Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Jack Rose & Bill Nace

Sunday at BAR, Shaki is bringing two guitar greats to tear the walls off the place.

Jack Rose is a genius on the acoustic guitar. Once playing with noise/drone band Pelt, he branched out and started doing solo acoustic material a few years ago. You can definitely hear influences from greats like John Fahey and Robbie Basho, but he still retains a unique style of his own. His album Kensington Blues is a must-listen for any guitar player. It's got ragtime, raga, blues, and folk all woven into a beautiful tapestry of introspective, almost astral music. His newest album is a collaboration with The Black Twigs, appropriately titled Jack Rose and The Black Twig Pickers. It was released in May and it's a big departure from his usual, adding the band and opting for an upbeat Appalacian folk swagger, there's a lot going on there, and it's a really amazing album that sounds like it was recorded by Alan Lomax himself. It doesn't look like the Twigs are on the bill, so it will probably be Rose solo, but either way, it's a great album. I'm really looking forward to this seeing him live.

Underground Western Mass artist Bill Nace has played with a lot of big names, including his project Northampton Wools with Thurston Moore, and many projects with Paul Flaherty. He's done lots of experimental music all over the map, and is a sonic genius on the guitar. It's going to be interesting to say the least, and I don't really know what to expect out of him for this show, but whatever it is, I'm sure it will melt some skulls.

21+, 9:00, Free

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Surf Nite feat. Daikaiju

Thursday night is Bobby D's big birthday bash! It's at Two Boots, so you'll be guaranteed some great music and some great pizza. Doors open at 9. Come support what will probably be the most rockin Surf Nite yet.

Get ready for a night full of reverb from Huntsville, Alabama's own Daikaiju! In Japanese, Daikaiju means "giant monster," and with songs like Mothra Girls and Attack of the Crabwomen, the 50s sci-fi influences run deep. The band wears kabuki masks and apparently are a real great band to see live, so check em out.

Also on the bill are CT's own 9th Wave, who have been playing for years and are possibly the most well-known surf band in New England.

Also, tune in Wednesday at 4 to RewBee's World to catch the Big Birthday show with Bobby D, Witches in Bikinis, Sean Kershaw, Blue StingRaye, Daijaiku and More! RewBee's World is a LIVE Indienet Radio/Video Talk Show that focuses on music and the people who bring it to you. The live call in number is 212-283-3437.

Tune in, call in and turn it up!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

John Nolan with Mansions

Saturday, July 25 2009 at The Space:


LOCATION:
The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden CT

$12 ($10 adv) - 7:00PM - All Ages

DIRECTIONS: CLICK

BUY TICKETS NOW: CLICK

Singer/songwriter JOHN NOLAN (of Straylight Run) began his musical career as the lead guitarist for TAKING BACK SUNDAY, helping to secure the band's place in the alternative rock spotlight before moving on to form STRAYLIGHT RUN in 2003. Guided by John's pensive, piano-driven songwriting and open, introspective lyrics, Straylight Run released its self-titled debut in 2004 on Victory Records, following up with critically-acclaimed releases Prepare to Be Wrong EP (2005), The Needles The Space (2007) and Un Mas Dos EP (2008). Straylight Run has toured alongside bands such as Motion City Soundtrack, Minus the Bear and Rooney, and their new EP, About Time, is set for release in 2009.

MANSIONS is a rock band from Louisville, KY. For fans of The Get Up Kids and Manchester Orchestra. On Doghouse Records.

Local openers:

Modern Hearts Break Faster is a pop punk band from New Haven, CT. Ex-Grover Dill.

The Tired and True is a pop punk band from Hamden, CT for fans of Saves The Day. Ex-Top of the Fair/Until We Fall.

Deer Tick, Dawes & The Backwater Racket RESCEDULED

From Manic: Hey everyone. We just got word that the Deer Tick show scheduled for tonight at The Space has been postponed due to illness. We are as bummed as you are! The show has been rescheduled for November 5th. All 7/23 tickets will be honored. Ticket refunds are available from point of purchase up until 8/23. Thank you all for understanding.

Deer Tick is a rockin band from Providence, RI. From humble beginnings in 2004 as a drum and guitar duo, the band has progressed to a quartet. With the release of their albums War Elephant and Born on Flag Day, they've won a lot of praise for their mean blend of roots rock. Lead singer John McCauley lends his unique vocals to heartfelt songs to give these guys their great sound. I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more about these guys soon.

Dawes is an Americana quartet from California. They play some really awesome tunes, remeniscient of The Band, My Morning Jacket and the like. They even recently played a Daytrotter session which you can find right here. Their album North Hills is worth checking out.

Both bands are currently touring all over the USA and Canada together, with a lot of great shows in New England coming up, including Portland's famed Space Gallery and Northampton's Iron Horse. Deer Tick will even be playing the famed Newport Folk Festival on August 2nd!

The Backwater Racket hail from Fairfield, CT, they describe themselves as "Porch Music." It's a very fitting description, as they play a lot of folk and bluegrass themed songs. They've got a new album coming out soon, and from what you can hear on their myspace page, it seems like it's going to be pretty damn good.

Lovvers To Play Needle Drop Live Session

Tuesday, July 28 2009 - The Needle Drop, Adorea Recording Studio and Manic Productions Presents: Lovvers w/ Birth of Flower & The Procedure Club


LOCATION:
The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden CT

$8 - 7:00PM - All Ages

DIRECTIONS: CLICK

BUY TICKETS NOW: CLICK

On July 28th The Needle Drop and Manic Productions will team up to bring you UK phenoms Lovvers. According to Anthony Fantano, host of The Needle Drop, “Lovvers sound like they've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. They're playing with a powerful hunger that few bands have these days. With their amps on 11, they're moving in the right direction, and they don't care who gets offended or goes deaf along the way.” The band formed in May 2006 and made their live debut a few weeks later. Their sound is a chaotic mixture of fractured guitar and mangled vocals, redolent of early 90s US acts such as Scratch Acid and Drive Like Jehu. Lovvers will be playing a recorded set to air on The Needle Drop. The lovely label of Lovvers: Wichita Recordings.

Birth of Flower is a post-punk band for fans of The Minutemen and Dead Kennedys.

The Procedure Club is a duo consisting of Adam Malec and Andrea. Adam: ex-member of Groovski, Human Pontiac, produces and arranges most of the PC's music. Andrea native of western Massachusetts, sings and arranges P.C's music. For fans of Ariel Pink, Jesus and Mary Chain, Beat Happening, etc.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Oneida

Sunday, July 26th at BAR, Shaki presents:

Oneida w/ Sunburned Hand of the Man

Oneida. What is there to say about Oneida? They're towering giants in the indie scene. They defy classification in every way, playing everything from sludge metal to electropop. The one thing that remains constant with Oneida is that they're mindblowingly good at everything they do. They're currently on tour, and right after this show they head over to Europe. On top of touring, they also just released their new 3-disc Rated O album on July 7th (it's incredible, by the way). Run out and snag the album, you need to hear it. Then come see the show.

Sunburned Hand Of The Man are amazing. If you're already in love with bands like Sun City Girls, No Neck Blues Band and Six Organs of Admittance, you'll probably already know Sunburned Hand of the Man. And if not, what are you waiting for? The music is something I can't really describe with words, it's something you'll just need to experience firsthand. I'll leave it at that.

If you are even remotely familiar with either of these two bands, I don't need to tell you how good this show will be. Also, this concert is absolutely free, so there's no reason not to go. This is a show you can't miss.

9pm
21+
FREE

BAR - 254 Crown Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06511

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead @ Daniel St



Blowing eardrums and amps , Trail of Dead will be tearing down walls at Daniel Street




Monday July 27th
@21 Daniel St Milford,CT-$14
Doors-8:00pm
21+
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

Oxygenstar @ The Family Collective Lodge


Oxygenstar( or Oxyg3n St4r as it is sometimes spelled) is a multi-instrumental beast , which I was lucky enough to see open for El Ten Eleven. Be it behind a drum set or a piano he will mash your mind in with a mix of 8-bit tunes that remind you of your youth and a hihat ambush.



SUPPORT YOU LOCAL BANDS!

Oxygenstar w/ Xrin Arms, DF, MisfitChris, Brava Spectre, Weird Legs, and Total Bolsheviks
The Family Collective Lodge- 29 North St, North Branford
Thursday July 30th, 2009
Show starts @ 4pm
Cost:FREE

Monday, July 20, 2009

Tweefort presents : A lot of bands @ Cafe Nine

Our beloved Tweefort has made a CD! So on August 7th they're having a release party at Cafe Nine including Welcome , Boy Genius w/ Conversion Party and The Bynars. Not only will you get to see these great bands you'll be able to get a free CD while they last. Show some effort to be there.



Welcome, The Bynars and Boy Genius w/ Conversion Party @ Cafe Nine
Friday August 7th, 2009
21+
New Haven, CT
FREE!!

Lo-fi Lion & kuuluuko @ Cousin Larry's

Support your local bands!

Kuuluuko




Lo-fi Lions





Lo-fi Lion & kuuluuko @ Cousin Larry's
1 Elm St.
Danbury, CT
Wednesday July 22nd,2009
21+

Gov't Mule @ Ives Concert Park

If you want to see a man turn water into wine with a guitar, this is the show for you.



Gov't Mule @Ives Concert Park
Saturday August 1st,2009
Tickets: $25 - $35
Danbury, CT

Lou Rogai of Lewis & Clarke chats with CT Indie

Wednesday, July 29, 2009, LEWIS & CLARKE and CAROLINE WEEKS come to The Space with Corridor. Also sharing the stage that night: Joe Toper.

Along with Lou Rogai, the Lewis & Clarke ensemble includes Karen Codd, Tom Asselin, and Ian and Shane O'Hara! Lou took the time to talk a little with CT Indie about Lewis & Clarke, touring with Caroline Weeks, ghostly gear, and the inspiration of contradictions.

~Angela Cheng

~force field pr


LOCATION:
The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden CT
$10.00 - 7:00PM - All Ages

DIRECTIONS: Click

Lewis & Clarke
Caroline Weeks
Corridor
Joe Toper

------------------


The interview:

CT INDIE: It is one thing to claim that a song is haunting, but quite another to be able to say a song literally features a haunted instrument. The Rhodes that appears on the song Dead and Gone, did the spectral character that it is suspected of ever reveal itself to you?

LOU: I received word that there was an estate sale happening in Buffalo, NY, and among some musical and recording gear was an early 70's Rhodes Piano at a price that would make the trip worth our while. The plan was for my friend Tim [Showalter / Strand of Oaks] and I to make the 14 hour winter round-trip together, acquire the piano, and record with it. When we arrived, the estate manager said something like "yea, it's really crazy, I'm surprised there's no blood on it." Tim and I got spooked and he said "oh, you didn't hear about the murder?” Now out of respect for the situation, which is quite strange and grisly, I'll go into no other detail, but my neighbors have heard music coming out of my practice space when no one was in there, and when we listened back to some of my recorded tracks, there are notes that we did not play. I did all the typical steps, burning sage, lighting specific candles, leaving little tokens of respect inside the instrument, all of that. I think it's a friendly ghost, I mean, he's on our side. I just hope he doesn't get stage fright, because we are taking the piano out on the road for the first time this summer.

CT INDIE: Along with the friendly Rhodes ghost, you're also touring with Caroline Weeks, who you first met when Lewis & Clarke opened for Bat for Lashes. Can you tell us a little more about that first meeting and what it was that led you both to want to tour together?

LOU: Caroline is an amazing human being. She's a quiet and modest force, and quite magical. A good dancer, too. There is depth to what she is doing musically, conjuring images and placing antiquated lyrics in the now. It's natural for people to gravitate to one another's company and creations, so we kept in contact and did a short string of shows together last year, after the Bat For Lashes tour, all squeezed in the van. Much different from the Bat Bus, for sure. I think we really bonded when we stayed up all night after the show at the Gallery in Cambridge making Jazz with found objects and odd instruments. Her husband Peter was there, as well as Mary Hampton. It was raining, the evening was not well attended and we all just went into the sonic ether for hours. The owner actually came down and joined us, it was a moment. Caroline speaks that language.

CT INDIE: The language you’re referring to, could it be said that it is like an instinctual exchange in response to shared environments and moments, moods and impressions? Like a form of communication whose only vocabulary is a simple openness to discovery and a need to express the findings with others musically?

LOU: Yes, it's primitive and expansive, and really special when the lines touch. That connectivity of energy is something to acknowledge and tune-in to. While contemporary communication and media is amazing, it also dulls our primal senses, too real to dismiss. I just had Koyaanisqatsi images flash in my mind for a moment...

CT INDIE: Exactly! We've become habituated to the intense bombardment of images and sounds that are all competing for our attention. Meanwhile, there's a child out there somewhere right now poking a stick into the mud at the edge of a pond. The idea of being that child, even if only for a brief moment, is within your music, but there's an equal sense of that same child running through an abandoned farmhouse, slightly afraid of its shadows and broken windows.

LOU: I agree, seeing the world through the eyes of my child makes me hyper-sensitive to influence. There's the innocence, and with that naïveté it's not so much a sense of fear, but anticipation of the unknown, and respect, or reverence of the spiritual undercurrent, as well as things that go bump in the night. There should be no fear. These are our own creations, of course. My son and I explore nature, and really hone in on the minutia that is important. He's so psyched on little patches of lichen that grow together in different colors, and all the wildlife in the pond. These moments are all incorporated into music, or whatever outlet...dragging the rake through the sand. Interpreting what it means to be alive never gets old and always teaches us about ourselves.

CT INDIE: When you say "These are our creations, of course", this also rings true when thinking about your embracement of paradox. For instance, you have said elsewhere that the lyric in Cohen's Chelsea #2 "I need you, I don't need you" was what most compelled you to cover it. But is it true that what draws your interest to such an idea has more to do with what the contradictions share, or even what they make?

LOU: We are creatures of contradiction. Is it possible for something to be and to not be at the same time? Is it black and white? I think there's something more, the weird logical inconsistencies that cause us to be hot and cold in one breath, or simultaneously weak and powerful. It's more feel than rationale. There's an interdependence created by contradiction that I am attracted to. It's also a bit of a curse sometimes.

CT INDIE: I read that one of the references that the name Lewis & Clarke points to is Arthur C. Clarke and C. S. Lewis. What was it about their brief correspondence that interested you?

LOU: Ahh, back to the Koyaanisqatsi trip! Those guys were on it, there's an account of their correspondence in the mid 1940's called From Narnia to Space Odyssey. They were two revered minds who had concerns about technology and the future, and how it would affect mankind, as an asset or an enslavement. Not an uncommon theme, but I really like C.S. Lewis, and I like to think of him, Clarke, and Tolkien as contemporaries sharing ideas. Coonskin caps aside, I thought it made for an OK-enough name for a musical project when coupled with the obvious reference of exploration, and one that would not be out of style in a year's passing.

CT INDIE: So, for Lewis & Clarke, it's not only about new frontiers, but also about continuous rediscovery?

LOU: That's hopefully the case, and it doesn't have to be on a grand scale, either. Whether it's reinterpreting older songs, writing new material, or fiddling about on a new instrument, there's always a new sound, idea, or contradiction to play with.

~end~



interview by Jason Devin, July, 2009.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Deer Tick, Dawes and The Backwater Racket

Deer Tick is a rockin band from Providence, RI. From humble beginnings in 2004 as a drum and guitar duo, the band has progressed to a quartet. With the release of their albums War Elephant and Born on Flag Day, they've won a lot of praise for their mean blend of roots rock. Lead singer John McCauley lends his unique vocals to heartfelt songs to give these guys their great sound. I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more about these guys soon.

Dawes is an Americana quartet from California. They play some really awesome tunes, remeniscient of The Band, My Morning Jacket and the like. They even recently played a Daytrotter session which you can find right here. Their album North Hills is worth checking out.

Both bands are currently touring all over the USA and Canada together, with a lot of great shows in New England coming up, including Portland's famed Space Gallery and Northampton's Iron Horse. Deer Tick will even be playing the famed Newport Folk Festival on August 2nd! They'll be making a stop in Connecticut at The Space on July 23rd.

Playing with them will be The Backwater Racket. Hailing from Fairfield, CT, they describe themselves as "Porch Music." It's a very fitting description, as they play a lot of folk and bluegrass themed songs. They've got a new album coming out soon, and from what you can hear on their myspace page, it seems like it's going to be pretty damn good.

Thursday, July 23rd
The Space, Hamden, CT
Doors at 7PM
$10 / All Ages

You can get tickets on etix, or for no survace charge, purchase them at Redscroll Records in Wallingford.

THIS SHOW WAS PREVIOUSLY AT THE WALLINGFORD AMERICAN LEGION. ALL TICKETS WILL BE HONORED.

Big thanks to Manic Productions for setting this show up.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Meat Puppets @ Mohegan Sun

Tonight at the Mohegan Sun Arena the Meat Puppets are opening for the Stone Temple Pilots. It's time to party like it's 1993. The Meat Puppets were fantastic, so it's awesome to see them together again. They've actually released a new album as well, Sewn Together, which is getting some stellar reviews. I've only heard a couple songs but what I've heard sounds pretty damn killer. Even if you're not going to the show, be sure to check out this great SXSW Daytrotter Session from earlier this year. It'll tear your head off.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Hartford Advocate's Grand Band Slam '09 ballots went live today, so sign in and vote for your favorite Hartford area bands. The winners get to play the Grand Band Slam concert.

This year, the bands nominated in the Indie category are:

- Alex P. Taylor & Co.
- Columbia Fields
- Hi-Planes Drifter
- Instrument
- The Inclined Plane

Click here to start voting.

Gathering of the Vibes 09

It's time to start buying your tickets to the 13th annual Gathering of the Vibes. It's a gigantic 4-day music, camping and arts festival in Bridgeport's beautiful Seaside Park. It will be featuring tons of great bands, from folk, bluegrass, to jazz and funk. You'll be free to set up a tent, camp out and listen to good tunes.

The lineup is humongous, featuring a ton of big name international artists on the main stage and some indie heroes on the smaller "Green Vibes" stage. They'll be almost 50 bands playing throughout the course of the festival, so check out the artists page for more details.

Some of the really big names include:

- Bob Weir and Ratdog
- Levon Helm
- Crosby, Stills and Nash
- Buddy Guy
- George Clinton and P-Funk
- Guster
- moe.
- State Radio

On the small stage, These United States, Cornmeal and Chris Barron (of the Spin Doctors) are just a few of the great bands you can see. They'll also be some homegrown CT bands there like Big Moon and The McLovins.

Also, Band Together CT is going to put some musicians together to raise some money for local charities, and they'll be on the Green stage on Saturday at 11AM. Keep up the great work, guys.

Seaside Park is really the ideal location for a festival! Between this and Two Boots, it seems like Bridgeport is trying to shirk the bad name it's been given for all these years and start up a great music community. Let's hope things continue, and Bridgeport becomes a shining beacon for the local CT music scene.

The festival costs $200 for a full weekend pass, or $75 for a single day.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

House show


House show, Sunday, July 19th. It looks like Hot Air Press is hosting.

Justin Pigott (from Guilt Lust)

Peter Bonneman (from Denmark, played in Gorilla Angreb)

Crystalline Roses (western ma, plays bass in Aerosols)

Abraham King (from New Haven area)

Baby Grand (members of Hostage Calm, Make Do And Mend and Jettison)

Justin Pigott, Crystalline Roses and Peter Bonneman just released a three-way split, with four songs each. It's released on Justin's label Devine Noise. Abraham King's Mark of the Mess and Baby Grand's cassette are on Hot Air Press, with Baby Grand's cassette just releasing today.

Sunday, July 19th
4PM
77 Ellis St, New Britain, CT

Suggested $5 donation to help out the bands on tour.

Burnt Sugar at Real Art Ways

Tomorrow night, as part of the Creative Cocktail Hour, jazz fusion band Burnt Sugar finds its way to Real Art Ways in Hartford. Burnt Sugar is a collection of prominent musicians who were originally formed as a Bitches Brew inspired band, but quickly morphed into something all it's own. The group has 17 members, all of which are masters of their instruments. There are some big names, including DJ Mutamassik; trumpeter Lewis ‘Flip’ Barnes, and bassist Jared Nickerson who has toured and recorded with The The. As they put it, they're "a territory band, a neo-tribal thang, a community hang, a society music guild aspiring to the condition of all that is molten, glacial, racial, spacial, oceanic, mythic, antiphonal and telepathic." It's sure to be a really amazing night of incredible music that transcends description or classification.

Burnt Sugar
Thurs., July 16
Real Art Ways
6 - 10 p.m.,
$10, ($5 members),
56 Arbor St., Hartford, CT

Also, be sure to check out the Hartford Advocate's review of Burnt Sugar here.

Abraham King

A review of Abraham King's Mark of the Mess:



Mark of the Mess is a six song EP that lingers, like having the sense that you just saw a ghost while half-asleep. It could easily be mistaken for a new Woodsist release. But it's not. It's a homegrown EP by Adam Eisler, available on cassette and CD-R from Hot Air Press.

My first listen was like waking up in a rocking chair on the front porch as it is just about to start raining. Mark of the Mess has the verdant texture of kudzu covered ruins at the bottom of a valley. Never Thirsty, Never Drinking is by far the most intense track on the EP. It is a rich lo-fi recording of delicate acoustic strumming and distant vocals wrapped warmly in a blanket of analog hiss. A reverbed sigh of an electric guitar sneaks in behind the acoustic on some of the bluesier songs, as on Two Jackals Go Roaming, bringing to mind recent Josephine Foster.

Mark of the Mess is hard to pin down, though. I ended up reaching for a couple of records to compare Mark of the Mess to, but there wasn't any single recording that was a fitting reference. It's not as obfuscated as any Jandek, but is at times as eerie. There are suggestions of the moods that Robbie Basho stirred up once upon a time, but the Eastern influences Basho used are only hinted at in Mark of the Mess. The Body of a Whale is the first cousin of Chad VanGaalen's Rabid Bits of Time, but the overall similarity with VanGaalen is the open use of arrangements and sounds that you just don't get in more straight ahead music, let alone folk.

However it's described, Adam Eisler has discovered more than a mere idea, but rather a being, an Abraham King. There is an uncanny sense that this being is at once familiar and foreign. And yet it seems Eisler has found within that very contradiction the stamp of life, the Mark of the Mess.


review by Jason Devin

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Man Man @ Daniel St - July 15th


Man oh man its Man Man!

Per KB: Man Man belt out anthems for both pirate ship mutinies on the high seas and boozy burlesque shows in sweaty saloons. As it turns out, this is perfectly suited for Nickelodeon and Nike commercials. While chanting, primal drumming, face paint, and comedic leanings may sound like vaudevillian schtick, the spectacle of their live show is very much the stuff of legend, and Manic Productions brings them to Daniel Street tomorrow night! New Haven’s Mt. Bearington will undoubtedly be bringing their A-game to this show.



Wednesday July 15th @21 Daniel St Milford,CT
$12 advanced/ $14 Day of show
Doors-7:00pm
Man Man

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Whitney House

~photo: Dave Zakauskas

Head over to One Base on an Overthrow for the skinny on what's been happening at Whitney House.

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Grievants with Werewolf Police CANCELLED

CANCELLED

Sunday, July 12, 2009 Rock yer Socks brings you:




7:00 PM at the Charter Oak Cultural Center
21 Charter Oak Ave.
Manchester, Connecticut 06040
Cost: $3 suggested donation

The Grievants (Rochester, NY) sound like an old newspaper and break a ton of shit live.

Werewolf Police brings in the local shank.

Vegetarian/Vegan Potluck. Bring stuff we can throw on the grill! Bring a friend too! Talent Show begins at 5pm and this show will directly follow.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Support the Sound - two shows and an interview

Monday, July 13, 2009, Support the Sound presents:

~ Mia Becker

LOCATION:
The Space
295 Treadwell Street
Hamden CT
$10.00 - 6:30PM - All Ages

DIRECTIONS: Click

Dean Purificato
Nicole Frechette
Craig Dandria
Life on Hold
Twenty to Twelve




And then, on Thursday, July 23, 2009, Support the Sound presents:

~ Daria Musk

LOCATION:
Daniel Street
21 Daniel Street
Milford CT

8:00PM - 21+

DIRECTIONS: Click

ADVANCE TICKETS: Click $5.00!

TICKETS AT THE DOOR: $10.00

Daniel Rose
Dean Purificato
The Shells
Daria Musk
Dynasty Electric

------------------------


What is Support the Sound you ask? Support the Sound is a mission to help promote and nurture the local music scene and the arts in Connecticut. It's creator is Jeremy Kochis, an active local songwriter. Support the Sound is being co-organized by Mia Becker, creator and editor of PULP MAGAZINE, and Music Director at WNHU 88.7 FM. The money raised from Support the Sound shows will go towards funding a music festival to take place in Milford, CT in July of 2010.

What follows is an interview with both Jeremy and Mia:


CT INDIE: The most common thing I hear from local music promoters about why they got started is that it was out of a frustration that Connecticut's music scene is often ignored and too atomized. Would you say that PULP MAGAZINE and Support the Sound got started because of similar reasons?

MIA: It's definitely for similar reasons. I mean, I grew up around NYC, so coming up to CT was a completely different musical experience. In New York everything is more centralized, you know all of the areas where music is happening, and you know where to look to find out about them. However, in CT the music scene is kind of all over the place. There isn't really one big area where something is happening, or one big resource. Also, the CT music scene is kind of in a strange place because it's between two of the biggest indie scenes: New York and Boston, so it takes a bit more strategy, and things tend to get lost in the shuffle. Creating PULP MAGAZINE was definitely to have a central outlet of where people around my college, and the general area, could find out what was happening in the local scene, both on campus and off. As a local promoter, it's really about taking charge of what's happening in the scene, and giving more exposure to local artists that I really like that might not have exposure in the New Haven area, or even CT, especially if they are indie bands from NYC or the greater Mid-Atlantic area. I think something that sums it up, there was just an article in the New Haven Advocate about a documentary that is screening later this fall called "It Happened...But Nobody Noticed" about the New Haven Punk Scene. It was one of the cover stories. The story is at the bottom of the page here: link. [Or check out the CT Indie post here: Click]

JEREMY: Support the Sound was started for the purpose of bringing the scenes of the area together. The idea is to bring a festival to Milford, but starting small scale. While I wouldn't say that the scene is ignored, a lot of people just don't turn out.

CT INDIE: "It Happened...But Nobody Noticed" brings up an important point: the backbone of any strong music community is always one venue or a small group of them that consistently hosts music that people are enthusiastic about. Do you think that Connecticut's venues are doing enough for the local music community?

JEREMY: The venues that exist in the area are definitely doing the most they can. The Space in Hamden has an open mic night on Tuesdays, and hosts plenty of shows every week. The Webster in Hartford hosts local bands on both the main stage and the underground, and even hosts a local night every once in a while. I've seen Eclectic Wear in New London help out touring bands at essentially the last minute. That's to name a few, but the only complaint I can give is that there aren't nearly enough venues in Connecticut.

MIA: No, I don't. I mean, I wish there were more. There is definitely a lacking presence in guitar-oriented/rock venues in CT. I still don't understand why Toad’s Place is the only rock venue in downtown New Haven. There are other venues in the outer limits of New Haven, and other cities. There are a lot of bars that host in-house bands and such, but there is definitely a lacking in real hands on accessible venues; venues that you can get to easily by the local train, or local bus line. I hope to see more small to medium scale rock clubs open up within the next couple of years in downtown New Haven, and other big college areas, and have a lasting effect. Hopefully this would even out the proportion with all of the dance clubs, and give an alternative to the great bands that can't play the arena shows, or don't want to play a show in a local bar. Rock music is still really big, and I don't think that's going to change, especially in the college market.

CT INDIE: So, with a shortage of venues, the next best things are festivals, something that the local scene tends to really support. Tell us a little about Support the Sound, and how you are building up to your festival for 2010 by putting together smaller shows to help fund the future fest.

MIA: The festival started from Jeremy Kochis' idea, and then I jumped on board to help out, and we're now organizing the festival together. The idea of the festival (which is not yet named; we need ideas, please e-mail us!) is really to create an outlet of supporting local music in the scene, show people what's out there, and really bring some more music festivals to the Northeast, and local area. The big time festivals, which yeah are great, like Coachella, Lollapalooza, SXSW, Bonnarroo, etc., are expensive, plus travel time, etc. Why not do something local, something that’s more accessible?

JEREMY: The festivals are really only large scale that I've heard of, so I wanted to bring something a little more local. Like Mia said, all of the festivals are also a hike, like Ska Weekend in Tennessee, Bonnaroo in Tennessee, Bamboozle in New Jersey, and there's the tours of Ozzfest, Warped Tour, etc. Support the Sound's goal is to bring the local scene to the mainstream group as well, by merging the two in a festival. Having an in with some mainstream bands in the area definitely helps out with this.

MIA: We are really looking just to get as much support from the local CT scene as much as possible. We're open to any local bands/artists that want to get involved, either looking into submissions, work at the shows, lend equipment (like a PA system, etc.), help advertise/press, make flyers or posters, help us come up with a name for the festival (we are stuck!), or come up with any fundraiser ideas, anything. Right now we have two shows happening this July to help raise funds for our festival budget. The first show is all-ages, at The Space on July 13, 2009. The lineup includes Dean Purificato, Nicole Frechette, Craig D'Andrea, Life On Hold, and Twenty to Twelve. All the bands/artists are from CT, with the exception of Life On Hold, who are from MA, but are still within the New England area. The doors are at 6:30 PM, and the show starts at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10, and will be sold at the door. [See the top of this post for the links]

The other show is on July 23, 2009 at Daniel Street Club. That show is 21+ only, and the lineup includes Daniel Rose, Dean Purificato, The Shells, Daria Musk, and Dynasty Electric. The doors open at 8:00 PM, and the show starts at 8:30 PM. Half of that lineup is from CT, and the other half is from the NY/NJ area, so they are all bands that come from the tri-state area, and it's going to be a really great high energy show. We have advance tickets on sale now for $5, through etix.com. Buy tickets! Tickets will also be sold at the door for $10. [See the top of this post for the links]

JEREMY: The local shows are mainly to raise money and get a start on some local bands that will stick with us. Bands and artists that are already open to the idea are: Life on Hold, Johnny 9 and the Racers, Daria Musk, Nicole Frechette, Craig D'Andrea, among others. Being a part of the local scene definitely helps, and I know a lot of people that can help if I get stuck with any part of it.

MIA: The shows are a great deal, it’s five bands for the price of one, almost like a mini-festival within itself, and it's a great way to come and support local music and see what's happening in the scene, and support something bigger: a local music festival. All the info about the upcoming shows and festival can be found on our official site: here. We also have a ska show pending for the end of July. We're hoping to get that off the ground soon, and we also plan on booking some more local shows over the next six months or so, or up until we reach the funds we need to put everything together, so we'll always be looking for local bands to book for shows. I know there are a lot of local bands that we haven't even tapped in to yet, so feel free to e-mail us or send us suggestions for bookings! We also have a CD compilation coming out next month, which will be sold at our July shows, and at Oyster Fest this year in August. It's a compilation of all CT bands/artists, and the track listing can also be found on our website, so come out to the shows to pick up a copy! We'll also be looking into making another CD compilation for future shows we book, so we're always looking for submissions from local bands from CT that want to participate! You can reach me directly at: miawnhu@gmail.com.

CT INDIE: Have you found that local bands realize how important it is for them to chip in to help reinvigorate the local music scene, or has there been less support than was initially hoped for?

JEREMY: Every band I've seen involved in this has been more than helpful. Everyone I've dealt with has asked for me to ask them whenever I needed help with anything. Bands realize the ultimate goal of it and are willing to help out with whatever they can. It's great. It lifts my heart and hopes in all honesty.

MIA: We just started getting things together, and getting word out there, so as of right now, anyone that is involved in our shows, or knows about our upcoming festival project, it's been very well received, and people are enthusiastic, but I would definitely like to see more involvement, and think there is a great need for more local bands and enthusiasts to get out there and know what's going on. I mean, even with my magazine, PULP MAGAZINE, there isn't as much involvement from local bands as I would like. I would love to get regular feedback and involvement from bands from all over CT for any of these projects: local shows, local festivals, independent releases and CD compilations of CT bands, etc. I don't know if it’s a lack of faith in the local scene, or they’re just not aware of the outlets or resources, but I'm open to working with as many local bands as I can to help get something going, and then having things grow from there. Like I said, the CT scene is kind of strange because it’s really all over the place, and also it’s right between two other big scenes; New York and Boston. It's one of those things that involves many elements, it’s not just one factor, it’s many things. I would love to see more CT fanzines come out, and more publications (either print or online) that cater to CT music. I hope more bands find out about these projects and want to get involved because it’s important for the scene and while helping them create something of their own too. All those kind of things.

CT INDIE: It's definitely true that the more people talk about what's going on, the more enthusiasm there will be, and the internet makes getting the information out there so easy now. Do you think Connecticut's local music needs more of an internet presence, or is it more that internet culture has created a habit of talking about local music more than actually going to see it live?

JEREMY: There's definitely a stronger online presence than tangible. Some people on Facebook or MySpace (for those that still use it) might just fan or add a band because a close friend is in it, just to have that one extra page/friend, or because they actually like the artist or group. For events for shows, people also can just click that they're attending too because reading the information for it or seeing if they can actually attend could distract them from what they signed onto the networking site to do. It's a harsh reality, but it happens. There are a number of people who go to shows at venues regularly to support the scenes that exist, but it's a shame that this doesn't involve the majority of people. I'd say that there needs to be better turnouts at shows instead of the internet fans.

MIA: I think there is generally enough of an online presence, like with anything, I think what we really need is more tangible resources for local bands in CT to have an outlet. Like more venues, more radio stations that play local music, more fanzines, and more bands really getting out there and getting involved. I'm hoping our upcoming shows this July, and those we book in the future, get more local bands and enthusiasts involved, definitely. And, more importantly, I hope more people get involved in our festival project; that's the biggest thing all together. I know there are plenty of people that would benefit from what we're trying to put together, and really want something like that, something that is accessible. I'm hoping to see things grow and develop from here. We're open to getting as much help and interest as possible, anything and everything.

CT INDIE: So, it's not just about the audience's access to the bands, but the band's access to the audience?

MIA: Yeah, it goes both ways. An audience needs to know about what bands are in the area and an easy way to get to them, but bands need a place to play to have access to an audience. There is a huge lack of venues in CT. Most places are just really small cafes, or bars that host bands. There really is only a handful of real venues in the area. And even the venues that do exist, they are like arenas or really small clubs, there really aren't that many medium sized venues for bands to play at. It's a very black and white situation, nothing really in between (in the gray area).

JEREMY: Bands definitely need a better access to the public. Like Mia said, more radio stations that play local music would be great. I know that WPLR has a local band section of their Sunday night show starting at 10, which is great. If radio stations started advertising local shows, I don't doubt that there would be a better turnout. Ideally, I'd love for there to be at least one venue for bands to play in each town or city. It takes the cooperation between the radio stations and the venues.

CT INDIE: What about all-ages shows, which are often held in halls or other alternative outlets, do you feel more needs to be done for the all-ages crowd?

JEREMY: There definitely needs to be more all-ages outlets. A favorite band of mine, Bomb the Music Industry!, recently started to refuse to play shows that are not all ages and cost more that $10. That's probably one of my biggest influences with this project. I'm not looking to charge over $10 for any fundraising show, and I aim to get the all-ages crowd instead of a limited age group.

MIA: I think there always needs to be more all-ages venues and events, regardless of the area it’s taking place in. All-ages doesn't have any limitations, and you are able to reach out to such a bigger audience rather then just one specific market or age group. Everything is "free for all", and creates a great outlet for people who are 14, 15, 16. There is also an advantage to 21+ shows because sometimes you want that specific market, and you get better results reaching out to one group of people than reaching out to everyone. I think a lot of cities that have thriving indie scenes, or have potential to have a thriving scene, always run into that problem: There aren't enough all-ages venues. For example: if you look at Seattle, before the whole "Seattle Scene" broke out, they had the same problem, but then a couple of great all-ages venues started to open up and it grew from there. As I mentioned before, there is a great need for real music venues, and rock venues to open up in CT; halls and alternative outlets are good for random shows, but for something to keep going you really need a solid space. For example, I'm pretty sure people that want to buy coffee at their local cafe are going to get pretty annoyed with all of the equipment and wires all over the place night after night. It doesn't work as well as a real venue, something that is designed with the facilities to cater to that activity and market.

CT INDIE: Looking toward the future, say a few new rock clubs open up in Connecticut, do you think that those venues would benefit from following in the footsteps of Iron Horse Entertainment Group up in Western Mass, where several venues are owned by one company? Or do think that venues can be independently owned and operated while still being able to cooperate and support the music community as a whole?

JEREMY: I think either case would end up successful. If they were separately owned venues, I'd say the owners or promoters of the new venues should be in contact with existing venues to get e-mail addresses or other contact information for bands, to set things into motion. On the other hand, if they're all owned/managed by a company, if one venue gets contact information, the rest of them would, and that would expand the scene. It depends on the intelligence of the one company. If they are spread out through the state, it would be great. If it's one company managing venues in a small circle of towns, I don't think that would be successful at all.

MIA: I think it just depends on the situation and protocol of the venue. I think many companies can be successful and own and operate multiple venues and support the music community, as long as they all follow the same format, but I think one or two venues could pop up and operate independently and support the local scene, and the music community just as well. I think if the local scene is really going to start from the bottom up, venues should operate independently first, and then as more come about, maybe a company would look into investing into operating many at one time. As long as more venues come about, and the local music scene can flourish, that’s what's most important.

~end~



interview by Jason Devin, July, 2009.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Manic Productions Presents:




July 16 at The Space, come see four great bands:

Cotton Jones
Mean Creek
A Paper Tugboat
East India Company

Cotton Jones are from Maryland. They were originally an offshoot of Page France, and now are touring as a full time project. Their new album Paranoid Cocoon came out earlier this year to really great reviews. It's a really great band so you'll definitely want to check them out.

Mean Creek is from Boston, and is getting a lot of great press. The Boston Globe says: "Mean Creek's folksy Simon & Garfunkel harmonies anchor a sound that alternates between jangling and overdriven guitars. This could be the best lineup in Boston." They're on tour to promote the release of their new album The Sky (or the Underground).

A Paper Tugboat are a grungy folky rock band from CT. They just finished recording their debut EP "Demonstration" and it will be out later this summer.

East India Company is a psych rock band from Hamden, and just played the Ideat Festival. They sound pretty minimalistic and are doing really complex stuff for what sounds like just drum and bass. It'll be interesting to see these guys live, as I'm not really sure what to expect out of them.

Doors open at 7 PM - $10 ($8 advance) at The Space, Hamden, CT

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

It Happened But Nobody Noticed



Become a fan on Facebook: It Happened ... But Nobody Noticed

Here's the article from the New Haven Advocate:

Co-directed by J.L. Sonic and Eric Schrader.

Connecticut's own punk/new wave legacy is being immortalized onscreen this year. Stay tuned, though, because it could happen before you notice.

Last year saw the expanded CD reissue of Craig Bell's hallowed 1982 local-band compilation LP, It Happened...But Nobody Noticed. Wandering out of the live reunion show that greeted the rerelease, J.L. Sonic (a longtime punk club habitué now hiding behind this newfangled filmmaking moniker) wondered "Now, gee, where's the video?" In true DIY fashion (albeit with less salty vocabulary), the mild-mannered scenester saw an ad for a Wallingford public access TV production class and "I said, 'By golly, I'm going to get off this couch and that's what I'll do! So I toddled down there ..." At the studio, he partnered with Eric Schrader of the band Covin.

Countless phone calls, 35 in-depth interviews, a sweet poster by Todd Rogers and a 30-second online teaser later, It Happened ... is really happening. It documents the scene from its ignoble beginnings at the Shandy Gaff and the Snake Pit through Ron's Place (where much of the It Happened ... LP scene happened) to the 1988 demise of the Grotto. (The Night Shift in Naugatuck may merit its own spin-off doc.)

As of now, only one screening of It Happened ... But Nobody Noticed is certain — Sept. 6 at Lou Cox's Channel 1 skateboard emporium. The shop holds fewer than 100 people, so additional screenings and other venues are being sought. Sonic seems so chuffed about that single small screening at Channel 1 that a punk-pure "no future" may be fine with him — as long as the accompanying reunion concert at BAR works out, that is.

— Christopher Arnott