Backseat Sandbar

The ship, if you will, has all the bands on board now and the last to arrive, fashionably late, is none other than THE SMASHING PUMPKINS!  They will be headlining Saturday night (July 10th) of the festival (right after DEVO…can you imagine?).  Going 90′s super-band rounds out a perfectly balanced festival.  Friday you have your jam bands with a folky-country rock flavor (Widespread/Drive-by Truckers/Lucero).  Saturday you have a blast from the past with The Smashing Pumpkins, DEVO, Cake and Cap’n Jazz (with a bunch of great indie bands including Wax Fang).  Then close everything off with a huge bang from modern acts like The Flaming Lips, Spoon, She & Him, and Ted Leo, supported by more great Louisville acts like The Fervor, Dawn Landes, The Pass, The Ravenna Colt and The Commonwealth.  Each day is beautiful in its own way and will provide something everyone can enjoy.  This will no doubt go down as one of the best festivals this year and one of the best Louisville has ever seen.

A breakdown of the music lineup can be found here: http://forecastlefest.com/lineup, including live performance videos from each Forecastle artist.

Forecastle’s 2010 keynote speaker will be Rob Coughlin, former President of The Surfrider Foundation – a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Rob also served as Chairman of Conservationists for Jimmy Carter, Special Assistant for the US Environmental Protection Agency, and as a Board Member for the Conservation League and Solar California Council. He speaks on numerous environmental topics, including endangered species, population stabilization, ocean protection, the history of the American environmental movement, and individuals making a difference.

Three day passes, priced at $150, and single day tickets, priced at $60, are on sale now at http://www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1.800.745.3000. They are also available at ear-X-tacy in Louisville, Shake-It Records in Cincinnati, CD Central in Lexington, Indy CD and Vinyl in Indianapolis, and Grimey’s in Nashville. Exclusive boat slips, VIP packages, and other premium ticketing options are also available, as well as campground accommodations and on-site hotel rooms. Visit www.forecastlefest.com for details, along with directions, campground, lodging information, and more!

DAILY SCHEDULE:

THE LATE SEATING AT ACTORS
April 9
Performance, music and art for $10 cheap
plus cash bar in the theatre

Music
Rannygazoo ukelele duet featuring Greg and Abigail Maupin
and
Dude Plays Saxophone

Performance
AutoFill by Tad Chitwood
featuring Leah Roberts and Becky LeCron

Art
Patrick Jilbert
and
Ryan Burns

InKY Reading Series Featured Writer
Graham Shelby

Interview
with Joe Manning
(of King’s Daughters and Sons and LEO Weekly Columnist)

Radio Play
New installment of the
The Kory Kreme Adventure, Suspense,
Mystery, Cowboy, Indian Hour
by Sean Daniels
featuring the band Adventure

You’ve waited and waited and waited as the day drew closer.  Well dust off those dancin’ shoes and Google Map this place you’re hearing be called ‘The Pointe’, because Halfway to Forecastle is finally here.

If you can’t get your DJ/electronic fix at this year’s H2F there must be something seriously wrong with you and you may want to see a doctor, as you’ve probably had a brain aneurysm in your sleep.  Along with 3 stages worth of music, you can expect the other staples of the Forecastle festival, art and activism, to have a full-force presence as well.

For your artsy side, H2F promises live graffiti artists, ice sculptures, break dancing and light/laser shows by visual artist Benji Ramsey.  We hope you love nautical fashion as well, cause there’s gonna be a nautical fashion show.  That’s right, a NAUTICAL FASHION SHOW.

One of Forecastle’s cornerstones is the importance the festival places on activism on the local and global level.  From the Forecastle website:

“An evening silent auction and raffle will be held for signed merchandise, signed poster from artist Jeff Gaither, a copy of DJ Hero, and a pair of VIP and after-party passes to the 2010 Forecastle Festival. All proceeds will benefit The Surfrider Foundation ~ an environmental non-profit dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the world’s beaches and oceans through conservation, activism, research, and education.”

And of course, the music. The entire evening will be comprised of DJs/electronic artists to ensure your aural pleasure. Here’s the line-up, and linked are our previews posted prior to the show:

Kid Sister
LA Riots
Trash Yourself
Jesse Jamz
Lady Foursquare
Kid Color
Amtrak
OK Deejays
The Disco Aliens
Jason Clark
Sam Gracie
Laylow

H2F will take place in a venue most of us haven’t even heard of before, The Pointe (1205 E. Washington Street 40206).  Get Google-mapped at the link provided.  Here are the other details:

HALFWAY TO FORECASTLE
Venue: The Pointe (1205 E. Washington St. 40206)
Cost: $15 advance tickets from ear x-tacy/at door
Show starts at 9:00 pm/18 +
UPDATE: DAY OF SHOW PRICE – $20 at the door

See you there!

SATURDAY, OCT. 3
12:00 noon
Harvest Homecoming Parade begins at noon on Vincennes street and ends around 4-5 on Bank Street in front of the New Albanian Bank Street Brewhouse. You can watch the parade from our bar or patio and warm your seat for the after-party.

5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fringe Fest kicks off with live “Jazz on the Patio” immediately following the Harvest Homecoming parade. Our friends from The Outfit will set the week into motion.

SUNDAY, OCT. 4
12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m.
Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar from noon to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy an extra large, 20 ounce Bloody Mary made your way with a variety of ingredients and a full olive bar with stuffed olives, pickled vegetables, peppered salami, and more.
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Metro Louisville Restaurant Employee & Owner Appreciation Day with live music by Ben Traughber and Rebecca Williams. $3 Pints all day (does not include Hoptimus or Elsa) and frequent Brewery Tours starting at 4:00 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 5
Fringe Fest and Bank Street Brewhouse Closed…
…but our Public House and Pizzeria at 3312 Plaza Drive is open at 11:00 p.m. where the Sandkerwa Festival is in full swing and the Public House (formerly known as Rich O’s) is NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH! Monday through Saturday.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Klesmerfest, that’s right, Klesmerfest. You don’t want to miss this.
6:00 p.m. – Misha Feigin
8:00 p.m. – Louisville Klezmer Orchestra

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. TBA
Set up your booths, Harvest Homecomers, and stop by for more live entertainment. It’s the mid-week bump and it’s going to be fun.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Straw Bale Sculpture Workshop across the street on the lawn of the Carnegie Center. Stop by anytime on Thursday to watch (and help) artist Brad McCombs build the sculpture. He will give a workshop on the process from 6-7. This is p(art) of Fringe Fest hosted by The Carnegieng Center.
7:00 p.m.
Music begins featuring Old Man at 7:30
8:30 p.m.
The Fire Show with The Phoenix Collective: Fire Spinners, Fire Breathers, and all-around Pyro-Enthusiasts. They stole the show at last year’s Fringe Fest.
9:00 p.m.
The Louisville Film Society presents a series of interestingly weird and funny shorts for the second year in a row.

FRIDAY, OCT. 8
3:00 p.m. – Clint Ackerman performs during the Downtown New Albany Pub Crawl
7:00 p.m. – Midnite Sons
8:00 p.m. – National Hotel
9:00 p.m. – Involuntary’s from Indianapolis, voted Indy’s Best New Punk Band
10:00 p.m. – Blood Turns Brown
and… DJs Adam Higdon and Caleb Wilson spinning intelligent, house music throughout the night.

SATURDAY, OCT. 10
Gates open at noon, live music all day, early afternoon entertainment TBA
2:00 p.m. – Capriole Farmstead/NABC goat cheese and craft beer tasting (indoor dining area) with Sam Schad and Roger A. Baylor
5:00 p.m. – Kime Sisters
6:00 p.m. – The Outfit
8:00 p.m. – NABC’s own Jared Williamson
9:00 p.m. – J. Glenn
10:00 p.m. – Closing act TBA

the peak summit
Saturday, June 20th, 8pm-4am, $10 (Buy Tix Here)

The NEXT Peak Summit will be on Shelbyville Road/Frankfort Ave. The fest will consist of 15 venues (17 stages)…and they are going OLD SCHOOL (literally) with a school bus that will shuttle you aournd the three mile stretch.

There will be over 30 bands, music artists, and comedy acts – a sweet art show – programs from both the MERGE film festival and the Derby City Indep. Film Collective – a putt putt tournament – a pool tournament – a microbrew festival – a local fashion show – an organic farmers market/green consortium at Rainbow Blossom (6pm-9pm) .

TO WIN, COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR “MUST SEE” BAND FROM THIS FEST.  THERE ARE NO WRONG ANSWERS (UNLESS, OF COURSE, THEY AREN’T PLAYING THE FEST).  SEE THE FULL LIST BELOW THE BREAK.  WE WILL ANNOUNCE A WINNER ON TUESDAY, JUNE 16TH.  TWO ENTRIES WILL WIN A PAIR OF TIX EACH.  GOOD LUCK.

(more…)

Your friends over on Frankfort, The Snack Institute are cooking up some delicious treats this Friday.  If you haven’t been over there, it’s a really wonderful gallery space featuring some of the best local artists in a really great area.  They’ll be featuring work by: Skeleton Royal, mperfect design, Ben Sears, Dearest Inez, Matt Clinard, Reem Bahouth, Patrick Jilbert and more.  All this will be on sale $10 and under.

Friday, November 7th
8:00-11:00pm
@ The Snack Institute (2900 Frankfort Ave)

Music by DJ Stan Doll.

And, of course, free snacks.

All ages welcome!

FRINGE FEST 2008 BEER-MUSIC-FILM-ART OCTOBER 9-11 featuring: The Louisville Film Society, Derby City Roller Girls, Flaming Hoola Hoop Performances, Art Exhibits, Bob Capshew’s famous cider, New Albanian Beers, and live music.

Louisville Area Musicians include: National Hotel, The Fervor, Old Man, Ben Traughber, Luke Asher, Adventure, Pornofishtank, J.Glenn, Rebecca Williams, Venus Trap, River Rat String Band, Interstates, Dying Indiana, Sativa Gumbo and more.

Photo by Kory Johnson

MadPixel has created some incredible artwork for what will likely go down as the most important concert of the year in Louisville, the recent appearance of My Morning Jacket at the Louisville Waterfront.  Since the show, a lot of people have been asking where they could find it. Fortunately for you, you read Backseat Sandbar and now you know how to find one of these pieces. There are only 40 available, and are 18″ x 24″ three color silkscreen printed on 100# Off-White Cougar stock. Each of these pieces are signed and numbered. After shipping the cost comes to $46. However, for a reminder of that night, I suspect many of you would be willing to shell out a lot more. Be sure to tell Ron that Backseat Sandbar sent you…

Pitchfork revealed MMJ’s album cover this morning, but just in case you missed it, here is what you should look for in record stores on June 10th.

For a taste of what their album will sound like, check out our previous post here.

Tracklist

1. Evil Urges
2. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Part 1
3. Highly Suspicious
4. I’m Amazed
5. Thank You Too
6. Sec Walkin’
7. Two Halves
8. Librarian
9. Look at You
10. Aluminum Park
11. Remnants
12. Smokin From Shootin
13. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Part 2
14. Good Intentions

The first band has been confirmed for Forecastle 2008 and its People Noise.

People Noise is Zeke Buck (founding member of VHS or Beta) and Matt Johnson (former member of Boom Bip). But even still, they’re not what you’d expect. They’re far less electronic than you’re imagining, and a bit more rock, and completely ignoring the 80s synth. Think more of JAMC or My Bloody Valentine. Check out their album Ordinary Ghosts. These guys epitomize what our music scene here in Louisville and throughout the US is all about right now. They are doing amazing things and bringing a brand of shoegaze back to the forefront of music.

These guys have been working their asses off touring around the country. Just look at what one month worth of their tour schedule has been like, and they’re not just regional, they’re everywhere. You should have seen where they were all last fall if you want to talk about a band that gets around. Their upcoming confirmed tour dates with the exception of Forecastle are below:

2/25/ Greenville, South Carolina – R3V3RB
2/26 Gainesville, Florida – 1982 Bar
2/27 Deland, Florida – Caffe DaVinci
2/28 Orlando, Florida – Backbooth
2/29 Tampa, Florida – New World Brewery
3/3 Norfolk, Virginia – TBA
3/5 New York, New York – Pianos
3/6 Brooklyn, New York – The Trash Bar
3/7 Toronto, Ontario – Canadian Music Week
3/8 Potsdam, New York – The State University of New York at Potsdam
3/9 Dekalb, Illinois – Otto’s
3/19 San Marcos, Texas – Jack’s Patio & Bar
3/20 Corpus Christi, Texas – House of Rock
3/21 Fort Worth, Texas – Aardvark
3/28 Louisville, Kentucky – Phoenix Hill Tavern (w/ British Sea Power)

These guys know what it takes to make it in the music industry, and its paying off as they’re the first confirmed artist for Forecastle and opening for British Sea Power. You can keep up with their tour schedule even better here.

People Noise – The Killing Fields

If you have thoughts on who you’d like to see this year, discuss it in the comments below, or on their forums

This Friday is the First Friday Gallery Hop & Derby City Espresso is presenting a group of Artists from 6-9pm fundraising for the Henry Wallace Brigade‘s Cuba trip, featuring:

• George Shoopman,
• Krista Hauss,
  
• Brenton Fisher,
  
• Whit Forrester,
• Red,
  
• Sonja DeVries,
  
• Ashley Helm
• Shelby Lattis. 

Music for the event is going to be provided by DJ Sonic Meditation.

ALSO, premier of Bluegrass Brewing Company’s new Derby City Espresso Stout!!!!

If you have to miss this night, the gallery is staying on during opening hours until February 29, with a closing party from 6pm-9pm.

Here is a statement from DCE:

We are kicking off the beginning of a series of showings by queer artists starting with this fundraiser for the Henry Wallace Brigade’s trip to Cuba. Some of the artists are showing this work for the first time in a public setting due to the sometimes controversial nature of queer representation in both the media and art world of Louisville, KY. Donations are encouraged at the door THOUGH NOT REQUIRED. Artists will be present on February 1st along with entertainment with art that runs the gamut from mixed media, to video installation, photography, charcoal and more. Almost all of the proceeds will be going towards getting our friends to Cuba and back! ALL are welcome, and additional information on the Henry Wallace Brigade will be available. Not to mention BBC’s newest stout!

Derby City Espresso is looking for artists to exhibit in February and March. DCE is starting to put more exhibits on, the most recent, large scale exhibit being the Decked Out Series. Just get in touch with them through their MySpace page, and hopefully we’ll see what you’ve got.

Also be sure to drop by DCE tomorrow night at 7pm for their New Hampshire Primary Party.