Tuesday, January 23, 2007
TLP January 23, 2007
An early Lex Pro. That’s a switch, huh? Go see Summer Hymns, Folklore, and Noisycrane TONIGHT at Mecca, and Function, Cabo Ladies, and Keenan Lawler TOMORROW at the Icehouse. Stop by the KFTC ‘Can’t Steal Community’ Yard Sale on Saturday. Pick up the new Rafter cd. Thanks to Greg Abernathy, Samantha Herald, Saraya Brewer, Will Burchard, Chris Bush, and Beth Connors Manke for their contributions.
Luv, Ross
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Sat/January 27 – Can’t Steal Community! KFTC Community Yard Sale @ Third Street Stuff
This Saturday, January 27th, Third Street Stuff will host community yard sale (or floor sale, depending on the weather) to benefit our friends Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. The reason for the season? Some jackamo recently broke into the KFTC office and stole a ton of shite. Now that’s some b*llsh*t! Anyway … if you’d like to donate items for the sale, you can drop them off at Third Street Stuff (on Limestone near the corner of 3rd Street) or at the KFTC office (253 Regency Circle). If you’d like to puruse said items and do some yardsaling for a good cause, stop by on the 27th between 10am and 6pm. Expect a party for the people atmosphere - dj’s, live music, and more. For more info or if you have any questions, call Jonathan Hampton at 859/420-9858.
** FREE FLICKS! Bluegrass Film Society at BCTC
Here’s the scoop on the next two weeks of Bluegrass Film Society flicks at BCTC. Remember the change – the films used to screen on Thursdays, now it’s WEDNESDAYS. All films start at 7:45pm in the auditorium in Oswald Building on the campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (aka the old LCC). They’re still FREE and open to everyone. For the full schedule and/or more info, check BFS at http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com.
1/24: Yes (United Kingdom)
1/31: Save the Green Planet (South Korea)
** Sun/January 28 – LPO presents Milton Street CMS
A repeat from last issue …
An interesting-looking Philharmonic event– a progressive flute and percussion duo. Sounds like something that might be at home in the Outside the Spotlight series. Below are the full details. Pay attention to the “Tickets” line – “Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one FREE.” Cool. (Oh, and note the mention of “delicious desserts.”)
“The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra presents an Audible & Edible (A&E) concert with Milton Street Chamber Music Society. Milton Street CMS is a pioneering and versatile flute and percussion duo dedicated to the performance of works from a diversity of styles and composers. Malone's Banquets provides the perfect location (and delicious desserts!) for the LPO's principal timpanist Brady Harrison and flutist Heather Verbeck.
Based out of Cincinnati, Milton Street CMS has a special interest in newer works written specifically for their unique instrumental combination. This season they will present works that vary widely in sound, style, and form. Their repertoire includes some of the earliest works written for this combination, as well as brand new works from the 21st century. Performances typically include a wide range of percussion instruments, from marimba to vibraphone, fire-bells to gourds, and it is not unusual to see three different sizes of flutes on stage. Milton Street CMS seek to tear down the stereotypical boundaries of classical chamber music while creating artful performances that may be at one moment thrilling and in the next solemn.
Date: Sunday, January 28th
Location: Malone's Banquets
Time: 3:30 p.m
Tickets: $12 in advance, $13 at door. Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one free.
Order tickets: 859.233.4226 or http://www.lexphil.org”
** Mon/January 29 – Wandering Storytellers series @ Natasha’s Cafe
Natasha’s Café, in conjunction with the Kentucky Storytelling Association, presents “Wandering Storytellers,” a new series featuring award winning storytellers from all over Kentucky. This month it’s Buck P. Creacy presenting "Romance: 101,” Monday, January 29th at 9pm. All ages are welcome. Admission is $5. For more info, visit http://www.buckpcreacy.com and http://www.ksa.org. For reservations call, 859/259-2754.
** Coming Up …
Fri/February 9 – “H’Artful of Fun” fundraiser for the Living Arts and Science Center. More info http://www.lasclelx.org.
Sat/February 10 –Dance of Enticement Workshop @ Mecca, Saturday, 2-4pm. $25 for advance registrations, $30 @ door. More info at http://www.meccadance.com. Pre-register by calling 859/254-9790 or emailing info@meccadance.com.
Sun/February 11 - Heartbreaker Alley Cat Race! More info next issue.
:::::::::::::::::: YOU GO OUTDOORS. I GO OUTDOORS. LET’S GO OUTDOORS TOGETHER. :::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dig out a warm coat, hat, gloves and some boots and get out-of-doors this January – take a hike or volunteer in the battle against invasive plants. If the winter conditions are too much to bear hold out until late January and KET will offer you the ability to be an armchair naturalist.
:: Saturday, January 27 :: Owl Prowl. A live presentation of owls native to Kentucky will be held at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). There will also be a guided night hike in the preserve to search for owls. The program is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST and cost $10, free for LNC members. Space is limited, so make reservations early!
:: Saturday and Sunday, January 27-28 :: KET's Kentucky Life segment "Dragonflies of Kentucky", featuring Ellis Laudermilk, KSNPC invertebrate biologist, and Carl Cook, longtime dragonfly enthusiast, will air on KET1 on Jan. 27, 2007, at 8 p.m. EST. It will repeat on Jan. 28th, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. EST on KET1.
- Greg Abernathy
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Tuesday, January 23 – Monday, February 5 :::::::::::
:: Tuesday, January 23 ::
SUMMER HYMNS w/NOISYCRANE and FOLKLORE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Avenue – across S. Broadway from UK’s Reynolds Bldg - 9pm, all ages, $3 – sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM and Action Arts
Tonight at Mecca there is a plethora of fun lovin’ music going to be taking place. First off we have one of my favorite new local bands, Noisycrane. Though, Cody Swanson has been making music for years, this particular incarnation (with Sean Rose on percussion) is fairly new. While the band’s influences are apparent, their songs are anything but contrived or cliché; they range in sounds from Neutral Milk Hotel to The Ramones. Check out the live recording of “That’s When I Realized I’m In Love” on their myspace page (http://myspace.com/noisycrane); it’s a new favorite of mine. If you’re interested in hearing more and can’t wait until tonight, the band also has a recent live show available for download on their webpage (http://www.noisycrane.com).
This is the beginning of Summer Hymns and Folklore’s two and a half week tour throughout the Eastern half of the U.S. Both bands come to us from Athens, GA and describe themselves as writing folk music, though whereas Folklore’s music is presented in a more experimental, droney fashion, Summer Hymns is a much more traditional, almost Americana folk band. Both are touring in support of releases that came out late last year, Summer Hymns “Backward Masks” album released on Misra Records and Folklore’s self-released EP “Carpenter Falls”. Being that it’s the first of the tour, it’s sure to be a lively show! It’s set to start at 9 pm, is only $3 and, as always, all ages are welcome at Mecca. – Samantha Herald
Wanna hear a song?
Summer Hymns - "Start Swimming"
Folklore - "HW Beaverman"
:: Wednesday, January 24 ::
FUNCTION w/CABO LADIES and KEENAN LAWLER @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – just off W. Maxwell - 8pm, all ages, $3-5 suggested donation
I guess first I should thank Ross for asking me to preview this show. Otherwise, there’s a good chance I never would’ve heard Function’s album The Secret Miracle Fountain. Which I’ve fallen in deep-like-at-first-listen with.
FUNCTION consist of Australian native Matt Nicholson and a rotating wheel of accompaniment, currently including the mystic soundscapes of Indian vocalist and percussionist Lakshmi Shankar and Subash Chandran. Straying from the overwhelming temptation to abuse the overused descriptors “psychedelic/experimental folk,” I’m just going to describe what I’ve heard of Function as straight-up gorgeousness—acoustic guitars, haunting piano walks, pretty birdie chirps, and distant-echoey harmonies, with intermittent heavy percussion (at least in the first few songs) really keeping the album alive and engaging. All the songs are good, and a few are really phenomenal. If you like Beach House, Yo La Tengo, and/or Six Organs of Admittance I definitely recommend checking out this show; pick up the album while you’re at it.
KEENAN LAWLER is apparently a very well established Louisville musician who I had never encountered until I checked out some of his songs on MySpace; also distant, sparse compositions, extremely melodic and pretty. The resume of artists that he’s collaborated and/or performed with is freakin’ extensive and impressive, including Rhys Chathm, Matmos, My Morning Jacket, Pelt, Burning Star Core, and Paul K and The Weathermen.
CABOLADIES, in case you don’t know, is Chris Bush, Eric Lanham, and Ben Zoeller, Lexington’s premiere indie-noise-drone-whatever-dude darlings. You owe it to supporting awesome local endeavors and to yourself to come watch them make magic. (From what I hear, they totally rule at creating towers of mystifyingly beautiful noise with highly complex music machines.)
C’mon, dudes. It’s a Wednesday.
p.s. I don’t think a bad time was ever had at the Icehouse.
p.p.s. There are guaranteed to be beautiful people there.
.SeB.
:: Friday, January 26 ::
Poetry - ERIC SUTHERLAND w/JUDE McPHERSON, and BIANCA SPRIGGS @ Third Street Stuff Coffee - 8pm, all ages, FREE
Three of Lexington’s most insightful poets in what our man Mr. Sutherland promises will be “an evening of linguistic bliss.”
:: Friday, January 26 ::
GIL MANTERA’S PARTY DREAM opening for PARLOUR BOYS and CHICO FELLINI @ The Dame - 9pm, ages 21+, $5
Gil Mantera's Party Dream released their third album, "Bloodsongs,” last year on the Black Key's drummer's personal label, Audio Eagle (in conjunction with Fat Possum). Like the Black Keys, they are just 2 dudes (in their case two brothers from Youngstown, OH) who sound like 5 dudes rocking it the hard way. Unlike the Black Keys' drummer and guitarist setup, the Party Dream consists of the vocalist/guitarist Ultimate Donny, and Gil Mantera, who plays bass and programs the keyboards and drum machine. And these guys put on a show so costumed, so rock ready, that fans in their home state routinely drive hours to see their shows. Imagine listening to any group 1980's spandex clad permed longhairs, fronted by Michael McDonald in a Cosby sweater, covering Atari 2600 theme songs. I'm talkin' sweet mustaches, Brian Bosworth shades, warm up track suit jackets with no shirts on underneath, whipping up the crowd into a sweaty frenzy. Awesome overdrive pedals, robot voiced choruses, retarded drumpad programming---normally a recipe to suck. But the Party Dream serve it up righteously, garnishing their masterpieces with titles like "Bunz Therapy". Their website opens with an action shot of Gil Mantera totally rocking the five string bass. Made me want to email them, you know, to touch the magic or whatever. I didn't after reading their warning: "Contact awesome band members only if you really need to. We have enough shit to deal with already." I cannot afford to miss a band like this. They aren't the headliners that night, so show up early for once. – Will Burchard
:: Wednesday, January 31 ::
THE LAY ALL OVER ITS @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St
8pm, all ages, $3
The Lay All Over Its = open heart and open mind interplay between bassist/vocalist Jason Ajemian and percussionist Nori Tanaka. A hallucinatory, organic mix of locked-groove bass and drum instrumental stretches with vocal poetic abstractions interspersed.
:: Saturday, February 3 ::
JASON ZAVALA cd release show w/THE JOYBOMB and THE LAST DUO @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave - 8pm, all ages, $3 – sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Our chance to celebrate the release of JZ’s solo debut (solo in name, but the disc features contributions from the entire cast of characters that made up the last incarnation of the Elephants – Mark Savage, Ben Allen, and Sean Haezebrouck, as well as Robby Cosenza of the Scourge of the Sea and Fanged Robot, Matt Duncan of Parlour Boys, Trevor Tremaine of Eyes and Arms of Smoke, Hair Police, and Attempt, Robert Beatty of Eyes and Arms, Hair Police and Three Legged Race, and Paul Puckett of The Last Duo). Jason’s one of my favorite live performers whether he’s playfully stomping his foot and shaking his head or painfully bearing his heartbreak. The Joybomb = the ever-lovable Jeremy Midkiff of Big Fresh and Gaudi. The Last Duo = two badass dudes (our man Paul Puckett being one of them) playing louder and harder than you can.
:: Also worthwhile in the January 23 – February 5 timeframe ::
Every Friday RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Nema’s Grille (Frankfort) – meccadance.com
Every Sunday THE BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE @ The Fishtank, corner of Euclid and Woodland – 9pm, no cover
Tues/Jan 23 BEDTIME w/FANGED ROBOT @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 24 PALEO w/NOISYCRANE and NEVA GEOFFREY @ The Dame
Thurs/Jan 25 YO LA TENGO @ Bomhard Theater (Louisville)
Fri/Jan 26 TRIOSHIFT @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 9pm
Sat/Jan 27 REEL WORLD STRING BAND @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 9pm
Sun/Jan 28 PATRIARCH w/DEAD HEARTS, DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, BLOODLINED CALIGRAPHY, and FIRST BLOOD @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, counterfiction.com
Sat/Jan 27 TODD SNIDER w/CORY BRANAN @ The Dame
Mon/Jan 29 Open mic w/CHARLIE WHITTINGTON @ The Dame
Tues/Jan 30 TIGHT LEATHER w/AMOROSO @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE LAY ALL OVER ITS @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – all ages
Wed/Jan 31 THE DIALECTICS w/GLEE CLUB @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE RAPTURE w/UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GIANTS and VRKTM @ Headliners (Louisville) – all ages
Fri/Feb 2 OVER THE RHINE @ The Dame – early show, 7pm
Fri/Feb 2 ALMA GITANA @ Natasha’s Café – all ages, 9pm
Fri/Feb 2 G-FUNK @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Feb 3 ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 3 JONEZETTA @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Feb 5 “Mecca Monday” (Mecca student dancer showcase) @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 8pm
Mon/Feb 5 ESSEX GREEN w/KIM TAYLOR @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
:: Soon Soon ::
Thurs/Feb 8 THE APPLES IN STEREO w/CASPER AND THE COOKIES @ The Dame
Fri/Feb 9 RAQ w/UPSHOT TRIO @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 10 RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 9pm
Sat/Feb 10 “Century 2007” w/DJ ASSAULT, MATT BANDY, THE REFINERY, and DJ BOOTH @ The Dame
Wed-Fri/Feb 14-16 “Surprise Theatre” @ Natasha’s Café – 112 Esplanade - all ages
Fri/Feb 16 SUNDAY VALLEY @ The Dame
Tues/Feb 22 RICHARD BUCKNER w/SIX PARTS SEVEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Thurs/Mar 1 MATT VALENTINE + ERIKA ELDER w/WOODEN WAND, and CABO LADIES @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Fri/Mar 2 BLING KONG opening for PARLOUR BOYS @ The Dame
Wed/Mar 7 BISHOP ALLEN @ Mecca – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 8 THE LUCKY STIFFS w/HEARTTHROB, and ARSENIC ON THE ROCKS @ The Dame
Fri/Mar 9 TV ON THE RADIO @ Brown Theater (Louisville)
Sat/Mar 10 RJD2 w/BUSDRIVER backed by ANTIMC, and HAPPY CHICHESTER @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Mar 10 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO w/CHUCK PROPHET @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Mar 12 THE WALKMEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Sat/Mar 17 DO MAKE SAY THINK @ The Dame
Sat/Mar 17 ALOHA w/SPARTA, and MEWITHOUTYOU @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Mar 19 IMPOSSIBLE SHAPES @ The Dame
Tues/Mar 20 OF MONTREAL @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Mar 21 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 22 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Fri/Mar 23 MAGIK MARKERS @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Apr 1 PAGE FRANCE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Tues/Apr 15 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Apr 16 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ The Dame
Mon/Apr 21 THE THING (Mats Gustafsson, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love) @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM, part of the Outside the Spotlight series
:: Pertinent Resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington
MECCA dance studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
CHARLES MANSION (a venue no longer, but the website’s a good spot to find out about shows) – http://www.charlesmansion.org
FROWNY BEAR, 208 Forest Park
THIRD STREET STUFF COFFEE, corner of Limestone and 3rd Street – ph. 859/255-5301
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
FAUNTLEROY’S CAFÉ, 640 W. Maxwell – ph. 859/455-8188
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER, 141 E. Main St, Lexington – http://www.lexarts.org
ARTSPLACE, 161 N.Mill St, Lexington
SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, corner of Euclid and Rose Sts – http://www.uky.edu/SCFA/
LEXINGTONSHOWS.com (all ages show listings) - http://www.lexingtonshows.com
COUNTER FICTION (metal/punk/hardcore all ages show listings) – http://www.counterfiction.com
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl881.org
YOU AIN’T NO PICASSO (great locally-produced music blog) – http://www.youaintnopicasoo.com
__Louisville__
LAVA (Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Artists) HOUSE - 927 Shelby Parkway, Louisville - http://www.lavahouse.org
HEADLINERS MUSIC HALL, Louisville - 1386 Lexington Road, ph. 502/584-8088 - www.headlinerslouisville.com
UNCLE PLEASANTS, 2126 S. Preston, Louisville - p.502/634-4147
THE POUR HAUS, 1481 S. Shelby Street (corner of Shelby and Burnett), Louisville
THE RUDYARD KIPLING, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville - http://www.therudyardkipling.com/pages/206999/index.htm
OLD LOUISVILLE COFFEHOUSE, 1489 S. Fourth St, Louisville - ph. 502/635-6660
PRODUCTION SIMPLE (produce many of the events at Headliners and Uncle Pleasants) – http://www.productionsimple.com
__Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky__
THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE, Newport, KY - http://www.southgatehouse.com
ALCHEMIZE, 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.alchemizebar.com
THE COMET, 4579 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.cometbar.com
BOGART'S, 2621 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.bogarts.com
THE MOCKBEE (formerly SS NOVA), 2260 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.ssnova.org
NORTHSIDE TAVERN, 4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.northside-tavern.com
Know of an upcoming event that others should get hip to? Let us know - email informationactivists@yahoo.com
All Picks by Ross Compton unless otherwise noted.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: CD REVIEWS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jason Zavala – Lazer Crust
I'm thinking that Jason Zavala's new record Lazer Crust is going to be the best release coming out of Lexington this year. Sure dude, I actually do realize that it's only January, and that calling this record the year's best might be premature. But... the record is super clean. Not only is it long, long overdue ... Zavala's had to have been blasting these tunes all over town for the better part of a year by now... but people are having strange wonderful responses to the newly disc-ed tunes... friends and foes are uniting, WRFL djs are playing the disc more than anything else at the station, songwriters around the city are second guessing stuff, etc... So, what is the Zavala formula? HUGE moans, off base guitar changes to keep things interesting, honest lyrics, and a pop sensibility that keeps you coming back. Year of the Lazer Crust? I think it could happen. - Chris Bush
Note: Jason will celebrate the release of “Lazer Crust” with a show Saturday, February 3rd at Mecca. GO!
Rafter – Music for Total Chickens
(Asthmatic Kitty)
I realized yesterday that I’d only ever listened to this disc on headphones. Ten or twelve times through at least, but only on headphones. Seemed entirely appropriate that this song cycle of the peaks and valleys of mental health, the fight to remain hopeful in the face self-doubt and despair, would exist confined in earbuds, as a dreamlike accompaniment to daily life. With “Music for Total Chickens,” Rafter, aka Rafter Roberts, heretofore best known as a produced/engineer for artists including Fiery Furnaces, Castanets, Sufjan Stevens, and Rocket From The Crypt, has created a mini-epic out of the universal internal struggle. Crashing cymbals and fuzzed rhythms textured with kitchen-sink sonics, electronics, and staccato guitar (think Phil Elvrum of the Microphones collaborating with US Maple) give way to moments of completely soaring, harmonious pop beauty, like moments of clarity amidst clutter and confusion. And, through this, wind Rafter’s deceptively simple addresses of perseverance and hope, delivered with the gentleness of Half Handed Cloud and the painfully-raw openness of Mirah’s “You Think It’s Like This…” or the Microphones’ “The Glow, part II” - a believer, worn by disappointment, vulnerable but reaching down to pull others up. This is an amazing record. – prc
Taste a track ... Rafter - "Gentle Men"
:::::::::::::: ESSAY/BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
As a general rule, growing up in the Midwest you don’t hear much about the U.S. internment of Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor. Our homegrown concentration camps are not a secret, of course, and there was that movie (and book) called Snow Falling On Cedars about the internment that came out several years ago. It’s just that very few people talk about it. Growing up in my neighborhood in Indianapolis, it went like this: we talked about black-white race problems, and we lived in the middle of the Jewish community. We only wrestled with the struggles in our purview. This is partially understandable, as sometimes the most you can do is get through your own day.
For a Midwesterner, it seems far, far away, right?
But now I’m mildly obsessed with the omission. Why would most of us want to forget that while the U.S. was off battling fascism in Europe, with its own astounding version of concentration camps, we divested Japanese American families of their jobs, businesses, farms, community and sent them off to camps?
When I was working in Cleveland, my friend and co-worker Ernie gave me a bare-bones account of what happened to his family on the West Coast during the war: his parents were sent away to a camp and someone else (probably someone who looks like me) got their farm. Ernie’s family never got their land back.
Despite my bona-fide Midwestern credentials, I’m a city girl; I have never lived or worked on a farm. But, I have been strongly inculcated with John Mellencamp’s hoosier attachment to farmland. “Scarecrow” and “Pink Houses” were in the 80s, as they continue to be today, played on Indiana radio stations at least once an hour. My point is that taking someone’s family farm should resonate with us Midwesterners, even if we are city-dwellers.
The internment of Japanese Americans has never been ruled unconstitutional. I love my country, but I am hugely embarrassed, disappointed, and scared by that fact. You should be, too.
Here are a few books to help you mull over this dark part of our history. Miné Okubo’s Citizen 13660 is a beautifully illustrated memoir of her time in a camp. The book is more art than narrative and quite moving in that way. John Okada’s No-No Boy is a novel about a young man’s struggles after he returns from the internment camps.
- BCM
:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com
Luv, Ross
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Sat/January 27 – Can’t Steal Community! KFTC Community Yard Sale @ Third Street Stuff
This Saturday, January 27th, Third Street Stuff will host community yard sale (or floor sale, depending on the weather) to benefit our friends Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. The reason for the season? Some jackamo recently broke into the KFTC office and stole a ton of shite. Now that’s some b*llsh*t! Anyway … if you’d like to donate items for the sale, you can drop them off at Third Street Stuff (on Limestone near the corner of 3rd Street) or at the KFTC office (253 Regency Circle). If you’d like to puruse said items and do some yardsaling for a good cause, stop by on the 27th between 10am and 6pm. Expect a party for the people atmosphere - dj’s, live music, and more. For more info or if you have any questions, call Jonathan Hampton at 859/420-9858.
** FREE FLICKS! Bluegrass Film Society at BCTC
Here’s the scoop on the next two weeks of Bluegrass Film Society flicks at BCTC. Remember the change – the films used to screen on Thursdays, now it’s WEDNESDAYS. All films start at 7:45pm in the auditorium in Oswald Building on the campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (aka the old LCC). They’re still FREE and open to everyone. For the full schedule and/or more info, check BFS at http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com.
1/24: Yes (United Kingdom)
1/31: Save the Green Planet (South Korea)
** Sun/January 28 – LPO presents Milton Street CMS
A repeat from last issue …
An interesting-looking Philharmonic event– a progressive flute and percussion duo. Sounds like something that might be at home in the Outside the Spotlight series. Below are the full details. Pay attention to the “Tickets” line – “Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one FREE.” Cool. (Oh, and note the mention of “delicious desserts.”)
“The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra presents an Audible & Edible (A&E) concert with Milton Street Chamber Music Society. Milton Street CMS is a pioneering and versatile flute and percussion duo dedicated to the performance of works from a diversity of styles and composers. Malone's Banquets provides the perfect location (and delicious desserts!) for the LPO's principal timpanist Brady Harrison and flutist Heather Verbeck.
Based out of Cincinnati, Milton Street CMS has a special interest in newer works written specifically for their unique instrumental combination. This season they will present works that vary widely in sound, style, and form. Their repertoire includes some of the earliest works written for this combination, as well as brand new works from the 21st century. Performances typically include a wide range of percussion instruments, from marimba to vibraphone, fire-bells to gourds, and it is not unusual to see three different sizes of flutes on stage. Milton Street CMS seek to tear down the stereotypical boundaries of classical chamber music while creating artful performances that may be at one moment thrilling and in the next solemn.
Date: Sunday, January 28th
Location: Malone's Banquets
Time: 3:30 p.m
Tickets: $12 in advance, $13 at door. Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one free.
Order tickets: 859.233.4226 or http://www.lexphil.org”
** Mon/January 29 – Wandering Storytellers series @ Natasha’s Cafe
Natasha’s Café, in conjunction with the Kentucky Storytelling Association, presents “Wandering Storytellers,” a new series featuring award winning storytellers from all over Kentucky. This month it’s Buck P. Creacy presenting "Romance: 101,” Monday, January 29th at 9pm. All ages are welcome. Admission is $5. For more info, visit http://www.buckpcreacy.com and http://www.ksa.org. For reservations call, 859/259-2754.
** Coming Up …
Fri/February 9 – “H’Artful of Fun” fundraiser for the Living Arts and Science Center. More info http://www.lasclelx.org.
Sat/February 10 –Dance of Enticement Workshop @ Mecca, Saturday, 2-4pm. $25 for advance registrations, $30 @ door. More info at http://www.meccadance.com. Pre-register by calling 859/254-9790 or emailing info@meccadance.com.
Sun/February 11 - Heartbreaker Alley Cat Race! More info next issue.
:::::::::::::::::: YOU GO OUTDOORS. I GO OUTDOORS. LET’S GO OUTDOORS TOGETHER. :::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dig out a warm coat, hat, gloves and some boots and get out-of-doors this January – take a hike or volunteer in the battle against invasive plants. If the winter conditions are too much to bear hold out until late January and KET will offer you the ability to be an armchair naturalist.
:: Saturday, January 27 :: Owl Prowl. A live presentation of owls native to Kentucky will be held at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). There will also be a guided night hike in the preserve to search for owls. The program is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST and cost $10, free for LNC members. Space is limited, so make reservations early!
:: Saturday and Sunday, January 27-28 :: KET's Kentucky Life segment "Dragonflies of Kentucky", featuring Ellis Laudermilk, KSNPC invertebrate biologist, and Carl Cook, longtime dragonfly enthusiast, will air on KET1 on Jan. 27, 2007, at 8 p.m. EST. It will repeat on Jan. 28th, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. EST on KET1.
- Greg Abernathy
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Tuesday, January 23 – Monday, February 5 :::::::::::
:: Tuesday, January 23 ::
SUMMER HYMNS w/NOISYCRANE and FOLKLORE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Avenue – across S. Broadway from UK’s Reynolds Bldg - 9pm, all ages, $3 – sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM and Action Arts
Tonight at Mecca there is a plethora of fun lovin’ music going to be taking place. First off we have one of my favorite new local bands, Noisycrane. Though, Cody Swanson has been making music for years, this particular incarnation (with Sean Rose on percussion) is fairly new. While the band’s influences are apparent, their songs are anything but contrived or cliché; they range in sounds from Neutral Milk Hotel to The Ramones. Check out the live recording of “That’s When I Realized I’m In Love” on their myspace page (http://myspace.com/noisycrane); it’s a new favorite of mine. If you’re interested in hearing more and can’t wait until tonight, the band also has a recent live show available for download on their webpage (http://www.noisycrane.com).
This is the beginning of Summer Hymns and Folklore’s two and a half week tour throughout the Eastern half of the U.S. Both bands come to us from Athens, GA and describe themselves as writing folk music, though whereas Folklore’s music is presented in a more experimental, droney fashion, Summer Hymns is a much more traditional, almost Americana folk band. Both are touring in support of releases that came out late last year, Summer Hymns “Backward Masks” album released on Misra Records and Folklore’s self-released EP “Carpenter Falls”. Being that it’s the first of the tour, it’s sure to be a lively show! It’s set to start at 9 pm, is only $3 and, as always, all ages are welcome at Mecca. – Samantha Herald
Wanna hear a song?
Summer Hymns - "Start Swimming"
Folklore - "HW Beaverman"
:: Wednesday, January 24 ::
FUNCTION w/CABO LADIES and KEENAN LAWLER @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – just off W. Maxwell - 8pm, all ages, $3-5 suggested donation
I guess first I should thank Ross for asking me to preview this show. Otherwise, there’s a good chance I never would’ve heard Function’s album The Secret Miracle Fountain. Which I’ve fallen in deep-like-at-first-listen with.
FUNCTION consist of Australian native Matt Nicholson and a rotating wheel of accompaniment, currently including the mystic soundscapes of Indian vocalist and percussionist Lakshmi Shankar and Subash Chandran. Straying from the overwhelming temptation to abuse the overused descriptors “psychedelic/experimental folk,” I’m just going to describe what I’ve heard of Function as straight-up gorgeousness—acoustic guitars, haunting piano walks, pretty birdie chirps, and distant-echoey harmonies, with intermittent heavy percussion (at least in the first few songs) really keeping the album alive and engaging. All the songs are good, and a few are really phenomenal. If you like Beach House, Yo La Tengo, and/or Six Organs of Admittance I definitely recommend checking out this show; pick up the album while you’re at it.
KEENAN LAWLER is apparently a very well established Louisville musician who I had never encountered until I checked out some of his songs on MySpace; also distant, sparse compositions, extremely melodic and pretty. The resume of artists that he’s collaborated and/or performed with is freakin’ extensive and impressive, including Rhys Chathm, Matmos, My Morning Jacket, Pelt, Burning Star Core, and Paul K and The Weathermen.
CABOLADIES, in case you don’t know, is Chris Bush, Eric Lanham, and Ben Zoeller, Lexington’s premiere indie-noise-drone-whatever-dude darlings. You owe it to supporting awesome local endeavors and to yourself to come watch them make magic. (From what I hear, they totally rule at creating towers of mystifyingly beautiful noise with highly complex music machines.)
C’mon, dudes. It’s a Wednesday.
p.s. I don’t think a bad time was ever had at the Icehouse.
p.p.s. There are guaranteed to be beautiful people there.
.SeB.
:: Friday, January 26 ::
Poetry - ERIC SUTHERLAND w/JUDE McPHERSON, and BIANCA SPRIGGS @ Third Street Stuff Coffee - 8pm, all ages, FREE
Three of Lexington’s most insightful poets in what our man Mr. Sutherland promises will be “an evening of linguistic bliss.”
:: Friday, January 26 ::
GIL MANTERA’S PARTY DREAM opening for PARLOUR BOYS and CHICO FELLINI @ The Dame - 9pm, ages 21+, $5
Gil Mantera's Party Dream released their third album, "Bloodsongs,” last year on the Black Key's drummer's personal label, Audio Eagle (in conjunction with Fat Possum). Like the Black Keys, they are just 2 dudes (in their case two brothers from Youngstown, OH) who sound like 5 dudes rocking it the hard way. Unlike the Black Keys' drummer and guitarist setup, the Party Dream consists of the vocalist/guitarist Ultimate Donny, and Gil Mantera, who plays bass and programs the keyboards and drum machine. And these guys put on a show so costumed, so rock ready, that fans in their home state routinely drive hours to see their shows. Imagine listening to any group 1980's spandex clad permed longhairs, fronted by Michael McDonald in a Cosby sweater, covering Atari 2600 theme songs. I'm talkin' sweet mustaches, Brian Bosworth shades, warm up track suit jackets with no shirts on underneath, whipping up the crowd into a sweaty frenzy. Awesome overdrive pedals, robot voiced choruses, retarded drumpad programming---normally a recipe to suck. But the Party Dream serve it up righteously, garnishing their masterpieces with titles like "Bunz Therapy". Their website opens with an action shot of Gil Mantera totally rocking the five string bass. Made me want to email them, you know, to touch the magic or whatever. I didn't after reading their warning: "Contact awesome band members only if you really need to. We have enough shit to deal with already." I cannot afford to miss a band like this. They aren't the headliners that night, so show up early for once. – Will Burchard
:: Wednesday, January 31 ::
THE LAY ALL OVER ITS @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St
8pm, all ages, $3
The Lay All Over Its = open heart and open mind interplay between bassist/vocalist Jason Ajemian and percussionist Nori Tanaka. A hallucinatory, organic mix of locked-groove bass and drum instrumental stretches with vocal poetic abstractions interspersed.
:: Saturday, February 3 ::
JASON ZAVALA cd release show w/THE JOYBOMB and THE LAST DUO @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave - 8pm, all ages, $3 – sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Our chance to celebrate the release of JZ’s solo debut (solo in name, but the disc features contributions from the entire cast of characters that made up the last incarnation of the Elephants – Mark Savage, Ben Allen, and Sean Haezebrouck, as well as Robby Cosenza of the Scourge of the Sea and Fanged Robot, Matt Duncan of Parlour Boys, Trevor Tremaine of Eyes and Arms of Smoke, Hair Police, and Attempt, Robert Beatty of Eyes and Arms, Hair Police and Three Legged Race, and Paul Puckett of The Last Duo). Jason’s one of my favorite live performers whether he’s playfully stomping his foot and shaking his head or painfully bearing his heartbreak. The Joybomb = the ever-lovable Jeremy Midkiff of Big Fresh and Gaudi. The Last Duo = two badass dudes (our man Paul Puckett being one of them) playing louder and harder than you can.
:: Also worthwhile in the January 23 – February 5 timeframe ::
Every Friday RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Nema’s Grille (Frankfort) – meccadance.com
Every Sunday THE BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE @ The Fishtank, corner of Euclid and Woodland – 9pm, no cover
Tues/Jan 23 BEDTIME w/FANGED ROBOT @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 24 PALEO w/NOISYCRANE and NEVA GEOFFREY @ The Dame
Thurs/Jan 25 YO LA TENGO @ Bomhard Theater (Louisville)
Fri/Jan 26 TRIOSHIFT @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 9pm
Sat/Jan 27 REEL WORLD STRING BAND @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 9pm
Sun/Jan 28 PATRIARCH w/DEAD HEARTS, DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, BLOODLINED CALIGRAPHY, and FIRST BLOOD @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, counterfiction.com
Sat/Jan 27 TODD SNIDER w/CORY BRANAN @ The Dame
Mon/Jan 29 Open mic w/CHARLIE WHITTINGTON @ The Dame
Tues/Jan 30 TIGHT LEATHER w/AMOROSO @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE LAY ALL OVER ITS @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – all ages
Wed/Jan 31 THE DIALECTICS w/GLEE CLUB @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE RAPTURE w/UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GIANTS and VRKTM @ Headliners (Louisville) – all ages
Fri/Feb 2 OVER THE RHINE @ The Dame – early show, 7pm
Fri/Feb 2 ALMA GITANA @ Natasha’s Café – all ages, 9pm
Fri/Feb 2 G-FUNK @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Feb 3 ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 3 JONEZETTA @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Feb 5 “Mecca Monday” (Mecca student dancer showcase) @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 8pm
Mon/Feb 5 ESSEX GREEN w/KIM TAYLOR @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
:: Soon Soon ::
Thurs/Feb 8 THE APPLES IN STEREO w/CASPER AND THE COOKIES @ The Dame
Fri/Feb 9 RAQ w/UPSHOT TRIO @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 10 RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade – all ages, 9pm
Sat/Feb 10 “Century 2007” w/DJ ASSAULT, MATT BANDY, THE REFINERY, and DJ BOOTH @ The Dame
Wed-Fri/Feb 14-16 “Surprise Theatre” @ Natasha’s Café – 112 Esplanade - all ages
Fri/Feb 16 SUNDAY VALLEY @ The Dame
Tues/Feb 22 RICHARD BUCKNER w/SIX PARTS SEVEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Thurs/Mar 1 MATT VALENTINE + ERIKA ELDER w/WOODEN WAND, and CABO LADIES @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Fri/Mar 2 BLING KONG opening for PARLOUR BOYS @ The Dame
Wed/Mar 7 BISHOP ALLEN @ Mecca – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 8 THE LUCKY STIFFS w/HEARTTHROB, and ARSENIC ON THE ROCKS @ The Dame
Fri/Mar 9 TV ON THE RADIO @ Brown Theater (Louisville)
Sat/Mar 10 RJD2 w/BUSDRIVER backed by ANTIMC, and HAPPY CHICHESTER @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Mar 10 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO w/CHUCK PROPHET @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Mar 12 THE WALKMEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Sat/Mar 17 DO MAKE SAY THINK @ The Dame
Sat/Mar 17 ALOHA w/SPARTA, and MEWITHOUTYOU @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Mar 19 IMPOSSIBLE SHAPES @ The Dame
Tues/Mar 20 OF MONTREAL @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Mar 21 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 22 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Fri/Mar 23 MAGIK MARKERS @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Apr 1 PAGE FRANCE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Tues/Apr 15 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Apr 16 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ The Dame
Mon/Apr 21 THE THING (Mats Gustafsson, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love) @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM, part of the Outside the Spotlight series
:: Pertinent Resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington
MECCA dance studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
CHARLES MANSION (a venue no longer, but the website’s a good spot to find out about shows) – http://www.charlesmansion.org
FROWNY BEAR, 208 Forest Park
THIRD STREET STUFF COFFEE, corner of Limestone and 3rd Street – ph. 859/255-5301
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
FAUNTLEROY’S CAFÉ, 640 W. Maxwell – ph. 859/455-8188
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER, 141 E. Main St, Lexington – http://www.lexarts.org
ARTSPLACE, 161 N.Mill St, Lexington
SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, corner of Euclid and Rose Sts – http://www.uky.edu/SCFA/
LEXINGTONSHOWS.com (all ages show listings) - http://www.lexingtonshows.com
COUNTER FICTION (metal/punk/hardcore all ages show listings) – http://www.counterfiction.com
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl881.org
YOU AIN’T NO PICASSO (great locally-produced music blog) – http://www.youaintnopicasoo.com
__Louisville__
LAVA (Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Artists) HOUSE - 927 Shelby Parkway, Louisville - http://www.lavahouse.org
HEADLINERS MUSIC HALL, Louisville - 1386 Lexington Road, ph. 502/584-8088 - www.headlinerslouisville.com
UNCLE PLEASANTS, 2126 S. Preston, Louisville - p.502/634-4147
THE POUR HAUS, 1481 S. Shelby Street (corner of Shelby and Burnett), Louisville
THE RUDYARD KIPLING, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville - http://www.therudyardkipling.com/pages/206999/index.htm
OLD LOUISVILLE COFFEHOUSE, 1489 S. Fourth St, Louisville - ph. 502/635-6660
PRODUCTION SIMPLE (produce many of the events at Headliners and Uncle Pleasants) – http://www.productionsimple.com
__Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky__
THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE, Newport, KY - http://www.southgatehouse.com
ALCHEMIZE, 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.alchemizebar.com
THE COMET, 4579 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.cometbar.com
BOGART'S, 2621 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.bogarts.com
THE MOCKBEE (formerly SS NOVA), 2260 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.ssnova.org
NORTHSIDE TAVERN, 4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.northside-tavern.com
Know of an upcoming event that others should get hip to? Let us know - email informationactivists@yahoo.com
All Picks by Ross Compton unless otherwise noted.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: CD REVIEWS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Jason Zavala – Lazer Crust
I'm thinking that Jason Zavala's new record Lazer Crust is going to be the best release coming out of Lexington this year. Sure dude, I actually do realize that it's only January, and that calling this record the year's best might be premature. But... the record is super clean. Not only is it long, long overdue ... Zavala's had to have been blasting these tunes all over town for the better part of a year by now... but people are having strange wonderful responses to the newly disc-ed tunes... friends and foes are uniting, WRFL djs are playing the disc more than anything else at the station, songwriters around the city are second guessing stuff, etc... So, what is the Zavala formula? HUGE moans, off base guitar changes to keep things interesting, honest lyrics, and a pop sensibility that keeps you coming back. Year of the Lazer Crust? I think it could happen. - Chris Bush
Note: Jason will celebrate the release of “Lazer Crust” with a show Saturday, February 3rd at Mecca. GO!
Rafter – Music for Total Chickens
(Asthmatic Kitty)
I realized yesterday that I’d only ever listened to this disc on headphones. Ten or twelve times through at least, but only on headphones. Seemed entirely appropriate that this song cycle of the peaks and valleys of mental health, the fight to remain hopeful in the face self-doubt and despair, would exist confined in earbuds, as a dreamlike accompaniment to daily life. With “Music for Total Chickens,” Rafter, aka Rafter Roberts, heretofore best known as a produced/engineer for artists including Fiery Furnaces, Castanets, Sufjan Stevens, and Rocket From The Crypt, has created a mini-epic out of the universal internal struggle. Crashing cymbals and fuzzed rhythms textured with kitchen-sink sonics, electronics, and staccato guitar (think Phil Elvrum of the Microphones collaborating with US Maple) give way to moments of completely soaring, harmonious pop beauty, like moments of clarity amidst clutter and confusion. And, through this, wind Rafter’s deceptively simple addresses of perseverance and hope, delivered with the gentleness of Half Handed Cloud and the painfully-raw openness of Mirah’s “You Think It’s Like This…” or the Microphones’ “The Glow, part II” - a believer, worn by disappointment, vulnerable but reaching down to pull others up. This is an amazing record. – prc
Taste a track ... Rafter - "Gentle Men"
:::::::::::::: ESSAY/BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
As a general rule, growing up in the Midwest you don’t hear much about the U.S. internment of Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor. Our homegrown concentration camps are not a secret, of course, and there was that movie (and book) called Snow Falling On Cedars about the internment that came out several years ago. It’s just that very few people talk about it. Growing up in my neighborhood in Indianapolis, it went like this: we talked about black-white race problems, and we lived in the middle of the Jewish community. We only wrestled with the struggles in our purview. This is partially understandable, as sometimes the most you can do is get through your own day.
For a Midwesterner, it seems far, far away, right?
But now I’m mildly obsessed with the omission. Why would most of us want to forget that while the U.S. was off battling fascism in Europe, with its own astounding version of concentration camps, we divested Japanese American families of their jobs, businesses, farms, community and sent them off to camps?
When I was working in Cleveland, my friend and co-worker Ernie gave me a bare-bones account of what happened to his family on the West Coast during the war: his parents were sent away to a camp and someone else (probably someone who looks like me) got their farm. Ernie’s family never got their land back.
Despite my bona-fide Midwestern credentials, I’m a city girl; I have never lived or worked on a farm. But, I have been strongly inculcated with John Mellencamp’s hoosier attachment to farmland. “Scarecrow” and “Pink Houses” were in the 80s, as they continue to be today, played on Indiana radio stations at least once an hour. My point is that taking someone’s family farm should resonate with us Midwesterners, even if we are city-dwellers.
The internment of Japanese Americans has never been ruled unconstitutional. I love my country, but I am hugely embarrassed, disappointed, and scared by that fact. You should be, too.
Here are a few books to help you mull over this dark part of our history. Miné Okubo’s Citizen 13660 is a beautifully illustrated memoir of her time in a camp. The book is more art than narrative and quite moving in that way. John Okada’s No-No Boy is a novel about a young man’s struggles after he returns from the internment camps.
- BCM
:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com
Saturday, January 13, 2007
TLP January 13, 2007
Awight, peeps -
The year’s first full-fledged Lex Pro – announcements, Greg Abernathy’s list of outdoors-y haps, The Picks, and … a bunch of lists from ’06. Thanks to everyone who submitted one. Hope all are well. Luv, Ross
p.s. If you didn’t submit a list yet but are inspired to do so, put one together and I’ll stick it up.
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Mon/January 15 – MLK Day Open-house @ The Carnegie Center
The Carnegie Center, 215 W. Second St, hosts a youth and family open house in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Guest speakers, crafts and activities, youth oral histories, a LEXfusion community mapping presentation, Capoeira music and dance, a citizensCreate! mural, an art exhibit by Open Ground, FREE food from Gumbo Ya Ya (including a vegan option), and more. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information call 859/254-4175 or visit http://www.carnegieliteracy.org.
** Wed/January 17 - Roller Racing @ The Icehouse
The alleycat spirit moves indoors. This Wednesday, January 18 at 8pm - roller racing at the Icehouse, 412 Cross St - just off W. Maxwell, where, as the flyer says "it's slightly warmer." $5 at the door includes registration and keeps you in beer. Prizes provided by Conti, Hutchinson, Cannondale, and more. For more info, drop a line to Alex at alex@press817.com. (For a idea of what roller racing's like, check out Therese Bjorn's "Rolling The Night Away.")
** Bluegrass Film Society at BCTC - Spring Schedule
Michael Benton and our BFS friends re-up and reload for the Spring. Below’s the full schedule. Note the change – the films used to screen on Thursdays, now it’s WEDNESDAYS. All films start at 7:45pm in the auditorium in Oswald Building on the campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (aka the old LCC). They’re still FREE and open to everyone. For more info about the series and tons o’ interesting film discussions, check BFS at http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com.
1/17: C.R.A.Z.Y. (Canada)
1/24: Yes (United Kingdom)
1/31: Save the Green Planet (South Korea)
2/7: Downfall (Germany)
2/14: Le Grande Voyage (Morocco)
2/21: Tsotsi (South Africa)
2/28: Last Life in the Universe (Thailand)
3/7: Travellers and Magicians (Bhutan)
3/21: Cache (France)
3/28: In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong)
4/4: Walk on Water (Israel)
4/11: Brothers (Denmark)
4/18: 3 Iron (South Korea)
4/25: Nine Queens (Argentina)
** Opening Thursday, January 18 - PET: New Paintings by Bill Santen & Georgia Henkel @ UK’s Singletary Center
A new exhibit by two of my favorite artists (see my list for ’06, I’m all up on their jock). PET: New Paintings by Bill Santen & Georgia Henkel, Jan 5 – Feb 18 in the President's Room Gallery at UK’s Singletary Center for the Arts. Opening Reception: Thurs/January 18, 6:30-7:30 pm. Located on the corner of Rose and Euclid. Hours: M-F 12-5pm and during evening/weekend performances. For more info, call 257-8157.
** Fri/January 19 - FREE In-Store Performance at CD Central – Nashville’s Hotpipes
CD Central plays host to a FREE all-ages in-store performance by acclaimed Nashville indie rockers Hotpipes. I must admit, although I’ve heard good things, I haven’t listened to them. So, I’ll let them do the talking … "We are the Hotpipes from Nashville, TN and are currently on tour supporting our second full-length release, "Hotpipes". We don't really know what we sound like, but if we were to have some bands over for dinner and drinks, we would probably invite Tom Waits, the Walkmen, XTC and the Queens of the Stone Age, and then probably end up eating and drinking by ourselves. You will be able to find us playing in clubs all across the country, as well as stripped down shows in local record stores, to support this record. Acts such as the Features, De Novo Dahl, the High Strung and the Turnbull AC's will be sharing stages with us. We hope to see you at some of these shows very soon." Better me and take the opportunity to listen to ‘em at http://www.hotpipesmusic.com, http://www.myspace.com/hotpipes. Go and keep the store’s lovely new pooch Zeena company. If her reaction to the relatively calm in-store this past Wednesday was any indication, she’ll need some lovin’.
** Sunday, January 28 – LPO presents Milton Street CMS
An interesting-looking Philharmonic event– a progressive flute and percussion duo. Sounds like something that might be at home in the Outside the Spotlight series. Below are the full details. Pay attention to the “Tickets” line – “Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one FREE.” Cool. (Oh, and note the mention of “delicious desserts.”)
“The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra presents an Audible & Edible (A&E) concert with Milton Street Chamber Music Society. Milton Street CMS is a pioneering and versatile flute and percussion duo dedicated to the performance of works from a diversity of styles and composers. Malone's Banquets provides the perfect location (and delicious desserts!) for the LPO's principal timpanist Brady Harrison and flutist Heather Verbeck.
Based out of Cincinnati, Milton Street CMS has a special interest in newer works written specifically for their unique instrumental combination. This season they will present works that vary widely in sound, style, and form. Their repertoire includes some of the earliest works written for this combination, as well as brand new works from the 21st century. Performances typically include a wide range of percussion instruments, from marimba to vibraphone, fire-bells to gourds, and it is not unusual to see three different sizes of flutes on stage. Milton Street CMS seek to tear down the stereotypical boundaries of classical chamber music while creating artful performances that may be at one moment thrilling and in the next solemn.
Date: Sunday, January 28th
Location: Malone's Banquets
Time: 3:30 p.m
Tickets: $12 in advance, $13 at door. Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one free.
Order tickets: 859.233.4226 or http://www.lexphil.org”
** H’Artful of Fun needs you!
How’d I end up with friends in such high (-falutin’) places?! My pal LaTasha Buckner is the volunteer coordinator for the Lexington Arts and Science Center fundraiser “H’Artful of Fun.” Now, H’Artful (which goes down Friday, February 9th) is one of those good-hearted-but-out-of-my-price-range fundraisers that I mumble about under my breath – “Yummy sh*t … wine … BOURBON! … $50 a person! … f*ck that … “ Well, LaTasha has presented a way around the financial wall – VOLUNTEER. Volunteer a little time on the night of the event or for clean-up on the day after and, in return, you’ll get a FREE ticket. So, it’s a chance to contribute to a worthy entity (if you didn’t know, LASC offers an amazing array of arts and science classes/workshops to area chi’dren and adults – see for yourself at http://www.lasclex.org) and enjoy the fancy*schmancy stuff at the same time. If you’re interested in volunteering, drop LaTasha a line at tashabuckner@yahoo.com. More info on “H’Artful” coming in the next issue.
:::::::::::::::::: YOU GO OUTDOORS. I GO OUTDOORS. LET’S GO OUTDOORS TOGETHER. :::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dig out a warm coat, hat, gloves and some boots and get out-of-doors this January – take a hike or volunteer in the battle against invasive plants. If the winter conditions are too much to bear hold out until late January and KET will offer you the ability to be an armchair naturalist.
:: Saturday, January 13 :: Volunteer workday at Floracliff State Nature Preserve (Fayette County), 1 p.m. EST. Join in the effort to remove bush honeysuckle from the preserve as part of an ongoing effort to protect our native species. Tools and snacks will be provided. Call (859) 351-7770 for more information.
:: Sunday, January 14 :: Cabin fever walk at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). Join preserve naturalists for a 1.5 mile guided hike from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST. The program cost is $5 per person, free for LNC members.
:: Saturday, January 20 :: Winter tree identification hike at Floracliff State Nature Preserve (Fayette County). Do you think trees are hard to identify without their leaves? Well they can be, but we’ll cover how to identify some of them by looking at their bark, buds, and leaf scars. The event requires advance registration and cost $4 per person or $10.00 per family. Call (859) 351-7770 to register or for more information.
:: Saturday, January 20 :: Winter Slithers. The Kentucky Herpetological Society hosts an indoor presentation of live amphibians and reptiles at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). Learn about the habits of these creatures, which might normally slip past you out on the trail. Afterward, there will be a guided hike in the preserve. The program is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST and cost $5, free for LNC members.
:: Saturday, January 27 :: Owl Prowl. A live presentation of owls native to Kentucky will be held at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). There will also be a guided night hike in the preserve to search for owls. The program is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST and cost $10, free for LNC members. Space is limited, so make reservations early!
:: Saturday and Sunday, January 27-28 :: KET's Kentucky Life segment "Dragonflies of Kentucky", featuring Ellis Laudermilk, KSNPC invertebrate biologist, and Carl Cook, longtime dragonfly enthusiast, will air on KET1 on Jan. 27, 2007, at 8 p.m. EST. It will repeat on Jan. 28th, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. EST on KET1.
- Greg Abernathy
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Friday, January 12 through Wednesday, January 24 :::::::::::
:: Saturday, January 13 ::
THE SCOURGE OF THE SEA w/PETTICOAT, PETTICOAT and HOTPIPES @ The Dame - 10pm, ages 21+, $5
The triumphant (? – guess we’ll have to wait and get the post-touring scoop from our friends – Sammy has reported at least one hospital visit - before stating that so emphatically) return of our pretty indie pop ambassadors, home from a Southern tour. In the opening slot … Nashville’s (via Cincinnati) Hotpipes, celebrating the release of their new cd. http://myspace.com/thescourgeofthesea, http://myspace.com/petticoatpetticoat, http://myspace.com/hotpipes
:: Tuesday, January 16 ::
THE ELECTRIC MARMALADE opening for LOWBROW NOBILITY @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $3
Meant to get this issue out in time to hip everyone to E.M.’s set at Common Grounds. Didn’t happen. So, I’ll direct you to check out these new-ish psych-rock locals at The Dame. http://myspace.com/electricmarmalade
:: Friday, January 19 ::
DAVE SMOLEN w/KRAKENFURY & BIRTHDAY GIRL @ The Frowny Bear, 208 Forest Park - 9pm, all ages, donations for bands
Smolen arrives from the Philly D.I.Y. school of experimentation. He’s a recently inaugurated member of Philadelphia noise gods Sharks With Wings and a comrade of out-there Pennsylvanian saxophonist Jack Wright (each of whom have played stunning sets in Lex over the past couple years). Krakenfury & Birthday Girl = Lex-noise weirdos Thaddeus Watson and Dee Snyder, two of my favorite dudes. http://myspace.com/davesmolen, http://myspace.com/krakenfury, http://myspace.com/birthdaygirl1.
[Full Disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
:: Tuesday, January 23 ::
SUMMER HYMNS w/FOLKLORE and NOISY CRANE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Avenue – across S. Broadway from UK’s Reynolds Bldg - 9pm, all ages, $3 – sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM and Action Arts
Two great bands from Athens, GA. Softly crafted, endlessly catchy indie pop with a propensity for swelling to rock-out mode. Strongly recommended to fans of Scourge of the Sea, Yo La Tengo, and Elf Power. Take a listen - http://misrarecords.com/MP3s/Summer_Hymns_start_swimming.mp3, http://fairmountfair.com/folklore/hwbeaverman.mp3.
[Full Disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
:: Wednesday, January 24 ::
FUNCTION w/CABO LADIES and KEENAN LAWLER @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – just off W. Maxwell - 8pm, all ages, $3-5 suggested donation
Function = lush and beautiful experimental folk/pop, from Australia/NYC/Chicago. Check out “Beloved, Lost to Begin With” on their MySpace page. You’ll fall in love. Cabo Ladies = amazing, mesmerizing psychedelic noise-scapes. Their performance in December at Mecca (as part of “Synaesthesia”) was one of my favorites of ’06. Keenan Lawler = psychedelic-blues-drone guitar experimenter from the vile ‘ville (aka Louisville). http://myspace.com/function108, http://myspace.com/caboladies, http://myspace.com/keenanlawler
[Full Disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
:: Also worthwhile in the January 12-24 timeframe ::
Every Friday RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Nema’s Grille (Frankfort) – meccadance.com
Every Sunday THE BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE @ The Fishtank, corner of Euclid and Woodland – 9pm, no cover
Fri/Jan 12 CLUB DUB w/CROP CIRCLE, hosted by CUNNINLYNGUISTS @ The Dame
Mon/Jan 15 Open mic w/CHARLIE WHITTINGTON @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 17 THE RUDIES @ The Dame
Thurs/Jan 18 DE NOVO DAHL w/BANG BANG BANG, and HOTPIPES @ The Dame
Fri/Jan 19 Traditional Country Tribute to Keep the Heat on Lexington @ The Dame
Fri/Jan 19 DE NOVO DAHL @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Sat/Jan 20 ILL SUBLIMINAL w/CORDUROY MAVERICKS, and DJ SPOON @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Jan 20 HOTPIPES w/THE FEATURES, and TURNBULL AC’s @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Sat/Jan 20 GNARLS BARKLEY opening for THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS @ U.S. Bank Arena (Cincinnati)
Mon/Jan 22 HACKENSAW BOYS @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Tues/Jan 23 BEDTIME @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 24 PALEO @ The Dame
:: Soon Soon ::
Thurs/Jan 25 YO LA TENGO @ Bomhard Theater (Louisville)
Fri/Jan 26 PARLOUR BOYS w/GIL MANTERA’S PARTY DREAM @ The Dame
Sun/Jan 28 PATRIARCH w/DEAD HEARTS, DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, BLOODLINED CALIGRAPHY, and FIRST BLOOD @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, counterfiction.com
Sat/Jan 27 TODD SNIDER w/CORY BRANAN @ The Dame
Mon/Jan 29 Open mic w/CHARLIE WHITTINGTON @ The Dame
Tues/Jan 30 TIGHT LEATHER w/AMOROSO @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE LAY ALL OVER ITS @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – all ages
Wed/Jan 31 THE DIALECTICS w/GLEE CLUB @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE RAPTURE w/UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GIANTS and VRKTM @ Headliners (Louisville) – all ages
Fri/Feb 2 OVER THE RHINE @ The Dame – early show, 7pm
Fri/Feb 2 G-FUNK @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Feb 3 ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 3 JONEZETTA @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Feb 5 ESSEX GREEN w/KIM TAYLOR @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Thurs/Feb 8 THE APPLES IN STEREO @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 10 “Century 2007” w/DJ ASSAULT, MATT BANDY, THE REFINERY, and DJ BOOTH @ The Dame
Fri/Feb 16 SUNDAY VALLEY @ The Dame
Tues/Feb 22 RICHARD BUCKNER w/SIX PARTS SEVEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Thurs/Mar 1 MATT VALENTINE + ERIKA ELDER w/WOODEN WAND, and CABO LADIES @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Wed/Mar 7 BISHOP ALLEN @ Mecca – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 8 THE LUCKY STIFFS w/HEARTTHROB, and ARSENIC ON THE ROCKS @ The Dame
Fri/Mar 9 TV ON THE RADIO @ Brown Theater (Louisville)
Sat/Mar 10 PRIESTBIRD (formerly Tarantula A.D.) @ The Dame – early show, 7pm
Sat/Mar 10 RJD2 w/BUSDRIVER backed by ANTIMC, and HAPPY CHICHESTER @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Mar 10 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO w/CHUCK PROPHET @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Mar 12 THE WALKMEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Sat/Mar 17 DO MAKE SAY THINK @ The Dame
Sat/Mar 17 ALOHA w/SPARTA, and MEWITHOUTYOU @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Mar 19 IMPOSSIBLE SHAPES @ The Dame
Tues/Mar 20 OF MONTREAL @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Mar 21 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 22 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Apr 1 PAGE FRANCE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Tues/Apr 15 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Apr 16 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ The Dame
Mon/Apr 21 THE THING (Mats Gustafsson, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love) @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM, part of the Outside the Spotlight series
:: Pertinent Resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington
MECCA dance studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
CHARLES MANSION (a venue no longer, but the website’s a good spot to find out about shows) – http://www.charlesmansion.org
FROWNY BEAR, 208 Forest Park
THIRD STREET STUFF COFFEE, corner of Limestone and 3rd Street – ph. 859/255-5301
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
FAUNTLEROY’S CAFÉ, 640 W. Maxwell – ph. 859/455-8188
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER, 141 E. Main St, Lexington – http://www.lexarts.org
ARTSPLACE, 161 N.Mill St, Lexington
SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, corner of Euclid and Rose Sts – http://www.uky.edu/SCFA/
LEXINGTONSHOWS.com (all ages show listings) - http://www.lexingtonshows.com
COUNTER FICTION (metal/punk/hardcore all ages show listings) – http://www.counterfiction.com
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl881.org
YOU AIN’T NO PICASSO (great locally-produced music blog) – http://www.youaintnopicasoo.com
__Louisville__
LAVA (Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Artists) HOUSE - 927 Shelby Parkway, Louisville - http://www.lavahouse.org
HEADLINERS MUSIC HALL, Louisville - 1386 Lexington Road, ph. 502/584-8088 - www.headlinerslouisville.com
UNCLE PLEASANTS, 2126 S. Preston, Louisville - p.502/634-4147
THE POUR HAUS, 1481 S. Shelby Street (corner of Shelby and Burnett), Louisville
THE RUDYARD KIPLING, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville - http://www.therudyardkipling.com/pages/206999/index.htm
OLD LOUISVILLE COFFEHOUSE, 1489 S. Fourth St, Louisville - ph. 502/635-6660
PRODUCTION SIMPLE (produce many of the events at Headliners and Uncle Pleasants) – http://www.productionsimple.com
__Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky__
THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE, Newport, KY - http://www.southgatehouse.com
ALCHEMIZE, 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.alchemizebar.com
THE COMET, 4579 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.cometbar.com
BOGART'S, 2621 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.bogarts.com
THE MOCKBEE (formerly SS NOVA), 2260 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.ssnova.org
NORTHSIDE TAVERN, 4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.northside-tavern.com
Know of an upcoming event that others should get hip to? Let us know - email informationactivists@yahoo.com
All Picks by Ross Compton unless otherwise noted.
:::::::::::::: LISTING ’06 ::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ross Compton
Dear ’06,
What I liked most about you …
Live shows:
Karl Blau w/Your Heart Breaks and Birddog, July 4th @ The Icehouse (hands down the happiest experience I had this year)
Duck Fat’s debut, September in the parking lot outside of Third Street Stuff Coffee
Masters of the Hemisphere w/Je Suis France, The Elephants, Lil Flip Scoldjah, Bugs Eat Books, Crewsin’ for a Brewsin’, April @ Underlying Themes
The Vandermark 5, February @ Underlying Themes
Rempis Percussion Quartet, April @ Mecca
Sharks With Wings, May in a basement in New Brunswick, NJ
The High Water Marks, September and November (opening for Portastatic) @ Mecca (they turn me into a fist-pumping, manically-bouncing kid again!)
Ladyhawk, October @ The Dame
Cabo Ladies, December @ Mecca
Records:
Supersystem - “A Million Microphones”
Karl Blau - “Beneath Waves”
The Blow - “Paper Television” and “Poor-Aim Love Songs” ep (“Poor-Aim…” wasn’t released in ‘06, but I discovered it this past year – AWESOME!)
Belle and Sebastian – “The Life Pursuit”
Yo La Tengo – “I’m Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass”
The New Sound of Numbers – “Liberty Seeds”
Songs:
The Blow – “Parentheses”
Be Your Own Pet – “Bicycle, Bicycle, You Are My Bicycle”
Supersystem – “Eagles Fleeing Eyries”
Ghostface Killah – “Be Easy”
Still Flyin’ – “Statistics”
Tom Brosseau – “Everybody Knows Empty Houses Are Lonely”
Karl Blau – “Into the Nada”
Yo La Tengo – “Sometimes I Don’t Get You”
Belle and Sebastian – “The Blues Are Still Blue”
Ben Kweller – “I Gotta Move”
Absentee – “More Troubles”
Vert – “Velocity”
Movie: “The Devil and Daniel Johnston”
Art Exhibits:
“memento” (Bill Santen, Kurt Gohde, Louis Bickett, Scott Scarbaro, and others) @ ArtsPlace
“Hung & Unsung II” (poster and print works, compiled by our friends at Cricket Press) @ ArtsPlace
Georgia Henkel @ Alfalfa
“Animals” (Bill Santen) @ KY School for the Blind, Louisville
Random stuff …
TV! - Man, I can’t believe I used to be part of the ‘I don’t watch TV’ brigade. HBO rules the world. That’s that. The fourth season of “The Wire” so dominated my attention for the past four months that I almost forgot how amazing the third season of “Deadwood” was. The old (?) tagline - “It’s Not TV. It’s HBO.” – that sh*t’s for real. In addition to the original series stuff (“Entourage” and “Lucky Louie” also deserve praise – “The Sopranos,” you’re on probation … you best finish strong). HBO was the conduit for Spike Lee’s ”When The Leevees Broke,” a four-act documentary about Katrina and its aftermath. I cried early and often. The four+ hours of this documentary should be mandatory viewing.
Exercise – I can get stuck in a pretty vicious loop of self-hatred from time to time. Rediscovered exercise as a means of diluting that negativity. Joined a gym in March (Calvary Baptist’s “R.O.C,” on the corner of MLK and High - $10/month). Started walking, ended running. Found meditation on a treadmill (with a mighty assist from an iPod nano and Supersystem’s aforementioned “A Million Microphones”). Endorphins, old-fashioned in-the-mirror changes, a ‘third-place’ – helped me make it through the year.
Lexington Alleycats – I can’t claim to be much of a participant in the bicycle revolution that’s taking place in Lexington right now, but it makes me damn happy to see it happening.
>
Trevor Tremaine
Best gig: Steely Dan/Michael MacDonald, Riverbend, Cinci, OH 8/29/06.
Best rec(s): Warmer Milks "Radish on Light," Sun City Girls "Djinn Funnel," Kites "Transformation Day" cassette, Three Legged Race "Mourning Order," Yo La Tengo's "I am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass," Curtains "Calamity," timely re-ish of SY's first one, and Jason Zavala's "Lazer Crust" beating the clock by just like a week.
Best hood: Jefferson St., AKA "New Lexington." Stella's, The Hideaway, and the eponymous Fitness Center all within two blocks. Get real.
Best book: Thomas Pynchon's Against the Day. Just 'cuz I'm only 1/10 of the way through doesn't disqualify it.
Worst fashion: sweats. Come on, guys, I managed to throw on a crisp pair of jeans and a button-up (like Jay-Z) this morning, the least you can do is wear something that couldn't easily double as a towel.
>
Some really great things from 2006 (in no particular order):
-Stephen Colbert schooling Bush at the Press Association Dinner
-Thursday nights at the Dame with Greg and Jessica and Wes
-Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds
-Andrew Crawford's discovery of Ancient Ancient Age
-Joanna Newsom's Ys (and her show at Webster Hall)
-seeing Scourge of the Sea at Northsix
-a week of drinking, dancing, and partying with the Parlour Boys in NYC
-P.S. 1 Art Center's show "Into Me/Out of Me" was the best art show I saw all year
-locally, I was impressed with Waseem Touma's MFA installation at the Icehouse
-TVOTR's Return to Cookie Mountain
-Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (not sure if it was published in '06 but I read it then, so...)
- Talena Sanders
>
mick's top 6 of 2006 (with one to grow on for 07)
andrew bird playing (nearly) everything at the dame
love jones reuniting with canes and oxygen tanks in louisville
the fabulous lexington mardi gras parade
thriller 2006 in the streets of lexington
3rd Street Coffee
Loudon Square Buffet
The Rise of the "Man Soap Opera" (attrib: Todd Hiett) on TV: Battlestar Galactica, Weeds, Big Love, Heroes
- Mick Jeffries
>
Samantha Herald
Best of 2006!
Top 10 albums of 2006:
1. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
2. Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah
3. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
4. Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldier
5. Danielson - Ships
6. Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope
7. The Minders - It's A Bright, Guilty World
8. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
9. Tapes N Tapes - The Loon
10. Destroyer - Rubies
Top 5 eps of 2006:
1. BRMC - Howl Sessions
2. Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, & Wives
3. Pas/Cal - Dear Sir
4. Sambassadeur - Coastal Affairs
5. Dr. Dog - Takers & Leavers
Best cover art:
Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis
>
Matt Jordan’s Top 21 songs of 2006
(all are available for listening and downloading at http://www.youaintnopicasso.com/2007/01/02/top-20-in-06-songs/)
21. Camera Obscura – “Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken”
20. The Pipettes – “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me”
19. Swan Lake – “Nubile Days”
18. The Blow – “Parentheses”
17. Danielson – “Did I Step On Your Trumpet”
16. The Features – “I Will Wander”
15. The Minus Five – “With A Gun”
14. Grumpy Bear – “Luis Bunuel”
13. Final Fantasy – “Song Song Song”
12. Great Lake Swimmers – “See You On The Moon”
11. The Hidden Cameras – “Learning To Lie”
10. The Essex Green – “Don’t Know Why (You Stay)”
09. Grizzly Bear – “On A Neck On A Spit”
08. Man Man – “Engwish Bwudd”
07. Elvis Costello and Allan Toussaint – “Tears, Tears, and More Tears”
06 Viva Voce – “ From the Devil Himself”
05. Islands – “Where There’s A Will There’s A Whalebone”
04. Oh No! Oh My! – “Walk In The Park”
03. Regina Spektor – “Fidelity”
02. Bishop Allen – “Corazon”
01. Starlight Mints – “Seventeen Devils”
>
Michael Lunsford
The Uncertain Five - The Uncertain Five (self-released)
Sunn0))) / Boris - Altar (Southern Lord)
Knut - Alter (Hydra Head)
Boris - Pink (Southern Lord)
Cadaver in Drag - Septic Tomb LP (Elephant Graveyard)
Æthenor - Deep In Ocean Sunk the Lamp of Light (VHF)
Oren Ambarchi - Grapes from the Estate LP (Southern Lord)
Electric Wizard - Dopethrone (Rise Above / Candlelight)
Electric Wizard - Com My Fanatics (Rise Above / Candlelight)
Infected - Tales of the Tortured Mind (Eugene)
Xasthur - Subliminal Genocide (Hydra Head)
diSEMBOWELMENT - diSEMBOWELMENT (Relapse)
Warmer Milks - Radish on Light
The Fountain (dir: Darren Aronofsky)
Sunn0))) & Boris at Wexner Center for the Arts Columbus, OH
Infected at the Dame in September
Nine Inch Nails at Rupp Arena in February (I'm allowed the occasional ticketbastard show)
The Murders at the Dame on Halloween
Alkaline Trio performing Goddamnit at Bogarts (OK, TWO ticketbastard shows)
Being in too many bands at once=
>
Brian Connors Manke
Best show: *David Rawlings/Gillian Welch at the Dame was brilliant.
Most annoying: The John Mellencamp song/commercial for Chevrolet. "This is our country" -- What? You know, America, that 100% Caucasian country of rustic cowboy-types hauling loads in the back of their pick-ups.
Worst news in a selfish way: The closing of Jonk. Depression to follow.
Some songs I remember diggin:
KRS-One "My Life"
Bill Patton's cover of Black Sabbath's "Fairies Wear Boots"
Amy Milan "He Brings Out the Whiskey In Me"
Joan Jett "AC/DC"
Chris Whitley's (R.I.P.) cover of Gary Numan's "Are Friends Electric?"
OK that's enough of that list.
A few random albums by...Heartless Bastards, M. Ward, Wussy, Avett Brothers, Califone, Bobby Bare Jr., Black Keys, Jurassic 5, The Coup, Kaki King, Ramblin Jack Elliott, TV on the Radio
>
Few albums I enjoyed from a good year in music
- Brian Ronk
Man Man Six---Demon Bag
Tunng---Mother's Daughter and Other Songs
Grizzly Bear---Yellow House
Yo La Tango---"Beat your Ass" album
Tom Waits---Orphans
Flying Lotus---1983
Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid---The Exchange Session
Broadcast---Future Crayon
Whitest Boy Alive---Dreams
David Thomas Broughton---The Complete Guide to Insufficiency, released late
05 had to include
Vetiver---To Find Me Gone
José Gonzalez---Veneer
Juana Molina---Son
Nobody and the Mystic Chords of Memory---Tree Colored See
Shogun Kunitoki---Tasankokaiku
Four Tet---Dj Kicks
>
Cheers and Jeers for 2006
- Michael Powell
CHEERS! :-D
1) Mogwai, after the show in March, parties with the locals at Jessica Suhr's 22nd birthday party and had a blast whilst provoking many party guests to ask "who brought the Scottish dudes?"
2) Tie: The WRFL-sponsored Of Montreal show ropes in over 1,000 kids in the Student Center (great success!), and Scourge of the Sea's excellent "Make Me Armored."
3) Jonathan Miller's announcement of running the ones and twos down in Frankfort (that's the governor's race if you didn't decipher my jargon).
.
4) IHOP and Half Price Books & Records opening in Lexington. Oh snap!
5) The new W Weekly reinventing themselves and going from a corporate-owned, utterly insulting rag that wouldn't even make decent fish wrap to a locally-owned, legitmate, entertaining alternative newsweekly that showcases Lexington is not all that lame.
JEERS! :-(
1) Amber Scott leaving Nougat...
2) Jim Newbury's hair. Not to be shallow or Joan Rivers-esque, but helmet hair is never okay.
3) Dealing with this conversation on an almost daily basis
Person X: "So, what's happening with the Dame? Are they tearing down the block?"
MP: "I don't know."
Person X: "Well, is someone going to release a statement or something? I read somewhere that..."
MP: "I don't know."
Person X: "Well, did you hear that...?"
MP: "Leave me alone."
4) Dick DeCamp is still outstandingly old, outstandingly still on the council. The power of incumbency, just like in Bunning's last election, demonstrates that a familiar name will trump competency any time. Not saying that Pratt isn't a bit kooky, but DeCamp is downright evil.
5) The July 4th parade. This has never constituted as a parade, as there are no floats. Just cars... with advertisements, and people waving that we're evidently supposed to care about it. I wish I had a roman candle.
>
Listing 06 :: happenings
- kevin sweeney
1. Julia Butterfly Hill @ Central Library
2. Rhea Speights (SynArts) @ Mecca
3. Andrew Bird @ the Dame
4. Amy LaVere @ Woodsongs
5. Sabi Diri @ ArtsPlace
6. Mardi Gras Jazz Parade
7. Bluegrass Energy Expo
8. Animal Jam
9. Mecca's Thriller
10. Rakadu @ Natasha's 12/28
>
eric sutherland
well, the year 2006 ended as it began, warm and strange. here are some high and lowlights i have decided to share with you all.
there was bonnie prince billy, jolie holland, frank black, gillian welch and dave rawlings at the dame, probably a couple i am forgetting but...these stick out in my mind. of course i must share that i befriended ms. holland this time around after interviewing her on her last stop in town. in october, she asked me to open her show at the southgate house with a poem.
julia butterfly hill came to the public library and shared her spirit with a packed theater audience estimated at 200! david korten, another national figure in the sustainability movement made his way to another capacity crowd at the library. at around the same time, the first greenlex community forum took place in the kentucky theater, seems like there might finally be a groundswell to change our lives and the communities in which we live.
speaking of communities, we also saw frenzied action downtown with the great loft rush of the oughts! lofts were literally springing up out of neglected downtown cracks. with a new mayor and the city being awarded the 2010 equestrian games, lex has some tough questions to face. but hey, if we can shake up the congress, we can do it at home too! right?
connected to this thought are some lowlights. remember the great iconic horse painting that adorned the wall of caro's downtown? it was perfectly visible from the booths in buster's. well, in case you hadn't noticed, our good friends at harvey's (please don't give them your $!) had it painted over to sterile white, kinda like the crowd that now flocks to their new outdoor patio. a 30 year lex cultural landmark gone. just like that.
and who could forget the awful buzz swirling through the arts community about the possible/likely? demise of the center of the alterna-lex-world. rumors swirled swiftly over beers about the loss of mia's, busters, the dame, god damn!!!! we got to get organized!
on that note, kudos and farewell to underlying themes loft, a great place to see anything and will be sorely missed.
the icehouse and mecca continued to push the boundaries of musical/art performance in our humble little town forward. great and diverse WRFL and outside the spotlight shows filled both these underground oases throughout the year.
new band to watch is chico fellini, exciting and creatively fresh pop. and i know it just came out, but jason zavala's lazer crust is a must have, and one of the most intense moments of the musical year occurred at mecca when jason laid open his soul for all of us to see and feel and it was intense. support the guy. and all local music/arts/activism
peaceloveandjoy to everybody in this new year of reconciliation.
>
Tony Miller
* the zombies and early bee gees
* my family and girlfriend
* tailored pants
* delay and tremolo (in regards to guitar effects)
* vintage microphones
* budweiser
>
favorite albums of 2006, in no particular order
- saraya brewer
Avatar -- Comets on Fire
Mr. Beast -- Mogwai
Until We Felt Red -- Kaki King
Return to Cookie Mountain -- TV on the Radio
All This Time -- The Heartless Bastards
Sun Awakens -- Six Organs of Admittance
Yellow House -- Grizzly Bear
The Greatest -- Cat Power
Radish on Light -- Warmer Milks
Happy New Year -- Oneida
>
Bill Widener
6) Democratic victories.
Man, didn’t expect that one, did you? Given that almost everybody expected Republican vote fraud so widespread and obvious that it would trigger a constitutional crisis, the actual election was a spectacular upset. My theory is that the sudden outburst of leaks and straight up votes of no confidence coming from former and current members of the military just before the election was the Praetorian Guard letting Caesar know that the usual bag o’ tricks best stay closed, lest it become a hood over his head, right before the commander of the firing squad intones “Ready…aim…”
5) DC sneezes, Marvel catches pneumonia.
The anxiety and paranoia unleashed by the Bush Administration has trickled down like slime from a broken drum of toxic waste into every nook and cranny of pop culture. And one of the most infected forms was the mainstream comic book industry. 2006 was the year for serious revolutions in comic book continuity, most of which reflected the division and distrust drummed up by the Occupant and the system of destruction he fronts.
Over in Superman’s neck of the woods, the Elongated Man’s beloved wife was murdered, which opened a vast Pandora’s Box of misunderstandings and misdeeds. By the time the whole megillah came to its grisly climax, everybody was pissed off at everybody else, thousands of people were dead, and the Big 3 - Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – had to take some time off to get their shit together. It’s still playing out in the weekly 52 series, with repercussions still to come. The best thing to come out of the tsuris? Detective Chimp is back, baby!
Meanwhile, the Marvel Universe has been in deep shit. Way over yander at the end of space, Annihilus and his insectoid hordes have bust out of the Negative Zone and have eaten everything in sight, including a hefty chunk of the Skrull Empire. But nobody’s paying attention because they got their own problems, namely a Registration Act that demands that all super-dupers reveal their identity and either sign up with Uncle Sugar, or get themselves Gitmo’d in another reality (the aforementioned Negative Zone, actually). Iron Man, who’s always been a government stooge of one sort or another, is in charge of the Registered, while Captain America, who’s seen up close what you get when you start putting names on lists, leads the rebels. It’s been a heart-breaking knockdown drag-out, with characters loved by millions for many years going at each other’s throats. Yeah, it’s just superhero comics, but it’s also the most fearless take in any fictional medium on what these bastards have done to our country.
And ya gotta wonder: how would you feel about hundreds of people who can burst into flame or tear down buildings with their bare hands or turn you into a sock monkey with the power of their minds running around doing whatever the fuck they want, with little or no oversight or accountability? Maybe the fuzz has a point, huh?
(A cute anecdote connected with Marvel’s “Civil War”…an acquaintance’s young daughter bit the head off his Iron Man action figure. When he asked her why she did it, she said, “Because Tony Stark’s MEAN!”)
4) Dr. Who is back!
By the way, have I mentioned I’m a gigantic geek? Well, if you didn’t notice before…After more than a decade off the air, BBC brought back TV’s greatest SF hero. (Hey, bite me, Kirk! Get a real job, Mulder!). And it’s bloody well great! Nimbly dancing on a tightrope between cheese and art, the new Dr. Who series is modernized just enough to work in today’s world, while retaining many of the virtues that kept it going for more than twenty years the first time around. I dig the moral questions that keep popping up like a runaway Tardis, mainly…who’s this guy to be running around time and space messing with things that don’t belong to him? I mean, sure, he keeps saving the Earth and all, but still…quite a trail of bodies there, Doctor.
Anyway, I bounce around in my chair when the theme song comes on, and you ain’t seen quality television ‘til you’ve watched Cybermen and Daleks dissing each other like a bunch of vicious old queens.
3) Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.
I’ve always liked things that smell purty, and for some time have endeavored to be one of them. Unfortunately, most men’s colognes didn’t do it for me. Oh, sure, the occasional blast of Cool Water, a schmeer of Dakkar Noir when I could get it, but otherwise…eh.
Then one of my co-workers, a charming and stylish and bright beauty, turned me on to Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. HQed in LA, this forthrightly artsy perfumier has hundreds of scents, many of the collections based on figures from mythology and literature. Hell, it was the idea of a perfume company crazy enough to base a whole line of scents on H. P. Lovecraft that got my attention in the first place! There’s collections based on Poe, Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, the Tarot, Cabala, even a new series called “The Salon” in which each scent was inspired by Symbolist paintings!
And, man, the scents are awesome. And the huge variety ensures you’ll find something to tickle your nose…and someone else’s fancy. It’s all oils, no alcohol, made from plant-based materials. Pricy, yes – I’ve spent at least 2 Cs this year on BPAL – but well worth it. Go to http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com for details…and get ready to lose a couple of hours, just cruising the site.
Oh, and of the Lovecraft scents, my faves so far are Al-Azif, Arkham and The High Priest Not to Be Described, tho’ I’ve yet to sample Night-Gaunt or Shub-Niggurath. IA!!!
2) Forget Cassettes.
Band of the year, album of the year, song of the year. The band’s a power trio, led by Beth Cameron, a petite young woman with huge dark eyes and huge dark talent. Forget Cassettes plays what I call “math soul”: rock that’s as tight and complex as math rock, but so emotional, so physical, that it transcends the rigors of theory and grabs you by the heart and hips. Salt is the album, a wild mouse ride through a modern gal’s life and loves. And “Lonely Does It” is the song, the soundtrack to my near-breakdown this past autumn. (Don’t worry – I’m feeling much better.) I haven’t been this excited about a band in ages. You really, seriously, definitely gotta catch ‘em live; makes ya believe in punk all over again.
1) My new kitty.
She actually belongs to somebody else, but she would never go home. She just kept hanging around my neighborhood, scrounging off not only me, but several other houses, too. But she liked the wicker chair we have on our front porch, and dug the attention she got from me and my friends, not to mention strangers passing on the street. During the Woodland Arts Fair, there was a constant flow of people stopping by and taking pictures of her. Yes, she’s that damn cute. Finally, when it turned cold, I tricked her into coming inside, and, once she was settled in, moved her upstairs to my half of the house. There she’s stayed, getting fat and sassy and spoiled rotten. I like to say she came for the food, but stayed for the love.
Awwwwwwww!
:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com
The year’s first full-fledged Lex Pro – announcements, Greg Abernathy’s list of outdoors-y haps, The Picks, and … a bunch of lists from ’06. Thanks to everyone who submitted one. Hope all are well. Luv, Ross
p.s. If you didn’t submit a list yet but are inspired to do so, put one together and I’ll stick it up.
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Mon/January 15 – MLK Day Open-house @ The Carnegie Center
The Carnegie Center, 215 W. Second St, hosts a youth and family open house in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Guest speakers, crafts and activities, youth oral histories, a LEXfusion community mapping presentation, Capoeira music and dance, a citizensCreate! mural, an art exhibit by Open Ground, FREE food from Gumbo Ya Ya (including a vegan option), and more. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information call 859/254-4175 or visit http://www.carnegieliteracy.org.
** Wed/January 17 - Roller Racing @ The Icehouse
The alleycat spirit moves indoors. This Wednesday, January 18 at 8pm - roller racing at the Icehouse, 412 Cross St - just off W. Maxwell, where, as the flyer says "it's slightly warmer." $5 at the door includes registration and keeps you in beer. Prizes provided by Conti, Hutchinson, Cannondale, and more. For more info, drop a line to Alex at alex@press817.com. (For a idea of what roller racing's like, check out Therese Bjorn's "Rolling The Night Away.")
** Bluegrass Film Society at BCTC - Spring Schedule
Michael Benton and our BFS friends re-up and reload for the Spring. Below’s the full schedule. Note the change – the films used to screen on Thursdays, now it’s WEDNESDAYS. All films start at 7:45pm in the auditorium in Oswald Building on the campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (aka the old LCC). They’re still FREE and open to everyone. For more info about the series and tons o’ interesting film discussions, check BFS at http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com.
1/17: C.R.A.Z.Y. (Canada)
1/24: Yes (United Kingdom)
1/31: Save the Green Planet (South Korea)
2/7: Downfall (Germany)
2/14: Le Grande Voyage (Morocco)
2/21: Tsotsi (South Africa)
2/28: Last Life in the Universe (Thailand)
3/7: Travellers and Magicians (Bhutan)
3/21: Cache (France)
3/28: In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong)
4/4: Walk on Water (Israel)
4/11: Brothers (Denmark)
4/18: 3 Iron (South Korea)
4/25: Nine Queens (Argentina)
** Opening Thursday, January 18 - PET: New Paintings by Bill Santen & Georgia Henkel @ UK’s Singletary Center
A new exhibit by two of my favorite artists (see my list for ’06, I’m all up on their jock). PET: New Paintings by Bill Santen & Georgia Henkel, Jan 5 – Feb 18 in the President's Room Gallery at UK’s Singletary Center for the Arts. Opening Reception: Thurs/January 18, 6:30-7:30 pm. Located on the corner of Rose and Euclid. Hours: M-F 12-5pm and during evening/weekend performances. For more info, call 257-8157.
** Fri/January 19 - FREE In-Store Performance at CD Central – Nashville’s Hotpipes
CD Central plays host to a FREE all-ages in-store performance by acclaimed Nashville indie rockers Hotpipes. I must admit, although I’ve heard good things, I haven’t listened to them. So, I’ll let them do the talking … "We are the Hotpipes from Nashville, TN and are currently on tour supporting our second full-length release, "Hotpipes". We don't really know what we sound like, but if we were to have some bands over for dinner and drinks, we would probably invite Tom Waits, the Walkmen, XTC and the Queens of the Stone Age, and then probably end up eating and drinking by ourselves. You will be able to find us playing in clubs all across the country, as well as stripped down shows in local record stores, to support this record. Acts such as the Features, De Novo Dahl, the High Strung and the Turnbull AC's will be sharing stages with us. We hope to see you at some of these shows very soon." Better me and take the opportunity to listen to ‘em at http://www.hotpipesmusic.com, http://www.myspace.com/hotpipes. Go and keep the store’s lovely new pooch Zeena company. If her reaction to the relatively calm in-store this past Wednesday was any indication, she’ll need some lovin’.
** Sunday, January 28 – LPO presents Milton Street CMS
An interesting-looking Philharmonic event– a progressive flute and percussion duo. Sounds like something that might be at home in the Outside the Spotlight series. Below are the full details. Pay attention to the “Tickets” line – “Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one FREE.” Cool. (Oh, and note the mention of “delicious desserts.”)
“The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra presents an Audible & Edible (A&E) concert with Milton Street Chamber Music Society. Milton Street CMS is a pioneering and versatile flute and percussion duo dedicated to the performance of works from a diversity of styles and composers. Malone's Banquets provides the perfect location (and delicious desserts!) for the LPO's principal timpanist Brady Harrison and flutist Heather Verbeck.
Based out of Cincinnati, Milton Street CMS has a special interest in newer works written specifically for their unique instrumental combination. This season they will present works that vary widely in sound, style, and form. Their repertoire includes some of the earliest works written for this combination, as well as brand new works from the 21st century. Performances typically include a wide range of percussion instruments, from marimba to vibraphone, fire-bells to gourds, and it is not unusual to see three different sizes of flutes on stage. Milton Street CMS seek to tear down the stereotypical boundaries of classical chamber music while creating artful performances that may be at one moment thrilling and in the next solemn.
Date: Sunday, January 28th
Location: Malone's Banquets
Time: 3:30 p.m
Tickets: $12 in advance, $13 at door. Mention The Lexington Project when you buy a ticket and receive one free.
Order tickets: 859.233.4226 or http://www.lexphil.org”
** H’Artful of Fun needs you!
How’d I end up with friends in such high (-falutin’) places?! My pal LaTasha Buckner is the volunteer coordinator for the Lexington Arts and Science Center fundraiser “H’Artful of Fun.” Now, H’Artful (which goes down Friday, February 9th) is one of those good-hearted-but-out-of-my-price-range fundraisers that I mumble about under my breath – “Yummy sh*t … wine … BOURBON! … $50 a person! … f*ck that … “ Well, LaTasha has presented a way around the financial wall – VOLUNTEER. Volunteer a little time on the night of the event or for clean-up on the day after and, in return, you’ll get a FREE ticket. So, it’s a chance to contribute to a worthy entity (if you didn’t know, LASC offers an amazing array of arts and science classes/workshops to area chi’dren and adults – see for yourself at http://www.lasclex.org) and enjoy the fancy*schmancy stuff at the same time. If you’re interested in volunteering, drop LaTasha a line at tashabuckner@yahoo.com. More info on “H’Artful” coming in the next issue.
:::::::::::::::::: YOU GO OUTDOORS. I GO OUTDOORS. LET’S GO OUTDOORS TOGETHER. :::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dig out a warm coat, hat, gloves and some boots and get out-of-doors this January – take a hike or volunteer in the battle against invasive plants. If the winter conditions are too much to bear hold out until late January and KET will offer you the ability to be an armchair naturalist.
:: Saturday, January 13 :: Volunteer workday at Floracliff State Nature Preserve (Fayette County), 1 p.m. EST. Join in the effort to remove bush honeysuckle from the preserve as part of an ongoing effort to protect our native species. Tools and snacks will be provided. Call (859) 351-7770 for more information.
:: Sunday, January 14 :: Cabin fever walk at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). Join preserve naturalists for a 1.5 mile guided hike from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST. The program cost is $5 per person, free for LNC members.
:: Saturday, January 20 :: Winter tree identification hike at Floracliff State Nature Preserve (Fayette County). Do you think trees are hard to identify without their leaves? Well they can be, but we’ll cover how to identify some of them by looking at their bark, buds, and leaf scars. The event requires advance registration and cost $4 per person or $10.00 per family. Call (859) 351-7770 to register or for more information.
:: Saturday, January 20 :: Winter Slithers. The Kentucky Herpetological Society hosts an indoor presentation of live amphibians and reptiles at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). Learn about the habits of these creatures, which might normally slip past you out on the trail. Afterward, there will be a guided hike in the preserve. The program is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST and cost $5, free for LNC members.
:: Saturday, January 27 :: Owl Prowl. A live presentation of owls native to Kentucky will be held at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve (Jefferson County). There will also be a guided night hike in the preserve to search for owls. The program is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST and cost $10, free for LNC members. Space is limited, so make reservations early!
:: Saturday and Sunday, January 27-28 :: KET's Kentucky Life segment "Dragonflies of Kentucky", featuring Ellis Laudermilk, KSNPC invertebrate biologist, and Carl Cook, longtime dragonfly enthusiast, will air on KET1 on Jan. 27, 2007, at 8 p.m. EST. It will repeat on Jan. 28th, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. EST on KET1.
- Greg Abernathy
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Friday, January 12 through Wednesday, January 24 :::::::::::
:: Saturday, January 13 ::
THE SCOURGE OF THE SEA w/PETTICOAT, PETTICOAT and HOTPIPES @ The Dame - 10pm, ages 21+, $5
The triumphant (? – guess we’ll have to wait and get the post-touring scoop from our friends – Sammy has reported at least one hospital visit - before stating that so emphatically) return of our pretty indie pop ambassadors, home from a Southern tour. In the opening slot … Nashville’s (via Cincinnati) Hotpipes, celebrating the release of their new cd. http://myspace.com/thescourgeofthesea, http://myspace.com/petticoatpetticoat, http://myspace.com/hotpipes
:: Tuesday, January 16 ::
THE ELECTRIC MARMALADE opening for LOWBROW NOBILITY @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $3
Meant to get this issue out in time to hip everyone to E.M.’s set at Common Grounds. Didn’t happen. So, I’ll direct you to check out these new-ish psych-rock locals at The Dame. http://myspace.com/electricmarmalade
:: Friday, January 19 ::
DAVE SMOLEN w/KRAKENFURY & BIRTHDAY GIRL @ The Frowny Bear, 208 Forest Park - 9pm, all ages, donations for bands
Smolen arrives from the Philly D.I.Y. school of experimentation. He’s a recently inaugurated member of Philadelphia noise gods Sharks With Wings and a comrade of out-there Pennsylvanian saxophonist Jack Wright (each of whom have played stunning sets in Lex over the past couple years). Krakenfury & Birthday Girl = Lex-noise weirdos Thaddeus Watson and Dee Snyder, two of my favorite dudes. http://myspace.com/davesmolen, http://myspace.com/krakenfury, http://myspace.com/birthdaygirl1.
[Full Disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
Friday January 19:
J. GLENN w/ONWARD PILGRIM @ High Life Lounge, corner Woodland and Euclid - 10pm, ages 21+, $3
J Glenn is a one man band inspired by the likes of Hasil Adkins, sour mash, Hank Williams and Black fucking Oak Arkansas. He plays his banjo til it almost breaks, and his guitar even harder. He makes you get the whole heartbreak thing, and at the same time is always kickin' something. He was the original drummer for My Morning Jacket, but if he finds out I said that, he may throw a table at me. This show is part of some dates preceding the release of his first full length CD (which features, if I don't mind sayin', some mighty fine jawharpin' and hollerin' from yours truly) . It will actually feature J Glenn performing his one-man set up with a full band backing him, including members of the Touched and Yardsale.
Also playing will be Onward Pilgrim, whom I dont actually know much about, except that they are from somewhere in Kentucky. - Brian Manley
http://myspace.com/jglenn, http://myspace.com/onwardpilgrim:: Tuesday, January 23 ::
SUMMER HYMNS w/FOLKLORE and NOISY CRANE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Avenue – across S. Broadway from UK’s Reynolds Bldg - 9pm, all ages, $3 – sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM and Action Arts
Two great bands from Athens, GA. Softly crafted, endlessly catchy indie pop with a propensity for swelling to rock-out mode. Strongly recommended to fans of Scourge of the Sea, Yo La Tengo, and Elf Power. Take a listen - http://misrarecords.com/MP3s/Summer_Hymns_start_swimming.mp3, http://fairmountfair.com/folklore/hwbeaverman.mp3.
[Full Disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
:: Wednesday, January 24 ::
FUNCTION w/CABO LADIES and KEENAN LAWLER @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – just off W. Maxwell - 8pm, all ages, $3-5 suggested donation
Function = lush and beautiful experimental folk/pop, from Australia/NYC/Chicago. Check out “Beloved, Lost to Begin With” on their MySpace page. You’ll fall in love. Cabo Ladies = amazing, mesmerizing psychedelic noise-scapes. Their performance in December at Mecca (as part of “Synaesthesia”) was one of my favorites of ’06. Keenan Lawler = psychedelic-blues-drone guitar experimenter from the vile ‘ville (aka Louisville). http://myspace.com/function108, http://myspace.com/caboladies, http://myspace.com/keenanlawler
[Full Disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
:: Also worthwhile in the January 12-24 timeframe ::
Every Friday RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Nema’s Grille (Frankfort) – meccadance.com
Every Sunday THE BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE @ The Fishtank, corner of Euclid and Woodland – 9pm, no cover
Fri/Jan 12 CLUB DUB w/CROP CIRCLE, hosted by CUNNINLYNGUISTS @ The Dame
Mon/Jan 15 Open mic w/CHARLIE WHITTINGTON @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 17 THE RUDIES @ The Dame
Thurs/Jan 18 DE NOVO DAHL w/BANG BANG BANG, and HOTPIPES @ The Dame
Fri/Jan 19 Traditional Country Tribute to Keep the Heat on Lexington @ The Dame
Fri/Jan 19 DE NOVO DAHL @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Sat/Jan 20 ILL SUBLIMINAL w/CORDUROY MAVERICKS, and DJ SPOON @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Jan 20 HOTPIPES w/THE FEATURES, and TURNBULL AC’s @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Sat/Jan 20 GNARLS BARKLEY opening for THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS @ U.S. Bank Arena (Cincinnati)
Mon/Jan 22 HACKENSAW BOYS @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Tues/Jan 23 BEDTIME @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 24 PALEO @ The Dame
:: Soon Soon ::
Thurs/Jan 25 YO LA TENGO @ Bomhard Theater (Louisville)
Fri/Jan 26 PARLOUR BOYS w/GIL MANTERA’S PARTY DREAM @ The Dame
Sun/Jan 28 PATRIARCH w/DEAD HEARTS, DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, BLOODLINED CALIGRAPHY, and FIRST BLOOD @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, counterfiction.com
Sat/Jan 27 TODD SNIDER w/CORY BRANAN @ The Dame
Mon/Jan 29 Open mic w/CHARLIE WHITTINGTON @ The Dame
Tues/Jan 30 TIGHT LEATHER w/AMOROSO @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE LAY ALL OVER ITS @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – all ages
Wed/Jan 31 THE DIALECTICS w/GLEE CLUB @ The Dame
Wed/Jan 31 THE RAPTURE w/UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GIANTS and VRKTM @ Headliners (Louisville) – all ages
Fri/Feb 2 OVER THE RHINE @ The Dame – early show, 7pm
Fri/Feb 2 G-FUNK @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Feb 3 ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 3 JONEZETTA @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Feb 5 ESSEX GREEN w/KIM TAYLOR @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Thurs/Feb 8 THE APPLES IN STEREO @ The Dame
Sat/Feb 10 “Century 2007” w/DJ ASSAULT, MATT BANDY, THE REFINERY, and DJ BOOTH @ The Dame
Fri/Feb 16 SUNDAY VALLEY @ The Dame
Tues/Feb 22 RICHARD BUCKNER w/SIX PARTS SEVEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Thurs/Mar 1 MATT VALENTINE + ERIKA ELDER w/WOODEN WAND, and CABO LADIES @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Wed/Mar 7 BISHOP ALLEN @ Mecca – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 8 THE LUCKY STIFFS w/HEARTTHROB, and ARSENIC ON THE ROCKS @ The Dame
Fri/Mar 9 TV ON THE RADIO @ Brown Theater (Louisville)
Sat/Mar 10 PRIESTBIRD (formerly Tarantula A.D.) @ The Dame – early show, 7pm
Sat/Mar 10 RJD2 w/BUSDRIVER backed by ANTIMC, and HAPPY CHICHESTER @ The Dame – late show, 10pm
Sat/Mar 10 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO w/CHUCK PROPHET @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Mar 12 THE WALKMEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Sat/Mar 17 DO MAKE SAY THINK @ The Dame
Sat/Mar 17 ALOHA w/SPARTA, and MEWITHOUTYOU @ Mad Hatter (Covington, KY)
Mon/Mar 19 IMPOSSIBLE SHAPES @ The Dame
Tues/Mar 20 OF MONTREAL @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Mar 21 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Thurs/Mar 22 SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Mon/Apr 1 PAGE FRANCE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Tues/Apr 15 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) – ages 18+
Wed/Apr 16 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE @ The Dame
Mon/Apr 21 THE THING (Mats Gustafsson, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love) @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM, part of the Outside the Spotlight series
:: Pertinent Resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington
MECCA dance studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
CHARLES MANSION (a venue no longer, but the website’s a good spot to find out about shows) – http://www.charlesmansion.org
FROWNY BEAR, 208 Forest Park
THIRD STREET STUFF COFFEE, corner of Limestone and 3rd Street – ph. 859/255-5301
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
FAUNTLEROY’S CAFÉ, 640 W. Maxwell – ph. 859/455-8188
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER, 141 E. Main St, Lexington – http://www.lexarts.org
ARTSPLACE, 161 N.Mill St, Lexington
SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, corner of Euclid and Rose Sts – http://www.uky.edu/SCFA/
LEXINGTONSHOWS.com (all ages show listings) - http://www.lexingtonshows.com
COUNTER FICTION (metal/punk/hardcore all ages show listings) – http://www.counterfiction.com
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl881.org
YOU AIN’T NO PICASSO (great locally-produced music blog) – http://www.youaintnopicasoo.com
__Louisville__
LAVA (Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Artists) HOUSE - 927 Shelby Parkway, Louisville - http://www.lavahouse.org
HEADLINERS MUSIC HALL, Louisville - 1386 Lexington Road, ph. 502/584-8088 - www.headlinerslouisville.com
UNCLE PLEASANTS, 2126 S. Preston, Louisville - p.502/634-4147
THE POUR HAUS, 1481 S. Shelby Street (corner of Shelby and Burnett), Louisville
THE RUDYARD KIPLING, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville - http://www.therudyardkipling.com/pages/206999/index.htm
OLD LOUISVILLE COFFEHOUSE, 1489 S. Fourth St, Louisville - ph. 502/635-6660
PRODUCTION SIMPLE (produce many of the events at Headliners and Uncle Pleasants) – http://www.productionsimple.com
__Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky__
THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE, Newport, KY - http://www.southgatehouse.com
ALCHEMIZE, 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.alchemizebar.com
THE COMET, 4579 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.cometbar.com
BOGART'S, 2621 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.bogarts.com
THE MOCKBEE (formerly SS NOVA), 2260 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.ssnova.org
NORTHSIDE TAVERN, 4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.northside-tavern.com
Know of an upcoming event that others should get hip to? Let us know - email informationactivists@yahoo.com
All Picks by Ross Compton unless otherwise noted.
:::::::::::::: LISTING ’06 ::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ross Compton
Dear ’06,
What I liked most about you …
Live shows:
Karl Blau w/Your Heart Breaks and Birddog, July 4th @ The Icehouse (hands down the happiest experience I had this year)
Duck Fat’s debut, September in the parking lot outside of Third Street Stuff Coffee
Masters of the Hemisphere w/Je Suis France, The Elephants, Lil Flip Scoldjah, Bugs Eat Books, Crewsin’ for a Brewsin’, April @ Underlying Themes
The Vandermark 5, February @ Underlying Themes
Rempis Percussion Quartet, April @ Mecca
Sharks With Wings, May in a basement in New Brunswick, NJ
The High Water Marks, September and November (opening for Portastatic) @ Mecca (they turn me into a fist-pumping, manically-bouncing kid again!)
Ladyhawk, October @ The Dame
Cabo Ladies, December @ Mecca
Records:
Supersystem - “A Million Microphones”
Karl Blau - “Beneath Waves”
The Blow - “Paper Television” and “Poor-Aim Love Songs” ep (“Poor-Aim…” wasn’t released in ‘06, but I discovered it this past year – AWESOME!)
Belle and Sebastian – “The Life Pursuit”
Yo La Tengo – “I’m Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass”
The New Sound of Numbers – “Liberty Seeds”
Songs:
The Blow – “Parentheses”
Be Your Own Pet – “Bicycle, Bicycle, You Are My Bicycle”
Supersystem – “Eagles Fleeing Eyries”
Ghostface Killah – “Be Easy”
Still Flyin’ – “Statistics”
Tom Brosseau – “Everybody Knows Empty Houses Are Lonely”
Karl Blau – “Into the Nada”
Yo La Tengo – “Sometimes I Don’t Get You”
Belle and Sebastian – “The Blues Are Still Blue”
Ben Kweller – “I Gotta Move”
Absentee – “More Troubles”
Vert – “Velocity”
Movie: “The Devil and Daniel Johnston”
Art Exhibits:
“memento” (Bill Santen, Kurt Gohde, Louis Bickett, Scott Scarbaro, and others) @ ArtsPlace
“Hung & Unsung II” (poster and print works, compiled by our friends at Cricket Press) @ ArtsPlace
Georgia Henkel @ Alfalfa
“Animals” (Bill Santen) @ KY School for the Blind, Louisville
Random stuff …
TV! - Man, I can’t believe I used to be part of the ‘I don’t watch TV’ brigade. HBO rules the world. That’s that. The fourth season of “The Wire” so dominated my attention for the past four months that I almost forgot how amazing the third season of “Deadwood” was. The old (?) tagline - “It’s Not TV. It’s HBO.” – that sh*t’s for real. In addition to the original series stuff (“Entourage” and “Lucky Louie” also deserve praise – “The Sopranos,” you’re on probation … you best finish strong). HBO was the conduit for Spike Lee’s ”When The Leevees Broke,” a four-act documentary about Katrina and its aftermath. I cried early and often. The four+ hours of this documentary should be mandatory viewing.
Exercise – I can get stuck in a pretty vicious loop of self-hatred from time to time. Rediscovered exercise as a means of diluting that negativity. Joined a gym in March (Calvary Baptist’s “R.O.C,” on the corner of MLK and High - $10/month). Started walking, ended running. Found meditation on a treadmill (with a mighty assist from an iPod nano and Supersystem’s aforementioned “A Million Microphones”). Endorphins, old-fashioned in-the-mirror changes, a ‘third-place’ – helped me make it through the year.
Lexington Alleycats – I can’t claim to be much of a participant in the bicycle revolution that’s taking place in Lexington right now, but it makes me damn happy to see it happening.
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Trevor Tremaine
Best gig: Steely Dan/Michael MacDonald, Riverbend, Cinci, OH 8/29/06.
Best rec(s): Warmer Milks "Radish on Light," Sun City Girls "Djinn Funnel," Kites "Transformation Day" cassette, Three Legged Race "Mourning Order," Yo La Tengo's "I am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass," Curtains "Calamity," timely re-ish of SY's first one, and Jason Zavala's "Lazer Crust" beating the clock by just like a week.
Best hood: Jefferson St., AKA "New Lexington." Stella's, The Hideaway, and the eponymous Fitness Center all within two blocks. Get real.
Best book: Thomas Pynchon's Against the Day. Just 'cuz I'm only 1/10 of the way through doesn't disqualify it.
Worst fashion: sweats. Come on, guys, I managed to throw on a crisp pair of jeans and a button-up (like Jay-Z) this morning, the least you can do is wear something that couldn't easily double as a towel.
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Some really great things from 2006 (in no particular order):
-Stephen Colbert schooling Bush at the Press Association Dinner
-Thursday nights at the Dame with Greg and Jessica and Wes
-Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds
-Andrew Crawford's discovery of Ancient Ancient Age
-Joanna Newsom's Ys (and her show at Webster Hall)
-seeing Scourge of the Sea at Northsix
-a week of drinking, dancing, and partying with the Parlour Boys in NYC
-P.S. 1 Art Center's show "Into Me/Out of Me" was the best art show I saw all year
-locally, I was impressed with Waseem Touma's MFA installation at the Icehouse
-TVOTR's Return to Cookie Mountain
-Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (not sure if it was published in '06 but I read it then, so...)
- Talena Sanders
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mick's top 6 of 2006 (with one to grow on for 07)
andrew bird playing (nearly) everything at the dame
love jones reuniting with canes and oxygen tanks in louisville
the fabulous lexington mardi gras parade
thriller 2006 in the streets of lexington
3rd Street Coffee
Loudon Square Buffet
The Rise of the "Man Soap Opera" (attrib: Todd Hiett) on TV: Battlestar Galactica, Weeds, Big Love, Heroes
- Mick Jeffries
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Samantha Herald
Best of 2006!
Top 10 albums of 2006:
1. Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
2. Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah
3. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
4. Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldier
5. Danielson - Ships
6. Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope
7. The Minders - It's A Bright, Guilty World
8. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
9. Tapes N Tapes - The Loon
10. Destroyer - Rubies
Top 5 eps of 2006:
1. BRMC - Howl Sessions
2. Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, & Wives
3. Pas/Cal - Dear Sir
4. Sambassadeur - Coastal Affairs
5. Dr. Dog - Takers & Leavers
Best cover art:
Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis
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Matt Jordan’s Top 21 songs of 2006
(all are available for listening and downloading at http://www.youaintnopicasso.com/2007/01/02/top-20-in-06-songs/)
21. Camera Obscura – “Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken”
20. The Pipettes – “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me”
19. Swan Lake – “Nubile Days”
18. The Blow – “Parentheses”
17. Danielson – “Did I Step On Your Trumpet”
16. The Features – “I Will Wander”
15. The Minus Five – “With A Gun”
14. Grumpy Bear – “Luis Bunuel”
13. Final Fantasy – “Song Song Song”
12. Great Lake Swimmers – “See You On The Moon”
11. The Hidden Cameras – “Learning To Lie”
10. The Essex Green – “Don’t Know Why (You Stay)”
09. Grizzly Bear – “On A Neck On A Spit”
08. Man Man – “Engwish Bwudd”
07. Elvis Costello and Allan Toussaint – “Tears, Tears, and More Tears”
06 Viva Voce – “ From the Devil Himself”
05. Islands – “Where There’s A Will There’s A Whalebone”
04. Oh No! Oh My! – “Walk In The Park”
03. Regina Spektor – “Fidelity”
02. Bishop Allen – “Corazon”
01. Starlight Mints – “Seventeen Devils”
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Michael Lunsford
The Uncertain Five - The Uncertain Five (self-released)
Sunn0))) / Boris - Altar (Southern Lord)
Knut - Alter (Hydra Head)
Boris - Pink (Southern Lord)
Cadaver in Drag - Septic Tomb LP (Elephant Graveyard)
Æthenor - Deep In Ocean Sunk the Lamp of Light (VHF)
Oren Ambarchi - Grapes from the Estate LP (Southern Lord)
Electric Wizard - Dopethrone (Rise Above / Candlelight)
Electric Wizard - Com My Fanatics (Rise Above / Candlelight)
Infected - Tales of the Tortured Mind (Eugene)
Xasthur - Subliminal Genocide (Hydra Head)
diSEMBOWELMENT - diSEMBOWELMENT (Relapse)
Warmer Milks - Radish on Light
The Fountain (dir: Darren Aronofsky)
Sunn0))) & Boris at Wexner Center for the Arts Columbus, OH
Infected at the Dame in September
Nine Inch Nails at Rupp Arena in February (I'm allowed the occasional ticketbastard show)
The Murders at the Dame on Halloween
Alkaline Trio performing Goddamnit at Bogarts (OK, TWO ticketbastard shows)
Being in too many bands at once=
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Brian Connors Manke
Best show: *David Rawlings/Gillian Welch at the Dame was brilliant.
Most annoying: The John Mellencamp song/commercial for Chevrolet. "This is our country" -- What? You know, America, that 100% Caucasian country of rustic cowboy-types hauling loads in the back of their pick-ups.
Worst news in a selfish way: The closing of Jonk. Depression to follow.
Some songs I remember diggin:
KRS-One "My Life"
Bill Patton's cover of Black Sabbath's "Fairies Wear Boots"
Amy Milan "He Brings Out the Whiskey In Me"
Joan Jett "AC/DC"
Chris Whitley's (R.I.P.) cover of Gary Numan's "Are Friends Electric?"
OK that's enough of that list.
A few random albums by...Heartless Bastards, M. Ward, Wussy, Avett Brothers, Califone, Bobby Bare Jr., Black Keys, Jurassic 5, The Coup, Kaki King, Ramblin Jack Elliott, TV on the Radio
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Few albums I enjoyed from a good year in music
- Brian Ronk
Man Man Six---Demon Bag
Tunng---Mother's Daughter and Other Songs
Grizzly Bear---Yellow House
Yo La Tango---"Beat your Ass" album
Tom Waits---Orphans
Flying Lotus---1983
Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid---The Exchange Session
Broadcast---Future Crayon
Whitest Boy Alive---Dreams
David Thomas Broughton---The Complete Guide to Insufficiency, released late
05 had to include
Vetiver---To Find Me Gone
José Gonzalez---Veneer
Juana Molina---Son
Nobody and the Mystic Chords of Memory---Tree Colored See
Shogun Kunitoki---Tasankokaiku
Four Tet---Dj Kicks
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Cheers and Jeers for 2006
- Michael Powell
CHEERS! :-D
1) Mogwai, after the show in March, parties with the locals at Jessica Suhr's 22nd birthday party and had a blast whilst provoking many party guests to ask "who brought the Scottish dudes?"
2) Tie: The WRFL-sponsored Of Montreal show ropes in over 1,000 kids in the Student Center (great success!), and Scourge of the Sea's excellent "Make Me Armored."
3) Jonathan Miller's announcement of running the ones and twos down in Frankfort (that's the governor's race if you didn't decipher my jargon).
.
4) IHOP and Half Price Books & Records opening in Lexington. Oh snap!
5) The new W Weekly reinventing themselves and going from a corporate-owned, utterly insulting rag that wouldn't even make decent fish wrap to a locally-owned, legitmate, entertaining alternative newsweekly that showcases Lexington is not all that lame.
JEERS! :-(
1) Amber Scott leaving Nougat...
2) Jim Newbury's hair. Not to be shallow or Joan Rivers-esque, but helmet hair is never okay.
3) Dealing with this conversation on an almost daily basis
Person X: "So, what's happening with the Dame? Are they tearing down the block?"
MP: "I don't know."
Person X: "Well, is someone going to release a statement or something? I read somewhere that..."
MP: "I don't know."
Person X: "Well, did you hear that...?"
MP: "Leave me alone."
4) Dick DeCamp is still outstandingly old, outstandingly still on the council. The power of incumbency, just like in Bunning's last election, demonstrates that a familiar name will trump competency any time. Not saying that Pratt isn't a bit kooky, but DeCamp is downright evil.
5) The July 4th parade. This has never constituted as a parade, as there are no floats. Just cars... with advertisements, and people waving that we're evidently supposed to care about it. I wish I had a roman candle.
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Listing 06 :: happenings
- kevin sweeney
1. Julia Butterfly Hill @ Central Library
2. Rhea Speights (SynArts) @ Mecca
3. Andrew Bird @ the Dame
4. Amy LaVere @ Woodsongs
5. Sabi Diri @ ArtsPlace
6. Mardi Gras Jazz Parade
7. Bluegrass Energy Expo
8. Animal Jam
9. Mecca's Thriller
10. Rakadu @ Natasha's 12/28
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eric sutherland
well, the year 2006 ended as it began, warm and strange. here are some high and lowlights i have decided to share with you all.
there was bonnie prince billy, jolie holland, frank black, gillian welch and dave rawlings at the dame, probably a couple i am forgetting but...these stick out in my mind. of course i must share that i befriended ms. holland this time around after interviewing her on her last stop in town. in october, she asked me to open her show at the southgate house with a poem.
julia butterfly hill came to the public library and shared her spirit with a packed theater audience estimated at 200! david korten, another national figure in the sustainability movement made his way to another capacity crowd at the library. at around the same time, the first greenlex community forum took place in the kentucky theater, seems like there might finally be a groundswell to change our lives and the communities in which we live.
speaking of communities, we also saw frenzied action downtown with the great loft rush of the oughts! lofts were literally springing up out of neglected downtown cracks. with a new mayor and the city being awarded the 2010 equestrian games, lex has some tough questions to face. but hey, if we can shake up the congress, we can do it at home too! right?
connected to this thought are some lowlights. remember the great iconic horse painting that adorned the wall of caro's downtown? it was perfectly visible from the booths in buster's. well, in case you hadn't noticed, our good friends at harvey's (please don't give them your $!) had it painted over to sterile white, kinda like the crowd that now flocks to their new outdoor patio. a 30 year lex cultural landmark gone. just like that.
and who could forget the awful buzz swirling through the arts community about the possible/likely? demise of the center of the alterna-lex-world. rumors swirled swiftly over beers about the loss of mia's, busters, the dame, god damn!!!! we got to get organized!
on that note, kudos and farewell to underlying themes loft, a great place to see anything and will be sorely missed.
the icehouse and mecca continued to push the boundaries of musical/art performance in our humble little town forward. great and diverse WRFL and outside the spotlight shows filled both these underground oases throughout the year.
new band to watch is chico fellini, exciting and creatively fresh pop. and i know it just came out, but jason zavala's lazer crust is a must have, and one of the most intense moments of the musical year occurred at mecca when jason laid open his soul for all of us to see and feel and it was intense. support the guy. and all local music/arts/activism
peaceloveandjoy to everybody in this new year of reconciliation.
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Tony Miller
* the zombies and early bee gees
* my family and girlfriend
* tailored pants
* delay and tremolo (in regards to guitar effects)
* vintage microphones
* budweiser
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favorite albums of 2006, in no particular order
- saraya brewer
Avatar -- Comets on Fire
Mr. Beast -- Mogwai
Until We Felt Red -- Kaki King
Return to Cookie Mountain -- TV on the Radio
All This Time -- The Heartless Bastards
Sun Awakens -- Six Organs of Admittance
Yellow House -- Grizzly Bear
The Greatest -- Cat Power
Radish on Light -- Warmer Milks
Happy New Year -- Oneida
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Bill Widener
6) Democratic victories.
Man, didn’t expect that one, did you? Given that almost everybody expected Republican vote fraud so widespread and obvious that it would trigger a constitutional crisis, the actual election was a spectacular upset. My theory is that the sudden outburst of leaks and straight up votes of no confidence coming from former and current members of the military just before the election was the Praetorian Guard letting Caesar know that the usual bag o’ tricks best stay closed, lest it become a hood over his head, right before the commander of the firing squad intones “Ready…aim…”
5) DC sneezes, Marvel catches pneumonia.
The anxiety and paranoia unleashed by the Bush Administration has trickled down like slime from a broken drum of toxic waste into every nook and cranny of pop culture. And one of the most infected forms was the mainstream comic book industry. 2006 was the year for serious revolutions in comic book continuity, most of which reflected the division and distrust drummed up by the Occupant and the system of destruction he fronts.
Over in Superman’s neck of the woods, the Elongated Man’s beloved wife was murdered, which opened a vast Pandora’s Box of misunderstandings and misdeeds. By the time the whole megillah came to its grisly climax, everybody was pissed off at everybody else, thousands of people were dead, and the Big 3 - Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – had to take some time off to get their shit together. It’s still playing out in the weekly 52 series, with repercussions still to come. The best thing to come out of the tsuris? Detective Chimp is back, baby!
Meanwhile, the Marvel Universe has been in deep shit. Way over yander at the end of space, Annihilus and his insectoid hordes have bust out of the Negative Zone and have eaten everything in sight, including a hefty chunk of the Skrull Empire. But nobody’s paying attention because they got their own problems, namely a Registration Act that demands that all super-dupers reveal their identity and either sign up with Uncle Sugar, or get themselves Gitmo’d in another reality (the aforementioned Negative Zone, actually). Iron Man, who’s always been a government stooge of one sort or another, is in charge of the Registered, while Captain America, who’s seen up close what you get when you start putting names on lists, leads the rebels. It’s been a heart-breaking knockdown drag-out, with characters loved by millions for many years going at each other’s throats. Yeah, it’s just superhero comics, but it’s also the most fearless take in any fictional medium on what these bastards have done to our country.
And ya gotta wonder: how would you feel about hundreds of people who can burst into flame or tear down buildings with their bare hands or turn you into a sock monkey with the power of their minds running around doing whatever the fuck they want, with little or no oversight or accountability? Maybe the fuzz has a point, huh?
(A cute anecdote connected with Marvel’s “Civil War”…an acquaintance’s young daughter bit the head off his Iron Man action figure. When he asked her why she did it, she said, “Because Tony Stark’s MEAN!”)
4) Dr. Who is back!
By the way, have I mentioned I’m a gigantic geek? Well, if you didn’t notice before…After more than a decade off the air, BBC brought back TV’s greatest SF hero. (Hey, bite me, Kirk! Get a real job, Mulder!). And it’s bloody well great! Nimbly dancing on a tightrope between cheese and art, the new Dr. Who series is modernized just enough to work in today’s world, while retaining many of the virtues that kept it going for more than twenty years the first time around. I dig the moral questions that keep popping up like a runaway Tardis, mainly…who’s this guy to be running around time and space messing with things that don’t belong to him? I mean, sure, he keeps saving the Earth and all, but still…quite a trail of bodies there, Doctor.
Anyway, I bounce around in my chair when the theme song comes on, and you ain’t seen quality television ‘til you’ve watched Cybermen and Daleks dissing each other like a bunch of vicious old queens.
3) Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.
I’ve always liked things that smell purty, and for some time have endeavored to be one of them. Unfortunately, most men’s colognes didn’t do it for me. Oh, sure, the occasional blast of Cool Water, a schmeer of Dakkar Noir when I could get it, but otherwise…eh.
Then one of my co-workers, a charming and stylish and bright beauty, turned me on to Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. HQed in LA, this forthrightly artsy perfumier has hundreds of scents, many of the collections based on figures from mythology and literature. Hell, it was the idea of a perfume company crazy enough to base a whole line of scents on H. P. Lovecraft that got my attention in the first place! There’s collections based on Poe, Shakespeare, Lewis Carroll, the Tarot, Cabala, even a new series called “The Salon” in which each scent was inspired by Symbolist paintings!
And, man, the scents are awesome. And the huge variety ensures you’ll find something to tickle your nose…and someone else’s fancy. It’s all oils, no alcohol, made from plant-based materials. Pricy, yes – I’ve spent at least 2 Cs this year on BPAL – but well worth it. Go to http://blackphoenixalchemylab.com for details…and get ready to lose a couple of hours, just cruising the site.
Oh, and of the Lovecraft scents, my faves so far are Al-Azif, Arkham and The High Priest Not to Be Described, tho’ I’ve yet to sample Night-Gaunt or Shub-Niggurath. IA!!!
2) Forget Cassettes.
Band of the year, album of the year, song of the year. The band’s a power trio, led by Beth Cameron, a petite young woman with huge dark eyes and huge dark talent. Forget Cassettes plays what I call “math soul”: rock that’s as tight and complex as math rock, but so emotional, so physical, that it transcends the rigors of theory and grabs you by the heart and hips. Salt is the album, a wild mouse ride through a modern gal’s life and loves. And “Lonely Does It” is the song, the soundtrack to my near-breakdown this past autumn. (Don’t worry – I’m feeling much better.) I haven’t been this excited about a band in ages. You really, seriously, definitely gotta catch ‘em live; makes ya believe in punk all over again.
1) My new kitty.
She actually belongs to somebody else, but she would never go home. She just kept hanging around my neighborhood, scrounging off not only me, but several other houses, too. But she liked the wicker chair we have on our front porch, and dug the attention she got from me and my friends, not to mention strangers passing on the street. During the Woodland Arts Fair, there was a constant flow of people stopping by and taking pictures of her. Yes, she’s that damn cute. Finally, when it turned cold, I tricked her into coming inside, and, once she was settled in, moved her upstairs to my half of the house. There she’s stayed, getting fat and sassy and spoiled rotten. I like to say she came for the food, but stayed for the love.
Awwwwwwww!
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