Ramble On

This just in from the folks at Ye Olde North End Ramble (July 30), the deadline to sign up to be involved, whether as a performer, host venue, volunteer or sugar daddy financier, has been extended to this Friday, July 15. You can pick up forms at variety of Burlington locations, including Radio Bean, Jamba's Junktiques and Viva Espresso. 

There is also now a Ramble Kickstarter page, which features the promotional video below. A nine-minute-long promotional video. Nine minutes. Seriously. Anyway, they need to hit a grand in the next 16 days. I'm betting they get there.

 

Holy Shit! A Solid State Post!?!

Yeah, yeah. I know. It's been a while. I could make excuses for the dearth of posts this past month. I could offer sincere regrets, guarantees it will never happen again, solemn vows to be a more vigilant blurbsmith. But we both know such promises would, while well-intentioned, ring hollow, much like Hank Moody apologizing to his eternally wounded and increasingly jaded daughter, Becca, for the thousandth time: sincerely remorseful, yet fully aware — as she is — that he will inevitably fuck up again, most likely in boozy and spectacular fashion. (Yes, I've been on a "Californication" kick lately.)

Anyway, in the interest of playing catchup/stopping the bleeding/not doing other work, I thought we'd bust out an old fashioned smattering of randomness to get us relatively up to date. Here goes.

- This just in from Higher Ground: LoCash Cowboys have cancelled their appearance at the club scheduled for this Sunday. Figures, the one time I throw airbrushed pop-country a rhinestone-studded bone, I jinx the show. My bad.

- Wanna see some naked musicians? Local videographer Matt Day, on the heels of a successful opening at the BCA Center last month, finally has an online home for his Naked Musicians video project, nakedmusicians.com.  It's an interesting project, showcasing (mostly) local tunesmiths playing (clothed) in casual surroundings. It's also very well done. Plus, bonus points to Day for the lurid website title, which will undoubtedly draw a bazilion extra hits from pervy Googlers. Well played! Anyway, here's a vid from the project featuring Paper Castles.

naked musicians - Paper Castles from Matt Day on Vimeo.

- Any Amerpunkgrassrockjazzicana fans in the house? Go see the Defibulators at Nectar's on Thursday. Trust me.

- Remember back in February of 2010, when Rapper Big Pooh and his crew nearly died on I-89 when their van flipped en route to a show at Club Metronome? No? Well, they did. Not only that, they still played the gig. Anyway, it seems Pooh's group, Little Brother, recently broke up under some unfortunate and convoluted circumstances, as detailed in this excellent article in North Carolina's Independent Weekly by Grayson Currin, which leads with a description of the accident outside Randolph. (Full disclosure: this story is up for an AAN award this year, which is sort of like the Oscars for alt-weekly journalism. A story I wrote is actually nominated in the same category. But were I a betting man, my money would be on Currin. This is a prime example of arts-related alt-journalism at its best.)  

- I was on vacation when this was announced, but I couldn't be happier about Gillian Welch coming to the Flynn in October. As an aside, Welch's Time (the Revelator) remains the only album my dad has ever borrowed from me and never returned. I don't blame him. Tix go on sale Friday.

- Conan O'Brien gave James Kochalka some love recently.

- Burlington's e-sk (Slanted Black Records) was recently featured on Beatport.

- And last but not least, BURNTmd's track "Smuggler's Notch," featuring Keith Murray was just named a "Banger" by noted hip-hop rag XXL Magazine. I believe that's a good thing … (Seriously though, congrats, B)

 

 

Pickin' Daysies

Hey ho, Solid State.

It's time once again for your friendly neighborhood alt-weekly to compile the ballot for this year's Seven Daysies Awards. And, as we do most years, we're looking for ways to mix up some of the categories. This being a music-ish blog, I'm specifically looking for ways we can better represent the scene as a whole, and maybe introduce a few new faces into the winner's circle along side the perennial favorites — Higher Ground, Grace Potter, etc.

So, if you could, what categories would you add to our existing awards? Which existing ones would you eliminate altogether, or perhaps alter? Inquiring minds want to know.  

Hearts of Gold

The countdown on Langdon Street Café closing stands at t-minus three days and change, which … well, absolutely sucks. The quirky java joint is closing for financial reasons, and even after Boston-based circus punks Cirkestra draw the curtain for the last time on Saturday night, the cash-strapped café will long be dealing with the financial fallout of a rocky final few months.

To help out, the fine folks from the Golden Dome Musician's Collective in Montpelier and State and Main Records have put together a stellar new compilation, State and Main Records: Volume 1.5 — A Benefit for the Langdon Street Café. The download-only comp is a followup to the label's debut offering, State and Main Records: Volume 1, released in February to rave reviews — at least from me. After a few cursory listens, I'm finding Volume 1.5 just as entertaining.

You can grab the comp here, for a measly $10, proceeds of which go directly to LSC. To wet your whistle, here's a snippet, "Sticks and Stones," by Simple Heart.

State and Main Records - LSC-GDMC Benefit - 08 Sticks and Stones

 

Hands On

This just in from the fine lads at Angioplasty Media, the new video for "Plenty Hands" by Parmaga, from their excellent debut EP, Ghost Pops. Dig it.

Parmaga - Plenty Hands from Geoffrey Klane on Vimeo.

 

So Very Special

I'm usually not much for reality TV unless it involves Padma Lakshmi, but this is kinda cool. Or horrifying, depending on how you feel about Radiohead.

It seems a UVM pre-med student, Devon Barley — who is also the music director of UVM a cappella group the TopCats, of which I was a member, many years ago — is doing quite well on NBC's latest Star Search ripoff, the Voice. For the unfamiliar, the show, hosted by Carson Daly, is a reimagining of a Dutch TV show of the same name, in which aspiring pop singers compete for the right to be on American Idol. Or maybe to win a ton of money and a record deal. I can never remember.

The contestants are judged by a panel of pop stars, including Cee-Lo Green, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera and Maroon 5's Adam Levine. In tonight's episode (NBC, 10 p.m.), Barley squares off against another hopeful — on a stage that vaguely resembles a boxing ring, no less — to move on to the next round. This particular contest seems loosely based on the rap battle concept, with contestants alternating verses of a song. Except that instead of freeestyling, they tackle a poppy karaoke rendition of the radio edit version of Radiohead's "Creep." (video below) Thom Yorke must be rolling in his grave.

All kidding aside, congrats on your success so far, Devon. And best of luck tonight. 

 

Rhymes with Osage

Today's missive comes by way of local indie-folk outfit Osage Orange. It's a nifty little video for their song, "Alchemy," that fairly screams Burlington bohemia. You've got yer ragtag dancin' fools clad in vagabond chic garmenture, lots of pointy facial hair, a healthy dose of rambling accordion and, of course, Phinneus Sonin juggling. It's like a night at Radio Bean delivered straight to your computer screen. Enjoy.

   

B-Rock Obama?

This just in from 4-Word Presents: An open letter to the Prez, hip-hop style.

Signed, Nastee

 

Time Flies

There is no possible way I could write with any sort of objectivity about the Lazy Songwriter, or the fact that today marks the tenth anniversary of the band's first show.

For starters, both of my siblings were in the band. I've known front man Arthur Adams since he was in, like, fourth grade. LS lead guitarist David Stockhausen would later be my partner in crime in my last serious musical endeavor, the Middle Eight — as was occasional LS contribtor Mike Duplessis. In fact, I basically just stole Art's band when he left for San Francisco and I moved back to town. And to be honest, were it not for the Lazy Songwriter, I may not have decided to return to Burlington at all.

During their heyday, I was living in Boston under the auspices of making my way as a songwriter. In reality, I was a bartender who spent far too much time on both sides of the wood — usually babbling about how I was totally gonna make it in music, man. Then promptly ordering another round. Or eight. Ah, Boston.

I came home to visit Burlington fairly often in those days. And when I did, I found myself incredibly envious both of Art's band and how much more of a community Burlington's music scene — and, specifically, the burgeoning little scene orbiting the then-new Radio Bean — seemed to be compared to what I had found in Beantown. Maybe I had just been looking in the wrong places. But the Lazy Songwriter and Radio Bean, generally, epitomized what I had hoped to find by moving away. So I came home. 

Aaaaanyway, as I mentioned, today is the tenth aniversary of the Lazy Songwriter's first ever show at (where else?) Radio Bean. In celebration, Adams has posted the entire LS canon on his website, Blammos.com. And, personal biases utterly intact, it's pretty great, especially if you loved that band back in the day. And really, for a supposedly laggard tunesmith, dude was pretty prolific. Enjoy.

And thanks, Art.  

 

Sigh …

Man, I hate being the bearer of bad news. And this is seriously bad news indeed. The following is an email that went out to various press outlets this morning from Meg Hammond and Ben T. Matchstick at the Langdon Street Café. 

To all the friends, family, community, and performers of the Langdon Street Café,  

After doing business in downtown Montpelier for six and a half years, the Café has faced a difficult decision.  Due to increasing financial difficulties and circumstances, the Langdon Street Café will permanently close its doors on May 28th.  This decision has not been an easy one for us.

We would like to thank everyone who has participated in the Langdon Street Café over the years—especially the Café’s founders and all of the employees past and present who have worked so hard and volunteered extra efforts to keep it going.  We would also like to thank our families, tenants, and volunteer crews who have helped reinvent the space numerous times.  A big thanks goes out to all the Café’s customers for feeling right at home, keeping us afloat, and for recharging our spirit.  Finally, thank you to the downtown business community and to the City of Montpelier for making this town the most brilliant little star on the map.

We will greatly miss hosting you at the Café.  Please come in and enjoy the Café throughout the month of May. Visit our website and Facebook pages where you can share your photos and stories.  langdonstreetcafe.com 

Sincerely,

Meg Hammond, Owner/Manager

Ben t. Matchstick, Booking & Events

 

Northern Lights

You gotta hand it to Grace Potter and her merry band of Nocturnals, this is pretty friggin' cool.

Yesterday morning, Higher Ground announced the lineup for this summer's Lake Champlain Maritime Festival, the annual nautically themed bash on Burlington's waterfront that GPN have traditionally played as a homecoming gig after a summer of touring the country. But this year, rather than blow into town, play a set or two and skeedaddle, they've curated an entire weekend-long festival-within-a-festival, dubbed "Grand Point North" — GPN, get it? And while the band is pulling in some serious marquee talent, the bulk of weekend will have a distinctly local flavor. Check the lineup:

Taj Mahal Trio, Deva Mahal, Fitz & the Tantrums, the Wood Brothers, Anaïs Mitchell & the Hadestown Orchestra (VT), Jessica Lea Mayfield, Hoots & Hellmouth, Chamberlin (VT), Barbacoa (VT), Parmaga (VT), the Eames Brothers Band (VT), Lendway (VT), Maryse Smith & the Rosesmiths (VT) and Split Tongue Crow (VT)

Color me impressed. 

The fest runs August 13 and 14, with GPN headlining both nights. I'm told they'll split the two evenings roughly along genre lines, with the rootsier acts dominating one night and the louder, more indie flavored bands the other. Tickets go on sale this Friday.   

 

Bonerama! (Or, What to do With Those Antsy Jazz Hands)

Top o' the afternoon, Solid State.

The fine folks from the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival held their annual press conference this afternoon to thank their long list of sponsors, ply the media with ice cream and give Bob Kiss something to talk about that doesn't involve Burlington Telecom. Oh, and also to announce the bulk of this year's lineup, which, while maybe not as top-heavy with monster marquee acts as in recent years, appears solid from top to bottom, including some undercard acts that could well steal the fest.

The big names likely need little introduction: Herbie Hancock, Bela Fleck and the Orginal Flecktones, Poncho Sanchez, aaaaaaaand … muthaflippin' viperHouse, who will follow Belizbeha's lead from last year's fest and get the band back together to relive some Queen City glory days. Rad. Trombone rockers Bonerama (pictured) and the Joshua Panda Band open that show at the Waterfront Groove Tent on Thursday, June 9.

Also at the top of the docket, Bitches Brew Revisited, an all-star tribute to Miles Davis' groundbreaking 1970 record, Bitches Brew. The band features Vernon Reid, Graham Haynes, Marco Benevento and DJ Logic, among some other choice heavy hitters. Local improv jazz outfit — and a personal favorite — YoUSAy Placate open the Flynn MainStage show, which opens the entire fest on Friday June 3. The BDJF is also launching a contest inviting local artists to reimagine the cover art from Davis' landmark album. For more details on that, visit the BDJF site.

The BDJF always does well giving women in jazz their due. But, intentional or not, it seems there is an increased focus on lady songbirds this year, highlighted by a double bill at the FlynnSpace featuring vocalists Jay Clayton and Sheila Jordan on Tuesday, June 7. Other choice acts include vocalist Catherine Russell (6/8, FlynnSpace), ecelectic electro-acoustic outfit the Myra Melford Be Bread Sextet (6/9, FlynnSpace) and a MainStage double bill that will see renowned vocalist Roberta Gambarini share the stage with the Roy Hargrove Quintet on Saturday, June 11.

There's obviously much more to talk about, and in the coming weeks, we surely will. Most of the lineup and schedule info is up on the BDJF site. But there are still a few shows that have yet to be announced and should be made public within the next week or so. Stay tuned. 

 

 

WWJZD?

And here's the latest vid from VT's Cartoon Laureate/Superstar James Kochalka, "Beyonce," from his album Digital Elf. Here's hoping Jay-Z doesn't find out.

 

 

 

2-Hour Contest: Starfucker

Wanna see Starfucker? I've got two tickets to give away to tonight's show at the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge. To win, just tell me why you think you deserve to go in the comments section. Best answer, as judged by a panel of … well, me, wins. Be sure to leave your real name and email addy so I can contact you/have the band's management put you on the list. Contest closes at 2 p.m. Aaaaaand go!

 

 

Zoning Out

On the heels of Son of Salami/Joey Pizza Slice's bizarre "Fresh Baguettes" vid from earlier this week, Toby Aronson of NNA Tapes renown espoused the singular songwriter's trash-pop virtues in a guest post on Pitchfork sister site Altered Zones. Here's a snippet:

When I first heard about Joey, he was described to me as "that weirdo who just moved to town and has a cardboard robot and an imaginary vampire in his band." Over the years, Burlington, VT has grown to love Joey and all of his endeavors. I've seen Joey singing to frat boys, the homeless, and even the elderly. And it's not every day that "lo-fi pop" can connect with those sorts of folks.

Indeed. Check out the rest of the post here.

The Best Thing Since Sliced Pizza

Heya, folks.

Here's the latest from local trash-pop auteur Joey Pizza Slice, a bizarre little video for his song "Fresh Baguettes." Because nothing says "I love you" like the gift of crusty bread, especially when aided by a sign language interpreter — y'know, for those who can't read gigantic lips. Take it away, Joey. 

 

 

Rejected Headlines: Philip Glass

Writing snappy headlines is hard work. No, really. It is. Choosing a handful of words that both grab the reader's attention and impart some clue to what a story is about can be an exercise in madness. And especially in a pun-friendly environment like 7D, there is a fine line between clever and precious.

This week's edition features a story I wrote about composer Philip Glass, an enigmatic and intimidating figure if ever there was one. Given his stature, his body of work and the general direction and tone of our interview, deciding upon a headline that worked was especially challenging. There was a lot of brainstorming involved. And a lot of bad ideas. What follows are some of the best — by which I of course mean the worst. Feel free to add your own in the comments. 

- "The Imaginarium of Dr. Glass"

- "Art of Glass"

- "Breaking Glass"

- "Blowing Glass"

- "Wait … Philip Glass Scored Candyman 2?"

- "Shards of Glass"

- "A Brief Interview with Philip-fucking-Glass"

- "Minimalism: High Art, or Intellectual Masturbation?" 

- "The Glass Menagerie"

- "Minimalism: … "

- "Philip Glass: the Polka Years"

 

 

Indecent Proposal

It seems Parmaga's Bryan Parmelee ain't merely one hell of an indie rock songwriter. He also does a pretty good Foghorn Leghorn, as seen in this recent short depicting a pair of local citizens concerned over the recent Lockheed Martin proposal, and Parmelee as a Lockheed snake oil salesman. Enjoy …

 

Signs of Life: Rough Cut

Howdy, Solid State.

For the past couple of months, videographer Elizabeth Rossano (of "Alice Eats" renown) and I have been working on developing a music video series for Seven Days, tentatively titled "Signs of Life." The idea is, well, kind of a ripoff of the Take Away Shows — which I adore and have touted on numerous occassions on this here blog. What's that saying about the sincerest form of flattery?

Anyway, the gist is that rather than doing straight-up concert videos, we wanted to capture local musicians performing in unusual locations around Vermont, or in scenarios that simply speak, in some small way, to life as an artist in our oddball little state. We have a couple of sessions in the books and hope to start rolling these out on roughly a monthly basis, at least to start.  

Here is a rough cut of a session we did with Farm at their rehearsal/studio space, the Cave of Legends, underneath Ben Maddox's shop, the Flying Disc, in Enosburgh. Keep in mind that this is by no means the finished product. But before we officially launch the series, we were hoping to elicit some constructive feedback from you, dear readers. Did we blow your freakin' mind? Is there something in this video you feel just doesn't work? Anything you'd like to see more of? Less of? Whatever your thoughts, we'd love to hear 'em.

Without further ado, here's Farm.

  

Around the World in 199 Seconds

Here's the latest DIY vid from local MC Aleck Woog of hip-hop collective Rurally Urban Records. The song is called "A Perfect World" and will be featured on Woog's upcoming album, due out next month. Enjoy!