Sowash-tastic

I had planned to get a hold of Kyle Sowash for an interview, in celebration of his new release "Yeah, Buddy!"
But I never got the time this week.
So instead, I urge the folks in Columbus to support this fine musician for his CD release show, being held tonight (Friday 3/28) at Andyman's Treehouse with Miranda Sound and Heavy Mole.
The songs I have heard so far on this new release are excellent. I think Sowash has refined his voice and songwriting into a unique blend of pure honesty and heart. Both of which are found on "Yeah, Buddy!" in spades.
http://www.myspace.com/kylesowash
http://www.wewantaction.com
http://www.kylesowash.com

Toledo film student documents midwestern talent

Toledo, Ohio student filmaker Nathan Elias has been busy documenting musicians across the state.
Check out an interview with him in this article from Toledo University's Independent Collegian newspaper.
Learn more about Elias at:
Cinema Musica
Wishing Day Pictures

Get to know your Midwest record label: Cleveland's Exit Stencil Recording

While the Ohio indie music scene is pretty thriving right now. There really are a scant few regional record labels documenting things. But the ones that are, do a goddam good job of it.
My enjoyment for Columbus label All Hail Records has been mentioned in the past.
I'd like to talk about another label, with a richer history, that continues making strides forward every year.
Cleveland's Exit Stencil Recording label consistently makes great choices while continually expanding its stable of bands. What I appreciate about the label is it's knack for finding musicians who make unique twists into established genres. Whether it's Blake Miller's abstract harmonies, The Dreadful Yawns beautiful take on psychedelic folk, or recent signees Hot Cha Cha's take on a punkish french rock thing.
Exit Stencil's Ryan Weitzel helped out by answering a few question into the story behind the label:

PEOPLE WITH ANIMAL HEADS: What are some things you look for in bands? I guess this question sort of pertains to the "sound" you hope your label represents...
RYAN WEITZEL: I'm not sure there is one particular thing that goes into it. Usually there is someone that really gets behind it and sort of serves as a cheerleader for everyone else. But in general when we are deciding whether or not to work with a group or person we all make the call based on first and foremost liking the music. Beyond that we're interested in working with folks that are on the same page with us, as in we get along. We're a small label, so it's important to us that the artist understands what we can offer to them and that they in turn are ready to work at getting on the road and promoting with us! It's definitely a team effort with everyone involved on the label end and the group. I myself play in Mystery of Two with Nick and the current incarnation of Home and Garden.
PWAH: What are some things people can look forward to in 2008 that Exit Stencil has planned?
RW: We have a pretty healthy slate of things going on. We recently moved into an old corner store in the Waterloo Neighborhood of Cleveland. I've been pretty busy setting up a recording studio that ESR artists have access too. It will also be open to the public at $35 an hour. It's pretty exciting! On the release front, the new Spanish Prisoners is coming out April 8th. A group from Cleveland called Hot Cha Cha, who are an all girl group that are fantastic live! They have a CD EP and seven inch coming out soon after called "rifle, I knew you when you were only a pistol."
The lead singer was born in Bosnia, and picked up that line from an old Balkan folk song.
The Dreadful Yawns also have their next full length "Take Shape" on the way. They really put together a fantastic album. It's coming out on CD and LP, everything will be digital too... we have some special surprises with the digital end of things too.
PWAH: How did the label come about and why? Where do you hope to take it?
RW: Brandon started it several years ago, maybe like six … I joined up about four years ago. Then Paul Murphy joined up about three years ago. We also have some help from Nick Riley and Liz Finley. I think we're all excited to keep creating and promoting music we dig and think others might too. We're hoping to be able to be part of the puzzle for our artists to keep creating and be able to live a musicians life style … which with touring and everything else can be quite a challenge especially with trying to keep jobs, etc.
PWAH: I've often said that, out of Ohio indie record labels, the only one Pitchfork actually seems to acknowledge is Exit Stencil. Why do you think that is? Not that Pitchfork is the end all be all, but for indie rock these days if you get highlighted on Pitchfork it sure makes life a bit easier...
RW: I'm not sure, that's all their call. I didn't really think we got too much mention, but yeah we're down if they are . . . and definitely appreciate any mention.
PWAH: Where did you guys grow up and how do you think it has influenced your outlook on life - musically or otherwise?
RW: I grew up in Westlake, it's a burb outside of Cleveland. My dad grew up there too. Pretty midwestern hey … I started hanging out in the Cleveland punk scene and playing shows in a punk band when I was like a junior in high school. So that was a big part of my formative music, all the classic Cleveland punk was a big part of it too. It took me a long time to realize that all the obscure records folks in the cleveland scene dug on weren't really known by many folks outside of it. In a way and for better or worse the Cleveland scene, and perhaps the midwest in general, has traditionally been in a different place than most. By no means does that make it any better or worse, just something in the water or steaming from the many many contradictions and frustrations involved with living here! I actually met Brandon during that time, he was in bands too. After high-school I dipped out of the Cleveland scene for about 4 years and went to school in Athens, Ohio.
PWAH: How do you perceive the current indie rock scene of the Midwest? What are some bands/people/things you would tell people about?
RW: I would say there's a lot of great music happening. The Cleveland scene has been jumping. There's a big shake up right now with "Lotto League." Basically, 180 Cleveland musicians all got drafted pretty randomly into new bands, the new bands are writing songs and performing April 12th at the Beachland. It's like 35 bands or something. It should be a blast. It is just one of many things that are helping to bring people closer to each other and maybe tear down some of the artificial walls that have been built. It's a small city so everyone knows each other on some level in the scene. The Cleveland 1 degree of separation … I suppose it can be summed up by this dude that works the door at a cleveland club that recently move here from overseas and has lived in various other parts of the country. "This is the only place where the opening band often blows the touring band off the stage and no one cares …"
It's a musical place for the sake of music.

More information:
Exit Stencil Recordings
16101 Waterloo Rd.
Cleveland, Oh 44110
216.481.8321
www.exitstencil.org

Coming soon:
Spanish Prisoners - CD/LP/ Digital
Hot Cha Cha - EP / 7" / Digital
Dreadful Yawns - CD / LP / Digital

Midwest Alerts!

Pitchfork has a couple stories on Midwestern acts to start the week:
• Pennsylvania's GIRL TALK preps next release, courtesy of Pitchfork article.
• Indiana's Secretly Canadian signs WAR ON DRUGS, read that here.
• Here's a way to "end a nice evening" in Detroit: HERE
• And a nice positive column from an Ottumwa, IA. news reporter about the Harbinger of Spring.
• Some information on the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota, HERE.
• Should Madison Wisconsin start it's very own SXSW-style festival?
• The Midwest was the center of the Hawaiian music boom of the 1940s?! read that HERE.

Alive at SXSW

Columbus Alive writer Chris DeVille wrote a nice review of Columbus shit-pop bands impact at SXSW, followed by a little history of the Cap City artform. Read that HERE.

More on The Union

Here's some more info on the Union closing ramblings, from Mr. Junebug himself:

By Eric Leighton
Athens NEWS Writer
March 20, 2008

You ever play the game Telephone? You know, the one where you tell someone a sentence and then they turn and tell it to the person next to them who in turn does the same until it gets back to the beginning in some completely indecipherable form. That’s what Bar Talk is. Bar Talk is a sub-species of Gossip, but not necessarily malicious. It doesn’t quite qualify as Drunk Talk, though it occasionally dips its tongue in there, too.
I have been all too aware of this mode of pseudo-communication in the last year or so. Here’s an example: A few weeks ago, when I first got my still-lingering ear-infection, I texted a few people for help at the Open Stage I was hosting because it sounded too weird in my head (and hurt) for me to sing very much. There was a brilliant turnout of my fellow musicians (thank you very much) but almost 40 people came up to me and asked me how I was feeling. Of the people I sent messages to, four of them were there, all of whom I sent the message a scant three hours before. Not only that, the sign in front of the bar claimed: “Open Stage – Guest Host, Parker” or something like that. No guest host ever presented himself to me. Sorry if I stole your gig, Parker.
Needless to say, I was floored by the efficiency of the Bar Talk system to move around the information, but I was also disturbed at how convoluted it became in the process. I could cite endless examples, as no doubt could most of you.
I bring this up this week due to the Bar Talk assault on the closing of the Union, information about which I believe will be dealt with in an article elsewhere in this paper. I urge all of you to settle down and let things sort themselves out. Yes, it would be terribly sad if the Union was to be gone forever, but I have hope in the resiliency of that establishment to weather this storm. I’m asking for people to give it some space and not add to the mess, especially if you want to help save the Union.
I know a lot of you have no idea that I spent many a formative day at the Union. It was the place I played for years, indeed I even have a picture on the wall upstairs. Lou was one of the first people to take me in and be very kind to me when I moved to town, and I am forever grateful for that friendship. I am loyal to the bar and have probably spent more years there than anyone looking for a scramble.
Let’s just try to let go of the Bar Talk Telephone game and ease the pressure back a bit so things can come clear. Banana gypsy Pac Man gopherlicious beanpop razmataz hockey sticks.
It is Scott Winland’s intention to make sure that all scheduled shows at the Union go off as planned. This weekend is no exception.

Midwest Round Up!

• Get the scoop on the Raconteurs forthcoming release from Cincinnati critic Mike Breen: HERE
• Each Note Secure has some news on The Black Keys and their relationship with their beloved Akron: HERE
• Speaking of Akron, I just heard about this lovely folk avant garde troupe from there called Trouble Books who have arrived for you. I'm calling them a nice combo of Belle and Sebastian feel, with Pavement undertones. I'm probably way off, so check them out yourself.
• Fans of Columbus, Ohio noise pop should check out Dayton's The Gluons.

No Union?

So the big news out of Athens, OH. right now is the rumored closing of longtime music venue stalwart The Union.
First off: Finally, I got to use the word "Stalwart."
Secondly: This does not look good, people.
Aside from a few Ohio University venues, The Union was pretty much it for a music fan to see new indie rock bands down in Athens.

Of course, right now it just seems like a rumor. Sometimes bars close their doors for a bit when they are dealing with liquor permit discussions, or perhaps some renovations. But who knows. If it's 100 percent true, then it looks like you may not be seeing these upcoming shows:

Mar 14 2008 10:00P
DEAD WILL RISE CD Release Party
Mar 15 2008 10:00P
EVA DESTRUCTION & THE OHIO COUNTRY OUTLAW BAND, WHEELS ON FIRE, CASUAL FUTURE
Mar 26 2008 10:00P
PEELANDER-Z
Mar 29 2008 10:00P
KINKS TRIBUTE SHOW
Apr 3 2008 10:00P
NIHILITIA + SPACE6OY
Apr 4 2008 10:00P
SKELETON WITCH, MOBILE DEATHCAMP, BLOODWOLF, GOODBYE GOATS
Apr 5 2008 10:00P
TIMES NEW VIKING, THE KYLE SOWASHES, MACHINE GO BOOM
Apr 17 2008 8:00P
BLACKOUTFEST
Apr 18 2008 8:00P
BLACKOUTFEST
Apr 19 2008 8:00P
BLACKOUTFEST


I just noticed that the dude behind Athens-based Insomniac Booking wrote this:
Last night was the last night to purchase a beer from my home away from home. i drank as much as i could.
story goes that the place wasn't making enough money - i plan to organize with interested parties to buy the property - i feel there are enough people in this town and not in this town who care as much as i do. if you are please message me. as soon as all the dust settles and stories are straight, i plan to purchase the property with anyone who can help.
I was actually wondering about what would happen to the booking agencies down in Athens before I read this. With no swapping options to put national bands into The Union they would pretty much be screwed. Hopefully he can buy the place with some other folks.

EVEN BETTER UPDATE, WITH ACTUAL INFO, from Union booker and former PWAH interviewee Scott Winland:
Just wanted to drop a line to everyone - I recently went to SXSW in Austin, (last Tuesday) and returned to all of this yesterday afternoon - an interesting homecoming to say the least... At any rate, I have some good news (though not a complete press release on all this just yet). Although The Union has been forced to close temporarily this week for some restructuring/re-staffing, all shows scheduled for the weekend are still happening, and it is my intention to honor all shows in the books. Though the ultimate future of the bar is a bit uncertain at this point, we can breathe a sigh of relief that we're headed in the right direction. That wasn't the fat lady singing on Sunday night, and she's not booked this weekend either. Your support of the Union and the continuation of its shows are greatly appreciated.-Scott

Mtv/Horseshit

It was pretty interesting to see the bowels of MTV shine some light on Midwestern shitpop purveyors Tyvek and Psychedelic Horseshit in their 2008 SXSW coverage. Your favorite Veejay and mine, John Norris, writes:

"My producer, Christopher "CJ" Smith, recently got me into Tyvek, a band of lo-fi Midwesterners that he was truly excited to see down here at SXSW, and once again his faith was well placed. After an alleyway interview, in which they explained their dedication to the basic, no-nonsense approach of what some call lo-fi, we watched them tear through a set at Beerland, one squall of ragged, raw rock after another in songs like "Give It Up" and "Stand and Fight."
Keeping it Midwest, why, here are Psychedelic Horsesh--. Every now and then, you just want to talk to a band that calls it as they see it, and PH deliver. Standing in the middle of Sixth Street, shoulder-to-shoulder with drunken fools at 11 p.m., PH opined on how this year's SXSW compares to last year's (answer: They haven't taken any illegal substances with Thurston Moore this year, something they say is necessary to appreciate "the vast majority" of bands at the festival) and spoke about the message behind their song "New Wave Hippies" and the line ("It's about Yeasayer. Bands like that."). Whoa."

See the whole article: HERE.
Just scroll down past all the My Morning Jacket stuff...
UPDATE: CHECK OUT THE WORLD OF WUMME BLOG FOR THE EYE WITNESS ACOUNT OF THE SURREAL MOMENT AND A PIC...

Giant robots!!

Right now NASA astronauts are on the moon and they are about to assemble a giant robot.
Has nothing to do with Midwest music...
But it sure is pretty awesome.

Get to know your Midwest record label: Dayton's Squids Eye Records

When it comes to the great current Dayton, Ohio bands, it's a pretty easy guess they are associated with independent label Squids Eye Records.
We're talking Toads and Mice, Yazuka Heart Attack, The Sailing, and Jesse Remnant (also of Southeast Engine). All of which are creating some very interesting, experimental, indie pop. Columbus-folk should also check out The Gluons, for a nice Dayton representative of the Shitpop revolution.
I thought it might be a good idea to let more people know about the label and the bands it highlights. This Friday, March 14 the label will hold showcase concerts at the Nite Owl and then again on March 22nd at the Oregon Express.
Tony Gilbert, of Squids Eye Records recently helped shed some light on the label's intentions:
PEOPLE WITH ANIMAL HEADS: How did Squids Eye come about and what do you look for in bands that you represent? What drew you to the bands on the show?
TONY GILBERT: Squids Eye Records was started due to the massive amount of music my friends were making that didn't have an outlet, Brian Baker, Keith Rankin and The Sailing were the original reason I started Squids Eye Records, they were making music that needed to be heard.
As for what I look for in adding bands to the roster, first they have to be people I can get along with on a personal level, working with artists in which your only relationship is a business relationship is not rewarding no matter how good the music is. I don't look for any certain genre, Squids Eye releases all types of music. A lot of the artists on Squids Eye were introduced directly from other Squids Eye artists, basically everyone on Squids Eye acts as A&R for Squids Eye.
The bands that are performing at the show are all part of the Squids Eye Collective, Toads and Mice and Grizzzzy Bear recently released albums while the Sailing and Romance of Young Tigers are releasing full lengths soon on Squids Eye. The other half of the Squids Eye roster is playing a week after at Oregon Express for part 2 of the 1 year anniversary week which is doubling as the cd release parties for Jesse Remnant and the Gluons, Scott Deadelus who has a new full length coming soon and Squids Eye's newest artist Cry Baby Genius are also playing. All 8 Dayton based Squids Eye bands will be represented over the week, it's going to be an exciting week for us all, and Dayton will be treated to some amazing music as a thank you for supporting Squids Eye in its first of hopefully many birthdays.
PWAH: Could you describe for me how you see the current Dayton music scene? I always like to keep people posted on what's going on in other cities?
TG: I see the current Dayton scene as finally moving forward. There were some speed bumps for a couple years, but the fans are coming back out and more people are starting to pay attention. There are a ton of great bands who are working hard to make sure that people have a reason to pay attention. Aside from the Squids Eye bands, I think its important to mention Human Reunion, Captain of Industry, 8 Bit Revival, Joe Anderl and Lungs as some awesome Dayton bands. Too many artists up and leave the city or get some exposure and forget they are from Dayton. But we, along with the above mentioned artists and ton more, are hoping to change that, we aren't going anywhere. We also have a great network of supporters Don Thrasher, Kyle Meltone, Gem City Records, Nite Owl, Oregon Express, Adam at The Pearl and Mary Kathyrn, all do a ton for local artists and it is extremely appreciated by us all.
PWAH: How do you think people perceive the Midwest music scene? How do you perceive it? How do you see Dayton and even your label as fitting into that grander Midwest scope?
TG: I think the Midwest scene is the best. To me, Chicago is the mecca of Indie Rock. Some of the best labels are based there. As for how Squids Eye fits in to the Midwest scene, I think every city's scene is so different, just between Cincinnati and Dayton our scene seems 3000 miles apart. So it would be hard to compare what we do with the whole Midwest scene. That's a bullshit answer I know, sorry.
PWAH: Feel free to add anything else you would like to promote.
TG: Also be on the lookout for the Grizzzzy Bear "Passing" EP coming in April and Ceschi Ramos reissues on CD and Vinyl coming soon.

The Freshman/Heartbeat controversy That I'm just now starting, a year after the fact

Check out this pretty interesting article I found on the Rapid Growth Media web-site. The writer interviews former Verve Pipe front man Brian Vander Ark, who currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He talks about the current state of the music industry, and more importantly, voices his opinions on what is hurting and helping the midwestern scene.
Read that article HERE.
Incidentally, I have been wanting to mention for the past year how eerily similar the vocals to Verpe Pipe's hit "The Freshman" are to Jose Gonzales/The Knife's "Heartbeat."
I know Verve Pipe's tune came out first. So it just seems to me somewhere along the line everyone has forgotten how Heartbeat could have been inadvertently (purposefully) ripped off? Don't know what I'm talking about?
Listen to The Knife's version: HERE
Listen to Jose Gonzalez's version HERE.
Listen to Verve Pipe's "The Freshman" HERE.

I mean, they are not note for note. It's just that the very first time I heard "Heartbeat" I immediately thought, "Oh yeah, that sounds like "The Freshman'."
Then I soon became utterly surprised, as the entire world suddenly embraced Jose Gonzalez like he was the second coming of Nick Drake.

Nite Owl changes ownership?

Just read on Buddha Den that The Nite Owl will apparently change ownership:
...the Dayton Daily News reported today that the Nite Owl is being bought and will likely undergo dramatic changes when it re-opens as Blind Bill's in June. You can get the full story over here, but rest assured, many changes are afoot and will have sever effects on the local music scene. Despite its myriad problems, the Nite Owl has been one of the few clubs to allow 18 & up shows and has played host to numerous touring acts over the last few years. The new ownership intends to end the 18 & up shows and to gear the venue towards an "Americana" theme. On the upside, they plan to move the stage. I guess you take the good with the bad...
Not sure what it means for bands already booked there. Let me check on that... UPDATE: Apparently, it's going to happen in the summertime, so shows currently booked are not affected.

Midwest Round Up!

Despite my disdain for so much SXSW coverage, i did notice some good things going on:
Writer Kevin Elliott wrote stuff on Donewaiting on Columbus Discount Record's showcase. Then on his own World of Wumme site he wrote about the Siltbreeeze SXSW showcase
• Aquarium Drunkard has a nice nostalgic article on former Cleveland powerhouse Pere Ubu.
• Buddha Den has an interview up with Squids Eye Records. I'm working on one too, so I'm not reading it yet... but you should.
• Cringe has a video up of dayton band Moon High. I like that band.
• The Pitchfork Music Festival schedule is up and tickets go on sale soon.
• Soft City Lights has new videos up! Lions Rampant and Ra Ra Riot.
• I haven't been too good at updating you on Pat Radio lately, But he's still hard at work and has new episodes. Here's some I didn't tell you about:
Program #107 David and Melissa from The Black Canary
Program #106 Umbrella Men, Moon High...
Program #105: New Rosehips, New Kyle Sowashes, New Tract Records
Program #104: Jason Quicksall
He co-hosted a WOXY Local Lixx episode (http://woxy.lala.com/music/locallixx/)
Program #103 Matt of the Proper Nouns
Program #102 Kyle of Lost Weekend Records - the two-day anniversary show!
• Chicago's Smoking Popes will sign with Flameshovel Records for their follow-up to 1997's Destination Failure called "Stay Down."
• Tha Bombshelter is going to be reporting on the Lebowskifest in Chicago.

SXS... yawn

I hate to be a Debbie Downer. But right now every Midwestern indie rock web sites/newspapers and their brothers are writing about SXSW hard-core.
Just a thought: Wouldn't it be great if the same sites wrote about Midwestern festivals with this much gusto?
They will fly several thousand miles to see the same bands they didn't go see when they came through town earlier in the year. But most won't go down and cover something a couple hours away.
There are festivals every year in Dayton, Chicago, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, Athens, all over Indiana and Michigan and Detroit. Not a peep. In fact, check out this link just to see a list of festivals going on in Michigan this year.
Lo and behold, we might end up learning more about the bands in our own back yards - instead of 90 different sites talking about the 12 shows Bon Iver is doing in Austin...

Here're some off the top of my head:
Midwest Music Summit
Pitchfork Fest
Midpoint Music Fest
Mission Creek Fest
Pygmalion Music Fest
Toledo Indie Pop Fest
Comfest
Lollapalooza
Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Download Festival
The Pine Mountain Music Fest
Kaweenawesome fest (sic?)
Electronic Music Festival

Can you think of any more?

Reatard TV?

I was reading the latest Jim DeRogatis interview with sort of Chicago-based Pitchfork Media mogul Ryan Schreiber.
Here's an excerpt:
Q. Back to Pitchfork.tv: I’ve heard that you’ve had teams of people out shooting concerts across the country for the last six months.
A. We’ve had a New York crew, and we go out and shoot various things around the city. Our executive producer is R.J. Bentler, who has actually worked with us on shooting the music festival and who has done a lot of editing work professionally for like NBC and stuff like that, and then there’s Juan, who used to work at Plum TV and did a show over there called “Juan’s Basement” -- he’s doing a lot of shooting as well. Then, in Chicago, we have a crew out there, too, and they’re shooting basically live concerts for us as well.

The funny thing to me, is that the minute Schreiber mentioned the "New York" video team was at work all I could think was:
"Great. New York. We'll have nothing but videos on Jay Reatard."
Then, lo and behold, I read this in the very next answer...

Q. So are you going to offer entire concerts online or just songs from a performance?
A. We’re actually going to offer entire concerts. The first thing that we’re launching, or one of the first things we’re launching, is Jay Reatard at Cake Shop, N.Y.C., that we shot in October.

I guess that's all I have to say on Pitchfork.tv for now... but I have to add, although it was cool DeRogotis laid into Schreiber pretty hard, I kinda have Schreiber's back on this. I mean there really is no come back for the cynicism that says Pitchfork.tv is purely a money grab. The same could be said for Pitchfork in general, or even music critics in general. It's either going to work or not work.

Spotlight: The Black Canary

UPDATE: THE BLACK CANARY SINGLE RELEASE SHOW HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO APRIL 18 AT RAVARI ROOM, DUE TO SNOW STORM

If there ever were a band that did not quite fit into the Columbus music scene today, or even 10 years ago, it would be The Black Canary. Fortunately, that can often mean only good things.
I think what I appreciate about the band specifically are the chord changes. You mix a bit of hypnotic trance rock from the 1960's, with the echoed soul of today, and you've got The Black Canary.
This Friday, March 7, The Black Canary will hold it's 7" single CD Vampire/Sing release show in Columbus at Ravari Room with Flotation Walls and PWAH-favorites Afternoon Naps from Cleveland.
On a side note, if you've ever seen them live, their drummer is pretty kick ass.

I think what I have appreciated so much about The Black Canary is its individualistic fortitude. The band sticks to its guns and creates a sound that is unique to their spirit. It is music difficult to create live, but they succeed on sheer determination.
Here's singer/songwriter David Whitehead offering some insight into their music and personality:
PEOPLE WITH ANIMAL HEADS: You guys have a very specific sound. Sort of a trance 60 french pop thing... What drew you toward the music you create? It almost seems like the kind of stuff a musician just has to ignore everything but his own muse for, if you know what I mean?
DAVID WHITEHEAD: I absolutely adore french pop but I may be the only one in the group with a photo of France Gall as my screen saver! I think the whole thing started when I was really young and was laid up in a hospital bed in California from some hip surgeries. Everyday on KTLA Los Angeles they would show repeats of The Monkees and I really grew to love their songs. When I got out of the hospital I bought all the records I could find and their album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. was the record I think I absorbed the most. It’s actually the first pop record to use moog synthesizers and it seemed like many of the tracks like “Words” or “Love is only Sleeping” had this haunting thing to it which later I realized was just lots of reverb and echo. As my obsession with this sound persisted I was of course drawn to the early Phil Spector records as well as the later Beach Boys stuff like Pet Sounds and the Smile demos. I still think music is art and should remain art and I blame that for my attachments to the sounds and productions of that era. The stuff is gold. Anytime I walk into a studio to set up mics I still think of Brian Wilson.
PWAH: What are the overall plans. This single release first and then the full-length later on?
DW: We really felt we needed to get something out for people to chew on. I mean this literally. Our fans are hungry people! This will be year two and all we’ve had to offer them was a free single of some demos we had laying around for a while. Hence the Vampire 7” single. We decided to put a cover of ours on the other side because I’ve always loved the band Blur and Sing is probably my favorite track of theirs. Our actual album, Betrayal of Hearts has been in the works since we got back from CMJ last October and is close to an end as close can get. It’s being mixed bit by bit and may actually be done this month. If I didn’t just jinx it..
PWAH: Where have you been recording?
DW: I think the best kept secret in Dayton would be Refraze Studios. It’s about the size of a school gymnasium and is probably about the closest you’re going to get to an actual Abbey Road experience. They have a to die for Trident board which is one of the main reasons we’ve tracked the album there with the exception of vocals and some minor overdubs like acoustic guitars and bass that were done in our own space here in Columbus. The live stuff like drums, strings and pianos were all taken from studio b at Refraze. As for the mixing we’re heading up north to Ante Up Studios in Cleveland. They have a great refurbished Neve console I can’t wait to get my hands on.
PWAH: When it comes to your music, what are some themes that the songs explore lyrically?
DW: I really like imagery and maybe more so the imagery in fairy tales and how the clouds in the sky of the day could have double meanings. Lyrically when I started writing songs I was heavily influenced by Syd Barrett and became quite attached to the way he layered his images and over worded the rhyming schemes. I tend to attack things from an outsiders frame of reference for which I feel I have the reference for. Kings losing thrones, kids taking back their voice, trying to love two people at once, stepping out of shadows, drowning in someone, the ebb of relationships, the trumpets of self realization and the great speech that no one hears which I think could be more about a band and its audience.
PWAH: Where did you guys grow up and how do you think that has affected the music you play? What do you think of the current midwestern music scene? Are there some specific bands you think people should get to know?
DW: I think all the members in the group have spent the majority of our lives as Midwesterners and I think it’s effected us all in different ways. Me and Eric lived in Dayton for many years and both of us at the time being young musicians in high school, had the opportunity to catch bands like Guided by Voices and Brainiac at their apex which was a huge inspiration to us. Kind of like what Eno says about how any musician who ever bought a Velvet Underground album started a band. GBV was definitely the midwest VU.
As for the Midwestern scene as a whole I believe it’s a healthy young baby. We don’t have the commercial overhead of the coasts so we tend to be a little more creative here and all with a complete lack of urgency. Once again competition is lighter so it leaves some breathing room for goals. That is if they ever want to get around to making any. Personally I’m just tired of Ohio being the punch line in every movie.
PWAH: What are some Midwestern bands you think people should know about?
DW: Some bands that should be checked out are acts like Afternoon Naps, Bears and Hot Cha Cha from Cleveland. Flotation Walls, Heavy Mole and The Receiver from Columbus. The Griefs from Cincinnati. Zoos of Berlin and Kiddo from Detroit.

Pitchfork TV

So, everyone's talking about the announcement of Pitchfork TV.

Ohio Predictions

It's 3:14 p.m. right now on Tuesday.
I plan to go vote soon, but I offer my Ohio election results: I am calling Clinton to win big locally.
However, I'm thinking Obama may beat her out in the larger Ohio cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati.
It should be interesting to see how the Republican results turn out. Obviously, most are voting for McCain. But many are planning to vote for Huckabee, aside from the fact that they freely admit they are throwing their votes away.
Based on the fact that Texas will be split right down the middle between Clinton and Obama, Ohio will be the decider … again.

Update

Been a little busy lately, but keep checking back. I have a few interviews and articles I plan on finishing up within the next day. Thanks for reading.
-Chris

Midpoint BreaksAfter six years everything changes...

The news in Cincinnati right now is that the 2008 Midpoint Music Festival could see some big changes. Here's the article from Mike Breen's Spill It site:
MidPoint Music Festival 2008: Under New Management
If you went to the Web site for the MidPoint Music Festival over the past few weeks, all you saw was this cryptic message: "After six years, everything changes."
So what's the big change? CityBeat is now the proud operator of MPMF, which will return Sept. 25-27. A huge overhaul of the event is underway. Over the course of five years, MidPoint founders Sean Rhiney and Bill Donabedian developed their labor of love into one of the preeminent showcases for unsigned bands in the country. Their dedication to the up-and-coming artist should forever be commended as it has helped Cincinnati's profile as a "music city" in the midst of our current musical renaissance period.
CityBeat will keep true to that initial spirit and also work to broaden the appeal of the fest overall. Unsigned bands will still be a large focus of the event. Any and all artists interested in performing can submit starting later today (or early tomorrow at the latest) at the MPMF Web site.
No more industry panels (at least this year), just music. Over the next few weeks we'll be making further announcements about the fest (keep an eye on this blog), culminating with an event at Below Zero in Over-the-Rhine (the former Alchemize and Cavern locale) on April 9. The Omaha-based band Cursive, members of Connor Oberst's Saddle Creek Records family, will perform at the April 9 launch event.
We would love your input. As a fan/attendee, what would you like to see at MidPoint this year? As a performer/participant, do you have suggestions? Please leave your comments below and help us take MidPoint to the next level.
— Mike Breen

During the whole hooplah earlier this year about musicians complaining that the festival needed a change, I guess I was always in the boat of folks who thought it was pretty damn fun the way it was.
Midpoint remains the only Midwestern music festival where unknown bands can perform in front of hundreds of interested people. You go to the other ones and you're faced with disinterested rooms with three people drinking Pabst that didn't even realize there was a festival going on. This is what Indiana's Midwest Music Festival has often turned into - mostly because they put unsigned bands up against national bands. Why go see The Loyal Divide when Brian Jonestown Massacre is playing three blocks away?
But my worry about all festivals is that they risk becoming scenester back-patting events.
Festivals organized by dudes who have been a part of the local music scene a long time.
They have friends in bands who have been involved in the local music scene a long time.
They put on a festival and invite all their friends bands who have been in the music scene a long time.
Most of these are bands that do one show a year, at most, yet get the best gigs in town.
Cincinnati's definitely been guilty of this stuff in the past.
Meanwhile all the great new bands either have to kiss ass or mope about not getting in.
So please, CityBeat, just promise me it will not turn into this and I will try to remain open-minded...

Arrah and the Ferns call it quits/to relocate

I just found out about the news that Muncie, Indiana's Arrah and the Ferns is disbanding and the core writers are moving off to the east.
I tell you, if you never got the chance to see this band live - or you haven't heard their music yet - you are missing out.
Truly, they are one of the top Midwestern bands I have ever encountered. Their music is full of absolute joy and creativity. So I wish them the best in their future out east.

As posted on the Arrah the Ferns Myspace site:
Hello Everyone,
Unfortunately, I am the bearer of bad news. But though it is bad and more so shocking news, we hope for only understanding and support from all of you who have endlessly provided such in the past.
About 6 weeks ago, our drummer Dave announced to Carl, Joey, and I his intentions of leaving the band after our SXSW tour. Thus, he would be leaving just before our planned album release that we set for May 6th. With no drummer, we had to quickly decide if we should proceed with the intended album release or not. We decided that we would postpone the release indefinitely and make our priority to first relocate to Philadelphia. This is something that particularly Carl and I have wanted to do for a long time. I have lived in Muncie my entire 22 years of existence. And though Muncie is a great and wonderful place, I think it's fair to say that it is not a place where musical opportunities are in abundance.
So with Dave's imminent departure, and the desire that the remaining three of us have to move on, we have decided to officially disband. We, Arrah and the Ferns, are breaking up. We had initially planned to play all of our shows that are currently on our myspace, including SXSW and the touring dates that precede the festival. However, more misfortune was bestowed upon me, and consequently, upon the entire band. On Valentine's Day, I was in a bad wreck on my way to work. Everyone was okay, thankfully, aside from some whiplash on my end. However, the damages to my van are immeasurable. My insurance company has decided to declare it totaled. This means that not only am I out of a vehicle, but the band vehicle is done for. We will now be detained here and will not make our SXSW showcases. We also have to cancel some of the dates that we booked in route to TX.
However, we will still be playing on Friday, March 7th in Bloomington and Saturday, March 8th in Brandenburg, KY. The other shows following will all be cancelled including our March 29th show at the Launching Pad. We are cancelling this show to have a final show in Muncie a few weeks later at Village Green Records. This show will be on Saturday April 12th and it will be an outside event. We'll be cooking out and so far joining us will be our friends Everything, NOW! and Everthus the Deadbeats. There will perhaps be one or 2 more bands playing this show. We're also looking into playing a show on Friday April 11th at Doc's in Muncie. We'll keep you posted on this upcoming weekend of farewells.
As for the future of us four individuals, Dave will be continuing his schooling in Bloomington as well as playing in his solo drum project, Whoa Bro Awesome. He's also a part of the bands Prayer Breakfast and Everybody. As for the remaining three of us, I'll announce that Carl, Joey, and I are now going to focus on my side-project, Woodlands, and make it more of a "real band." Gavin Wilkinson, Justin Spring, and Joey Morrow (all from the recently disbanded This Story) are also joining in full time to this new endeavor. The six of us are all at this time planning to move to Philadelphia to pursue whatever we may come upon as Woodlands together, or other musical opportunities that we are unable to foresee at this point in time.
I know that this is a lot of news—a lot of bad news—to hear at one time. We are all very sad and almost unprepared to end Arrah and the Ferns at this moment. We were so excited to release the new album to the world and to see whatever was next in store for us. We didn't exactly think 6 weeks ago that this would be the fate of our band. But we feel that this is what's best to do when taking in account that without Dave, we are not Arrah and the Ferns anymore.
We know that disappointment must be settling in. We have been talking for so long about this new album and probably getting everyone's hopes up (including our own). But this is life. And though we're disappointed too, we feel and want to feel excited about our new plans to move and to begin a new band with some of our dearest friends. We look forward to the adventures that are to come and are grateful for the adventures we've had because of Arrah and the Ferns.
So here's where I must awkwardly end a sad letter. I want to leave it with so much gratitude and hope, but I don't know how to do that. And I don't want to say "bye" like it's the end, because we still have a few shows left to play. And we want those shows to be so memorable and fun. So, we'll see you soon. We love you. We're so happy you have let Arrah and the Ferns be a part of your life. You all are such a big part of ours.

With all the love that I have,
Arrah Fisher
and I write on behalf of my best friends,
Carl Stovner
Dave Segedy
Joey Patrick

Jack White/Dylan

From Rolling Stone dailies:
Jack White To Feature On New Bob Dylan Album Of Hank Williams songs...
by Jason Gregory on 25/02/2008

Jack White is to write the music for a song on Bob Dylan’s new album, the White Stripes and Raconteurs singer has revealed.
White is among a number of artists, including Willie Nelson, who have been asked by Dylan to put the music to unfinished Hank Williams songs.
"Bob's putting together an album. He came upon, somehow, 20-25 unfinished songs by Hank Williams: just the lyrics, no music, and he started to ask people if they would finish these songs,” White told MTV
Story continues below...
“He did one, asked Willie Nelson to do one, asked me to do one, and I think Lucinda Williams and Alan Jackson are on it too.”
White said that Dylan hopes to release the record later this year and also revealed that he has a new project, besides the White Stripes and Raconteurs, that, for now, will remain secret.

Swift on Drunkard

I can always count on Aquarium Drunkard to keep me abreast of some of my favorite indie pop artists.
They didn't let me down, with a new piece on PWAH-favorite Richard Swift, on Indiana's Secretly Canadian label, who is discussing some of his favorite places.
From Aquarium Drunkard:
Off The Record is a recurring feature, here on the Drunkard, that marries two of my greatest interests; music and travel. Having a locals perspective when visiting a new locale is the difference between experiencing it through the lens of a tourist and of that of a native.
Off The Record gathers some of my favorite artists, asks them to reflect on their city of residence, and choose a handful of places they could not live without, be them bookstores, bars, restaurants or vistas.
This week’s edition of Off The Record finds us in Eugene, OR, home to one of our favorite contemporary songwriters: Richard Swift. Swift, who penned one of our favorite albums of last year, Dressed Up For The Letdown, is prepping for the April release of his next project, the double disc EP, Richard Swift As Onasis. Described as Swift’s paean to 1950s blues infused rock & roll (referencing Howlin Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, and Link Wray) we have, courtesy of Secretly Canadian, two unreleased tracks from the set, below, for download: “Knee High Boogie,” and “Phone Coffins.”
Richard Swift:
1. HOUSE OF RECORDS / My favorite record shop in the great Northwest. I thumb through records here about once or twice a week, and surprise, surprise, it’s in a house (not just a clever name). It’s good to see local record shops staying in business, in fact, someone that works there was telling me that vinyl sales have been going up. There is hope.
2. AXE & FIDDLE / SAM BOND’S GARAGE / Two great pubs owned by some very fine people. I spin records every monday night at the AXE & FIDDLE. It’s great to have a local pub that A) I won’t get my ass kicked in, and B) serves a good hard cider. Some of the nicest bartenders you’ll find too.
3. EVERGREEN INDIAN CUISINE / This just opened a year ago. Mmmmm. Probably my favorite place to eat in Eugene. Some of my friends bust my balls about wanting to eat indian food every day… but hey, Indians do it, right?
4. KALAPUYA BOOKS / Great local bookstore. I picked up a very very very rare Kerouac book there for really cheap and I’ve been going back ever since. If you buy $15 worth of books, you get one free. It’s run by some great people who were involved with the Merry Pranksters & Ken Kesey.
5. NATIONAL FREEDOM / This is where i spend most of my time. It’s my studio, so I write and record here every day. But it’s a fun place to hang out and listen to music with friends. Its seems like it’s become the local-late-night-hang. Once the pubs close down, we stumble back to NATIONAL FREEDOM for more tomfoolery (wink wink).

Midwest alerts!

• Check out this article on midwestern independent film, which was written in response to Francis Ford Coppola saying once that One day some little fat girl in Ohio is going to be the new Mozart, and you know, and make a beautiful film with her father’s little camera-corder and for once this whole professionalism about movies will be destroyed forever and it will become an art form. That’s my opinion.". The article then delves into Ohio's film history. Interesting read.
• Check out this new software site that suggest music for you to hear, based on your previous taste. It''s based from Illinois. Read that HERE.

Midwest alerts!

Here's a couple things I saw:
• The International Pop Overthrow Festival is coming around again.
• Here's an article on the top Beer Brewing Companies in the Midwest. Read that HERE.
• Want to know more about the Minneapolis music scene? Head on over and read this.
• There is something called the Midwest Music Festival- unfortunately, I think it's being held in Nebraska...

Across the great divideCatching up with Spanish Prisoners

It's been several months since former Columbus musician Leo Maymind of Spanish Prisoners ended a 10-year stint living in Ohio, in favor of a move to Brooklyn, NY.
So I have been following his progress out east, and really, the move never slowed him down at all. He continues to tour and do shows as much as he can.
Then I noticed he got a great bill opening up for a sold out show at the Highline Ballroom, featuring folk legend Daniel Johnston. So if you are reading this in New York show up early tonight (Feb. 21).
He also has a short stint opening up for John Vanderslice in April. I felt it was time to check up with Leo on the progress he has been making out east and comment on the east coast/midwestern divide:
PEOPLE WITH ANIMAL HEADS: I've been watching your progress since you moved out to Brooklyn. You never really missed a beat in terms of doing shows, despite a new town. Are you still booking your own, or did you finally end up getting some help?
LEO MAYMIND: Still doing my own booking, DIY-style. It wasn't that hard of a transition despite the move because I had already played in New York a few times on tours and knew most of the venues around town that I respected. The wonderful dudes at my label, exit stencil recordings, are helping set up a few dates on a tour we're doing in April after "songs to forget' comes out nationally April 8th.
PWAH: Why did you decide to move to Brooklyn? What have you learned about the east coast scene, in relation to the Ohio/Columbus scene?
LM: I decided to move to Brooklyn for lots of reasons, some musical, some personal. I wanted to be closer to my brother, girlfriend, and other friends that already live here. I'd lived in Columbus for over 10 years and just felt I needed a change. I also just wanted a bigger pool of musicians to play with and collaborate with. I also just love New York City, it's my favorite city in the world.
PWAH: How did the Daniel Johnston show come about?
LM: I asked the venue if we could open the show, they checked with Daniel's people, and said yes. Same way as all the other shows we've done.
PWAH: Now that you've been immersed in the "hostile" ground that is New York, how do you feel people out there view the Midwest rock scene? I'm curious what someone like yourself (as a newly moved artist) has noticed.
LM: I haven't found New York to be that hostile. I've already met so many great musicians and people that we've shared bills with, including but not limited to:
the antlers
salt and samovar
the lisps
sharon van etten
I don't think New York musicians are more hostile to each other than Midwest musicians. Since moving, I've tried to get in touch with countless cincy bands and most just ignored me completely, and that rarely happens here. maybe they saw brooklyn on our page and got turned off. Anyway, I don't think people here really think about the midwest scene enough to view it any particular light. There is so much going on in brooklyn and new york that you dont need to really look elsewhere for new music (though of course you should).
PWAH: Musically, how have things been going for you? New band? Recording again?
LM: I've been playing live with a full band, which is definitely helping bring these songs to life on the stage. I also just got a practice space in Williamsburg (does this make me an official Brooklyn musician?) and have been writing a little bit of the next album, slowly. Not sure yet how or where I'm going to record it. Might take the reins again myself but would be really nice to let someone else take care of recording and I just worried about playing.

Separated at birth?

Speaking of Joe Anderl, is it just me or do these two dudes look like freakin' twins?
Anderl's on the left. Bobby Silver of Columbus band Brainbow is on the right.
You decide.

Southgate House hosts: GBV TRIBUTE!Features numerous Midwestern bands

If you've been reading this site for any length of time, you already know: I like Guided By Voices.
Pollard and his crew single-handedly put Ohio on the cultural map of Rock N' Roll History - you know, despite the whole story of why the R&R Hall of fame is situated in Cleveland and stuff.
Pollard didn't so much write great songs, as he did redefine and revolutionize the concept of independent music.
When you heard Guided By Voices, as a musician, you felt anything was possible. No more worrying about recording costs, because you realized not everything has to sound like fucking Def Leppard. Don't like bridges? Don't do them! Is your song only :45 seconds long? No problem.
There hasn't been a similar revolution since Bob Dylan and The Band recorded off the cuff at the Big Pink, or since Alan Lomax conducted his field recordings that lead to the surge in folk music of the 1960s.
Thankfully, I'm certainly not the only one who appreciates GBV.
This Saturday Pollard's legendary favorite venue The Southgate House will host "A Tribute to Guided by Voices" starring some of the Midwest's favorite bands, who freely admit their affinity for short, anthemic rock songs.
The night was organized by Cincinnati musician Christopher Wales, of the band Lonely The Seabird and he did a fine job.
We're talking:
Lonely The Seabird, The Kyle Sowashes, Paper Airplane,The Sailing, The Woosley Band, The Black Canary,The Heedonists, Midnight Wild Streets,Loose Threads, St. Jude's Vigilance Committee, Textbook Committee, and The Harlequins
It can take a lot of effort to organize one of these things, so it's thanks to people like Wales for taking the hit for the fans.
He also took some time out to talk to PWA for his thoughts on why he decided to do the show and the significance of Dayton's native son:
PEOPLE WITH ANIMAL HEADS: Why did you decide to hold the show? How/why did you choose the bands? I noticed you got a good cross section from across the Midwest.
CHRISTOPHER WALES: I participated in a Wilco tribute show about 2 1/2 years ago and a Beatles tribute show last year. Both were incredibly fun and it was so great to hear certain bands twists on such great songs. The choice of the bands - some I sought out from being a fan of them - others I was not entirely familiar with but they wanted to be a part of and I am excited about everyone's set!
PWAH: It's great that it's being held at the Southgate House, probably Pollard's favorite venue. Was that a conscious decision?
CW: Most definitely a conscious decision. Aside from being my favorite place to see a show, it's definitely Pollard's homecourt - and so it's fitting that a tribute to his music be held there. The people that run the place have been great to work with, and as someone who's attended a fair amount of shows there and played a couple - I've never had a bad experience. That place is a Midwestern, if not national, treasure.
PWAH: Will there be any surprises, like say (cough) Pollard joining anyone onstage?
CW: No plans of that - but it's certain to be a great night of music!
PWAH: Why do you appreciate the music of GBV so much?
CW: For me - the man is an endless well of great music. It's almost overwhelming. I've been a fan for 13 years now, and still have trouble keeping up! He's made mention before of his music being Ragu Rock -"it's all in there" and the 4 P's: Prog, Pop, Psychedelic, and Punk. And I think that's so true! There's a song and then some to fit whatever mood I'm in. At the same time - not every song does it for me - but I'll be talking to a friend and they'll love that song. Something for everyone. Additionally, he keeps putting out my new "favorite song". The two proper releases of last year: Coast to Coast Carpet of Love and Standard Gargoyle Decisions sit up there with some of the GbV classics, in my opinion. And the new one: Robert Pollard is Off To Business is set for a June 3rd release. It's the most rewarding thing in the world to be a fan of his.
PWAH: What do you think GBV's legacy means to the Midwest?
CW: I think the myth of GBV will do nothing but grow - and grow favorably - over the years to come. It really does come down to some average ordinary Midwestern dudes that had some extraordinary talents - that chose, in a lot of cases, to not give up on them. My personal favorite memory as a fan was talking to Bob Pollard about the band Yes. One of my favorite bands - and also a favorite of his. At one point we're both singing Heart of the Sunrise together. This was quite a few years ago, but remains etched in my brain. The point I'm trying to make with that is that I think being from the Midwest, Dayton in particular, has allowed perspective. These guys were fans of rock and roll just like us. And still are.

Pollard launches new label and new start

Courtesy of Pitchfork Media:
Only two months into 2008, Robert Pollard is already off to business, and his next order of business is releasing a solo album called Robert Pollard Is Off to Business.
Consisting of a mere 10 songs in 35 minutes, the record finds Pollard amicably peacing out of his partnership with Merge Records for a June 3 release on his own newly formed label, Guided by Voices, Inc. The label is run by Pollard along with manager David Newgarden, tour manager Rich Turiel, and business manager Eric Weiss.
Off to Business was produced by frequent Pollard associate Todd Tobias. Check out the track "Gratification to Concrete", available for downloading below.
The album is scheduled to coincide with Fantagraphics' publishing of the previously mentioned coffee-table book Town of Mirrors: The Reassembled Imagery of Robert Pollard.
Prior to the release of Off to Business, GBV Inc. will inaugurate itself with the single for album track "Weatherman and Skin Goddess". Out April 8 but only available through Pollard's website, it's a three-song EP featuring two exclusive non-album tracks, "Kiss the Quiet Man" and Coat Factory Zero". It will be available on CD and 12".
And because this is a Robert Pollard news story, we can't only mention just one new album from the guy. As previously reported, the Psycho and the Birds (aka Pollard and Tobias) album We've Moved is out February 26 on Happy Jack Rock Records.
Also, for all you super fans out there, an acetate of the GBV album Half Smiles of the Decomposed is up for auction on eBay right now. It features an original Pollard collage on the cover created specifically for the auction, and is autographed by the man himself.
Robert Pollard Is Off to Business:
01 The Original Heart
02 The Blondes
03 1 Years Old
04 Gratification to Concrete
05 No One but I
06 Weatherman and Skin Goddess
07 Confessions of a Teenage Jerk-Off
08 To the Path!
09 Western Centipede
10 Wealth and Hell-Being

MP3: Robert Pollard: Gratification to Concrete [from the forthcoming Robert Pollard Is Off to Business LP]