Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Here It Is - Our First Blog From Charlie Milkey!

(Worth the wait.)
Pix from their performance on "Live From Studio 5!"
Our annual Barry Thomas Goldberg and Friends Christmas, Kwanzaa, Festivus, Hannakah, Solstice (yadda yadda yadda) Bash


Patches and Gretchen.
I got my first taste of Patches and Gretchen several years ago, thanks to my friend Max Dakota. He was always seeking out the diamonds in the rough, sitting through show upon show to find the crème de la crème of the Minneapolis scene. Max was a guitarist himself, trying to navigate his own band through the deep waters of the scene, searching for friends to open for his own stellar show. How do I know it was so great? I played bass in that band, natch.
Anyway, I still remember the phone call I got from Max: “Charlie—you gotta check out this band—these cats are crazy!” With enthusiasm like that, I had to ask about them, “I want to go see them! Where are they playing next?” Max told me they were playing in a week, and that we’d be opening for them!
I arrived to the show a little early, because I figured I’d get lost, and lo and behold, the address Max gave me was a south Minneapolis gas station. I called Max to see what was going on and all he said was:
THIS IS PATCHES AND GRETCHEN.

We played the strangest gig of the band’s life: the show was an outdoor gig in a gas station parking lot. 5 bands were playing that day, with a large crowd (for a gas station) looking on, the bands played at the pump, while an unnamed videographer recorded the whole show from his laptop, streaming the video live to the internet. People were dancing, singing, buying gas, talking, and having a great time together. Experiencing Patches and Gretchen was really something insane—their songs were played perfectly, and their covers were on fire—at one point I believe the lead singer was singing Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” in Dutch. This is a new world.
Patches and Gretchen is known for their guerilla-style gigs and head turning style. They show up to the show, give no less than 100% and leave you with a desire for more of whatever it is you just saw. This band doesn’t just carry on the rock and roll attitude, they ARE rock and roll.
At the center of this attraction is the charismatic Gretchen Seichrist. On stage, Gretchen doesn’t hold back—she doesn’t go where the music takes her, the music goes where Gretchen takes it, and she takes it on quite a trip.  Danny Viper provides the music behind Gretchen’s lyrics, beating his white Telecaster into submission, playing every note as if it was his last. Gretchen and Danny provide the band’s core, expanding and contracting as they need, to fit the band’s extremely prolific mix of music.
I sat down with Gretchen and Danny, and right off the bat, I could tell—these are artists. They have a lot to say, and I only hope that I can fit half of what they said into a cohesive blog entry! The first thing I asked them about was their aptly titled “Death kick to the Head” tour. They went west, playing shows quite literally everywhere, including the South Dakota uberattraction, the Corn Palace, ending the tour opening for Bob Dylan in Rochester. Bob was impressed—he said this is as close to the real thing as you can get! On the road, they made stops everywhere, playing microconcerts at gas stations, rest stops, and tourist attractions and hotels, playing to everyone, and while the people were a little confused as to why a band a playing at a rest stop, they enjoyed the music.
Talking to P+G about their inspiration and writing process, they have a very enthusiastic and improvisational process. Gretchen really pushed the idea of “just go out and do it”. Rather than trying to play a song perfectly, embrace the mistakes and see where it leads you. Gretchen had a point that really hit me personally—she said, “Rock isn’t necessarily about playing the song perfectly. It’s about having that attitude, that fearlessness to stand up there naked with just you and your song. Mistakes will be made, but people aren’t going to remember that.”
I asked both Gretchen and Danny about bands on the scene that they really a lot of potential in, and they both said right away—Long Green. Unfamiliar with the band, I asked them to describe the band, and Danny described them as “Riverboat trash with Betty Boop vocals”. P+G is such a fan of this band that they are producing the Indiana duo’s EP in their own studio. Long Green has also been sharing the stage with Patches and Gretchen’s weekly residence at the Even Break Gallery, in S. Minneapolis.
A feature on Patches and Gretchen wouldn’t be complete without a second mention of the Even Break Gallery. When Gretchen isn’t making music, she is at her gallery painting. Her paintings bare a strong resemblance to her music: bright, eccentric, wild, and most importantly highly skilled. Definitely a great visit when you find yourself in South Minneapolis.
The future is bright for Patches and Gretchen. This Friday (8/2) they will be headlining at the Eagle Club with the incredible Miguel Morte Valentine and Daniel Bonespur opening. It’ll be an amazing night of song, dance and fellowship. Patches and Gretchen also continue their residency at the Even Break Gallery, playing every weekend. Looking further out, P+G will be working on getting a mini-tour set up with the seminal downtempo triphop band, Orchyd.
Critical info on the Even Break Art Gallery:
Open on weekend mornings. Available during the week by appointment.
email gretchen@evenbreakgallery.com
612-481-2621 
2311 West 50th Street Minneapolis, MN 55410
Check out Patches and Gretchen at http://www.patchesandgretchen.com or http://www.facebook.com/patchesngretchen

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

LFS5 Miracle @ Cedar Riverside

It was a regular Wednesday night at "Live From Studio 5!"
Except for one thing, no band, someone screwed up, probably me.
It does not really matter, the bottom line is I blew it and failed to make sure everything was set..
I take full responsibility, so just tell me when the flogging is scheduled.

While the clock ticked on, Doug the Thug and MJ were going into a meltdown.
It did not help that I was nursing a week long headache, and it had been friggin hot.

Meanwhile, down in the Alley patio between the Bailey Building and The Acadia, our sound guys, Orin Pratt and Mike the Bike were discussing the problem.

Through some insane set of circumstances, a trio of talent just happened to be hanging out.
Everyone thought they made up the name on the way up in the elevator, but not so, it is really Project Make Sound.

Three talented people with original material, just happened to come to our rescue.
With less that a half hour to get ready, set the audio, mics etc, and cut a promo, we were on our way.

Never before have I seen such a display of competence, and outright talent
Two acoustic guitars, and beautiful songs and melodious vocals.
Not only that, cat stories too, it was like finding treasure.

I tried hard, but was unable to stop my foot from tapping, and a couple of times almost broke into dance.
You absolutely must check out this group, like 'em, fan 'em, give them a virtual hug.
Tell em "Live From Studio 5!" sent you!
Visit the archives here kfai.org/livefromstudio5 scroll down the page and click listen.
You can find them on face book, and here...
Here is Doug The Thug's account:
Here's a recipe for DISASTER: After over three years of doing "Live From Studio 5!" where some bands show up before 7 to get set up and some straggle in after 9 (one band member who shall remain nameless showed up at 10:15 after the show started) we finally had a "no-show". Did that mean no show? I think not. As I nervously watched the clock tick past 9pm I grew increasingly PIST. We need a lot of time for a perfect sound check. So the audio guys went down in the alley between KFAI and the Acadia for their smoke break, a known hangout for characters, drunks, musicians, smokers etc. and were commiserating aloud about the situation and lo and behold, a couple of inebriated young ladies overheard them. "We'd LOVE to play on your show!" (Accounts differ as to who long they had been drinking, one admitted to at least since NOON.) But never mind, Mike The Bike and Orrin made an on-the-spot zekkitive decision and at9:30 said "Let's go!" and upstairs they went with a third guy who had an acoustic guitar. Simple set-up..two acoustic guitars, two vocalists. When I heard what they had done, I was freaked but waaaay too late to do anything so..... I think they came up with a name in the elevator, Project Make Sound or something. (PMS, Yikes!) I suggested the Random Alley Cats. Anyway, give a listen and tell me what you think, just click here and scroll down to "Recent Playlists". http://kfai.org/livefromstudio5
Ken Hippler commended me for improvisation under pressure and quick thinking? Nope, at least not on my part. I'm pacing the floor upstairs while the sound guys are smoking in the alley and when they come back up, they've got three people with two guitars. Now what are the odds of that? Talk about serendipitous! They were there and even though they were drinking all day, they had their acoustic instruments with them AND they didn't stink up the place. They were actually quite GOOD! I shoulda bought a lottery ticket that day. Oh yeah, and it wasn't even their full band!
Borrowed From Their Facebook page here's the deal …..

PROJECT MAKE SOUND Minneapolis, MN

I’d like to introduce you to my new musical endeavor, Project Make Sound. The purpose of this project is quite simple. I’d like to take all the song ideas that have been bouncing around my head for the past year and a half, convert them into audio files – actual recorded tunes – and share them with all of you, right here online.

To do this, I have teamed up with a whole bunch of talented musicians - a whole bunch of people I'm lucky enough to call friends. So far the list of people involved in this project is as follows:

James Horvath - bass, percussion, and direction on recording, mixing and composition. Proud inventor of the Horvath mic-placement system.

Becky Shaheen - vocals, song/lyric/harmony-writing, and musical direction.

Laura Schmidt - vocals, song/lyric/harmony-writing.

Jamie Kallestad - vocals, harmony-writing.

Nick Mordal - acoustic guitar, songwriting.

Jordan Longly - electric guitar.

Joe Shaheen - vocals, harmonica, and musical/production direction.

To date, we've finished three songs. Many more are in the works. We'll post any and all project updates right here on this Facebook page. So please, stay tuned. Wonderful things are in the works!Friends,

I’d like to introduce you to my new musical endeavor, Project Make Sound. The purpose of this project is quite simple. I’d like to take all the song ideas that have been bouncing around my head for the past year and a half, convert them into audio files – actual recorded tunes – and share them with all of you, right here online.

To do this, I have teamed up with a whole bunch of talented musicians - a whole bunch of people I'm lucky enough to call friends. So far the list of people involved in this project is as follows:

James Horvath - bass, percussion, and direction on recording, mixing and composition. Proud inventor of the Horvath mic-placement system.

Becky Shaheen - vocals, song/lyric/harmony-writing, and musical direction.

Laura Schmidt - vocals, song/lyric/harmony-writing.

Jamie Kallestad - vocals, harmony-writing.

Nick Mordal - acoustic guitar, songwriting.

Jordan Longly - electric guitar.

Joe Shaheen - vocals, harmonica, and musical/production direction.

We openly invite them to return in their full compliment of colaborators for a show in 2014
This is a project to watch, on a scale of 1 to 10 they are a 15.
Venues, if you need great entertainment, book this group, you will be glad you did.

Sorry this  post took so long, my dragin has been dragin
                                                                    Dew
DEW2AFACEBOOK

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Follow That Dream

Rick Hornyak, while on a tour to our neighboring state of Wisconsin, stopped by the studios of “Live From Studio 5!" and boy, are we glad he did!  Originating in Pennsylvania, and now transplanted to Austin, Texas, Rick began as many do and grabbed a job out of high school.  However, the factory grind took a toll on his dream and creativity. Then one day he just resigned and launched into music.  Their loss is our gain. His sound could be described as melding styles that include folk, country, blues, and rock, reminiscent of The Marshal Tucker Band and others.
As the lead man of his musical journey he has worked with many fine and tenured musicians.
His new album “Marigold” was recorded with legendary Austin GRAMMY award-winning musicians such as Cindy Cashdollar, Lloyd Maines, Casper Rawls, and band members of Robert Earl Keen and Asleep At The Wheel, who by the way, I discovered eons ago and love those guys.  I hope they come this way and we can get them on the show.  (hint hint.)
On his current tour, he is playing with Matt Brooks Erick Reetman Danny Reese, known as The Sweet Clover Band.
In studio, it was a joy to hear these guys play, especially after finding out their lead guitar had recently had double surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, you'd would never know it.
My toes were tapping, and Doug and MJ were impressed as well.  Unfortunately the night went far too fast.
Austin, Texas used to be great for new and emerging artists, with Austin City Limits, giving them a national stage.
I think the show has forgotten its roots as a showcase for local musicians, but that's just my opinion.
So check out Rick Hornyak, and The Sweet Clover band, grab the new CD “Marigold," fan em on Facebook, Reverbnation, and talk to your favorite venue, so we can get them back here soon.
The more people that root for Rick, the better chance we have of getting him back for several shows.
A rising star in American Roots Rock, or just plain get down goooooood music!
What others say about Rick:
Until recently, Rick Hornyak’s music has been somewhat limited to live performances. He has a long and proven track record of engaging a broad audience through soulful, upbeat sounds and intimate lyrics that compel people to dance and sing along - and inspire the occasional air guitar.
 Despite it’s rough-edged, rural sound, Rick’s music is romantic, just as his story is. Rick left a very content life in small town, Pennsylvania to find something that was missing. For the last several years, Rick has journeyed, growing musically and personally. He performs regularly in his new home base of Austin, Texas and around the country.
For announcements regarding the public release of "Marigold," please sign up to our email list or "Like" Rick's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rickhornyakmusic.
 Join me and put the HOORAH out there for an amazing sound that needs to come here.
Visit "Live From Studio 5!" at kfai.org/livefromstudio5  See what's new, find links to our Flickr page, the blog, and Twitter.
The Reluctant Blogger
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Dewglass
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