This Friday, Federation of Horsepower will be celebrating its 10th anniversary of rocking the hell out of Kansas City and all over the country. The Friday show will feature an all-star lineup of every official member of the band, and is the farewell show for drummer Kriss Ward before his move to Austin. In our feature, we talk to founding member and frontman Gregg Todt all about FOHP. Where they started, what we can expect for Friday’s show, and what lies ahead. You can check it out right here, and be sure to hit The Brick Friday for what’s sure to be one of the biggest rock shows of the year. 

–Michelle Bacon

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(Photo by Todd Zimmer)

This week’s On The Beat features one of Kansas City’s most longstanding and voracious drummers, Kriss Ward of Federation of Horsepower. Kriss will be playing his last show with Federation of Horsepower this Friday before he relocates to Austin. We sit down with him and find out where he’s been and what’s coming next. Catch the beat right here!

On The Beat is typically brought to you by Sergio Moreno, but has been overtaken this week by drummer and The Deli – Kansas City editor-in-chief Michelle Bacon. This weekly interview features some of the many talented drummers in the area.

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Victor & Penny is the charming, self-proclaimed "Antique Pop" duo of Erin McGrane and Jeff Freling. The two have spent their summer touring the country extensively, and look forward to recording another album this fall. Their unique brand of ukelele and guitar music brings a modern flair to early 20th century songs and a clever, intimate approach to original songs.

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Victor & Penny: Antique Pop is the popular music from the time when jazz was young, sassy and all the rage—the Top 40 before there was Top 40.

The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?

V&P: We just returned from an extended summer tour that went really well. We’ve played over 100 shows so far this year (most of them on the road), traveled 30,000 miles and we’re still going strong. We’ve been touring on and off since last summer and we’ve learned a lot about the road and ourselves—it’s been a fantastic experience. But now, we’re home in KC for most of the fall and winter and we’re glad to be back in the thick of all the great happenings here. The news is that we’re going to record our next album in October here in KC and we’re writing songs that will appear on the album alongside more antique pop. The album will appeal to kids of all ages.

The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?

V&P: First and foremost: going out and seeing live music performance. There’s nothing else like the thrilling give-and-take between performer and audience. Secondly, please purchase local music when it’s for sale. Many independent artists (especially those on the road) live on the income from merchandise sales. People might not know that the bar doesn’t always pay the bands, nor do bands always get the door money. These days, often it’s the audience buying merch and tipping the band that is the payment for live music. I’m not saying that’s the best system, but it’s often the way it is.

The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?

V&P: KC is exploding with talented artists of all kinds right now—it’s hard to choose. But we’ve been very impressed with the dedication and character of some of the young stars like Enrique Chi (Making Movies) and Hermon Mehari (Diverse).

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

V&P: We love to listen to other independent artists we’ve met on the road like Tina & Her Pony, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Brian DeMarco and Lucas Young & The Wilderness. Besides that, the new Fiona Apple album is really interesting.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?

V&P: It’s a triple bill: Us, Radiohead and Duke Ellington.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

V&P: We’d split that 50/50—Erin enjoys the stage most and Jeff enjoys the recording studio.

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

V&P: Erin: Aretha Franklin, Julie Andrews, Ella Fitzgerald and Joy Williams. Why: These are women singers I admire (all for different reasons).

Jeff: Django Reinhardt, Johnny Marr, Les Paul, Marc Ribot. Why: These guitarists influenced me the most

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

V&P: http://victorandpenny.com
http://www.facebook.com/victorandpenny
http://www.twitter.com/victorandpenny
http://www.reverbnation.com/victorpenny

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for The Deli audience?

V&P: We’re glad to be back—we’ve missed everyone!  Come out, come out and play…

You can hear the delightful sounds of Victor & Penny this Saturday, September 15. They’ll be at La Esquina for the Manifest Destiny Art Installation at 2:00 pm, then at Davey’s Uptown with Howard Iceberg & The Titanics and Miss Tess and the Talkbacks at 9:00 pm.  

–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. She is lactose intolerant but really enjoys cheese.

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The Atlantic is our September Artist of the Month! This young group of talented musicians has secured its place in the Kansas City music scene and is finding a large fan base. The 5-piece group recently opened up for Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü, played the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands at Vans Warped Tour, released a music video, and is currently working on an album. They will also be performing at Crossroads Music Fest this Saturday. Please take a moment to find out a little more about our Artist of the Month!

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

The Atlantic: We hope you have a permit for that.

The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?

The Atlantic: We’ve got a new record coming out very soon in the next month or two, as well as a new band name we will be announcing shortly. We’ll also be playing Crossroads Music Fest this Saturday.

The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?

The Atlantic: It’s been a very important subject to us actually. We believe the local music scene is in a very good place and we would love to continue to contribute to it and provide anything we can to keep our community strong.

The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?

The Atlantic: All of them! (that’s not a copout)

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

The Atlantic: We’ve been really in to some new releases this year. MewithoutYou, Cursive and Minus the Bear have all got some solid records out right now.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?

The Atlantic: Easy, a private show for Bill Murray.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

The Atlantic:

(Photo by Tammy Shell)

Kasey Rausch has been making music for over 20 years, mostly as a solo artist and in several local collaborations. Her folky, bluegrass musical approach hearkens the timeless voice of Emmylou Harris and the melancholy sound of Gillian Welch. We were able to talk to her more about her influences and current projects.

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Kasey Rausch: Americana (not so creative, but hey! I have a gun to my head!).

The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?

Kasey: I’ve been balancing solo gigs with a lot of different projects with a ton of people and it’s been a blast. Currently working on a record with Buttermilk Boys (I play upright bass/fiddle/viola/harmonies) and the Rausch & Friends crew is starting to line up the beginnings of our next recording project—we have more than an album’s worth of material ready. Other projects include Partners in Glory with Mikal Shapiro and a trio with my sister Kim Rausch and Sarah Carpenter. House concerts are where it’s at!

The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?

Kasey: Supporting local music means supporting local business. It’s supporting the health and mental well-being of the community.

The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?

Kasey: Some of my favorite local musicians are the people that I’m closest to and are blessed to make music with: my sister, Kim Rausch; my husband, Travis Huffhines; my uncles, Terry Rausch & Larry Ford; my cousins, Ethan Ridings, Collin Rausch, Kyle Rausch, Danny Johnson; my friends, Mikal Shapiro, Scott Stanton, Chris DeVictor, Sarah Carpenter, Jesse Carr, Molly Healey, Tony Ladesich, Brandon Moore, Fernando Achucarro, just to name a few…

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

Kasey: Folks I’ve been listening to a lot of lately are:
Anne & Pete Sibley: Bluegrass/folk/old-time sound.
Chauncy Crandall: bluesy folk from Manitou Springs, CO. He played a house concert with Mikal Shapiro and me in Colorado Springs a few weeks ago. Good stuff.
Merle Haggard: He’s been a favorite of mine for a long time and I’ve been on a kick lately since I just saw him at Knuckleheads.

The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Crossroads Music Fest this year?

Kasey: I’d say Rural Grit All-Stars except that I’m playing at the same time as them. :~) Victor & Penny, Dead Voices and Starhaven Rounders is where I’ll be!.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?

Kasey: Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

Kasey: I’d like to spend the rest of my life recording the magic that happens on stage. :~)

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

Kasey: Willie Nelson: for his environmental consciousness.
George Harrison: for his compassion and desire to unite.
Jerry Garcia: for his openness.
Johnny Mullins: for his giving and for raising one of my favorite people, Sweet Melindamoon. (Mr. Mullins is a man from the Ozarks who wrote tunes that Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, Porter Wagoner and Johnny Cash recorded).

And if I could add a fifth face in there, it would be Elizabeth Cotten for her originality.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

Kasey: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kasey-Rausch-Music-Other-Projects
http://www.reverbnation.com/kaseyrausch
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kaseyrauschfriends
http://www.myspace.com/kaseyrausch

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for The Deli audience?

Kasey: You can have all the love in the world, but if ya ain’t got gratitude (and a lil’ music) it don’t mean much…

You can see Kasey channel all of her compassionate, heartfelt influences while performing her signature brand of rustic Americana on Saturday at Czar at 8:00 pm.  

–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. She is looking for someone to kill spiders for her full-time.

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(Photo by Leah O’Connor)

Folkicide‘s music can strike the listener in one or all of several ways: puzzling, entertaining, chaotic, energizing, uncomfortable, thought-provoking. His song and new video for "Unleash The Young" both achieve that perfect blend of amusement, jocular discomfort and introspection that the artist seems to look for in his songwriting. He grabs the listener by the balls with an unexpected nasally register and lyrics that could make anyone blush, his attempt to deliver clever, aggressive social commentary.

The video comes from his recently released EP The Genocide Is Mean, and stars Deep Violet Brown and burlesque performer Diamond Dan. Check out the video, and see below for a streaming link to the EP.

–Michelle Bacon

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(Photo by Patrick Andrew Adams)

One of the highlights of Crossroads Music Fest this year will be the return of The Supernauts. The group’s reunion this Friday includes vocalist and bassist Jordan Lebrecht Smith, guitarist Tim Braun and drummer John Floyd Whitaker, all of whom played in the band from 2003 to 2007. The Supernauts breathed a dazzling classic rock life into the Kansas City music scene. Their solid, straightforward approach to their music brandished the huge, overarching rock n’ roll swagger of influential bands like AC/DC or The Rolling Stones while capturing the pop sensibility of The Beatles. Smith’s mid-range and falsetto vocal delivery fit harmoniously with Braun’s robust and soaring guitar licks and a propelling, monstrous backbeat from Whitaker. We talked a bit with Braun about the reunion and what other projects they’ve had going on since.

The Deli: The Supernauts were one of the best rock groups in KC at the time. What local bands do you look to now for the same brand of rock n’ roll that you tried to make your own?

Tim Braun: Those Not A Planet dudes strike me as being kinda similar. 3 piece, psychedelic-y, etc.

The Deli: You’ve all gone on to other projects since. What do you miss about playing with this group of guys?

Tim: Rehearsals. Shenanigans ensue.

The Deli: Tell us one notable bill you’re glad to have played on.

Tim: All of our shows were legendary. Every single one. Okay, not really. We played at The Roxy with Lucinda Williams and Son Volt and some other folks. That was kinda neat.

The Deli: What other projects have you all been doing since The Supernauts?

Tim: John and I have managed to do a couple things together. We recorded a record with a friend of ours, Dale McCoy from Fools Face. John’s also filled in on a couple Good Foot gigs in the past. I play in The Good Foot, I do stuff with the Diverse guys and Making Movies. Jordan Plays with Josh Johnson and Sammy Hoskins (both from The Slowdown) in a band called Wonderfuzz. They dress like cops.

Oh yeah, John and I are starting a stoner rock duo called stunt-driver. PREPARE.

The Deli: Do you think your musical tastes have all evolved since playing together?

Tim: I think anybody who plays music is always drawing from new stuff they hear. I would hope our musical tastes would change with time/new input. It’d be pretty boring if they didn’t.

The Deli: Do you plan to play any new material on Friday?

Tim: Yeah, we’ll actually have a new song. How ’bout that?

The Deli: So, any plans for future shows, or is this our one and only last chance to see you guys?

Tim: That all depends on the weather. See, I made some limited-edition shirts and CDs for this event. If we get rained out or don’t sell out, I’ll be booking another show to sell this kack. Gotta make that paper, nome sayin?

The Supernauts will be kicking off the first Friday pre-show festivities at CrossroadsKC at Grinder’s, beginning at 8:30 pm. They’ll be followed by The Grisly Hand and then The Good Foot.

And if you check out this week’s edition of The Mailbox (a weekly podcast presented by Midwest Music Foundation), co-hosts Michael Byars and Chris Haghirian talk about the upcoming Crossroads Music Fest and play "Showdown Girl" from The Supernauts. Listen at the link here.  

–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. She has a fat Australian cattle dog and a stupidly adorable Corgi.

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(Photo by Redwall Photography)

This week’s On The Beat features Lennon Bone of Ha Ha Tonka, a band born in the Ozarks that has gained considerable buzz around the nation. Lennon tells us about his touring schedule in the US and soon, Europe, as well as his solo career and his KC record label Sharp County Records. Catch the beat right here!

On The Beat is typically brought to you by Sergio Moreno, but has been overtaken this week by drummer and The Deli – Kansas City editor-in-chief Michelle Bacon. This weekly interview features some of the many talented drummers in the area.

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(Photo by Jack of Hearts Photography)

Our next featured Crossroads Music Fest artist is The Good Foot, who posits itself as the Seven Saviors of Soul. We get the inside scoop from guitarist Tim Braun.

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Tim Braun: If there was a gun to my head, I would say our type of music is, "Hey man, take whatever you want, just don’t shoot me in the head."

The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?

Tim: Crossroads Music Fest! We don’t have any other big dates on the books currently. We hope to have another 45 out by years end.

The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?

Tim: Buying a bands merch, paying a cover to see a band, supporting the establishment that has the show, telling your friends about your favorite local bands, bring sandwiches for the band to the show, KEEPING YOUR EYES PEELED FOR A WHITE ’95 GMC 15-PASSENGER RALLY VAN….there are a hundred ways to support artists.

The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?

Tim: The Making Movies guys are killin’ it. Diverse is great, The Hearts of Darkness is great, The Grisly Hand is rad.

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

Tim: DIO.

The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Crossroads Music Fest this year?

Tim: We’re actually booked Saturday night, so I’ll miss the big night of CMF…balls.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?

Tim: House band for The Colbert Report. Bam.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

Tim: I hope I don’t ever have to choose one or the other.

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

Tim: This one’s too hard.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

Tim: http://www.thegdft.com

The Good Foot will be playing the pre-party at Crossroads KC at Grinder’s this Friday at 11:30 with The Grisly Hand and The Supernauts. Check out their fabulous brand of soul!

–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. Her grandmother is her favorite person on the planet.

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Our next featured Crossroads Music Fest artist is The Grisly Hand. This 5-piece group released its well-received EP Western Ave. earlier this year, and is currently working on a full-length album. The strong, melodious female voice behind The Grisly Hand’s music, Lauren Krum, talks to us a little about the group.

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Lauren Krum: WHY IS THERE A GUN TO MY HEAD OH MY GOD NOOOOO.

The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?

Lauren: We are playing Friday with The Good Foot and The Supernauts. We love sharing the stage with The Good Foot and are excited to be back on the Crossroads stage. The sound is great and the stage is huge.

The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?

Lauren: Going to shows and paying the cover. Being positive and responsive to fellow musicians.

The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?

Lauren: Radkey, Tiny Horse, Mikal Shapiro, Dead Voices and we really enjoyed Loaded Goat & The Latenight Callers at Paris of the Plains Cocktail Competition this year!

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

Lauren: The Dirty Projectors, Sharon Van Etten, Menahan Street Band and The Reigning Sound.

The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Crossroads Music Fest this year?

Lauren: We already mentioned some of the performers as our favorite local musicians. Otherwise, My Brothers and Sisters is pretty intriguing.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?

Lauren: Opening for Gary Floater at Hollywood Bowl.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

Lauren: On stage. Though recording is pretty fun, especially with Joel Nanos at Element Recording.

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

Lauren: I’d put 5, John, Ben, Jim, Matt and Mike. And if there can really only be 4 I guess Mike and Ben kind of look similar if you cross your eyes.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

Lauren: http://ww.thegrislyhand.com, http://www.facebook.com/thegrislyhand

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for The Deli audience?

Lauren: "Talkin’ aint’ walkin."

You can see The Grisly Hand at Crossroads KC at Grinder’s this Friday at 9:30 for the pre-party with The Good Foot and The Supernauts. Don’t miss em!

–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. She was voted Most Changed in her senior year of high school and she still isn’t sure why.

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(Photo by Tammy Shell)

Our next featured Crossroads Music Fest artist is Mikal Shapiro. Like Velghe, she’s a prolific songwriter with a distinct personality in her music. Mikal recently moved back to Kansas City after spending time around the country. We’re glad to be able to sit down with her and find out more about her and what she’s up to.

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Mikal Shapiro: An internationally-unknown Broadway musical about a gypsy bandit and her love for animals.

The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?

Mikal: I just moved back home after a seven-year hiatus in New York, Hawaii and Chicago, so I’m ready to make some music with my KC crew. I play CMF with Kasey Rausch in our new project Partners in Glory Saturday, September 8 from 8:00 to 9:00 pm at Czar. Then Thursday, September 20 at Coda with Betse Ellis and John Keck. At the end of the month, I’m at Prospero’s Bookstore with Brian Frame, on Saturday, September 29 at 10:30 pm. You could say I’m making up for lost time.

The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?

Mikal: Getting off the internet and going outside where real music exists on a daily basis.

The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?

Mikal: So many to choose from but off the top: Witch and Hare, Rural Grit All-Stars, Ruddy Swain, Kasey Rausch, Metatone, Dead Voices, Victor and Penny, Brian Frame, Amy Farrand, Makuza, Folkicide, Terrence Moore, People’s Liberation Big Band, Stan Kessler, Claire Adams, Rachel Gaither, Emily Tummons and the crickets in my basement.

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

Mikal: Eleni Mandell (LA), Elvis Perkins (NY), Celia Shacklett and Fire Dog (STL), DeVotchka (CO), Mountain Man, Dark Dark Dark, Boog (Philly), The Cartolinas (Chicago), Box Jellyfish (Chicago), Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (NY).

The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Crossroads Music Fest this year?

Mikal: Dang, all of them. Those I know, those I don’t know. I’m lucky to be in the lineup with all these rockers.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?

Mikal: I played it. Ruddy Swain and Eleni Mandell at Davey’s Uptown. Where were you? 🙂

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

Mikal: Yes.

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

Mikal: Lisa Gerrard: her ghostly voice.
Leonard Cohen: his smoking lyrics.
Eleni Mandell: her ghostly voice and smoking lyrics.
For the fourth, I’m thinking Rural-Grit All-Star Mark Smeltzer. Have you seen his face? It’s awesome..

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

Mikal: Mikalshapiro.com, baby.

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for The Deli audience?

Mikal: Dear music lovers, show your faces. You are my heroes. You make the scene. Thank you for your support.

Mikal plays the fest this Saturday at 8:00 pm at Czar. Be sure to make it to see her wonderful, artistic work.  

–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. Her favorite salty snack growing up was Shrimp Chips from the Asian grocery store.

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(Photo by Matt Naquin)

This week we’re kicking off our Artists on Trial series with several bands playing Crossroads Music Fest this weekend. We’re starting with John Velghe & The Prodigal Sons, a group filled with Kansas City superstars (from bands like The Hearts of Darkness, Diverse and The New Riddim). Velghe, one of the area’s most prolific and heartfelt songwriters, takes a few moments to tell us a bit about the group.

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

John Velghe: Rock n roll troubadour; music with brains and guts.

The Deli: Tell us about your latest release or upcoming shows. What can we expect?

John: We’ve been demoing for the new record which is sounding great. We’ll be debuting new material at CMF. We just got done with a tour to the East coast where we started opening up some new cities to our music and bookers in cities like Cleveland, New York and Chicago are asking us to come back. So, we’re hoping we can get back there next Spring after SXSW.

The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?

John: It means participating in it—that doesn’t require you being a musician either. I’m going to just go ahead and call people in KC out: too many of them honestly do not realize or appreciate how much better hearing music in a crowd makes you feel. In two decades of playing here I’ve played to no one and I’ve played to packed rooms. The quality of the show and the music is proportional to the number of people in the crowd and their participation in the show. We play cities like Austin, Cleveland, New York and people engage in music with such regularity that they know how important it is to their enjoyment of life. They understand that it’s hot, sweaty, communal and doesn’t sound like listening to an MP3 on their laptop through a set of earbuds—that’s the point of it. And that whole experience makes the music better too.  Bands—good bands—learn how to make their music better from their experiences at performances.

When you go to see a show, you help enable the next one to be even better and the next record will reflect a little of you in it.

The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?

John: I got a sneak listen to the new Pedaljets record yesterday. It’s great. The songs are so good—very well thought out—and the playing is killer. I saw Deco Auto a few times and they have great songs.

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

John: Well, I’ve been preaching the gospel of Alejandro Escovedo for a long time and it seems like that kid is finally going places.  His whole band is truly great people. I’ve also been into a lot of New Orleans artists lately: Glen David Andrews, John Boutte, Irma Thomas. Shoes just put out a new record. I have some of their records from the ’70s and they’re great songwriters.

The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Crossroads Music Fest this year?

John: Starhaven Rounders for sure. I’ve been meaning to see them for a while.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy bill to play on?

John: Bruce Springsteen, Alejandro Escovedo, Trombone Shorty, and us. Al could open.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

John: On tour. Something happens on tour that nothing else is a substitute for. The band improves, the travel informs my songs, the people we meet are all unique and true music fans. The new locations give me a better experience of humanity and a higher threshold for discomfort.

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

John: I put these faces up there because I consider them the founding fathers of American music:

Duke Ellington: He perfected the American musical idiom. He’s a brilliant arranger, orchestrator, and he moved asses. His success is why we have a lot of the music we have today.

Chuck Berry: He had the imagination to combine the blues and country and turn them into rock n roll. He inspired bands like The Beatles, The Stones and countless others.

Some amalgam of the faces of the members of R.E.M.: To me, they invented what became alternative music. They maintained a collectivist mindset for a long time, even with their massive success. That four-as-one ethos was the foundation of what became indie music until it was turned into more of a pose than an operative principle. There may not be an "indie" genre without them.

Chuck D: He was one of the inventors of rap and hip hop. In that era, Chuck gave music a license to be political again. I think he inspired a lot of the people making music today in all kinds of genres.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

John: www.facebook.com/johnvelghe 
www.JohnVelghe.com
www.twitter.com/johnvelghe
JohnVelghe.bandcamp.com

www.lakeshore-records.com/

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for The Deli audience?

John: The best thing to happen to you is not Google fucking Fiber. If you’re a musician, act like people engaging in your music is the most important thing on earth to you, because your songs are more compelling when they do. If you’re not a musician, get out of your living room, get off your ass, go engage in music. You’ll lose weight, your skin will clear up, you’ll have better sex, kids will think you are cool and your parents will be proud of you.

You can catch John with The Prodigal Sons at Crossroads Music Fest on Saturday, September 8 at Czar. They’ll be taking the stage at 9:30 pm. Get out of your living room, get off your ass, and go engage in some great local music.  

–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. She really, really wants to wear cool hats.

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