The second best thing about the CMJ Music Marathon, after of course the opportunity to see tons of great bands for five straight nights in the greatest city for music, is the process of sorting through the seemingly endless list of bands in order to meticulously plan your personal schedule down to the minute. That feeling of invincibility concerning the laws of time and space is an awful like the one you get when you develop grand plans to start exercising and working out. That brief sensation of euphoria lasts right up to the minute you told yourself you were going to start. Then you realize you already walked something like three flights of stairs that day, so really there’s no need to exercise. – read the full report here. – (in the picture, Blonds)
No CMJ badge? Win 40 tickets to see Foxygen, Hundred Waters, Wildlife Fire, You Bred Raptors?, Snowmine + more
Deli Readers,
We are giving away 10 tickets for each one of our CMJ shows through Thrillcall!
"How do I get them?" – we hear you ask? Follow these instructions:
1. Download the Thrillcall app for smartphones here
2. Tap on the "exclusive" tab at the bottom
3. RSVP for the Deli show you want to attend – first 10 applicants will win free tickets
The Deli’s Staff
Spotlight on Midwest Music Foundation and Apocalypse Meow with Abigail Henderson
(Photo by Paul Andrews)
If you haven’t had yet been acquainted with Abigail Henderson, you haven’t had a chance to meet a person with an incredible passion for Kansas City, its music, and its musical community. The voice of Tiny Horse (as well as The Gaslights and Atlantic Fadeout) gives us some information on Midwest Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization that she heads that works toward emergency health care for those in the Kansas City musical community. She also tells us about Apocalypse Meow, a benefit originally created when Henderson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Five years later, Meow has become a huge benefit for all local musicians. In her words, it creates a net for musicians when they fall.
Find out more about these programs and the woman herself at the link here.
–Michelle Bacon
Chappo releases new video for “5-0” + plays CMJ
Thrill seeking and cutting loose is the central theme of Chappo’s latest video and song “5-0.” Behind steady snare drum flams and properly reverbed crunch guitars, three rocked-out young adults snag some cash, jump behind the wheel of a sweet Mustang Ford and head out for some weed-fueled adventures. While the vocals tend to segue somewhere between Jack White and Joe Walsh (with verses delivered in the cadence of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues”), the overall rhythm comes closer to Duff McKagan’s "Loaded." This momentary carefree youthful abandon on display masks the songs deeper lyrical content of wishing to be “older.” But for now it’s “all for the run” – the quick, cheap thrills – as they “build it up just to tear it down.” Included is a surprisingly lovely trippy instrumental break which takes things to almost prog-rock territory – before the rock stomp crunch returns. See Chappo at CMJ on 10.16 at the Bell House and 10.18 at XPO 929. – Dave Cromwell
14 bands play Deli CMJ Rootsy Stages at The Delancey: Laura Stevenson, Shakey Graves, Blonds + more
DETAILS ABOUT THIS SHOW + STREAMING COMPILATION OF ALL 14 BANDS HERE.
The 2012 Deli’s CMJ festivities will be kicking off on Tuesday, October 16th at The Delancey, with an extensive showcase of some of the city’s best rootsy acts. This year, we’ve booked fourteen artists, most of them local, who’ll be giving us a good taste of folk music beyond the run-of-the-mill, split between both floors of the Lower East Side venue.
Headlining the main floor we’ll have the magnetic concoctions of dream-roots duo Blonds and rootsy-pop ensemble Laura Stevenson & The Cans (pictured), amidst a farandole in which everyone should find a flavour that suits them – check out Town Hall, Swear & Shake, and The Reverend John Delore, who will be releasing a new album that night.
Upstairs, for a free (!) show, you’ll find bluegrass trio JP & The Gilberts, energetic singer folky duo XNY, and the enchanting recent additions to the NYC scene Plume Giant (pictured) – who’ve been getting some well-deserved attention since the release of their debut album ‘Callithump’ – on a night filled with talent in which everyone, even those country detractors out there, should find a reason to cheer. Check out the full details of the line-up here.
Apocalypse Meow 5 – November 2 and 3
Here’s the official poster for Apocalypse Meow 5! More details soon… For now, visit http://www.apocalypsemeow.net for a full lineup and http://midwestmusicfound.org for more information on the event.
Artists on Trial: The Empty Spaces
(Photo by Emily Hunt)
Our Artists on Trial series will be featuring bands that will be playing Apocalypse Meow, Midwest Music Foundation‘s big annual benefit for musician health care. We will be featuring more on Apocalypse Meow in the weeks before the show, which is November 3 at The Beaumont Club. The Empty Spaces will be one of the bands playing the event.
The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
The Empty Spaces: Missouri River serf rock.
The Deli: Let’s talk about what you have coming up or have released lately. What can we expect?
TES: Our music video for "Holidays Are Nice And Warm" just came out and has gotten a lot of positive attention. We will be playing Apocalypse Meow at The Beaumont Club on Nov 3. We are also opening up for Broncho on Nov 30 at Czar. At the same time we are getting new songs put together and will be starting to record our third studio album at the start of 2013.
The Deli: What does "supporting local music" mean to you?
TES: Our favorite way to support local music is by making local music. We are also very proud to be a part of Golden Sound Records. It also helps to go out to local shows and sometimes even pay to get into them!
The Deli: Who are your favorite "local" musicians right now?
TES: Mat: Shy Boys.
Ross: The ACB’s.
Will: The Architects.
The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Meow?
TES: We are very excited to see the great crowd supporting MMF. They are an amazing organization for Kansas City. We’re also very excited to be playing with bands like Deco Auto and The Architects.
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
TES: Mat: Ty Segall.
Ross: Django Django.
Will: The new Murder By Death album kicks ass.
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
TES: Roger Miller opens up. Followed by The Ventures. Then us, of course. Fela Kuti closes the night.
The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?
TES: Mat: Studio.
Ross: I don’t know, man.
Will: Stage.
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
TES: Joe Strummer, Neil Young because he’s Canadian, Harry Nilsson, and let’s keep George Washington up there so they don’t have to do so much renovation.
The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?
TES: theemptyspaces.com
http://facebook.com/TheEmptySpaces
Twitter: @tesband
Instagram!: TheEmptySpaces
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
TES: Party! And don’t drink the cheap stuff.
The Empty Spaces are:
Mat Shoare: guitar, lead vox
William Brent Wright: bass
Ross Brown: drums
The Empty Spaces seem to keep themselves pretty busy. As mentioned, they will be playing Apocalypse Meow on Saturday, November 3 at Beaumont, taking the stage around 9 pm. Don’t miss them!
–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 by readers of The Pitch as Kansas City’s "Best Sexy Musician." That’s not even a joke, but she feels it should be. |
Album review: Gentleman Savage – Open Eyes (EP)
–-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 and Drew Black & Dirty Electric, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects. |
Prism Tats at Barboza for City Arts Fest on Friday
Photo Source: Prism Tats
Prism Tats is set to perform at Barboza this Friday, October 19th. Part of the week’s City Arts Fest, the set will also feature Howlin Rain, Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, and Fox and the Law.
A one-man project, Prism Tats inks out a passionate, minimal aesthetic that shimmers from the first strum. G Vanderkrimp – formerly the singer/guitarist for Seattle band Koko and the Sweetmeats – takes listeners for a fuzzy but spirited ride with his self-proclaimed "future garage trash pop." He has a hodgepodge of songs available to stream currently.
"Death or Fame," forms immediately and eagerly; the sweet-singing guitar stabs mesh well with Vanderkrimp’s high-pitched, incandescent vocal style. The simple bass drum beat and supporting electronic effects are subtle and help anchor the snarling wails he breaks into later in the song.
"Lizard Scum" carries on its shoulders a more somber, secluded vibe. The chorus, though, is as melodious and ear-grabbing as many of Seattle’s catchiest and inclusive folk bands. Here, the climaxes are always kept on a short leash without exploding into overwrought harmonies. Its armor of fuzzed-out pop has cracks; synthetic echoes and murmurs lurk nearby.
For one further example of ‘trash pop’ validation, "Vacant & Impatient" is a more straightforward, bluesy number that oozes with aliveness. It is catchy, dark, and urban – and very replayable.
Head over to Barboza on the 19th of October to catch Prism Tats accompanying a good lineup through and through. Tickets are $13 and doors open at 7pm. Listen to "Lizard Scum" below and visit his bandcamp to hear a handful of tracks. Whooping Cranes Records is releasing a debut 7” on Nov. 20 for $6. Preorder here.
– Cameron LaFlam
Album of the Month: Heart of Hearts “My Society”
Baltimore’s perveyor of indie pop noise Heart of Hearts (Greg Hatem’s solo project) create soundscapes of ethereal tinged notes and lush air in his debut September release My Society (also available on glorious vinyl.) It’s a great soundtrack for this new gloomy sky we have above us. So turn on the heat, open a natty bo, and hit play for a relaxing ride into the impending winter.
One of my favorite tracks is definitely "Owls Grow Up," which full on showcases Hatem’s flair for layered keys in a futuristic shoegaze atmosphere.
"You’re My Sister" takes a psychedelic journey into more experimental territory, with warbly sci-fi synths and cleverly placed background tones that sound like a chorus of extra terrestrials chiming in.
"Grass Mask" gets uber dark, with Suicide-ish keys booming throughout, and paired with lyrics "I can’t mask how I feel. Don’t ask how I feel." But before you get caught up in the horror score of it, Hatem ends on a ‘happier’ note with the title track "My Society" pumping a steady oompa bass beat that harkens on 80’s electro and shoegazey electro vocals. –Dawn
‘Trios Do It Better’ CMJ showcase at Bar Matchless 10.17
Schoolhouse Rock once noted that “three is a magic number.” This Wednesday, October 17 at Bar Matchless in Brooklyn, Rocker Stalker, EiPR, and The Outlet Collective present an official CMJ showcase demonstrating the power of three. The “Trios Do it Better” showcase will feature Birmingham-bred indie rockers La Resistance (NYC), electronica-laced outfit Black Bird White Sky (NYC), the blues-driven sound of Chainwave (NYC), late Deli ‘Artist of the Month’ Viva Mayday, with the communicative energy of their reggae/r’n’b rock fusions(NYC), psychedelic genre-busters The Gypsy West(NYC), garage band The Phuss (DFW), in town for a few dates, and alt-rockers Lights Resolve (NYC), and you will have a chance to dance, groove, and head bang all in one night. It’s a not-to-be missed event with 21 of the top music makers. Doors are at 7:30pm, 21+, FREE entry with CMJ badge, $10 without. – Meijin Bruttomesso
Yellow Ostrich releases preview track from upcoming EP “Ghost”
Indie pop trio Yellow Ostrich has released the title track off its upcoming EP, “Ghost.” The EP will be released digitally on October 22nd. While listening to “Ghost,” one can immediately tell this is the work of Alex Schaaf, the band’s singer, guitarist, and chief songwriter. Most notable are Schaaf’s signature vocal harmonies, which gently float over the peaceful instrumentation. In support of the new EP, Yellow Ostrich will embark on a month-long fall tour, culminating in a hometown show at the Bowery Ballroom on November 14th. Listen to “Ghost” streaming below.