Author: April

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mr. Gnome Return Home

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Now that the news of the Black Keys move to Nashville has been officially announced, I can christen mr. Gnome as my favorite-local-band-that-is-still-local*… though, as seems to be the way of things, this will probably precipitate Nicole Barille and Sam Meister’s move to distant lands. I’d like to apologize to all the other mr. Gnome fans in advance.

But until then, we have the chance to enjoy them here at home this Saturday when they headline a show at the Beachland Ballroom with another band of local awesomeness, HotChaCha, and Soft Speaker from Chicago. Our friend Nate Burrell was kind enough to share some beautiful photos with us of mr. Gnome’s recent show in St. Louis, Missouri.

And here’s some footage from their recent show in Tucson, Arizona:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DZlRqrZvK8?fs=1]

mr. Gnome Official Website
HotChaCha @ Exit Stencil Recordings
Soft Speaker Official Website
The Beachland Ballroom

*For the record, I begrudge the Black Keys not one bit for their move, am glad they stayed in Ohio as long as they did and am really happy for them and excited for all the opportunities they have now.

photo copyright Nate Burrell – taken for KDHX Media

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Bits: Roky Erickson & the Black Angels, Robert Pollard, the Black Keys, the Low Anthem

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  • Roky Erickson and the Black Angels: Night of the Vampire is now on Pitchfork’s One Week Only.
  • Paste shares the details on Robert Pollard’s latest batch of releases. Solo album on 1.18, Lifeguards on 2.15 and Mars Classroom on 3.29.
  • The Black Keys returned to the KCRW studios yesterday. You can watch or listen here.
  • If you haven’t yet grabbed the free download of “Ghost Woman Blues” from the forthcoming Low Anthem album, Smart Flesh, you can hear it while watching their beautiful video.

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Nicole Atkins: Take All I Can Get Until I’m Dirt and Bones

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They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but ‘they’ are generally full of shit. A study of the cover for Nicole Atkins’ forthcoming album, Mondo Amore, will give you a good sketch of what’s inside. New cozying up with old, light defined by dark, the rugged and the ethereal, beauty borne of unexpected juxtapositions.

Both lyrically and sonically, Mondo Amore is dramatic. The sweep of Atkins voice is often cinematic, and she is backed by instrumentation that often combines the more theatrical heights of ’60s pop and soul productions with the guitar-centric heart of ’70s rock. Sometimes the drama teeters on the edge of being overwrought, but Atkins generally saves herself with strong but modest musical sensibilities (I find hooks from this album, like the chorus of “Cry Cry Cry”, popping into my head even after I haven’t listened to the album for a couple of days) and those killer pipes.

Atkins is at her best when she leans more toward rock than pop, and the first track, “Vultures”, is the head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest stand-out on this album, its dark and dirty grooves crashing against the shore of Atkins vocals as they wrap around images of greed and decay.

Mondo Amore drops January 25 February 8, and Atkins hits the road again in February, supporting Cotton Jones.

Nicole Atkins Official Website

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Notable Shows in the Greater Cleveland Area

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Shows worth checking out this week in and around Cleveland:

The Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

  • Fri, Dec 10| 9 PM (8:30 PM door)
    Whitey Morgan & The 78’s
    California Speedbag
    The Lawton Brothers
    $7
    Tavern | All Ages

  • Sat, Dec 11| 9 PM (8 PM door)
    Justice Rocks! Benefit for Community Shares
    Founding Fathers
    Madame & The Moist Towelettes
    Wooly Bullies
    Crooked River Blues Band
    $10 Donation
    Tavern | All Ages

  • Sun, Dec 12| 8 PM (7 PM door)
    Bill Kirchen’s Honky Tonk Holiday Show
    Hillbilly Idol
    $15
    Ballroom | All Ages

  • Wed, Dec 15| 8:30 PM (8 PM door)
    The Modern Electric
    The Lighthouse & The Whaler
    Humble Home
    $5
    Tavern | All Ages

  • Fri, Dec 17| 8 PM (7 PM door)
    The Horse Flies
    Hiram Rapids Stumblers
    $13 adv / $15 dos
    Ballroom | All Ages

Grog Shop

  • Sun, Dec 12| 8 PM
    Uptowne Buddha
    E Little
    CG
    Jali
    $5

Now That’s Class

  • Sat, Dec 11| 9 PM
    Viva Le Vox
    Patrons of Sweet
    Exploding Lies
    Gunfire Getdown!
    $5 donation

  • Thu, Dec 16| 9 PM
    HR Human Rights
    Frank & Jesse
    Fangs Out
    $8

Happy Dog

  • Sat, Dec 11| 9 PM
    Brian Olive
    The Guitars
    CLOVERS

House of Blues

  • Fri, Dec 10| 9 PM (8 PM doors)
    Robert Randolph & The Family Band
    Winslow
    $22 GA/$35 Balcony

Center Court (Barberton)

  • Sun, Dec 12| 2 PM
    Pirate Jenny Benefit Concert
    2:00 Shivering Timbers
    3:00 Tofu Fighters
    4:00 Mike Lenz
    5:00 Misery Jackals
    6:00 Mo’ Mojo
    7:00 Blonde Boy Grunt
    8:00 First Offense
    9:00 Missile Toe
    10:00 The Woovs
    $10

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T-Model Ford: Taledragger

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The terms “gritty”, “raw” and “real” have been used so many times to describe blues musicians throughout the decades that it almost seem insulting to use them now, but when a 90-year-old (according to Alive Records, anyway – seems like he ages a year every three months) man playing a fuzzed-out guitar sings about putting his foot in your ass, terms like that are bound to come up. One of Fat Possum Records’ roster of “the last of the hill country bluesmen” out of northern Mississippi (which also included late greats Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside), Ford is said to have first picked up a guitar at age 58, and he’s not ready to put it down yet. (And despite lyrics about breaking arms and kicking asses, he’s reported to be a sweet guy and a real charmer.)

January 11, 2011, will see the release of Ford’s eighth album, Taledragger, with backing band GravelRoad, on Alive Records (on color vinyl [limited to 900 copies], 180 gram vinyl [limited to 100 copies and available exclusively by mailorder through Alive Records], as well as CD and digital formats). Have yourself a little preview:

T-Model Ford – Comin’ Back Home

Ford is out on the Juke Joints & Dive Bars of the South tour right now. Check him out if you are able.

12.9 White Water Tavern / Little Rock, AR

12.10 Hi-Tone Cafe / Memphis, TN

12.11 JJ’s Bohemia / Chattanooga, TN

additional dates to be announced

T-Model Ford @ Alive Records

Photo: Robert Matheu

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Bits: A Place to Bury Strangers, Hell and Half of Georgia, Clean Hands, The Low Anthem, Drive-By Truckers

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  • A Place to Bury Strangers had their van stolen in Rome. Here’s some info from their Facebook: “Looks like we had over 15K in merch money and belongings stolen from the van. Add in the cancelled shows, the excess van rental charges and we have been pummeled financially. We’ve set up a paypal donation link if any of you feel like helping us replace the belongings of our crew. We hesitate to do this but feel horrible about what happened to everyone’s things:” If you can, donate here.
  • In better news, our friends in Hell and Half of Georgia will be playing a gig on December 11 in Lake Forest, California.
  • Nick Berg of Conrad Plymouth has released an EP with his band Clean Hands. We’re digging it. D/L it here.
  • You can download “Ghost Woman Blues” from the forthcoming Low Anthem album on their site and check up on their 2011 tour dates.
  • And if you don’t have enough downloads today, Drive-By Truckers have made an mp3 of their awesome song “Used to be a Cop” available on their site.

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Bit: Bobby Bare, Jr.

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Obviously, I love me some music. And I love me some music documentaries. I’ll even watch docs about bands I don’t really dig because I find the behind-the-scenes peeks and the glimpses into the more mundane aspects of the lives of musicians so interesting.

So, how much more entertaining would a music doc be if it was about a character like Bobby Bare, Jr.? Well, you’ll get to find out as this doc – currently called The Untitled Bobby Bare Jr. Documentary – is being made now, and NTSIB is teaming up with the filmmakers to bring you information and updates on the project.

For REEL!
The Untitled Bobby Bare Jr Documentary is in production!
Lots of new and updates on the film are coming soon!
Get more info on the film and sign up for the mailing list here:
www.untitledbobbybarejrdocumentary.com

Stay tuned for more updates down the line.

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Crash Avenue Comp for a Special Cause

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The folks at Crash Avenue seem like a good bunch, and they’re dedicating their monthly compilation to the Andy Kotowicz Family Foundation. Here’s what they have to say:

We were greatly saddened by the untimely passing of Sub Pop’s Andy Kotowicz. Yet, I think I can speak for all of us when we say we’re also inspired by the heroism of Seattle business owner Kenny Johnson, who raced to the scene to save Andy’s young daughter, and made a valiant effort to save Andy as well. While we only knew Andy for a brief moment, we can say without hesitation that the gang at Sub Pop are some of the most down-to-earth, awesome people to work with – all the more remarkable when considering the size and influence of the label.

After five compilations showcasing some of our favorite discoveries (as well as friends’ musical endeavors) and ripping on our blog friends a bit with love and reverence, the Crash Avenue Comp Series has quickly become an exciting monthly program, and as such, it seems only right that we use what we’ve built here to help Andy’s family. Starting with our December release, you can download the full compilation with a Radiohead name-your-own-price structure, with all proceeds going to the Andy Kotowicz Family Foundation. You can find out more here.

You can download the comp here. The Cheyenne Marie Mize cover of PJ Harvey’s “Down by the Water” is suitably cool.

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Notable Shows in the Greater Cleveland Area + Shivering Timbers

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Shows worth checking out this week in and around Cleveland:

The Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

  • Fri, Dec 3| 8:30 PM (8 PM door)
    Rock-Unroll
    A Benefit for the Cleveland AIDS Taskforce
    Megachurch
    Craig Ramsey
    Field Trip
    Juggler / Magician: Charlie Peachock
    $5 adv / $7 dos
    Ballroom | All Ages

  • Sat, Dec 4| 9 PM (8 PM door)
    Wussy
    State Bird
    Old Boy
    $8
    Tavern | All Ages

  • Sun, Dec 5| 8:30 PM (8 PM door)
    Shivering Timbers (CD Release)
    Rebekah Jean
    $6
    Tavern | All Ages

  • Wed, Dec 8| 8 PM (7:30 PM door)
    Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost
    A documentary on the history of jug band music
    Presented by Ohio Independent Film Fesitival
    $8 ($5 admission with Jim Kweskin ticket)
    Ballroom | All Ages

  • Wed, Dec 8| 9 PM (8 PM door)
    Cary Ann Hearst
    & Michael Trent
    Maura Rogers
    Jason Patrick Meyers
    $8.00
    Tavern | All Ages

  • Fri, Dec 10| 8 PM (7 PM door)
    Jim Kweskin
    Geoff Muldaur
    $20 adv / $22 dos
    Ballroom | All Ages

Grog Shop

  • Sun, Dec 5| 8 PM
    ? and the Mysterians
    The Alarm Clocks
    $15

Kent Stage

  • Sat, Dec 4| 8 PM
    Over the Rhine
    $25

We attempted to do a round-up of Dan Auerbach-produced acts, but that’s an exercise in futility because, as the subject line of that post states, dude never stops. This Sunday at the Beachland Tavern, there will be a record release show for another Dan Auerbach producing job – that of Shivering Timbers’ new album We All Started In The Same Place. Check out their slinky arrangement of “Crooked Old Man”.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIh4y51iV2Y?fs=1]

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Rebirth of the Cool: Ohio Covers Ohio, Part Two

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When you hear the phrase “Ohio bands”, one of the first names that should pop into your head is Guided By Voices. If it isn’t, we may have to sit down and have a long talk. Birthed in 1983 in Dayton and led by a high-kicking former teacher and one of the most prolific artists around, Robert Pollard, GBV slammed through 16 studio albums and 16 EPs (plus 3 split EPs) before saying farewell in 2004.

In the meantime, they commanded a hell of a lot of love and respect not only from fans, but also from other bands, including fellow Daytonians the Breeders, who covered “Shocker in Gloomtown” on their 1993 album Last Splash. I love this video for the Breeders’ cover for the idea it gives that A) Dayton bands roam the streets of town and B) have nothing better to do than spy on each other’s practic sessions.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FqhOQLD3t0?fs=1]

GBV reunited this year to tour and show the kids how it’s done, while sending GBV fans into paroxysms of ecstasy. Here’s “Shocker” 2010-style.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUohJjpAPGI?fs=1]

GBV returned the favor during their 1995 tour by covering the Breeders’ “Invisible Man”. Unfortunately, we don’t have the GBV cover available, but you can easily imagine it from the Breeders original. This song sounds like it was practically written for Pollard and company.
ers, video
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4DmReQoJLQ?fs=1]