Backseat Sandbar

Brian Healey, keyboardist for for The Pass and formerly for Paradigm has an EP of his own (released) February 15 on Ropeadope Records (ropeadope.com) under his electronic artist/producer alias Brainbheats. It’s a mix of electronic styles, such and ambient and drum and bass, and jazz influences. The EP is a digital release and is available HERE.

More info…

Brian has toured the country and performed alongside a wealth of top musicians from various genres, including: Paquito D’Rivera, Maceo Parker, Delfeayo Marsalis, Charlie Hunter, Benevento/Russo Duo, Clark Terry, Andy Narell, Johnny Neel, Bobby Lee Rodgers and the Codetalkers, Diego Urcola, Ben Sollee, and The Lee Boys. Brainbheats is a new studio project that combines Brian’s loves of all things music, sound, and technology into an organic blend of traditional instrumentation and electronic programming. Influences range from the drum and bass mayhem of Aphex Twin to the rich harmony of Debussy, from the powerful melodicism of Sigur Ros to the exotic textures of Bjork, and beyond.

MP3s-
Ropeadope 1999-2009

SAMPLES-
Bring The Noise (bhts rmx)
Ms. Jackson (bhts rmx)
Let Go (bhts rmx)

C+
Creature Island
Prairie Wisdom

@ Skull Alley

Saturday, February 20, 2010.  Doors open at 9 pm
$5.00

Here is what I wrote about their most recent album for our Local Listen series:

Louisville’s C+ has a new album out, “Learning to Sail My Ship” and it is already creating buzz.  The LEO recently gave the album a raving review calling the it “the odds-on frontrunner for best Louisville album of the year.”  I had a chance to listen to it recently and I’ll join the bandwagon.  C+ has provided Louisville with a local album we can be proud of.  I won’t call it the best Louisville album of the year, but it’s in the top ten and a few of the tracks have made their way onto my iPod.  The heavy melodies and guitar riffs lead the charge and carry the album.  Mat and Hannah’s vocals are hit and miss.  At their best, they are blended into a sold wave of sound (see “Struggler’s Song” and “Thing for You”).  At their worst, the vocals sound separated from the music, resulting in a rough crooning (see “Time to Sell” and “Breaking the Fever”).  That said, I like the male/female balance they bring to the table and they’ve shown it can be done right.  There is no doubt in my mind that C+ has to talent to put out a great album and not just on the local level.  “Learning to Sail My Ship” hints of genius, so C+ is definitely a band to keep an eye on in the future.  (I am told the new line-up has an album “coming soon.”)

C+ is:

Mat Shalenko~ vocals/guitar
Hannah Eberhart~ vocals/keys/guitar
Ken Johnson~ drums
Jae Grady~ bass/vocals
(Andrew Stone~ bass on “Learning To Sail My Ship”)

Louisville’s C+ has a new album out, “Learning to Sail My Ship” and it is already creating buzz.  The LEO recently gave the album a raving review calling the it “the odds-on frontrunner for best Louisville album of the year.”  I had a chance to listen to it recently and I’ll join the bandwagon.  C+ has provided Louisville with a local album we can be proud of.  I won’t call it the best Louisville album of the year, but it’s in the top ten and a few of the tracks have made their way onto my iPod.  The heavy melodies and guitar riffs lead the charge and carry the album.  Mat and Hannah’s vocals are hit and miss.  At their best, they are blended into a sold wave of sound (see “Struggler’s Song” and “Thing for You”).  At their worst, the vocals sound separated from the music, resulting in a rough crooning (see “Time to Sell” and “Breaking the Fever”).  That said, I like the male/female balance they bring to the table and they’ve shown it can be done right.  There is no doubt in my mind that C+ has to talent to put out a great album and not just on the local level.  “Learning to Sail My Ship” hints of genius, so C+ is definitely a band to keep an eye on in the future.  (I am told the new line-up has an album “coming soon.”)

C+ is:

Mat Shalenko~ vocals/guitar
Hannah Eberhart~ vocals/keys/guitar
Ken Johnson~ drums
Jae Grady~ bass/vocals
(Andrew Stone~ bass on “Learning To Sail My Ship”)

Catch them tonight (11/21) at The Nachbar around 11:00 after the Shellac show (no cover)….

I’m always excited when I get CDs from local bands, but I was particularly excited when I opened a package on Friday with the new album from Thomas A. Minor & The Picket Line.  I’ve seen The Picket Line back Bonnie Billy at Funtown and at the Old Tarr Distillery and I’ve seen Cheyenne Mize with Bonnie Billy in Bloomington, with Ben Sollee at the NuLu Fest and with Arnett Hollow.  I’m kicking myself for missing their CD release show, but as soon as they pop up again, I will be there.  While they are amazing in their other projects, combining for this album created something very special.

The seven song collection is fantastic from start to finish.  As soon as the disc started playing, they grabbed me with “Ain’t No Doubt About It” which may be my favorite song on the album.  After a long day at work, I was relaxed immediately.  You can listen to it below and if it doesn’t wet your whistle, I don’t know what will.   Perhaps it is  being from Kentucky, but there is something to be said about the effect of warm, drawl-filled vocals floating over the sounds of a soft violin and mandolin, the heavy pic of a banjo and the steady strumming of a bass.    Songs like “The River Rose” and “Magnolia” soften the concrete and brick around you take you someplace else (perhaps Funtown).  The album is short and sweet leaving you asking for more… or you can just play it over and over again like I have all weekend. They say they are not good enough to be a bluegrass band, but that couldn’t be far enough from the truth.  They definitely have the gift of making beautiful music.

The band is…

Thomas A. Minor-Guitfiddle and Vocals
Drumstick-Guitfiddle and Vocals
The String Mizer-Fiddle and Vocals
Pig Iron-Mandolin and Yelling,
Pork Chop-Outta-tune Banjo
Danny- Bassfiddle

or Oscar Lee Riley, Jonathan Kempf, Bradley Reinstedler, Danny Kiley, Bob Dixon and Cheyenne Mize.

Thomas A. Minor & The Picket Line- Ain’t No Doubt About It

In other Picket Line news, they have a record coming out in December with Bonnie Billy called “Funtown Comedown.”  Read more about it HERE.

With often dark and introspective lyrics draped over power chords, The Instruction (a foursome comprised of Blake Sakal, Wes Hawthorne, Jeremy Stein, and Brandon Terrell) have made their mark through relentless and energetic live shows, sharing the stage with everyone from These United States to Thao with the Get Down Stay Down and MC Chris.  With their SonaBLAST! Records debut, Failure by Design, the group is ready to move forward into the rest of the world.

Hailing from Louisville, KY, home to such enigmatic and diverse musical icons as Slint, Will Oldham, My Morning Jacket, Rachels and a wide array of 70s punk bands, it shouldn’t be terribly surprising to find The Instruction’s sound as something fresh in the face of an oversaturated indie rock market focused on gimmicks.  This is perhaps never more true than with songs like Mayday, Hello Darlin’ & Into the Tomorrow, which display the kind of raw emotion that would be right at home in both the indie charts and commercial radio.  While you can sometimes feel vague nods to their influences, Failure by Design is at all times their own, with songs dripping with power chords, pumping bass, and infectious choruses.  The Instruction is founded on Stein and Terrell’s hermetic rhythm section with guitars that are abrasive in all the right ways, and at the very core of their sound is Sakal’s vocals, which bring to mind the grit and masculine sexuality of Jim Morrison.  Tight production and years of playing together brings the package together, and with a new release, a new record deal, a solid fan base and a series of music festivals on the bill, The Instruction are going to surprise and enrapture you. Listen, Learn, Love.

The Instruction – Hello Darlin’

The Instruction- Into the Tomorrow

The Deloreans have quickly become one of my favorite local bands.  I first heard of them through their track on the last Louisville is For Lovers, “La La Love.”  As soon as I heard it, I was blown away.  Little did I know this was only the tip of the iceberg.  I got my hands on their new album, Love Outrageous, and heard what this band is really made of.  True to their name, they take you back.  Way back.  Part 50’s sock hop, part 60’s British Invasion, part 70’s New Wave, all updated to make your jaw drop.  Frontman Jeremy Perry is a technician on the guitar and his vocals dominate the album.   Combined with a tight rhythm section comprised of Bill Willis (Bass) and Meg Samples (drums) and you get the magic of The Deloreans.  Meg is a new addition to the band since the album came out and she had to be a no-brainer choice.  I saw her play with Squeeze-bot and saw something special.  I can not recommend highly enough checking out this album and going to one of their shows as soon as you can.  You’re next chance to check them out will be on November 13, 2009 at the Vernon Club with Bad Blood and Yardsale.

The Deloreans – Why Don’t You Say

The Deloreans – Buffalo

Photo via The Decibel Tolls

I just saw Softcheque play at Rock the Whole Lot and was blown away.  I can’t believe that I haven’t heard this band yet, but better late than never.  Softcheque is driven by its two female singers with absolutely enchanting voices and supplemented with a mellow drone of keys and percussion.  Immediately, Bat for Lashes came to mind and the similarities are scary.  Each combine hypnotizing vocals with a dark and eerie journey sound.  Keep on on on this group, they have a ton of talent and will win you over after a single song.  You can catch them at Phantom Family Halo’s album releases party at the Z bar on October 17th.  Check out a video from their show at DCE below (via The Decibel Tolls)…

Idaho, Alaska has been making waves down in Lexington, Kentucky for a few years now and after a number of Louisville performances, their presence heating up here as well.   “Manipulate and Multiply” (2009) will only fuel the fire.  It’s a heavy-hitting barrage of tracks that keeps you on your toes the whole time.  It’s rough enough to be punk and transitions in and out of mellow pop-rock and metal war cries.  Just when you think you have them pegged, they go a different direction.  That, for me, is what is most appealing about the album.  They can go from each end of the spectrum while maintaining continuity.  Sometimes, they even switch it up mid-track.  It’s tough to do and they pull it off.  Check out two tracks below for a sample of the two-headed monster.  “Brand New” is a catchy little tune that would be perfect for the drive home from work with a cigarette, while “Drowning in Trust” is a track that would be a perfect theme song as you protected your house from invasion during the apocalypse.  Your next chance to see them will be on October 8th at Transy in Lexington (with These United States).  We’ll let you know next time they come up here.

Grab a copy of the album at eugenerecords.com.

Idaho, Alaska – Brand New

[audio=http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/24/1779222/04%20Brand%20New.m4a]

Idaho, Alaska- Drowning in Trust

[audio=http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/24/1779222/12%20Drowning%20in%20Trust.m4a]

Idaho, Alaska is…

Chris Soulis- vocals, guitars

Mitch Snider- guitars, vocals

Mike Matthews- bass

Dave Condra- drums, back-up vocals

Idaho, Alaska Discography info..

Discography includes three full length albums: “Manipulate And Multiply” – Eugene Records – Release date pending (2009) though limited pre-release copies are available directly from eugenerecords.com; “On The Way – Idaho, Alaska Live 2008″ – Self-released – 2008; “Kissin’ With The Devil” – Self-released, 2007 (available through itunes). All albums are available by contacting us at idahoalaska@gmail.com or at any of our live shows.