Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 7 no 15

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette
 
Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, 8:00 – 12:30
behind Broad Ripple High School

July 24 - Cara Jean Wahlers
July 31 - Ted Kirkendall
August 7 - Chad Mills

www.broadripplefarmersmarket.org

Girls Rock! Indianapolis Campers’ Show
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Earth House Collective
237 N. East St.
2:00, all-ages, non-smoking

I love this! I heard about this idea from my friend Portland friend, Maura Ahearn, and it’s finally come here. Girls Rock! Indianapolis is a non-profit organization dedicated to building positive self-esteem in girls and encouraging creative expression through music. The 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!

It is run entirely by a team of volunteers with support from independent contractors assisting in areas of bookkeeping, PR and legal matters (the non-rock stuff!). As funding allows, they hope to operate with a full-time staff and offer year-round programs and workshops, multiple summer camp sessions and a Ladies Rock Camp for women.

The first week-long day camp will culminate with a concert at Earth House Collective. The girls (between the ages of nine and sixteen) will receive instruction on guitar, bass, drums or vocals. Each camper will become part of a band, learn how to write songs, and perform in front of a live audience. Campers also take part in various workshops that relate to body image, self-esteem, and empowerment.

Go cheer the girls on – I’m looking forward to seeing the very talented Abby Jordan’s band.

http://girlsrockindy.org

DEVO
Monday, July 27, 2010
Vogue Theatre
6259 N College Ave, Indianapolis
$45, non-smoking, 21+

I love purchasing tickets to shows at the Vogue in their up-the-stairs box office (open noon – 5:30, M – F). It feels special – and a little naughty, to open the door in the daylight, watch the clean-up or set-up activity happening on the floor as I walk up stairs to buy tickets. There is an exciting feeling to handing over my cash and getting a real ticket from a real-live person. And when you buy the ticket at the venue you avoid the service fees.

I was buying a fist-full of tickets last month – Ingrid Michaelson, Cake, Bodeans, Blitzen Trapper, Billy Bragg and Toad the Wet Sproket – when talent booker, Matt Schwegman, popped out of his office and asked if I’d pay $45 to see DEVO. It was easy to say, YES!

DEVO has been playing sporadically since their break-up in 1991, but have continued to be an underground favorite. They are touring in support of their new record that was released last month. Everything I hear about the tour and record is wonderful.

There are still tickets left, either at the box office, on-line or at the door. The show promises to be a night of post-punk energy and pogo dancing with a dash of silliness thrown in.

I just hope they are selling energy domes at the merch table. I want a red one. I’ll see you there!

www.clubdevo.com
www.thevogue.com


Cara Jean Wahlers and Grover Parido CD release concert
(+ openers Evan Slusher and Tonos Triad)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Riverfront Ampitheatre - Indianapolis Art Center
(rain location inside the Art Center)
7:00pm door, 7:30pm show, $10, family friendly, non-smoking, children under 12 free

I’ve been like a little kid waiting for my birthday and been counting down the days in anticipation of the Good Night Charlotte CD release show. Cara Jean Wahlers and Grover Parido will celebrate the release of their first album with an outdoor show on at the Riverfront Ampitheatre at the Art Center. The river is the perfect back drop for these two songbirds.

Cara Jean Wahlers is a fourth generation musician. As a youngster she studied piano and double bass with an eye on classical music. In her early twenties she found her voice as in songwriter, drawing from lessons learned by listening to her parents’ record collection. Simon and Garfunkel gave her an understanding of storytelling, which combined with current day influences – Steve Poltz, Vic Chesnutt, Phil Collins, and Joni Mitchell helped her develop her unique style of songwriting. Wahlers songs reveal a the balance of personal experience and human truth.

Grover Parido is a classically trained cellist who is also well versed in rock and roll, hip-hop and folk music. He is a composer, performer, producer and educator – in his spare time he plays and records with The Maple Trio, Chad Mills and Bill Price – just to name a few.

Cara Jean and Grover connected when she saw him perform with Blueprint Music. She felt that his style would compliment her songs. She was beautifully right. Their collaboration has resulted in amazing music.

The duo recently finished composing the musical score for the feature-length independent film, Paradise Recovered, scheduled to release this fall.

Here are Cara’s words about the new record, “Goodnight Charlotte, is a collection of ten songs written between 2005 and 2009. I wrote most of this album in my head, probably while I was randomly walking or driving somewhere, so it makes sense to me that the cello travels and weaves through it a bit, exploring different terrains, while still remaining familiar and human and guiding you through. It was important to us to create different soundscapes for our listener, while staying true to the general sensibility of our live show. I like driving on the highway - little towns pop up every half and hour or so. Kind of like how memory works - something appears though the windshield, you follow it for a little while and then all of a sudden, you're looking at it getting smaller behind you. That's how things enter and leave my head, I think. The album was born out of rainy afternoons spent walking through antique shops, driving through the woods or simply walking across hardwood floors playing guitar around the house.

"I wrote these songs almost in a woodshedding kind of situation, where I sort of shut out all the noises that aren't coming from inside of me. It's very personal and I think that intimacy is reflected in the album. I feel like Grover's cello arrangements create the room where these songs exist and give them a lot of color and texture."

Dress casually and bring a lawn chairs. The show will be in the Art Center if it rains.
Broad Ripple Brewpub will provide craft beers for purchase. Don’t forget your ID – as of July 1, you can’t be served without it – no matter how old you are.

Check Cara Jean’s Web site for a sneak peek at the new record.


Evan Slusher http://www.myspace.com/evanslusher
Tonos Triad http://tonostriad.com/home.cfm
www.carajeanwahlers.com
www.indplsartcenter.org

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 7 no 14

Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market
behind Broad Ripple High School
Saturdays, 8:00 – 12:30

July 10: Robert Bruce Scott, July 17: Sensible Shoes, July 24: Cara Jean Wahlers

The John Denver Songbook and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Friday July 9 and Saturday, July 10, 2010
Symphony on the Prairie
$20 adults, tables available

I have to admit that I’ve never been to Symphony on the Prairie. I’ll totally confess to falling asleep at plays, especially musicals, and sit-down concerts with beautiful music. I can’t help it. I try biting my lower lip, curling my toes and counting backwards to stay awake but nothing helps. Outdoors, pretty music and sitting on a blanket is the perfect recipe for a nap. 

This is one concert I’m sure I could stay awake for this one; after all it’s the songs of John Denver! My best friend since we were six, Ann loved John Denver (Randy Mantooth and Donny Osmond rounded out the top three) so I first heard about John from her. John Denver was the sound track to our teenage years.

Musician Jim Curry will be playing and singing the John Denver tunes. I saw a video on YouTube and Jim sounds exactly like John and when I took my glasses off he looked like him too. I don’t think you can go wrong with this show. 

www.indianapolissymphony.org  

Detholtz!, God Made Robots
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Birdy’s
2131 E. 71^st Street
8:00, 21+ 

This is a Full Blown Productions concert, so know it will be good – Kim Oskins always puts on a great show.  The lineup also includes The Daredevil Christopher Wright and Montauk Monster.

I first heard Chicago’s Detholtz! at the Melody Inn several years ago and was smitten. They play clever rock with a new-wave-ish twist. Indy’s God Made Robots are also good quirky fun.

www.birdyslive.com

Homespun - Modern Handmade
Saturday, July 10, 2010
5624 E. Washington Street 

Homespun is the brainchild of Neal and Amanda Taflinger and the winner of a Pepsi Refresh Grant to help launch the project. I’ve had the pleasure of watching this project unfold and am thrilled for them.

The store’s mission is four-fold: to provide a brick-and-mortar retail outlet for contemporary artists, artisans and crafters, offer low-cost art and craft classes for people of all ages and skill levels, serve as a gathering place for the contemporary craft community, and inspire further development and renewal along the E. Washington St. corridor. They want to help people earn a living wage for meaningful work and spread the message that our lives are what we make of them.

The shop will open for business on Saturday, July 10. I can’t wait to see the handmade craftwork they will have for sale and to see the class roster. 

The Pepsi Refresh Grant not only gave them a good dose of cash, but also featured them in a television spot that ran nationally on MTV.

www.homespunindy.com

Reviews:

Mumford & Sons
June 14, 2010
Bluebird, Bloomington, IN

Road trip! As you all might gather, I’m pretty neighborhood-centric. As a Purdue graduate my trips to Bloomington have been few and centered around Oaken Bucket football games and helping friends move to grad school. 

I had no idea who Mumford & Sons were, but when Kristofer Bowman, keeper of all things cool, sent me a text asking if I wanted to go, I said yes, without question. I knew I’d love the band.

After years of driving a truck I now have a vehicle with fancy stuff like backseats, power locks and XM radio. The drive down was fun and fueled by sandwiches from Mass Ave Wine Shop and truffles from The Best Chocolate in Town. 

The sky got darker and darker as we drove and heavy rain hit and the tornado sirens were blaring by the time we parked.  We ducked into a restaurant and the first thing I asked the bartender was where the walk-in cooler was – generally the walk-in is the safest place in the restaurant if a tornado hit. I don’t know if my new friends were impressed or frightened by my safety concerns. If anything ever happens, follow me. I’ll do my darndest to get us out of harms way. 

Luckily there was no tornado, although we did see a small tree fly by, but it was a soggy walk to the Bluebird. The show was sold out and the venue was packed with damp people. I swear you could see steam rising from the crowd.

I really enjoyed the opening musician, singer-songwriter, Adam Stockdale and the fact that he is the band’s guitar tech made me dig him even more. 

After a half an hour wait a second opening band took the stage, the duo French & Indian War. Regular readers of this column know that I’m mostly sunshine and ponies in my recaps of bands and events. If something is not great, I usually don’t write about it or talk about the scenery or something else.

French & Indians Wars created the perfect storm of an awful opening band scenario. The audience was restless, the band took too long to set up and break down (I was ready to jump up and wrap cords and carry monitors off of the stage) and quite frankly, and they weren’t good. I’d wedged myself next to door where the bands were entering and leaving. At one point the lads from Mumford & Sons were standing next to me ready to take the stage and they finally gave up and walked back down the hallway. 

But it was all worth it! Mumford & Sons were fabulous and worth the wait and the rain and tornado warnings. The London folk band is delightful and talented. The members switch instruments and trade vocals. They have some bluegrass sensibilities – banjo, dobro, mandolin and accordion play a big part in their music. The songs are great and the harmonies lovely. If you’re a fan of the Avett Brothers, you’ll like Mumford & Sons. 

www.mumfordandsons.com

broad Ripple Gazette, vol 7, no 13

Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market

Saturdays, 8:00 – 12:30
behind Broad Ripple High School

Saturday, June 26 – Luke Austin Daugherty

Saturday, July 3 – The Last Drop Jug Band
Saturday, July 10 – Robert Bruce Scott

I’ve had the pleasure of booking the music for the Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market for the last several years. The hardest part is juggling all of the musicians who volunteer to play – yes, it’s a volunteer gig – in the sun or rain, or sun and rain on early on a Saturday.

I always ask the musicians why they like to play the BRFM and sometimes they answer me! Luke Austin Daugherty Luke wants to support the local community and independent businesses associated with the Farmers Markets. As an indie artist (singer/songwriter) he understands the struggles and challenges of getting people to "buy" locally and the small businesses associated with food production and products have the same issues to deal with. He wants to support the local businesses when he can. Plus it is a good place to meet some new people and perform some new tunes. Be sure to take time to listen to Luke – and all of the musicians.

www.lukeaustindaugherty.com

www.reverbnation.com/lastdropjugband

www.RobertBruceScott.com
www.broadripplefarmers.market

Gary Walters CD Release Show
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 College Avenue

317.253.4900
7:00 and 10:00 shows, $10, nonsmoking, 21+

I can’t believe this is Gary Walters’ first record. Of his own, anyway.  He’s played piano on recordings of many jazz greats over the years and with one of my favorite folk musicians, Carrie Newcomer. Moments in Time will be released at the show, but I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy.

Gary sat at the piano at Airtime Studios in Bloomington and played as if it were a live show. The songs are a collection of music that is meaningful to him, a mix of ones he wrote and tunes written by others. My favorite song is LauraLauraLaura, written about his beautiful wife. He wrote in the liner notes that the song is a snapshot of his loving wife and he hoped to capture a bit of her personality. I think he did it! I’m really enjoying the record.

Gary will have several guest musicians joining him for the show, including Matt Pizec (saxophone), Rich Dole (trumbone), Dean Franke (violin), Peter Hansen (bass) and Jon Crabiel (percussion)

If you’ve never been to the Jazz Kitchen this is a great chance to start. The atmosphere is swanky, the food is amazing, the staff is wonderful and the drinks are strong. Call the marvelous LuAnn at 317.253.4900 to make a reservation.

www.thejazzkitchen.com

Mpozi Celebrations
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Pawn Shop Pub
2222 E 54th Street
9:00pm, $5

Sunday, July 4, 2010
next to the old Patio/Spin
6341 Guilford Avenue
9:00 pm, free, all-ages

I can’t believe it’s been four years since Mpozi Mshale Tolbert died. Mpozi was a guy that just needed one name. Even if you didn’t know him, you probably saw him around town. He was 6’6 and had waist long dreadlocks and a big, easy sincere smile. The only time you didn’t see him with a camera he was behind a turntable spinning tunes.

He moved here from Philadelphia to be a staff photographer for the Indianapolis Star where he covered everything from crime scenes to feature stories, but his real love was music. He was a huge part of the Philly music community, especially The Roots (now Jimmy Fallon’s house band).

There are two events to celebrate Mpozi’s life and memory. There will be two bands playing on the outdoor stage at the Pawn Show Pub on Saturday, July 3. El Floundero & Friends will take the stage at 9:00. Indiana Reggae Band will play around 11:00

On Sunday, July 4 you’re welcome to join the group by the Mpozi mural next to the old Patio/Spin 6341 Guilford Avenue to swap stories starting at 9:00. There will be live music and good vibes floating through the air.

You can see a nice tribute to Mpozi at www.okayplayer.com

78 rpm CD Release Show

Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Slippery Noodle Inn
372 S. Meridian Street

The city is going all out to celebrate 78 rpm’s eponymous record. There will be a big fireworks show to coincide with the band’s show at the Slippery Noodle! True story! 78 rpm is the trio of Indianapolis blues legends. Harmonica player extraordinaire Allen Stratyner, slide guitarist Vince Mullin and drummer (and former Houlihan’s expeditor) Tim Duffy.

The CD is a mix of original tunes and blues standards. I’ve had the chance to listen to the record and it sounds like blues at its best.

They’ve promised to play all of the songs on the album at the show plus some of their favorites.

To keep in tune with the theme of the holiday, this show promises to be red hot and blues.

Myspace.com/THE78rpm
www.slipperynoodle.com

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 7, no 12

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Summer’s here! It’s time for home tours and outdoor concerts. Here’s a little snippet of what is happening in the next two weeks.

Meridian-Kessler Home & Garden Tour
June 19 & 20, 2010, noon – 5:00, $12 advance, $15 day of.
Twilight Tour, Friday June 18, 2010, 6:30 pm, $50 advance, $60 after 6/11

The theme for the 37th Meridian-Kessler Home & Garden Tour is “Green by Design.” The tour celebrates how the neighborhood was designed with several features that are now considered environmentally friendly. Most of the historic homes were constructed with green materials; local and organic. The area is full of mature trees and several restaurants, shops and parks are within walking distance. There are eight homes and gardens on the tour and your ticket is good for both days. You can purchase advance tickets at all Paradise Café locations, G. Thrapp Jewelers, Taste Café, National Bank of Indianapolis, Aristocrat, Fresh Market and through the Web site. Home tour weekend you can buy tickets at each of the homes. It is suggested that you start at 5909 Washington Blvd.

The Twilight Tour and Silent Auction is always great fun. It’s a giant fancy neighborhood party. The music is always great; there is a fun silent auction and a home to tour. This event typically sells-out, so I suggest that you purchase your ticket as soon as possible. Check the Web site for details or call the MKNA office at 317.283.5991. I’ll see you there!
www.mkhometour.com

Rick K & The Allnighters
June 16, 2010
Courthouse Gazebo
Carmel, IN
7 pm, free, all-ages

My friend, Evan Finch sent me a link to a YouTube video of Rick K & The Allnighters.
The drummer for this cover band (playing the hits of the last fifty years) is crazy! Someone on YouTube thought that it looks like he’s fighting off a swarm of bees. Another friend suggested that the drummer is half way to genius and half way to “stupid, which makes him totally awesome.” Either way, I hope they wear the yellow suits.

www.carmelgazeboconcerts.org

Indy Haunt Fest
June 26 & 27, 2010
200 West 49th Street (next to Hinkle Fieldhouse on the Butler Campus)

This is the first year for the Indy Haunt Fest and they have a ton of fun programs and activities on the schedule. They have workshops on kicking your home haunting up a notch and tips for the professional haunted house folks. I’m very interested in the class on how to make an extra-creepy prop hand. There are also demonstrations on makeup and how to turn household and thrift store items in to haunt up your house.

Saturday night features a costume contest and music from the great band, Weeds of Eden, at the Rock & Ghoul show. The $25 (adult) ticket price includes most workshops and events for both days. You can save $5 by bringing at least five pounds of pasta for Second Helpings. The event is family friendly. Other activities include a hearse rally and zombie crawl.

www.indyhauntfest.com

Historic Meridian Park Tour of Homes
Front Porches, Reflecting and Connecting
June 26 & 27, 2010
Noon – 5:00, $13 advance, $15 tour weekend

Historic Meridian Park 2010 Tour of Homes offers a glimpse inside of several of the neighborhood’s beautifully maintained and restored homes, as well as gorgeous porches, gardens and antique cars.

The Meridian Park neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in located in Mapleton Fall Creek and is bounded by Pennsylvania St. and Washington Blvd. from 30th to 34th streets. The tour organizers are excited to shine the spotlight on the front porches in their neighborhood.

Tour attendees will be invited to stop and take a breather at “welcoming porches” between their visits to houses. Antique cars will be found in the 3200 block of Pennsylvania St.; food and drinks can be purchased on Washington Ct.

Six of the eight tour homes have been restored to their former glory after being gutted down to the studs and you can tour one home currently in the beginning stages of major renovations.

Among Indianapolis’ first suburbs, Historic Meridian Park is best known for its Arts & Crafts architecture, including Mission, American Foursquare, and Prairie-style homes; but it also features outstanding examples of Tudor, Dutch Colonial Revival, Italian Villa and French Eclectic styles. All of the buildings in the area reflect the use of natural materials such as brick, stucco, wood siding and tile, and they emphasize visible structural elements such as beams and large overhangs.

Advance tickets can be purchased at Metro Indianapolis Marsh Supermarkets,
Old National Bank locations: Downtown Indianapolis, Glendale and Broad Ripple and at the Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corporation, 130 E. 30th St., Indianapolis

I wish I had enough room to tell you about each of the homes and gardens on the tour but I don’t have enough room. Visit the Web site for a complete list.

www.historicmeridianpark.org.

broad ripple gazette vol 7, no 11

Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market
Saturdays 8:00 – 12:30
behind Broad Ripple High School

Be sure and give a little love to the musicians donating their time to perform at the Market.

May 29 Jared Rust
June 5 Joe Peters
June 12 Cara Jean Whalers

Reviews:

I’ve been crazy busy even by my liberal standards and I’m way behind on writing about the music I’ve seen. So with the constraints of space and time here are mini-reviews of my musical consumption in the last month.

Record Store Day
April 17, 2010
Midtown


My first stop was Indy CD and Vinyl to see Sanuk. I spent too much time chatting with folks walking through Broad Ripple on the sunny day that I missed the big announcement and presentation – Sanuk won the national Record Store Day Battle of the Bands! They won a fabulous prize package including instruments and recording time. I think it is terrific that Rick Ziegler and the gang and Indy CD and Vinyl nominated them. Sanuk played a great in-store set and I scooped up the official Battle of the Bands record and some other Record Store specials.

I walked over to the Underground Record Store behind the Village Pantry just in time to catch some music and buy a compilation record of country stars singing Christmas music. The record store is set up on a garage – the perfect location for an underground store. I was bummed to miss Art Adam’s set but lucky enough to walk down the sidewalk and chat with the amazing musician leaving the record store.

My next stop was Vibes Records at 54th and the Monon Trail. DJ Marvin Goldstein was just finishing up his set, but I did purchase a great record of Johnny Cash covering Kris Kristofferson tunes.

I just had a quick second to run by LUNA music before my Red Key shift started. The staff looked a little dazed – not only was it a busy day with music inside and out, the Handmade Promenade was set up outside and a sidewalk sale – there was a horse in the store! Check out their Web site for photos.

I appreciate that all of the stores made it fun for the customers and I love that people turned out in droves. Well done everyone!


Otis Gibbs
May 1, 2010
Vogue

The Vogue did a special seated early show for Otis Gibbs’ CD release concert. Otis was in fine form playing many songs from his new release, Joe Hill’s Ashes. He played a few songs solo and brought out his band made up of Indianapolis and Nashville, TN base musicians. Good rock fun. We all loved it when Miss Amy Lashley joined him for a duet. You heard it here first – Amy headed to the studio that week to record her own songs. I can’t wait to hear her record!
otisgibbs.com

Truth and Salvage Co.
May 6, 2010
Birdy’s

Man was this show good. And loud! In an awesome, foot-stompin’ rock and roll way. Tim Jones (Chevy Downs) brought his Los Angles based band to his hometown and we were happy to see him. Truth and Salvage Co. boasts four singer-songwriters and a boatload of talent. Tim, come back anytime – I’ll have my dancin’ boots and earplugs ready.
www.truthandsalvageco.com

Prizzy Prizzy Please
May 7, 2010
Radio Radio

The formerly Bloomington-based indie band moved to Chicago six months ago. They were kicking off their longest tour to date – two months in the van, at Radio Radio. Their midnight show was energetic and awesome and the closest I’ve been to getting sucked into a mini mosh pit in years.

500 Festival Mini Marathon
May 8, 2010


In retrospect I should have gotten more than four hours sleep before I strapped on my camera and carried a notepad for 13.1 miles. Thanks to all of the bands and musicians and spirit squads (that’s what they call cheerleaders these days) that stood in the cold and played for us. It does make a huge difference!

Butch Walker and the Black Widows
May 11, 2010
Birdy’s

Talk about not knowing what I was getting in to! When Jeff Sample suggests that I need to see something, I listen. The fact that he dropped a ticket off at the Red Key was icing on the cake! Butch Walker played in several critically acclaimed bands and struck out on his own in 2002 releasing several albums. He’s now touring with his band, the Black Widows.

The show was loud and fun and had a tinge of glam-rock. Butch knows how to charm the audience, with or without his shirt on. I was standing next to a woman from Australia who comes to the States for the sole purpose of catching as many Butch Walker shows as she can – five for this tour. Hi Nikki!

butchwalker.com

Brian Deer, Tad Armstrong, Tim Wilsbach
Friday, May 14, 2010
Radio Radio

Three of my favorite singer-songwriters all in one spot! It was wonderful. Brian Deer was the hardest working musician of the night – playing in Tim and Tad’s bands and his own, of course. And Brian delivered hundreds of meal for Second Helpings that morning!
I hadn’t had the change to see Tad Armstrong perform for quite awhile and I was not disappointed. If anything he sounded better than ever – and I didn’t think that was possible. It was an awesome show all the way around!

myspace.com/briandeer
myspace.com/tadarmstrong

The ReachArounds
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Daddy Jack’s

I took advantage of a rare Saturday night off to catch a set of The ReachArounds. As always they were big fun. I jumped up and down and giggled when I saw that Bill Constable and his piano were on stage. It took everything I had to wait until they took a break to give Bill a big hug.

Fredericks Martinez
May 20, 2010
Birdy’s

The Lafayette based band caught my ear on the Mini Marathon route. They were stationed around mile 10, so they were really special for me to stop and listen for a minute. They just happened to be playing their song, “Kevin Bacon Blues,” which included lyrics about bacon and wine. What’s not to like? I’m happy to report that I thought they were great even without the endorphins Mini Marathon in my brain.

This was Fredericks Martinez (the band is the maiden names of two band mothers) first not-playing-outside-on-the-side-of-the-road gig in Indianapolis and I hope to see them here again soon. They were clever and talented and fun. The four-piece band, brothers Travis and Greg Depaw, James Morrow and Ryan King all contribute to the music. I wish I had room for a longer review, but my guess is you’ll be seeing more of those 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.

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.