Horror Music for Scary People

I have a “project.”

I’d rather not call it a music project, because it really isn’t.  My fascination with horror movies, and the way music can affect emotions and mood, has led to the production of a couple albums.  As I explained to friends the other night, I’d say calling it [experimental] is an understatement, it’s way beyond deconstructionalistic, and on the other side of the mountain from avante garde – much to the point where it sounds like a carnival full of banshees got attacked by zombie cowboys, and then got swept up by a tornado and went to an Oz where the Wicked Witch of the West had already taken over.  That’s kind of what I’m going for.

And the weird thing is, people seem to like it.

So.. without any further ado, let me introduce the up and coming new music genre:

Horror Music

Future Legends: Ferraby Lionheart

Readers, bloggers, and music appreciators alike…it’s time that I fessed up. I’ve been keeping a secret from you. And though it’s selfish, and has been completely gratifying on my behalf, I must get it off my chest. So here goes.

There’s this artist, Ferraby Lionheart, and I think he’s brilliant.

I first heard of Ferraby when I saw the movie, “Middle Of Nowhere.”. He compiled most of the soundtrack for the production, and while I felt that the movie was only so-so, it was the music that really got me; so much in fact that I had to watch it again, just to experience the perfectly placed songs.

But what sets Ferraby apart from the rest of the pack is his ability to compose not just a song, but a relatable story. The fact that he draws most of his inspiration from the awe inspiring moments in life, the bits that really take your breath away, is what turns the music into more than just a catchy tune.

Am I gushing yet?

Well, just the other night, we ventured off to Bloomington for an intimate little acoustic set of his, at The Bishop. Afterwards, we had the honor of chatting it up over some tea. Savannah got the exclusive interview with the mysterious Mister Lionheart.

-boosta!

:::: His Real Name isn’t Lionheart ::::

And Other Fun Facts about Ferraby

Last Thursday, I went to a show my friend Boosta! had been anticipating for weeks, no, months.  I had maybe listened to (a) song of his beforehand, and acoustic folk music isn’t really my thang, dig?

But golly dang, I’m glad I went!

Maybe before I explain why I enjoyed the show so much, I should briefly explain something.  I have a horse obsession.  A serious, serious, life-long horse obsession.

That said, Ferraby explained on-stage one of his songs was written through the eyes of a derby racehorse. This song was directly after a song written through the eyes of a lonely cactus, and before one that “might sound a little odd because I wrote it on mushrooms.”

Well, I had to ask.  And no, he doesn’t have a horse obsession.  He just thinks they’re extremely majestic.  He does not like to trot or canter on horses.  He likes to gallop, and has found his perfect galloping plans.  He has found a place that rents horses for the day and at the end of the trail, is a Mexican joint.  If that isn’t the perfect day, what is? Man’s a genius, I tell you.

We spoke at some length about life, music, touring, spirit animals, head injuries, human interactions, shrink-to-fit Levis, and the particulars of tea.

He’ll be back soon for a house show [HOUSE SHOW!] at ma maison soon.  Come listen for yourself, and stay for a chat and some tea afterwards.

And after that…

Download him HERE!

CREEPIN’ at First Friday

Hey Indy!

While you were milling about the streets on First Friday, I hope you felt that cool breeze sweeping about, compliments of none other than members of The Golden Gurlz, a collaboration of printmakers Anna Skidmore, Alyssa Arney, Lynn Crum, Katie Lampert and Naomi Szczesiul.

“CREEP SHOW”, which took place in Urban Element was a senior thesis exhibition of Lynn Crum, Alyssa Arney, and Anna Skidmore.

Cats with mustaches.

                                                                           ……What more do you need?

How about the sexy Betty Page, ALL OVER THE PLACE.

These girls are bringing a poppy and colorful edge to our local

A Print Collaborative of Alyssa Arney and Lynn Crum

art scene, and how!

Check out these sassy ladies on facebook, and become a fan!

-boosta!

Future Legends: Boosta!

So there’s this girl.

Her name is Rachel Enneking, but you may know her as Boosta!, a photographic genius.  So obviously, she is a “photographer,” but who isn’t these days?  I even tend to scorn someone when they say they are a “photographer.”

The difference is that Rachel is not really a photographer.  She is an artist, who happens to use a camera like a painter would use a paintbrush.  She isn’t someone who takes pictures, she simply uses photography as a medium for her vision.

For example, check out her latest shoot.  She designed and made the scenery, styled the wardrobe, hair, and make-up, directed the set, AND made a movie throughout this:

BAM POW WHOMP~ how fabulous are those shots?  Is that the work of a “photographer,” or an artist?  You tell me.

[Check out the rest of this scandalous shoot "Girlfriend" at Boosta! Photography]

Future Legends: Bridie Jurasevich

A singer of jazz standards, a writer of melodramatic screenplays, and a bubble of bright energy.

Meet Bridie.

She’s a lovely gal.

We met while living on a dorm floor together two (three?) years ago.  My first words to her were, “I see you have a guitar.  Want to play in a gypsy punk band?”  She shouted yes.  Then we were friends.

Later, I heard her singing and was hooked.  Anytime jazz singers are brought up, I will shout down anyone who thinks they know a better one than I do. ‘Cause they don’t. She warbles like a nightingale.

And to top all that off, she writes. Really, really well.  Luckily for me (and you!), she sent me an excerpt of her new screenplay, soon to be shot in and around Chicago Harbor, including music produced by yours truly.

[Scene 1]

““Get me out of here.”  Helene says under her breath as she sits between her two older brothers, John Michael and Peter, in the narrow pew. She looks forward, with her father’s deep-set brown eyes, staring blankly at Saint John Jacob from Neamţ one of the Saints depicted at the head of the church.  She moves over the smooth page of the hymnal with one hand as the other clenches the thick book.
St. Xavier Romanian Orthodox Church is holding a memorial mass for the parents of Helene Lazar. The air in the church is heavy, almost stagnant. The saints are vividly depicted in rich colors across the alter. Stained glass windows send in enough light that path of dust visibly meanders through the air. The room screams eastern tradition. The priest suddenly, almost violently, opens the red velvet curtain. As he does so, the rings of the curtain screech against the rod holding the up. He carries metal thurible. The burning of the incense is a strong smell, but not unpleasant. As he walks the sound of the linked chain clanging against the body of the burner pervades the small church.  Creaky pews made of dark stained wood are scattered with bodies of older woman with dark hair and moles and men in suits all looking very foreign.   The song “Memory Eternal” fills up the space as it is sung by a middle aged Romanian women, heavier set, but not obese. She sings one verse in Romanian in her alto timbre. It is slightly muted as though we are in the mind of someone detached.
Things are blurred and muted then suddenly there is a terribly loud sound of a train horn. Helene is in the back seat of a car. A light comes in so fast that it feels as though the light has struck the car. Her father yells like she’s never heard before. Fear, terror, almost a hint of regret is in his voice and then the sound of metal twisting against metal giving way. “Get me out of here!”  Helene screams.
Helene returns to the present with a pained look on her face, striving to catch breaths that seem to get caught in her throat. Her oldest brother, Johnny, puts his hand gently on the hand at her side which is now clinging to the pew. Upon noticing her nails almost cutting into the wood she relaxes the tension in her hand. Tears well up in her brother’s eyes as the song concludes and the priest begins a memorial service in a language they seem to understand less and less of everyday. “

Future Legends: Moodrings

They’re dreamy, they’re dirty, and they’re all smoking in my bed. And you should know about ‘em!

Georgia natives, Moodrings are here with a message, “It’s Sweater Weather Forever!”

 Being a fan of dream-pop (and sweaters) it wasn’t any wonder I was hooked on their lo-fi shoe gazin’ ways when I met them back in January. An impromptu house show at my abode brought together Moodrings and BIGCOLOUR for a weekend of galavantry and round robins here in Indianapolis.

Moods, gettin' down (!)

Needless to say, these boys know how to have a good time, but more importantly they’re pro at blending their work with play. And that’s easy to see, errr well hear when listening to their oh so tasty jams. They fill your head with intricate chord progressions, thumping bass lines, and melodic oohss and ahhs that will melt your hazy little brain. And their live performances can’t be beat! They bring electricity to the stage that really keys up the audience for something big. And then they deliver. I don’t know, maybe it’s that dip that really gets me (Tymb still has to teach us how he perfected such a groovy move)

Hopefully, Indianapolis will be graced by their presence once again someday soon. Fingers crossed, they’ll make it to play our summer festival in early July (please!)

But until then, I’ll be here, grooving to their cassette, in my sweater, forever.

The Dirty Smokin' Bed Boys, BIGCOLOUR and Moodrings on tour, Indianapolis, IN

Do yourself a favor and download “Sweater Weather Forever” , only 5 bucks! A steal my friends. And for a taste of their live sound, which I will always be grateful to have gotten the chance to experience, download their single, “Heavy Favorite Live”

-Boosta!

Future Legends: Dirty Rotten Sunshine

They’re dirty, rotten to the core, sunny boys. Plus the drummer is pretty cute. And gave me an exclusive interview, BAM!

Why should you be famous:  We’re not filling in a desire in the blank spaces of the California chill wave super reverb.  We’re all over the place.  We’re doing whatever we want.

Why should you play at Super Summer Slumber Party:   Dirty Rotten Sunshine loves Indy. Or Beer. Probably both.

Most awkward moment at a show:  We played knickerbocker in Lafayette and it’s the oldest bar in Indiana or something and we’re playing a song that’s the closer of the set, and there’s this section that gets quiet and crescendos and Brian does this thing like a backbend and the strap pops off.  Then he danced around, and it popped off again.

{This may be garbled. I had no idea what he was talking about}

Favorite color: Red or maybe taupe. We use taupe a lot.

A filthy version of some band that’s already famous;

Comparisons are odious.

So I won’t make any.

Just listen.

Dirty Rotten Sunshine

[Photo compliments of Dirty Rotten Sunshine]

Future Legends: Mark Lighthizer

Mark Lighthizer is a phenomenon.

 

[photography by Boosta!]

He can take any organization, and make it work.  And he’ll make it work with style, grace, and precision.  His fundraising skills are unrivaled.

Mark is going to be the first little boy to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Philanthropy in the world.

IN THE WORLD. <<That’s important.

Someday he will solve world hunger, AIDS, the nuclear crisis, pollution, and then he’ll move onto real problems.

Future Legends: Dr. Ray

Dr. Ray is an enigma.  He writes, records, and produces on a daily basis. I’ve known Dr. Ray for almost three years, and he has literally produced an outstanding full length album every month since we’ve been friends. And the quality? – makes you cry because you will never come close to his eminence.

[photo compliments of Dr. Ray]

He’s always got a few projects going, duos and trios and full scale bands.  They’re hardly ever as good as his solo work.

His musical capacity astounds.

I can’t really do him justice with words so clickety-click-click  \/ \/

Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray Dr. Ray 

Braids, Braids Free For All

Hey Gang, Boosta! here, excited to start littering Savannah’s blog with musical reviews crossing all spectrums of the soundwaves. Beneficial to you? Maybe. A chance for me to rant and rave? Absolutely.

So without further ado, let us begin with…

 BRAIDS

Photo Courtesy Of Marc Rimmer

I stumbled upon this band awhile after seeing GOBBLE GOBBLE  play at a house show here in Indianapolis, at a time in my life where I was looking to be swept up, by what, I wasn’t too certain, until I heard Braids, a native band of Canada and I was hooked. They hit you hard with incredibly honest lyrics, pick you up and carry you through throbbing “space and time” layers and drop you into a place where you can lose yourself. Sound interesting? Give “Lemonade” a listen. Oh, and fella’s, prepare to have your heart broken by lead singer, Raphaelle Standell-Preston. Her voice is charming, contradictory and down right enchanting. (fergie and jesus have nothing on her) Seriously, the girl has range.

For a more insightful look into the mastery of their latest album “Native Speaker”, debates on filtering, yada yada, whatever it is you kids get a kick from, read a review, HERE 

If you’re tumblin’ bout the internets, follow them: http://braidsbraidsbraids.tumblr.com/

And prepare yourself for a ride atop the chillwave.