bouts, birds, blogs and bands

 

 A quick roundup:

*Naptown came, Naptown saw, and Naptown sure as hell conquered!  Playing to a near capacity, record-breaking crowd at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the Naptown Roller Girls burst on to the scene in consummate style (thanks to Jerry Lee’s Western Wear) and in substance (thanks to the hard-core skating skills and Mr. Whip’s incredible coaching) to beat the Music City Rhythm & Bruisers 160-116.   I’m so proud of my gals right now, and while it nearly killed me not to be skating alongside them, I remain amazed and ecstatic at what they’ve done in such short time.  This is how we roll!

*Andrew Bird at the Music Mill last night was entertaining as always.  I’ve seen Mr. Bird a couple times previously, and while this wasn’t the best I’ve seen him (the Southgate House show last year will always hold a special place in heart) he did trot out a big chunk of new music that sounded FANTASTIC. 

 *As I was purchasing my ticket(s) to the aforementioned show, the cute gentleman behind the counter glanced at my ID, did a double-take, grinned, and said “I KNEW you looked familiar.  You don’t know who I am, do you?”  It took me a moment to realize that it was an old friend from high school, who is now part-owner of the Music Mill and (from the looks of the packed house and restaurant) doing really well for himself!  Small world, indeed.

*You want to pick up Thursday’s issue of INTake.  Trust me on this. 

*If you are a computer-savvy type that can show me the ropes of basic CSS implementation, or perhaps even walk me through the process of migrating my blog onto my own hosted domain, I want to talk to you!  I can’t pay much, but I’m fruitlessly beating my head against the wall with this WordPress software.  Ugh.

*So Where’s Margot headed?  Hard to say, but their upcoming release won’t be on V2.  Here’s hoping they land on a more stable independent label.  I’d love to see them on Barsuk or 4AD, but I doubt they are quirky enough.  Whoever picks them up better realize that they are a gold mine waiting to happen!

from the concert to your wall

The unique (and incredibly talented) live music photographer Jeff Bedel has issued his first-ever calendar, featuring the best bands in the city as witnessed through his lens.  If you’re a fan of local, independent music, this calendar is a must-have! 

Some of the many bands/artists featured include Rev. Payton’s Big Damn Band, Kit Malone, Everthus the Deadbeats, Little Voice, This Story, The Tecumseh Flyers, Stockwell Road, Dorsey, Arrah + The Ferns, The Born Again Floozies, Gentleman Caller, and Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos. 

Quantities are very limited, so order one through the website today or find Jeff at an upcoming local music show (like the Little Voice/Bigbigcar show this Friday at Locals Only!)  Even if you weren’t at the shows featured, Jeff has an absolutely uncanny ability to capture the essence of the musicians on stage in moments of greatness (and in some cases, not-so-greatness). 

It beats pictures of kittens or dumb quotations, that’s for sure.   Pick yours up today!

all you need is an entourage

So you’ve eaten the last bit of leftover turkey, cleaned out all the peppermint Hershey Kisses from the candy bowl, and played with all your new holiday gadgets?   You’re looking for something fun to do with your time before work/school/life beckons again next week?  Let me give you a few ideas for the upcoming weekend.

Friday, December 29, come out to Locals Only for a Naptown Roller Girls benefit!  The gals are gearing up for their first bout on January 13, and they need your help to make sure it goes off without a hitch!  Find out more about the team, sign up to volunteer, watch rockers Devil to Pay, The Dockers and Her0, follow your favorite rollergirl in a game of full-contact musical chairs, and take advantage of Locals Only’s great food and excellent beer selection. (Might I recommend the vanilla porter?  It’s fantastic!)  Seriously, these ladies are near and dear to my heart, and while I’m not skating right now, I love each and every kickass lady on that team and can’t wait to be back with them soon.  So go show them some love, hard rockin’ roller derby style! 

Saturday, December 30, hometown rockers Margot and the Nuclear So & Sos will be tearing up the Irving Theater in an all-ages homecoming show.  You all know I adore the Irving (see here for some previous love), so it should come as no surprise that I am EXTREMELY excited for this show.  If you’ve never seen Margot and company live, this is your chance to catch them in a fairly intimate setting, among friends, at a venue that’s trying to do some genuinely excellent things for the Indianapolis music scene.   This is going to be one of the most-talked-about shows of the season, for sure.  The Irving is, as I said above, all-ages, so get your libations prior to (or after) the show. I’ll be hitting J. Clyde’s for a pre-Margot drink if anyone would like to join me. 

And finally… as if you need any more ideas for the debauchery-laced evening of sin and consumption that is New Year’s Eve, but might I suggest spending it at Big Car Gallery?  It’s not flashy or elegant, there’s no four-course buffet or pricey Chablis included, but you’ll get a night of eclectic music, quiet conversation, open dance floors, cheap drinks, interesting surroundings and hands-on art making opportunities… all for the low price of $12 each or $20 a couple.  The best part? The money will help Big Car stay open for business and exhibits in 2007.  The gallery has quickly become one of Indy’s best cultural destinations, making artistic and creative endeavors accessible to everyone.   Skip the half-hearted game of Trivial Pursuit, the tasteless cheese dip, and the bad 80’s cover bands this year.  You’ll be glad you did.

friday randomness

Not much time today, so I present the following: 

*In the grand saga of Stephen Colbert vs. The Decemberists, it looks as though Colbert emerged… um… victorious?  Check out this AP article (must have really been a slow news day!) and watch the video here.  I’m just in awe that they got Henry Effing Kissinger to come in on the joke.

*Congratulations to the illustrious Dodge of MOKB!  He’s (finally) a proud daddy.  Go over and send your well-wishes, and check out his music blog while you’re there… it’s one of the best around. 

*Apparently happiness is distracting!  I suppose this is true; after all, how many of us have immersed ourselves in working, drinking, or other activities to get our minds off of a breakup?  It could also explain why I’ve been having so much trouble getting things accomplished lately… 

*My friend lmb has a great follow-up to my ‘rules of engagement’ blog post.  Ah, the things you experience while working retail…   

*I’m fascinated with Google Zeitgeist – a complete composite of search terms for 2006.  It hurts my soul that “Paris Hilton” is in a number one spot on anything, let alone search engine hits. (h/t commonplacebook)   

*Torpor Indy talks about the elephant (or should I say, Wild Turkey) in the room this holiday season: the fact that liquor stores won’t be open on New Year’s Eve or Christmas Eve this year.  Those days fall on Sundays, and  thanks to our nearly archaic Blue Laws, no alcohol sales allowed.  I realize there are more pressing things to worry about, but I do kind of shudder at the thought of ringing in the New Year at a bad party… sober.  Ew.

Prettybaldlady Benefit Show

If you don’t know Lori Baumgarten, you should.

She’s an amazing dancer (see her website here), a fixture in the Indianapolis arts community and just an all-around great person. She was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer a few months ago and is working her way through chemotherapy– hence the nickname (and donation website) Prettybaldlady.

The treatment is astronomically expensive, and Lori doesn’t know me from adam (we met briefly at an event at the beginning of the year) but I know many people in her circle of friends, and I’m glad to help in any way I can.

So here’s the deal: Friday, December 8th, there’s a two-tiered fundraiser happening in Fountain Square. From 6-8 p.m., there is an art show at Halstead Architects (featuring artists like Jason Sho Green, Kyle Ragsdale, Jim Walker and Quincy Owens– all artwork starts at just $50!)a raffle, and a belly-dancing performance by Belly Belly.

Then, from 9-midnight, Radio Radio is hosting a benefit concert featuring Eric Kinsey, Arrah & The Ferns, The Lovemeknots, Ebeneezer & The Hymnmasters, and the Born Again Floozies. $5 gets you in to see a spectacularly eclectic array of music– I’d say one of the best lineups I’ve seen all year– for a wonderful cause.

If by chance you can’t make it down to Fountain Square for one or both events on the 8th, please consider donating what you can to Lori’s medical expenses on the prettybaldlady homepage. And if I see any of you at Radio Radio, I’ll buy you a beer!

kick out the jams!

as of 10:10 a.m. this morning (10/10/06), my beloved WOXY is BACK on the AIR!

Man, I am a seriously happy camper right now.

the best music $5 can buy

Last night, instead of sitting at home and watching the clock tick over to midnight (and attempting to battle birthday malaise), I decided to go to the Irving Theatre to catch a show.

Man, am I ever glad I did.

The Irving is an interesting story… it was built as a first-run movie theater back in the twenties, and like most, had its day as a “modern art” (read: porn) theatre. Due to the efforts of a couple incredibly dedicated people, it’s nearing a reincarnation as an all-ages music venue and a real boost to the Irvington cultural scene.

First up was David Andrews, a singer-songwriter who impressed me with his earnesty (if not so much the songs themselves) He did, however, do an incredible cover of Tom Waits’ “Time”.

Next up was Paleo, who enchanted and confused me at the same time. Imagine a tall, lanky guy with a voice like a cross between Devendra Banhart and Jack White with a pinch of a scared child. Seriously. If that doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will! He blew me away with lines like “you be careful what you pay for when your soul is your receipt” and “you’ve not lived ’til you’ve broke someone’s heart/who are you if you’re not breaking a heart?”

But the band I was really there to see was The Scourge of the Sea. Based out of Lexington, KY, they play this atmospheric, melodic pop that– for lack of a better description– just makes me HAPPY. The lead singer’s voice reminds me of a less manic John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, and the lyrics could stand up to anything the Fruit Bats have ever produced. It’s too bad that there weren’t more people in attendance, because they put on a hell of a show.

If you’re in the listening area, you can catch The Scourge of the Sea on 91.7 WEEM today at 2:00 p.m.

the hills are alive, or something.

So I don’t forget… here’s a list of my must-see (or hope to see) upcoming shows.  If I’m forgetting something good, please tell me so with a comment!

silence isn’t golden.

Well, it looks as though my personal internet music salvation, woxy.com, will be shutting down on September 15th. From the website:

“This is the moment all of us hoped would never come. After plugging away at this for the past two years, its become pretty clear that operating woxy.com as a stand-alone Internet “radio station” is not going to cut it. Our operating costs are higher than you might think, and the revenue we were able to generate from advertising isnt close to supporting what were doing. Even membership revenue wasnt enough to get us there. When your business doesnt make money, you eventually go out of business.”

I cannot even begin to tell you how much this hurts. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m incredibly picky about the music I listen to. And WOXY, through its terrestrial radio station 97x and then later through the internet-only version, pretty much single-handedly made me the music snob that I am.

I remember driving though the hills of Cincinnati and trying desperately to get just a little bit better reception on my crappy Ford Escort radio driving down Galbraith. I remember hearing things like the Ass Ponys, Guided By Voices, Yo La Tengo, Shudder to Think, Bomfunk MCs, Doves, Built to Spill, Wilco, Sparklehorse, Twilight Singers, Summer Lawns, Wussy… bands with local ties, bands with national exposure, bands I loved to hate and hated to love. I remember tuning them in online when I was homesick and depressed in NYC, and falling asleep to the familiar sounds of Barb or Shiv coming over the airwaves. I remember how thrilled I was when I passed someone in Indy with a vintage 97x sticker on their bumper, and how I purposely sped up to pass them so that they could see that yes, I had one too. I remember showing up to one of the WOXY board bashes uninvited, yet being welcomed in as though everyone had known me for years.

I’m pretty bitterly bummed about the state of corporate radio in general, and the fact that a station like WOXY, with its original, innovative, cutting-edge programming, can’t make it– it makes me want to smash things. Meanwhile, Corporate Congomerate X Blah Blah All The Hits Generic Radio Station serves up earfuls of complete and utter crap, mixed with a heaping dose of payola, and that’s what we get. We get it dictated to us. It’s infuriating. Like the WOXY t-shirts say… corporate radio sucks.

So thank you, 97x. Thank you, WOXY. You’ve been a huge part of my life in so many ways.

Bam.

flying high

Last night I went to Spencer’s Stadium Tavern to see the Tecumseh Flyers perform.

First, I LOVE this bar. It’s the perfect mix of divey, sporty and just plain comfortable– and they have an incredible beer selection!  I passed up the Bell’s Oberon and Rogue Dead Guy in bottles to try what they had on tap.  I ended up with a Dogfish Head (not bad, really bitter for an IPA) and a couple of choices from the Upland Brewing Company in Bloomington.

Second, the Tecumseh Flyers are this incredible, addictive mix of traditional bluegrass, old-time country and rockabilly (I believe they call it “bluebilly”).  Jason and Steve went acoustic for the show, and played to a pretty sparse audience, but you could tell they were having a blast and were genuinely happy to be performing.

They will be performing at the Feast of Lanterns (this Saturday, August 26) at 5:00 p.m.  Be sure to check them out!