1 I :9 V:
1 N ove m ber
2 , 5 1
Giving
Activism Shines Bright
Issue
01
The
Brett Dennen California's Pop Troubadour Combines Innovative Thinking and a Positive Message To Change Lives
Communities Unite For Causes
Zac Brown Band | SC Broadcasters | Busara Music Festival | Lauren Bruno
Last Call
Veteran Music Proprietor David Card Shares the Mix for the Perfect Benefit
{
letterfrom the editor I am proud of the musical community. Club owners open their doors to host benefits for a variety of causes. Musicians create their own nonprofits and tirelessly support their causes. Journalists cover the events to raise awareness and hand out praise. Patrons attend and shell out their hard-earned wages to support all of the above. The spirit of music moves us. It can cause us to dance; it can bring us to tears. All the stewards, in their varying roles, give the gift to change the world. Flip through the pages this month and breathe in all that is good. Brett Dennen (Cover Artist) will
Every year as Thanksgiving rounds out the end of college football season, I always find myself obsessively thinking about the word "thanks". (This year I am exceptionally thankful that LSU is Number 1.) And as most of my close friends can tell you, they will receive calls quite often into inappropriate hours of the night with me telling them why I am thankful for them and how much I love them. Something about the word "thanks" puts a smile on my face. It makes you feel good to be able to say it, but even more so to be able to hear it because you know that you have given something of yourself and it has touched someone. We hear incessantly about the negative occurrences in our world, but daily I see beauty and selflessness in spades. I am fortunate to reside in a creative community of artists, musicians, philanthropists, businessmen and people who just generally care about the betterment of the world. This month The Music Initiative focuses on just that...on the spirit of GIVING.
astound you with his heart and dedication to kids through The Mosaic Project (Noteworthy Contributions). Through music, The Busara Festival (3-Day Pass) in East Africa strengths the local infrastructure which in turn has helped maintain peace. Read how 17yr old artist Sophie Wiseman-Floyd (Artistic Rhythms) is dedicating her life to changing the economic livelihood of Haitians through the art of jewelry- making.
Spend some time this season and let your "Soulshine." Even Warren Haynes gave Larry McCray first recording rights to amazing song he wrote before the Allman Brothers released it. Remember that giving is just an extension of the inner beauty that lies within each of us. Got to let your soul shine, shine till the break of day -B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
on the cover:
BRETT DENNEN PAGE14-19
The South Carolina Broadcasters PAGE 38-41 Doug Chayka: Artist/Designer PAGE 44-47 Zac Brown Band: Southern Ground Music Festival PAGE 66-67
10-11 12-13 22-23 26-27 28-29 30-31 32-37
48-49 50-51
Eclectic Events: TMI staff hosts weekly artists gatherings
52-55
Vinyl Roots: The Original Inventors of the Music Benefit Concert
68-69
Reel Music: Make it a movie night with 50/50
70-71
The Monthly Spin: Staff reviews of 15 key “givers” in the music realm Noteworthy Contributions: The Mosaic Project: educators of humanity Last Call: Poor David’s Pub’s David Card mixes up a benefit...and a martini?
Soundbites: Our readers across the States share how music gives back. Emerging Artist: T. Champagne Book Buddies and more Artistic Rhythms: 17 year old Sophie Wiseman-Floyd's Recycled Jewels: Benefitting Haiti Coast to Coast: Austin: Lauren Bruno Charleston: Big Gigantic Denver: Snake Rattle Rattle Snake New Orleans: The Palmetto Bug Stompers Ode to the Web: TMI pays homage to mustachesforkids.org and rentgreenvans.com A-Side/B-Side/The Spin-off: Get your iPod ready for our staffcompiled playlists, inspired by this month’s giving issue
Gadgets & Giveaways Freeloader Pro Solar Charger
20-21
Campus FM & BS2 Big Stadiums, Big Sounds
58-61
3-Day Pass: Sauti Za Busara Zanzibar Music Festival
64-65
The Music Initiative http://www.themusicinitiative.com Editor-in-Chief: Becca Finley editor@themusicinitiative.com Managing Editor: Liz Earle managingeditor@themusicinitiative.com Staff Writers: Kyle Cannon, Justin Henderson, Nancy LaBarbiera, TJ Weaver, Zach Stanton, Erin Shealy Creative Director: Joel Travis creativedirector@themusicinitiative.com Graphic Designers: Devin VanTatenhove, Angie Brown Cover Photograph by Chapman Fowler Contributing Photographers: Ashley Brook Perryman, Kim Thompson Logo Design: Martha Martin Director of Media Content: Chapman Fowler youtube@themusicinitiative.com Shooters/Editors: Heather Brewer, Carl Mullins, Dave Baker, Roger Woodruff, Nick Modisett, Jaine Gay Digital Communications Coordinator: Kara Klein website@themusicinitiative.com Director of Business Devlopment: Taylor Rains development@themusicinitiative.com Promotions Manager: Carrie Cranford promotions@themusicinitiative.com PR Assistant: Cecily Alexander CFO: Kelly Corley accounting@themusicinitiative.com Office: 253 St. Phillip Street. Suite A Charleston, SC 29403 843-277-2483 Like Us On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheMusicInitiative Follow Us On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MusicIntMAG http://www.twitter.com/TMIMagEditor Watch Us On YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/themusicinitiativeco
Hey T
MIHowStaff! Do You Give? Kara: Liz:
Competing in/volunteering at athletic charity events Warm gestures, friendly conversation, big hugs, and a toothy smile
Taylor:
Smiling
Carrie:
Inspirational words that diminish negative thoughts
Kyle: Ace: Zach: Devin: Heather:
Philanthropy for The Jimmy V Foundation Helping kids, specifically disadvantaged kids, in any way I can
Really loudly and obnoxiously so everyone can see I’m doing it, otherwise, there’s no point right? With my time
With no regrets
Not Pictured: Nancy - Donating to Austin Humane Society & participating in American Cancer Society walk each year Justin - Donating clothes and old toys to those less fortunate TJ - Give people joy with a simple smile
Joel:
Angie - umm...artistically?
Through song and dance :)
Chapman:
Thomas - I like to give from my heart
Freerice.com, you can study while simultaneously donating to people in need
Vinyl Roots Tis the Season... To
Rock!
I
t’s the season for giving. And when it comes to giving, who gives bigger or better than rock stars? From the day people started getting paid to perform they have been giving back in some form or fashion. Because many individual musicians have become extremely successful it is only natural that they have the means to donate large sums of money to various charitable organizations. This being said, it is not until the early 1970’s that musicians finally came to realize the true power they possess. They have always realized that, individually, they are able to help many people. However, they soon learn that when they “band” together, they have the ability to change the world. And thus the phenomenon known as the benefit concert is born.
By no means is the benefit concert conceptualized in the 1970’s. In fact, it is widely believed that benefit concerts are being held as early as the 1700’s, typically to raise money for the family of the deceased. However, it is in the 1970’s that we get our first glimpse into the true potential of rock activism. In 1971 George Harrison grabs a couple of guys you may have heard of; Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton and others to put on two shows under the moniker of The Concert for Bangladesh. The shows are performed at Madison Square Garden with attendance around 40,000. So far, pretty standard fair. Where this concert(s) sets itself apart from predecessors is that the producer, Phil Spector, and George Harrison realized the potential of recording the concert and releasing and selling the recordings (a record and a film in this case) in order to maximize earnings. This effort does have its problems in that the funding is held up by the IRS for years because the promoters fail to apply for tax exempt status. Regardless, the
effort has managed to earn roughly $15 million for Bangladesh and is still profiting today with the re-release of the concert film on DVD in 2005. The foresight of Harrison and Spector would pave the way for similar benefit concerts to follow. There are a couple of notable concerts in the remainder of the ‘70s such as A Poke in the Eye (With a Sharp Stick) which later becomes the long-running Secret Policeman’s Ball series of comedy/music shows in the UK, and the 1979 No Nukes concert in NYC (A rally against the use of nuclear power rather than weapons). However, it is not until the 1980’s that the benefit concert bug starts to spread, and in a big way. The ‘80s get off to a big start with the largest single protest in US history. The Nuclear Disarmament Rally in 1982 attracts an estimated 750,000-1,000,000 demonstrators to New York City. Jackson Browne and The Boss, himself provide entertainment for the masses. Next in line of massive benefit shows of the ‘80s is Live Aid. The brainchild of Bob Geldof, Live Aid is organized to combat worldwide famine. This show features a dual venue simulcast between London and Philadelphia, the first of its kind in which an audience of an estimated 1.9 billion people in 150 countries attend or watch the show live. This concert literally leads us to the next mega-benefit of the 80’s. During the Live Aid benefit Bob Dylan comments that some of the money being raised should be funneled to the struggling American farmers. Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp run with the idea and thus is born Farm Aid. Nineteen concerts and 21 years later Farm Aid continues to raise money for the agriculture industry. Practically every relevant band since 1985 will participate in Farm Aid and there appears to be no letup in sight. The success from these two shows alone has opened the flood gates for a bevy of benefit concerts.
Not to disparage the good will that goes into putting on one of these shows, but it is almost overkill these days. The events of September 11, 2001 alone set in motion a half dozen benefit and anniversary concerts. There are benefits held for SARS, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, cancer and even Michael Jackson. There are even benefit concerts that are free being that their only purpose is to raise awareness, rather than funds (Live 8)! If people are willing to donate money to a cause, the benefit concert is a great way to raise funds and awareness for any organization. Furthermore, as music fans, how can we possibly say “no” to the all-star lineups that these shows typically present? All-in-all, the benefit concert has been, and still is, a wonderful tool for raising money, and as long as we are willing to fork over our discretionary income we will continue to see this trend. In fact, I am currently organizing a Free Conrad Murray concert, but seem to be running into difficulty booking acts.
-JH
BRETT DENNEN
Spirit, compassion and love radiate from Brett Dennen, as we talk about emotions, music and “giving back�.
Nice tattoos? I know there has to be a story behind them. I had this tough year once where both of my grandmothers died. The second one affected me more, because she was closer to us; she was like my Nanna. Bcause I was home schooled, I spent a lot of time at my Grandma’s house, because my Mom would have to go and do whatever, so we would go to Grammy’s house. When she died, it was a deep experience for everyone in our family, she had a long, drawn out death with Alzheimer’s. We all saw it coming and getting closer and closer. We all experienced it and had our own issues with it. It was a good lesson in detachment and grief. We were all grieving over her when she died. My Mom more so than any of us. It was a good lesson in letting go. I wrote a song on my first record called “Nothing Lasts Forever” about it. And I got this tattoo. I always thought that whenever I got a tattoo I wanted it to be a phrase. And I thought that had to be it, and then I got it. It seemed incomplete and makes a reaction. Some people would say to me “it’s so true”; and some people say, “well that’s negative”; and so a year later I got this one…only love. Love lasts forever, I mean infinite love. Love thats always been there; it is there when you are born, I mean true, unconditional love. Not like falling in love, even though that is part of it; but love at the source. (stretches arms facing me) See, if I go like this, it doesn’t make sense
to you, but if I go like this, (circles his arms in a circle around him) the way I see it, it makes sense.
Do you feel like you are an emotional person? Yeah, absolutely. Sometimes more than others. I definitely express it differently than other people. I’m not one to share a lot with my friends in terms of emotions. I’m not quick to bear my soul. I definitely stew over things and sort them out in my head before I share them. I’m not one to quickly say I’m upset or sad and this is why, so leave me alone. If I am sad or upset, I just sit and think about it for a long time. I don’t mention it until I am ready and I have something to say. I think my songwriting is the same way. Sometimes I am writing a song and I will never show anybody, because it doesn’t feel like its ready.
Do you have a go to person to test your songs on? No, it’s just me.
Where do you get your inspiration for your songs? I get inspiration from anything. It could be music; it could be a movie, a book, a story from a friend or it could be a personal
experience. I definitely sort through my experiences and emotions and throw a lot of things out, because I definitely try to focus on what I want to say or how I want things to come across. There are things I don’t want to write songs about. I try to just keep it positive. I try and keep it encouraging, and try to keep it sincere, uplifting, upbeat, you know. Whether it’s some personal story of love, sadness, heartbreak or whatever, it’s social commentary. I always try to keep it more positive. There is so much music out there; you don’t have to be and do everything. You can just be what you want to be and I want to make people feel good.
Have you always played music? No, No. I started playing when I was like 14. And I didn’t know I wanted to be a musician. I started playing at summer camp around the campfires. But then I went to college and I was jamming with people there and stuff, just jamming without any desire to be a musician. I like being a musician, but I always thought it would be a hobby. I always thought I was going to work at a non-profit or something, maybe a teacher.
How did you move from music as a hobby to deciding you wanted it to be your profession? It just kept coming into my life. It just kept growing and growing. And then I kept surrounding myself with people who are passionate about music, and
musicians. I just started feeling like that’s where I belong…around music and in music. It just kept growing and growing in my heart.
Does the sound that you have now resemble what you had in the beginning? I don’t think so. I think there is a sentiment or there is definitely a spirit, from the very beginning of my early music to the music I make now. I think the spirit is the same. I think it’s all got an honest and sincere, very genuine insight to who I am…a little raw, kind of uncouth, not negative. I think there is a warm spirit that is present, even though I write songs that are very different. They could be different keys, or about different things; but, I think they all share the same vibe.
Your fans are devoted to you and you appear to really relate to them, in a personal way. I really appreciate my fans. Like today, I had a 9am radio show. I mean I kept thinking it’s so hard; first of all, singing in the morning is hard, especially if you are sick. But I kept thinking what I am doing, and then I started thinking about all of the people that are there, and was like wait a minute, they all woke up before me and put on their clothes and took a shower and drank coffee and drove here. I woke up in a bus that is parked in the studio parking lot and just threw something on and walked in here. If anyone should cancel, it should be them, not me.
You focus on giving back to others, tell me a little about some of these projects? Well, the two main charities I work with are the Mosaic Project and Love Speaks. I was actually working for the Mosaic Project full-time before I went for my dreams and became a musician. I actually got involved with them when I was in college at Univeristy of California, Santa Cruz. The Mosaic project is a non-profit organization based in Oakland that brings kids of different backgrounds together and builds a community across differences; it celebrates diversity. Here’s how we do: in the
California standard education curriculum, in the 6th grade you can go to Science camp. So, most kids go to camp for a week, sleep in cabins, get the whole camp experience with counselors learning about botany, nature, trees, photosynthesis, all that stuff. So we use that same model, but do it earlier in the 5th grade and instead of science curriculum, it’s human relations curriculum. You go there with two other schools that are completely different from yours. We always get a low income inner city school, a middle income school and an upper income small private school. We mix them up into different cabins and study/ sharing groups that they are with all day long. They are not with their friends or any kids they know. And so you have kids from very different existences. I mean, the bay area is one of the most
diverse places I have ever seen, but it is also very segregated. And kids don’t normally have the opportunity to meet. They get mixed up in these groups and then they go through a whole week of curriculum that is about who am I? What makes me different from you? Who are you? What makes you different than me? We are breaking down stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination and create understanding of how they all affect each other. They learn how to resolve conflicts non-violently with communication, with empathy. We do it through music, conversation, activities, games, sharing groups and by the end of it we send them back and hope that it has a positive impact on their community.
Is there a moment that you will take with you forever? Something that happened that you can tell it changed the kid’s perspectives? Oh all the time. You just sit there and get ready for the kids. Then you wait for the kids to show up and you would be amazed about the stuff that comes out of some of their mouths, when they first get there. You have one kid say that, “I hear that we are going to be around a bunch of poor kids and that they might try to steal from us?” Or, “I hear that we are going to be around a bunch of rich kids and that they are going to cry because they miss their mommies.” And by the end of it you see them arm-in-arm and are like, “I never knew I could be your friend before and be Mexican or whatever, or I never knew I would have a friend that was into the Oakland A’s” or, “I didn’t know I would be friends with a girl who does ballet,” or whatever the differences are. I think for me, that more tangibly the work that I have done for Mosaic Project is so important because it’s hands on. I worked there for years, sometimes having these one-on-one relationships and dealing with whatever they are going through and helping them through the process. It brings up a lot of tension. I think those connections are important because they could last a lifetime.
You mentioned Love Speaks. What is that? It is something that myself and my manager came up with as a way to link nonprofit work with music. It’s always a work in progress and I am always watching other musicians and seeing how they do the work that they do. I know a lot of musicians who like to have foundations that’s source for money is charitable giving and I think that’s great. We have a foundation too. I don’t want this to be like a giving foundation. It could raise awareness for projects, for events for community work. I want the people/ fans to tell me and each other what the needs are in their community. We then use my website and my concert as a way to make that connection. And it could be as simple as having the organization come to the show and set up a booth. Or having a chance to talk to the audience and get people involved. Or maybe I come and the day of the show, we do something that day. Its about getting the community involved. We’ve done tours where every night of the week we’ve had different organizations come out and speak and have donated proceeds to that specific show go towards that specific organization. I am just the guy that gets the people to go to the website or gets the people to go to the show, then once we are all there it’s about more than just the music.
What’s coming up for you in the next year? I am touring until the end of the year, then I have the holidays off; then I start up again in January. Hopefully by March 1 can get to working on another record. Then I’ll probably tour some summertime festivals and hopefully I can release an album in the fall of next year.
You are a bit of a fashionista. Describe your style. I’ve always loved mismatched items. When I’m on tour I wear a lot of jeans and t- shirts because it’s easy. But when I am home and going out, I have a lot of vintage clothes I wear. I don’t get into any platforms or bellbottoms. I like a plaid jacket with a paisley shirt with a solid color pant. That is my favorite way to dress.
What type of room do you like to play the best? The absolute most fun, for me, is a small club. Where it is general admission standing. People are dancing and you can feel them and you start sweating and it’s all hot.
Clearly you like people to dance, are there any specific rhythms that you borrow from other cultures? Yeah, I grew up listening to a lot of reggae, and for the last five years I have been getting into Afrobeat music. And in the last 3 years, I have been obsessing about Samba, which I think 70’s Samba is maybe the greatest music there is. Pop samba, not just Samba drumming, but like Georgia Bang, like acoustic guitar, drums, horns and strings and melodies that are bouncy and all over the place. It’s got perfect melodies and perfect chord progressions. It’s really happy music. You can dance your ass off to it.
Do you have a songwriter that you put up on a pedastal? My #1 of all time is Van Morrison. I’m always talking about Van Morrison. I don’t think he gets enough credit as a songwriter. I know he gets enough credit as a singer and a performer and an artist; but I think his songs are really good too. I always think Van Morrison is...I don’t know, powerful.
If you could have dinner with any one musician who is deceased, who would that be?
Any particular guitar that strikes your fancy? This morning I played Martin Guitar with an elephant. It’s a D35, which when I got it, I didn’t know a lot about Martin guitars, there’s a standard Martin that usually everyone plays that is the D28. It’s like their Stratocaster. The D35 is the same guitar that has extra bracing in the wood. I got it because it is the same guitar that David Crosby uses. And I drew the elephant on with a sharpie pen.
It would probably be Jerry Garcia. It would seem like he would be the nicest guy, you know? He just always comes across as being a real humble, nice guy. He would be just fun to hang out with.
Is there any album artwork through out the years you just love? The best album art of all time is is that Afro-beat stuff, because you will see this wild photograph. They block print. It would be like Nigerian Funk explosion…this guy in whatever doing this dance and it’s cut out and pasted on this bright red background. Those are the coolest I think.
True character…wit, humility, humor and wisdom combined. “Nothing lasts forever, except love”…no words could ring more true. Brett Dennen has enough love to pass around, through his kind soul, magical voice, and positive beats, to sustain his career as long as he wants it to. His music has an enduring might and will touch the emotional center of many, forever. -BF
soundbites.
how do you
William Mason, Bloomington, IN "Music instills a sense of emotion within me when I listen to it. It gives me feeling." Matt Edwards, Greenville, NC "Music will get you through the day and put you at ease. It is learning, therapy and the universal language."
Marshall Weakley, Bozeman, MT "Music is a blessing to the ear and the soul. It gives us joy, peace, knowledge, anger and encouragement."
Brad Halter, Charleston, SC "It is a vehicle for the dissemination of the creative intent of the artist for the general refinement of the vital energy of the planet."
Hanna Ritchie, Morgantown, WV "Music's one of the only things that always has the ability to make you feel a certain way no matter what. It's the only thing that can always be a remedy or asset to any situation, good or bad, serious or fun."
Kevin Wood, Columbia, SC "Music gives you relaxation when you're stressed, happiness when you're sad, clarity when you're confused, and direction when you're lost. It keeps us balanced and brings us together."
Brent Lundy, Columbia, SC "The music community has a deep sense of charity, always giving of ourselves and our talents to raise funds and awareness for a range of causes."
think music gives back? Emily Ritter, Litchfield, MI "The way we give back to make life better, for instance giving clothes to Goodwill. It just gives everyone involved a great feeling."
Elizabeth Nicholson, Vail, CO "Music gives back everyday which, in turn, leads people to give back; a beautiful cycle."
Liam Becker, Salem, NH "No matter what state of mind you're in, there's always a song or artist that relates to where you are in life."
Chris Moehler, California, PA "Music is life. It is how I get through everyday. Music is happiness, and to me, it’s a necessity."
Ritchie Holt, Blacksburg, VA "In my experiences, music is a good friend and gives back all the things that a good friend would."
Grown Up Avenger Stuff, Charlotte, NC "Music is uniquely human; it is shared by every one no matter what race or location and it can stir in us every kind of emotion. Because of that music makes us aware, at least on some level, that we are all the same. This knowledge is the root of empathy, which in turn gives us each − the world over − strong motive for kindness and compassion."
em erg art ing. ist .
Thomas
Champagne It may be hard to believe, but there is more to life than music. While it engulfs us and inspires us, music fills a small portion of the meaning and importance of our lives. Endless opportunities and ways to enhance our significance during our stay on this planet present themselves to us continuously. Whether it be paying for a latte for the random person in line behind you or organizing large-scale philanthropy events, acts of kindness enrich the lives of all parties involved. Even with his busy schedule as a working musician, T. Champagne finds time in between playing shows, recording songs and scheduling meetings with potential band members to tutor grade school kids through Charleston Book Buddies. While he focuses his drive and passion on his music, helping a child discover the wonders of reading puts a smile on his face like no standing ovation ever could!
How did you get involved with the Book Buddies Program? Moving to a new city, I wanted to get involved with the community. As a songwriter, I value reading and writing and I wanted to help pass these skills on to a new generation. What’s the Book Buddies experience been like so far? It has been awesome. It’s great to work with young minds and watch them learn and grow, especially knowing that you are giving them the attention that they deserve. Any specific examples? I have been working with a 2nd grader named Amaya. We read specific books. The first time she reads the book I have to coach her with certain pronunciations that are foreign to her. By our second and third go-round, she is able to get through the words and grasp the concept of what the book is actually about. Now, she’s excited about reading because she can comprehend what’s going on. It makes me feel like I am really helping out. Why do you feel it’s important to give back to others? When you give back to someone without expecting anything in return and you watch him or her grow because of it, it is the greatest feeling you can ever have. And because of it, you learn from them and grow yourself.
How can others get involved in this organization? Go to charlestonliteracy.org and sign up. You can volunteer Monday-Thursday in the morning or early afternoon. We hear you are also a fan of the benefit concert. Yes, I am actually playing at a benefit at Patriot’s Point which supports Patriot’s Point Institute of History and Science. The Institute uses the USS Yorktown as an up-close, hands-on work station for kids to learn not only about science and history, but also math and literature. The concert is also designed to promote the original works of local songwriters and educate the community. By the way, what’s the status of your newest album that we talked about in the October International issue? The album is on its second round of mixing. Once everyone is happy, we will send it to get mastered and packaged. After that, it’ll be posted online on the new “Champagne with Friends” website. So, we are looking at less than a month! Let’s talk about another type of “giving”…what’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Corn Maque Choux - Cajun Tradition. Nobody makes it like mama!
-KC
artistic rhythms Sophie Wiseman-Floyd
Sophie Wiseman-Floyd is a seventeen-year-old jewelry artist who recently moved to Port Au Prince, Haiti to train with local jewelry makers and aid in getting them back on their feet after the devastating earthquake of 2010.
TMI: What inspired you to become an artist? SWF: Growing up, I never considered myself an artist, I claimed to be a realistic person- disconnected from the emotional world of art. I remember trying to sketch things exactly the way I saw them and being frustrated with my inability to create anything more than a one-dimensional drawing. At the age of 8, I had given up the idea of “art” being a part of who I was. Fast forward 8 years to a 16 year old living in Haiti - January 12, 2010 changed my life. As my physical form shook beneath a destructive earthquake, the artistic part of me was awakened with a purpose. TMI: How has life changed for you most since moving to Haiti? SWF: I’ve spent over 3 years on the island of Hispaniola (between the Dominican Republic and Haiti) so the real difference between the first 18 years of my life and the last 2 months (living in Port Au Prince) is a passion for creating beauty and jobs! I am interning with a non-profit business called the ApParent Project that employs 180 artisans in a small community in Port Au Prince. Their philosophy is undeniably good; help create sustainable work for a community and take away the need for hand-outs, orphanages, and free US funded education and medical care. Life in Port Au Prince is thrilling because passion and philosophy have aligned to create a fantastic partnership between Haiti’s Jewels and the ApParent Project. TMI: What type of materials do you use? SWF: Most of my materials are natural. I use a lot of beach glass, recycled bottle glass, silver, and pearls. I continue to work with bottle glass largely because I feel it’s signature to me as a jewelry maker. I never made jewelry before the glass- I almost have respect for its creative power within me. TMI:What is your design process?
SWF:
Normally I put the materials available to me (most often beach glass, pearls, and silver) and just start working the pieces together. I rarely sketch or plan my jewelry but, occasionally, I wake up in the middle of the night with new ideas. When I’m working with clients, I try to capture (in color, words, or landscape) what they want. I fiddle with my materials and the rest is very organic- I never TRY to create... it just happens.
What inspires you? People. I would never have a jewelry business if it weren’t aimed at creating jobs and partnering with artists. TMI: What do you hope will be the outcome of your new venture with the Haitian jewelry and where do you see yourself in five years? SWF: Five years is a great deal of time in Haiti; literally, anything could happen. There are two outcomes that are more likely than anything else: I’ll be dead or I’ll still be working in Haiti as a social entrepreneur, partnering with the ApParent Project, and doing research on the most efficient methods of setting up other social businesses in Haiti. For Haiti’s Jewels, I hope that we will be incorporating art from all over the island in our jewelry, selling on a large scale to businesses internationally and, most importantly, creating jobs that transform —NL communities.
www.haitisjewels.org
C C 2
Coast to Coast
Our staff writers set out on a mus discovering the nation’s hottest l
sical roadtrip, local bands.
ENTERING
Austin
Snake Rattle Rattle Snake Venue: The Mile High Station
Nothing feels finer than stepping out of a venue dripping with sweat, ears still vibrating, holding on to that last note belted from the lead singer and the final clash of the cymbals; a coalescence between the musicians on stage and their audience. I can’t help but feel like this when leaving a Snake Rattle Rattle Snake show. Fronted by Haley Helmericks, with a voice channeling Siouxsie Sioux and a face that any Indie darling would admire, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake is Denver’s answer to darkwave melodic post-punk/ dance rock. Picture the Yeah Yeah Yeahs meets Siouxsie and the Banshees meet New Order. SRRS helped me bring out my dancin’ shoes with songs like “Kafka and the Milk,” a slinky, dance groove about dying and “Break the Same,” a postpunk jam that makes you want to stomp your feet and shake your head to the dueling drumming and distorted guitar.
In support of their new album Sineater, SRRS played at The Mile High Station for The Parlour presents: Konsepsyon, a hair + fashion show benefiting amfAR AIDS research. Not only were there other awesome performances by Joshua Novak and DJ Mike Disco, the event showcased The Parlour’s innovative hair designs and clothing designs from local fashion boutiques, Garbarini, Goldyn, the Woods and Alicia; all the while, raising money for amfAR, an organization that not only focuses on AIDS awareness but, most importantly, funds AIDS research, investing “nearly $325 million in its mission and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.”
What’s better than seeing a great show while supporting a completely relevant organization that gives back? Nothing! Check out Snake Rattle Rattle Snake at snakerattlerattlesnake.com and amfAR at amfar.org. -LE
Lauren Bruno
Venue: Spider House Lauren Bruno has taken Austin by storm. The angelic voice and keyboard player behind the band Les Rav may be pint-sized but her talent fills a room. Not only is this multi-talented young performer good at what she does, she also finds many ways to give back to the community. Recently I attended an event at the 29th Street Ballroom at Spider House here in Austin, TX for the non-profit organization called $2 Shows Austin. Lauren Bruno not only performed at this event, along with many other talented Austin musicians, she is also the Austin director of $2 shows. This non-profit event brings audiences and artists together once a month at an affordable show to give support to one another. $2 Shows also partners with other local non-profits to educate audiences on important issues. During Lauren’s performance she sang one of my personal favorites called “We Don’t Play Here Anymore,” which is one of her most heartfelt and melodic tunes. Her voice is incredibly unique, and she finds a way to connect with her audience in a way I have seldom seen. A new song Lauren performed
called “Laces” is one I hope to hear much more of. It has a similar sound to her other songs, yet I felt it showcased more of what she could do with her many talents. Be on the lookout for this pint-sized siren with a golden heart and the drive to make it big in the music world. I know I will be! -NL
The Palmetto Bug Stompers Venue: d.b.a.
New Orleans, a city known for its heritage, events and bountiful musicians, brings in thousands of tourists throughout the year. Walking down any street live music fills the air. It adds a cloud of energy that heightens the coastal atmosphere. Just beside the French Quarter rests a bar that helps carry the great sounds, d.b.a. This venue shares music everyday of the week and on Sundays, The Palmetto Bug Stompers have people dancing and enjoying their jazzy tunes well into the night. The Palmetto Bug Stompers, a sextet from New Orleans, focus on creating traditional New Orleans jazz. The Bugs’ singer, Washboard Chaz, plays a rarely used instrument that hints to the early times and development of jazz. What is this fine musical object? You guessed it, the washboard. It adds an element of rhythm to the sound. For instance during their tune, “Little Brown Jug,” it keeps the rhythm smooth as they sang “little brown
jug how I love you,”— definitely a good NOLA song. The playful melody becomes accented with the horns and the crowd singing along, influencing the warmth inside the bar. What’s so beautiful about this show is how the fans aren’t afraid to break out those dancing shoes. This shared energy translates into one good time! “Chinatown, My Chinatown” paints a picture of this special place full of love, happiness and culture. It’s easy listening, upbeat, and horn heavy. Try not tapping your foot to it, bet you won’t be able to! “C’est Si Bon” produces the French birthright, but no worries, you don’t have to speak French to understand it. It has a swaying rhythm with a velvety guitar, perfect for a stroll outside on a beautiful day. So if you want to become familiar with the true music behind such a historic place, check out The Bugs, they’ll get you moving in no time. -CC
Big Gigantic
Venue: The Music Farm Live music opens the door for connection and reconnection. An opportunity to meet new faces and jam with old buddies, concert experiences stick with me as a reminder of the indelible relationship between music and friends. The right combination of people, accompanied by a unique performance in a vibrant venue, conjures up a chemistry of collective positivity hardly replicated through any other equation. Such was the case this past Halloween when the glowing veil of bright lights and sax-infused electronic grooves prompted a group of my friends, ranging from freshman year roommates to first time acquaintances, to come together, reminisce about past shenanigans and prepare for future adventures. The plan was set, and the pieces were falling into place for what was sure to be a night of fast times and faster beats. As Colorado’s Big Gigantic bombarded the stage of The Music Farm, a dance hungry audience flooded the venue to full capacity like a zombie apocalypse descending on the Holy City. The lights dimmed, and the crowd, eager to feast on a three-course
meal of smooth jazz, heart-pounding drums, and wildly funky hip-hop thumps, roared in anticipation. Over the next two hours, Dominic Lalli (production/sax) and Jeremy Salken (drums) fed the audience a vast array of fixins that got the feet moving, the body grooving and the sweat oozing. From the intricate saxophone solos of “High Life” to the sing-along worthy remix of “I Need a Dollar,” Big Gigantic’s passion and energy enveloped the crowd and shook the building like the devastating Charleston earthquake of 1886. By the time the show ended and our crew had collected any straggling members lost along the way, the enthusiasm continued to build as we replayed the spectacle over and over again in our minds. Significant experiences that we encounter in life stay with us through our memories. They give us reason to look back and smile. Some of the best times I’ve had have been at many of the amazing concerts I’ve attended. There’s nothing quite like a great show, except a great show with great friends. Big Gigantic delivered, and for that, I thank you. -KC
Will you tell me a little about how you got together? David Sheppard: Well, Ivy and I had known each other for a few years before we moved down here, from NC. And we started playing together about 3 years ago or so and recorded a record with just the two of us. Grace was one of Ivy’s students at college and went to some fiddler conventions with us to play. We played as a trio at these fiddler conventions and we won two in a row. First place all time band. At that point we thought maybe we should become a trio rather than a duo. Ivy Sheppard: That’s kinda when this band started which has been a little over a year ago. Individually, who are your major influences? Grace Kennedy: Me personally, I’ve never heard anything like Old-Time Music before taking a lesson from Ivy. So obliviously, Ivy and David are huge influences to me. And I think that, in turn, Ivy will tell you that her major influences are the Roan Mountain Hill Toppers so this section of old-time music, through Ivy, has been passed on to me. Ivy: I had good fortune shortly after I started playing to run into this group from east Tennessee, The Roan Mountain Hill Toppers & The Birch Field Family. They pretty much adopted me and took me all over the country playing music. That’s absolutely where my playing style came from. David: Ivy’s playing on the fiddle and banjo are right out of that east Tennessee vein of playing. It’s pretty cool because the Birch Field that she played with are the end of the line of that kind of style. Ivy is a prodigy, as well as their daughter. Her playing style is dead on and it’s unlike most other styles of fiddler and banjo playing. Maybelle Carter’s guitar style has been an influence on everybody that plays the guitar who is alive today, whether they know it or not. I’m no exception.
What about vocally? David: The vocal thing is pretty much just us. We listen to a lot of The Carter Family. They’re sort of a direct vocal style and have a very straight forward approach to songs. We’re not trying to be The Carter Family. We just use the sound of the Carter Family and other early country duos and trios. The Del Moore Brothers and The Blue Sky Boys are largely the kind of sound that we listen to and the kind of sound that appear in our mind when we’re playing things. But we’re approaching this in our own way. I assume you have been to the Carter Family Fold then. Tell me a little bit about what’s so special about that particular place. Ivy: Gosh, if you’ve ever been up there, it’s just hallowed ground. The last time I’ve went up there, Jeannette Carter was still living and we did a video. The Carter Family influenced a generation. They got a nation through the depression with “Keep on the Sunny Side of Life.” They were on the airwaves from Mexico to Canada. I don’t know how to articulate the feeling of being there. But if you’ve been I think you can’t deny that it’s a special place. David: Another thing relative to The Carter Family…their first recording sessions were in Bristol, TN in 1927. AP and Sarah’s last recording sessions were in Bristol, TN in 1952 and 1956. We just recently, not only signed with the record company that’s based out of Bristol, TN, but we also just recently played up there at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots festival. That was hallowed ground to me, being within 100 yards of where The Carter Family recorded all this stuff was just mind-boggling to me. You currently have one album out, correct? Ivy: Yes, A Thousand Miles Away From Home. That one came out at the beginning of this last year. We had just been playing together for a few months. Grace: For about 4 months, tops. Are you working this album or do you have another in the works? Ivy: We just recorded a new album and we’re all wrapped up in it. David’s been writing some really great songs that you feel like you know that fit in perfectly with the tradition and the style of music that we are playing. David: We just finished that one a couple weeks ago. We recorded both of these records at a little studio up in a little town in Virginia right outside of Mt. Airy, North Carolina. The fellow that runs the studio is a bluegrass banjo player who was born and raised right up there. He’s just got a really great feel for this kind of music. He’s the go to guy to record this kind of thing. Everybody who’s anybody in oldtime Bluegrass music records at Wesley Easter’s studio. We were really excited to work with him again.
How does Wesley feel the new album is going to be received? Ivy: He thinks the biggest thing we have going is that we don’t sound like anybody else. Grace: I don’t think we’re trying to sound like anything or anyone else. David: You just do what you do, you know. You put it out there and you hope somebody else is going to like and appreciate it. I play music for myself. I go to sleep at night with music in my head. I wake up in the middle of the night with music in my head. I get up in the morning with music in my head. Grace: We just like this because it’s us and the more we listen to it, it is awesome. What’s the name of the album? Ivy: Can You Hear Me Now What song are each of you fondest? Grace: For me, it’s “River Jordan” because we’ve spent hours just singing that song over and over and over again because it’s a tough song to do!
•
David: It’s a hard song to sing. Grace: And we went into the studio and we struggled! It was probably the song we had the most difficulty with. And coming out of it, you know, it was crazy; but it comes out in a way that sounds like we just hit it. David: I really, really like “Fall On My Knees.” Ivy and Grace are singing. I really enjoy just playing guitar and listening to them. It’s great pleasure for me.
Ivy: We had some great friends up in Mt. Airy who have a great radio station, WPAQ. We were in the station one day chattin’ with them and they say, “We have this song you guys need to hear and it’s called, ‘Pretty Little Raindrops’ and it’s from the last Carter Family recording in the original building that they did the 27 recordings in.” I thought I knew all the Carter Family Songs and I never heard this song before! David: Evidently not many other people have heard it either. Ivy: Yeah, I don’t know anybody else. We haven’t run across anybody else who’s said, “Oh yeah I know that song,” so we put it on there. And I really like it.
•
South Carolina must be a bit of a change of pace for you, how do you feel about the Elliotborough neighborhood where you work and reside? Grace: I’m quite new. I’m from Montgomery, Alabama where they’re trying to have an arts community. Coming to Charleston changed my life. It’s cool to come into a city where there’s so much going on arts-wise. We’re always playing jobs around here. We just played on Halloween for Elliotborough parade. To be a part of this community, meet other artists and musicians that are doing the same thing and other people that are leaders in this community. It’s really cool that this exists.
Ivy: I feel just like Grace does. There’s a good vibe and something really neat is happening here that I feel like we’re getting to be a real part of. There’s definitely a sense of a true arts community being formed. I think that’s a great thing. Elliotborough is lucky to have you and South Carolina is fortunate to have you represent them with your infectious tunes. -BF
Rarely, do we have the opportunity to sit in with the artists who create the artwork for musician’s cd. This month, we were fortunate that artist Doug Chayka, of New York Times, The Washington Post and Cricket magazine, stopped in with Ivy and David to chat about how he designed the SC Broadcasters new cd. A little background please…where and how did you find art? Doug: I was young when I started drawing and I did it obsessively in high school. I just wanted to draw. I went to college and majored in illustration. I studied painting and print making in Germany for a couple years after that. What is one of the first things you remember illustrating? Doug: I drew the Star Wars figures. And I’d draw them on construction paper, on these big sheets, and run to the neighbors and sell them for 10 cents. And people had to buy the neighbor’s kid’s stuff, right? What type of mindset do you think visual artist have to possess? Doug: I think it’s just the matter of wanting to do it just like anything else. If you wanna do it you’re gonna do it. I see a lot of students that come in with minimal skill. You stick with it. Suddenly you’re doing it and you’re like “How did that happen?” It’s the desire I guess; I’m sure it’s a similar thing for music. You just have a passion for it and almost an obsession. It’s all you wanna do and that’s how it is.
What do you think is the most challenging thing about being a visual artist? Doug: I find that with art you don’t have a support group. I know with music you’re alone too, but there’s a little more of a community around. You don’t usually just sit around with friends and draw. I mean I guess you could. But when you’re playing music and you’re playing something that sounds bad-it’s gone. But if you put something down on a piece of paper on a canvas, it’s there. People can stand there and look at it and say “That sucks. Why did he do that?” And you definitely don’t have the immediate feedback of people clapping. Doug: You know I have talked to people about that before where you finish a piece and the silence in the studio is deafening where I wish someone would just stand up and clap and say this is the best thing that has ever happened. So, let’s look at this cover and talk about the process of putting it together. Ivy: May I say something real quick? When we hooked up with Doug, we gave him nothing. We gave him the name of the album, and the name of the band and requested him to put a cat on it somewhere. Doug: Well, they had said they had seen my collage work before and really liked it. I really like the metaphor of collage for music because you take a piece from here and there and put it together and I think it goes really well with what these guys do and this kind of music comes from different places and times. I’m not really sure that that comes through in the picture, but for me collage has a sense of the past and the present that’s a about what they are doing and put it together with the image of a house and make it look good. and make something interesting out of that simple image. How do you pick the different elements? Doug: Usually, I start with a few and then I pick something different to fill in what’s already there to make it interesting to complement whether its color or texture. But I definitely wanted some elements that feel kind of vintage and others that feel kind of playful. and then when the image starts to come together play off of it and create an contrast for what’s starting to happen. I didn’t really know where it was going except the shape of it when I showed them the sketch.
What was the first piece of the collage that you put in there? Doug: I think I had a scan of this old slave hut/ cabin…see this black and white. I found a photograph of that and I started building around that. and the rest was my own painted textures and stuff. I just wanted to play off the photographic elements and simplify that.
Did you pick the type as well? Doug: Yes, I did those all by hand. Everytime I pick an element even with type, I try to find some diversity. Why did you pick script for this? Doug: It made it feel like a postcard or something nostalgic. A message. Ivy: And then came the cat. Have you had the opportunity to watch Doug work? David: Actually, we went to his studio and I walked in the door and he has this big table with a big huge screen. And his house is so neat and we are wondering how he can collage in here. So, he’s says, “Well, I take a piece of cardboard and scan it.” And he just got all these pieces of stuff, like a matchstick, and then he puts all the stuff together. Doug: Yeah, it’s all digital. I’ll paint things, and find things and scan them and then layer it in photoshop. What is so fun about digital collage is playing with a scale that doesn’t exist in a miniature scale. You can make things bigger and smaller. You have so much control with contrast and colors. How many images do you think you have scanned in your library to work with? Doug: They are all over the place. Sometimes I will recycle things, but I am always scanning new things and I will forget what’s in there. I can’t even begin to know how many. Ivy: Tell her about the surprise photo. Doug: Oh yeah, so when we moved to the photographic elements they called me and asked me if I could add a surprise photo under the cd. So, when I came down to see them for the first time to see them, they took me to Read Brothers which has all kinds of crazy stuff and this was the display in the window. Everything’s so cheap. David: You go in the front door and it’s like you stepped back in time to 1927. Fabric and miscellaneous items. Ivy: And they have ultra high end audio in the very back which you would never know. Tommy and Marion Read run the place and they are great.
Is this also where the image on the back of the cd casing was taken? Ivy: Yes, Lesley McKellar happened to call us and ask us if we could play her birthday party. And, I knew we photos; so we did a bit of a trade. David: She was the perfect photographer. Ivy: Yeah, it was a freezing, really windy, cold day that day; but still, she took a bunch. And we sent them over to Doug. Why did you select this particular image for the back of the cd casing? Doug: I liked that each player had some emphasis and no one player was dominating it. The placement and coloring was just right. Each player just works so well together and complements each other when they play and I thought this image truly captured that. Ivy: That’s neat; I hadn’t heard that yet either. Are you working on the next cd for them? Doug: Oh yeah, something is in the works, but it’s got to be just right before they see it. Ivy: I am excited to see what happens…what the possibilities are. Doug, what have you enjoyed most about working with the South Carolina Broadcasters? Doug: Well, they are artists too. I don’t have that opportunity very often and their is just a mutual appreciation and trust and it gives me extra confidence knowing that I represent that relationship.
A collaboration indeed! Great music, great art, and a new cd dropping April 1st. I can’t wait to see what this team gives to us next. I know TMI will be hosting the next Clapping for Art/ CD release party. It’s time Doug gets some audible accolades as well. -BF
THE MONTHLY SPIN Ivan Neville Dumpstaphunk
Ivan Neville’s existence in the funk world began at a young age, his father Aaron Neville from the legendary Neville Brothers pioneered funk. So it seems fitting that he has embraced his roots to form this funky band. Dumpstaphunk fuses funk sounds that pull from different styles of the genre that Neville grew up with. This show from Bear Creek Music Festival, which Dumpstaphunk annually lands a spot on the line up, showcases the get down Dumpstaphunk lays out. “Miss You” at glance makes you think of a sappy love song, but not for this group. This tune packs in heavy bass lines, fast guitar licks, and thumping beats that will make you forget the one you miss. “Gettin’ Funky” should be the tag line of what Dumpstaphunk represents, “getting funky all the time.” It’s smooth, sexy and definitely groovy. So if you’re looking for some good true funk then check these guys out! -CC Leftover Salmon Electric Kool-Aid Festival Leftover Salmon take bits from many different genres like bluegrass, rock, country and Cajun to form their own casserole of sound which they term “Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass.” This up-beat, easy going, tasteful band makes music that can appeal to any person’s ear. This show from the Electric Kool-Aid Festival happened right before their hiatus in 2002 when founder and banjoist Mark Vann lost his fight to cancer. “Aint Gonna Work” makes you want to move your feet and rebel against the “Man.” Fast pickin’ from both the mandolin and banjo takes this tune up a notch as they proclaim, “I ain’t gonna work tomorrow.” They playfully whistle out the “Andy Griffith Theme” with some light percussion which then evolves into a full sound with horns; very innovative! And yes, would be the answer to “Do You Wanna Dance” because, really, try not to. These boys have started touring again so if you get a chance to see them it is totally worth it! -CC Snoop Dogg The Doggumentary It’s so hard being Snoop D-O-Double-G, well it was back in those gin and juice days but Snoop has come a long way since then and is still strong in the music game. The Doggumentary is exactly what the album title hints at; a documentary of the top dog’s life in and out of the hip-hop world. Some things change in life like your career or your favorite food, and some things don’t, like Snoop Dogg’s long-time relationship with marijuana. Listeners will feel that vibe throughout The Doggumentary. Featuring artists like Bootsy Collins, Wiz Khalifa and T-Pain, Snoop steals the spotlight from the “Soulja Boys” and “Gucci Manes” by capturing the upcoming generations while keeping his old school fans happy. The West Coast representative doesn’t disappoint with these smooth lyrics and fresh beats. The Doggumentary goes perfectly with a college night pre-game or mellow 4/20 celebrations; or a mix of the two. -AA
Zac Brown Band You Get What You Give Zac Brown Band proves with their second studio album You Get What You Give that they are THE country band to follow for more authentic country music listeners without losing the pop fan base that present country music has morphed into. Zac Brown has come a long way, and quickly, since his band’s cheeky original single “Chicken Fried,” proving that they are no one-trick pony. There’s an even variety of songs from the tropically engaging “Knee Deep” featuring Jimmy Buffet to the soulful dirge of “Cold Hearted” and fun time fiddle/ organ-driven “Whiskey’s Gone” that features an excellent and unexpected guitar, mandolin and fiddle solo mid-way followed by Zac spitting country rage at lightning pace. It’s all an indication that the band exceeds the predictability of typical pop-country and is grounded with a more rock solid base. -ZS Incubus If Not Now, When? If Not Now When? is the latest, long awaited 7th studio album for West Coast quintet Incubus. This five year gap between 2006’s Light Grenades, is their longest hiatus between studio albums to date. The title of the album hints at a bold sociological approach to lyrical content and may also be seen as a symbolic watershed for the bands softer, more experimental approach to abandon the harsher hard rock material that populated their preceding six albums. Softer rock or even country/pop listeners are sure to be hooked with the soothing melodies in songs like “Friends and Lovers” that utilize a repetitive style of simplicity, the overriding concept, according to front man Michael Einziger. The most interesting track “Tomorrow’s Food” is discordant musically and lyrically insightful as Einziger sings, “Does it feel like the end of the world? Well maybe it is but when was it not?” Even with new musical objectives Incubus have reached, existing fans are sure to not be disappointed by the crushing beauty the band is well known for on the new single “Adolescents.” If Not Now When? is a light step forward for a band decidedly treading softly and bearing an intrepid message for troubled times. -ZS Rascal Flatts Nothing Like This Rascal Flatts’ seventh studio album Nothing Like This released in 2010 on the independent label, Big Machine Records, is sure to please the many fans that appreciate a radiofriendly, pop-country sound. Nothing Like This contains all the right elements of a standard pop-country hit album. It incorporates the perfect pop formula of verse, chorus, verse, bridge, repeat and quintessential RF lightning-speed fiddle playing, catchy hooks, sunny vocal harmonies and a radiant guitar sound. The most enjoyable track on the album “Red Camaro,” is more pop-rock than twangy, reminiscing on the thrills of being reckless and young in the summertime riding around in a red Camaro. This album would be a perfect soundtrack for a Disney Channel Original Movie or, perhaps, the local prom’s slow dance sequence mix-tape. -LE
The Decemberists The King Is Dead After the experimental rock opera The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists fans may find The King is Dead to be a comforting return to their folk roots. The band had previously joked about how they wished they could be an oldfashioned bluegrass band because they carry around too many instruments on tour. With songs like “Rise To Me,” which has a country twang not heard before on their previous albums, it is apparent that they were actually being serious. -CF
Amos Lee Mission Bell Mission Bell, American singer-songwriter Amos Lee’s fourth studio album with Blue Note Records is an eclectic mix of country twang, acoustic folk, coffee shop jazz and gospel. The album showcases an array of talent from Lee’s contemporaries including, Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam, Lucinda Williams and the legendary Willie Nelson, giving Mission Bell a much needed push into a more mature range and cohesive sound. A few ditties beef up Lee’s resume including “Windows are Rolled Down,” a pedal steeldriven guitar song ripe with chiming, clashing cymbals, repetitive drumming and boasting sweet southern vocals that are inspiring enough to clear your mind on a Sunday drive in the sunshine. You can hear his soul through the sexy, blues rock tune “Jesus”, a mere cry for help rather than an homage to the man upstairs, and in the uplifting gospel track, “Flower.” One thing that is for sure…Amos Lee has that soul. -LE Evanescence Evanescence Founded in 1995 in Little Rock, Arkansas by Amy Lee and Ben Moody, Evanescence unchains their third studio album via Wind-up Records entitled, Evanescence. Cultivated with the ashes of nu-metal-thrash, dashes of commercial pop eagle cries and splashes of stainless piano melody, this release from the ensemble is similar to previous albums. “My Heart is Broken,” the fourth song off of the record, portrays lyrical content that mirrors the towering pillars of commercial pop substance, “I will wander till the end of time torn away from you,” and “I can’t go on living this way,” are just samplings, amongst others in this album, that are quintessential Evanescence. The sixth song, “Erase This,” is glazed with 80s thrash upbeat guitar licks, a progressive, pummeling drum track, a faintly filled piano score, all glued together with stretched out cries from lead singer and pianist A. Lee. The latest release from Evanescence stands up against the previous albums, giving fans a looped dose of rocking tunes while catching new fans along the way. -DV Jack Johnson To The Sea Jack Johnson describes the title to his fifth studio album To the Sea as, “a reference to a father leading his son to the sea with the water representing the subconscious. It’s about going beneath the surface and understanding yourself.” It’s easy to tell after a few listens how his music is transgressing and becoming more than just beach campfire music as his desire to expand becomes apparent in the track “No Good With Faces,” a catchy, somber track that may be attempting to communicate his frustrations with stardom. Barriers are also being broken musically on To the Sea with tracks like “You and Your Heart” and “At or With Me,” both of which have gained commercial success. These two songs possess a stronger rock sound with simple lyrical hooks accompanied by more electric guitar than on previous releases. The general mood of the album is upbeat with a few softer tracks to break up the tempo. To the Sea will please any Jack Johnson fan. -ZS James Blunt Some Kind of Trouble Some Kind of Trouble is British singer/songwriter James Blunt’s third album to date and while it does little to expand on the original formula of his previous two releases it still works for him and his fans’ cause. All the songs here follow the traditional verse-chorusverse-chorus pop format of his previous two releases which means pop listeners will eat this release right up especially with Blunt’s voice being in tip-top shape. The tracks on Trouble sound like they could all be singles so the actual “singles” here “Stay the Night,” which is a perfect upbeat beach song to relax and have fun to, “So Far Gone” and “I’ll be Your Man” are the better versions of the other ten songs. There is, however, a bit of interesting social commentary on the track “Superstar”; “He says times like these I don't want to be a superstar cause reality TV killed them all in America,” proving as a songwriter he is growing in terms of lyrical content. -ZS
August Burns Red Leveler Pennsylvania metal-core act August Burns Red, releases their fourth chart topping studio album, Leveler. Fans will not be disappointed as the quintet delivers a mind throbbing score of skin crawling breakdowns, fast, repetitive blast-beats and the precise mathematical transitions that the band is known for. Notorious for their seemingly Christian lyrical content in previous releases, Leveler also has fragments of the same. The first song off of the record "Empire" includes the phrase, “Before lines were lines, before time was time, the Author wrote a book in the sky and earth below”, portraying the blatant religious substance of the album. The band’s most recent front man Jake Luhrs screeches, “You stand up pridefully in front of thousands screaming words of justice and truth, you wear the mask of this city’s hero, you are the pretender” in the song "Poor Millionaire", interpreting how a dishonest leader hides behind a mask of honesty. With religious traces, and a rebellious burst of truth, there is no reason why loyal fans won't love this release, as there is no reason why Leveler won't attract new fans as well. -DV Radiohead Kings of Limbs English progressive masters Radiohead continue to confound fans more than ever before with their 8th full length release King of Limbs. On it, they blend the electronic trance-like textures of their previous releases Kid A and Amnesiac with a spontaneously new approach to producing their material by sampling and looping written material in turntable techniques on tracks like “Bloom” and “Feral,” gifting these stranger tracks a primordial feel that may signify new beginnings for the band’s direction without falling into the categorization of dub-step. Other tracks display front man Thom Yorke’s solo influences trickling into the mix with “Little by Little” while “Lotus Flowers’” straightforward drum and bass structures are complimented by Yorke’s spell binding and mournful crooning. The final two songs “Give up the Ghost” and “Separator” show Radiohead at their finest within the album. It’s hard to tear yourself away from these two tracks because of their simplistic rhythms and beautiful vocal melodies. With Limbs, Radiohead remain a band light years ahead of their time even after nearly two decades of musical output. -ZS Tom Morello: The Night Watchman World Wide Rebel Songs Tom Morello’s third full length released under the moniker “The Night Watchman” utilizes a full electric backing band foreshadowing his previous releases with a more solid rock sound in World Wide Rebel Songs. Better known for his work in previous bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, his signature wah pedal antics shine on the track “It Begins Tonight,” in a blazing guitar solo finale that won’t disappoint fans of his older hard rock material. The majority of the tracks here blend acoustic country-mariachi style hooks with Morello sounding eerily like a cross between Leonard Coen and Bob Dylan on vocals. “Save the Hammer for the Man,” another stellar track featuring a duet with Ben Harper seems to be a unique cohesion of all these styles. The opening track “Black Spartacus Heart Attack Machine” shows that Morello has no intention of softening his political dissent with lyrics like "history's not made by presidents or popes or kings or queens or generals or CIA kingpins runnin’ dope.” Rebel Songs will surely, as any of his past releases, please fans of old in lyrical content. -ZS Adele 21 The rising British singer’s sophomore album, 21, solidifies why she has become a breakout musician and international favorite. Adele delves into her personal life to bring to light the emotional wreckage and pain that can come from an intimate relationship. Everything is fair game in her songs. “Rumour Has It” explores how someone feels when they are not ready to face that their ex has moved on but with its catchy drum beat and background vocals you almost forget that is what it is about. But then there are other songs like “Someone Like You” that dismiss the up-beat drumming and settle for a more stripped-down performance. Although there is plenty of heartbreak pouring from this album. There is also strength and courage, something that you need whether you are 21 or 81. -ES
the
Louisiana State Univer University Jye Turk LSU Tiger Band Drumline What's your favorite thing about LSU? The Campus. Specifically, the lakes. What's your favorite part of SEC football? The speed and depth of the teams as well as the rivalries and year in year out top 10 competition. How did you get involved in band...what do you play? I started in middle school somewhat. I really started learning in high school though. I play Snare drum in Tiger Band. I have for all 5 years I have been in band here. What's the most exciting part of being a part of band? For me, it’s great football moments when we have the ability to play whatever the crowd wants at the time, like “Neck or ”All of the Lights, and the fans go crazy. I go crazy as well. Most challenging piece you've ever played a part in? In Tiger Band, drum line has its own warm up on game days. We have a pretty decent crowd that shows up weekly, usually around 150 or so I would say. That is usually where the hardest music for drummers is played. With the band, I helped write a part for a song called “I can see for Miles." We had fun with it. It was probably the hardest show music I've had to play. Do you or your school have any exciting football traditions? LSU has countless traditions. Tailgating is done differently here than anywhere I've seen so far. I've been to every stadium in the SEC besides Kentucky and not a single campus looks like ours on gameday. A lot more people, a lot more alcohol and a lot more praising the band. Tiger Bands ”Run Down the Hill" is an enormous deal on game day. There are easily 10,000 packed outside of the stadium to see us. That is not counting everyone that is on the route for half a mile before that. How would you describe the music scene in Baton Rouge. I can't say I know much about the music scene here honestly outside of a couple of local DJ's that are trying to give life to downtown BR.
“Tigers! Fight! Fight! Fight!”
2011 CAMPUS FM
What's your favorite thing about University of Kentucky? It’s hard to pick what my favorite thing about UK is! I think what I like most about it, though, is the fact that although it is a big university, it feels like one tight-knit community. From the supportive and welcoming faculty to the friendly and upbeat student body, The University of Kentucky truly feels like a home away from home. I can walk around campus from class to class and see familiar faces. I’m able to become friends with my classmates even in big classes simply because it’s the nature of this university. The list goes on and on. Nonetheless, it’s refreshing to be a part of a big school yet still feel so connected to it. What's your favorite part of SEC football? My favorite part of SEC football is the overall game day atmosphere. The tailgating, the fans, the rivalries- everything and everyone is so intense and so dedicated to their teams! The game day atmosphere is what makes SEC football come alive. How'd you get started in band...what do you play? I got started in band simply because my scholarship told me I had to do it. As a clarinet music education major on scholarship, I was required to march the clarinet in the marching band. I had actually never done marching band before until I got into college. Thankfully, this requirement turned into quite a rewarding experience. I made friends in the band, learned more about myself and went to the games for free! What’s not to be thankful for?! Better yet, this requirement turned into a wonderful experience that led me to the position I hold today- Head Drum Major of the University of Kentucky Marching Band. What's the most exciting part of being a part of the band? The most exciting part about being in the band is being able to contribute to the game day atmosphere. We do more than just play music- we perform in front of thousands each and every week. While most students tailgate, we get fans pumped up to go into the stadium by performing for the tailgaters. And while others watch the game, we are very much a part of it. When the football team’s not playing-we are! The band plays when the ball is down and during timeouts, getting fans on their feet cheering and keeping the team into the game. What is your favorite or most challenging piece you've ever played a part in? My favorite show we did in marching band was our Motown Show. We did a medley of Jackson 5 songs, as well as, famous Michael Jackson tunes. We even did the Thriller dance! It was a blast to perform.
University of Kentucky Christina Camardo Clarinet music education major Head Drum Major of the KY band
Do you or your school have any exciting football traditions? A neat tradition we have here at UK during football games and basketball games is singing along with the song, “Zombie Nation.” After all the “ohs,” we all scream, “WE ARE UK!” Also after every first down, our announcer will say, “And that’s another…” everyone yells, “First Down Kentucky!”. It’s awesome to hear everyone yelling these things in unison! Any local bands that you think are especially up and coming? Korey Hunt. He sounds like a unique blend of Keith Urban meets Jason Aldean . He knows how to sing and play with soul while being fun and entertaining all the while. Whether you want an uplifting song or one to simply drink along to, Korey can do it! His talent is out of this world. He plays a lot on Thursday nights at the Paddock or Tin Roof here in Lexington.
SEC Tailgaters Wanted
November 19, 2011 UGA V. UK Athens,Georgia
December 3, 2011 SEC Championship Atlanta,Georgia
November 25, 2011 LSU V. ARK Baton Rouge, Louisiana
January 9, 2012 National Championship!
Paw
GO PC!
ley
Pim e
nto
Palmetto Cheese is the proud sponsor
#1
PC
www.facebook.com/palmettocheese
Listen to Live Music
Sample Palmetto Cheese!
Have a great time before the game!
For all PC locations visit - www.palmettocheese.com
MADE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
I
t doesn’t get much better than beautiful weather, luscious Southern food, and a plethora of amazing live music. Add in the fact, that all the fun, benefits kids in need, and we’re cooking up a recipe for one amazing time. Events like these showcase the power that good music and good people can keep on positively impacting our communities.
Zac Brown Band hosted the Southern Ground Music & Food Festival at Blackbaud Stadium on beautiful Daniel Island, SC. With more than 30 bands and musicians, including My Morning Jacket, Train, Eric Church, Brett Dennen, Steel Pulse and Sonia Leigh, performing on two stages over the course of three days, the festival offered fans the opportunity to grub out on an array of local cuisines such as smoked ribs from Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ, delicious wings and tenders from Hubee D’s, and traditional shrimp and grits from Queen Anne’s Revenge.
In between relaxing on the lawn and perusing through an assortment of jewelry, clothing and artwork at the vendor village, attendees never missed out on a minute of the music. As one group finished on one stage, the next band immediately filled the silent gap on the other side of the field. A perfect setup for what was a great weekend for fans of all kinds of music ranging from country, blues, reggae, bluegrass, jam and jazz.
Even amidst all of the entertainment taking place around the venue, the Camp Southern Ground tent was where the true meaning and spirit of the event was hanging out. During the festival, folks could stop by to find out about the camp’s mission and what they could do to help achieve the necessary funding to get it all started. Still in its ground breaking stages, Zac Brown and his dedicated partners hope to turn this 500-acre plot of land south of Atlanta, GA into a camp that will open new doors and possibilities for kids with neurobehavioral and learning disabilities such as ADD/ADHD, autism and dyslexia. Even though
the camp has yet to become a completed project, the determination, drive and vision of all those involved presses onward.
Whether it was the funk influence on Nic Cowan’s country rock or the indie inspired acoustic lullabies of Blind Pilot, each artist’s unique abilities brought fans of all ages and backgrounds together for a great cause. From the soulful groans and twang of Joe McGuinness to the shredding guitars and fun-filled folk of The Wood Brothers, the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival treated fans to a weekend of time well spent, in hopes of achieving a goal worth obtaining. May the music never cease to inspire.
-KC