the entrance locations a bit and my breeze-through-the-special-gate entryway was gone and I had to wait in line with the rest of the great unwashed. The Peyton’s played on the Wildflower Stage which didn’t have a photo area, but I was pleased to see several photographers in front of the state. I loved seeing the looks on the faces of the people that looked slightly bored during big-name shows laughing and loving and bopping along to the Big Damn Band. And I was a total dork telling them all, “They’re from Indiana and I know them!”

I can only think of one band that could have torn me from the front of the stage. A band that had a huge influence on my musical tastes – The B-52s. To make it to their photo pit I had to scoot between the thousands of arms cheering and clapping for the Peyton’s. I was grinning wildly as I wove my way through them.

The B-52s were as awesome as I thought they’d be. I was surprised to see all of the young kids singing along to the songs. Fred, Kate, Cindy and Keith were as groovy as ever and they all looked terrific. I know that I wouldn’t want someone looking at me through a high-powered lens in natural light! As much as I wanted to stay for the rest of the B-52s set I slogged my way back to the Peyton’s stage. The mud made walking a challenge. Boots getting sucked into the mud, curl toes, arch foot, extend heels, take a step, repeat.

The Peyton’s – brothers Jayme and Josh and the fabulous Breezy (married to Josh) were traveling with tour manger Dave Searle and NYC resident (and Indianapolis ex-pat) Matt Chandler. Indianapolis’ favorite librarian, Erin Brown completed our little Indianapolis party backstage. And in this case backstage was a big squishy lawn. I drank a band beer – my first beer of the festival -- and got to see how the “talent” is taken care of. hey had their own area to hang out away from us media folks. And they were driven around on golf carts. I didn't see any bowls of green M&Ms or massage tables, but might not have been looking in the right place.

I loved hearing how excited the band was about the show. They said it was easily the biggest audience they’d ever played for. Matt filmed the whole two-week tour for the Big Damn Band. You can find it on You Tube: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band - Two Weeks' Hard Labor: Day 5, Austin City Limits, Austin, TX. You can the performance and see me in all of my sweaty glory (bandana included).

You can find tons of photos of Reverand Peyton’s Big Damn Band and the B-52s at www.broadripplegazette.com 

www.bigdamnband.com

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