KC music
Center of the City Fest starts Friday
Another important music fest is taking place in Kansas City this weekend that provides a punk alternative to what's happening a few blocks south. This weekend will mark the third annual Center of the City Fest, at Vandals (in back of Black & Gold Tavern). The fest focuses on the KC punk rock community, and is jam-packed with a stellar lineup.
This year’s COTC fest will feature bands on indoor and outdoor stages (Friday and Saturday). Tickets are just $7 for one day, $21 for all three days. Drink specials will be available at Black & Gold. Facebook event page.
Friday
7:00 The Big Iron (inside)
7:30 Plug Uglies (outside)
8:00 5 Star Disaster (inside)
8:30 Stinkbomb (St. Louis) (outside)
9:00 Four Arm Shiver (inside)
9:30 Bombs Over Broadway (outside)
10:00 The Haddonfields (St. Louis) (inside)
10:30 Documentary (outside)
11:00 American Dischord (inside)
11:30 Smash the State (outside)
12:00 The Shidiots (Omaha) (inside)
12:45 The Uncouth (inside)
Saturday
7:00 Deco Auto (inside)
7:30 Dead Ven (outside)
8:00 The Itch (Joplin) (inside)
8:30 Donner Diaries (outside)
9:00 Scene of Irony (St. Louis) (inside)
9:30 KC Thieves (outside)
10:00 Molotov Latte (Springfield) (inside)
10:30 Red Kate (outside)
11:00 Bottle Breakers (inside)
11:30 Hipshot Killer (outside)
12:00 The Bad Ideas (inside)
12:45 Iron Guts Kelly (inside)
Sunday
6:45 Black on Black
7:30 The Biff Tannens
8:15 The Hemorrhoids
9:00 The Protesters
9:45 Stiff Middle Fingers
10:30 The Rackatees
11:15 Bummer
12:00 The Death Scene
12:45 Ghetto Blaster (San Diego)
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays bass in The Philistines and Dolls on Fire, and drums in Drew Black & Dirty Electric.
Artists on Trial: Various Blonde
We will be highlighting some of the artists playing The Deli KC’s showcase for Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3 on the Seen Merch Stage at The Riot Room patio. Today’s Artist on Trial is Various Blonde.
Joshua Allen is the songwriter and frontman of Various Blonde, a project he’s been involved with for several years, that has a dark, dynamic rock sound. Allen tells us a bit more about the band’s current lineup and what they have going on.
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
Allen: Bombastic, psychedelic, soul, rock.
The Deli: Give us some background on the band.
Allen: This particular lineup is all new. Middle of the Map will be the sixth show with myself, vox, guitar, sound fx, Evanjohn McIntosh (Sons of Great Dane), Eddie Moore (The Outer Circle), and Mark Lomas.
The Deli: What would you say your biggest accomplishments been as a band?
Allen: Since the bands original conception we've opened up for some of our favorite indie acts from Russian Circles to Dead Meadow. We've also had the pleasure of being a part of the Midcoast Takeover in Austin and have the pleasure of participating in this year’s Middle of The Map Fest.
The Deli: What do you have coming up?
Allen: Well, actually I spent this last year working on the upcoming Various Blonde release Summer High, produced by Ikey Owens (keyboardist for The Mars Volta, Jack White, and Kelis) and am planning to release it this summer. It's literally the hardest I've ever worked on anything so I’m really excited to share it with everyone.
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Middle of the Map this year?
Allen: I dunno, I think it would be fun to see Har Mar again. I haven't seen him in like 10 years. He puts on a fun show and always has tons of energy. It would be fun to see them again and it would be cool to catch DEL and Shabazz Palaces too! But honestly there's so much talent involved there's too many to list. I'm definitely gonna try and see my boys in Jorge Arana Trio and the young powerhouse trio that is Bummer, because they slay!
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
Allen: I think it means something to the effect of trying to be as active in the scene as possible rain or shine, not making excuses for why you can't do this or that (ie, pay, staying up past 10), giving as many honest listens as possible and getting behind anyone you think has potential. Personally, if I'm not at work I want to go to a show!
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
Allen: I hate using the word "favorite" but if I must, I will choose based on bands that sound like music I listen to in my spare time. The Conquerors, Bummer, and Jorge Arana Trio are all right up my alley.
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
Allen: Temples, Warpaint, The Range, SUUNS, Crystal Antlers, Rubedo, and AAN have all had recent albums I really fancy. Then there are also some things I won't mention, but you can see I listen to if I forget to hit private session on Spotify. ;-)
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
Allen: Queens of the Stone Age, The Mars Volta, and Various Blonde at Red Rocks 2015!
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there?
Allen: Miles Davis, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince. They all brought it and they all changed the face of music inside and outside their respective genres.
The Deli: What other goals does Various Blonde have for 2014, and beyond?
Allen: Tour regionally for the upcoming record and figure out what were doing in 2015.
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
Allen: Various Blonde Kicks off Ink's Middle of the Map Fest at Riot Room Thursday April 3 at 7:00. Come out and check out some new tunes, the new lineup, and then stay for more great bands. Cheers!
Various Blonde is:
Joshua Allen – vocals, guitar, sound fx
Evanjohn McIntosh – bass
Eddie Moore – keys
Mark Lomas – drums
Don’t forget to check out Various Blonde at The Deli KC’s showcase at Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3. They will take the Seen Merch stage on The Riot Room patio at 7:00 p.m. Facebook event page.
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays bass in The Philistines and Dolls on Fire, and drums in Drew Black & Dirty Electric.
Artists on Trial: Is Paris Burning
We will be highlighting some of the artists playing The Deli KC’s showcase for Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3 on the Seen Merch Stage at The Riot Room patio. Today’s Artist on Trial is Is Paris Burning.
With a pop sound influenced by post-punk bands like The Smiths, Is Paris Burning brings an upbeat, driving indie rock presence to Kansas City music. We talk with frontman Neal Dyrkcaz to find out more about the band.
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
Dyrkcaz: Do that thing with your guitar again…
The Deli: Give us some background on the band.
Dyrkcaz: Matt [Cole] and I jammed around for a bit a long time ago and were just trying to figure out a sound we both liked. We had some songs, jammed with some drummers, and even tried to record a small demo. Ultimately it fell apart and we let our music fall into the void. Through talking with Corey Vitt of Rooms Without Windows (who are also on our showcase!), he told us that Brian [Jewell] was looking around to jam with a band and told us to hit him up. So somewhere in the middle of 2012 we started jamming, and by the end of the year honed our sound and felt comfortable enough to record a single that we released for free at the beginning of 2013.
The Deli: What would you say your biggest accomplishments been as a band?
Dyrkcaz: Just being able to play and actually enjoying the music we make and getting excited to play our own music is an accomplishment to me. I also feel very humbled by the fact that blogs around the world have picked up our single and posted about it. It doesn't matter how big or small the blog is—someone not within 1,000 miles of KC is hearing our music. That's something to me.
The Deli: What do you have coming up?
Dyrkcaz: We are trying to find someone to record us! I am very picky about sounds and how a record sounds, and I am very weary of other people's ideas of how our music should sound. So it’s a slow process for us.
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Middle of the Map this year?
Dyrkcaz: So many. Gary Numan, Ski Lodge, FanFarlo, William Elliott Whitmore... on and on and on. It's going to be a grand time.
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
Dyrkcaz: I came up through the ranks of the Chicago/KC DIY punk/hardcore scene. So a lot of my local music support happens in basements, houses, and DIY venue shows. IPB is a much different sound than hardcore, but I feel my DIY spirit is rooted in its music and ideals. I'll play anywhere. It would be cool to play a huge venue with our sound, but I feel right at home in a cramped basement that smells of beer, sweat, and piss.
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
Dyrkcaz: I'm way into stoner rock sooooo probably Keef Mountain and Blood Shaman. Matt and Brian are really busy right now so I don't know what their answers would be, but KC has a very thriving local scene, and gets a lot of support.
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
Dyrkcaz: Honestly, I'm forced to help out at my girlfriend's horse barn on my off hours....recently I have been listening exclusively to CCR. YES! Keep on Chooglin…
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
Dyrkcaz: Concert bill? It would have to be a fest, too many to name! It would be a huge mashup of sounds.
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there?
Dyrkcaz: Van Morrison, Phil Lynott, Toni Iommi, Freddie Mercury.
The Deli: What other goals does Is Paris Burning have for 2014, and beyond?
Dyrkcaz: Singles, EPs, full-lengths, splits, aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
Dyrkcaz: Smoke Acid and Freak the Fuck out. (No one else in the band will probably like this answer.)
Is Paris Burning is:
Neal Dyrkcaz – bass, vocals
Matt Cole – guitar, vocals
Brian K. Jewell – drums
Don’t forget to check out Is Paris Burning at The Deli KC’s showcase at Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3. They will take the Seen Merch stage on The Riot Room patio at 8:00 p.m.
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays bass in The Philistines and Dolls on Fire, and drums in Drew Black & Dirty Electric.
Artists on Trial: Loose Park
We will be highlighting some of the artists playing The Deli KC’s showcase for Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3 on the Seen Merch Stage at The Riot Room patio. Today’s Artist on Trial is one of the newest rock bands in Kansas City, Loose Park.
This three-piece project is something of a supergroup, with members from well-known KC bands such as Doris Henson, Soft Reeds, and In The Pines. We talk with frontman/guitarist Matthew Dunehoo, who recently moved back to KC from New York, starting the band less than a year ago.
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
Dunehoo: Friendship-based dreamtrashcore, a manic racket made in a panicked earth basement.
The Deli: All of you have come from successful local (and otherwise) bands. Do you think all of your previous projects contribute to the overall sound of Loose Park?
Dunehoo: We consider the band to be a working tribute to the living memory of Ben Grimes.
The Deli: What do you have coming up?
Dunehoo: We recorded with Joel Nanos (Element Recording) in January and have been mixing the record at home, juicing limited means to the best of our abilities and hope to have a full-length album out this spring/summer called Monstrous. In the meantime we're writing the next record and staving off responsibilities galore.
As far as shows, the Loose Park KC Summer Tour 2014 is something we're all very stoked about! The cake icing would be an actual concert in THE Loose Park:
May 2 at Czar: First Friday/Nanci Rush’s birthday party with Rohypnol Rangers and Voodoo Stew - 11/12pm (headliners)
May 31 at The Union outdoor stage with Poison and Skid Row (tentative)
June 6: Crossroads Summer Block Party sponsored by Golden Sound Records
July 18 at Czar with Kangaroo Knife Fight and Molehill (Chicago) (tentative)
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Middle of the Map this year?
Dunehoo: I hope to see Loaded Goat and Shy Boys, all locals and some friends I haven't seen yet!
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
Dunehoo: Personally I'm just beginning to get a feel for how I can contribute musically to KC in 2014. I still think some of the basics are the same: Try to do something great, try to get people excited about it, try to make the time to get excited about what great things other people are trying to get others excited about. I think it means getting your butt out the door sometimes even when it feels "inconvenient." From what I've seen so far, there's a lot of interest in having bands factor into the community's identity and the "draw" to the urban core, with events such as the Crossroads block party and even that honking stage in Power & Light. How could we hijack that deal?
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
Dunehoo: I think the Golden Sound Records kids and their friends are sickly talented and prolific and I love that they've created a label. Ross Brown's Fullbloods and Mat Shoare's work at the top. David Bennett as Akkilles writes music that blew me away with its beauty on his debut album. And I've always been an Anna Cole fan, hoping to work with her somehow still. Megan Birdsall is so talented and her MBird project is great but they can't play much because she's so sick, which is terrible. Dominique Sanders (bass) and the groups I've seen him play with at Green Lady Lounge—including drummer Ryan Lee—kill me every time.
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
Dunehoo: NYC-based artist Lillie Jane Grey of Cellular Chaos and a project we have together called Ecstatics is someone who I adore and respect, musically and by her writing for theater. I lean on a ton of electronic music to keep me in good spirits, including Thomas Fehlmann, Loscil and Markus Guentner. Love the new Boards of Canada album. Beach House taps the blissful/melancholy vein like nobody's beeswax. And Matther McConnaughey's smoking voice in True Detective is a whole new genre of music to my ears.
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
Dunehoo: Bill Ning.
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
Dunehoo: Joe Raposo and Jim Henson get a siamese head for putting some of the first songs in my green life. Then another siamese head for Anne Murray and John Denver, who, via album cover artwork, I had crushes on when I was 2 years old. I guess it could just be four heads then, leave well enough alone.
The Deli: What other goals does Loose Park have for 2014, and beyond?
Dunehoo: Ooooooohhhhhhh mmmmmmmmmm...... I imagine there will have to be a "punk Broadway musical" better than American Idiot penned at some point. Maybe during Loose Park's ride I'll finally "find myself' as a song and dance man. I'd settle for getting [Beckie] Trost to sing with me more. And it would be good to get some music licensed and finally be able to own than rent something.
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
Dunehoo: Felchbook is where it's at for now. Sorry about that. http://www.facebook.com/loosepark
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
Dunehoo: I had a dream recently that's really stuck with me and if I think about it too much, I get tearful. I was looking down on this river valley from some suspended middle of the air position, and the sunlight was reflecting off of the surface of the river, brilliantly. In the water stood this hippopotamus, but it was only half of a hippopotamus, as someone or something had sliced it in half, horizontally, so that the top half of it was missing. It was like a hippopotamus bowl full of glistening intestines and organs. Slowly, I began to see other full-bodied hippopotami enter the river from the forest at the river fringes, cautiously approaching the body of their friend who was now only half there. They knew, and I knew that he had been left there like that, flayed and glistening, as a warning.
Loose Park is:
Matthew Dunehoo – guitar, vocals
Beckie Trost – bass
Mike Myers – drums
Don’t forget to check out Loose Park at The Deli KC’s showcase at Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3. They will take the Seen Merch stage on The Riot Room patio at 11:00 p.m. Facebook event page.
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays bass in The Philistines and Dolls on Fire, and drums in Drew Black & Dirty Electric.
Artists on Trial: Middle Twin
We will be highlighting some of the artists playing The Deli KC’s showcase for Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3 on the Seen Merch Stage at The Riot Room patio. Today’s Artist on Trial is Lawrence’s own Middle Twin.
If you haven’t heard of Middle Twin yet, no doubt you will. The five-piece collective stemmed from the electronic DJ duo Brain Food, and is quickly gaining traction in the area with its dancey grooves and frontwoman Demi Renault’s striking vocals. We talked with keyboardist Joel Martin and guitarist Eric Davis to find out a little more about the group.
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
Middle Twin: I think Ink called us “peculiar art rock.” We liked that. We have a lot of pop influence though, so we are peculiar art pop.
The Deli: Give us some background on the band.
Middle Twin: Joel started this project a couple years ago as a kind of a DJ-electronic thingy called Brain Food. Demi and Eric joined in November of 2012 and it became more of a band thingy. We then added Jonny [Fitzgerald] and Isaac [Flynn] and eventually decided to change our name to Middle Twin. We’ve been playing as Middle Twin for about 6 months now.
The Deli: What have been your biggest accomplishments as a band?
Middle Twin: Probably the time we drove all night from Austin to Lawrence and made it back in time to catch the India Palace lunch buffet.
The Deli: You are releasing your EP City of Gold this weekend. What can we expect?
Middle Twin: Seven unique, well-crafted songs with very high production quality. We had a lot of fun making it, so hopefully it’ll be a lot of fun to listen to.
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Middle of the Map this year?
Middle Twin: We’ll go with Gary Numan. I’ve heard his live show is crazy.
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
Middle Twin: Towns that have great local music scenes must first have great local bands. Bands need to prove themselves to get support, not the other way around. The best thing you can do is be aware of what’s happening in local music. If you think something’s good, for the love of God, tell people! High-quality local music is an amazing phenomenon. There are local bands making great music and they are doing it on practically no budget. Those musicians who achieve that deserve all the support possible.
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
Middle Twin: I’d like to give some love to two Lawrence bands that’ll be playing Middle of the Map and who a lot Kansas City folk might not know yet. Forrester and Psychic Heat are both incredible bands that put on amazing live shows and write really cool, interesting music.
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
Middle Twin: We’re all pretty into James Blake and Toro y Moi right now. A really sweet band from Montreal called TOPS came through Lawrence recently and we caught their show at Replay. We’ve been bumping their tracks for the past couple days.
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
Middle Twin: Hmm… Let’s go with a bill with us, LCD Soundsystem, and Radiohead.
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
Middle Twin: Eric: Brian Wilson, George Martin, Thom Yorke, and Quincy Jones. I'm not sure if any musician can say they've never been heavily influenced (knowingly or unknowingly) by at least one of those men at some point in their lives.
Joel: James Blake, Damon Albarn, Steven Ellison, St. Vincent. For their beautiful music.
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
Middle Twin: http://www.facebook.com/middletwin
Twitter: @middle_twin
Instagram: middle_twin
The Deli: What other goals does Middle Twin have for 2014?
Middle Twin: I think our main goal is to keep improving as musicians and as artists. We’re constantly trying to improve our live show. I think the best thing we can do for 2014 is get back in the studio and get better and better at writing and recording music.
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
Middle Twin: Do everything on this list.
Middle Twin is:
Demi Renault - vocals
Eric Davis - guitar
Isaac Flynn - drums
Joel Martin - keys
Jon Fitzgerald - bass
Tonight, Middle Twin and Forrester will both be celebrating the release of their EPs at The Bottleneck, with a free show. The Phantastics, and Narkalark also play. Facebook event page.
If you want to catch them in KC, come by The Riot Room on Friday, where they will celebrate the KC release of the album with Antennas Up and Rev Gusto. Facebook event page.
Middle Twin will also be at The Deli KC’s showcase at Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3. They will take the Seen Merch stage on The Riot Room patio at 9:00 p.m.
Middle Twin recently released the video for “Savoir Faire,” from the City of Gold EP. It is directed by Weston Getto Allen (Getto Art). Watch it below.
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays bass in The Philistines and Dolls on Fire, and drums in Drew Black & Dirty Electric.