Posted
by Abbie Stutzer
on Fri, May 11, 2012 at 8:19 AM
Todd Roeth
In April, we highlightedJoe Pug's Daytrotter session, and mentioned how the singer-songwriter broke into the music scene by giving away his tunes to people at his shows. We recently spoke to Pug and asked him about that free music model, how he approaches songwriting, and what inspired him to write the content on his new album, the Great Despiser.
Posted
by Abbie Stutzer
on Fri, May 11, 2012 at 7:55 AM
One of Kansas' own is trying his hand at the rock musical genre and making a rather bloody splash. The project: Femme Assassin Guy. The story is about a musical sensation who uploads perfect-pitch murders to YouTube. We recently e-mailed with Jonah Qwerty, the maliciously delicious character known as Femme Assassin Guy, to find out about the show, and Qwerty's trials and tribulations. (You can see the madness of Qwerty at the Bottleneck on May 10, 11, and 12, at 8 p.m.. The 18-plus show is $11-$13.)
Posted
by Nick Spacek
on Wed, May 9, 2012 at 8:08 AM
Long-running KC rockabilly road warriors the Rumblejetts have seen their share of lineup changes since they formed in 1997. Drummer Jud Kite has been behind the kit for nine years now. In addition to pounding the skins, he does the majority of the artwork for the band. It's his work you see adorning the cover to the Rumblejetts' latest album, Motor Honey. The release party for the disc is a free show Thursday, May 9 tonight, Wednesday, May 8, at Knuckleheads. We took a minute to speak with Kite about the band and his artwork.
Posted
by Nick Spacek
on Thu, May 3, 2012 at 8:11 AM
Lawrence's Liberty Hall is an honest-to-goodness movie palace - stage, chandeliers and red-velvet seats. The cats who run the place are known for their knowledge of film, as anyone can attest who's ever been at a loss as to what they should grab from their video store. As of late, the theater has been showing cult and popular favorites on the big screen as part of Liberty Hall Rewind, with the likes of Jurassic Park and The Princess Bride getting another go on the big screen. The next project from the venue is Film Church, which starts this Sunday, May 6, with a screening of Woody Allen's classic Annie Hall. We spoke with Liberty Hall's Maggie Allen about Film Church for our calendar spot on Film Church, and her answers were so great, we just had to share them with you here.
Posted
by Nick Spacek
on Wed, May 2, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Kansas City blues rockers the Billybats have been lying low as of late, for a couple of disparate reasons. Firstly, they've been recording a new album, Lather Rinse Repeat, for which they'll have their CD-release party this Friday, May 4, at Coda. Secondly, singer and guitarist Jason Vivone's car was hit by a truck on Interstate 435 just north of Worlds of Fun six months ago, and the whiplash has left the bluesman in a good amount of pain. Vivone was kind enough to recently speak with The Pitch via e-mail about the recording and recovery processes.
Posted
by Nick Spacek
on Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 8:03 AM
After his former band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, dissolved, Cody Canada formed another. Called the Departed, they follow the same red dirt path blazed by the likes of CCR, and their first album was released last year. This Is Indian Country is a collection of songs originally by other Oklahoma artists, charting the influences of Canada and his bandmates. Cody Canada and the Departed take the stage at the Crossroads this Saturday, April 28, as part of their co-headlining Magical Misdemeanor Tour with Shooter Jennings. We spoke with Cody Canada via e-mail about the band, their future plans, and where red dirt comes into all of this.
Minden has been pretty busy since coming into existence sometime last year, putting out records and a head-turning video, and playing enough of their slickly dreamy shows to solidify themselves in the pop consciousness of Kansas City. But now it's time for them to go.
The band plans to pack up at the end of this month and resettle on the western edge of our continent, as part of a larger plan of artistic development and personal adventure. The members of Minden were kind enough to sit with me on the floor of a bedless bedroom, in the middle of a loud house party, for a gentle chat about Kansas City, Japanese cinema, and what mysteries their future holds.
Posted
by Nick Spacek
on Mon, Apr 16, 2012 at 8:20 AM
James Capps' new project, Is It Is, only played its first show at the beginning of last month, but it already has a full-length available. Entitled Hollyhocks, it mines material similar to Capps' work in other local bands like High Diving Ponies and The Girl Is A Ghost. Is It Is has its first Kansas City show tonight (Monday) at RecordBar. We spoke with Capps about his past bands, and what Is It Is has to offer.
Posted
by Abbie Stutzer
on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 7:22 AM
Ryan Purcell, Oh Snap Kid
There's no better way to spend Friday the 13th than in a club dancing your fears away. At the very most, you'll have a grand time grinding on an anonymous person until midnight. At the least? Your dance moves will loosen your limbs, enabling you to outrun the big bad monsters waiting outside the Granada. The artist who will help you work up your sweaty sheen? DJ and producer Treasure Fingers (Ashley Jones).
Jones' style is straight up, feel-good house. Most of his original music and remixes are disco-driven, and filled with infectious basslines. We recently caught up with Jones via e-mail.
Posted
by Nick Spacek
on Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 8:08 AM
Though 4/20 isn't until next week, Kottonmouth Kings roll through Kansas City this weekend. The weed-loving California act plays the Midland Friday, April 13, with co-headliners Twiztid and openers Blaze and Big B. Frontman Brad "Daddy X" Xavier has been playing these parts for a long time - going all the way back to his punk band, Doggy Style, rocking the Crossing near the KU campus back in the late '80s. We spoke with Daddy X about Kottonmouth Kings' history, the way they're perceived and - of course - their views on the sticky green.
MLS All-Star Game logo being painted on side of Crossroads building
Alan Ashurst tracks Kansas City's illegal dumpers
Boulevard and Sierra Nevada join forces for Terra Incognita, which hits shelves Wednesday
Pie Five looks to make its dough in Overland Park
Shatto's Cookies & Cream milk is still out there
Aixois Brasserie celebrates first birthday in a spirited fashion
McDonald's sued by employee who wants a check, not a debit card
Phoenix will headline Buzz Beach Ball in September