Visual Arts
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Visual Arts / Hip-Hop alpha.live - "Light Up" [Directed By Jace]
Posted by Danielle Look on Wed, Dec 1, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Perhaps in response to my declaration of shoddy video production relative to local music, the clip below was brought to my attention last week by fans of local filming company A Million Other Things, owned and operated by Jeremy “Jace” Wallace. It’s a short two and a half minutes, but the video stimulates both sight and sound with a message that hits home.
In the first 30 seconds, before a single word is spoken, Indy residents will identify familiar landmarks from downtown terrain: Meridian Street clubs, a few mega-tall buildings that populate our skyline, the IPL building literally lit up like a Christmas tree, and more. Although the entire video was shot at night, the pictorial references of our city’s finest structures (Monument Circle, the Capitol Building, The Stutz) are illuminated with an amazingly vivid brightness.
alpha.live stands on a dimly lit street with a light glowing behind him, shadowing his face as he releases line after line concerning The Circle City and its residents. On the song’s first lines he proclaims “I’m from a city that is often over looked, and the jail or prison systems are always overbooked.” Alpha spits intelligent, witty rhymes that quickly establish a purpose. His words are clearly articulated and fully comprehensible, but are artfully annunciated in a way that plays with rhythm and adds variety to the delivery.
Watch the clip below to see the product of professional videography, extraordinary editing, and astute hip hop fusion- all from impressive local talent.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Visual Arts / Rock / Roots / Jazz & Blues Wuhnurth (One Earth) Music Festival: Day Three
Posted by Danielle Look on Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Continued from Wuhnurth: day two.
The people of the woods were still coming to life when Ali Baba’s Tahini (featuring Umphreys McGee guitarist Jake Cinninger) began to play at noon. It was a strategic scheduling move, hoping the highly anticipated band (who had created quite a buzz prior to Wuhnurth) would be enough motivation to pull the drained festival goers from their tents. Alas, breakfast was still on the fire at my camp and we never made it to the set.
The Woodland stage was shut down after the last of its Saturday night activity and never resumed on Sunday. Accordingly, there were only half as many bands performing during the course of the day. During those sets, most people were busy packing up camp and taking advantage of the shuttle services that were still running regularly.
At 6 p.m. a solid crew showed up to the main stage to get funky with That 1 Guy. The crowd was noticeably lighter than it had been all weekend at the main stage, yet the dance floor was still cozy. The smaller audience also made for an intimate show, allowing everyone to get a close look at the bizarre instrument That 1 Guy has mastered. In addition to the baffling way he manipulates the contraption, his tenacity is easily observed by an enthusiastic range of facial expressions. Watch the video clip below and wait for the “Wuhnurth Breakdown” around 4:30.
- Rhy-Kno Photography
- Rhy-Kno Photography
- Rhy-Kno Photography
- Rhy-Kno Photography
I was excited when I learned that Andreas Kapsalis & Goran Ivanovic would be at Wuhnurth, familiar with Ivanovic’s work from a preview I wrote for his show with Eastern Blok at The Melody Inn on August 2nd. Nimmer described the duo as “world class musicians” and offered their names when I asked his opinion for the must-see/can’t-miss shows at Wuhnurth. It was unfortunate that unsurpassed talent such as this group be scheduled so late on the last day of the festival when most people were already home and freshly bathed. Kapsalis and Ivanovic’s guitar performance was a true privilege to see- classically trained to play with lightning fast precision. Their set was a short 45 minutes, but more than enough time to exemplify their proficiencies in the art of guitar playing.
When I toured Stable Studios a month prior to Wuhnurth, my mind instantly envisioned the grounds populated with barking dogs and wandering people; I knew it would feel like more of a home than The Waterbowl ever could. Every physical thing that was a part of the festival felt personal and thoughtful- from life-size band schedules to bold and colorful art installations to signs conveying important information. Although it was, plain and simple, a pain in the ass to transport camping gear into the woods, I believe the tradeoff of camping in close proximity to the stages (and in the woods!) is more than worth the hassle. Security and staff were friendly and helpful, giving Wuhnurthers the freedoms they’ve come to accustomed to in festival life. Mother Nature was cooperative, giving warm and tolerable temperatures all weekend, complete with sun and a total lack of rain. And, of course, the music was superb.
Congratulations to James Nimmer and his staff, Stable Studios, all the bands, and every single person who attended the festival. Without each of these essential variables present in the equation, Wuhnurth could not be the magnificent destination that it has evolved into over the last three years. See you all again in 2011!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Visual Arts / Rock / Roots / Hip-Hop / Jazz & Blues Knollfest 2010: no rain on this parade
Posted by Danielle Look on Mon, Oct 4, 2010 at 8:47 AM
Knollfest offers all the same great features of a weekend-long festival (music all day, an extensive and eclectic band line up, local art & food vendors, and an energetic, attentive audience) without the hassle of traveling out of town, setting up and maintaining camp, or spending gobs of money for quality entertainment. This year, battling adverse weather conditions that the three-year-old festival had historically been able to avoid, Knollfest resisted the temptation to crumble in the face of a major setback. Thanks to the dedication of the bands, the vendors, festival staff, and Knollfest ringleader Omlade Akande, the show did go on. Despite the unfavorable weather (primarily, steady rainfall from the start of the festival through late afternoon), Knollfest attendees were still able to salvage several solid hours of music and dance on Saturday night.
VIP tickets paid off for those who had them, as the package of perks included unlimited access to a designated clubhouse at the end of the knoll. Once the sun set and temperatures dropped, the house provided much relief from the cold and gave Knollfest VIP attendees a chance to socialize and get to know each other. A final house perk: access to a real toilet (rather than festival porta johns). Later, at The Mousetrap after-party, the bearers of VIP wristbands were also given free admittance. Even a shuttle service was provided for the special ticket holders, ensuring they arrived safely (and in style!) to the after-party.
Fresh Hops played an easy-listening, fiddle-heavy set in the early evening and persevered through a rainstorm that set in just as they finished their last song. The final rain of the evening was short-lived and Steez went to work as soon as it passed. In addition to groovy jams with fun sound effects and continually fluctuating tempos, the band also performed a particularly hip cover of “Thriller”.
The Twin Cats played an exhilarating show with a special feature even their most devoted fans haven’t seen before: break dancing to the tune of face-melting funk. Although the large group of lively young dancers was present at Knollfest all day, the climax of their entertainment came when the Twin Cats stepped to the side to play fan favorite “King Cobra” and let the troupe perform a choreographed routine to the live instrumentation. One break dancer even stepped to the edge of the stage and fell into the raised arms of the audience for an unexpected crowd surf. Although they've been a token element of Knollfest since the festival's conception, this year the break dancing crew certainly enjoyed their most prominent presence at the event yet.
The Twin Cats finished just in time to allow festival goers to catch the last half of electro/hip hop DJ duo Archnemesis before they packed up and headed to The Mousetrap for their late night after-party set. Knollfest veteran Oreo Jones immediately followed, representing Heavy Gun humor with a cover of the internet parody-gone-viral “Bed Intruder”. A true child of the 80’s, Oreo sported a simple throwback sweatshirt with 3 solid blocks of teal, grey, and navy color and a small TV sat on the right side of the stage broadcasting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Oreo performed feel-good tunes from his Delicious EP, as well as the recently dropped single “Talk” from the Woodhands mixtape No Feelings.
I personally missed Future Rock at Knollfest, but made it first priority to catch their 2 a.m. set for the after-party at The Mousetrap. The bar was a full, raucous house and the crowd was hungry for the psychedelic electronic trio from Chicago. Further enhancing the trippy factor was the brightest, most intense light show produced at The Mousetrap by Herm Productions to date. Future Rock played well past closing time, finally sending an exhausted assembly of Knollfest patrons home to bed around 3:30 in the morning. Indeed, it was a triumphant and celebratory conclusion to a long day of fun and dance with friends.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Visual Arts / Rock / Roots / Jazz & Blues Wuhnurth (One Earth) Music Festival: Day Two
Posted by Danielle Look on Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Continued from Wuhnurth: day one.
Once the sun rose on Saturday morning, the grounds of Stable Studios were bustling with curiosity. People began to wander and investigate, taking in the scenery and learning the lay of the land. Morning yoga offered guided meditation and relaxation, while others preferred the token “wake and bake” method to start their day. Campers roamed the woods and introduced themselves to their neighbors. Wuhnurth still stands out from the over-saturated music festival circuit as one of the few remaining events that accommodate pet owners. Accordingly, well-behaved dogs roamed freely and carried the same carefree vibes that have always flown at The Waterbowl, Wuhnurth's previous venue in 2008 and 2009.
- Rex-A-Vision
- Saturday morning yoga
- Amanda Scott
- Dog lovers appreciate Wuhnurth's hospitality
- With life size schedules at Wuhnurth this year, it was impossible to not know when your favorite band was playing.
I got a late start on the music Saturday afternoon, but made sure not to miss Waldemere Revival on the Pasture Stage. Newly acquired bassist Blain Crawford was absent, leaving a treat for the band’s veteran fans: a special sit-in performance by previous Waldemere bass player Jeremy Baker.
- Rex-A-Vision
- Steve Martin
- Rex-A-Vision
- Cory Flick
- Rex-A-Vision
- John Young
- Rex-A-Vision
- Waldemere Revival
Acting on James Nimmer’s personal recommendations, I made sure to catch California-based Dead Winter Carpenters as evening set in. I barely saw the Wuhnurth founder/organizer all weekend but- as promised- he was present for this particular show, camouflaged in a navy blue ball cap dancing along the far left side of the crowd. I grew restless rather quickly and headed back to camp, making a stop at The Woodland stage to check out Wisconsin progressive jam and funk band Steez along the way.
- Rex-A-Vision
- James Nimmer, Wuhnurth founder
Saturday night’s prime timeslot was given to the Marco Benevento Trio. The show was the highlight of my entire weekend, ranking just above Friday night’s Papadosio set. I got a taste of Benevento’s experimental, unconventional jazz stylings when Garage A Trois played at West Virginia’s All Good Music Festival in July. This time, with his trio in Indiana, Benevento offered Wuhnurth a unique sound unlike anything the festival has ever heard. Although abstract jams were part of the show, elements of jazz prevailed. An eccentric stage presence paired with expeditious tempos kept weary bodies and minds alert from start to finish.
- Hidden Relic
- Marco Beneveto Trio
Lafayette-based live electronic band Sixdollarsuit kept the music flowing on the Pasture Stage while Wuhnurthers waited for The Twin Cats to get started. The relatively new band has made quite a name for themselves in the last year, sharing the stage with well-known acts such as Future Rock, Two Fresh, Papadosio, EP3, and Groovatron. Although the Sixdollarsuit’s sound is still developing and their stage personas are still green, they continue to show great potential and are winning over fans with each performance.
I missed MC Sparkplug at yet another festival; they’ve been on my to-do list since Springfest. Alas, their set fell right in the middle of The Twin Cats’ performance- a show that simply couldn’t be missed. Any follower of my writing knows I perceive them to be the pride of Indianapolis music. I’ve seen The Twin Cats too many times to remember and their live act is always the best on their home turf at The Mousetrap. That’s why seeing The Cats play to such a vast audience of people who are alien to their face-melting funk is always a satisfying experience. As expected, they killed it. And left damn-near every face from the audience in a puddle on the gravel floor of that gigantic barn.
The Werks played behind bizarre masks and handed matching masks to their audience; hundreds of the identical, freaky accessories meandered about the festival grounds for the remainder of the weekend. UV Hippo and EP3 finished up the night and the music finally ended at 4 in the morning. Once again, my energy reserves were spent before Saturday night festivities came to a close. When I woke up on Sunday I was still wearing the previous night’s clothes, my eyes were nearly sealed shut from sleeping in contacts, and I was lying in a haphazard pile of glow sticks- all signs of a good, hardy night of raging.
- Hidden Relic
- The Werks
- Hidden Relic
- The Werks
Continue to Wuhnurth: day three.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Visual Arts / Rock / Roots Wuhnurth (One Earth) Music Festival: Day One
Posted by Danielle Look on Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 12:19 PM
GETTING THERE
Let’s get it out of the way right now: nobody likes to carry multiple loads of camping gear any further than they can throw it. Unfortunately, secluded camping inside of wooded hills comes at a cost. And that cost is the energy and strength expended in that exact conveyance of materials.
Seemingly aware of this, Wuhnurth staff did a spectacular job at providing a timely and organized shuttle service for the duration of the weekend. The staging area at the front of the parking lot (approximately one mile from the actual festival grounds) was clearly evident and safely watched over by security. The wait was never long. Wristbands were checked before each shuttle left the loading zone. Wheelbarrow and wagon pushers were accommodated by lowering the gate and ramping equipment onto the trailer. People were friendly and there was no hostile activity in sharing space. The drivers were friendly and made special stops for those already attempting to trek on foot so they could join the ride. And while it seemed to be a colossal inconvenience at the time, I can’t help but remember how peaceful and beautiful the actual ride down the simple country road was.
- Rhy-Kno Photography
- Wuhnurth attendees wait for a ride to the festival grounds
SETTING UP CAMP
I listened in jealousy as I trudged past the main stage on my way into the woods in search of a campsite. Ladymoon was my official welcome to Wuhnurth 2010 but I didn’t have time to stop; we needed to set up before the sun went down. A well-decorated dirt path led through the woods and dumped into a clearing. Here, The Woodland Stage, porta johns, and a small village of vendors awaited. Multiple trailheads branched off of the opening and intertwined across the bohemian settlement coming to life in the trees.
- Brian Leonardi
- The path connecting The Main Stage & The Woodland Stage
As with previous Wuhnurths, campers had the freedom to choose their home location for the weekend. It seemed that all paths ultimately led down a hill, making it difficult to find a flat spot for tents. As we set up on the smallest slant we could find, my friend reminded our group, “It’s camping. Not The Holiday Inn.” We all nodded in agreement and went to work.
THE MUSIC BEGINS
I was able to catch last of Midwest Hype, arriving just in time to see the entire band dressed in black from head to toe, completely covered in glow stick rings. Like some kind of psychedelic alter-ego, Midwest Hype (known for their wildly entertaining sense of humor) have referred to themselves as GLOB ever since. Three days after Wuhnurth, Saxophonist Ben Morrissey’s facebook status read, “We represent the Church of the Holy Glowstick Armor. I'd like to take a moment of your time to talk about GLOB!” to which one fan responded, “I've been a devout member since Friday and my life has been very glow-tastic ever since! Thank you GLOB. Thank You.”
- Elle Fassler
- Midwest Hype a.k.a. GLOB
Papadosio could be given the unofficial title of “Music Festival Champion Band of 2010”, boasting an impressive list of appearances this summer including Springfest, All Good, Camp Bisco, Forecastle, Floyd Fest, Camp Barefoot, and The Werk Out Festival. Papadosio even produced their own weekend event, Rootwire, featuring music and art from a grassroots perspective.
Their Friday night performance at Wuhnurth was perhaps their best yet- offering a tickling of the senses from all directions. Live painting, fire spinning, and a bizarre character costumed to look like Father Time all played around on stage as the band performed. While Indianapolis was buzzing about art and music at the weekend’s Oranje Festival, Papadosio delivered their own mini-Oranje to fans in Spencer who couldn’t be two places at once.
In more ways than one, it was a noteworthy performance; the band also announced it was their last show ever as a four-piece. The addition of keyboardist Billy Brouse’s younger brother Sam (who will handle sample work) will allow Thogmartin to focus more intently on his guitar.
- Rhy-Kno Photography
- Papadosio
A quick trip back to The Woodland Stage put me before The Malah, an electronic jam band from Greenville, SC. Although I could have danced away their entire set and wanted to stay for more, my accomplices were on electronica overload from the Papadosio set and were ready for some funk. Lucky for them, Family Groove Company was holding down The Main Stage. We caught most of their set and again trekked through the dusty path to The Woodland stage, admiring the colorful lights that flashed against tree branches to create a wonderfully mysterious series of shadows.
- Rhy-Kno Photography
After a brief stop to see Kaleidoscope Jukebox, we made one last trip to The Main Stage in anticipation of Digital Tape Machine’s debut performance. Unfortunately, sound check lasted an eternity (way beyond their scheduled start time) and I was pulled from the audience by my friends when I started to nod off while still standing. Curse my weariness; I hear I missed one helluva set.
Continue to Wuhnurth: Day Two.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Visual Arts / Rock / Roots / Hip-Hop Third annual Knollfest this Saturday
Posted by Danielle Look on Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 7:45 AM
This Saturday, Indy’s summer music festival season will come to an official close with the third annual installment of Knollfest. Literally on a rectangular grassy knoll just south of Butler University campus, the 12-hour event will feature 16 bands and artists on two stages. Musical acts feature many well-known Indiana groups (including The Twin Cats, Midwest Hype, Shaggy Wonda, Ladymoon, Hyryder, and Oreo Jones) as well as prominent bands from across the Midwest.
Knollfest headlining band Future Rock have been busy creating a buzz in the festival circuit, boasting stops in 2010 at Camp Bisco, Summer Camp, Wakarusa, Head Jamz, and (most recently) North Coast Music Festival. Their performance (a unique blend of live instrumentation and electronic manipulation) is sure to be unlike any Knollfest has ever seen. Mickey Kellerman, Felix Moreno, and Darren Heitz all employ synthesizers and samples while also playing the keys, bass, and drums respectively. “We’re a little strange,” Kellerman says of his band’s one-of-a-kind fusion rock. “We don’t fit into any genre.”
Knollfest’s goal is to foster arts in the community through music and education. 2010 proceeds will be given to the Broad Ripple Magnet School for the Arts and Humanities, a college-preparatory program based on integrated studies in the arts, literature, history and science. This year, Knollfest will showcase presentations from BRMHSAH students in humanities, visual arts, performing arts, and media communications.
Knollfest founder Omolade Akande, a 2009 Butler graduate, strives to integrate the local campus student body with the vast community of active festival goers and grassroots musicians from across the Midwest. As the IPS Admission Counselor for Butler University, Akande says she is “grateful to still be so involved with the Indianapolis public school system,” in her adult life, both through daily work at Butler and through Knollfest’s contributions to IPS.
Additional activities at the family- and dog-friendly event include break dancing competitions, a Butler football team pie-eating contest, an art gallery, cornhole, and a moon bounce. Sun King will be on site for Knollfest patrons 21 years of age and older. Schedule is as follows:
Stage 1
11:00am — 12:00pm Shaggy Wonda
12:20pm — 1:20pm Hyryder
1:40pm — 2:40pm The Werks
3:00pm — 4:00pm Midwest Hype
4:20pm — 5:20pm Native Sun
5:40pm — 6:45pm The Coop
7:30pm — 9:00pm Twin Cats
9:30pm — 11:00pm Future Rock
Stage 2
11:00am — 12:00pm Res Publica
12:20pm — 1:20pm Fair Fjola
1:40pm — 2:40pm The Hue
3:00pm — 4:00pm Zmick
4:20pm — 5:20pm Ladymoon
5:40pm — 6:40pm Fresh Hops
7:00pm — 8:10pm Steez
8:30pm — 9:40pm Archnemesis
10:00pm — 10:40pm Oreo Jones
IndyMojo.com Stage
Heavy Gunners
4:00 - 4:20 - Wiz Kids
4:20 - 4:40 - Scoot Dubbs
4:40 - 5:00 - NightRiders
5:00 - 5:30 - Grey Granite
5:30 - 6:00 - Andy D.
IndyMojo.com DJ's
6:00 - 7:00 - TBA
7:00 - 8:00 - Manic
8:00 - 9:00 - Rudy Kizer
9:00 - 10:00 - Kodama
10:00 - 11:00 - Matt Allen
- C-Style Photography
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Visual Arts / Rock / Roots Mojostock 2010
Posted by Danielle Look on Thu, Jul 15, 2010 at 7:27 AM
Danielle Look is Music Editor for IndyMojo.com
This Saturday, newly crowned “Best Local Website” IndyMojo.com will host the second annual Mojostock Music Festival in Noblesville. The city’s largest social networking website, Indy Mojo prides itself in this annual assemblage of its eclectic community for a day of music and dance. In more ways than one, celebration is in order.
- Mojostock 2009
Last year, approximately 250 attendees gathered at the Sleepybear Campgrounds (directly across from the Verizon Wireless Music Center) to enjoy eight hours of music at the single-day festival. True to their roots, IndyMojo billed all local talent for the 2009. Furthermore, the stage was opened early in the afternoon, allowing Mojo’s own musically inclined members to perform for their friends before the official lineup began to play.
This year, IndyMojo.com owners Jason King and Shawn Smith guarantee a bigger and better party than last year. Following current trends in summer music festivals, King discusses the most notable change from 2009 to 2010. “We’ve added an entire second stage that will feature 18 different DJ’s during the festival.” This comes as no surprise to anyone in tune with local music; over the last year, IndyMojo has been diligently working to book and promote events that facilitate the natural fusion of the jam and electronic scenes. Mojostock will be a reflective opportunity to step back and bask in the glory of those efforts. To accommodate the EDM performers and their massive, loyal fanbase, a carpeted 24,000 square foot tent will be erected opposite the main stage. Heavy bass, laser baths, fire poi, and glowstick ninjas are certain to be plentiful.
- Mojostock 2009
Prominent acts scheduled for the EDM Stage include
• Adam Jay (returning to Indianapolis after a recent tour in Spain) will perform a live PA set, his last one in Indy for 2010
• Psynapse, known as Dubstep Jesus, will bring a full supply of his signature grimey dubstep beats
• Nuvo blogger and Hit The Decks host Rudy Kizer will play a selection of cutting edge, fresh tunes from his extensive arsenal of today's newest music
Mojostock headliners The Twin Cats are also expected to draw attendees from their dedicated Indianapolis-based family of support. No strangers to the festival scene, The Twin Cats have performed for audiences at noteworthy national events such as Summer Camp and Head Jamz. The Cats also enjoy a regular presence at local Indiana festivals including Knollfest, Wuhnurth, and Springfest.
In addition to the unique jazz-inspired funk that The Twin Cats have built their incomparable reputation around, Mojostock’s Jam Stage is also pleased to present:
• acoustic/electric sounds and high intensity spaced out jams from Hyryder (Indianapolis, IN)
• Mojostock Last Act Winner and reggae/hip hop/jazz/funk band Midwest Hype (La Porte, IN)
• Acoustic Live Challenge Champion Jamie Nichole (Martinsville, IN)
• Newly formed local super group Pocket Fullah Nasty (comprised of Rory Connolly & Kris Edwards of the The Great Hookup, Steve Smith of Fernhead, and Josh Brunner of the Session Brothers)
• 1/2 Pound of Bluegrass featuring Grant Newton (Indianapolis, IN)
The Indy Mojo community is buzzing with talk of the organization’s most anticipated event of the year.
Caralyn Glass, an advertising executive for The Indianapolis Star, admits she was not in attendance for the inaugural Mojostock, but confirms it has been the most talked about event of the year by everyone who did. “[IndyMojo members] that were there speak about it in hushed, almost reverential, tones. It's crazy. And no one's stories are ever the same.”
Dawn Nowakoski, a special education assistant for IPS, and her daughter Arian will be attending their first music festival ever together on Saturday. “It could be our most amazing shared experience to date!”
Christopher Noland, a Knova Software customer support analyst by day who also performs as a DJ under the moniker Hollowpoint, believes Mojostock has something to offer for everyone- not just music lovers. “Some people just aren’t connected to the dance scene in Indianapolis, while others haven't heard of more than one of the bands performing. Mojostock is a great way to get all of those split groups together and remind us that even though we all enjoy different things, we can all get together for the common goal of having a raged-out badass party!” He continues, “Not to mention opening some minds/eyes/ears to some of the BEST local talent Indy has to offer! This is definitely the social event of the summer.”
- Mojostock 2009
- Mojostock 2009
- Mojostock 2009
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Performance Arts / Visual Arts / Rock Flaming Lips confuse Little 500 Crowd
Posted by Jeff Napier on Sun, Apr 25, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Flaming Lips: She Don't Use Jelly on Beverly Hills 90210 from Chris Buly on Vimeo.
At one point towards the end of The Flaming Lips sold-out April 22 Little 500 show at the IU Auditorium, a clip of Tiffani-Amber Thiessen introducing the band during a special appearance at the Peach Pit on the original Beverly Hills, 90210 was looped. It summed up the vibe of the show perfectly. Like at that infamous appearance, the crowd really didn't know what to think. The 3,000 plus crowd of Little 5 celebrants were loaded up on beer and X and were clearly ready for a party. What they couldn't figure out was why the band was playing all this slow crap.
- Melonshe
Some of the elements that make Flaming Lips concerts so much fun were marred because of the crowd. Wayne couldn't do his opening giant bubble crowd walk because most of the crowd was moving out of the way rather then reaching up to support the bubble. And in the middle of the show, when the backdrop announced "Get your laser pointers ready, 4, 3, 2, 1, Shoot Wayne", they literally shot Wayne, lighting up his body with tiny red dots and completely ignoring the big round mirror he was holding over his head. It was laughable, even as it was sad.
- Melonshe
To their credit, the FLips didn't let the dense and befuddled crowd keep them from putting on a fantabulous show. It was a lysergic-soaked affair heavily populated by tunes from their latest CD Embryonic that really made a case for this album being one of the best of the band's career.
The few songs that they played from their catalog, like "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song," "Vein of Stars" and "Yoshimi" fit in great amid the newer material, although an acoustic "She Don't Use Jelly" and a strangely downtrodden "The W.A.N.D." seemed out of place and produced more blank stares then singing along.
- Melonshe
But, minor stumbles aside, Wayne Coyne and Co. poured it on for a good two hours. "Worm Mountain" was intense and funky in a free jazz kinda way, while "Silver Trembling Hands" was all weird energy and paranoid melody, a soundtrack to the morning-after acid come-down. Multi-tasker Steven Drozd, bassist Michael Ivins and Drummer Kliph Scurlock were as tight and powerful as a band can get, especially on the jaw-dropping one-two punch of "Powerless" and "Pompeii AM Gotterdammerung," wherein the band provided more epic soundscape then most bands manage in their whole career.
- Melonshe
Given the circumstances -- playing to a bunch of beer-fueled frat rats and the girls who love them -- it would have been easy for Wayne and The FLips to give up, play a shortened set and get the hell out of there. But Coyne, God love him, didn't give up on the kids, preaching his unique brand of feel-good politics and philosophy that ended in his rants getting a better reception then many of the songs. Gonna be good to see The Mighty Lips ablaze in front of a more partisan crowd like the one sure to be gathered at Louisville's Forecastle Festival later this summer.
Wayne's Nephew Dennis Coyne turned in a pretty good set opening the show with his band Stardeath and White Dwarves. Despite a sound and vocal style heavily borrowed from Uncle Wayne, songs like "New Heat," "Those Who are from The Sun Return to the Sun,"and, especially, the grooving cover of Madonna's "Borderline," got asses wiggling and shaking. Can't wait to see them play the Murphy Art Building May 7.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Rock / Visual Arts / Performance Arts Intermedia Festival to showcase futurist art
Posted by Scott Shoger on Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 2:08 PM
I'm starting to salivate over the wealth of offerings scheduled for the Intermedia Festival, IUPUI's celebration of futuristic music, art, theater, etc., set to take place April 23-25 at the Central Library, IUPUI's Information, Communications Technology Complex and on the streets of Indy.
Seriously, this looks way more adventurous than experiments in new music that have been conducted by the ISO and others this year.
Plus, the event will lend itself well to live blogging, so you can expect reports from yours truly during some of the main events.
Not that I'm familiar with many of the artists. It's part of the adventure, and appeal, that these innovators in all things electro-acoustic, telemetric and beyond aren't household names.
I'd encourage anyone interested to click around the elegant, info-packed website. But here are some tantalizing snippets.
First, there are these interactive projects (all these blurbs are taken from the Intermedia website):
"The Washington DC-based Floating Lab Collective will present their work titled 'Scream At The Economy,' a participatory project that invites people to call a phone number and scream at the economy. The archived screams will be recorded as mp3 files. The musical composition will be played in the 'screamer,' a portable speaker system, that will perform in public spaces.
The Florida-based Mobile Performance Group is a collective of new media artists who disseminate their works by using automobiles, video projection, cell phones, FM transmission, wireless hotspots, and any other technologies that allow artists to engage the public.
The Occupation Forces Project, by New York artists Mark Skwarek, Joseph Hocking, and Serial Krusher, is a piece that simulates of an invasion of earth by an alien occupation force. The project will be a free, downloadable, mobile application or projected augmented reality, which will allow users to view an alien invasion army through their mobile devices at various stations throughout the Indianapolis Library and in the downtown area.
Portuguese computer-artist Andre Rangel will present 'Graffonic,' a work utilizing video tracking and laser pointers to assist participants in creating a reactive work of art."
Seriously? A simulation of an Indianapolis invaded by an alien occupation force! I don't even know if we'll see that at GenCon.
And then there are the concerts, most of which will be held at the Central Library.
- Pamela Z
We get Pamela Z on opening night — "a composer/performer who makes solo works combining a wide range of vocal techniques with electronic processing, samples, and gesture activated MIDI controllers."
Bora Yoon — "an experimental multi-instrumentalist, composer and performer, who creates architectural soundscapes from found objects, chamber instruments, digital devices, and voice."
- Big Robot
The locally-based laptop ensemble Big Robot, which "interweaves live players with computer and media interactivity."
The nief-norf project which "is chamber percussion collective that is active in the performance, study, and promotion of contemporary music. The nief-norf project firmly believes in the music of Steve Reich, David Lang, and John Luther Adams as well as Iannis Xenakis and Mario Davidovsky. Using the words of Kyle Gann as a guide, we consider ourselves Totalists."
So glad there are still some Totalists out there.
And the list is nearly endless, with a full slate of concerts scheduled for Saturday, and an opening night with both Pamela Z and Dance Kaleidoscope. It's all free — FREE! — and looks tremendous.
Click away for the full schedule. More on this as we approach zero hour.
