JANUARY 4, 2018
CHATTANOOGA'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE
YOU'VE BEEN HACKED. NOW WHAT? HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF (AND YOUR BUSINESS) FROM PHISHING, RANSOMWARE, AND WORSE
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VOL. 15, NO. 1 • JANUARY 4, 2018
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RESOLVE TO HIKE MORE IN 2018
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a unique hiking experience on the Cumberland Trail in 2018 and fulfill your resolution to hike more in the new year.
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THE ART AND ARTISTRY OF WOOD, SIDING AND MORE
Though Wayne White’s show at the Hunter Museum is over, and Wayne-O-Rama is gone, the effects of his tenure are still lingering. Perhaps the most profound result of Wayne’s time in Chattanooga is inspiration.
JONATHAN WIMPEE IS IN A GREAT STATE OF MIND
Jonathan Wimpee. If you’re in the music scene and you don’t know that name, you aren’t in the music scene. Jon is one of the most prolific guitar players in the region.
THANK GOODNESS FOR GUILLERMO DEL TORO
Of the movie monsters in the 1950’s, The Creature from the Black Lagoon ranks as my favorite. The Creature, known as Gill-man, had a distinct design, one that wasn’t terrifying so much as fascinating.
ALSO INSIDE
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My Dog Ate My Laptop When we hear about a big data breach, it’s typically a big company struggling legal and PR implications. “What is this insurer doing to protect patients’ private health information? How will this big retailer settle with angry customers whose ATM PINs have been stolen?”
FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
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CONSIDER THIS
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
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SHRINK RAP
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JONESIN' CROSSWORD
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ARTS CALENDAR
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NEW IN THEATERS
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MUSIC CALENDAR
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GAME ON!
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NEW MUSIC REVIEWS
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THE COMIX
Jenn Webster is a dancer and technical writer by trade who has also written for marketing, educational, and consumer publications. She’s an Army veteran and a member of WEAVE: A Conceptual Dance Company.
Tony Mraz spent the '80s growing up in Dalton before moving to Chattanooga in '95 to attend the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, which enabled him to earn a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute.
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018 • THE PULSE • 3
BEGINNINGS ∙ CITY LIFE
Resolve To Hike More In 2018 Outdoor Chattanooga offers Cumberland Trail guided hiking series By Sunshine Loveless Pulse contributor
BREWER MEDIA GROUP Publisher & President Jim Brewer II FOUNDED 2003 BY ZACHARY COOPER & MICHAEL KULL
EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Gary Poole Assistant Editor Brooke Brown Music Editor Marc T. Michael Film Editor John DeVore Contributors Rob Brezsny • Matt Jones Sunshine Loveless • Tony Mraz Ernie Paik • Rick Pimental-Habib Michael Thomas • Brandon Watson Jenn Webster Cartoonists Max Cannon • Rob Rogers Jen Sorenson • Tom Tomorrow
ADVERTISING Director of Sales Mike Baskin
Account Executives Chee Chee Brown • Jeff Camp Rick Leavell • Libby Phillips John Rodriguez • Danielle Swindell Logan Vandergriff
CONTACT
Offices 1305 Carter St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone 423.265.9494 Email info@chattanoogapulse.com Website chattanoogapulse.com Facebook @chattanoogapulse Fax 423.266.2335 THE FINE PRINT: The Pulse is published weekly by Brewer Media and is distributed throughout the city of Chattanooga and surrounding communities. The Pulse covers a broad range of topics concentrating on music, the arts, entertainment, culture and local news. The Pulse is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publisher may take more than one copy per weekly issue. The Pulse may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Contents Copyright © 2018 by Brewer Media. All rights reserved.
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OIN OUTDOOR CHATTANOOga for a unique hiking experience on the Cumberland Trail in 2018 and fulfill your resolution to hike more in the new year. Outdoor Chattanooga’s experienced guides will lead participants on short, section hikes (four to seven miles each) along the Cumberland Trail to explore unique geological formations, discover seasonal flora and fauna, trek over creeks and across suspended bridges to the tops of ridges with waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Along the way, participants will get hands on experience and learn how to make hiking and backpacking more comfortable and enjoyable. The Cumberland Trail is a scenic footpath along the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau that begins in Chattanooga’s backyard on Signal Mountain. Building and maintaining the Cumberland Trail is a grassroots effort driven by volunteers with the Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC). The trail is still under construction, but with 210 of the projected 300 miles completed, there’s plenty of trail to explore. Outdoor Chattanooga aims to connect participants with this scenic trail, provide hands on experience to learn and improve hiking and backpacking skills, and encourage stewardship of Chattanooga’s local trails by offering 12 different short-section hikes throughout the year, including half-day adventures and equipped overnight backpacking adventures. Need more incentive to hike? Participants who complete short section hikes with Outdoor Chattanooga will
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“Outdoor Chattanooga aims to connect participants with this scenic trail and provide hands on experience to learn and improve hiking and backpacking skills.” earn credit toward the 50 miler award from the CTC, an honor few can claim. To earn the 50 miler award, individuals must complete 50 unique miles on the CT and 10 hours of service work with the CTC. Outdoor Chattanooga has carefully selected the one-way hikes to be mostly downhill and will provide shuttle transportation to participants pre or post hike to maximize the experience and unique miles covered. Bring your sense of adventure and join them for one hike or the whole series. The guided hiking series begins on January 13 and concludes December 1. Registra-
tion is required in advance as space is limited. There’s no fee for half day hikes, and it’s $65 per person for equipped overnight backpacking adventures. The Cumberland Trail is a remote trail over rugged terrain. Outdoor Chattanooga requires participants to have some hiking experience and be in good physical shape to hike 4-7 miles continuously on sections rated as moderately strenuous. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating parent or responsible adult. All details will be given to participants upon registration. Now lace up your hiking boots and get ready to go in 2018.
Consider This with Dr. Rick
EdiToon by Rob Rogers
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.” — Abraham Maslow
Local Model Makers Put The Pieces Together As a kid (and as an adult too, to be honest), I was fascinated with the fact that people built scale models of larger things. Skyscrapers, amusement parks, airplanes, they could all be represented in a much smaller version of itself prior to actual building plans being made. And yeah sure, there were real construction crews that would build a lifesize model of x, y or z, but the scale model version was always way cooler. If you’ve ever been interested in scale modeling, Chattanooga Mod-
el Con 2018 is just the place for you to find your niche with modelers much like yourself. Whether you’re experienced, interested, or have dabbled a bit in the scale modeling arts, join the Chattanooga Scale Modelers at the Chattanooga Con-
vention Center this Friday and Saturday. You can come to explore and view other scale models or enter your own. Model entries are $15 for the first three models, and $1 for each additional model. Chattanooga Scale Modelers welcome all, whether you like to build cars, airplanes, figures, armor or anything else, you’ll find a fit with these modelers. Their website says it all pretty clearly. “The point is, if you have an interest in scale models, come join us.” — Brooke Brown
Ahh, life on the precipice! Do you consider yourself a “brave” person? Are you quick to try new things? Would you travel to foreign lands and courageously order the “steamed yak?” Are you considered the curious one in your group? The risk-taker? We have so many options at all times. We make decisions large and small on a regular basis. Stop for a moment and think about how many decisions you made today alone. The New Year is a wonderful time to assess if you’re ready to step out of the darkness and into the light, or if you’re someone who prefers the comfort of knowing there’s a safety net below. Now ask yourself: Are you happy with that, or do you wish to change a little? Or a little more? Or a lot? This is your year. What will you do with this wild and wonderful opportunity? — Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D.
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COLUMN ∙ SHRINK RAP
What Have You Learned? Kick off the new year with some valuable life lessons and advice
Dr. Rick
Pulse contributor
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ERE WE ARE, STANDING ON the threshold of a new year. I believe it’s a healthy (and potentially healing) time for reflections back, and intentions forward. Most in my circle are fervently hoping for a better 2018, due largely to political disappointments (to put it mildly) from this past year. But because there are also bright spots from this year— and every year—I encourage you to pause for a moment, take a breath, and see what there is in your own recent life you can learn from. Perhaps special reflection in the areas of relationships, loss, career, education, identity (and whatever else is timely for you) will bring wisdom for future choices, and therefore greater possibility for future happiness. I would encourage you to keep an open mind about this; to not push, just allow your insights to be. A good friend sent an inspiring article to me (author/s unknown) and I want to share a few gems with you. Below are parts of the original, called “What I Have Learned,” as well as additions from my own experiences, and input from loved ones. I hope you find it a helpful kick-start to your New Year. I have learned…that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I have learned…that no matter how good a partner or friend is, they’re going to hurt you now and then, and will need forgiveness. I have learned…that true friendship can continue to thrive, even over the longest distance. Same goes for “true love”. I have learned…that it is important to leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. I have learned…that it’s taking me a lifetime (so far) to become the person I want to be. I have learned…that we are responsible for our actions, no matter our feelings. I have learned…that everything, everything, everything begins with a thought. I have learned…that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. I have learned…that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will surprisingly be the ones to help you get back up. I have learned…that when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel. Ditto for depression. I have learned…that maturity has more to do with what you’ve learned from your experiences and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I have learned…that it isn’t enough to be forgiven by others. It’s important to learn to forgive yourself, care and love yourself. I have learned…that no matter how badly your heart’s been broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief. But you may need to … for a little while. I have learned…that it’s always okay to ask for help. I have learned…that our background and circumstances have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become. The future is ours. I have learned…that your life can change in a second. For better, or for worse. I have learned…that the people (and pets) you care about most in life are taken from you
much too soon. At least it feels that way. Until next time, I’ll close with a passage from “How to Love” by Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Zen master, peace advocate, and Nobel Prize nominee (nominated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.): “The notions and ideas we have about happiness can entrap us. Our idea of happiness may be the very thing that prevents us from being happy. When we’re caught in a belief that happiness should take a particular form, we fail to see the opportunities for joy that are right in front of us.” Dr. Rick Pimental-Habib, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist, author, minister, and educator in private practice in Chattanooga. Contact him at DrRPH.com, visit his wellness center at WellNestChattanooga.com
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COVER STORY
My Dog Ate My Laptop Incident response for freelancers and small business owners By Jenn Webster
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Pulse contributor
HEN WE HEAR ABOUT A BIG DATA BREACH, IT’S TYPically a big company struggling legal and PR implications. “What is this insurer doing to protect patients’ private health information? How will this big retailer settle with angry customers whose ATM PINs have been stolen?” But data breach or loss can happen to anyone, and information security is for everyone. Even (especially) those of us who work off our kitchen tables or out of the back of our pickup trucks. In fact, 61 percent of data breaches last year affected businesses with 1,000 or fewer employees, according to a study reported in Inc.
DON’T BE THAT GAL (OR GUY) People who aren’t computer experts, and don’t have the money to retain an IT employee, often use information technology in our work. We’re exposed to a gamut of IT pitfalls. For instance, a massage therapist may store clients’ intake notes with information about their physical conditions on her laptop. What happens when the laptop gets stolen? An artist may keep records of purchases of his paintings. What happens if someone accesses the database and finds a bank account or credit card number? We all need to learn how to prevent problems, and how to respond when they happen. ASK THE EXPERT Donnie Parton is an IT consultant and owner of The PC Doctor. He’s consulted in several fields, most dealing with healthcare, government and nonprofits. He works with small businesses, in8 • THE PULSE • JANUARY 4, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
cluding dentists and CPAs. He’s exactly the person to advise a freelancer or contractor, whether they design furniture or run an after-school nonprofit. He’s just 30 years old, but he’s been working in information technology half his life. “What do small businesses need to look out for in terms of information security?” I ask him. “How can we protect ourselves, and how do we deal with a breach when it does happen?” PHISHING, RANSOMWARE AND OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS Plain, old-fashioned phishing is one of the biggest problems Parton sees for small businesses. In phishing, the sender relies on human behavior (opening an email, clicking a link, entering information) to give him or her the desired access. Phishing is the electronic equivalent of making a phone call and pretending to have a prize package to deliver—just as soon as the recipient gives you his or her credit card number to pay for shipping. How do you avoid phishing? Don’t click suspicious links in email or private messages. But, what’s suspicious? One way to tell is to hover over the link. Does the hover text match where the link purports to lead? Or, does the link lead to a request for personal or financial data? Always a no-no. Check out the sender, too. Do you know them? (This isn’t a magic bullet; some phishing emails propagate from one email list to another, so one might come disguised as a message from a
COVER STORY friend.) If you don’t know them, don’t click. A broad sense of skepticism helps too, according to Wired magazine. “You should generally be reluctant to download attachments and click links, no matter how innocuous they seem,” their experts write. That’s especially true if your machine for private computing is one and the same as your work machine. You can also proactively protect yourself against the event you do get phished. If your documents are encrypted or password-protected on your computer, it will be harder for spyware to find possible targets. Or if you accidentally download file-destroying malware, a great backup system will save your bacon. This is especially true in the case of ransomware, a kind of malware or malicious code that blocks access to some of the computer or network’s contents, often by encrypting them. While it’s great to have your own encryption, finding your files encrypted by a third party who holds the key is no fun at all. The attacker often delivers his or her malware by a phishing attack and then follows up with extortion: pay me (preferably in an anonymous currency like bitcoin) or you can’t have your data back, ever. A 2017 study found almost a quarter of small businesses experiencing a ransomware attack had to stop operations immediately; some were down for as much as 25 hours. An average attack cost a company with less than 1,000 employees $100,000 in downtime. Scaled down a solo operation, the numbers look a lot smaller, but when you have only a handful of clients, missing a deadline for even one or two while you reconstruct their projects can be debilitating if they take their business elsewhere in the future. Segregating your data so an attack can only access limited files helps reduce the impact of ransomware. So does a robust backup system with daily backups and storage that’s separated from your network, thus limiting a ransomware attack to files created in the last 24 hours. BE PROACTIVE You can’t always avoid attacks, but if you plan ahead, you can limit the harm they can do. “There’s quite a lot you can do to mitigate [data breach] mattering,” Parton says. “Don’t store information on mobile devices. Encrypt data. One easy example: I have a small office with one server and four laptops employees use. All confidential data resides on the server; none of it is ever saved to the laptops. If one of the laptops were stolen, there would be nothing to
worry about from a data standpoint. Plus, if an employee did make a mistake and saved a file to their machine, the drive is encrypted.” Parton recommends services such as BitLocker to encrypt your hard drive. “The flip side is that it makes data recovery a lot more difficult, so you need to make sure you stay on top of your backups,” he adds. “Most people find Carbonite to be pretty easy to set up and use, and, at $60 per year, not too expensive.”
When you implement your card-reader software, “answer the PIC compliance questionnaires honestly,” Parton says. “Don’t just put in the answer you know is ‘right,’ like not letting uncontrolled devices like customers’ phones or laptops in the in the same network as the credit-card processing machines or tablets. Negligence is the biggest enemy here. If you see you aren’t following one of the rules, change how your network is set up, and if you’re not capable of doing that, call a professional.”
“A 2017 study found almost a quarter of small businesses experiencing a ransomware attack had to stop operations immediately; some were down for as much as 25 hours.”
THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT Even with due diligence, data can be lost or stolen. If you lose control of your business data, especially anything that could harm your clients (personal information, payment data, etc.), immediately take steps to take mitigate the situation. “If you think there’s a data breach, definitely contact a professional,” Parton says. “There are too many variables for someone who isn’t skilled and up-to-date in the field. Each case can be vastly different, depending on where the breach comes from and what the environment is like. “Think of it a little like an injury; there’s plenty you can do to keep yourself from being hurt, but when you break your back, it’s probably best to leave it to a doctor.” The professional security expert will look at server and firewall logs to discover the origin of the problem so you can stop it from happening, now (if it’s ongoing) or in the future. In the meantime, it’s best to assume a perpetrator has everything that the stolen machine or compromised computer had access to—for instance, if your laptop can access your server, and you lose your laptop, assume someone can now get into the data housed on your server. “In the event a machine gets physically stolen, it can help to have something like Prey Anti Theft that allows you to remotely wipe a machine,” Parton says. “There’s more advanced software out there, but Prey has a pretty nice balance of features to price.” In addition to remotely wiping your device, take steps to protect your reputation. If there’s a problem, a word in advance to your clients will make a world of difference. If spammy messages are coming from your email account, let everyone on your mailing list know as soon as you can these aren’t from you. If a client’s project notes have been lost, let them know as soon as possible what’s happened and how you’re handling it. Being transparent and upfront, especially regarding any of your clients’ information, will help you maintain trust.
In addition to encryption, Parton says, “Password protect every computer in your network. Don’t let employees share passwords, and don’t let your password hints be too revealing. “Password protect your Wi-Fi, and do not give your password out to people. It’s a good idea to use a router with a ‘guest Wi-Fi’ option. Use that for everything that doesn’t need access to your data, including your own phone, in most cases.” Lock your computer when you leave it, Parton adds. That’s Windows Key + L on a PC, or Control + Shift + Power on a Mac. When you get back from your smoke break or dash to the laundry room and enter your password, everything will be just where you left. “And if you need to use remote software, nearly anything out there allows two-factor authentication,” he adds. “In most cases, this is going to attach your login to a cell phone, sending you a secondary password via SMS. This, like most security devices, can be a bit of a hassle…but it’s well worth it.” DEALING WITH MONEY If you take credit card payments from your customers, you’re bound by PCI compliance rules, even if you’re using a phone or tablet app. The rules may seem cumbersome, but they exist to protect you, too. Using established paymentprocessing software should generally protect you here.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Art And Artistry Of Wood, Siding And More Carpenter Bryan Dyer loves to build and create
Touring The City's Art Together No matter how long you’ve lived in Chattanooga, it seems there is always something new to discover. A new band, a new gallery, a new restaurant; with the creative juices this town has constantly flowing, it’s no wonder we’re surrounded by such amazing food, art, music and culture. And just because you’ve lived here for X amount of years doesn’t mean you’ve seen, heard or experienced everything our city has to offer. Which is what makes events like the Chattanooga Art Tour so cool. It allows people like myself, who’ve lived here for years, to experience more of the art our city has to offer. Whether it’s the magnificently vibrant murals in the MLK neighborhood or the public art installations that dot the waterfront, New South Tour Company’s Chattanooga Art Tour is sure to surprise and inspire. Starting at the Hunter Art Museum’s lobby terrace, the tour will guide you from the heights of the Bluff View Art District down through the Southside. From public art installations and art galleries to private artist studios, this tour gives those of us lacking in Chattanooga’s unique visual arts something wonderful to discover. — Brooke Brown Chattanooga Art Tour Saturday, 1 p.m. The Hunter Museum of American Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 www.huntermuseum.org 10 • THE PULSE • JANUARY 4, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
By Tony Mraz
Pulse contributor
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HOUGH WAYNE WHITE’S SHOW AT the Hunter Museum is over, and Wayne-ORama is gone, the effects of his tenure are still lingering. Perhaps the most profound result of Wayne’s time in Chattanooga is the inspiration he has given to the local arts community—his creative processes, use of materials, and manner of describing subjects have undoubtedly left their mark. A shining example of this is the story of a lifelong carpenter who has chosen to become a fine artist. Bryan Dyer got the position of lead carpenter in the Wayne-O-Rama project because he is one of the very best in the business. Beginning after high school with light weight carpentry, he worked his way up the totem pole to become the construction equivalent of a surgeon.
His work can be found in various local residences, and businesses including Greyfriar’s Coffee House and The Hot Chocolatier. The custom wood pieces he creates are made to last, and his ethic is second to none. “There are houses that get renovated, they get a 50-year remodel—and then there are other projects where everything is done in six weeks, and the choice of materials, workmanship, and procedures are sub-par,” he explains. “It is hard for folks to get equity in something when they are going to have to redo it all in five years. If something is defective and needs to be re-worked, you can make it stay where it is long enough to cover it up with another surface, and that’s the five-year remodel—versus the 50-year remodel, where you replace the entire framing member.” Brian undertakes his build-outs and repairs with surgical precision. He uses the highest quality building supplies, and does material studies when
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“Creating the structure, and making the plywood do what it needed to do for Wayne’s vision, was easily the biggest challenge of my career.” a new product becomes available. A few of the low quality products that he warns his clients against are MDF trim that doesn’t last, laminated wood flooring that leeches toxic fumes, and vinyl products that also have negative long term health effects. “I don’t like vinyl siding because of the environmental impact,” he says. In terms of siding, he speaks very highly of fiber cement, but he warns us about the product. “You have to be really careful installing fiber cement, because it has silica in it. If you breathe the dust when you are cutting it, it doesn’t get exhaled. Silica dust is micro sand that will stay in your lungs forever—it’s not something that your system can abate. It is unwise for a homeowner to buy fiber cement and start installing it without knowing about that risk.” Bryan’s skill set as a carpenter made him a perfect collaborator for the Wayne-O-Rama project, which is where he dis-
covered his love of art. Helping to build the monumental Lookout Mountain sculpture was the most difficult and fun carpentry project he has done so far. “I have not had any art training or practice, but I was trying to get things to be the way they needed to be done,” Dyer explains. “I had to learn to speak a different language. Creating the structure, and making the plywood do what it needed to do for Wayne’s vision, was easily the biggest challenge of my career. Taking it down was quite a challenge too.” Rock City currently has possession of the mountain, and they intend to display it. This is good news for White’s fans, since his retrospective at the Hunter Museum ended this past Saturday. Bryan helped to hang all of the giant puppets, including the Louvin Brothers, and he will take them down on Friday. He also assisted White with his exhibition for the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, which is up until February
11. “The ‘Monitorium’ show is about two Civil War Battleships, the Monitor and the Merrimac,” he explains. “The show is an interactive exhibit with moving puppets. Wayne had some specific ideas, and we started out with those, and the ideas grew.” When he isn’t helping to build sculptural installations, Bryan stays busy with artisan carpentry—he recently completed a stunning circular window, perfectly framing a tree. He is a sub-contractor for New Blue construction, one of the finest construction firms in the area. “I got tired of being the contractor, estimator, advertiser, etc, so I let them handle all of that. I’m having a lot of fun working with them, they get really cool projects.” We can’t talk about it yet, but Bryan might have a really big project in the near future. In the meantime, he is building a new bar for the Palace Theater, which will be re-opening soon. He is also making artwork to exhibit— but that is a different story.
THU1.4 Vision and Verse: Lady J
She will infuse a work of visual art with her own poetic vision and guests will be invited to lend their voices. 6 p.m. The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. huntermuseum.org
FRI1.5 The Floor Is Yours: Getting Together
Come eat, drink, and be merry with your fellow Floorists and fans of the monthly show. 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org
SAT1.6 Cosplayers on Ice
Come see all your favorite anime and fantasy characters come to life...on ice skates! Perfect for photo bugs. 3 p.m. Ice On The Landing 1400 Market St. iceonthelanding.com
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018 • THE PULSE • 11
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR
Art to Warm the Heart
THURSDAY1.4 Ooltewah Farmers Market 3 p.m. Ooltewah Nursery 5829 Main St. (423) 238-9775 ooltewahnursery.com Signal Mountain Farmers Market 4 p.m. Pruett’s Market 1210 Taft Hwy. (423) 902-8023 signalmountainfarmersmarket.com Throwback Thursday 4 p.m. The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Creating A 2018 Vision Board 5:30 p.m. Chattanooga WorkSpace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 413-8978 thechattery.org Vision and Verse: Lady J 6 p.m. The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org Big Ed Caylor 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Country Line Dancing Class 8 p.m. Westbound Bar 24 Station St.
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(423) 498-3069 westboundbar.com
FRIDAY1.5 Sandhill Crane Cruise 10 a.m. River Gorge Explorer 201 Riverfront Pkwy. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org Chattanooga Market at Erlanger 10:30 a.m. Erlanger Hospital Medical Mall 975 E. 3rd St. chattanoogamarket.com Meditation Group Noon Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga 3224 Navajo Dr. (423) 624-2985
uucc.org Chattanooga ModelCon 2 p.m. Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 chattanoogascalemodelers.com Movement Arts Collective Open House 4 p.m. Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd. (423) 401-8115 movementartscollective.com Start with Art First Friday 4 p.m. Artists On The Loose 1401 Williams St. (423) 321-8154 artistsontheloose.com Art to Warm the Heart Opening Reception 5 p.m.
ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT As country as cornbread, Big Ed Caylor brings his downhome Southern comedic wit back to his hometown roots for a special headlining visit. Big Ed Caylor The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com
In-Town Gallery 26 Frazier Ave. (423) 267-9214 intowngallery.com 2018 Group Exhibition 7 p.m. Frequency Arts 1804 E. Main St. facebook.com/frequencyarts Big Ed Caylor 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com The Floor Is Yours: Getting Together 7:30 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. (423) 624-5347 barkinglegs.org Nooga! Visit Rock Village 8 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com
SATURDAY1.6 Chattanooga ModelCon 9 a.m. Chattanooga Convention Center 1150 Carter St. (423) 756-0001 chattanoogascalemodelers.com St. Albans Hixson Market 9:30 a.m. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 7514 Hixson Pike (423) 842-6303
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR
Chattanooga ModelCon Sandhill Crane Cruise 10 a.m. River Gorge Explorer 201 Riverfront Pkwy. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org Brainerd Farmers Market 10 a.m. Grace Episcopal Church 20 Belvoir Ave. (404) 245-3682 A Day of Practice for the New Year 10 a.m. Center for Mindful Living 400 E. Main St. (423) 486-1279 Creating A Life You Love In 2018 10 a.m. Chattanooga WorkSpace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 413-8978 thechattery.org Farmer’s Market 11 a.m. Nutrition World 6237 Vance Rd. (423) 892-4085 nutritionw.com Red Wolf Feeding and Talk Noon Reflection Riding Arboretum 400 Garden Rd. (423) 821-1160 reflectionriding.org Chattanooga Art Tour 1 p.m. The Hunter Museum of Art 10 Bluff View Ave. (423) 267-0968 huntermuseum.org 2018 Chattahooligan Summit 2 p.m. First Draft Theater
Sandhill Crane Cruise 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com Winter Vistas: Longstreet’s Breakthrough 2 p.m. Chickamauga Battlefield 3370 Lafayette Rd. Fort Oglethorpe, GA (706) 866-9241 ps.gov/chch Chattanooga Cosplayers on Ice 3 p.m. Ice On The Landing 1400 Market St. (423) 645-8237 iceonthelanding.com Big Ed Caylor 7:30, 9:45 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Adventure Fight: Fantasy Roleplaying Comedy Show 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
SUNDAY1.7 Sandhill Crane Cruise 10 a.m. River Gorge Explorer 201 Riverfront Pkwy. (800) 262-0695 tnaqua.org Journey Dance 2 p.m. Center for Mindful Living 400 E. Main St. (423) 486-1279
centermindfulliving.org Free Fiddle School 2 p.m. Fiddlers Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 Big Ed Caylor 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com
MONDAY1.8 New Year Bellydance Session 5:45 p.m. Movement Arts Collective 3813 Dayton Blvd. (423) 401-8115 movementartscollective.com What is Sustainable Landscaping? 6 p.m. green|spaces 63 E. Main St. (423) 648-0963 greenspaceschattanooga.org The Way Of Cha: Oolong 6 p.m. The Edney, Floor Five 1100 Market St. (423) 413-8978 thechattery.org
TUESDAY1.9 Wake Up & Run 6 a.m. Fleet Feet Sports Chattanooga 307 Manufacturers Rd. (423) 771-7996
fleetfeet.com Northside Farmers’ Market 3 p.m. Northside Presbyterian Church 923 Mississippi Ave. (423) 266-1766 Food RX: Using Food As Medicine 5:30 p.m. Chattanooga Lifestyle Center 325 Market St. (423) 778-7000 erlanger.org “Understanding Behaviors: It’s Not Your Personality” 5:30 p.m. Chattanooga WorkSpace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 413-8978 thechattery.org Tuesday Night Chess Club 6 p.m. Downtown Library 1001 Broad St. (423) 643-7700 chattilibrary.com Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 6 p.m. Center for Mindful Living 400 E. Main St. (423) 486-1279 centermindfulliving.org Intro To Improv 7 p.m. First Draft Theater 1800 Rossville Ave. (423) 843-1775 improvchattanooga.com Chatt About Science: Local Work To Save Endangered Red Wolves 7 p.m. Revelator Coffee Company 10 Frazier Ave.
revelatorcoffee.com English Country Dance For All 7 p.m. Heritage House Arts & Civic Center 1428 Jenkins Rd. (423) 855-9474 chattanooga.gov
WEDNESDAY1.10 Lookout Farmers Market 10 a.m. Memorial Hospital 2525 Desales Ave. lookoutfarmersmarket.com Middle Eastern Dance 10:30 a.m. Jewish Cultural Center 5461 North Terrace (423) 493-0270 jewishchattanooga.com Main Street Market 4 p.m. 522 W. Main St. mainstfarmersmarket.com Goals: How To Make Them And Stick To Them 5:30 p.m. Chattanooga WorkSpace 302 W. 6th St. (423) 413-8978 thechattery.org Improv Chattanooga 7:30 p.m. The Comedy Catch 1400 Market St. (423) 629-2233 thecomedycatch.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018 • THE PULSE • 13
MUSIC
Jonathan Wimpee Is In A Great State of Mind Two years in the studio creates a masterful album
Drakeford Duo To Delight Puckett’s Chattanooga is brimming with talented artists. Whether they be painters, writers, dancers, it’s hard to find the diamonds amongst the glimmering gems. It’s the harsh truth that not everyone’s “got it,” but one duo that does can be found at Puckett’s this Friday night: Drakeford. The husband and wife singer/songwriter duo are the epitome of beautiful music made by beautiful people. After reaching the second round on American Idol in 2009, Drakeford decided to follow his passion for music outside of his comfort zone of the States and head overseas to share his faith through song and spoken word. As Fate would have it, in Turkey, Drakeford met his now wife and the other half of his duo, Lucy Jayne. They recently made the move to Chattanooga after years living abroad, continent hopping with their melodies. Together they’ll fill Puckett’s rafters with their pop and jazz-inspired tunes that brought them around the world together. Their unique blend of the world’s various genres gives their music an edge not so easily found here in the States, and one that is sure to warm your ears and hearts. — Brooke Brown Drakeford Friday, 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way (423) 708-8505 puckettsgro.com/chattanooga 14 • THE PULSE • JANUARY 4, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor
J
ONATHAN WIMPEE. IF YOU’RE IN THE music scene and you don’t know that name, you aren’t in the music scene. Jon is one of the most prolific guitar players in the region, a musical chameleon who is equally at home playing rock, blues, jazz, country, folk, funk, reggae, even dusty old Irish tunes when called upon, and that’s not even touching on his impeccable vocal skills. Here is a guy who has literally played a gig with one band in the morning, a different band in the afternoon, a third one that evening, all different genres, and has moved effortlessly between each, playing whatever needed playing at the moment as though it were the only thing he’d played his whole life. He’s good, is what I’m saying. He’s very good
and highly sought after. The number of local albums and recordings he’s guest starred on is beyond the scope of this article. His current active résumé includes Milele Roots, Ogya, Molly Maguires, Noise Kings, Dagobah Militia and Happy Little Accidents. Those are his regular bands, the list of acts he is asked to sit in with for one-off performances is, again, beyond the scope of this writing. For all the respect and admiration Jon has rightfully earned in the eyes of his fellow musicians, for all the love of the fans, one thing has been missing from the man who has spent a career making other people’s bands sound good. There has never been a Jon Wimpee solo album, at least not until now. Two years in the studio, a lifetime in the making, State of Mind is ready for public consumption and it does not disappoint. That wasn’t a given. The risk of a guy who can
MUSIC
“There has never been a Jon Wimpee solo album, at least not until now. Two years in the studio, a lifetime in the making, State of Mind is ready for public consumption and it does not disappoint.” basically do everything releasing a solo album is that he might try to do everything, resulting in an incoherent mess of a record without focus or direction. Such is not the case. State of Mind is a magnum opus, a study in subtlety, style, taste and refinement, the mark of a consummate professional who knows his business. Recorded locally by the incomparable Mitch Wood, the jazz infused collection features performances by some of the scene’s best and brightest. Drums are provided by Ivan Garcia, Yattie Westfield, and Adam Brown. The bass is laid down by Dan Pinson, Tyler Reddick and Charles Gaston. The guitar work is, of course, Jon Wimpee, along with contributions by Yattie Westfield. Jack Kirton provides steel guitar. Jessica Nunn adds viola to the mix and keys are provide by Marcus White, Brett Nolan and Carl Pemberton. Jeff McSpadden and Mitch Wood play
percussion and Amy Forrester performs background vocals. Simply put, this album contains one of the most all star lineups of anything recorded and released in the area, ever, and the result is a collection of the tastiest, funkiest grooves I’ve ever heard. Frankly, my big ol’ box of superlatives is useless here because no word or combination of words captures the spirit and flavor of the thing as well as those six letters: groove. “Well Enough Alone” is a jazzy little bossa nova number reminiscent of “Girl from Ipanema” while “Dig” is a study of smooth, progressive jazz with keys to die for. “My Hometown” is a loving look at the places we all come from, with a Thomas Wolfe slant. Maybe you really can’t go home again, except in your own mind, but maybe that’s good enough. “Ain’t Gonna Give Up” still has a jazz backbone, but is so much
a soul tune it ought to come with a plate of greens and fatback. It’s the kind of tune that will have you bobbing and grooving without realizing you’re doing it; it just kinda takes control. “Dirty Beans and Rice” is a funky instrumental jam and may be my favorite track of the lot. Think, “Little Feat” at the height of their playing and you have an approximation of the song. There are twelve tracks in all, each one a mini-masterpiece lovingly crafted. I listened to this album through a nice set of studio headphones and the engineering is phenomenal, the tracks are living, breathing entities, complex but uncrowded. Jazzy, heartfelt, beautifully written and executed, State of Mind is what happens when the best of the best get together to make an album. It may have been a long time in the making, but every track reaffirms that it was well worth the wait.
Outlaw Country At Revelry Room A few weeks back I wrote about an up and coming artist who, despite a painful and prolonged recovery from a vicious assault, was gearing up to unleash a brilliant new country act on the world. His name is Tyson Leamon and the time is now as Saturday the Revelry Room proudly presents the Off the Rails Outlaw Country Concert. The show features the talents of Backwater Still, Randy Woody and the Southbound Band, and Tyson Leamon and the White Line Drifters. Folks, this isn’t “shucks” and “yee haw” country, this is the real deal, a group of artists who defy the radio conventions of the genre and make the kind of country music that gave the genre its reputation in the first place. The show is from 8 p.m. to midnight and tickets are available now from the Revelry Room. — MTM
THU1.4
FRI1.5
SAT1.6
Keepin’ It Local
Hive Theory, Lottery, Oliver
Randall Bramblett
Get a laid-back start to the weekend at Warehouse Row's friendliest watering hole with some great live acoustic music. 8 p.m. The Social 1110 Market St. publichousechattanooga.com
Sure, it's cold outside, but JJ's keeps it hot inside with a trio of smokin' bands to warm you up. 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
Known for playing with rock’s legends like Bonnie Raitt, The Allman Brothers Band, Steve Winwood and Widespread Panic. 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018 • THE PULSE • 15
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
Thirstain Daniels and the Louisiana Purchase
THURSDAY1.4 James Crumble Trio 6 p.m. St. John’s Meeting Place 1278 Market St. stjohnsrestaurant.com Open Mic with Megan Saunders 6 p.m. Whole Foods Market 301 Manufacturers Rd. wholefoodsmarket.com Prime Country Band 6:30 p.m. Motley’s 320 Emberson Dr. Ringgold, GA (706) 260-8404 Bluegrass & Country Jam 6:30 p.m. Grace Church of the Nazarene 6310 Dayton Blvd. chattanoogagrace.com Eric & Eric 7 p.m. Farm To Fork 120 Robert E. Lee Dr. Ringgold, GA farmtoforkga.com Toby Hewitt 7 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Open Mic Night with Ryan Oyer 7 p.m.
16 • THE PULSE • JANUARY 4, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
Moccasin Bend Brewing Company 3210 Broad St. bendbrewingbeer.com Bluegrass Thursdays 7:30 p.m. Feed Co. Table & Tavern 201 W. Main St. feedtableandtavern.com Jesse James & Tim Neal 7:30 p.m. Mexi-Wing VII 5773 Brainerd Rd. mexi-wingchattanooga.com Keepin’ It Local 8 p.m. The Social 1110 Market St. publichousechattanooga.com Open Mic Night with Jonathan Wimpee 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe
901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com
FRIDAY1.5 Binji Varsossa 6 p.m. Cancun Mexican Restaurant 1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 Gino Fanelli 7 p.m. Oddstory Brewing Company 336 E. MLK Blvd. oddstorybrewing.co Tim Neal & John Duval 7 p.m. Farm To Fork 120 Robert E Lee Dr. Ringgold, GA farmtoforkga.com Tim Lewis
PULSE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT An Americana country pop singer/songwriter from Nashville, Chase combines her country roots with a rhythm & blues flair that will keep your toes tapping. Chase Martin
Friday, 10 p.m. Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com
7 p.m. El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Aaron Dunn 8 p.m. Moccasin Bend Brewing Co. 3210 Broad St. bendbrewingbeer.com Rick Rushing 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Live Music 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Lottery, Hive Theory, Oliver 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Drakeford 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Chase Martin 10 p.m. Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com Thirstain Daniels and the Louisiana Purchase, Over Easy 10 p.m. Frequency Arts
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
Sam Killed The Bear 1804 E. Main St. facebook.com/frequencyarts
SATURDAY1.6 Bluegrass Brunch Noon The Honest Pint 35 Patten Pkwy. thehonestpint.com Binji Varsossa 6 p.m. Cancun Mexican Restaurant 1809 Broad St. (423) 266-1461 Randall Bramblett Band 7 p.m. Songbirds Guitar Museum 35 Station St. songbirdsguitars.com Tim Lewis 7 p.m. El Meson 248 Northgate Park elmesonchattanooga.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Ligtebra, Mouth Gremlin, Swimwear, Kodakristal, Sam Killed The Bear 7 p.m. Frequency Arts 1804 E. Main St. facebook.com/frequencyarts Up the Dose and Friends/ Show and Open Jam 8 p.m. McHale’s Brewhouse 724 Ashland Terrace (423) 877-2124
The Countrymen Band 8 p.m. Eagles Club 6130 Airways Blvd. (423) 894-9940 Danimal 8:30 p.m. The Foundry 1201 Broad St. chattanooganhotel.com Aaron Dunn 9 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Backwater Still, Randy Woody, and Tyson Leamon and the White Line Drifters 9 p.m. Revelry Room 41 Station St. revelryroom.co Megan Howard 9 p.m. Puckett’s Restaurant 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Misfit Toyz 9 p.m. Farm To Fork 120 Robert E. Lee Dr. Ringgold, GA farmtoforkga.com Broke Down Hound with Crosstown Allstars 10 p.m. Clyde’s On Main 122 W. Main St. clydesonmain.com
SUNDAY1.7 The Von Vamps
11 a.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com The Bird And The Bear 1:30 p.m. Flying Squirrel Bar 55 Johnson St. flyingsquirrelbar.com Bluegrass Jam 4 p.m. Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 Open Mic with Jeff Daniels 6 p.m. Long Haul Saloon 2536 Cummings Hwy. (423) 822-9775 Maria Sable 8 p.m. Southside Social 1818 Chestnut St. thesouthsidesocial.com
MONDAY1.8 Open Mic Night 6 p.m. Puckett’s Grocery 2 W. Aquarium Way puckettsgro.com Monday Nite Big Band 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Open Air with Jessica Nunn 7:30 p.m. The Granfalloon 400 E. Main St. granfalloonchattanooga.com Very Open Mic with
The Bird And The Bear Shawnessey Cargile 8 p.m. The Well 1800 Rossville Blvd. #8 wellonthesouthside.com
TUESDAY1.9 Bill McCallie and In Cahoots 6:30 p.m. Southern Belle 201 Riverfront Pkwy. chattanoogariverboat.com Danimal 7 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Open Mic Jam Session 7 p.m. Crust Pizza 3211 Broad St. crustpizza.com Open Mic with Mike McDade 8 p.m. Tremont Tavern 1203 Hixson Pike tremonttavern.com Holifields, Pinecone 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com
WEDNESDAY1.10 The Other Guys 6 p.m. SpringHill Suites 495 Riverfront Pkwy. springhillsuites.com Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Show
6:30 p.m. Fiddler’s Anonymous 2248 Dayton Blvd. (423) 994-7497 Jesse James Jungkurth 7 p.m. Backstage Bar 29 Station St. backstagechattanooga.com Jimmy Harris 7 p.m. The Coconut Room 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Joel Brothers 8 p.m. The Office @ City Cafe 901 Carter St. citycafemenu.com Priscilla & Little Rickee 8 p.m. Las Margaritas 1101 Hixson Pike (423) 756-3332 Jazz In The Lounge 8 p.m. Barking Legs Theater 1307 Dodds Ave. barkinglegs.org Zigtebra, El Banditos 9 p.m. JJ’s Bohemia 231 E. MLK Blvd. jjsbohemia.com Prime Cut Trio 9 p.m. The Palms at Hamilton 6925 Shallowford Rd. thepalmsathamilton.com Map these locations on chattanoogapulse.com. Send event listings at least 10 days in advance to: calendar@chattanoogapulse.com
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018 • THE PULSE • 17
RECORD REVIEWS ∙ ERNIE PAIK
Andrea Pensado + id m theft able, Sudan Archives
Andrea Pensado + id m theft able Andrea Pensado + id m theft able (Maang)
Sudan Archives Sudan Archives (Stones Throw)
I
Born in Argentina and currently operating in Massachusetts, Pensado studied composition and computer music in Poland and delivers her agitated vocals and flustered electronics in solo work and collaborative groups such as Phurnne and Los Condenados. Shrouded in mystery, id m theft able is a prolific improviser who takes his insane mouth sounds way beyond mere vocal mimicry, combined with his amplified junkyard found-object playtime. The first set, from March 2016, keeps listeners on their toes with high frequency alien transmissions, ampli-
t only makes sense to pair these two artists—Andrea Pensado and id m theft able—who defy the underground realm classification of “one-person improvised noise/electronics band” by cultivating their own creative worlds, persistently combining bizarre vocalizations with stimulating barrages of disconnected aural fragments. Two collisions of these two sound planets are documented on the new album at hand—available on cassette and as digital downloads on Bandcamp—featuring two live 20-minute collaborative performances in Portland, Maine, the homebase of id m theft able.
18 • THE PULSE • JANUARY 4, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
fied scrapes and freely flowing streams of vocal pops, clicks and other mouth sounds. Choppy vocals emerge as syllables or animalistic outbursts, including a few bloodcurdling yells, and occasionally, short cool-down periods are provided with space, seasoned with a few quiet crackles or pure tones. These breaks are interrupted by relentless torrents, evoking a sort of manic cartoon violence that is simultaneously terrifying, disorienting and amusing. On the second set, recorded in August 2017, Pensado’s incomprehensible jabber is distorted even further, among an impossibly complicated mess of squeaks, screeches, aural squiggles and static. These abnormal sparks of restless creativity fly through the ether like waves of arrows, and the album is animated and playful yet often overwhelming in a good way. This writer is reminded of the Far Side comic showing a dying cowboy punctured with numerous arrows, telling his companion, “Yeah, Clem. I hurt. But y’know, it’s a good kind of hurt.”
Y
our humble narrator recalls when two of his friends had their first child and gave him an unconventional name. “You know, with a name like that, he’s going to be a rock star someday,” said this writer to the parents. Now take the case of Sudan Archives, who was raised in Ohio and originally named Brittney Parks. After seeing a showcase of Irish fiddlers in the fourth grade, she became interested in fiddle music and took up the instrument as a church musician. When she was a teen, her mother recognized her personal style, which drew from traditional African sources, and renamed her “Sudan.” It may not come as a surprise that she later discovered African fiddle music from Sudan and West Africa; a transformation was marked with another redubbing, as she adopted the surname “Archives” to acknowledge her interest in ethnomusicology. The self-titled 6-song EP from Archives, however, does not fit neatly into any fiddle category, being a studio creation that draws from eclectic sources,
and it’s a striking debut that offers sonic chemistry with a mask of modern soul. By calling it chemistry, this writer refers to how sounds combine and react, resulting in textures and rhythms; for example, Archives’ staccato vocal phrasing matches up with the percussion in a fascinating synthesis on the EP’s opening track. On “Time,” bowed violin notes pair up with plucked melodies, among its varied textures provided by a kalimba (thumb piano) and hyperactive drum machine. Braying violin patterns infect “Come Meh Way,” which is riddled with claps and clicks and hand percussion; the song, in a revelatory moment, introduces a synth bass line overlaid on the beats, finally giving it a logical hip-hop gait. With a velvety elegance, Archives sings the odd yet comforting phrase “If you want some oatmeal, I got you” on “Oatmeal,” while studio-manipulated string samples quickly and repeatedly fade out, providing a beat. Often, Archives seems to start with interesting sounds and follows where they take her, perhaps the way a name can.
JONESIN' CROSSWORD ∙ MATT JONES
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY ∙ ROB BREZSNY CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Soulful beauty will be a major theme for you in 2018. Or at least it should be. But I suppose it’s possible you’re not very interested in soulful beauty, perhaps even bored by it. Maybe you prefer skin-deep beauty or expensive beauty or glamorous beauty. If you choose to follow predilections like those, you’ll lose out on tremendous opportunities to grow wilder and wiser. But let’s hope you make yourself available for a deeper, more provocative kind of beauty—a beauty that you could become more skilled at detecting as the year unfolds. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Let your freak flag fly” was an expression that arose from the hippie culture of the 1960s and 1970s. It was a colorful way to say, “Be your most unique and eccentric self; show off your idiosyncrasies with uninhibited pride.” I propose that we revive it for your use in 2018. I suspect the coming months will be a favorable time for you to cultivate your quirks and trust your unusual impulses. You should give yourself maximum freedom to explore pioneering ideas and maverick inclinations. Paradoxically, doing so will lead to stabilizing and enduring improvements in your life. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In accordance with the astrological omens, I suggest you start compiling a list entitled, “People, Places, Ideas, and Things I Didn’t Realize Until Now That I Could Fall in Love With.” And then keep adding more and more items to this tally during the next ten months. To get the project underway in the proper spirit, you should wander freely and explore jauntily, giving yourself permission to instigate interesting mischief and brush up against deluxe temptations. For best results, open your heart and your eyes as wide as you can. One further clue: Act on the assumption that in 2018 you will be receptive to inspirational influences and life-transforming teachings that you have never before been aware of. ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 2018, your past will undergo transformation. Your memories will revise and rearrange themselves. Bygone events that seemed complete and definitive will shimmy and shift, requiring new interpretations. The stories you have always told about how you became who you are will have to be edited, perhaps even rewritten. While these overhauls may sometimes be disconcerting, they will ultimately be liberating. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In 2018, people will be drawn to you even more than usual. Some will want you to be their rock—their steady, stable source of practical truth. Some will ask you to be
their tonic—their regular, restorative dose of no-nonsense. And others will find in you a creative catalyst that helps them get out of their ruts and into their grooves. And what will you receive in return for providing such a stellar service? First, there’ll be many opportunities to deepen and refine your integrity. To wield that much influence means you’ll have to consistently act with high-minded motivations. And secondly, Taurus, you’ll get a steady supply of appreciation that will prove to be useful as well as gratifying. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Influences that oppose you will fade as 2018 unfolds. People who have been resistant and uncooperative will at least partially disengage. To expedite the diminishing effects of these influences and people, avoid struggling with them. Loosen the grip they have on your imagination. Any time they leak into your field of awareness, turn your attention instead to an influence or person that helps and supports you. Here’s another idea about how to collaborate with the cosmic rhythms to reduce the conflict in your life: Eliminate any unconscious need you might have for the perversely invigorating energy provided by adversaries and bugaboos. Find positive new ways to motivate yourself. CANCER (June 21-July 22): I predict that in 2018 you will figure out how to get your obsessions to consistently work for your greatest good. You will come to understand what you must do to ensure they never drag you down into manic self-sabotage. The resolute ingenuity you summon to accomplish this heroic feat will change you forever. You will be reborn into a more vibrant version of your life. Passions that in the past have drained and confused you will become efficient sources of fuel for your worthiest dreams. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Just because you have become accustomed to a certain trouble doesn’t mean you should stop searching for relief from that trouble. Just because a certain pain no longer knocks you into a demoralized daze for days at a time doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Now here’s the good news: In 2018, you can finally track down the practical magic necessary to accomplish a thorough healing of that trouble and pain. Make this the year you find a more ultimate cure. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Have you ever nursed a yearning to speak Swahili or Chinese or Russian? The coming months will be an excellent time to get that project underway. Do you fantasize about trying exotic cuisines and finding new favorite foods? I invite you to act on that fantasy in 2018. Is there a form of manual labor that would be tonic for your
mental and physical health? Life is giving you a go-ahead to do more of it. Is there a handicraft or ball game you’d like to become more skilled at? Get started. Is there a new trick you’d like to learn to do with your mouth or hands? Now’s the time. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Before the fifteenth century, European nations confined their sailing to the Mediterranean Sea. The ocean was too rough for their fragile, unadaptable ships. But around 1450, the Portuguese developed a new kind of vessel, the caravel. It employed a triangular sail that enabled it to travel against the wind. Soon, exploratory missions ventured into the open sea and down along the coast of West Africa. Eventually, this new technology enabled long westward trips across the Atlantic. I propose that we make the caravel your symbol of power for 2018, Libra. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will find or create a resource that enables you to do the metaphorical equivalent of effectively sailing into the wind. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The Aztecs were originally wanderers. They kept moving from place to place, settling temporarily in areas throughout the land we now call Mexico. An old prophecy told them that they would eventually find a permanent home at a site where they saw an eagle roosting on a cactus as it clutched a snake in its talons. There came a day in the fourteenth century when members of the tribe spied this very scene on an island in the middle of a lake. That’s where they began to build the city that in time was the center of their empire. I bring this to your attention, Scorpio, so it can serve as a metaphor to guide you in 2018. I suspect that you, too, will discover your future power spot -- the heart of your domain for years to come. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Not every minute of every day, but when you have had the time, you’ve been searching for a certain treasure. With patience and persistence, you have narrowed down its whereabouts by collecting clues and following your intuition. Now, at last, you know its exact location. As you arrive, ready to claim it, you tremble with anticipation. But when you peel away the secrets in which it has been wrapped, you see that it’s not exactly what you expected. Your first response is disappointment. Nevertheless, you decide to abide in the presence of the confusing blessing and see what happens. Slowly, incrementally, you become aware of a new possibility: that you’re not quite ready to understand and use the treasure; that you’ll have to grow new capacities before you’ll be ready for it in its fullness.
“The Somethingest of 2017”—not good, not bad, just...something. ACROSS 1 “___ Drives Me Crazy” (1989 hit) 4 Curvy letters 8 Took off on two wheels 13 Edinburgh resident 14 And nothing more 15 Lawn straightener 16 “No way” 17 Binary digits 18 Oath-taker’s prop 19 St. Vincent album on a lot of “Best of 2017” lists 22 Whitman of TV’s “Parenthood” 23 Abbr. for someone who has just a first and last name 24 Actress Sissy of “The Help” 28 ___-Lorraine (area in northeast France) 30 Thor Heyerdahl’s “___-Tiki” 32 Half of CXII 33 2017 movie that could be Daniel DayLewis’s last, if he sticks with retirement 37 Fuel-efficient Toyota 39 365 billion days, in astronomy
40 “Can you give me ___?” 41 Toy fad that caught on in 2017 44 Olympic gold medalist Sebastian 45 ___ moment (epiphany) 46 Depletes 49 Casual walk 52 Took in dinner (but not a movie) 53 “There ___ no words ...” 54 Major 2017 event that required special glasses 58 Parrot’s cousin 61 1998 baseball MVP Sammy 62 Fasten, in a way 63 Got up 64 Unrestrained way to run 65 RR stops 66 Tropicana’s locale 67 Cartoon skunk Le Pew 68 Go with ___ grain DOWN 1 Kristen of “The Last Man on Earth” 2 Common eightlegged pest 3 Suffixes
after “twenti-”, “thirti-,” etc. 4 There were “A Few” in a 1992 film title 5 Boredom 6 Util. measured in kWh 7 Part of DOS, for short 8 Charlie Parker’s genre 9 Menzel who sang in “Frozen” 10 Soviet org. dissolved in 1991 11 Sushi selection 12 Beats by ___ (headphones brand) 13 ___ cum laude (with highest honors) 20 Protect, as with plastic 21 Ceases to exist 25 Scythes through the underbrush, perhaps 26 “Dear ___ Hansen” 27 Pirate executed in 1701 29 “I think somebody needs ___” 30 Turtle-ish enemy in Super Mario Bros. 31 Prefix
meaning “all” 34 John of “Entertainment Tonight” and new age music 35 He followed a trail of breadcrumbs 36 First South Korean president Syngman ___ 37 Certain GIs 38 Laugh-outloud type 42 6’11”, say 43 Dessert made with pecans or almonds, maybe 47 Bear-ly? 48 Clementine coats 50 Industrial city of Japan 51 Home Depot competitor 52 “The Ant and the Grasshopper” storyteller 55 “Get on it!” 56 Setting for “Julius Caesar” 57 Part of MIT 58 Dallas player, briefly 59 Overwhelming wonder 60 Gearwheel tooth
Copyright © 2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords. For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents perminute. Must be 18+ to call. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Reference puzzle No. 865
THE PULSE • NEW YEAR'S EVE GUIDE • DECEMBER 28, 2017 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • 19
FILM & TELEVISION
Thank Goodness For Guillermo del Toro The Shape Of Water brings love to the monster movie
Mrs. Maisel Is Truly Marvelous Last week, Pulse film editor John DeVore wrote fondly about Amazon Prime’s Jean Claude Van Johnson (as well he should) as an example of Amazon’s growing stable of original programming. But if one was only expecting muscle-bound comedy, muscle-bound superheroes (The Tick), or muscle cars (The Grand Tour), we’re here to tell you there’s a whole lot more going on in Prime-land. And chief among the new offerings is the brilliantly funny The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Set in a brilliantly staged 1958 New York, Midge Maisel’s (Rachel Brosnahan) life is on track—husband, kids, and elegant post-Yom Kippur dinners in their Upper West Side apartment. But when her life takes a surprise turn, she has to quickly decide what else she’s good at—and going from housewife to stand-up comic is a wild choice to everyone but her. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino, better known for creating Gilmore Girls. And her knack of witty, razor-sharp dialogue is, if anything, even better here. Add in stellar performances by the marvelously acerbic Alex Borstein and scene-stealing work from the always reliable Tony Shalhoub, and you have a recipe for success that will keep you laughing...and clicking “watch the next episode” until you can’t keep your eyes open. — Michael Thomas The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel On Demand Amazon Prime www.amazon.com 20 • THE PULSE • JANUARY 4, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
By John DeVore Pulse Film Editor
O
F THE MOVIE MONSTERS IN THE 1950’s, The Creature from the Black Lagoon ranks as my favorite. The Creature, known as Gill-man, had a distinct design, one that wasn’t terrifying so much as fascinating. The Gillman was not a supernatural creature, like Dracula or the Mummy, nor was he an abomination of science like Frankenstein or the Invisible Man. No, the Gill-man was a lost wonder, an intelligent creature full of curiosity rather than outright malice. His ultimate fate in the film was due to the inherent survival instinct found in all creatures— his kidnapping of the girl was mostly incidental. Most monsters were kidnappers in their films,
but Gill-man seemed to have a genuine love and concern for Kay Lawrence. Theirs was a romance interrupted, unrequited and unconsummated, leaving audiences to wonder what might have been. Thank goodnes for Guillermo del Toro. I could say that for a variety of reasons, but this year my gratitude is due to his latest film The Shape of Water. It is undoubtedly the weirdest, most entertaining, and captivating film of the year. I’d even go so far as calling it the best film I’ve seen. Whatever subversion has been assigned Rian Johnson for his Star Wars film should be reconsidered in the light of this film. The Shape of Water is a dark beauty, a soaring song, and a classic love story wrapped into watercolor painting of deep greens and blues. It’s a wonderful film that could capture the hearts of any
FILM & TELEVISION
“The Shape of Water is a dark beauty, a soaring song, and a classic love story wrapped into watercolor painting of deep greens and blues.” audience, so long as they allow it to wash over them. Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) is a woman ignored. Rendered mute by a childhood accident, Elisa was raised as an orphan. She is more than she seems, hiding a wicked intelligence and depth that only her middle aged neighbor, a closeted gay artist named Giles (Richard Jenkins), and Zelda (Octavia Spencer), her African American best friend at work, can see. Sally communicates using American Sign Language, but like most language, it is insufficient in communicating who she really is. We get to know Elisa through her routines—her breakfast, her baths, her egg timer, her bus ride, her work, her friendships. She is normal enough, but vibrant and beautiful and hopeful in her own way. She works at the Occam Aerospace Research Center in
Baltimore as a janitor during the Cold War. The scientists that surround her are desperate for any edge over the Soviets (the Soviets share their concerns.) When an “asset” is brought in from South America, being towed by the cruel Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon), Elisa’s interest is piqued. The asset is a creature— scaled and beautiful, with features both human and amphibious, a part of the wild that might have been worshipped as a god in its part of the world. Elisa spends her free moments at work developing a relationship with the creature, communicating through music and sign, creating a music of her own. The premise of the story is strange, of course. An interspecies romance might be offputting to some. It’s a beauty and the beast story, except that this time the beast is not a prince and the beauty is not especially.
Subversion comes in the tropes del Toro so powerfully undermines. It isn’t the beauty that is kidnapped—it is the beast that is pursued. Elisa is drawn to the creature because the creature doesn’t see her as lacking an essential part of herself—it doesn’t need her voice to understand her. Sally Hawkins is a charming and exquisite as any Disney princess, giving Elisa a self-possession and agency that damsels often lack. The supporting cast, particularly Michael Shannon, is excellent. But the film’s beauty is found in more in visuals than the narrative. Del Toro, of course, is distinctive in his designs—the asset borrows heavily from both the Creature from the Black Lagoon and Abe Sapian from de Toro’s own Hellboy. But the look of the film itself is a wonder to behold—dark and colorful and careful. The Shape of Water is far better than anything in theaters right now. Hopefully, it will land in Chattanooga soon (I had to see it Knoxville). When it appears, I hope the theaters will be full. Your holiday will be better for it.
✴ ✴ NEW IN THEATERS ✴ ✴
Insidious: The Last Key Parapsychologist Dr. Elise Rainier faces her most fearsome and personal haunting yet—in her own family home. Director: Adam Robitel Stars: Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Kirk Acevedo
In Between Three Palestinian women living in an apartment in Tel Aviv try to find a balance between traditional and modern culture. Director: Maysaloun Hamoud Stars: Mouna Hawa, Sana Jammelieh, Shaden Kanboura, Mahmud Shalaby
You complete us. Now recruiting Media Sales Professionals to represent Chattanooga’s Alternative Newsweekly
Send your resume and cover letter to: Mike Baskin, Director of Sales mikebaskin@brewermediagroup.com In the subject line, please include: Brewer Sales Position Learn more about us at BrewerMediaGroup.com. Brewer Media is an equal opportunity employer.
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CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018 • THE PULSE • 21
COLUMN ∙ GAME ON!
Are You Game? Reliving the '80s gaming culture at Chattanooga Billiard Club East
Brandon Watson Pulse columnist
D
ELOREANS, MIAMI VICE, AND video arcades. I blame two seasons of Stranger Things for my overwhelming desire to seek out reminders of the ‘80s for better or worse. When I heard about Chattanooga Billiard Club’s newish game room at their Jordan Drive location, I suited up and headed out with Michael Jackson’s Thriller stuck in my head for some reason. I weaved among rows of pool tables going through double doors leading to the Tropicana room finding myself in the open air foyer with a few game cabinets posted up like sentries before a sacred temple. Anticipation welled as games like Galaga, Pac-man, and Aliens gleamed underneath radiating orange of space heaters mounted on the ceiling, then on towards another set of doors. Gamer Shangri-La exists on the other side with walls lined with arcade glory, shooters, fighters, and racers all danced in pixelated silence. The air was abuzz with electric possibilities as I became bludgeoned silly with the sweet stick of nostalgia. Super Mario 3 in a game cabinet? Classic Contra? What decade am I living in? Love and attention to detail is evident upon stepping into this classy beercade from the custom stamped tokens to the vinyl print tables and promiscuous neon shimmer reflecting off glossy floors. The tokens are stamped with a frothy mug toting Pac-man beckoning you to drop in, drop coin, and
drink up. Oh how could I refuse? A flat screen with geek icon Max Headroom lurks around in the back spasmodically twitching as he did over 30 years ago. You may need to ask your parents who Max Headroom was or give it a Google to bone up on your ‘80s trivia if you fancy. The walls are elegantly covered in ‘80s pop goodness with custom artwork by Suze the artist and wife of I’m Game’s owner Jeremy Reese. Jeremy is the technical master behind putting together the iconic imagery and custom flare for I’m Game making it a memorable place to hang out. Phil Windham owner of CBC and co-owner of I’m Game played with the concept after checking out Pints and Pixels in Huntsville Alabama. Phil is a business savvy gentleman who has a mighty fine tale to tell attributing his lifelong love of billiards to his misspent youth growing up in pool halls. To Phil, hosting a beercade in his beloved Billiard Club was a thoughtful prospect that had all the feel of being offered high stakes over a pool match. Something which he admits never backing away from. His hope is that I’m Game will have a sister beercade open on the third floor of CBC downtown with all the same style and flare of the Jordan Drive location. I’m Game is also home to a fierce Foosball community. Players with nicknames like Ninja, jack-ofall-trades-master-of-none, have
22 • THE PULSE • JANUARY 4, 2018 • CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM
found a home here every week to practice for and play in Foosball tournaments every Saturday. Although I never took to the sport there exists a hardcore following as with all things gaming and the folks who enjoy knocking rods over some drinks have discovered an amazing space to do it in. Beercades, Barcades or whatever we will start calling them are not new concepts but are things growing in prominence across the country as aging ‘80s babies long for the taste of adult beverages mixed with their fond memories childhood. Roller rinks and arcades where the places to be before home consoles and mobile gaming believe it or not. Back then the days of huddling over game cabinets trying to beat someone’s high score wasn’t just fodder for amazing Netflix it was a way of life. So if you have that itch for some nostalgic fun I’m Game just may be your new home away
from home, especially if that triple A game is not living up to the hype or its $80 price tag. I’m Game BeerCaid also offers party reservations from birthdays to office events for a flat rate for food and tokens or whatever the heart desires. But for any night between 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. the relaxed vibe and ’80s decorum will take you back to the glory days of arcades for a chill date with the significantO or a competitive throw-down with your best buds for bragging rights and rounds of beer. With plenty of elbow room and game mounted cup holders this is THE arcade by arcade lovers for arcade lovers and is definitely worth checking out. You just have to ask yourself one question: are you game?
When not vaporizing zombies or leading space marines as a mousepad Mattis, Brandon Watson is making gourmet pancakes and promoting local artists.
THE COMIX
CHATTANOOGAPULSE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018 • THE PULSE • 23
New Look. New Wheels. Celebrate the new year with a new ride. ChattanoogaHasCars.com