Yearly Archives: 2012

TWIN SISTER RADIO, ANWAR SADAT, and AXIS:SOVA at ZANZABAR, Friday, December 7th

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Cropped Out and The Other Side of Life are proud to present:

TWIN SISTER RADIO (Louisville, KY)
AXIS: SOVA (Chicago, IL)
ANWAR SADAT(Louisville, KY)

Friday, December 7th
at ZANZABAR
2100 S. Preston
8 PM doors, 21-and-over
$7

TWIN SISTER RADIO is a band from Louisville, Kentucky. It consists of David Wright (guitar, vocals), Joey Yates (drums), Benny Clark (bass), Catherine Baines (vocals), Ryan Davis (keyboards), and Dan Marshall (guitar). Members of Six White Horses, State Champion, The Loved, Parlour, Elliott, and many other fantastic combos are involved, so you should be, too.


(Photo of ANWAR SADAT from The Decibel Tolls.)

They’ve been called noise-rock. They’ve been called indie-punk. They’ve been called post-punk . Well, you can call ANWAR SADAT anything you want, we’re calling them the most exciting new band in Louisville today. The trio of William Carpenter, Clay Farris, and Shane Wesley will knock your socks off.

AXIS:SOVA is the brainchild of one Brett Sova from Chicago, Illinois. You can read about him at Altered Zones here: http://alteredzones.com/posts/1561/axissova-i-feel-laying-low/ (written by our pal Kenny Bloggins!). And you can watch his most recent video, “Raising Hell,” here:

Check out the Facebook invite here: http://www.facebook.com/events/117208381774851.

To join our email list, send an email to hstencil@gmail.com. You can also join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/232825523444477/. Twitter: @OtherSideShows.

DANIEL HIGGS and TROTTER/RILES at QUILL’S, Thursday, November 29th

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Astro Black Records, Cropped Out and The Other Side of Life are proud to present:

DANIEL HIGGS (Baltimore, Maryland)

with special guests

TROTTER/RILES (Louisville, Kentucky)

Thursday, November 29th
at QUILL’S
930 Baxter Avenue
10 PM, $6, ALL AGES!

DANIEL HIGGS is a musician and artist from Baltimore, Maryland on whose behalf superlatives are destined to fail. It’s not that his artistic output – spanning three decades, numerous albums, books of poetry and collections of drawings – simply eludes classification, it defies it. Often we hear that a true work of art is meant to speak for itself, and with the work of DANIEL HIGGS the maxim rings truer than ever. His art is of the cosmos, we on Earth merely lucky that it happens to be confined to our atmosphere, in our lifetime. HIGGS is known primarily for his work as the sole lyricist and frontman of the band LUNGFISH, a four-piece dedicated to charting, in this listener’s estimation, nothing short of the evolution of all species, known and unknown. That the band has undertaken this pursuit in the guise of a humble rock outfit, in the absence of any public relations fanfare, metanarrative, or manifesto has been enough to endear them to tens of thousands. They are enshrined as one of America’s last true folk bands, and HIGGS anointed as a patron saint to artistic purity.

TROTTER/RILES is the duo of Tyler Trotter and Zak Riles. Both have been active within the Louisville music scene, and in the greater world, as musicians, promoters, sound engineers, and enthusiasts. Riles is best known as a member of the Temporary Residence Ltd. band GRAILS, while Trotter has performed with the PHANTOM FAMILY HALO, and was the longtime sound man for the CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO. This show marks their second-ever Louisville show, and third show total, coming after their debut with Maserati at Zanzabar and with OM and Daniel Higgs in Bloomington, Indiana.

Check out the Facebook invite here: http://www.facebook.com/events/203067093162350.

To join our email list, send an email to hstencil@gmail.com. You can also join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/232825523444477/. Twitter: @OtherSideShows.

Black God, Child Bite, and Alcohol Party at Mag Bar, Monday, November 19th

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LEO Weekly ran my staff pick of Monday’s Black God, Child Bite, and Alcohol Party show at the Mag Bar (scroll down to the Monday entry):

Monday, Nov. 19
Child Bite
Magnolia Bar & Grill
1398 S. Second St.
facebook.com/MagBarOldLou
$TBA; 9 p.m.

Detroit’s Child Bite is often compared to Rust Belt punk pioneers Pere Ubu because of their dissonant guitar lines and vocalist Shawn Knight’s high-pitched histrionics. Whereas Ubu’s frontman David Thomas couched his sometimes-sentimental lyrics within a whimsical yelp, the approach of Child Bite’s main man Knight is more assured, wrapped in the band’s more aggressive, straightforward post-hardcore sound. Additional synth and horn textures add some variety to an otherwise standard Midwestern rock approach, and Child Bite seem like the kind of band that are more fun to watch live than listen to in any other setting — though what I’ve heard of their recordings are pretty good, too. With Louisville hardcore alumni Black God and Alcohol Party. —Joel Hunt

More information is available here: http://www.facebook.com/events/451171688261803.

C.S. Yeh, Transitions (De Stijl)

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LEO Weekly ran my review of C.S. Yeh’s new album, Transitions, in today’s edition:

Defying expectations is risky, but even more difficult for experimental musicians playing pop. That challenge — of a player known for more demanding fare stretching out into “less serious” realms — is readily accepted by C.S. Yeh on Transitions. A violinist known for his Burning Star Core project, Yeh plays every instrument here, with a shaky retro sensibility reminiscent of 1980’s one-man band My Dad Is Dead. Yeh takes more than a few chances on Transitions: His icy vocals, rudimentary guitar work and synth-driven rhythm tracks are far more direct than previous experimental efforts, while lyrics like “I thought that good luck routed me to Cleveland” might be too tongue-in-cheek to take seriously. But with sly nods to the underground and the mainstream, covering both Father Yod and Stevie Nicks, Yeh makes their songs his own.

You can buy it from De Stijl here.

MOUNT CARMEL and TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN DAWN at ZANZABAR, Friday, November 23rd

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Cropped Out and The Other Side of Life are proud to present:

MOUNT CARMEL (Columbus, Ohio; on Siltbreeze Records)

and

TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN DAWN (Louisville, Kentucky)

Friday, November 23rd
at ZANZABAR
2100 S. Preston
9 PM, 21-and-over
$5 advance online tickets available here: http://zanzabarlouisville.ticketfly.com/event/187621/;
$7 day of show admission

For those swayed by the magisterial authenticity of MOUNT CARMEL on their eponymous 2010 debut album: its follow-up Real Women finds the band honed and sharper, thus delivering what might be the best sophomore album released by an American blues-based power-trio since ZZ Top’s Rio Grande Mud. Nods to Free, Humble Pie, even Trapeze can be sussed out in the mix, but at the end of the day, Real Women is straight-up MOUNT CARMEL all the way. Searing leads, smokey vocals, thundering rhythms, cascading drums, hyperbolic hyperbole… it’s all here. MOUNT CARMEL brings back the spirit of 1973 like no one else. The only difference now is better weed and shittier barbiturates. It’s hands-down pure rock, no frills. Nary a retro contrivance is to be heard. These guys live it for real. Honest.

Watch the Red Bull Sound & Vision documentary on MOUNT CARMEL here:

TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN DAWN was founded in early 2012 for the purpose of studying spiritual awakenings through low-frequency bombardment as well as transcendental mind expansion using electric six-string techniques. The founding four members (Scott Brooks [guitar, vocals], J. Brian Reese [guitar, vocals], J Brent Stewart [bass], and Pinker Lichvar [drums]) have come together from the remnants of other Orders & Secret Societies (Les Debutantes, L&N, Manchuria, The Ravenna Colt) to seek, together, further enlightenment and a Universal Knowledge.

Check out the Facebook invite here: http://www.facebook.com/events/432878283427381.

To join our email list, send an email to hstencil@gmail.com. You can also join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/232825523444477/. Twitter: @OtherSideShows.

Maserati, Majeure, Trotter Riles at Zanzabar, Friday, November 16th

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LEO Weekly ran my interview today with Coley Dennis of Maserati:

B-sides
By Joel Hunt
Give the drummer some

Maserati’s latest album, VII, is a tour-de-force of danceable rock grooves recorded in Louisville with engineer Kevin Ratterman. They play Zanzabar Friday. Guitarist Coley Dennis answered LEO’s questions.

LEO: In the nearly three years since the tragic passing of (drummer) Jerry Fuchs, what have you learned about living life?

Coley Dennis: The most important thing I’ve learned through all of that is to live every day like it could be your last, tell your friends and family you love them, and do what makes you happy, because you might not be here tomorrow.

LEO: How easily did new drummer Mike Albanese mesh into recording with Maserati?

CD: We’ve known him for over 10 years, so when we were thinking of who to ask to interpret the drum parts from the demos, he was first on the list.

LEO: How was your experience recording with Kevin Ratterman?

CD: Kevin was working out of the church where he recorded the last My Morning Jacket record. The studio was set up next to the church in the house where the priests lived. It’s a huge old house, it felt like recording a Zeppelin record.

LEO: Did Kevin’s experience as a drummer bring anything special to working with Maserati?

CD: Kevin being a drummer definitely helped a lot. Like the drum solo in “Abracadabracab.” We had the basic idea that we wanted this Cerrone/Phil Collins-style drum solo section, but we were not sure how to do it. We mentioned the idea to Kevin, and he said, “Oh, I have some Ludwig concert toms that would be perfect!” We ran the cables in the sanctuary in this huge room. Mike did a bunch of passes of the drum solo, and we said, “Kevin, you should try a take, too, dude!” His eyes lit up, and he did a couple of takes. After that, we all did takes of the drum solo. It was pretty hilarious.

You can catch them this Friday night at Zanzabar with Majeure and Trotter Riles, who are making their Louisville debut.

Black Moth Super Rainbow at Zanzabar, Thursday, November 8th

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LEO Weekly ran my preview today of Thursday’s upcoming Black Moth Super Rainbow, Casket Girls, and Karass show at Zanzabar (scroll down to Thursday’s entry):

Thursday, Nov. 8
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Zanzabar
2100 S. Preston St.
zanzabarlouisville.com
$13-$15; 9 p.m.

Hailing from rural western Pennsylvania, Black Moth Super Rainbow traffic in a sort of murky, low-fi but high-tech psychedelic pop, equal parts new wave and krautrock (though sometimes not resembling either). Their fifth album, Cobra Juicy, was just released last month, and some might say it’s their most ambitiously accessible record yet. Main man Tobacco still sings enigmatic lyrics through a vocoder, but the melodies seem a bit more straightforward, almost like radio hits from an alternate universe. Much like the vintage arcade games that line Zanzabar, Black Moth Super Rainbow offer a trippingly fun look backward. With opening sets from Casket Girls and Karass; tickets are available at Astro Black and Underground Sounds. —Joel Hunt

STATE CHAMPION, DAVID DANIELL & DOUGLAS MCCOMBS, and FLANGER MAGAZINE at ZANZABAR, Wednesday, November 14th

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Cropped Out and The Other Side of Life are proud to present:

STATE CHAMPION (from Louisville/Southern Indiana/Chicago, on Sophomore Lounge Records)
DAVID DANIELL & DOUGLAS McCOMBS (from North Carolina and Chicago, Illinois; members of SAN AGUSTIN and TORTOISE, on Thrill Jockey)
FLANGER MAGAZINE (from Louisville)

Wednesday, November 14th
at ZANZABAR
2100 S. Preston
9 PM, $6, 21-and-over

STATE CHAMPION started in 2006 as a moniker for the early acoustic experiments of Ryan Davis. It has since evolved into a rock n’ roll band with a Chevy van and not one, but two vinyl records. Their sophomore record, Deep Shit, was released earlier this year on Sophomore Lounge Records, and has received quite a level of acclaim. Because it’s awesome!

DAVID DANIELL & DOUGLAS McCOMBS first met in early 2006 while touring as members of Rhys Chatham’s six-guitar Die Donnergötter band. Following that tour, the two spent several months trading albums and discussing making music together; they began their musical collaboration when Daniell moved from New York to Chicago later that year to study pedal steel guitar.

 These humble beginnings do little to reflect the depth and breadth of each of their talents; both are highly-respected musicians within their circles. Over the years Daniell has collaborated with many notable musicians, including Loren Connors, Rhys Chatham, Tim Barnes, Jeph Jerman, Thurston Moore, Greg Davis, and Jonathan Kane, as well as releasing numerous albums under his own name and with his band San Agustin on labels such as Table of the Elements and Family Vineyard. McCombs is more often seen wielding a bass guitar, whether as a member of Eleventh Dream Day, the acoustic collective Pullman, or the pioneering and inimitable Tortoise; in his role as the driving force behind Brokeback; or through his varied work with the likes of Tom Ze, Azita Youseffi, Will Oldham, Yo La Tengo, and Calexico. Versions, the new double album by DAVID DANIELL & DOUGLAS McCOMBS,was produced by Louisvillian Ken Brown, also a founding member of Tortoise.

FLANGER MAGAZINE is the handsome duo of Chris Bush and Ben Zoeller, who both have also played in the excellent band Caboladies. Expect some unexpected sounds, from the ridiculous to the sublime, in this, their Louisville debut.

Check out the Facebook invite here: http://www.facebook.com/events/509029555782255.

To join our email list, send an email to hstencil@gmail.com. You can also join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/232825523444477/. Twitter: @OtherSideShows.

FREE HALLOWEEN PARTY with DAUGHN GIBSON and STATE CHAMPION at the NACHBAR!

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Astro Black Records, Cropped Out and The Other Side of Life are proud to present:

A FREE HALLOWEEN PARTY!

with

DAUGHN GIBSON (Carslile, PA; on Sub Pop)

and

STATE CHAMPION (from Louisville/Southern Indiana/Chicago, on Sophomore Lounge Records)

Wednesday, October 31st
at NACHBAR
969 Charles Street (at the corner of Charles and Krieger)
9 PM, 21-and -over
FREE!

DAUGHN GIBSON hails from the Cumberland Valley town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The charismatic crooner and sound sculptor’s music sets his subversively witty and colorful tales against an engaging blend of electronic, country and blues. GIBSON’s spirited, DIY approach is informed by his time spent playing in punk and metal bands and stints as a cross-country truck driver. His deep baritone adds to the allure, which posits the handsome balladeer in territory explored by the greats. He’s earned comparisons to the likes of Lee Hazelwood, Scott Walker and Arthur Russell, and contemporary artists like Nicolas Jaar, Magnetic Fields and James Blake. DAUGHN GIBSON’s music first caught the attention of Philadelphia-based indie label White Denim (run by Sub Pop label mate and Pissed Jeans member Matt Korvette), who immediately agreed to release DG’s debut, All Hell, in April 2012. In June of 2012, Dull Knife Records released the 7″ single “Lite Me Up” b/w “The Mark of a Man.” DAUGHN GIBSON’s All Hell won praise from the likes of Pitchfork, SPIN, FILTER, Austin Chronicle, Baltimore City Paper, Philadelphia Weekly, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Brooklyn Vegan, Tiny Mix Tapes, The Needle Drop, and more.

Listen to “Reach Into the Fire” by Daughn Gibson here: http://assets2.subpop.com/assets/audio/12237.mp3.

STATE CHAMPION started in 2006 as a moniker for the early acoustic experiments of Ryan Davis. It has since evolved into a rock n’ roll band with a Chevy van and not one, but two vinyl records. Their sophomore record, Deep Shit, was released earlier this year on Sophomore Lounge Records, and has received quite a level of acclaim. Because it’s awesome! Welcome them back to Louisville for their first show since last Spring.

Check out the Facebook invite here: https://www.facebook.com/events/267651673337923.

To join our email list, send an email to hstencil@gmail.com. You can also join our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/232825523444477/.

Sic Alps and CROSS at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Friday, October 19th

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LEO Weekly ran my preview today of Friday’s upcoming Sic Alps and CROSS show at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (scroll down to Friday’s entry):

Friday, Oct. 19
Sic Alps
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
715 W. Main St.
kentuckyarts.org
$6-$8; 8 p.m.

Sic Alps have a not-unpleasant tendency to sound like scraps of an overheard conversation interrupted by a 10-car pileup. To perhaps understand the stops and starts, the utterly lo-fi, heavily fragmented style, know that frontman (and only constant) Mike Donovan drives a cab in San Francisco when he’s not touring. On their new album, the new lineup ditches noisy home recording techniques in favor of a clear, crisp style (including some string arrangements), and the result is like graduating from The Crying of Lot 49 to Gravity’s Rainbow. While former versions have been mystifying, enjoyable and unique, this new recorded version is more cohesive, expansive and epic — without being yawnsome “epic rock.” However, expect a white-hot live performance — their set at the 2010 Cropped Out festival was one of the more blazing moments. —Joel Hunt

Not sure why mention of Lexington’s excellent CROSS was excised, but they’ll be opening the show. Their new album, Die Forever, is now available from Sophomore Lounge.

Also, you can stream Sic Alps’ new self-titled album here: http://www.spin.com/articles/hear-sic-alps-fantastic-studio-recorded-self-titled-lp.