(Still) Fresh Droppings: Ian McGlynn – O Friends of Mine
Ian McGlynn‘s 2012 release Now We’re Golden was an overlooked gem (my brief review here). He’s just released a fan-focused new video for that album’s closing track, O Friends of Mine, which you can...
View ArticleFresh Droppings: Neil Finn – Divebomber
Few songwriters have as impressive a body of work as Neil Finn. Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers, his solo material — it’s all grounded in pop craft but uniquely different and layered. Finn has...
View ArticleUpcoming (November 11-16): Johnny Marr, Sebadoh, MGMT, Fitz & the Tantrums, More
Big week of shows in Indianapolis. Some recommendations: Monday, November 11 – Johnny Marr at the Vogue: Legendary Smiths guitarist Marr and his band come to Broad Ripple. Expect a blend of solo...
View ArticleJohnny Marr – The Vogue 11/11/2013
Johnny Marr‘s solo material has always been hit or miss for me, so I wasn’t fully prepared for the rock onslaught he and his band delivered Monday night at the Vogue. Yes, the Smiths songs hit as hard...
View ArticleFresh Droppings: Vertical Scratchers – These Plains
Vertical Scratchers is set to release their debut on Merge in February. You can check out the first track, These Plains, below. The release is dead-on: “Think the Kinks with a Buzzcocks brevity.” Sold.
View ArticleMGMT – Old National Centre 11/15/2013
Psych pop bands, like MGMT, can go two ways live: too caught up in their insular noodling, forgetting the audience (see the Flaming lips show from earlier this year), or embracing the potential for...
View ArticleFitz and the Tantrums w/ Capital Cities – Old National Centre 11/16/2013
Fitz and the Tantrums put on one my favorite concerts of 2011. That show, at the Vogue in Broad Ripple, was a sweaty 60 minutes of throwback soul elation and community. Fitz, Noelle, and the crew were...
View ArticleWinner! Stevie Nicks Press Release
A new documentary on legendary singer Stevie Nicks is set for release on December 3. From the release: “In Your Dreams” is a portrait of the illusive Nicks as she and Stewart embark on a musical...
View ArticleFresh Droppings: Maximo Park – Brain Cells
Newcastle, England’s fantastic Maximo Park are set to release their newest record, Too Much Information, in February. If you’re not familiar with them, check out 2005′s A Certain Trigger or their 2012...
View ArticleFresh Droppings: Pravada – Dirty Looks
Killer Indianapolis band Pravada have just released new album Dirty Looks, which includes a lot of the amazing songs they’ve been playing live for a while now. Campfire Song, Molly, Someone Else — take...
View ArticleIndy Rock Live Top 10 Shows of 2013
2013 was another great year of concerts in Indianapolis. Last year I hit an all-time high in shows attended, a number I knew would be difficult to meet again. But I still managed to make it out to 51...
View ArticleIndy Rock Live – Will Carroll Top 20 Albums of 2013
Will Carroll is the Lead Writer for Sports Medicine at Bleacher Report. He lives in Greenwood, Indiana and thinks his opinion about music matters just because he saw David Bowie play at Market Square...
View ArticleUpcoming: January 2014 (Jason Molina Tribute, Neko Case, Phosphorescent, & More)
January is a historically quiet concert month. Not so for 2014. Some terrific shows on the schedule warrant your consideration. Our suggestions: Friday, January 10 – Songs Molina: A Memorial Electric...
View ArticlePhosphorescent w/ Caveman – The Vogue 1/28/2014
Matthew Houck, aka Phosphorescent, has a voice that sounds like a blend of Will Johnson’s rasp, Roy Orbison’s haunting tenor, and, most notably, Rick Danko’s agony-filled wail (the line between The...
View ArticleNeko Case w/ Thao and the Get Down Stay Down – The Vogue 1/30/2014
Although it’s only January, I feel confident in saying few shows will surpass the overwhelming perfection that was Neko Case with support from Thao and the GDSD Thursday night at the Vogue. Featuring a...
View ArticleFresh Droppings: Lacrosse – Are You Thinking of Me Every Minute of Every Day?
Stockholm’s Lacrosse return with their first record in 5 years, Are You Thinking of Me Every Minute of Every Day? It’s an eclectic hodgepodge of styles — some I’m From Barcelona, a bit of Polyphonic...
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Hell Yes, Indy Rocks!
Thursday night was a perfect microcosm of why Indianapolis has become such a kick-ass town for live music. Here’s an example of what your schedule could have been: 1) 7:30 – Hit the Tin Roof for...
View ArticleUpcoming: March 2014 (DBTs, Sharon Jones, Cayucas, Neutral Milk, More)
Indy has had an unusually active early concert schedule. But March is traditionally when the calendar explodes, and this year is no different. The weather will be getting better, so you have no excuses...
View ArticleCayucas w/ Bonzie – Radio Radio 3/5/2013
After a long, cold winter, Indianapolis is due for a bit of warmth. Until that happens, Cayucas‘ sunny, California pop will have to do. The Santa Monica band made their first trip to the circle city...
View ArticleBear Hands, Miniature Tigers, & Total Slacker – Radio Radio 3/18/2014
MOKB Presents put together a hell-a-good indie pop buffet Tuesday night at Radio Radio. We get our share of top-notch shows around here these days, but this was a great example of a killer double-bill...
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