Know Your Own

24th May 2012

KYO / 022 - CROSS

In the summer of 2009, Lexington’s Mikey T (aka MA Turner) was preparing for a summer tour with Castanets (on Asthmatic Kitty) when his band, Warmer Milks, unfortunately fell apart. Not one to let such twists of fate deter him, he promptly formed a completely new band with his best friend and spiritual brother, visual artist R Clint Colburn, and hit the road. During this tour, while writing and channelling heroes like Iggy, Whitehouse, Dead C and The Doors, their vision began to take shape and emerge from the mists as this week’s band, Cross.

After starting out with Mikey on guitar and vocals and Clint on drums (which he had no prior experience playing at the time) and vocals, they later enlisted Jamie Adkins (Rat King, Tiny Fights) on bass and Jason Schuler (Cadaver in Drag) on drums and kept developing their sound further - a psychedelic brew of all manners of rock (like death-, kraut-, punk- & post-punk-, even southern-). They can sound intimate and pensive one minute and then blast into super heavy stadium riffage and headbanging the next. They put out an awesome double cassette of live recordings a while back and, coming in the near future, they have a split 7” with Arcane Rifles as well as their debut album, Die Forever (coming out on Sophomore Lounge Records in September). They recorded the album in Nashville with Pete Townsend (Bonnie “Prince” Billy Band, King Kong) at John Prine’s Butcher Shoppe and….guess what…you lucky lot get an early peek into how it will sound (spoiler alert: it’s gonna rule) because they’re hooking everyone up with 2 unmastered versions of songs that are going to be on it. After you’ve downloaded the tunes and fallen in love with them, what next? Might we suggest that you hit up Al’s tomorrow night, where they will be slaying alongside KYO alums Oh My Me and get prepared to go FOREVER INTO THE CROSS!!

http://www.facebook.com/foreverintothecross

http://soundcloud.com/foreverintothecross

http://www.sophomoreloungerecords.com

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Cross - “Sleep Hall”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/sleep-hall

Cross - “Forever”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/forever

Upcoming Shows!

TONIGHT! Thursday, May 24 - Dylan Ettinger w/Eric Lanham, and Three Legged Race @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - 8pm, all ages, $donations - http://knowyourown.tumblr.com/post/19979796648/kyo-012-three-legged-race

TONIGHT! Thursday, May 24 - Granny Meef and Squintos DJ Set @ Al’s Sidecar (next to Al’s - corner of 6th and LImestone) - 10pm, ages 21+ https://www.facebook.com/events/463295247018980

Friday, May 25 - Oh My Me w/CROSS @ Al’s, corner of 6th and Limestone - 9pm, ages 21+, $5 - http://www.facebook.com/events/144904342306666/ - http://knowyourown.tumblr.com/post/17436016757/kyo-010-oh-my-me

Saturday, May 26 - Soft Pain, Rat King, Street Gnar, 30th Century Men @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - https://www.facebook.com/events/290548651037024/

Saturday, May 26 - Natives w/Arcane Rifles, and Anwar Sadat @ Al’s Sidecar (next to Al’s) - 10pm, ages 21+, $3

Tuesday, May 29 - “The American Graffiti Tour” featuring Tanya Morgan, Koncept, Bodega Brovas, and Playdough @ Cosmic Charlie’s - doors 9pm, show 10pm, ages 18+, $10 - sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM - http://www.tanyamorgan.net/, http://www.iamkoncept.com/, http://bodegabrovas.com/, http://www.myspace.com/playdough

Wednesday, May 30 - Jovontaes w/Herbcraft, and Dave Farris (dj) @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - 8pm, all ages, $donations

Thursday, May 31 - Fanged Robot w/J. Marinelli, and Haggard Wulf @ The Green Lantern, corner of 3rd and Jefferson - 10pm, ages 21+, $5 - www.myspace.com/thefangedrobot, http://jmarinelli.bandcamp.com/, http://haggardwulf.bandcamp.com/www.myspace.com/thefangedrobot, http://jmarinelli.bandcamp.com/, http://haggardwulf.bandcamp.com/

Friday, June 1 - Turn To Crime w/The Butchers, and Attempt @ Al’s Sidecar (next to Al’s - corner of 6th and Limestone) - 10pm, ages 21+, $5

Saturday, June 2 - Idiot Glee, Ellie Herring, Auto Delta Time & Carl Calm, Ed Sunspot (DJ) @ Al’s, corner of 6th and Limestone - 9pm, ages 21+, $5 https://www.facebook.com/events/396933293679275/

Wednesday, June 6 - Idiot Glee w/Yohuna, and Truman Peyote @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - 8pm, all ages, $donations

luv, the HOPs

18th May 2012 | 1 note

KYO / 021 - The Asylum Gypsies Surf Band

While we may not have a ton of surf bands here in Lexington, we’re certainly no stranger to the genre. In fact, every Friday morning from 8-9 on WRFL (88.1FM - listen online at http://wrfl.fm), Matt Clarke brings you a heavy hour of surf and it seems like Los Straitjackets play here all the time. Well, in addition to those sources, you can add a new band to Lexington’s surf heritage - The Asylum Gypsies Surf Band!

Formed around 8 months ago, The Asylum Gypsies Surf Band is comprised of 2 theatrical folks (and the drummer who would not drown, Alien Bill) who just want you to rock and have a good time. Guitarist El Topo (aka Jimmy Gordon, whom you may recognize as the leader of the now defunct Royal Batfangs or, better yet, perhaps you caught his solo set as Surfinger at Pop’s on Record Store Day) has been in surf bands since 1964 and flat knows his stuff. Additionally, jimmy is a cult lexington art eccentric. Have you seen a homemade Batmobile rolling around town? Well, that’s Jimmy in his 1969 Rambler turned Rat Rod Bat Mobile. El Gitano (aka Linda Hisle, who, like Jimmy, is also a talented visual artist) is a newcomer to surf sounds but does an admirable job of keeping the low end in check on bass.

As always, we highly recommend that you get out on the town to see them play. When you do, you can expect sweet surf music embellished with a vaudevillian spirit incorporating gypsy attire, lucha libre and horse masks as well as crazy vocals and a bit of prose. A fun hot mess, for sure! You’ve got two chances to catch the band in the next two weeks - both FREE shows. THIS SATURDAY, they’ll rock the Pop’s Resale Sweet 16 celebration (they play at 2pm). Then on Memorial Day (Monday, May 28), the Asylum Gypsies continue their tour of Lexington’s sweetest record havens, playing CD Central’s Memorial Day bash (they play at 1pm).

The Asylum Gypsies Surf Band - https://wwwfacebook.com/pages/The-Asylum-Gypsies-Surf-Band/136454229790133 … and … http://www.reverbnation.com/theasylumgypsiessurfband

Check out Linda and Jimmy’s visual art work through their Facebook pages (you’ll need to jump into their “photo” albums) …

Linda Hisle - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=740648962

Jimmy Gordon - https://www.facebook.com/jimmy.gordon.71

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Asylum Gypsies Surf Band - “Fuzzy Teradactyl”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/fuzzy-teradactyl

Asylum Gypsies Surf Band - “Rumble Live Version”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/rumble-live-version

Upcoming Shows!

TONIGHT! Friday, May 18 - Jeb Bishop / Tim Daisy duo @ Mecca, 948 Manchester St - EARLY SHOW 7pm, all ages, $5 - part of the Outside the Spotlight jazz and improvised music series - sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM

TONIGHT! Friday, May 18 - The Butchers w/Best Friend Band, and Forever Twins @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - 8pm, all ages, $donations

TONIGHT! Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 20 - Lexington Film League presents “Harry Dean Stanton Fest 2” - here are a couple of the festival events … full details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/191473907621928/ …

* Friday - “Pretty In Pink” outdoor film screening @ Triangle Park - starts at dusk, all ages, FREE

* Saturday - “Repo Man” screening, followed by a live recreation of the “Repo Man” soundtrack by Palisades and guest vocalists @ Green Lantern, corner of 3rd and Jefferson - 8pm, ages 21+, $5?

Saturday, May 19 - Pop’s Sweet 16 Celebration featuring performances by Asylum Gypsies Surf Gand (2pm), JustMe w/Sheisty Khrist (3:30pm), and SHOZO (5pm) @ Pop’s Resale - 11am-8pm, all ages, FREE - https://www.facebook.com/events/336898686367229/

Sunday, May 20 - Warren Byrom & The Fabled Canelands w/Onward Pilgrim, and Altered Statesmen @ Cosmic Charlie’s - 10pm, ages 18+, $5? (additional fee charged for peeps under 21) - http://knowyourown.tumblr.com/post/22382696281/kyo-019-warren-byrom-the-fabled-canelands

Monday, May 21 - Ellie Herring w/Jane Jane Pollock, and Silverware @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - 8pm, all ages, $donations - http://knowyourown.tumblr.com/post/17106523505/kyo-009-ellie-herring

Tuesday, May 22 - Snoozerz w/The Elsinores, and Best Friends Band @ Cosmic Charlie’s - 10pm, ages 18+, $5 (additional fee charged for peeps under 21) - http://www.facebook.com/events/436227926407223/

Wednesday, May 23 - Heartless Bastards @ CD Central, 377 S. Limestone - 6pm, all ages, FREE

Wednesday, May 23 - Heartless Bastards @ Cosmic Charlie’s - 10pm, ages18+ (additional fee charged for peeps under 21), $14

Thursday, May 24 - Dylan Ettinger w/Eric Lanham, and Three Legged Race @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - 8pm, all ages, $donations - http://knowyourown.tumblr.com/post/19979796648/kyo-012-three-legged-race

Saturday, May 26 - Natives w/Arcane Rifles, and Anwar Sadat @ Al’s Sidecar (next to Al’s) - 10pm, ages 21+, $3

luv, the HOPs

10th May 2012 | 2 notes

KYO / 020 - Resonant Hole

As some of you remember, Know Your Own originally started out as a series of free CD compilations distributed around town to help shine a spotlight on Lexington’s ever-fantastic music scene. Each release featured many bands that were active in Lexington at the time that would have been familiar to most folks in town. This was great to find songs by the bands you already knew of and enjoyed but a big draw of each CD would be the slew of songs by bands that you weren’t familiar with. The credits for the songs listed people that you knew from other bands but maybe combined in a different formation with people from other bands. It was an exciting peek into the creative possibilites of Lexington’s music scene. While not part of Know Your Own, in 2009, a collective of Lexington musicians banded together to record and release a similar compilation that showcased familiar artists like Idiot Glee (this was his first appearance in fact!) and Eyes and Arms of Smoke alongside a menagerie of exotic-sounding artists like Ed Sunspot, Jeanne Vomit-Terror and Sterile Drawberry. It was like a musical puzzle - could you piece together who was in what group based on what the song sounded like? This compilation bore the name of the collective that created it: Resonant Hole Volume 1 (and you can check it out here: http://resonanthole.bandcamp.com/album/resonant-hole-vol-1). It was wildly varied, which was fun but it also sounded like a cohesive whole, not just a random collection of singles.

Since the release of that compilation, Resonant Hole has shifted and mutated with a revolving cast of characters and pseudonyms, much like Lexington’s own underground version of groups like Funkadelic. They have released a couple of essential maxi-single cassettes of quirky electronic pop and Ghost Box meets Boards of Canada style hauntological ambience. But then, just when you thought you had their sound pinned down, out they come with the sneering punk of The Teenagers Responsible. As we mentioned earlier, you likely know most everyone involved in the project from their other bands but something special happens when they get together to collaborate outside the structures of their existing groups, with elaborate and theatrical back stories. It’s the musical equivalent of things like Dadaist art and collage or William S. Burroughs’ literary cutups: a juxtaposition of things you know from other sources rearranged in exciting and creative new ways.

We are extremely excited to be hooking you up with some freshly-recorded songs from the group and to let you know to keep your eyes peeled for a new compilation coming out in the near future!! Their recorded music is only part of the experience however. To really understand “what is a hole?”, you need to see them live, which they have been doing rather often lately (at Land of Tomorrow’s Lexington and Louisville galleries just this past week in fact). If you were unable to catch them at either of these performances, don’t despair because they are going to be playing THIS SATURDAY at the Backlot - Case Mahan’s (Street Gnar) new venue, which used to be The Void’s performance space and, most recently, the location of Jesse Saxon’s SPIVS shop. There are also a gang of shows by Resonant Hole related bands this weekend: S.M.E.L.L. plays tonight at Mecca, Matt Duncan plays tomorrow at Al’s and Idiot Glee kicks it on Sunday at Cosmic. It’s a great weekend (as usual, duh) for music in the Bluegrass - we hope to see you out and about!!

More info here: http://resonanthole.com

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Juuls Trakker - “Shiiver”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/shiiver

Private Library - “Waiting for a Friend”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/waiting-for-a-friend

Upcoming Shows!

TONIGHT! Thursday, May 10 - Jason Lescalleet w/ S.M.E.L.L. (members of Three Legged Race, Hair Police, Eyes and Arms of Smoke, Caboladies, and KY Wildcats) @ Mecca, 948 Manchester St (just down and across the street from Buster’s - at the corner of Willard St) - 8pm, all ages, $5 - part of the Outside the Spotlight jazz and improvised music series.

Friday, May 11 - Daniel Martin Moore & Joan Shelley @ CD Central, 377 S. Limestone - 7pm, all ages, FREE

Friday, May 11 - Blouse w/ Matt Duncan, and Street Gnar @ Al’s (corner of 6th and Limestone) - 9pm - https://www.facebook.com/events/290424104371346/

Friday, May 11 - Big Fresh w/ Satellite Giant, and SHOZO @ Cosmic Charlie’s (corner of Woodland and Euclid Aves) - 9pm, ages 18+, $5 -https://www.facebook.com/events/302762479801806/

Saturday, May 12 - Sheisty Khrist and JustMe featuring LIVE INSTRUMENTATION AND DEADLY ORCHESTRATION (Rachael Yanarella, Wes Meek, Clifton Keller, Jennifer Dolly, Jessica Meek and others expanding and recreating songs by local hip hop favorites Sheisty Khrist and JustMe) @ The Back Circle at Transylvania University - 6pm, all ages, FREE

Saturday, May 12 - Resonant Hole w/ Trailblazer, Candy, Snoozerz, and DJ sets by Auto Delta Time and Dr Midnight @ Backlot, 518 E. High St (behind the Void Skateshop) - 8pm, all ages, $donations (money raised goes to purchase a p.a. for the space) - https://www.facebook.com/events/202850226495717/

Saturday, May 12 - The Bleats w/ Wol and Weeps @ Green Lantern (corner of 3rd and Jefferson) - 10pm, ages 21+, $5? - https://www.facebook.com/events/107796069356724/

Sunday, May 13 - HOP HOP presents … Saturday Looks Good To Me w/ Idiot Glee and Wild Mocassins @ Cosmic Charlie’s (corner of Woodland and Euclid Aves) - 9pm, ages 18+, $5 - https://www.facebook.com/events/402895709743408/

Thursday, May 17 - The Accidental Circus w/ Rakadu Gypsy Dance @ Mecca, 948 Manchester St - 8pm, all ages, $8 adv/$10 at the door

Friday, May 18 - Jeb Bishop / Tim Daisy duo @ Mecca, 948 Manchester St - EARLY SHOW 7pm, all ages, $5 - part of the Outside the Spotlight jazz and improvised music series

Saturday, May 19 - Pop’s Sweet 16 Celebration featuring performances by Asylum Gypsies Surf Gand, JustMe w/Sheisty Khrist, and SHOZO @ Pop’s Resale - 11am-8pm, all ages, FREE

4th May 2012 | 1 note

KYO / 019 - Warren Byrom & The Fabled Canelands

This week, we’re excited to be talking about Warren Byrom and The Fabled Canelands!

Many of you will recognize Warren from some of the other Lexington bands that he is a part of (The Swells & Big Maracas), but here we focus on his solo material. Warren’s sound is a weathered mix of folk, country and rock, with a classic something in the New Orleans busker vein to tie it all together. Some of his songs make you want to cut a rug on a Friday night while others could soundtrack a 3 AM date with a bottle of whiskey and your thoughts in the backyard on a quiet summer night.

Warren’s debut full-length, The Fabled Canelands, has lots of Lexington mojo cooked into it as well. Recorded with Otto Helmuth (from The Blueberries, Slo-Fi, and Thee American Revolution), Duane Lundy (of Chico Fellini, Shangri-la Studio, and the “10 in 20” project) and Tony Miller (of Ideal Free Distribution and The Open Letters), the album features contributions from a local cast of characters including, among others, Chris Sullivan, Andy Mason, Anna Hess, Fred Sexton, Scott Wilmouth … and Hop Hop’s own James Friley (Idiot Glee), who played piano on “Sleep” (a collaboration with local poet/artist/awesome guy Whitney Baker - hear it below!). The record also includes a track based around late Kentucky poet laureate James Baker Hall’s poem “That First Kite.”

As we suggest every week, don’t just listen to the songs that Warren has so graciously offered up for everyone below - get out and enjoy his music with your fellow Lexingtonians TONIGHT (Friday, May 4th), when he plays at the Green Lantern (the show also features Lex-patriate Mark Heidinger’s project Vandaveer). We hope to see you there! (If you can’t make it Friday, mark Sunday, May 20th on your calendar and plan to catch him at Cosmic Charlie’s with Onward Pilgrim and The Altered Statesmen.)

Double your pleasure and support a local artist and local businesses in one tidy stroke - pick up Warren’s cd at CD Central (377 S. Limestone) or The Morris Book Shop (882 E. High St). Or, find the full disc available for download at http://warrenbyrom.bandcamp.com.

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Warren Byrom & The Fabled Canelands - “Sleep”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/sleep

Warren Byrom & The Fabled Canelands - ”Good Touch”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/good-touch

Upcoming Shows!

TONIGHT! Friday, May 4 - The Resonant Hole Sound System with Jeanne Vomit-Terror and Ed Sunspot featuring Sindy Silverhair and Dapheine Sideear @ L.O.T. (Land of Tomorrow), 527 E. 3rd St - 9pm, all ages - https://www.facebook.com/events/272981199461781/

TONIGHT! Friday, May 4 - Vandaveer w/ Warren Byrom & the Fabled Canelands @ Green Lantern (corner of 3rd and Jefferson) - 10pm, ages 21+, $5?

Saturday, May 5 - The Ford Theatre Reunion w/ Tinderbox Sideshow and more @ Al’s - 10pm, ages 21+, $5 - https://www.facebook.com/events/349629908427711/

Sunday, May 6 - Arcane Rifles w/ Roomrunners, and Snoozerz @ Al’s Sidecar - 10pm, ages 21+, $3 - https://www.facebook.com/events/299704946776095

Tuesday, May 8 - Wretched Worst w/ Inner Fare, MU, Ashochious, and Microwave Windows @ Al’s Sidecar - 9pm, ages 21+, $5 - https://www.facebook.com/events/352883204770688/

Thursday, May 10 - Jason Lescalleet w/ S.M.E.L.L. (members of Three Legged Race, Hair Police, Eyes and Arms of Smoke, Caboladies, and Kentucky Wildcats) @ Mecca, 948 Manchester St (just down and across the street from Buster’s - at the corner of Willard St) - 8pm, all ages, $5 - part of the Outside the Spotlight jazz and improvised music series

Friday, May 11 - Blouse w/ Matt Duncan, and Street Gnar @ Al’s (corner of 6th and Limestone) - 9pm -https://www.facebook.com/events/290424104371346/

Friday, May 11 - Big Fresh w/ Satellite Giant, and SHOZO @ Cosmic Charlie’s (corner of Woodland and Euclid Aves) - 9pm, ages 18+, $5 - https://www.facebook.com/events/302762479801806/

Saturday, May 12 - The Bleats w/ Wol and Weeps @ Green Lantern (corner of 3rd and Jefferson) - 10pm, ages 21+, $5? - https://www.facebook.com/events/107796069356724/

luv, the HOPs

26th Apr 2012

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26th Apr 2012 | 1 note

KYO / 018 - James Swanberg

Have you ever made a resolution to do something each and every single day? Perhaps exercise, read part of a book, floss, etc. How often do you usually keep up with your new ritual? Right. Me too. Unlike most of us, 400 days ago James Swanberg decided to write and record a song every day - and stuck with it. You can check out his wealth of tuneage here: http://todayshits.tumblr.com.

Swanberg now resides in Chicago but was (and still occasionally is) a staple in many Lexington bands, including weirdo surf-punk rockers Jovontaes and rock and roll good time dudes Randy Tuesday & the Two Two Tuesdays. This project falls more in line with the latter band’s sound - songs clock in at an average of two and a half minutes and flow around a similar poppy sing-song structure.

He nestles into the same school that folks like Ty Segall, Jacuzzi Boys, and The Beets go to. It’s a little bit of ramshackle garage rock but it has a driving pop melody that a three-year-old could sing along to. The quality of the music is decidedly lo-fi. Swanberg sings into the in-mic of his computer, layering vocals atop each other, and playing acoustic guitar (though the instrument use varies at times). The lyrics are sweet and heartfelt, like this recent gem from day 398, “Why oh why, why spend my time pretending that I’m not in love with you?”

Below are two tracks from “Certain Days, Lately” an album you can listen to and download (for free!) here: http://todayshits.bandcamp.com/album/certain-days-lately If you like what you hear, keep your eyes peeled because Swanberg still plays in town every once in awhile (he just had a show at Al’s Bar last Tuesday as a matter of fact).

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

James Swanberg - “Get To Know Ya”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/get-to-know-ya

James Swanberg - “Don’t They Know?”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/dont-they-know

Upcoming Shows!

TONIGHT! Thursday, April 26 - DJ night with Thad Watson and Clint Colburn @ Al’s Sidecar - 10pm, ages 21+, FREE

TONIGHT! Thursday, April 26 - Ancient Warfare w/Blood Pheasant @ Green Lantern, corner of 3rd and Jefferson - 10pm, ages 21+

TONIGHT! Thursday, April 26 - S H O Z O @ Al’s, corner of 6th and Limestone - 9pm, ages 21+, $5 https://www.facebook.com/shozo8

Friday, April 27 - Idiot Glee @ the Lexington Public Library’s Farish Theater (Main St branch) - 7pm (sharp), all ages, FREE

Friday, April 27 - Coralee and the Townies @ Willie’s Locally Known, on N. Broadway - just past the corner of Loudon Ave - 10pm, all ages, $5

Friday, April 27 - Devine Carama & Digital 859 present Brown Sugar Hip Hop Showcase @ Al’s, corner of 6th and Limestone - 10pm, ages 21+, $5 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Devine-Carama/160554880633592

Saturday, April 28 - Warren Byrom and the Fabled Canelands w/Joan Shelley and Robbie Roberts @ Cosmic Charlie’s, 388 Woodland Ave - 10pm, ages 18+ -

Saturday, April 28 - Oh My Me w/Mad Anthony @ Green Lantern, corner of 3rd and Jefferson - 10pm, ages 21+

Wednesday, May 2 - The Acro-Cats w/The Rock Cats @ Cosmic Charlie’s, 388 Woodland Ave - 8pm, ages 18+, $12 - {{ YES, it’s really a cat circus! http://circuscats.com/ }}

Friday, May 4 - Resonant Hole @ L.O.T. - 9pm, all ages, FREE - http://resonanthole.bandcamp.com/

luv, the HOPs

20th Apr 2012 | 1 note

KYO / 017 - Mr. Moose & The Stache

Did you see those youtube videos of the guy playing cover versions of Depeche Mode songs with his children? Adorable. It seems that parents are spoiled for choice when looking for quality music to listen to with their children these days. Like every other genre of music, kids’ music has benefitted greatly from the open and level playing field of the internet. No longer do you have to put up with something that you may feel panders to kids or isn’t creative or enriching enough because just a few clicks away are dozens of other groups who are making (and distributing) independent music that will entertain both children and parents alike. Here in Lexington, we are especially lucky to have WRFL’s kids’ music show, Ages 3 and Up, every Saturday morning from 8-9 AM (http://ages3andup.wordpress.com/) as well as the Rock n’ Romp events that bring families out into the community to enjoy music with one another. This week, we’re excited to be discussing a band that has performed at Rock n’ Romp in the past: Mr. Moose and The Stache!

Their sound is an infectious and cheerful heavy funk fronted by drummer Christian Ecker’s two daughters Sophie and Ellie. Noah Adler (of Fuma) lays down sunny guitar licks and Jonathan Beam (of Sundown Service) keeps the funky bass going (he recently took over bass duties from Andrew Batista) while Candece Jeter floats above everyone on flute. Brian Connors Manke (who, along with Noah, form Pointless Triangle) ties it all together on trombone, accordion and percussion. We urge you to see them sometime with your kids or maybe your nieces and nephews or whichever younguns you may have in your life - it would show them that music can be accessible and fun to play for everyone, no matter how young they may be. If we include children and encourage them early on, they’ll undoubtedly grow up to be in all the great new bands in town and that’s pretty much the definition of supporting the local music community! Let’s think about the future people!

While they sadly don’t have any events lined up in the very near future (we hope you’ll check out their facebook page for any announcements - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Moose-and-the-Stache/137227549624640), Brian Connors Manke will be exhibiting some of his fantastic crayon art as part of the North Side Neighborhood Artist Series TONIGHT during Gallery Hop at Luigart Studio & Gallery (754 N. Limestone). More info here: http://www.facebook.com/events/269467509803489/

If you are looking for even more great (and local!) bands that are making music for kids, be sure to check out Snow Monster! (originally based outta Louisville, now in Northern Kentucky) who played at WRFL’s FreeKY Fest / 20th Birthday Celebration - http://youtu.be/EXoDScpKYqk - and -http://youtu.be/qnehpiAprXU. Also, another up-and-coming group in town to check out would be The Athlete’s Foot, which includes Lori and Hap Houlihan’s youngest son Simon and Robert Schneider’s son Max - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150746058504430.

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Mr. Moose and The Stache - “Mr. Moose and The Stache”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/mr-moose

Mr. Moose and The Stache - “Freeze Dance”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/freeze-dance

Upcoming Shows!

TONIGHT > Friday, April 20 - Gallery Hop! @ various spots around downtown Lexington - http://www.galleryhoplex.com/ - 5-8pm, all ages, FREE - tons of good places and shows to hit up … we especially recommend checking out Brian Manke’s crayon art at Luigart Gallery (754 N. Limestone -http://www.luigartstudio.com/) and John Lackey’s new Homegrown Press gallery space at 569 N. Limestone.

TONIGHT > Friday, April 20 - “re:Arrangements” / Mecca 13th Birthday celebration - performances by Afikania Cultural Drum and Dance Troupe featuring Gideon Alorwoyie and Gentleman Relish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Hm4yxXUzw) @ Mecca dance studio & gallery, 948 Manchester St (at the corner of Willard St - just down and across the street from Buster’s) - 8pm, all ages, $5 suggested donation

TONIGHT > Friday, April 20 - “A Holy Ceremony of the Concentric Drone Cult” featuring Everyone Lives Everyone Wins, Xelas, and Hallwa @ Embrace Church (1015 N. Limestone) - doors 8:30pm, “ceremony” 9pm SHARP, all ages, $5 suggested donation

TONIGHT > Friday, April 20 - Joan Shelley and the June Brides w/The Appalachian Highlanders @ Al’s (corner of 6th and Limestone) - 9pm, ages 21+, $5

TONIGHT > Friday, April 20 - Pot Coffin Records presents …The Butchers w/30th Century Men, and Rat King @ Al’s Sidecar (next to Al’s - just off the corner of 6th and Limestone) - 10pm, ages 21+, $4 - https://www.facebook.com/events/388043834560456/

Saturday, April 21 - Record Store Day!

@ CD Central, 377 S. Limestone - 10am-8pm, all ages, FREE - performances by Satellite Giant, The Bleats, Joan Shelley,The Elsinores, Those Crosstown Rivals, Cough, and Oh My Me … and a Kentucky for Kentucky pop-up shop … and FREE Ale-8 .. and special Record Store Day releases (http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases) … and more

Saturday, April 21

@ Pop’s Resale - 1423B Leestown Road - 11am-7pm, all ages, FREE - performances by Surfinger and J. Marinelli(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxP1pbnxy_Y) … and exclusive Record Store Day releases … and door prizes, including a brand new Numark TTi turntable

Saturday, April 21 - Dig Shovel Dig w/Jovontaes, CROSS, and Gourmet Jerks @ Green Lantern (corner of 3rd and Jefferson St) - 10pm, ages 21+, $5

luv, the HOPs

4th Apr 2012

KYO / 016 - Sheisty Khrist

How’s everybody doing this week? We’ve been sending out these emails for around 4 months (wow!) and we’ve featured a lot of different Lexington bands playing a lot of different genres but, somehow, we haven’t had a chance to feature some home-grown Hip Hop and we think that it’s about time we changed that! Lexington has a wonderful hip hop scene and we’re excited to be talking about an MC that has been very influential around here - Sheisty Khrist!

Sheisty (aka Hendrick Floyd) gained a lot of attention with his involvement in the KYaliens compilation in the early 2000s and has been schooling Lexington on the power of wisdom over beats ever since. He deftly moves between southern swagger and and conscious wordplay so naturally that they become one and the same. For a great example of his stylistic balance, be sure to check out his recent album with CunninLynguists’ Deacon the Villain, Niggaz with Latitude (N.W.L.). (http://cunninlynguists.bandcamp.com/album/niggaz-with-latitude-nwl). You may still be able to find copies of it on CD at The Album or CD Central (the CD version also has instrumental versions of all of the songs) or, if they’re not sold out already, you might be able to get a copy from Sheisty himself TONIGHT when he performs at the 1000 Dolls Community Celebration/Pot Luck at the Kentucky Theater.

The 1000 Dolls Celebration is an off-shoot of professors Kurt Ghode and Kremena Todorova’s “Community Outreach Through the Arts” class at Transylvania University. Each year Kurt and Kremena use a community art project as a vehicle by which to get students off campus and into and interacting with the neighborhoods around them. (Check out Merlene Davis’ column from the Lexington Herald-Leader - http://www.kentucky.com/2012/03/24/2124843/merlene-davis-transy-art-project.html - for a better explanation.) This semester, the class took inspiration from Ed Franklin’s on-going dolls public art project (background here - http://noclexington.com/?p=5922#more-5922- pics here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/louis_z_bickett_ii/4955070178/).

Tonight’s celebration at the Kentucky will feature a display of the 1000 dolls created by the students and community members and performances by Sheisty Khrist, Robert Schneider (of the Apples in Stereo), and The Spooky Qs … AND a community potluck (you are invited to bring a dish to share but are also welcome to come without and enjoy the festivities). The party is FREE and open to all ages. https://www.facebook.com/events/394907480522132/

You can find even more info about Sheisty Khrist by following him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sheistykhrist

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Deacon the Villain & Sheisty Khrist - “Brave New World (feat. Natti)”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/brave-new-world-feat-natti

Deacon the Villain & Sheisty Khrist - “Final Call (Outro) (feat. Willie Eames & Bianca Spriggs)”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/final-call-outro-feat-willie-eames-bianca-spriggs

Finally, check out the video he did for “Final Call (Outro)”here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JitjmlGMT1c

Upcoming Shows!

THIS AFTERNOON! Wednesday, April 4 - MARISA ANDERSON @ CD Central, 377 S. Limestone - 5pm, all ages, FREE - Find sounds at http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6636

TONIGHT! Wednesday, April 4 - “1000 Dolls Community Celebration/Potluck” featuring performances by ROBERT SCHNEIDER (Apples in Stereo), SHEISTY KHRIST, and THE SPOOKY Qs @ Kentucky Theater - 7-10pm (music starts at 7:30pm with Robert Schneider), all ages welcome, FREE - https://www.facebook.com/events/394907480522132/

TONIGHT! Wednesday, April 4 - CHARLIE SLICK w/THE BUTCHERS @ Al’s - 9:30pm, ages 18+, $5 ($3 additional cover charge for those under 21) - http://charlieslick.bandcamp.com/album/a-farout-indian

TONIGHT! Wednesday, April 4 - LABIRINTO (from Brazil) w/ONWARD PILGRIM @ Cosmic Charlie’s - 10pm, ages 21+, $5 -http://labirinto.bandcamp.com

Thursday, April 5 - GENTLEMAN RELISH w/LIVING WITH HERMITS and WOL AND WEEPS @ Al’s - 9pm, ages 18+, FREE

Friday, April 6 - MATT DUNCAN (with full band) @ Lexington Public Library Central Branch (grand opening of the library’s new Farish Theater) - 7pm, all ages, FREE

Friday, April 6 - THE FEATURES w/THE BUTCHERS @ Cosmic Charlie’s - 9pm, ages 18+, $12

Friday, April 6 - 30th CENTURY MEN w/HUNTED DOWN andTHE ELSINORES @ Al’s Sidecar, next to Al’s - just off the corner of 6th and Limestone - 10pm, ages 21+, $3-5 suggested donation

Friday, April 6 - THE BLEATS w/MARVIN AND THE CLOUD WALL @ Green Lantern - 10pm, ages 21+

Saturday, April 7 - DUNEBUGGY ATTACK BATTALION w/J.MARINELLI and SATELLITE GIANT @ Cosmic Charlie’s - doors 9pm, music 10pm, ages 18+, $5

Saturday, April 7 - Kinks Tribute featuring LFUCS, THE TALL BOYS, and THE SWELLS @ Green Lantern

luv, the HOPs

23rd Mar 2012

KYO / 015 - Coralee and the Townies

This week, we’re featuring a band that many of you may already be familiar with: Coralee and the Townies! With members from other Lexington bands such as The Swells, Big Maracas, The Tall Boys, The Prayers, Tula, Crown Electric and The Yonders, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call them a local super group, formed around the honest and heartfelt vocals of Coralee herself. They aptly describe their sound as “Honky-Tonk Soul” and, true to their word, their songs are a delicious mix of both: the Honky-Tonk of a packed saloon on a sweaty Friday night in the middle of summer and the Soul of locking eyes from across the room and the raw emotions that inevitably follow.

We urge you to check out their songs below and hit up their bandcamp page (http://coraleeandthetownies.bandcamp.com/) to grab a copy of their excellent EP. Then, TONIGHT, head out on the town and catch them playing FREE at the opening night of a new venue in town - Willie’s Locally Known (805 N. Broadway). It’s always exciting when new spots open up in town but even more so this time since it’s the location of the much-beloved (and missed) Buffalo & Dad’s (more info here:http://www.facebook.com/WilliesLEX). And coming up next week, you can also see them as part of the Tornado Relief Benefit at Cosmic Charlie’s on Friday, March 30th. The benefit will also feature performances by The Tall Boys, Idiot Glee, The Fanged Robot, and DJ John the Baptist.

http://coraleeandthetownies.bandcamp.com

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Coralee and the Townies - “Always, Darlin”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/always-darlin

Coralee and the Townies - “Funny That Way”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/funny-that-way

Upcoming Shows!

TONIGHT! Friday, March 23 - The Butchers w/Idiot Glee,Best Friend Band, and Each Other (from Montreal) @ Al’s Sidecar, just passed the corner of 6th and Limestone (next to Al’s Bar) - 10pm, ages 21+, donations accepted for traveling band - https://www.facebook.com/events/295980517141388/

TONIGHT! Friday, March 23 - Coralee and the Townies @ Willie’s Locally Known, 805 N. Limestone, just passed the corner of S. Broadway and Loudon - across from Thornton’s - starts after the UK basketball game (game tips off at 9:45pm), ages 21+, FREE - https://www.facebook.com/events/371215389579330/

Saturday, March 24 - Triple Threat of Lexington Badasses Benefit at Al’s featuring performances by Accident Prone, A Place To Call Home, The Middlefork, and The Tattooed Bastards - 9pm, ages 18+, $5 - money collected benefits Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop, Rollergirls of Central Kentucky, and Ladies Army IV Bike Polo Tourney -https://www.facebook.com/events/372999656068174/

luv, the HOPs

16th Mar 2012

KYO / 013 - Palisades

When I listen to music, I tend to gloss over the lyrics to songs the first couple of times that I play them. I hear the vocals, sure, but it usually takes me a few listens to begin to understand everything. Sitting and reading through the liner notes while listening to an album always helps me to get a better feel for what a band is all about and it’s especially fun when I find an album that I’m beginning to like more and more and then read the lyrics to find that they are great as well. This week, we’re featuring a group that is no slouch to literate lyrics and wordplay: Palisades.

Palisades craft a style of earnest and poppy indie rock that I haven’t really heard for a while and it’s a nice, nostalgic change. If you check their bandcamp page (and you should - http://palisades.bandcamp.com), you’ll see mention of bands like The Jam, Elvis Costello and Big Star and you will begin to get an idea of their sound. But why judge a band on a description or comparisons to other artists? You really need to listen to their songs to take in every element and that’s exactly why we always hook you up with a couple of songs from each band every week. This list isn’t “Know About Your Own” - get in there and check the tunes out yourself!

And once their EP (“Luxury and Riot”) has sunk it’s hooks into your brain, you’ve got a great opportunity to see them play live on Friday, March 30th at the Green Lantern! The show is going to be a benefit for East Kentucky Tornado Relief with poetry by some amazing writers (Maurice Manning, Lisa Williams, Carrie Green, Philip White, Eric Sutherland) , a short acoustic set by Robert Schneider of Apples in Stereo and then performances by Deloreans, Palisades and Tula. It’s going to start at 9 PM sharp so you’ll get a full evening of art and entertainment all while supporting our Kentucky neighbors to the east!

Finally, check out this video of a song they recently played at Cosmic Charlie’s!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa3V5LLyfJk&feature=youtu.be

http://palisades.bandcamp.com

Listen & Download (Buy & Support) …

Palisades - “Luxury and Riot”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/luxury-and-riot

Palisades - “What Will Survive of Us?”

http://hophop.bandcamp.com/track/what-will-survive-of-us

Upcoming Shows!

at AL’s …

Friday, Mar. 16 - 10pm, $5

Small Batch; Warren Byrom and the Fabled Canelands