NYC

Album review: Appropriate Grammar – Lies and Stories

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There’s some music that’s intricately intertwined with the feeling you get from a weekend whiskey binge. From the initial burn of the first drink to the last sip of the bottle, the emotions and thoughts that drive that binge are have long been subjects for great storytelling and songwriting. Appropriate Grammar’s release Lies and Stories is the musical equivalent to a weekend whiskey bender, if there was a universe where you could drink whiskey all weekend and still speak with eloquent clarity.

This 10-song set rambles on like the smartest heartbroken drunk you’ve ever met. Lyrically speaking, this is one of the better releases I’ve heard in awhile, so much so that I stopped during some songs to go back and catch a line again. With varied stories of fighting all night with a significant other ("Lover’s Quarrel") to dealing with an existential crisis ("Chosen Children"), the lyrical palette of this album reflects a wandering spirit coming to terms with the human experience. And it rocks.

Fast-paced shuffles by drummer Steve Gardels and jangling, well-placed guitar hooks by Alex Dunsford provide an inspiring platform for Nick McKenna’s cool and seemingly calculated vocal delivery. Bassist and vocalist Claire Adams adds color to many of these songs, particularly "High and Lonely," which gives the album some breathing room with a beautiful duet. In a weekend binge scenario, this is the song you’re listening to when the bottle runs dry, it’s time to go to bed, but you have no idea where you are or how to get home.

Not many bands can pull off rollicking, melodic songs that are emotional, smart and fun without coming off as being pretentious or downright aggravating, but Appropriate Grammar seems to have a formula down that works well for what they are doing, like an Old-Fashioned served with just the right amount of bitters.

-Mike Tipton

Mike is a KC native that enjoys new music and playing with his band, Molly Picture Club. He also enjoys people watching and documentaries by Ken Burns.

 

NYC

Show of the day: Signal To Noise Presents An Evening with the Music of The Beatles

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8:00 pm, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut, Kansas City, MO. $10 at the door. 

A number of talented Kansas City artists will be on hand for a benefit for KKFI 90.1 FM tonight to present the music of The Beatles. This is the second year in a row this fundraiser has been done, with great success last year. The evening’s musicians include some of the most talented in the area. From Back To Rockville

"The house band will comprise Alan Wellman (bass), Darrell Lea (lead guitar), Eric Melin (drums), Dan Mesh (guitar) and Nate Holt (keyboards). Also performing: the local Beatles tribute band Vera Chuck and Dave, Kasey Rausch, Kim Rausch McClaws, Elaine McMilian, Mark Smeltzer, Jason Beers, Chad Rex, Joey Skidmore, Kirk Scott, Fast Johnny Ricker, JoJo Longbottom, Steve Wilson and “a special surprise” from Cody Wyoming."

The show is being presented by Barry Lee, host of "Signal To Noise" on KKFI Sunday nights.

NYC

Show of the day: Hospitality/Spirit is the Spirit/Monster at The Jackpot

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 Tonight, The Jackpot scores another big show with Brooklyn band Hospitality, Lawrence band Spirit is the Spirit, and KC band Monster

Though Hospitality is from Brooklyn, lead vocalist Amber Papini originally hails from Kansas City. Check out their style of indie pop here.

Spirit is the Spirit (from The Record Machine) just completed a successful Kickstarter campaign last week, raising over $4,000 to buy a van to begin a US tour. Though the 6-piece band has only released one EP (Mother Mountain), they’ve found great success with an ethereal and harmonic, yet accessible groove. Spirit is the Spirit was recently featured in Secret Handshakes, a 12" collaboration between The Record Machine and Golden Sound Records, with a track called "Pillows." Check out the video below.

Kansas City/Lawrence band Monster opens up the show.

Spirit Is The Spirit // Pillows // Music Video from Micki Hadley on Vimeo.

NYC

Show of the day: Langhorne Slim/Ha Ha Tonka/The Roseline

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The Jackpot, Lawrence, 9 pm, 21+, $10

Two area bands are featured at The Jackpot in Lawrence tonight: The Roseline, a pure, melodious country group from Lawrence, whose sound will mesh with the soulful, rootsy rock of the Ozarks group Ha Ha Tonka. Ha Ha Tonka has been touring with well-known singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim and continues to make a name for itself around the country. 

Check out the latest video from the boys, "Lonely Fortunes," off their acclaimed 2011 album Death of A Decade.

 

NYC

Lawrence Field Day Fest Announces Lineup

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 The lineup for the first Lawrence Field Day Fest has been announced! The pre-party starts July 5 at The Jackpot with Stephen Egerton of The Descendents/ALL. See below for the full lineup:

Thursday, July 5: The Jackpot (Pre-Party)

  • 10:00-10:45 Drag The River
  • 11:00-11:45 Stephen Egerton
  • 12:00-12:45 Stiff Middle Fingers

Friday, July 6: The Bottleneck

  • 6:00-6:30    Soma
  • 6:40-7:10    Busted Open
  • 7:20-7:50    Jabberjosh
  • 8:00-8:30    Field Day Jitters
  • 8:40-9:10    Many Moods of Dad
  • 9:20-9:50    Radar Defender
  • 10:00-10:30 The Empty Spaces
  • 10:40-11:25 Panda Circus
  • 11:35-12:20 The ACBs
  • 12:30-1:15   Mouthbreathers

Saturday, July 7: The Bottleneck

  • 4:00-4:30    Sex Tapes
  • 4:40-5:10    Black on Black
  • 5:20-5:50    Awestrich
  • 6:00-6:30    Dismantle The Virus
  • 6:40-7:10    White
  • 7:20-7:50    Melting Point of Bronze
  • 8:00-8:30    Robocopter
  • 8:40-9:10    Deco Auto
  • 9:20-9:50    Dean Monkey
  • 10:00-10:30 Doubleplus
  • 10:40-11:25 Radkey
  • 11:35-12:20 Major Games
  • 12:30-1:00   Approach

Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 8. The festival is sponsored by New Belgium Brewing Co., KJHK 90.7 FM, and Midwest Music Foundation

NYC

May album releases

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(above: The Doo-Dads)

 …and if you have more releases we need to know about, email us here.

The Brannock Device: Into the Witness Chamber, 5.15.12

Antennas Up: The Awkward Phase, 5.15.12

The Doo-Dads: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!, 5.11.12

The Rumblejetts: Motor Honey, 5.9.12

Jason Vivone and the Billy Bats: Lather Rinse Repeat, 5.4.12

Dr. Wizard: Dr. Wizard, 5.4.12

 Genessee: Genessee, 5.4.12 

 

NYC

New KC music videos from The Atlantic & The Sexy Accident

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 Check out "Aftermath," the music video from The Atlantic

Gigs they have coming up: Angels Rock Bar 6/13, Jackpot (Lawrence) with My Brother the Vulture 6/15, The Granada (Lawrence) with The Rocket Summer 7/6, and Club 906 (Liberty) 8/18.

 

 

And "What We’d Do" by The Sexy Accident, directed by Zac Eubank. 

Upcoming gigs: recordBar with Dolls on Fire 6/2, The Brick with The B’Dinas 6/22.

 

 

Let us know if you have any music videos available you want to share.

 

NYC

Alice Sweet Alice release single “Alone”

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Alice Sweet Alice has released an updated version of its 2008 song "Alone" in celebration of the second leg of its 2012 Singularity Tour to New Orleans, Memphis, and Little Rock. Available to stream at their Bandcamp website.

NYC

Chevy Music Showcase highlights local talent

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Chevy has chosen to highlight the KC music scene with a short documentary series, focusing on 8 local bands and sponsored by local Chevy dealers. Starting May 30, the documentaries will air Wednesdays on KCWE between 9:40-9:50p during Entertainment Tonight and again between 10:40-10:45p during The Office. On Thursdays, episodes will air on KMBC between 11:29-11:34p during The Big Bang Theory and again between 12:58-1:03a during Jimmy Kimmel Live!. On Fridays, episodes will air on KMBC between 12:58-1:03 a.m. during Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Here’s the schedule:

And here’s a video from Maps for Travelers, the first band featured in the series!