broad ripple gazette, vol 5. no 8

I meant to publish on Queen Bee Music site. It is my latest column from the Broad Ripple Gazette. I really need to get back to blogging. I realized that I wrote stuff in the column that is pretty personal - I need the Chez Pez outlet.

I am alive and fairly well. I'm working a ton, but neither my computer or home Internet access is. I haven't been home enough to schedule an appointment with the DSL folks and I'm having a hard time wrapping my head (and wallet) around a $1500 computer.

Buzzing Around Town with Nora first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

I didn’t see any music in the last two weeks. I worked extra shifts at the Red Key and my beloved Apple iBook is on the fritz and it has thrown my little world on tilt. So much so that I forgot to go see Kriss Luckett and Greg Ziesemer play. It is very bad form to reserve space at a house concert and not attend. Sorry Greg and Kriss, I owe you one.

Russel Settle’s Red Key Anniversary Party
April 2, 2008



Since I don’t have any music to talk about, wanna hear about my bartending shift? Russell has owned the Red Key for 57 years -- since 1951. How amazing is that? Anniversary day always turns in to a reunion. The mirrors were lined with photographs from previous anniversaries. I swear Russel looks as same as he did on the 32nd anniversary, I think he might have been wearing the same vest. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it- it is my honor to work at the Red Key.

Previews:
Second Friday, Second Helpings
Friday, April 11, 9 pm, 21+
The Upper Room (above the Broad Ripple Steak House)
929 E. Westfield Blvd

The second edition of Second Friday, Second Helpings will feature Chad Mills, Matt Martin and a yet to be confirmed guest. The three musicians will be playing in the round, trading songs. This will be the first time I’ve heard Matt and I’m looking forward to it.

We all know how I feel about Chad Mills. He’s an amazing songwriter and singer. I often have his songs stuck in my head (in a good way). His shows are always high-energy and fun.

The show benefits Second Helpings, so bring cash and/or rice and pasta. Last month we collected 50 pounds of rice and pasta and almost $50. Every little bit helps. Second Helpings has two refrigerated box trucks and six vans on the road picking up thousands of pounds of rescued food and delivering 2900 hot meals to fifty other social service agencies every day. I don’t need to tell you how the high gas prices affect the agency. Second Helpings is on track to spend over $25,000 in gas this year.


http://www.secondhelpings.org/
http://www.chadmillslive.com/

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Open Mic Night at The Whammy Bar
Music Mill, 8 pm, 21+
3720 E. 82nd Street

The Whammy Bar has to be the best name for a bar inside of a music venue, ever. I actually clapped when I read the name. Well done! A whammy bar (or tremolo arm) is the lever-like attachment that you see near the tailpiece of some electric guitars. They allow the guitar player to vary the tension on the strings and temporally change the pitch to create a vibrato effect. My favorite style is the Bigsby, favored by Chet Atkins and surf rock players. Clearly at one point in my life I spend way too much time learning this stuff trying to impress a certain guitar player. Anyway, on to the preview….

Chad Mills will be hosting an open mic night at the bar starting Tuesday, April 15. From the calendar listing it looks like it will be held every Tuesday night.

http://www.themusicmillvenue.com/
http://www.chadmillslive.com/

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Via Audio
Grampall Jookabox
Locals Only, $8 (presale) $10 (door), 8:30, 21+

The pop band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is from Springfield, MO. SSLYBY became a word-of-mouth favorite and soon went from playing libraries to headlining a European tour.

The Boston based Via Audio have been playing together since 2003 and have caught the ear of the band members of Death Cab for Cutie and Spoon.

Grampall Jookabox has been described as Jungle Folk. Think experimental meets Americana.

You can buy advance tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/

www.myspace.com/boris
www.viaaudio.net/
www.myspace.com/grampalljookabox
www.localsonlyindy.com

Friday, April 18, 2008
Punkin Holler Boys
Gary Wasson + Cara Jean Wahlers
Melody Inn, 7:30 – 9:30, $4, 21 +
3826 N Illinois St

Hillbilly Happy Hour happens every Friday and it has been way too long since I’ve been there. The Punkin Holler Boys are a staple at HHH will their good time old-fashioned folk bluegrassy fun. A toe tapping good time is guaranteed.

Gary Wasson and Cara Jean Wahlers as so new as a duo that they have not settled on a name yet. Don’t let that scare you, they have been playing together in various groups and back porch practice sessions that you can tell they have great chemistry. You can expect original songs and a fun dose of quirky covers. They will be playing in between the Punkin Holler Boys sets.


http://www.melodyindy.com/
www.myspace.com/punkinhollerboys
www.myspace.com/garyandcara


Friday, April 25, 2008
Hayes Carll
Sam’s Saloon, 9 pm, $10, 21+
1640 East Prospect Street (Fountain Square)

I have a bordering-on-stalkerish crush on the music of Hayes Carll. I saw him open for Robert Earl Keen last year and was blown away. I purchased his Little Rock CD and listen to it at least once a day (I guess in addition to my stalking tendencies I’m a little obsessive). I was so excited when I read on My Old Kentucky Blog that Hayes was coming to town that I bugged Scott Shogar, the music editor of NUVO to let me write a preview. I wrote to Hayes publicist who mailed me the not-yet-released album Trouble In Mind, which I adore just as much as I did Little Rock.

I can’t tell you how cool it was to get the CD in a marked “advanced copy.” Of course when it came time to actually form the questions to ask Hayes I had major writers block. I’m so glad that I opted to send him questions instead of a phone interview.

Anyway, the point of this rambling is: Go to the show, you won’t be disappointed. Seriously, pinky swear.

http://www.hayescarll.com/
www.myspace.com/samssaloonindianapolis
http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/