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Recent local single reviews

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White Girl – “M.E.T.R.O.R.O.C.K.” b/w “Cocky”
 
Brow-beating modern house beats meet 80s synth pop revival on the new 7” from White Girl. Self-described as “a dance-infused pop romp through eternal fields of post punk grasses and rolling new wave hills,” Martin Bush crafts a couple of undeniably catchy EDM tunes sure to bounce around the kids that think they are too cool for Devo.

“M.E.T.R.O.R.O.C.K.” is the A-side, not surprising given the amount of hooks, tricks, and crowd fodder thrown into five and half minutes of music. Bush’s heavily affected robotic vocals and aggressive synth choices stick out, giving the song a harder edge akin to Deadmau5 or the older reaches of the Daft Punk catalog.
 
“Cocky” starts with an uncanny and amazing 17 seconds of 8-bit NES-sounding music before it throws on a light pink blazer with shoulder pads to spare, hops in the old trusty Fiero and cruises the downtown drag of new wave. It is the more interesting song of the pair, heavily leaning on familiar tones and sensibilities with enough modern twists and turns to not sound completely dated.
 
 
 
She’s A Keeper – “Wannabe”
 
She’s a Keeper takes us down a dreamy chugglin’ rail with the new single “Wannabe.” Moving in a more indie rock direction, the symphonic layers of instrumentation we’ve been accustomed to from SAK in the past are replaced with blankets of verby guitars, ranging from bright and chimy to tarnished with overdriven grit. Beyond that, the hallmarks of the SAK playbook are more or less still present: tight vocal harmonies throughout, flickers of tasteful additional instrumentation to round out the sound (in this case the reserved plink of a piano), and deft songwriting with careful attention paid to changing, stripping down, and building back the groove several times. It shows a nice balance of consistency vs. maturation for the band and a sign of a more rocking She’s a Keeper to come.
 
 
 
Shy Boys – “Life is Peachy” b/w “Follow the Leader”
 
(Photo by Forester Michael)
 
Much in the vein of fellow Kansas City indie dream pop darlings The ACBs, Shy Boys craft a beautifully floating and meandering surfy sonic scape on its recent 7” release. The two tracks, the aforementionally-styled “Follow the Leader” and the more straightforward pop rock ear worm “Life is Peachy” provide a nice sample of what this popular area trio has to offer. Reverb upon reverb upon reverb over a solid layer of tightly crafted instrumentation push these slyly written tunes along a jangly sea breeze slip and slide. The guitar and vocal hand-holding in “Follow the Leader” especially sticks out, as well as the “Gotcha!” song pause in the middle.
 
 
 
Now Now Sleepyhead – “Influenza”
 
An interesting mix of the ‘80s pop revival, ‘90s hard rock alternative, and a little electronica, Now Now Sleepyhead premieres “Influenza,” the lead single from The Violator, a two-record concept collect due for release later this year. Backed by a mix of four-on-the-floor and the ever popular modern twist on the disco-dance rock beat, the drums are featured prominently, overshadowing the various instrumentation at times with a beating groove that will most certainly get feet and asses moving.
 
Clearly with a wink towards both the club and hardcore kids, the song features an aggressive electronic breakdown guaranteed to set off the subs. The vocals stay pure throughout, showing almost a restrained disconnect, especially in the choruses when screaming could be warranted. Overall, an exciting preview of what looks to be a highly artistic and impressive future release.
 
 
 
Microphone Jack – “I Refuse to Choose the Blues”
 
“It only aggravates our suffering to wallow in those self-indulgent blues.”
 
Local humor balladeer Microphone Jack’s latest single takes a wry shot at one of Kansas City’s time-honored traditions with “I Refuse to Choose the Blues.” Featuring a Randy Newman-esque piano and vocal styling recorded live at one of his recent shows, the simple effort hearkens back to a time when you might lay on your bedroom floor at 2 o’clock in the morning listening to the Dr. Demento show. Tom Lehrer and Stan Freiberg immediately come to mind as Microphone Jack deftly moves through his thoughts on the ironic vicious cycle of making yourself sadder by focusing on how sad you are. MJ’s self-stated mission is global transformation through funny songs. This song definitely moves him one step closer.
 
 
 
Oils – “Waves We Feel”
 
Oils knows how to make the pretty. The Lawrence-based outfit continues to flex this muscle exceedingly well on the “Waves We Feel” single release via Replay Records. One simple but powerful set of words is repeated through the verses as the instruments care to build up a dreamy dynamic centered around the ever-present bright and chimey Fender guitar sound. By the end, the whole band comes together with a sonic gut punch worthy of the longing fueled lyrics. The lo-fi quality and occasional guitar miscue only add to the overall theme of charming sincerity.
 
 
—Zach Hodson
 
Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings begins production. He is also in Dolls on Fire, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, and Riot Riot Riot, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects.
 
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KKFI and Signal To Noise Present: It Came Out of the Garage

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This Thursday, October 30, KKFI 90.1 FM and Signal To Noise will be presenting It Came Out of the Garage!: A Garage Rock Dance Party, at Knuckleheads Saloon.
 
The show begins at 8:00 p.m. with the intense garage-flavored songs of Til Willis & Erratic Cowboy, followed by Alan Murphy & The Frequent Flyers. Murphy was the frontman of legendary Lawrence band Ricky Dean Sinatra. The Quivers will headline the show.
 
Costumes are encouraged, dancing is mandatory.
 

Tickets are $15; all proceeds will benefit KKFI. Ticket link. Facebook event page. 

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Song premiere: Ready Astronaut – “Somewhere We Exist”

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In conjunction with The Temp Agency, The Deli KC is happy to premiere the first single from Ready Astronaut, “Somewhere We Exist.” Ready Astronaut is the solo project of Josh Johnson, also of The Slowdown. His debut self-titled album will be released on November 4.
 
 
 
With his solo project’s lead single “Somewhere We Exist,” Josh Johnson takes a modern folk rock stroll in the woods away from his usual work in The Slowdown. The variant, almost multiple personality approach to songwriting still exists, with plenty of unexpected turns, changes, stops and shakeups that we’ve come to expect from his regular outfit. However, the layers upon layers upon layers of distorted guitars are replaced by a varied selection of tones and timbres. Countless strings, keys, and a melodic lead guitar weave a maypole around the periphery while the track is driven by Johnson’s wispy voice, an acoustic guitar, and solid percussion work. Fans of Rogue Wave or The Dodos would really dig this.
 
—Zach Hodson
 
Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings begins production. He is also in Dolls on Fire, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, and Riot Riot Riot, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects.
 
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Album review: The B’Dinas – Fruitcakes

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(Photo by Brandon Forrest Frederick)
 
The B’Dinas’ Fruitcakes is a creative juggernaut of hopeful turmoil; heavy groove and sexy vocal driven filled longing. It is an instant local classic. 
 
“Fated,” the opening track, is an up-tempo rocker with a blazing guitar. It has a retro psychedelic keyboard reminiscent of the ‘60s San Francisco scene—a great way to kick off a record.
 
“Pretty Neat (Candy Store)” is the album’s second track, with some of my favorite lyrics on the entire collection. I love profanity in rock ‘n’ roll but it’s very rarely done with power and grace. Roger Waters may be the best at it, and while there are other singers with clever filthy mouths, The B’dinas has one for the books with the line, “All your promises don’t mean shit if I can’t hold the value in my hand.” True enough, it seems to be. I’ve been walking around for days singing this line. It’s tough but tender because it’s delivered by Katelyn Jamison’s forgiving voice.
 
“Nuts and Bolts” is one of the shortest tracks on the record. This is a tough tune that makes me want to walk down the street with a switchblade in one hand and a flower in another.
 
The tune “Crystal Ball” opens with lovers in the sack. The heroine is just lying there when she turns over to glare out the window at a blackbird. The song is a mid-tempo funky thing with an Edgar Allen Poe twist. This song moves from blues to ‘50s vocal pop into a light prog rock ending.
 
“Two Doves” is a gem, a mix of Little Feat and Marshall Tucker. It’s almost jam band in a retro Van Morrison way. The B’Dinas have two doves in their mind so it must be very peaceful there. They sing of doing “it” all night and everyone loves that idea… everyone! The guitar is terrific and the solo is so sleepy, soulful, and cold-blooded I’ve had to rewind it several times. The B’Dinas should shop this tune to Widespread Panic. It’s an absolute classic.
 
“Bread and Butter” conjures up a 90’s SoCal vibe mixed with a little Go-Gos meets Carole King. This one has a serious groove and great drums. “Can’t Shake It” has serious saxophone hooks and dark lyrics. Katy Guillen sings of wearing gray and having an unbearable burden baring down upon her chest she cannot shake. This one hints a bit of the Neville Brothers Yellow Moon era.
 
“Goddamned” is another beautiful example how to use profanity the right way. “I see you got your eyes wide… you better hold on to your hi-fi,” and “I’ll be goddamned.” This one is going straight to the top of the list of songs to play and sing when things aren’t going my way.
 
The records closing track, “Answer Me,” is a dark soul tune with a guitar solo that probably peeled paint off the walls of the studio. It is the perfect way to say goodbye. 
 
The B’dinas Fruitcakes is worth it. It is obvious they have expended a tremendous amount of effort, musicianship, and creative songwriting talent into these eleven tracks. It has an intensely serious musical vibe with lighthearted narrative. It’s fun and it grooves. My only criticism so far of this record is I’m not listening to it on vinyl.
 
The B’Dinas are:
Katy Guillen – guitars/vocals/harmonica
Katelyn Jamison – keys/vocals/bass
Peter Lawless – bass/vocals/saxophone
Tess Jehle-Ray – drums/vocals
 
Fruitcakes was recorded by Jerod Rivers at Sangha Studios, and mastered by Bruce Barkelew at Mansion Studio.
 
–AJ Rider
 
AJ Rider was born in in the town where Jesse James died to a soldier and playboy bunny. His mother has let it slip on many drunken nights that he was conceived at the Sky River Rock Festival and Lighter Than Air Fair 1. He is a child of the sixties, has seen the grateful dead 126 times, and has a soft spot for the schoolteacher type.
 
 
Join The B’Dinas tonight at Coda, where they will be sharing the stage with Morningglories. Doors at 9:00 p.m. Facebook event page.
 
 

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Spotlight on KC PsychFest artist: El Rey-Tones

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(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing KC PsychFest from Thursday through Saturday nights at recordBar.
 
Recently changing their name from The Ray-Tones and forming a new lineup, El Rey-Tones has a surfy garage rock influence, dipped in a warm psychedelic groove. We talk with songwriter Bryan Koehler about the band and what we can look forward to from them.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Koehler: Imagine it like riding a wave through a tunnel of reverb, while all your best friends create a whirlpool of a constant rotation of joints circling past you in a conga line, while at the same time you’re making out with your number one crush on the beach watching the blood orange sun sink into the ocean. #runonsentences
 
The Deli: Give us some background on El Rey-Tones. What’s the lineup? You also recently changed your name. What’s up with that?
 
Koehler: El Rey-Tones started as a few dudes trying to make some surfy garage jams in my converted dining room jam space in the spring of 2013. I think there were four of us in the beginning and we called ourselves The Buh-Ohls (phonetic spelling of the British pronunciation of "buttholes.") After about a month of realizing that just Johnny Mitchell (ex-Not A Planet/Soft Reeds) and I were the only ones getting together consistently, we quit extending the invitation and focused on writing between the two of us. We jammed and wrote together for the next 9 months in my make shift music space, calling ourselves The Ray-Tones (we both grew up in Raytown). We made a bunch of rough recordings, kept it under wraps for the most part, and then, with a little help from a friend, recorded 6 songs in Nashville with Konrad Snyder (The Brown Owl Studio) during the first week of March of this year. We brought the tracks back to KC. Austin Turney hit us up wanting to play some shows (he jammed with us a few times before). Not having a band yet, we declined, but we shared the tracks with Austin, who showed a bunch of other people, and then a few days later we had him on bass, Drew Little on drums, Jake Masters on guitar, Johnny on guitar/vox, and me on vox/percussion. Fast forward a few months and Johnny moved to Brooklyn with his wife (something he’d been planning on since we met and started this thing), David Bennett (Akkilles) stepped in to fill Johnny’s spot, and we added Cortland Gibson (Organized Crimes) on keys/percussion/whatever. We got a cease and desist from a bunch of cartoon rhino fucks, and then changed the name to El Rey-Tones.
 
The Deli: What inspires your music?
 
Koehler: ‘50s and ‘60s rhythm and blues, psychedelic R&B, surf, garage, northern soul, etc. From day one we set out to write music that makes us feel good, music that we want to listen to, nostalgic sounds that remind of us of what it would be like to live near a beach, or some place far from the 21st century Midwest. I like songs that groove, syncopated circular rhythms, pretty melodies…
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Koehler: I‘d say getting to play with Allah-Las in June and having them put us on Reverberation Radio mix tape #115. Not only was that one of Johnny and my favorite bands/biggest modern influences, getting on that playlist has gotten us fans from all over the world (and probably what led to the cease and desist.) It was truly a dream come true to share the stage with a band we looked up to so quickly in our life as a band. If you haven’t checked out Reverberation Radio yet, you should probably do that like yesterday.
 
The Deli: Do you currently have any albums out? You’re working on an EP now. What can we expect?
 
Koehler: We don’t… we have a tape we made for our in-store at Mills Record Co. The A-side is our studio roughs plus 2 live tracks from practice and the B-side is a collection of our favorite voice memos and GarageBand demos. As far as getting our studio stuff out, we’ll be trying to get a six-song EP out as soon as possible. You can expect to hear really awesome recordings of the songs you hear us play live.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Koehler: To me, it’s like when someone asks me if I like U2…not really? But I respect what they’re doing, it’s just not what my ears want to hear most of the time…I kinda see local music like that. There’s bands out there that I wouldn’t necessarily choose to listen to, bands that I may not get into, but it’s important to support them, go to a show, talk to each other, share each other’s work. I ask myself, would I want them to buy my record? Yes. I find it pretty amazing to go to a show, whether it’s a local music show, or just a local opener, and look in the crowd and see members from a bunch of other local bands in attendance. It means that people in this city care, and we got each other’s backs. I think in past times KC has been sort of cutthroat or has had a me vs. the world attitude, but I feel like recently there are a lot of cats trying to make some pretty cool stuff and share it with each other. KC doesn’t see many bands find large commercial success, but you don’t see that curbing anyone’s enthusiasm. People are making music because they love making music. That’s the kind of scene I want to be in.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Koehler: TheConquerors have been a huge fave since I saw them on the back patio of Riot Room at the first Middle of the Map. Rory [Cameron] is a fucking rad songwriter and a rad dude (see local music comment above). Organized Crimes blows my mind; I think I’m their biggest fanboy. The dudes from The Slowdown/Wonderfuzz/Ready Astronaut are insanely talented and every time I see one of their bands I’m reminded as to how far I have to go as a musician to become a professional.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Koehler: Allah-Las, Nick Waterhouse, Holy Wave, La Luz, Mac DeMarco, Temples, Cosmonauts…you get the idea…that and whatever vinyl I’m listening to.
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at PsychFest?
 
Koehler: I’ve honestly never seen White Mystery, so that’ll be dope. Thee Water Moccasins never plays so that’ll be a treat. Also, never seen David’s band Akkilles play, so that’ll be cool too.
 
The Deli: Besides PsychFest, what other shows do you have coming up?
 
Koehler: We’re playing with this rad Brazilian psychedelic space rock band Wannabe Jalva at Riot Room Nov. 3 and opening for The Wytches from the UK at Riot Nov. 15. Both shows should absolutely shred.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Koehler: We’ve been fortunate enough to play with mostly bands we’re really into so far…but it would be way rad to play at Austin Psych Fest one day, or like Desert Daze or really any of those cool psych fests… actually since you said fantasy, it would be extra wild to share the stage with The Ray-Tones (those cartoon rhino dick heads) and have a Death To Smootchie-esque freak out Battle Royale where we, El Rey-Tones would ultimately reign supreme (I’m clearly a little bitter still…).
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Koehler: In no particular order, or no particular place to go: Chuck Berry, Brian Wilson, Donovan, Link Wray?
Berry: completed that pun for me there, father of rock ‘n roll, and the motherfucker is still performing!!
Brian: Duh.
Donovan: The most non-groovy looking groovy dude ever.
Link Wray: I mean, yeah… those tones though.
 
The Deli: What other goals do El Rey-Tones have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Koehler: We’d like to make it through the end of the year with a clear vision of what the lineup and writing process will be. We’d like to get the EP out digitally and on wax, but a vinyl will probably be the new year. If we can get some help from licensing or something, I’d love to do some regional tours and obviously write hella music and release hella music. We’ll see. It’s still pretty early…but definitely definitely get these 6 songs out to you people!
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Koehler: Thanks for reading and checking us out. Please stay tuned for upcoming releases. You can follow us at http://www.facebook.com/theraydashtones, soundcloud.com/theraydashtones, and instagram @koehlab. We love staying positive, playing groovy jams, and having a good time. We really like what we’re doing and we hope you do too. We’re also really friendly, so please, come see us and say hello. We love to make new friends. Thanks for reading. Weed is tight.
 
 
You can catch El Rey-Tones in just a couple hours! They’re opening up KC Psych Fest at recordBar this evening at 6:00 p.m.
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

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Signal To Noise pays tribute to Lou Whitney

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Longtime KC mainstay free-form show Signal To Noise, hosted by Barry Lee, will present a special show in honor of Lou Whitney, who passed away Tuesday after battling cancer. The radio show will include in-studio guests Kristie Stremel, Tony Ladesich, Fred Wickham, and Joey Skidmore. Lou’s longtime friend and guitarist D. Clinton Thompson will also join in via telephone from Springfield, Missouri. Tune in this Sunday, October 12, at 8:00 p.m. to hear the music of the Morells, The Original Symptoms, The Skeletons, and songs recorded by the guests with Lou producing. And great Lou stories as well. Facebook event page.

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Spotlight on KC PsychFest artist: Your Friend

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(Photo by Lindsey Kennedy)
 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing KC PsychFest from Thursday through Saturday nights at recordBar.
 
Taryn Miller’s intelligent songwriting and entrancing music is making its way around, and for good reason. Miller’s project Your Friend was signed to Domino Records earlier this year. With her debut album, Jekyll/Hyde, Miller constructs a simultaneously comforting and haunting atmosphere, fashioned around somber but colorful vocals. 
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Miller: The music itself has distinct differences when presented live or by the actual recordings, but I’d say it’s spacious and constantly evolving.
 
The Deli: Give us some background on Your Friend. Do you have a regular cast of musicians that play with you? How long have you been operating under this moniker?
 
Miller: I’ve been playing under the moniker for over 2 years now. When it began, the roster was always changing, and that was exciting. But I felt that in order to dig deeper over time, I wanted some sort of solidified group to explore with. I really enjoyed the risk in one-off shows but I wanted the trusting element to be more present. There’s always going to be some sort of risk playing with me anyway! It all happened organically though. We all work well together as friends and as bandmates. Nicholas Stahl, Chris Luxem, and Austin Swick are the gentlemen I have played with the longest. I can’t imagine playing with anyone else at this point. It feels like a group more than a solo project than it ever has.
 
The Deli: What inspires your music and songwriting?
 
Miller: In all honesty, just purely existing. I am very intuitive and tuned in to all that is happening around me at all times. This is my way of documenting it. It’s very cathartic for me to do this. I’m inspired by energy, and the lack of it, all at once.
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Miller: Touring and still loving each other afterwards. It only made it more apparent that these are the people I should be surrounding myself with. It wouldn’t have gone as smoothly without them.
 
The Deli: Your debut EP Jekyll/Hyde was released on Domino Records earlier this year. What can listeners expect? Do you have plans to record again soon?
 
Miller: The most rewarding things about having this amazing company backing the project are that the music gets to be heard by people that wouldn’t otherwise know it exists, and the tools to make something that I am truly proud of. It’s the kind of support that I had always dreamed of. I’m in the process of finishing the writing process of the full-length. The plan is to record it by the end of the year and for it to be available next year. I’d hope that there will be a sense of growth that can be heard with the newer material. I’m definitely in a radically different headspace.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Miller: It means everything from what I’ve experienced. I’ve only had the opportunities that I’ve had from the support of the community. Being involved in it, there is some sort of magic that peaks out of so many different directions. I’ve gotten to grow as a musician and watch all of my friends do the same. I’ve learned so much from the local scene and talent within it.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local and non-local musicians right now?
 
Miller: Locally, everything coming out of SeedCo and a part of the Whatever Forever collective. I’m really looking forward to Karma Vision’s release. I fell in love with No Magic this year and practically begged him (Ben Sauder) to let me play live with him. KC-based, All Blood has been really killer to watch. I grabbed their earlier tape and really love how unique the material is. I’m also a big fan of Lazy, The Conquerors, and Shy Boys.  There’s also a guy, Nathan Dixey—he plays as The Dan Ryan—who also played bass on my EP and sent me his mixes of his upcoming release. I can’t wait for it to reach other ears. He lives in Austin now but he’s still local to me.
 
Non-local, I’m all over the place. To keep my head clear I find myself listening to a lot more droney things.  Although I have been really excited about the newest Caribou record. 
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at PsychFest?
 
Miller: The Conquerors, Gemini Revolution, Monta At Odds, Jorge Arana Trio, White Mystery, and I’m still holding out for some surprise Expo 70 appearance.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Miller: This answer would probably change depending on what I’ve been most into. So, currently, Lower Dens, Timber Timbre, with Nils Frahm closing the show.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Miller: Referencing the last question, it mostly depends on what I’m listening to the most at the time. I would say William Basinski, Steve Reich, Arthur Russell, and Leyland Kirby. William Basinski has transported to me to an entire different form of listening. I could say the same of all of them honestly. I’m definitely drawn to composers. Listening to their work is almost like a glimpse of what their brain appears like on the inside. Steve Reich’s arrangements require your attention and I respect that artform. Leyland Kirby has worked in so many different types of environments. I love his spontaneity and also his control and selection. Arthur had sort of the same trajectory. All of his records touch upon something different. From the absolute joyous to morose. He was always creating, and it inspires me.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: What other goals does Your Friend have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Miller: The same thing I tell myself every morning: finish this record. It’s been very challenging to make this next thing. Now that I’m aware of what ears it could reach I want it to be very representative of myself. I also want to make something that I can be very creative with in the live setting and keep it exciting. Those are the goals as of now. If I look too far ahead, the page in front of me gets blurry.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Miller: I’ll cheat and quote Allen Ginsberg. First thought, best thought. I’m beginning to learn what it means to trust your instincts. I feel as though I spend so much time trying to change what’s inherent. Stay true to who you are and surround yourself with the people that irrigate and continually inspire that.
 
 
Make sure you check out Miller with Your Friend. The group will be playing KC PsychFest this Saturday, October 11, at 8:00 p.m, at recordBar.
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.

 
 

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Album review: Schwervon! – Broken Teeth

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(Photo by Erica Peterson)
 
Full disclosure time: Schwervon! is far and away my favorite Kansas-by-way-of-New-York-originally-from-Kansas duo. I first became aware of their music when they returned to the Midwest and reentered the local music community at the 2012 Middle of the Map Fest. With Nan Turner on drums, Matthew Roth on guitar, and each of them sharing vocal duties, their songs proudly carry the flag of the lo-fi, DIY approach to songwriting and performance. One of my favorite tunes from Courage—Schwervon!’s previous album—is “Truth Teller,” a song that does a fantastic job of capturing the feel of early ‘80s Athens, GA, which was the breeding ground for early college rock faves R.E.M. and the B-52s, among others. For their new release, Broken Teeth, Schwervon! once again does a bit of back-to-the-future time travel, but in a much more direct and personal way.
 
As Roth shares on the band’s website, in early 2014 they were trying to create new music but having trouble getting around the obstacle of writer’s block, so they tried to kickstart the creative process by bringing out music from an album recorded eight years earlier (I Dream of Teeth) and playing some of those songs in a deconstructed manner. The results were so appealing and invigorating that the twosome decided to set aside the new music they were writing and rework six of the older tracks (along with cover versions of two others). At this point it would be fairly standard if I made comparisons between the two albums, but to make references to IDoT would not be giving Broken Teeth its full due. Both albums are available on the Schwervon! Bandcamp page, where you are free to contrast and compare at your leisure.
 
The one thing I will say about the difference between then and now is that the new album is an all-acoustic effort, and for a band that is known for music that is sometimes quirky and punchy and free-form, reducing it to a six-string and drums could be restricting part of their essence. But the years have been very good to the twosome in that their skills with their instruments, both musical and vocal, have grown and matured and seasoned with time. What you hear on this album is the product of two artists who not only refine their songs to their essential states, they also seem completely comfortable in doing so.
 
“Flaming Dragonfly” kicks off the record with a basic call-and-response series of “oh oh oh ohs” before settling in to a nice, tidy bit of pop sweetness. You instantly get the impression that powering down is not going to present any challenges in setting the tone that Schwervon! is so good at, which is a modern sound that still offers a tip of the cap to some of their early alt-rock predecessors. “Fuzzy Math” finds Turner laying into the kick drum with steady authority and solid groove, letting Roth’s guitar follow along to create some feel-good summery sound. “Blue Light” offers a nice little bluesy touch which serves as foundation for Turner’s torch song delivery – and am I the only one that thinks that this song would be a pretty ideal vehicle for a “special guest star” appearance from my favorite KC rock star, Amy Farrand? It’s a natural collaboration in the making.
 
“Natural” could also be used to describe the vocal harmonies between Turner and Roth, and while each takes turns with lead duties and handles them nicely, hearing them working together takes whatever song they happen to be singing into a different realm. There are instances when their interplay is reminiscent of early X; both have distinctive sounds that seemingly wouldn’t mesh with anyone else but their partner. This becomes more true with increased listening to the music of Schwervon!—they could sing with different musicians, and as time goes on I fully expect them to combine forces with a roster of talented co-conspirators, but their voices are much stronger and truer when paired with each other. Simple as that.
 
I’ve been saving what I consider the best for last: “Sidesaddle” was the first song from IDoT that they started fiddling with in order to find their creativity, and on Broken Teeth it serves as the centerpiece and magnum opus (six minutes isn’t that long for a magnum opus, but with none of the seven other tracks exceeding 3:15 in length it’s opus-sized, comparatively speaking). Both musicians show a deft touch throughout, with Roth’s mid-point song-whisper reminiscent of Trent Reznor’s “Hurt”—without all the dying things contained in the video, of course. The plaintive-yet-hopeful vocalization on top of gentle, reassuring music is a combination that makes “Sidesaddle” a knockout.
 
It’s always great to find a band that makes an impression; it’s better still to watch that band grow and evolve. Broken Teeth shows Schwervon! taking a major step forward with their craft. They have their own style, they have complete faith in one another, and their live performances are excellent—gigs that can now call upon a growing and substantial catalog of quality work. At these shows, it’s not uncommon for Roth to offer a poetry reading, Turner to present an improvisational dance… or, more likely, both to happen at the same time. I’m not going to subject you to my mad sick flow, and you do not want to see me busting any sort of move, so I’ll just offer a concise bit of advice to anyone wanting to hear the potential of two people:
 
Get your Schwervon!
 
—Michael Byars
 
Michael is sometimes known for busting a move. He also currently has a pink goatee for the month of October for breast cancer awareness!
 
 
Broken Teeth was released on Haymaker Records.
 
Schwervon! will be throwing a release party for Broken Teeth tomorrow, October 3 at FOKL. The Cave Girls and Wick & the Tricks will also be playing, and DJ Memo will spin before and after the bands play. Facebook event page. This will also kick off their two-month Fantastico tour across Europe and the States.
 
 

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Album review: Black on Black – Firebrand (EP)

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Black on Black is one of those rare bands that shocked, surprised, bewildered, confused, and straight knocked me out when I first heard its debut EP Help Yourself. Blending Fugazi, Rites of Spring, Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker, Converge, and a miles deep well of anger and aggression, Wade Kelly, Aaron Riffel, and John Benda tapped into something that has sadly been missing in rock today: honesty.
 
Through three EPs (Help Yourself, Let’s Get Cynical, Get On With It), Black on Black has bludgeoned listeners with truth, building an ever-growing following not through gimmicks or recycled, hackneyed riffs but through in-your-face, balls-to-the-wall rock ‘n roll and live performances that reportedly leave attendees drained and wanting more. There seems to be no end to the fire, force, and boiling hostility within Black on Black. With four EPs in the two years, the band is on a creative explosion that does not ever seem to stumble.
 
The band’s latest release Firebrand walks tall, continuing where Get On With It left off.
 
Blowing out the starting blocks with “I Dreamt I Died,” a song of gnashed teeth and crushed dreams; “we can borrow a mock civility” lead man and chief lyricist Wade Kelly screams, “but we’ll hang the righteous at dawn.” There is definitely a tone to Firebrand and the motivation of Black on Black.
 
“Getting signed to a deal, to a label is not what we’re trying for,” Kelly told me. “We just hope people like the music we make.” With Firebrand, Black on Black does not merely tap a vein to get in touch with their audience; they have hacksawed and ice picked their way through a major artery.
 
“Butcher’s Block” sounds like the world would if Springsteen and The Hold Steady would have been punk rockers. Like Springsteen and Craig Finn, Kelly paints vivid pictures with his lyrics: “when my body breaks like a shell dissolving in the rain / you’re gonna taste my angry love.” While Kelly spits bile out to the world, drummer Benda and bassist Riffel (formerly of Lawrence punk stalwarts Unknown Stuntman) push the songs along like a rocket-fueled muscle car with no brakes, no seatbelts, and a trunk packed to the brim with nitroglycerin.
 
Black on Black is becoming an expert in blending its influences and anxiety to make a style that is all its own. No regurgitated Misfits riffs, no banjos, no rehashed 1970s bombast, no gimmicks, no angles to appease the cool kids; Black on Black does what it wants and it shows on Firebrand. It shows in everything the band does. Many bands claim to live within the DIY philosophy but few in today’s world do it as well as Black on Black and—thanks to an unflinching approach to everything—fans get great albums like Firebrand. Keep up the anger-filled work my friends, it’s definitely working in your favor.
 
—Danny R. Phillips
 
Danny has been reporting on music of all types and covering the St. Joseph music scene for well over a decade. He is a regular contributor to the nationally circulated BLURT Magazine and his work has appeared in The Pitch, The Omaha Reader, Missouri Life, The Regular Joe, Skyscraper Magazine, Popshifter, Hybrid Magazine, the websites Vocals on Top and Tuning Fork TV, Perfect Sound Forever, The Fader, and many others.
 
 
Check out Black on Black at KC’s first Zombie Pub Crawl this weekend. They will open up the Vandals stage at 9 pm on Saturday. Facebook event page.
 
 

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Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: Miry Wild

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(Photo by Travis Snell)
 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
One of the newest members to the local music landscape is Miry Wild, a five-piece folk pop outfit with a sophisticated yet youthful sound.
 
Only a month after forming its full lineup, Miry Wild recorded its debut self-titled EP, a concise spiritual sojourn dotted with enchanting instrumentation and alluring vocal harmonies. The band’s natural chemistry and charm is apparent even from a cursory listen to the album.
 
With this fairly new lineup and only a handful of shows under its belt, Miry Wild is finding its identity as a collective. Fortunately for the rest of us, they’re finding it through cohesive, tasteful songwriting.
 
We talk with Julia Hamilton, the band’s vocalist and guitarist, about the group, its music, and what Miry Wild has to look forward to.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Hamilton: Our music is a mixture of pop, folk, and jazz with some pointed harmonies, groovy moments, and tight rhythms throughout.
 
The Deli: How long have you been together and how did the band come to be? What’s the lineup?
 
Hamilton: We started as a three-piece (just guitar, bass, and vocals) last year when Kate [Miles], Havilah [Powers], and I were really itching to collaborate and start writing and performing together. It was just in February when we got together as a five-piece, adding drums and keys. We started working on our EP in March and played our first show together when we released it in May.
 
We really haven’t been together for long and have only played a handful of shows, but we have had an amazing time so far and are very much looking forward to all that is to come! I think we have some really great chemistry as a group. We’ve got Katelyn Miles on the upright bass and bass guitar and Julia Hamilton (that’s me) playing acoustic guitar with vocals. Havilah Powers sings vocals and also adds various percussion. Emily Marriot is our drummer, and Holly Grimwood is on keys and vocals as well.
 
The Deli: For a band that is just starting out, you already seem to have a great comfort level with each other musically. Have any of you collaborated together before?
 
Hamilton: Holly and I were both in different bands in high school; and Emily and I were actually in a rock band together with two of our guy friends from 2011-2012 but that didn’t end up lasting too long. I know Kate has played with different orchestras as well. For Havilah, on the other hand, our group is her first brush with writing, collaborating, and performing music. If I was an outsider looking in though, I would never guess that to be true! As long as I’ve been friends with Havilah, our voices have always found each other. We both love singing so much and I think we have extremely similar tone and inflection, so much so that I feel like we are vocal soulmates. She comes up with these interesting, unique, haunting harmonies that sound so natural and easy for her; her musical ear is amazing! So, most of us have been casually involved in different projects throughout the years, but we’ve all been able to find our niche in Miry Wild. Each member brings an equally important piece to the whole, both musically and relationally. I feel like it’s the band I’ve been waiting to be a part of my whole life and I hope the other girls feel that way too.
 
The Deli: What inspires your music and songwriting?
 
Hamilton: Obviously, I think it’s safe to say that other artists will always inspire and influence our music. We also write well together as a group and are constantly bouncing ideas off each other (let’s just say our band practices consist more of talking than actually playing music). As far as where we draw our concepts from, certain things tend to come up consistently in our songs: nature, spirituality, relationships… Sometimes we’re just telling the stories that float around in our heads.
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Hamilton: Recording our EP was the very first thing we did together as a band and honestly it helped shape and mold us so much. Five different people figuring out how to write and play together cohesively is a task when you’ve never done it before. We had to abandon the mindset of five individual artists and instead adopt the idea that we are one artist and must express ourselves through one voice. Figuring all of that out has been our biggest accomplishment so far, but we’ve happily accepted the fact that we have much more to accomplish!
 
The Deli: You released your self-titled EP earlier this year. What can listeners expect?
 
Hamilton: Expect to hear just a taste of the different sides of Miry Wild on this EP. We think it is a fantastic introduction to what we have in store for the future.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Hamilton: Supporting local music means SO MUCH. Kansas City has such a wonderful community of musicians who, in my experience, seem to always be there for each other. As a musician, supporting others means reaping all of the joy that comes with being a member of that community. As a Kansas Citian, supporting local music means contributing to the cultural well-being of our city.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local and non-local musicians right now?
 
Hamilton: We love Katy Guillen and the Girls and She’s a Keeper! As far as non-local musicians go, I don’t think I can speak for all of the girls with one answer but Ben Howard is coming out with a new album in October that I think we’re all pretty excited about. We really like him.
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Hamilton: I am very excited to see My Brothers & Sisters perform! I haven’t been able to catch a show yet but from what I’ve heard they’re really different.
 
The Deli: Besides Plaza Art Fair, what other shows do you have coming up?
 
Hamilton: We are so stoked about a show we’re playing at Czar Bar on October 7 opening for Paper Bird. They’re amazing. Also, look for a show with KG & the Girls in December!
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Hamilton: MY personal fantasy concert would definitely involve Brandi Carlile. However, all of us in the band have such varying interests so it’s kind of impossible to answer that question for Miry Wild! Maybe we need to work on that as a part of the whole five artists, one voice thing…
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Hamilton: Our musical Mount Rushmore has five faces, one for each of our heroes. The face I chose is Janelle Monae. I admire her more than anyone because she fearlessly represents everything I think music should be about: free expression, unlimited artistic experimentation, and giving a voice to those who aren’t allowed one.
 
Kate chose Jimi Hendrix because his story has always inspired her: a self-taught musician who did not have an easy life by any means but kept making music and making it the most important part of his life, regardless of how much money he made doing it.
 
The face Emily chose is that of drummer Zac Farro because she hugely admires his drumming style and he really influenced her in the beginning stages of figuring out her own individual style.
 
Havilah’s Mount Rushmore includes Joanna Newsom because… How could you not be moved by everything she does!? Her rhythm, melodies and lyrics are puzzling; the form and heart of her songs are captivating.
 
Finally, Holly chose Alicia Keys as her most highly regarded artist because of the way she combines classical piano with hip-hop and soulful lyrics. Alicia really transformed Holly’s style when she was being trained as a classical pianist and made her fall in love with the keys again (no pun intended).
 
…we think that’s a pretty good-looking hypothetical mountain!
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: What other goals does Miry Wild have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Hamilton: We are planning to start working on a full-length album before the year is over! We are writing new music now and loving it. Besides that, we just want to play more shows in different venues in Kansas City and make a lot more friends in the music scene.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Hamilton: Check us out! Come to a show, introduce yourself, and talk to us about music! We have so much to look forward to and are very much enjoying every bit of the ride.
 
Miry Wild is:
Holly Grimwood: keys, guitar, vocals
Julia Hamilton: lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Emily Marriott: drums
Katelyn Miles: upright bass/bass guitar
Havilah Powers: vocals, aux percussion
 
 
Miry Wild will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Sunday, September 21 at 3:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

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Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: Key Party

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(Photo by Jeremy Rockwell)
 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
With a well-established and acclaimed musical career, Kirsten Paludan has proven to be an invaluable asset across various facets of the local music community. From the haunting, celestial sounds of Olympic Size to the country charm of Starhaven Rounders to her catalog of solo work, Paludan possesses a versatility unlike other vocalists and songwriters.
 
Earlier this year, Paludan wrote and released an album with Key Party, a project that began with her and bandmate Jessica Gomez, eventually becoming a five-piece. We talk with Paludan about her music and the evolution of her group.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Paludan: Ethereal, soulful, dynamic, and dreamlike music interwoven with stories of life, love, loss, and everything that happens in between.
 
The Deli: Give us some background on Key Party. What’s the lineup?
 
Paludan: Currently, the lineup is yours truly (vox, acoustic guitar, keys), Jessica Gomez (electric guitar, keys, background vox), Dalin Horner of Black Christmas (electric guitar), Garret Brown (bass), and Ryan Pope of The Get Up Kids (drums). Key Party started as just me and Jessica in the winter of 2010. I had recently moved back to Lawrence from KC—where I had been living for 10 years—due to a family tragedy, and hadn’t been playing much music. I was offered a show at the Jackpot and was without a band at the time. Jessica and I were good friends and she mentioned that she used to play. I said, “What the heck, join me for this show!” I had to twist her arm since we only had like two practices, but she did it, and the rest is history.
 
The current lineup has only been together since early spring of this year. There have been several different incarnations since 2010, but this group of people is like family. We all collaborate on a separate project together (LongShadows—our first show will happen this winter) and it’s like we have this little music collective of our own.
 
The Deli: You’re an accomplished songwriter who’s done a lot of solo work and has been in several notable bands in the area. What is your approach to Key Party’s music? And what are you learning through this experience as a songwriter and musician?
 
Paludan: When this incarnation of the band first got together earlier this year, I was asking them to recreate the songs from my album Up All Night (recorded with Dave Gaume at Element Recording with an entirely different lineup, other than Jessica). As I continue to bring in new material, the band is giving more and more input.
 
I really appreciate having people on my side whose opinions I can trust. Sometimes when you are the songwriter, it’s hard to be unbiased and objective about a song, and that’s where having a deep bench really helps. Ryan and Garret are a great rhythm section and always have awesome ideas about arrangement. Dalin is an amazingly versatile and soulful guitarist and one of the nicest guys on the planet. Jessica’s simple yet incredibly tasteful approach to her playing makes her one of the band’s secret weapons. Everyone has taken the songs from the record to another level and has really made them their own. When you have such smart and talented people on your team, it only makes sense to use the knowledge they bring to the table. I’ve found that when you can let go and release the need to control the outcome, the results can be better than you ever imagined.
 
The Deli: Tell us more about Up All Night, your latest release.
 
Paludan: I released Up All Night in Spring 2014; it is available on Bandcamp, iTunes, and all other major online retailers. It was recorded and co-produced with Dave Gaume and features John Anderson on drums, Dave Gaume on bass, Jessica on guitar and keys, plus guest appearances by Hermon Mehari, Wade Williamson (guitar), Mike Harte (cello), Chris Tolle (guitar), and Adam Stafford (guitar, pedal steel, background vox).
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Paludan: Well, since this is a fairly new band, I would say our greatest accomplishment so far is having a great time playing music. It may sound silly, but it is very hard to find that right balance in a band. Where egos don’t get in the way and everyone is there to give their all to the songs. At this point, I’d say I’m the happiest about finding a group of people who I feel really get me and the songs I’m writing. From here, everything else is gravy.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Paludan: To me, it’s not just about supporting local music—it’s about supporting the community. Most people know that a vibrant art scene is the pulse of any city worth its weight, and making the effort to cultivate and elevate that element is just common sense. I am grateful to be a part of a culturally rich area that understands how important this is.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Paludan: I don’t like to play favorites, because I think we have an amazingly talented group of people creating music in our scene and unfortunately, I don’t get out to see bands as much as I’d like (usually because I’m performing myself). However, there are a couple of bands/singers that I always love listening to: The Hips, Drakkar Sauna, The Caves, The Belles, Your Friend, Ghosty, Lauren Krum… to name a few. Also, I am a fan of all of the people I play music with—every single one is a talented artist in their own right. I am damn lucky!!
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Paludan: I’m attracted to a mix of genres and eras when it comes to non-local listening. Currently on my playlist: Loretta Lynn, Ella Fitzgerald, cast recording of The Nervous Set, Lower Dens, Warpaint, Sharon Von Etten, Neko Case, The National, Leonard Cohen, Blonde Redhead, Prince, Emmy Lou Harris, Ray Price, Wye Oak, Fleetwood Mac, Cat Power, Patsy Cline, Sade, the list goes on…
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Paludan: I’m looking forward to seeing everyone! It’s an event that attracts so many types of people, and it’s great to have a spotlight on local music. Thanks to Ink, a lot of Plaza Art Fair goers are being introduced to the great music being made in their community.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Paludan: Current: Warpaint + Sharon Von Etten + Neko Case
Super duper fantasy bill where time and space don’t matter: Fleetwood Mac (Tusk era) + Sade (of any era, because she is a goddess).
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Paludan: This is a really tough question! I’ve been mulling it over and decided on these four (and I cheated a little) for what they have contributed to music overall.
Beethoven: His music is like the primer for all music that followed it.
Prince: He is a bad ass. That is all.
Lennon/McCartney: No one can deny their influence on popular music and their ability to inspire generations of songwriters and bands.
Loretta Lynn: A force of nature with the voice and personality to match. To me, she is the undeniable queen of country music.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: What other goals does Key Party have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Paludan: We have plans to begin recording sometime this winter starting with demos in Dalin’s basement studio and more than likely working with Dave Gaume on the final product (as long as he is available, busy as he is these days). Future plans include continuing to have a great time and playing awesome shows. Hopefully, having that as our goal will lead to greater success. If not, we still win.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Paludan: These are things I’ve learned from my family, my bandmates, and friends over the years: Learn as much as you can from other people, even those with different opinions than you. Be open to alternate possibilities. Live your truth. Always try to do your best and you’ll never be disappointed. Be kind. Don’t forget to say please and thank you.
 
Key Party is:
Kirsten Paludan: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, keys
Garret Brown: bass
Jessica Gomez: electric guitar, keys, vocals
Dalin Horner: electric guitar
Ryan Pope: drums
 
 
Key Party will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Saturday, September 20 at 12:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
You can also catch Paludan in a production of The Nervous Set—a Beat Generation jazz musical—at the Lawrence Arts Center. It runs the first three weekends in October, Thursday through Saturday. Ticket link.
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

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Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: Hembree

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(Photo by Rusty Wright, The Waldron Photograph Co.)

 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
With the release of a brand-new single and its upcoming debut performance, Hembree is picking up where Quiet Corral left off, but with a renewed vigor and sensibility.
 
The group—who makes up five of the six members of Quiet Corral (vocalist/guitarist Jesse Roberts left the band last year, shortly after the release of its debut album Ancestors)—retains much of its former identity of compelling, captivating Americana, but with a pop appeal.
 
Hembree’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Isaac Flynn answers some questions about the new outfit and what we have to look forward to from them.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Flynn: I’d like to think that our music sounds like a 1980s pop band that decided to start an Americana rock band, but they forgot to tell the keyboard player.
 
The Deli: How long have you all been making music under this moniker?
 
Flynn: The lineup is all of the remaining members from Quiet Corral. It consists of Garrett Childers, Jim Barnes, Zach Mehl, Matt Green, and myself.
 
We had talked about starting a band called Hembree as soon as Quiet Corral ended in October of 2013. During our time in the studio throughout 2014, we came up with several other names, but for some reason we couldn’t escape Hembree. We have a great friend named Hembree, and he was instrumental in convincing me to write more music after QC ended. His encouragement meant a ton to us, but we also just thought he had a really sweet name.
 
The Deli: Your appearance at Plaza Art Fair will be your debut as Hembree. Since disbanding Quiet Corral, what has changed about your music and how have you grown from that experience?
 
Flynn: So much has changed since Quiet Corral. Several of us were very young when we started Quiet Corral. Like 19 years young. I remember a show in Bowling Green, KY, where our bassist Matt [Green] and I had to watch the headliner play through a window because we weren’t legally allowed in the venue. We learned so much during that time period, and now we are trying to take what we learned in Quiet Corral and apply it to Hembree.

We were incredibly serious about everything in Quiet Corral. While we still hold ourselves to a high standard musically, we’ve learned to have way more fun throughout the entire creative process.
 
The Deli: You just released the single "New Oasis.” Are you going to release an album with it? What can listeners expect from the new material?
 
Flynn: We are planning to release an EP later this year. We kind of holed up in the studio, and we’re starting to show folks what we made. It was an amazing experience. We had no expectations or deadlines. We’re excited for everyone to hear the songs.
 
The new material is going to have some of the elements that listeners enjoyed with Quiet Corral, along with a heavy focus on melody, electric guitar, and keyboards.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Flynn: For me, supporting local music means getting to know as many people as possible in our music community. I’m an audio engineer, and I’m very fortunate to have worked with a lot of bands from Kansas City and Lawrence. I’ve learned that we have some of the most talented and genuinely amazing individuals living in our area. Whether they’re musicians, promoters, journalists, DJs, fans, etc., KC has some incredible people. I love how supportive musicians are of other musicians in the community.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Flynn: In no particular order…
CJ Calhoun (Cowboy Indian Bear): CJ is a dear friend of mine, and he happens to be one of the most talented musicians I know. CJ has the unique ability to craft infectious music with just the right amount of darkness.
 
Spencer Mackenzie Brown: Spencer is another great friend of mine. He delivers lyrics in a way that make you feel like you’ve lived the exact experience he’s writing about. 
 
Alex and Austin Ward (The Noise FM): The Wards are also dear friends. As you can tell, I really admire my friends. These guys live in Chicago now, but they’re KC natives. Their music hits so hard, and they never fail to blow my mind during their live shows. They’re also some of the funniest dudes ever. Check out their Boy Meets World fan fiction and see for yourself.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Flynn: I’m really digging this band called Snowmine from Brooklyn (thanks Middle of the Map!). They write brilliantly crafted indie-pop songs.
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Flynn: The lineup is fantastic this year. Just a few of the bands that I’m excited to see are Wells The Traveler, Josh Berwanger Band, Carswell & Hope, and She’s a Keeper.
 
The Deli: Besides Plaza Art Fair, what other shows do you have coming up?
 
Flynn: We’re in the process of booking several shows right now. It’s looking like we’ll have EP release shows in Lawrence, Kansas City, and Austin in November.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Flynn: Arcade Fire, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and The Beach Boys of 1966 headline (not to be confused with The Beach Boys of 1996 with John Stamos on drums).
 
Side note: if you’ve never seen it, check out the episode of Full House where Uncle Jesse sings the song “Forever” with the Beach Boys…perfection.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Flynn: Prince: The man can play every instrument!
Quincy Jones: Perhaps MJ deserves this spot (maybe the best performer of all time), but I can’t get over Quincy’s production. So incredible.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney: I can’t split these two up. They definitely both deserve a spot.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: What other goals does Hembree have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Flynn: In Quiet Corral, we wanted to be the first band to play on the moon. I think it’s safe to say that goal still remains for Hembree.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Flynn: Visit the Space Jam website. It hasn’t changed since 1996. You’ll love it.
 
Hembree is:
Jim Barnes: drums, vocals
Garrett Childers: guitar, vocals
Isaac Flynn: vocals, guitar
Matt Green: bass
Zach Mehl: keys
 
 
Be sure to catch Hembree’s debut on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Friday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands. Seriously, check out the Space Jam website. It’s unreal.
 
 
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