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

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...

https://www.facebook.com/ProjectMakeSound?hc_location=stream

And Their Music Here... http://www.thesixtyone.com/projectmakesound/

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

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.

Facebook 

Youtube

The Reluctant Blogger

Dewglass

-- 

BATTERYBOY ON "LIVE FROM STUDIO 5! "

Live music, by its very nature, is dynamic, surprising, evocative and informative.

"Live From Studio 5!" tries very hard to bring you the local music scene from every angle.

Last week on the show we achieved that in spades with BATTERYBOY,

a trio who managed to bring along an orchestra who hid within them, emoting a music that slowly crept up and grabbed you.

When a group does the show and makes it a joy, it seems like thanks is not enough.

Who they are is up to you to decide, but here are some clues:

Who is batteryboy? 

Batteryboy began as a solo project by songwriter Cobey Rouse in the fall of 2011. After a 10-year hiatus from music, Rouse was inspired to start writing again after discovering the music of Cloud Cult, opening him up to a whole new passion for musical possibilities. With his acoustic guitar and a unique 3-piece floor drum setup, Rouse was ready to deal with the world around him, and hopefully help others do the same through music. In January, 2012, Rouse released a full length batteryboy album recorded in his basement, entitled "North". In June, he recorded his "Winter's gate" EP at Old Fashioned Records, where he happened to meet Cloud Cult violinist Shannon Frid who worked in the instrument repair store upstairs. Three months later, Frid posted a status update on Facebook stating that she'd like to play more live shows. Rouse reached out and Frid was up for doing a couple shows. A couple months later batteryboy had become a duet and started playing out in the Twin Cities. In January 2013, batteryboy added Eric Carranza to add keys, percussion and an array of other instruments to help fulfill their vision for the undeniably distinctive batteryboy sound. Together, they released their first album and this one is well worth adding to your music library. 

Find 'em, fan 'em, and grab a CD or download the tunes. They can be found easily, on Facebook, Reverbnation, http://www.batteryboymusic.com/ , twitter and almost everywhere. Their performance on "Live From Studio 5!" can still be heard here For links to Flickr pix and You Tube go tohttp://kfai.org/livefromstudio5. Follow the show on twitter And on Facebook If you like what you find, let us know, and let the new group you discovered, know who sent ya.We are an all-volunteer crew on "Live From Studio 5!" and are always looking for new talent to help us continue to bring you great music. We have been without a blogger for some time and would like to expand into music reporting and interviews. If you currently write and would like to expand your reach, we want to talk to you. Send an email to kfairocks@gmail.com, or message us on facebook, or stop down any Wednesday night at the Cedar Riverside studios. Above all, support live music, KFAI, and "Live From studio 5!"  We know you're out there, we can hear you breathing. Your faithful servant,

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MJ

Live From Studio 5 is operating without our beloved MJ
Don't panic it's  only for a couple more weeks.
She is in fact half way around the world  in INDIA
attending classes  on natural healing, Will we have to call her DR MJ when she gets back ?
she was kind enough to let me forward her emails to you, dear readers, so here is number 1
By the way I did ask first, she said  K

Hey Doug and Dew
I arrived in New DeIhi, India Tuesday at 3am (two eight hour flights + layover…about 24 hours total travel time)!!  We woke up five hours later at the YWCA and had our first official Indian meal: rice with beans, chilies and nuts, very thin eggs, toast and tea.  We have exchanged our dollars into rupees.  We rode in auto rickshaws to lunch that was in true Indian style...most of us had Thali--an assortment of small dishes from India and Nepal.  We have also been inside a Sikh temple (a very interesting experience).  The high temperature in New Delhi on Tuesday was 115 degrees Fahrenheit!

We went to the Taj Mahal yesterday…it was amazing!  It was soooo beautiful!  I also really enjoyed the drive up to Agra...we really saw many different perspectives of India...the extremes of life!  Today we drove 12 hours to northern India.  We drove through several Indian states, to include Punjab...this is where the fantastic Punjabi music comes from!!!!!!  At the end of the trek we drove two hours weaving back and forth (hairpin turns!) through an enormous mountain that faced the snow-capped Himalayas!!  Amazing temples and larger than life Shiva statues, tolls and state tax offices are everywhere...today I actually handed the official the toll fare (the official was on the left side of the car/ where I was sitting and so our group driver gave me the rupees to give to the official---since the steering wheel is on the right side of the car)  Honking is expected and reinforced...it is a constant soundtrack.  As our group driver said, "No problem" and "This is India"...these were explanations for when the most unexpected became the expected...driving against traffic (driving on the "wrong" side of the road)...passing other cars at amazing speed...admirably/skillfully swerving around cars, people cows, monkeys and dogs...you name it, it happened!!!!   Half way through the steep mountain we stopped for small glasses of Indian chai...it was absolutely amazing!!!!!!!  Honestly, my head is a little dizzy and my ankles and feet are swollen.  I think the dizziness is from acclimating to the altitude (we are really high up!!) and the swollen feet are still from our 24 hour plane experience to get to India...and the extreme heat...and very little sleep!

I have become really aware of the extremes of wealth and poverty in India.  Our group drivers (there are four drivers/cars) make about 200 rupees a day.  That's about $3.59 U.S. dollars.  This is the cost for one of our meals...for them it is a day's salary.  On the other extreme, there are very wealthy Indian people...and the Indian Mafia.

I am now in our hotel/dorm room in the Himalayan Mountains.  It has a wood floor, two small beds (to share with another student), a small bathroom with a shower, and a beautiful view of Dharamsala. When we arrived we took a long walk around the mountain and saw many Tibetan monks, nuns, prayer flags and wheels that you spin as you go, monkeys, and dogs.  We came back to hotel and had a welcome dinner as a group!  The food and company were amazing!  We had fresh lemon (squeezed from lemons), ginger (freshly sliced), honey (fresh) hot tea, two types of dal, garlic nan, and rice.  We were in the company of many Tibetans.

This experience is once in a life time...it feels so surreal and so right!

We will start our classes at the Dalai Lama’s Medical Institute soon…and will meet the Dalai Lama next week!  I’ll tell you all about it (I am not sure if it will work for me to call you during our show...we'll see!!)!

I hope you are well and doing great!!!!
MJ

Thanks MJ, if you are missing her as we are, please go to our facebook page and give her a virtual “HUG”

More from our roving host coming up, so don't miss it.
If you don't already, tune in every Wed to 90.3 & 106.7 FM or stream it on kfai.org 10 PM for “LIVE FROM STUDIO 5!”

PIONEER SON ON LIVE FROM STUDIO 5!

PIONEER SON

On a Wednesday night the Cedar Riverside Studios of "Live From Studio 5!" began as usual with every kind of music.  From Rap to rock, A to Z and every letter in between, this night it was the letter “p” for Pioneer Son.  It was not a usual  "Live From Studio 5!" night, there were a few things that went differently.  For a short while we will be rudderless without our fabulous host
M J Gilmore.  She is going for a three week graduate course in natural medicine and healing.  She will also be checking out some new delis in NEW DELHI, Yes India, how cool is that?
Provided the Internet cafes work out ,we will have a weekly feature entitled "Where In The World is MJ Gilmore?"

The second debut, was DEWGLASS  as Host for the first half of the show.  Doug The Thug took the announcer chair, duct taping DEWGLASS to the microphone.  So in spite of all the surprises and a crappy headphone setup, Pioneer Son hit the "Live From Studio 5!" sound stage.

A super-amiable group of four guys who made it easy on a fledgling host and brought a git-down, toe-tappin', head-bobbin' vibe that infected everyone.  They even gave me a T-shirt that I will never wash! (Sorry, summer is coming, I will have to wash it.)

I promise to use gentle cycle so it will last forever.
The Roots of rock and roll grew a really nice tree, 70's and 80's meld, reminiscent of The marshal Tucker Band, CSN, maybe a little Credence too..among others.
Melodious harmonies graced our "Live From Studio 5!" studio as if they had been playing together for years.
So, dear fans, listeners and venues, like, fan and book these guys.  You won't be sorry.  Add their music to your library, pod or whatever you use.  The more they put out there, the more you're gonna want it.
Find 'em on C D Baby, I Tunes  facebook (and soon featured on Liquidmusicblogosphere)
A review of the show can be had for just a few clicks of the mouse here.
Flicker picks of the show can be seen here.
Once the Video is complete, you can see it here, and featured on the blogosphere, (Special thanks to Maxwell Camarata for his outstanding videography, and editing work) also check out the   "Live From Studio 5!" facebook page for the latest updates.  LIKE the page so you don't miss a thing.

For current and upcoming shows visit the KFAI "Live From Studio 5!" page  here
This post may not be up before their appearance at Memory Laneson Saturday, so anyone going please forward a review to me at www.liquidmusicblogosphere.com

As  P. T. Barnum once said “All press is good, but good press is better”, so c'mon, get blogged and help a terrific group go viral.

Blog readers stay tuned for more exciting episodes of the reluctant blogger, now the reluctant host.

Don't want to miss anything?  Click on the blog in your in box on the blogosphere and get posts sent directly to your in box, powered by networkedBlogs
"Live From Studio 5!" still needs a blogger, if you're interested and can help, please let us know.

Thanks for reading!  Like and share this post.  You must sign in to comment but we do not share your email with anyone so please don't spam.  Like what you see?  Tell two friends and they will tell two friends.

The reluctant blogger / host DEWGLASS

From The Lips & Heart of Dew Glass

   I have an interest in volunteering for Live From Studio 5! because it gets me out of the house, and keeps me out of trouble.  There is just something about doing a job you are passionate about.

     Sure, you would like to be compensated for your efforts, and even though you are not paid, you are rewarded in other ways.

     When you see a band who has been on your show win a contest, or get invited to tour, you feel like you have a little piece in that.  Doing a live show each week is challenging to say the least.

     However, doing our best to meet that challenge is what keeps us coming back each week, and working behind the scenes throughout the week.  We live in a fickle selfish world, who would do well to see where they could give back a little.  If you are successful, all the more reason you should reach out and help those climbing the ladder behind you.

     For me, the show is the thing, so I park my ego at the door and try to get one for the gipper.

Sometimes we get a winner, sometimes not so much, it's live so that's just the nature of the beast.

     I have learned, and continue to learn a great deal from our founders, MJ Gilmore and Doug The Thug.   Live From Studio 5! will soon turn 3 years old, I have not been here for the first two years, but I am more than willing to help celebrate.  As part of KFAI Radio Without Boundaries, this show will thrive and continue, based on member support.  We need your contributions, in finances, volunteers, listener support and comments.

     So don't be shy, and spread the word about Live From Studio 5!, programming and events.

Got suggestions?  Bring em on, feedback is the only way for us to improve and give you what you want.  I believe Live From Studio 5! is a great resource, for the community, listeners, bands and artists, as well as live show venues.

     We do what we do with an amazingly tiny crew, each week turning out a two hour show and video on You Tube.

     Each week we close the show with a request for anyone who wants to become part of our little family.  So far we have had no response, from this query, perhaps that is when the tuner is switched off.  The more volunteers we can bring on board, the less stress there is for the rest of us, and we will be able to expand into, blogging, music news, video partnerships with other non profits.

     Not that the show isn’t great, but we must strive to be better, to do more.  That is where you come in.  You can do it as part of an internship, as a resource, crew member, the list goes on and on.  We could also use someone skilled in marketing underwriting messages.  Live From studio 5! should be underwritten by venues, band gear and recording equipment businesses, music education, etc.  That extra boost will help us get new equipment, add video production, and more.

    This may be a dream right now, but one you can help make a reality.  Hopefully, before I leave the show in a puff of smoke, I hope to see a strong sustained program that can be handed down to the next generation of 5! ers.

    And so my fellow Live From Studio 5! ers, Ask not what 5! can do for you, Ask What You Can Do For Your 5!

All we are Saying Is Give 5! A Chance

The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Non Involvement.

Can't think of any more slogans to rip off.