MUSIC

MUSIC MUSIC

Jess Shoman of Tenci

PHOTO: HENRY JORDAN SMITH Jess Shoman of Tenci

PHOTO: HENRY JORDAN SMITH

Musical Memories Musical Memories Chicago folk-rock artist Tenci weaves re ections of Chicago folk-rock artist Tenci weaves re ections of friends and family throughout a new album. friends and family throughout a new album. BY KATRINA ERESMAN

BY KATRINA ERESMAN

Memories play an essential role in Jess Shoman’s music.

Shoman’s Chicago-based bedroom-folk project started in 2018 and quickly evolved into Tenci. Now a band of four with their sophomore album A Swollen River, A Well Over owing fresh o the press, Shoman continues to draw inspiration from their past.

“ roughout all my music, I feel like I really try to just treat it as this, like, archival process,” Shoman says. “With the second [album], it’s more so like thinking towards the future, but there are still some songs where I’m kind of dipping back into the pool of my memories.”

CityBeat spoke to Shoman just ten days after Tenci had released their single Sour Cherries ahead of the LP. e single features three songs from A Swollen River, A Well Over owing, all of which showcase Shoman’s sweet and expressive voice on a landscape of crisp, simple instrumentation. Fans of Big ief, Angel Olsen and the like will fall instantly in love.

“I feel just excited to be releasing music,” Shoman says. “I feel like the anxiety and excitement has just kind of morphed more into excitement.” e soft and intentional production of these folk-adjacent songs makes them a tting soundtrack for a pensive country drive or a night in cooking dinner with friends — or for some magic tricks in the park, as is the subject of the music video for “Vanishing Coin,” one of two music videos for the Sour Cherries single. Shoman says they made four videos for their debut album.

“It’s really fun for me to try to tell a story in that form,” says Shoman, whose friends often are their collaborators in this context. “Sometimes my friends will just be like, ‘Well do you wanna just do this one for free?’ I feel lucky because that’s not always the case, and they are very expensive to make.”

Shoman turns to friends and collaborators for more than just their videos. e rst Tenci album, My Heart Is an Open Field (2020), evolved as it did because Spencer Radcli e and Tina Scarpello joined the project, and together they all recorded at Radcli e’s home. Shoman says that for A Swollen River, A Well Over owing, their bandmates provided helpful feedback in the recording process.

“[Having them] record with me was really helpful because they could kind of, like, be my second pair of eyes and ears on things,” Shoman says. e writing and recording process for My Heart Is an Open Field happened very quickly, they say, which added to the rawness of the songs. But for their second album, Shoman says they appreciated the opportunity to take more time.

“I felt like I had more room to be, like, a little more methodical, just with the way that we were making things,” they

say. “We had a little more room to play.” Playing and experimenting with the creative process was still central in their rst album. But with less of a pressing deadline for the latest release, Shoman says they felt less rushed. “ at’s always a good feeling, just to feel like you have more time to do something that is really important to you,” Shoman says. And it’s clear that these songs are extremely important to Shoman, who not only pours their life experiences into their lyrics but adds personal relics from their past into each record. In the middle of My Heart Is an Open Field, the track “Blue Spring” contains a voice recording from Shoman’s grandmother Hortencia. Known by her friends as Tenci, Hortencia is the eponym of Shoman’s project, they say. e latest Tenci album contains more personal recordings, thanks to the perfect birthday gift from Shoman’s mother. “For my birthday, she gifted me digitized versions of home videos,” Shoman says. “I’ve been, like, begging her to show me them.” “Memories,” the nale of A Swollen River, A Well Over owing, features more recordings from Shoman’s family members. “I just feel like my memory is kind of bad or blurry when it comes to being a kid or growing up and stu ,” they say. “I feel like I really wanted to dive into that a little more.” Tenci released their rst album on a friend’s small label in 2019. Texas label Keeled Scales approached them to do a re-release in June 2020, when touring to share and support new music was not an option due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world has gradually opened back up, Shoman and their band have been able to play their songs for live crowds — and they’ve managed to stay healthy along the way. “We’ve been pretty diligent about M emories play an essential role in Jess Shoman’s music. Shoman’s Chicago-based mask wearing, and we’ve made it through all the tours without getting COVID, which is, like, unheard of,” Shoman says.bedroom-folk project started in 2018 and e band is on its sixth tour since quickly evolved into Tenci. Now a band venues re-opened and already has of four with their sophomore album A three tours planned for 2023. Although Swollen River, A Well Over owing fresh the band works with a booking agent, o the press, Shoman continues to draw Shoman likes to select all of the locals, inspiration from their past. spending time digging around venue Ins-

“ roughout all my music, I feel like I tagram pages looking for local bands that really try to just treat it as this, like, archiseem to t Tenci’s music and values. val process,” Shoman says. “With the “I’ve discovered a lot of cool music,” second [album], it’s more so like thinking Shoman says. “I feel like it’s a fun way for towards the future, but there are still us to kind of get more of an in-depth look some songs where I’m kind of dipping into the actual community where we’re back into the pool of my memories.” playing.”

CityBeat spoke to Shoman just ten days after Tenci had released their single Sour Cherries ahead of the LP. e single features three songs from A Swollen River, A Well Over owing, all of which showcase Shoman’s sweet and expressive voice on a landscape of crisp, simple instrumentation. Fans of Big ief, Angel Olsen and the like will fall instantly in love. “I feel just excited to be releasing music,” Shoman says. “I feel like the anxiety and excitement has just kind of morphed more into excitement.” e soft and intentional production of these folk-adjacent songs makes them a tting soundtrack for a pensive country drive or a night in cooking dinner with friends — or for some magic tricks in the park, as is the subject of the music video for “Vanishing Coin,” one of two music videos for the Sour Cherries single. Shoman says they made four videos for their debut album. “It’s really fun for me to try to tell a story in that form,” says Shoman, whose friends often are their collaborators in this context. “Sometimes my friends will just be like, ‘Well do you wanna just do this one for free?’ I feel lucky because that’s not always the case, and they are very expensive to make.” Shoman turns to friends and collaborators for more than just their videos. e rst Tenci album, My Heart Is an Open Field (2020), evolved as it did because Spencer Radcli e and Tina Scarpello joined the project, and together they all recorded at Radcli e’s home. Shoman says that for A Swollen River, A Well Over owing, their bandmates provided helpful feedback in the recording process. “[Having them] record with me was really helpful because they could kind of, like, be my second pair of eyes and ears on things,” Shoman says. e writing and recording process for My Heart Is an Open Field happened very quickly, they say, which added to the rawness of the songs. But for their second album, Shoman says they appreciated the opportunity to take more time. “I felt like I had more room to be, like, a little more methodical, just with the way that we were making things,” they say. “We had a little more room to play.” Playing and experimenting with the creative process was still central in their rst album. But with less of a pressing deadline for the latest release, Shoman says they felt less rushed. “ at’s always a good feeling, just to feel like you have more time to do something that is really important to you,” Shoman says. And it’s clear that these songs are extremely important to Shoman, who not only pours their life experiences into their lyrics but adds personal relics from their past into each record. In the middle of My Heart Is an Open Field, the track “Blue Spring” contains a voice recording from Shoman’s grandmother Hortencia. Known by her friends as Tenci, Hortencia is the eponym of Shoman’s project, they say. e latest Tenci album contains more personal recordings, thanks to the perfect birthday gift from Shoman’s mother. “For my birthday, she gifted me digitized versions of home videos,” Shoman says. “I’ve been, like, begging her to show me them.” “Memories,” the nale of A Swollen River, A Well Over owing, features more recordings from Shoman’s family members. “I just feel like my memory is kind of bad or blurry when it comes to being a kid or growing up and stu ,” they say. “I feel like I really wanted to dive into that a little more.” Tenci released their rst album on a friend’s small label in 2019. Texas label Keeled Scales approached them to do a re-release in June 2020, when touring to share and support new music was not an option due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world has gradually opened back up, Shoman and their band have been able to play their songs for live crowds — and they’ve managed to stay healthy along the way. “We’ve been pretty diligent about mask wearing, and we’ve made it through all the tours without getting COVID, which is, like, unheard of,” Shoman says. e band is on its sixth tour since venues re-opened and already has three tours planned for 2023. Although the band works with a booking agent, Shoman likes to select all of the locals, spending time digging around venue Instagram pages looking for local bands that seem to t Tenci’s music and values. “I’ve discovered a lot of cool music,” Shoman says. “I feel like it’s a fun way for us to kind of get more of an in-depth look into the actual community where we’re playing.”

Tenci plays MOTR Pub Tenci plays MOTR Pub on Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. Freedom Nicole Moore will open the show. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. Freedom Nicole Moore will open the show. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Info: motrpub.com. Info: motrpub.com.

SOUND ADVICE SOUND ADVICE

Onetta

PHOTO: TANNER MCDOLE Onetta

PHOTO: TANNER MCDOLE

WILL HOGE WILL HOGE Nov. 20 • e Southgate House Revival

After John Prine’s tragic death from COVID-19 in 2020, it became clear just how much impact he had on the roots community as a whole. Will Hoge, the Nashville-based singer/songwriter, attests to his songwriting hero’s in uence with the crackling “John Prine’s Cadillac”, the rst single o his new record, Wings on My Shoes.

With over 20 years of experience and 12 records, Hoge long ago achieved veteran status in the Americana world. He was even nominated for a Grammy for his song, “Even If it Breaks Your Heart,” covered by the Eli Young Band — which soared to the rst spot on Billboard’s “Hot Country Songs” chart in 2012.

Known for his fearless perspective and politicized songwriting on record, Hoge lightens the tone and personalizes his storytelling approach on Wings on my Shoes. But Hoge is no folkie; most of his songs feature his three-piece combo with raucous, electric guitar and mid tempo pacing, at times reminiscent of Steve Earle and his blue-collar, country rock.

Hoge describes the exuberant inspiration of the single to DittyTV.com. “I was at a red light in Nashville, and look

over and there’s this shiny Cadillac with Nov. 20 • e Southgate House Revival John Prine behind the wheel. He’s tap-After John Prine’s tragic death from ping the steering wheel, with a shit-eat-COVID-19 in 2020, it became clear just ing grin, and the music barely audible how much impact he had on the roots through the window. I thought, now community as a whole. Will Hoge, the what in the hell is John Prine listening Nashville-based singer/songwriter, to that brings him that much joy.” attests to his songwriting hero’s in u- Will Hoge plays the Southgate House ence with the crackling “John Prine’s Revival on Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. Dave Hause Cadillac”, the rst single o his new is co-headlining the tour. Doors open record, Wings on My Shoes. at 7:30 p.m. Info: southgatehouse.com.

With over 20 years of experience and (Greg Gaston)12 records, Hoge long ago achieved veteran status in the Americana world. He was even nominated for a Grammy for his song, “Even If it Breaks Your Heart,” covered by the Eli Young Band — which soared to the rst spot on Billboard’s “Hot Country Songs” chart in 2012.

Known for his fearless perspective and politicized songwriting on record, Hoge lightens the tone and personalizes his storytelling approach on Wings on my Shoes. But Hoge is no folkie; most of his songs feature his three-piece combo with raucous, electric guitar and mid tempo pacing, at times reminiscent of Steve Earle and his blue-collar, country rock.

Hoge describes the exuberant inspiration of the single to DittyTV.com. “I was at a red light in Nashville, and look over and there’s this shiny Cadillac with John Prine behind the wheel. He’s tapping the steering wheel, with a shit-eating grin, and the music barely audible through the window. I thought, now what in the hell is John Prine listening to that brings him that much joy.” Will Hoge plays the Southgate House Revival on Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. Dave Hause is co-headlining the tour. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Info: southgatehouse.com.

(Greg Gaston)

ONETTA ONETTA Nov. 26 • MOTR Pub

Prepare yourself for powerful post punk-dream pop when you enter Motr Pub, Saturday November 26. Since 2019, post-punk dream pop band Onetta has worked to develop a live sound designed to surround their audience in a full, immersive sonic experience. With jangly guitars and chorus tinted bass, the Cincinnatibased band promises to bring the listener on a lush, yet heavy, shoegaze journey.

Sam Wulfekotter, chief songwriter, guitarist and vocalist for Onetta, draws inspiration for his songs from bands like My Bloody Valentine, Red House Painters, Joy Division and other post-punk groups. e band’s debut six song EP, In e Valley Of, released in conjunction with the Nov. 26 show, will showcase Wulfekotter’s unique writing style, seamlessly blending elements of his musical in uences with his deeply personal and singular signature style.

Wulfekotter picked up the guitar in 2016, and soon became pro cient

Nov. 26 • MOTR Pub

Prepare yourself for powerful post punk-dream pop when you enter Motr Pub, Saturday November 26. Since 2019, post-punk dream pop band Onetta has worked to develop a live sound designed to surround their audience in a full, immersive sonic experience. With jangly guitars and chorus tinted bass, the Cincinnatibased band promises to bring the enough to begin writing songs. Over listener on a lush, yet heavy, shoegaze the course of two years, his fellow band journey. members — Eric Shokler on bass,

Sam Wulfekotter, chief songwriter, Connor Fennessey on guitar and Brody guitarist and vocalist for Onetta, Forrester on the drums — worked draws inspiration for his songs from diligently to bring his musical vision bands like My Bloody Valentine, Red to life. Now, having emerged trium-House Painters, Joy Division and other phantly from the pandemic, with new songs and a solid, ne-tuned lineup of

post-punk groups. e band’s debut six song EP, In e Valley Of, released in conjunction with the Nov. 26 show, will showcase Wulfekotter’s unique writing style, seamlessly blending elements of his musical in uences with his deeply personal and singular signature style.

Wulfekotter picked up the guitar in 2016, and soon became pro cient enough to begin writing songs. Over the course of two years, his fellow band members — Eric Shokler on bass, Connor Fennessey on guitar and Brody Forrester on the drums — worked diligently to bring his musical vision to life. Now, having emerged triumphantly from the pandemic, with new songs and a solid, ne-tuned lineup of

Machine Head

PHOTO: DR_ZOIDBERG, FLICKR Machine Head

PHOTO: DR_ZOIDBERG, FLICKR

Will Hoge

PHOTO: TSYP9, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Will Hoge

PHOTO: TSYP9, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS instrumentalists, Onetta is playing as instrumentalists, Onetta is playing as many shows as they can, in and around many shows as they can, in and around Cincinnati. ey are also currently Cincinnati. ey are also currently working on a follow-up to the new EP, a working on a follow-up to the new EP, a full length album, due out sometime in full length album, due out sometime in summer 2023. summer 2023. Onetta plays MOTR Pub on Nov. 26 at Onetta plays MOTR Pub on Nov. 26 at 10 p.m. Chameleon Earheart and Wan10 p.m. Chameleon Earheart and Waning open the show. Info: motrpub.com. ing open the show. Info: motrpub.com. (Eric Bates)

(Eric Bates) MACHINE HEAD MACHINE HEAD Nov. 28 • Legends Bar & Venue

Con dence may not be able to get you everywhere, but in heavy metal it certainly can get you pretty damn far. For California-based thrashers Machine Head, their con dence, along with decades of experience and consistently hellacious ri s, have gotten them further than most. Now, over 30 years since their inception, the band is con dent enough to try something they’ve never done before: write and record a concept album. 2022’s ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN shows Machine Head at their most in ammatory. e band’s vocalist and guitarist, Robb Flynn, is well-known for speaking exactly what’s on his mind in his ery lyrics and on Twitter in equal measure. For the latest

release, Flynn lyrically explored a story of two individuals in a violent future whose personal tragedies are inextricably intertwined. Musically, the band stepped back to inject the past into their current output by channeling their seminal debut, Burn My Eyes (1994), alongside the modern classic, e Blackening (2007), with some of the most blistering crossover thrash tracks that the band has written in some time, while never sacri cing the storytelling Nov. 28 • Legends Bar & Venue and grandiosity that Machine Head has Con dence may not be able to get been celebrating in recent years. When you everywhere, but in heavy metal it an album draws parallels to arguably certainly can get you pretty damn far. the band’s two nest releases, you know For California-based thrashers Machine you’re in for a rager.Head, their con dence, along with Over the pandemic, Machine decades of experience and consistently Head both wrote ØF KINGDØM AND hellacious ri s, have gotten them CRØWN and performed online shows further than most. Now, over 30 years dubbed Electric Happy Hours. With the since their inception, the band is con- album nally released, the band is cel- dent enough to try something they’ve ebrating by embarking on the rst leg of never done before: write and record a their “Electric Happy Hour (Live)” tour concept album. where the band is hitting up smaller 2022’s ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN markets to perform solo in smaller, shows Machine Head at their most more intimate venues and give their in ammatory. e band’s vocalist and fans a one-of-a-kind show that isn’t to guitarist, Robb Flynn, is well-known be missed. for speaking exactly what’s on his Machine Head performs at Legends mind in his ery lyrics and on Twit- Bar & Venue on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Doors ter in equal measure. For the latest open at 7 p.m. Info: cincyticket.com/ machinehead. (Nick Grever)

release, Flynn lyrically explored a story of two individuals in a violent future whose personal tragedies are inextricably intertwined. Musically, the band stepped back to inject the past into their current output by channeling their seminal debut, Burn My Eyes (1994), alongside the modern classic, e Blackening (2007), with some of the most blistering crossover thrash tracks that the band has written in some time, while never sacri cing the storytelling and grandiosity that Machine Head has been celebrating in recent years. When an album draws parallels to arguably the band’s two nest releases, you know you’re in for a rager.

Over the pandemic, Machine Head both wrote ØF KINGDØM AND CRØWN and performed online shows dubbed Electric Happy Hours. With the album nally released, the band is celebrating by embarking on the rst leg of their “Electric Happy Hour (Live)” tour where the band is hitting up smaller markets to perform solo in smaller, more intimate venues and give their fans a one-of-a-kind show that isn’t to be missed.

Machine Head performs at Legends Bar & Venue on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Info: cincyticket.com/ machinehead. (Nick Grever)