Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8 no 13

First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette: 

Cara Jean Wahlers, Stasia Demos, Danny Flanigan
Friday, June 24, 2010
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave
8:00, all-ages, non-smoking, $10

I think the outdoor stage at Indy Hostel is the best in the city. It’s tucked right off of the Monon Trail at 49^th Street in Meridian-Kessler. It’s the perfect spot for a summer’s evening songwriter-in-the-round show.

Cara Jean Wahlers, Stasia Demos and Danny Flanigan will trade songs and stories. If you’ve never been to an in-the-round event you’ll love the intimacy of the show. I’ve also heard these events called “guitar pulls,” from the spontaneous front porch concerts that would break out and one guitar would be pulled from one musician to another. 

The three musicians will trade songs and stories and I’ll bet the farm on fact that there will be plenty of giggles. Danny has a brand-spankin’ new CD and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

There will be some chairs available, but feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket. You can also bring your own snacks and drinks. If it is raining the show will move indoors. The Hostel is in a red four-square house at the corner of 49^th Street and Winthrop Ave, with plenty of parking on 49^th Street, just on the other side of the Hostel.

www.indyhostel.us
www.dannyflanigan.com
www.carajeanwahlers.com

Middletown Reunion Show
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Flat12Beirwerks tasting room
414 N. Dorman Street
7:00 pm, $5, 21+

I feel like all of my musical roads lead to Middletown – the band, not the Vigo County burg. I was lucky enough to hear their first rehearsals over a decade ago and am now fortunate enough play in a jug band with the lovely Stasia Demos.  Tad Armstrong remains one of my favorite singer-songwriters and Aaron Stroup is one kick-ass guitar player. They reunite every year or so when Aaron takes a break from his rock-star life in Austin, TX to visit our town. What could make this any better? The addition of Dean Metcalf! Just writing this makes me giddy!

If you’ve never had the chance to see Middletown, don’t miss this one. The band features beautiful harmonies, great musicians, excellent songwriting, a smidge of twang and a dose of quirkiness.

Flat12Beirwerks is a brewery nestled in the Cottage Home neighborhood, a quick jaunt from Broad Ripple. There is plenty of parking at the brewery or if you’re planning on being home before the sun sets, it’s an easy bike ride from the Monon Trail. The show will be in the tasting room, food will be available, and of course, the tasty made-on-the-premises beer. I’m always torn between the Tangerine Porter and the Pogue’s Run Porter.  I usually just ask Flat12 Sales Manager, Mark Kocher what I’m drinking and he hasn’t steered me wrong.

I’ll see you there – I’ll be the one giggling and requesting that the band play, “Welcome to the Family.”

www.flat12.me  

Review:

Steve Poltz with Chris Wolf

June 5, 2011
Locals Only

One of the best things about a Steve Poltz concert is that they are wildly different each time, and always amazing. This show was no exception.

I was so inspired during the show that I took more detailed notes than usual so I could quote the song titles properly and recount some of the stories. Clearly you’re not reading a well-researched and finely crafted review, because the dog ate my homework, sort of.

This story is starting to be particularly Poltzesque – meandering and slightly silly, but will eventually get to a point. Anyway, I was in a car accident a few days after the show. I’m fine, but my HHR had to be hauled away. When the tow truck driver asked if I wanted to grab anything from the car I panicked. Between the bowling ball and typewriter and typing table and dry cleaning and galoshes I froze and said no. Off my notebook went to a tow yard.

I can tell you this from memory. Indianapolis’s Chris Wolf’s songs were fun and delivered with his usual charm. Steve Poltz songwriting is smart and touches your heart. His delivery is quirky and charming and you can’t help but walk away wanting a little more Poltz.

www.localsonlyindy.com

www.myspace.com/chriswolfmusic

http://poltz.com/

Dow Jones and the Industrials

 I had great fun writing this piece about the band I was lucky enough to hang out with in my younger days.
Click here for the NUVO feature on Dow Jones and the Industrials.

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8 no 12

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

The Independent Music and Art Festival is one of the things about our city that makes my little heart sing. This is the 10^th year for the just-the-right-size festival.

Independent Music + Art Festival
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Harrison Center
1505 N. Delaware Street
all ages, free, noon – 8:00

The Independent Music + Art Festival is a grand day-long outdoor festival featuring original live music and visual artists and their work. There are two stages of music in the Harrison Center courtyard and the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange – a contemporary craft fair featuring gorgeous handmade goods will be tucked throughout the Harrison Center – in the gymnasium and galleries.

Food vendors include the equally delicious Duos and Judge’s BBQ and Sun King Brewery will have beer available. I wonder if they’ll bring the popcorn beer – two of my favorite food groups in a glass.

And music, lots of music. As always, the lineup is eclectic and fun. I was looking over the list to pick a few bands to highlight, but it was hard to choose. I say take a blanket and some sunscreen and stake your spot for the day.

Here’s the lineup:

12:00-12:35 Hotfox
12:40 - 1:15 It’s All Happening
1:20 - 1:55 Liz Janes
2:00 - 2:35 Slothpop
2:40 - 3:15 T.J. Reynolds
3:20 - 3:55 Lord of the Yum Yum
4:00 - 4:35 Red Birds
4:40 - 5:15 Rob Dixon and Triology
5:20 - 5:55 Wolfy
6:00 - 6:35 Jascha
6:40 - 7:15 The New Empires
7:20 - 7:55 Company of Thieves

I’ll see you there!

www.indieanahandicraftexchange.com
http://www.harrisoncenter.org

danny flanigan
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Monon Food Company
6420 Cornell Ave
9:00 – 11:00, all-ages, non-smoking
Yay! danny flanigan is coming to town and he has a brand spanking new CD, hope is a word…, is first in years. I can’t wait to get my hands on copy. If it was possible to wear out a compact disc, I would have played the grooves off of his previous records.
danny’s is a great guitar player and even better songwriter. His music is poignant, smart, witty and you’ll find them floating through your head for days and years later. Just typing his name made me start humming, “beautiful day.”
Monon Food Company, across from the Monon Trail at the corner of Cornell and 64^th Street, just celebrated their first anniversary and I’m not quite sure where I ate before they opened. Excellent food, darn good service and a top-notch beer list.
www.dannyflanigan.com
www.mononfoodcompany.com

Hillbilly Happy Hour
Punkin Holler Boys with Matt Woods
The Historic Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois Street
Friday, June 17, 2011
7:30 – 9:30, $5, 21 +


I can’t think of a better way to kick off the weekend than with the Punkin Holler Boys. Swing in to the Melody Inn for some boot stompin’ fun. I’ve been listening to the Punkin Holler Boys new record, Tin Ears, in my car. If you see me grinning and tapping my hands on the wheel, you know what I’m listening too.

http://www.punkinhollerboys.com
http://www.melodyindy.com  


CABIN, God Made Robots, The StereoFidelics
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Historic Melody Inn
doors 9:00, show 10:00, $5, 21+


Full Blown Possession Productions always puts on a good show and this promises to be another one. The night includes CABIN from Louisville, The StereoFidelics from Ashville, North Carolina and Indianapolis’s darlings, God Made Robots. The evening promises to be big high-energy groovy fun.

http://godmaderobots.com
http://www.myspace.com/cabin
http://thestereofidelics.com

Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Festival
June 11 – 18, 2011
Bean Blossom, Indiana

all-ages, various ticket packages, children 12 and younger free

The Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Festival is the oldest continuous running bluegrass festival – 45 years now. The festival features eight days of music, over 50 performing musicians, youth activities and tons of workshops including lessons on banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass; mountain and bluegrass vocals, group harmony, songwriting, band promotion, Bean Blossom history and more – although I can’t imagine what more there could be.

I haven’t had a chance to attend the festival yet, but I understand it’s wonderful and chockfull of history.

www.beanblossom.us

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8, no 11 - Norapalooza

First published on the Broad Ripple Gazette

I debated about whether to write about this event or not, and come to the conclusion that the music was too amazing not to talk about. And why volunteer to write a column if you can’t talk about your own surprise birthday party, right?

Norapalooza
Jazz Kitchen
May 15, 2011

All I was told was to be available on Sunday night and that I might want to take the next day off from work. Good advice.

I was blown away! I had little hints of things that might be happening. I’ve come to the conclusion that people really can’t keep a secret. And you all should know that even if an invitation is on facebook that does not mean that everyone can see it. I spent a good deal of time in the last month throwing my hands up yelling, ‘STOP! I don’t want to know details!’

There was a committee that planned the event and they were amazing – I can’t imagine a better lineup or show. I was taken to the Jazz Kitchen and arrive to a lovely gathering in their banquet room. Cousins from Cass County, the Lieber twins and other dear friends and family. There were cupcakes and Nora PEZ head and many other delightful touches.

At some point we were called into the main room of the Jazz Kitchen – it was full of friends and there was music! Lots of both! Dean Metcalf organized a concert that was tailor made for me. He provided the backline, extra instruments, emcee duty and stuff that I’m sure I haven’t even realized yet.

Eleven of my very favorite bands played in a three and a half hour span. It was amazing. I’m still remembering details; I was overwhelmed and a little teary the whole time. I should have taken notes!

The music started with Scott Rudicel. The way-younger set knows Scott as Ruditoonz. Rudi’s clever lyrics, great guitar playing and animated performance kept everyone from my eight year-old nephew to the seventy-somethings in the room entertained.

Cari Ray & The Loners played next. Holy cow, they are great! I love Cari’s original tunes – smart songwriting with just the right touch of twang, but her cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus,” just about knocked my birthday hat off. You need to get to a Cari Ray show soon – she’s already opening for the likes of Gretchen Wilson and I predict that Cari will be the headliner soon.

 Chad Mills (Ann Cothron photographer) 

I’ve made no secret of my very-appropriate love of Chad Mills and his music. His songs speak to the trials and joy in everyday life, with a dash of social justice and great hope for the future. This was the first time I’d seen him play with cellist Grover Parido. They need to do that more often!

Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, a giant Taylor’s birthday cake appeared and the Happy Birthday song was accompanied by Stasia Demos Mills playing accordion.

If you know me at all, you know that I tend toward the prudish side, even though I love a good “that’s what she said” zinger. If you know Wendy Reed at all you, know that she tends towards the delightfully bawdy side. She was dressed as a PEZ girl passing out candy cigarettes, Norapalooza brand, of course. She came to the stage and sang a blushingly beautiful birthday song. I know what the song was, but it included the words ‘birthday suit,’ and anything Wendy sings in her va-va-voom style is sexy and amazing.

As much as I was ready to hid behind a potted plant so I could soak it all in, I was kept on stage and my band mates in Alice Chalmers and The Stick a Cork in Your Jug band appeared with a new vintage typewriter for me! We played a fun set and Cari Ray joined us on spoons for a song.

The lovely ReachArounds (they really are lovely, in spite of their name) played next. Great pop driven rock preformed by some of my favorite people.

The Rough Sleepers are a fairly new band, but they sound like they’ve been playing together for years. Pretty harmonies wrapped around gorgeous music. Keith Carey sang one of my all time favorite songs, Bruce Springsteen’s, “Atlantic City.” Dean Metcalf wearing a bison hat was just icing on the cake.

As if I was not overwhelmed enough, The Strugglers performed. I’m not sure I can articulate how amazing that is. The band officially broke up in the 1985 when Stanley Smith moved to Austin. They have played a handful of times since then. I was lucky enough that Stanley was in town and they had played the night before. I’m goose-bumpy as I type this – The Strugglers played at my birthday party! Wheeeee!

I was in such a happy fog that when I saw Joey Welch in the room it never even occurred to me that The Born Again Floozies were going to play. I’m not sure that I can adequately explain their genius, so I’m going to use someone else’s phrase: orchestral stomp, and add my own, tap-dancy delight. They have a couple of shows booked this summer. Make sure that you catch them.

Yoko Moment doesn’t play out much. They are a favorite at the Tonic Ball, which Yoko Moment singer, Ken Honeywell, founded and just played the Mutt Strut. Their set for Norapalooza included cover songs from previous Tonic Balls, including songs from the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles. They had folks, including mine dancing.

Next up was Brian Deer, who just stayed on the stage after his set with Yoko Moment. I’ve been a fan of Brian’s since his days with Citizens Band. I loved hearing Brian’s song, “Broken Bottles,” a long time favorite of mine. They sounded great.

Rounding out the incredible night was The Odyssey Favor. They actually wrote a song for the occasion. If you have not seen their infectiously fun video check it out. And if you have not seen them live, make sure you do. They were the perfect send-off into the next decade.

www.ruditoonz.com
www.cariray.com
www.chadmillslive.com
www.bornagainfloozies.com
https://odysseyfavor.com
www.thejazzkitchen.com

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8, no 9

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette 

First of all, I’d like to thank the Broad Ripple Kiwanis for inviting me to speak at their lunch meeting. I’ve given hundreds of talks about Second Helpings, but this was the first time I’d ever been asked to talk about music and writing for the Gazette. It was a fun lunch – thank you. 

Previews: 

IndianapolisMusic.net 10 Year Reunion Show
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Birdy’s
2131 East 71^st Street
$5, 21+, doors 7:00, show 7:30

When I first started this column, IndianapolisMusic.net was my main source of information. Bands promoted shows and it was an easy way to contact musicians. I met many friends on the message boards. Everyone had clever screen names. I went with good old ‘nora,’ no hiding for me! I listened to my first-ever podcast through the site and I’m proud to be a panelist on the Top Ten Live list that is published on the site. 

IMN is celebrating their ten-year anniversary on April 1, 2001 with a show at Birdy’s, of course. The club was the site of all of the IMN showcases and their first in five years. The ten bands were very active on the site and seven of them are coming out of hiatus or reuniting for the show.

 Stan Muller, Loretta, 2008

The lineup and set times (the times are subject to change):

7:30 - Matt Mays/The Spin
8:00 - The Common
8:30 - Lines of Nazca
9:00 - Pop Lolita
9:30 - Paging Raymond
10:10 – Loretta
10:50 - Citizens Band
11:30 - Extra Blue Kind
12:10 – Lunar Event
12:40 - Nowhere Good Fast

I’m excited that the show coincides with my sweet nephew’s First Communion and I’m not working at the Red Key that night. I’ll see you there!

 www.indianapolismusic.net

78 rpm
Saturday, April 30, 2011
American Legion Post 34, Broad Ripple
6440 Westfield Blvd
8:00 – 11:00, free

The band, 78 rpm is a good old fashioned, Chicago-style blues band. They are celebrating their first anniversary with a free show at the American Legion. A good time is sure to be had!

www.reverbnation.com/78rpm

Picture This
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Creation Café
337 West 11^th Street
5:00 – 7:00, all-ages, nonsmoking $10 ticket/$40 for five tickets

Picture This is a fundraiser for The Viewfinder Project. TVP started informally in Cape Town, South Africa in 2005, by MaryBeth Jackson. She sought to better understand how middle-school students see their corner of the world and how she might encourage them to think about how as children they might become change makers in their communities.

From this three-day experience with 18 sixth-graders from a farming community, The Viewfinder Project was born. MaryBeth has since developed a 16-lesson curriculum guide dedicated to teaching these students not only basic photography skills, but also life skills that encourage the students to think about how the lesson  applies to their lives.

TVP aims to encourage people of all ages to think about beauty and what is good to the extent that it influences the choices they make. The Viewfinder Project believes that fostering creativity in people helps equip them to think more creatively in all of life’s circumstances, making changes as they have the opportunity to do so.

Picture This will feature student work and a chance talk to people who have run The Viewfinder Project in their own organizations around our city. The goal is to raise enough money for 75 new point-and-shoot cameras for projects here and around the world. 

$10 includes wine tasting, appetizers and music by Tad Armstrong and Brian Deer, with the proceeds going to The Viewfinder Project. Bring a few extra bucks for raffle tickets – the items include a Kyle Ragsdale painting and a Blue Candy Photography photo session. Stay for dinner at Creation Café and mention The Viewfinder Project; 10% of your total check will be donated to The Viewfinder Project.

RSVP by May 2, to info@theviewfinderproject.org
theviewfinderproject.com

Broad Ripple Gazette vol. 8 no. 8

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette. 

Record Store Day 2011
Indy CD and Vinyl
LUNA Music
Vibes
free, all-ages

I can’t believe that this is only the fourth year for Record Store Day; it has quickly become a tradition. And you can mark your calendars in perpetuity – Record Store Day is always the third Saturday in April.

The original idea for Record Store Day was conceived as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally. 

This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists make special appearances and performances.

Broad Ripple is lucky enough to have three independent record stores within walking distance of each other. Below is a rundown of activities and live music. Check the store Web sites for what special releases they will carry.

Indy CD & Vinyl
806 Broad Ripple Avenue

noon - Junker

1:00 - Pop Lolita

2:00 - Beta Male

3:30 – Hotfox (formerly Sanuk, last year’s national RCD winners)

5:00 - Five Year Mission
6:00 – Southside Larry

LUNA Music
5202 N. College Avenue

LUNA music celebrates Record Store Day block-party style. Music indoors and out, sidewalk sales, grab bags, give-aways, beer, West Coast tacos, Pin The Skinny Jean On The Hipster game and Handmade Promenade.

noon - Divine Time

1:00 - The Kemps

2:00 - Brad Real

3:00 - Vacation Club

4:00 - Oreo Jones

5:00 - Beta Male

6:00- We Are Hex

Sidewalk DJs from: noon – 6:00 p.m. Rusty Redenbacher and Mr. Kinetik

Vibes Music
1051 E. 54th Street (54^th Street and the Monon Trail)

Vibes Music is celebrating RCD party-style, staring at 2:00 (store opens 11:00). Glory Hole Records is hosting a showcase featuring live music from Marmoset, Vacation Club, Homeschool, The Kemps, Adam Kuhn and DJ Jewey Ramone.

www.indycdandvinyl.com
www.lunamusic.net

www.recordstoreday.com

Brooks Williams with Amy Speace
Indy Acoustic Café Series
Wheeler Community Art Center
1035 Sanders Street (Fountain Square)
doors 6:30, show 7:30, $17, all ages

Indy Acoustic Café Series is celebrating the end of their fourteenth successful season with a wonderful concert. The series has been wonderfully successful in bringing high-caliber musicians to Indianapolis, but needs your help in filling the seats.

If you haven’t been to a show in this series, this concert would be a great time to start. Brooks Williams is one of the top 100 guitarists of all time, according to Guitar Magazine – and they should know! Amy Speace, one of my favorite singer-songwriters of all-time is opening the show. This is a not-to-be-missed show. Visit the series Web site for pre-sale ticket information.

www.brookswilliams.com

www.amyspeace.com

www.IndyAcousticCafeSeries.com

March of Rhymes to benefit the March of Dimes
Saturday, April 16, 2010
Locals Only

2449 East 56th Street

10:00 p.m, $5, 21+

March of Rhymes had me at the word play on March of Dimes. And word play is what it will be all about at this show. The lineup includes four of Indy’s best hip-hop acts.

Oreo Jones took the hip-hop and indie music scenes of Indianapolis by storm with the release of his Delicious EP on Heavy Gun Recordings and was recently voted one of the favorite hip-hop acts in NUVO Newsweekly. His latest release Oreo Jones and Friends is lauded as one the best hip-hop CDs out of Naptown in years.

Mic Sol & A.C.E. O.N.E. released their first record last year, The Light.  It features tracks mined from the same streetwise vein as old blaxploitation flicks. The retro elements combine with fresh rhymes to create a sound that pushes the traditional hip-hop envelope to new places.

Indiana City Weather a full band that combines indie-rock with hip-hop. The MC’s rhyming style is reminiscent of Speech from the band Arrested Development. and maybe even a touch of Gym Class Heroes. I can’t recommend these guys highly enough. 

Shammers and Lefthand are icons in the world of nerdcore hip-hop fans. They travel the country for computer convocations, hacker gatherings and science fiction conventions. Sadly, they are virtually unknown right in their town. They rap about everything from Pokemon to Keyboard Cat in a way that’s fun and accessible all the while wearing their nerd moniker proudly.

www.localsonlyindy.com
http://heavygun.blogspot.com/p/oreo-jones.html
http://www.myspace.com/indiancityweather

Monon Food Company One Year Celebration featuring Michael Kelsey
Friday, April 29, 2011
6420 Cornell Avenue
6:00 – 9:00, free, all-ages

The delicious and delightful Monon Food Company is celebrating one year of business with a concert by guitar guru Michael Kelsey. Wonderful food, kick-ass beer list and great music. What more do you need?

www.mononfood.com

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 8, no 6

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette


Hairspray
March 19, 20, 23,24, 25, 26, 27
Beef and Boards
9301 N. Michigan Road
317-872-9684
$36-54, 3 years old +, non-smoking


Hairspray, the big, fabulous, award-winning, Broadway play is running at the Beef and Boards dinner theater.

The show is set in 1960s Baltimore, where Tracy Turnblad has her heart set on dancing on the Corny Collins Show. She has big hair and a big personality and quickly becomes a teen celebrity with her sights set on winning the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin.

Hairspray is chockfull of danceable music and heartwarming messages. The house band features Broad Ripple’s own Scott Ballantine playing guitar.

Call the box office or visit the Web site for tickets and times.

www.beefandboards.com

Steve Poltz
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Locals Only
2449 E. 56th Street
8:00, 21+. $14

You can’t go wrong with a Steve Poltz show, seriously. I’ve never seen an off show.
He’s always entertaining and usually wearing pants. He’ll break your heart and have you giggling, sometimes all in the same song.

http://poltz.com
http://localsonlyindy.com

Junk Box Mike CD release show
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Birdy’s
2131 E. 71st Street
doors 7:30, 21+, $5.


This show promises non-stop entertainment. Junk Box Mike is celebrating the release of his album, From My Recliner. I suggest that you launch yourself off of your recliner this evening.

Three bands will play – Morgan n Tom, Jethro Easyfields and Junk Box Mike and His Friends will wrap it up. Comedian Aaron Buckner will emcee and perform between sets.
Junk Box Mike has some pretty talented friends – and the majority of them are named John/Jon.. His band includes, Gary Wasson, Jon Martin, John Gilmore, John Bowyer, Delmar Lincon, Gary Rakow and John Macksey.

Junk Box Mike describes his music as true-to-life, writing about love, heartbreak, people and fishing. This evening promises to be big junky fun. Rumor has it that is also Mike’s birthday.

www.birdyslive.com
www.junkboxmike.com

review:

Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses
March 10, 2011
Birdy’s

photograph: Hugh Vandiver

My love of Ryan Bingham is no secret. I was thrilled to get the chance to see him at Birdy’s, where it all started for me. In the time since he first played Birdy’s in 2008 he’s been busy. Ryan has released his third album; he has won an Academy Award and a Grammy for the song "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)," toured Europe and played to thousands of people at festivals.

A few things have changed for Ryan. The first time I saw him he was carrying his own gear to the van. This time he was traveling in a big old tour bus and had a road crew. But the things that drew me to him in the first place are all still intact. His band, The Dead Horses, has not changed. Matthew Smith (drums), Corby Schaub (guitar, mandolin) and Elijah Ford (bass) are one of the best bands on the road. Ryan continues to put on a great show and I think he’s an even better songwriter, though I didn’t think that was possible.

One of my favorite moments of the show was when Ryan covered Woody Guthrie’s, “This Land is Your Land.” He played it acoustic and alone. It was very powerful to hear 250 people singing along. He dedicated it to all of the folks protesting outside of capital buildings across the country.

I was thrilled to see the sold out crowd singing along to Ryan’s songs and paying attention to music. My only disappointment – I didn’t get to see Ryan after the show to get my traditional photo of our shoes. I had on vintage Frye boots and Ryan was wearing Converse All Stars, if you were wondering.

www.binghammusic.com
www.birdyslive.com