Free Christmas Sampler

The Making of a Very Special Album

Thanksgiving Road Trip Music

Seriously, I don't know what has gotten into me. I really love this music. (Not keen on the video though.) Wonder if this one will surprise my daughter when I blow it up in the car on the way upNorth.

Today's Great Find-Meg Myers

Thanks to my friend Jim, I found this great road anthem.

Shovels and Rope, November 11th, 2012, The Bishop, Bloomington, Indiana

I'm feeling very blessed this morning. Last night, Taylor and I joined a true showing of support for the band, Shovels and Rope, at The Bishop in Bloomington, Indiana. Mike and Cary Ann are a married duo from Charleston, South Carolina, who after solo efforts and collaborations with other musicians, joined forces, taking their talent and their palpable love affair with each other and their art, on the road. I know the term soul mates is weakened by overuse, but if you looked up the term in dictionary of my imagination, there would be a photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Trent so worked up in their performance for themselves and each other, that the audience could leave and this party of love song birds would barely notice. They are the most dynamic performers I'm ever witnessed and I've seen hundreds of concerts. Particularly when Mike is standing with his guitar and his better half, Cary Ann is drumming so skillfully, they rarely take their eyes off each other, almost hypnotized post crescendo with their faces inches from each other, still playing instruments, while most of us can't stir a pot and answer a phone at the same time. Despite that many of their songs are about death and murder, this show was sweaty and sexy and incredibly romantic. I cried during the sweet and slow, Lay Low and stomped my feet during Boxcar. I can't wait to catch them again and insist that EVERYONE try to see their live act. We left The Bishop feeling we were the luckiest gals in the world, when I'm pretty sure the luckiest gal in the world is actually Cary Ann. Rock on woman!

Today's Great Find-The Helio Sequence

This group, The Helio Sequence, has been booked for The Bishop on January 31, 2013, and I'm thrilled to have found them. They remind me so much of The National.

Matt and Kim, The Vogue, Indianapolis, Indiana, October 9th, 2012

Matt and Kim came on stage with such force...I think everyone realized it was going to be a memorable night.

This was one of their rare over 21 concerts and they definitely let their hair down.

An Evening With Amy Sedaris, Madame Walker Theater, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 8th, 2012

more to come

David Wax Museum, The Bishop, Bloomington, Indiana, October 30th, 2012

Some months ago, my cousin, Christie, wrote me about a band that she had seen at a small festival out east; David Wax Museum. My usual research involves a quick youtube search. Within the first few seconds of Born With A Broken Heart, I was won over; in love; smitten. Imagine my joy when I learned that David Wax Museum was coming to Bloomington. My daughter, Taylor and I, started our evening with a wonderful meal at FARM and then headed over to The Bishop for the show. Only a handful of people showed up. Of course, if you love live music as much as I do, a small crowd pretty much feels like there is a talented band in your living room. I imagine for the band, the feeling might feel like they wandered into a strange world of anonymity, resembling Children of the Corn. DWM front man and woman are David Wax and Suz Slezak. They fall right into my roots revial, Americana meets the Mexican border dream. Their music is edible and joyous; catchy like a fuzzy fish hooks at the end of silk guitar strings. Ms. Slezak plays a unique short list of instruments, most notably, a percussion donkey jaw bone. David Wax has a smooth voice that translates perfectly live. I could have watched and listened all night. Please come to Indianapolis your next trip through.

Ethel with Todd Rundgren, Clowes Hall, Indianapolis, October 26th, 2012

more to come

Happy Hour at the Symphony, October 18th, 2012

more to come

Lost In The Trees, October 10th, 2012, The Bishop, Bloomington, Indiana

The Black Keys, October 5th, 2012, Staples Center, Los Angeles

The Avett Brothers, September 30th, 2012 at The Lawn at White River State Park, Indianapolis, Indiana

Best Sufjan Stevens Covers on the Planet

Pretty Girl From Michigan

The Avett Brothers - Pretty Girl From Michigan

First Aid Kit, September 25th, 2012, The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, Michigan

My friends and I met in Ann Arbor, Tuesday night, for the First Aid Kit show at The Blind Pig. Kuddos to Jason at BP for reserving us our own little section of tables. It would have been a perfect evening if the room hadn't been 100 degrees. I am so happy I was able to see this duo live.

Amawalk by Port St. Willow

My find of the day.

Feist Wins Canada's Polaris Music Prize

Monday night, Feist won Canada's top music award for her latest album Metals. I saw Feist in concert a few months ago and was awestruck by her command of her stage and every element of it's setting. It's her show and she clearly is the boss. This is my favorite song from Metals.

The Best Youtube Covers of "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, September 23rd, 2012, Old National, Egyptian Room, Indianapolis, Indiana

Here is a great link to the do317 photo recap! After the disappointment of a cancelled show earlier this year, I finally experienced Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros live. Notorious for starting their shows late, I was prepared for a bit of a wait. With all honesty, I'm not so sure this isn't an intentional and strategic practice, as it gives the audience enough time to drink themselves into a happier frenzy of anticipation. By the 2nd or 3rd song, lead man, Alex Ebert, admitted they'd "just woke up" and apologized for getting off to a slow start. From my perspective they are such polished musicians (the whole lot of them) and so well rehearsed, that I can't imagine what they would sound like if things went south. No disrespect to them, but I get the impression that the band is like an expensive playgroup for the whimsy of Mr. Ebert and his muse counterpart, Jade Castrinos, who he met outside an L.A. Cafe. They seem infinitely joyful at all times and you become happier just by watching them, whether they are singing or not. I wonder if that is what falling for a cult feels like. It was a wonderful show that I, unfortunately, did not get any photos of due to the venue not allowing me to bring in a simple digital SLR camera and my phone dying after my gazillonth text to my daughter and friends that I was sitting at a VIP table in front of Andrew Luck of the Colts. It was almost too much excitement for one day...............................

PAPA, September 18th, 2012, at The Bishop, Bloomington, Indiana

Honestly, I can't remember how I found PAPA. What I do know is, their lovely tune, "Ain't It So," off EP, A Good Woman Is Hard To Find has been on heavy house music rotation for sometime. The entire EP, for that matter, has escaped my open windows on cool evenings.

As much as I align myself with the universe of social media in order to hear about the rare appearances of my favorite, obscure bands, PAPA's lighting in Bloomington, nearly happened without me. How frustrating for B-town's own radio station, WTTS, with a part-time college format to not, one, play PAPA, and two, tell us they were coming. Time and time again, I am finding these appearances promoted by MOKB Presents in Indianapolis and now Spirit of '68 Promotions to be under marketing their shows. It's amazing that anyone shows up at all. Ten minutes to scheduled show time, Taylor and I were the 5th and 6th person in the room, or should I say shoebox. Ok, I'm turning off my mommy voice.

About PAPA. Their music is just yummy. Darren Weiss has a voice that is deep and manly, just how the college girls, middle aged working women, and over the hill divorcees, who didn't show up for PAPA's gig, love. Their sound has hints of throw back, that I find to be cozy cool and it was hard for me not be the only person, in the now standing crowd, not cutting a serious rug. (Yes, I realize that term dates me.) There was no indication of Darren losing his voice and having spent the entire day, not speaking, so that his instrument was in shape for our paltry representation of music lovers. Great job Darren.

As for the rest of the band? They seem like great guys and obviously are talented musicians, but their own website lacks a bio and I'm unable to determine who is Danny and who is Sean, their musical education, who they've toured with, what they had for breakfast, not to mention those sweet Instagram feeds; no band Facebook page to be found. They have the smallest digital footprint of any band I follow. They've been at this at least four years and I truly believe that PAPA is under selling and representing themselves. There is a problem when you are warming up for a band called Two (Who?) and are clearly the better band of the two (who?)

It's unfortunate that their name is PAPA. I'm a skilled researcher who pours over youtube videos of live performances. Every single Papa on the planet (see Papa Roach, see everyone's Papa who has a band in...Italy of all places, see Papa Johns, Lady Gaga's Paparazzi, Papa by Paul Anka, for example) are winning right now. This PAPA, the one from L.A. are much better than that. Shame, their passionate sound is sexy stuff.

The worst thing about the evening was that I was stupid enough to think that the vibration of their music would not put my beloved camera with my favorite Canon wide angle lens, on a death march off the drink shelf at The Bishop. This tragic event instantly made PAPA a $700 warm up, as said lens fatally shattered into three pieces. From the light turn out for this Tuesday night show, I'd say we are both losers. That said, I can't wait until they come around again.

Next, I see Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero on Sunday in Indy. Tuesday night, I'm hopping up to The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Michigan to see those fantastic Swedish sisters of First Aid Kit; Avett Brothers back in Indy at the end of the month.

How Much Longer Must We Wait?

When will Of Monsters and Men make it to the states? Here is a video from a July 2012 performance.

First Aid Kit A Big Hit At Two Consecutive Polar Prize Ceremonies

I'm making a special trip to The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on September 25th to see these Swedish sisters, who are huge in Europe, but are nearly unknown in the United States. The Polar Prize is an international Swedish award given each year to one contemporary musician and one classical musician. It's often referred to as The Nobel Prize for music. This year the prize was awarded to Paul Simon and last year, Patty Smith; who become emotional when hearing their own music and lyrics sung by First Aid Kit.

Shovels & Rope at MOTR, Cincinnati, September 3rd, 2012

I was only minutes away from driving 4 hours round trip and being told this concert had been cancelled. Close call.

Memory House at Radio Radio, Indianapolis, May 18th, 2012

SOJA at Earth House Collective, Indianapolis, August 16th, 2012

As a guest of do317.com, I saw SOJA at the now defunked Earth House Collective in Lockerbie. There is something forever joyful in reggae music. I really enjoyed this group, who arrive in a huge motorcoach and admitted they are used to playing for thousands rather than dozens.

Florence & The Machine at The Lawn at White River Park, July 7th, 2012

Thanks to Brent at etatickets.com, we had wonderful 10th row seats with VIP amenities. I had made the mistake of not seeing Florence and The Machine in 2011 and I was not about to make that mistake a second time. Considering she had recently injured a vocal cord and was back on the road after a few cancelled show, she sounded amazingly good. I loved the concert, but wished that Flo had introduced her musicians who where, IMO, very attractive and talented.













At the very bottom is my favorite Florence and The Machine video..You've Got The Love (Glastonbury Festival 2010.)

Mayer Hawthorne at The Deluxe at Old National, May 23rd, 2012

Happy Hour at the Symphony, Hilbert Circle Theatre, March 21st, 2012

Young the Giant at The Egyptian Room at Old National, Indianapolis, July 10th, 2012

My house music came to town

Sarah McLachlan at Meadowbook, July 1st, 2012

Great Lake Swimmers at Radio Radio, June 21st, 2012

The Punch Brothers at The Palladium, Center For The Performing Arts, June 6th, 2012

Graffiti 6 at The Deluxe at Old National, May 29th, 2012

The Lumineers at Radio Radio, May 24th, 2012