When Musicians Go Indie, The Whiskey Starts Singing (and other video fables)

You know why people think music is dead?  I don't either, but maybe it has something to do with all of the weak links in a business sinking in quicksand of its own making.  Maybe it has to do with consumers looked at as consumers and not people whose worth goes beyond their pocketbooks.  Maybe it has to do with a media so heavily dug in that they think they cannot move without losing the battle and the war, thinking (not unlike Romney) that they have things under control, until the annual figures are tabulated.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that there is so goddamn much music available today as opposed to even yesterday that people cannot negotiate their way through the mountainous mass.  So they sit and wait.  They don't even try while wailing and beating their chests and bemoaning the lack of good music while being surrounded by and, in fact, buried in it. 

It isn't the music that is dead, friends, but the hearts and souls of so many music lovers.  They spend so much time looking back that they have no idea that there is a present or a future.  They wallow in the same old, and I get that, to a degree.  We all, when we reach a certain age, look back.  It is in most of our genes.  But to look back and make comparisons of then and now is a fool's task unless you actually know the now.  And what the media is telling us is now, musically, is such a small portion of it that it boggles the mind.

I could go on a rant, sure, and I have done so a few times, but that would defeat the whole idea of the now, wouldn't it?  That would also fall on deaf ears.  I know out of experience how hard it is to get people to listen when they don't want to (and mostly, they don't) but I also know that when given a chance, on their own, many will.

That's what this post is about.  I'm giving you a chance.  I have done most of the work for you here.  I have picked some of the best and most intriguing of the Indies for you to peruse, by video.  All that's left for you to do is read my little introductions, click on the videos and listen.  Here we go.....

LIANNE SMITH/Snow---  

A few months ago, I got this package in the mail from one Lianne Smith.  We evidently share a friend in Brian Cullman and Cullman had suggested myself as a possible reviewer of her new album,  The CD package is beautiful and when I listened I found the music to be the same.  Whilst taking time off from writing to surf the Net a few weeks ago, I noticed a video from Ms. Smith.  Well, not Ms. Smith as much as from animator  Marianne Petit, who captures the very essence of Lianne's song.  Since seeing and hearing this, I cannot separate the song from the video.  Sometimes the simplest is really the best.

VINNIE ZUMMO/Ringo---

Vinnie Zummo, for those who don't already know, played guitar for Joe Jackson once upon a time.  Since, he has taken solo to a whole new level, working on and producing not just songs and albums but videos to promote his incredible mass of work.  Prodigious, that's the word I'm looking for  The guy is a machine, always working, but the difference between Zummo and others is that he does not lose his spark.  He retains that creative edge which makes his songs and whole projects fresh.  Take, for instance, this video.  Not only is it a tribute to Ringo, it is a musical statement about the importance of The Beatles in Zummo's life.  An amazing song in itself, he, along with first-time director Paolo Marchica,  has turned it into an amazing video.  If you like The Beatles at all, you really should watch this:

TOM HOUSE/Whiskey Sings Like Angels---

I wish I could put my finger on why the listening public accepts one bit of music and rejects or ignores another.  I mean, why did Dylan become such a huge success when so many others from the Bleecker & MacDougall days did not?  Sure, you could go with the general acceptance that Dylan was more talented, but I think it goes way deeper than that.  We as a public, I don't think, have an ability to accept or reject on our own.  We need others to accept something before we "waste our time".  After hearing Tom House's The Long Winding Road album, let me assure you that sometimes it is not a waste but a joy to find music which flies above others.  This video was put together by two people who not only believe in the album but in House himself:  Lance Smith and Keith Morris.  Both musicians themselves, they set about the task of putting video to music because they felt the need.  In this day and age, House is somewhat unique in that he tosses aside the precepts and goes for the soul.  You'll understand when you see and hear it.  And if you're at all interested in my take on the Tom House's of the world, here is a column I wrote some time ago.  House is toward the middle.

THE SAMPLES/When It's Raining---

I confess to not having heard The Samples when I was turned on to this video and, in fact, not having even heard of head Sample Sean Kelly.  Thanks to friend Michael Adams, I not only found a great song and video but a huge catalogue of music which I am still working my way through.  Kelly, I found, is one hell of a songwriter and has a voice to match.  His solo work has gems which in the past would easily have been hits but, alas, hits are a mere ghost of what they once were.  The music, hit or not, is there, though, and Kelly's puts many of the stars of the day to shame.  One day soon, I am hoping to interview Mr. Kelly and write a large piece detailing his brush with fame and the reasons it was not fully realized.  Until then, I suggest you watch this.

CRAIG ELKINS/Tumbleweeds---

He was a member of Huffamoose at one time, was Elkins, but when he went solo not a moose was to be seen.  Craig Elkins is a strange one, indeed, in that he writes in a style few have even attempted--- this rambling stream-of-consciousness lyrical debate with music.  Musically, he lives in his own world and when that world sloshes over into our own, we go through airpockets, the music outstanding and the lyrics at times unsettling.  His current album, I Love You, is packed with the kinds of songs people way ahead of the curve are hearing now.  There is a good chance that, in six months to a year, you will be listening too.  Check out the video closely.  If I don't miss my guess, that is a very young Oliver Reed portraying his own scene within a scene from maybe Reefer Madness.  I mean, it is uncanny in its retro-ness.

RED RATTLES/It's a Shame---

Charlottesville is a hotbed of music.  You can quote me.  That city is, without a doubt, per capita, the heaviest of the heavies.  I have found too many bands and artists within throwing distance of Charlottesville to deny it.  So when friend Stuart Gunter sends me a list of artists I need to check out, I check them out.  Awhile ago, Red Rattles was on that list.  Two man rock, it is--- guitar and drums--- not unlike New York's Crushed Out (formerly Boom Chick).  Killer rock with flashes of the raw fifties-edged rock 'n' roll of the past.  Check out this video and you'll understand (unless you know nothing of fifties music, of course).

CRUSHED OUT/Weigh You Down---

Okay, I admit to having a crush on Crushed Out's Moselle Spiller.  Not only is it cool to see a "chick" (as in the former band name, Boom Chick) wail on the drums, but Moselle is just such a cool name, know what I mean?  Two people--- guitar and drums.  Not unlike Red Rattles, but in their own dimension.  I saw these guys live.  I hope to again.  They were just plain fun!

THE FIRE TAPES/Reprise---

I've got Charlottesville on the brain today and that works out for you.  The Fire Tapes are one of a handful of bands which straddles the fence between psych and a handful of other styles.  They space, they rock, they jam and they do it so well that they're packing places out all over the East Coast (or so I understand).  Understandable.  Their one album, Dream Travel, is an outstanding mix and well worth hearing.  If you like psych at all, you have to give these guys a listen. Outstanding video, too.

ELEPHANT REVIVAL/Quill Pen Feather---

Colorado's Elephant Revival are freaking me out.  I'd not heard of them until I stumbled across an excellent video of one of their songs, Rings Around the Moon, some months ago but have heard so much of them since that I believe they are in charge of their own destiny and are doing it right.   They work as hard as any band I've been acquainted with and are fast building a national rather than just regional presence.  I would normally put the Rings video here, but they have just released a new EP titled It's Alive and this video to support it.  One of the few acoustic bands that I really, really (really) enjoy.  

WRINKLE NECK MULES/Central Daylight Time---

You know that Geico commercial in which the gecko dances a little toe shuffle to country music?  Turns out the band playing that music is none other than the aforementioned Stuart Gunter's own band, Wrinkle Neck Mules.  So they went into a studio to record this live version and filmed it and, sonofagun, here it is.  Cameo by the gecko.  Music by the Mules.  Dancing courtesy of--- damn!  I forgot to get her name!

I think ten is enough to start with.  You guys do have lives, right?  I will be putting together more of these little columns designed specifically to point to videos of bands worthy of your attention, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, check out the videos and if you like them, check out the artists.  You don't have to buy remastered Beatles to get your musical kicks.  These do right nicely.

These Are Videos (and Music) You Don't Want To Miss.....

Man, I've been so busy trying to keep up, I got further behind.  Musicians are cranking out excellent stuff so fast that computers can't even keep up.  (Remember when we thought that would never happen?)  Well, I can't catch you up, but I can sure as hell give you a leg up on the good stuff.  And there's plenty, trust me!  So let's stop this palaver and get on with it, starting with.....

VINNIE ZUMMO/Ringo..... 

I know that few of you have heard of Vinnie, but what if I told you he was a former guitarist with the Joe Jackson Band, would that help?  What?  You don't know who Joe Jackson is?  What are you, twelve?  Anyway, Vinnie was knocking around on his own the whole time he played with Jackson and has put together some very adventurous albums (and songs).   Vinnie himself just turned me on to what I thought was a brand spankin' new video of a track titled Ringo, except it wasn't new at all.  It has been languishing on YouTube for three years!  Doesn't make a nevermind, though, because it is one killer track reminiscent of, say, that foursome from yesteryear?  Think white--- very white.  And set yourself.  Don't get confused.  Those guys all over the screen are, in fact, Vinnie, cloned especially for this tribute to... Ringo!

And we've only just begun!  Here's someone else you need to meet.....

FREEDOM HAWK!

You gotta love a band which slogan is "Rawk with the Hawk!" and I do.  They are hard rockin' Sons of Virginia and get my vote for one of the best hard rockin' bands out there.  Right up there with Era For a Moment.  A couple of years ago, they put together this video, a both dark and light look at night life and the dangers which lurk.  The first couple of times I saw it, it weirded me out a little.  It was the girl's eyes, I think.  They are so big and beautiful.  And.....  but I won't give it away.  You have to watch it to see what I mean.  Just know that whatever you think when the song starts, it all works out in the end.  Ladies and gentlemen, let's Rawk with the Hawk!

Shade/The Llynn and Jane Show.....

Shade is one of the best of the unknowns.  Jane Gowan a year or two ago headed to Toronto from Vancouver BC but kept the base of her band together--- herself and Tim Vesely, formerly with Rheostatics and a recent find of mine, The Violet Archers.  After completing their second album, One Last Show of Hearts, Gowan and Vesely put together this little masterpiece reminiscent of what Neil Young did on his first solo album.  A light instrumental which is better than it really should be.  I love these guys!

Terri Tarantula.....

I can't think of a bigger Walkabouts fan than Gary Heffern, so when he tuned me in to the new album, Travels in the Dustland, I listened.  I liked the band back in the old days, when they were trying like hell to separate themselves from the bottle-necked Seattle scene.  They are even better now.  More mature, more mystical...  just more.  Gary also plugged me in to Terri Tarantula, maybe better known as Terri Moeller, of whom I had no concept at the time.  Well, I do now.  Moeller is drummer with The Walkabouts, but she is all Tarantula on her own.  She released an album back in  2009 (self-titled) and is readying a new one as I type.  Here is a video I had to share with you because while I dig what The Walkabouts have done, I am really intrigued by the direction of the Tarantula.  In fact, if I was fifteen years younger and she was fifteen years older, I'd stalk her.  For the music, of course.....

Carrousel.....

Not to be confused with the (I assume) French band of the same name.   These guys are from Florida and the creation, basically, of one Joel Piedt, who assembled a very good lineup of musicians and singers to help him put together what they label "dream-pop/folk", which is a fancy way of saying spacey and melodic, I guess.  Well, they are Pop, that's for sure, and they have that spacey edge, but where they excel, at least on this track, is in the creation of a composition the center of which is... for lack of a better word...  a composition.  Piedt obviously has an aurision (the aural side of vision) and is intent on bringing it to life and does so very well here.  Here's the deal on the video. though.  The video is split-vision, one side run forward and the other run backward.  I haven't quite figured out what they're doing, but I am now obsessed with doing so.  If you find the magic combination, please let me know.  And check these guys out!   (Listen to more here)

Rheostatics.....

Remember a few videos ago where I pointed out Rheostatics and The Violet Archers?  Well, Tim Vesely was the core of those bands and here is one of many videos I have found of the best known one--- Rheostatics.  These guys were major label good and actually got their shot.  Was Claire a hit?  In Canada, I would assume, but I have no idea if they made any dents in the US.  They should have.  This is smooth Pop from a guy (and band) I am gaining more respect for every day.  From 1994, for Chrissakes.  Like I said, I'm getting further behind.....

Ticktockman.....

When I heard these guys, I was floored!  The seventies- and prog-leaning sound knocked me to the curb.  Very powerful band driven by a drummer possessed.  Whenever I hear bands like this, I immediately point to musicians, for they are the ones who appreciate musicianship.  These guys have it in spades.  Don't let what I've said stop you from hearing what I think is one of the best bands to come out of the Pac Northwest since The Sonics and The Wailers.

Kink Ador.....

When my buddy Joe Lee (NinenOut) told me I would like Kink Ador back in what seems like the Stone Age, I figured I would like them.  Joe has never really steered me wrong.  What I didn't know as how much I would like them.  Since the first blast of Animal hit my ears, I have been tethered to them practically umbilically.  While they have a new "three-sided single" ready for you to download for free!!! (and it's a good one), I keep going back to this song.  Perhaps it is the semi-Marvin Gaye intro or maybe it's the cool video, but I absolutely love this!  After watching this, you are probably going to want to download the free single.  I heartily recommend that you so--- before buying the first two albums, of course.....

Poor Young Things.....

It seems like most of what I listen to these days is Canadian, don't ask me why.  Maybe it's because they have a soul unlike others or maybe it's just because they're nice people--- or so the generalities demand (makes for some good comedy, eh?).   Well, Poor Young Things fill the bill nicely.  This straight ahead acoustic rocker comes from what I have labeled "The Stairwell Sessions".  I have a feeling they will be affording major studio time soon.

Hannah Miller.....

I know.  I've posted this before.  But you have to understand that I live in my own world and she is prominent in that world.  Is she in the real world?  I have no idea.  Reality sucks!  In my world, Hannah is a star, as this video attests.

Susan James.....

Man, I learned a lot watching this video---  that Cops and boy scouts need an upgrade on their uniforms, that cars could fly (hmmm, wonder why they can't now?),  that I need girls in miniskirts and minidresses dancing the frug to really make me happy, that that bus is one really cool looking mobile, that I need to go to California (even for just a bit and to see my friends, of course) and that Susan James is a sweetheart in spite of the many restraining orders she's had delivered to me.  It also makes me wonder what we're doing to this country.  That is some beautiful footage, especially at the end.  From Susan's fine, fine album, Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home.  Watch this, then buy it.

Dave Gleason & The Superlatives.....

I have no idea what connection Gleason has to the band, but he would appreciate that I gave them credit in the header because he's that kind of guy.  He supports as much as plays, is always ready to lend a hand and will pick a guitar at the drop of a hat.  Dave is a West Coast boy transplanted to Nashville, probably because he likes to eat, which both sucks and doesn't.  It sucks because the West Coast is denied Gleason's twang except through his recordings or the occasional visits he can afford.  It doesn't suck because Nashville has the resources for Gleason to do what he loves doing--- playing live.  He is one hell of a picker and writes excellent tunes (Blue Side of the World is only one from an album worth of solid tunes, that album being Turn and Fade, his latest).  This is only one side of Gleason, who can rock with the billy and out-twang many of the better-knowns Nashville (and other places) has to offer. 

Tom Mank & Sera Smolen.....

With help from friends Kathy Zeigler and Amy Merrill (Tom would never forgive me if I didn't give credit).  I could tell you about Tom Mank.  I could tell you a whole lot.  I could tell you that Mank will be better known after he is gone, though he certainly has no intentions of going anywhere anytime soon.  That is a sad statement to make because he is just now coming into his own as a musician and, as far as I can tell, most people are too busy to slow down and hear what he has to say and play.  As a songwriter, he is world-class, and I have to give part of that credit to wife and world-class cellist Sera Smolen who gives Mank enough room to create the stunning songs he does.  This video comes via The Netherlands, one of the few places which appreciates the music and the man.  From Mank & Smolen's last album (and it is a killer), Paper Kisses.  And, sure, this is live and not a full-blown Hollywood (or Bollywood) production, but I offer no apologies.  Mank can't afford something like that.  Chances are, when we meet, I will have to pay for the beer.  Won't bother me a bit.

Laurie Biagini.....

There are few musicians out there who work as hard as Laurie Biagini.  She is always writing, constantly networking and recording and everything else you should do to promote yourself.  It has gained her a fairly large following and deservedly so.  She writes and sings straight out of the sixties, wrapping her songs around beach blanket surf and Beach Boys with a side of Annette.  Her music is up and her attitude the same.  I suggest, in fact, that you turn this up.  Might want to sprinkle a little sand in the kitchen for a little dancing as well.  From her latest album, A Go-Go Girl In the Modern World.  It's groovy.

Gary Heffern.....

I'm ending this little piece with a video I didn't want to include among others because it is, frankly, one of immense depth.  I know Gary Heffern and I know what some songs take out of him and I don't think there has been a song which has taken as much.  It is both dark and light, past and present.  It is beautiful and yet stark in a why-is-this-enlightened-world-so-unforgiving kind of way.  I think this is probably the best thing Heffern has ever done and may be, after we all are dead and gone, what he will be remembered for.  Set yourself.  And watch and listen closely.  This is something else.

You know what sucks about posting these things?  I feel like I'm always leaving something or someone out.  It's like hanging up the phone only to remember something you should have said or remembering that concert you just couldn't miss the day after the show.  No matter, though.  I will find those videos and post them later.  I hope.  Until then, enjoy these.  And keep the faith.