Video Premiere: Pretty Little Empire’s ‘All I Know’

Pretty Little Empire - "All I Know" Video

Video still by Joseph Fitzgerald

Pretty Little Empire is a force in the St. Louis music scene. The affable quartet’s sophomore release “Reasons and Rooms” was one of the best locally-produced records of 2010, and their inspired, rock-solid live sets have only been getting better over time, with no bound in sight.

The band is currently hard at work on LP number three, with recording taking place at Cherokee Street’s Native Sound studio. While we wait to hear what they’re cooking up, perched at the edge of the seat, they have been kind enough to temper our thirst by releasing a video for their non-album cut “All I Know.” The song has been a staple of their live shows and was released in 2011 on the “STL LOUD Vol. 2″ compilation.

This burning, mysterious track is a keeper, and it gets proper visual treatment thanks to a few of the band’s talented friends. I recommend that you experience it with headphones on, video set to full screen.

Posted by | February 3, 2012 | Local, News, Video/Film | Comment 

All Aboard for Fun Times: St. Louis show highlights for February 3-4

All Aboard for Fun Times Train

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There’ve been a few additions to the venue scene of late, but I’ve neglected to note a subtraction: the days of touring acts at St. Louis University’s the Billiken Club are apparently over. It was rumored that the fall schedule would signal the end, and an open-mic is the only event posted for the spring.
 
I’m sure many fans of their free shows are bummed, but I appreciate having one less website to track; it’s becoming quite a task to follow all the ones on my radar. I think we’re easily at a saturation point with venues, absent a bunch of young folk following the leads of Pokey LaFarge, Paige Brubeck/Evan Sult (of Sleepy Kitty) and David Beeman (of Old Lights) by migrating here, along with most of our own sticking around.
 
Yes, Virginia, there really is a December show calendar still lingering on the Mangia Italiano website. If you know someone who’s gonna be playing there, better tell ‘em to self-promote extensively; the venue usually waits until the day of a show to do Facebook posts, which isn’t much help.
 
There are a reasonable number of shows worth recommending this weekend, although there’s nothing of interest on Sunday for a change. I guess the Super Bowl alternative concept is on hiatus.

Friday, February 3        
 
I should’ve mentioned this in the last edition, the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio is this week’s act at Jazz at the Bistro (3536 Washington), playing organ-centric bop in the spirit of Jimmie Smith. Ryan Wasoba offers his impressions of them for the RFT.
 
Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30, with a $30 cover ($25 if you can make it to a Thursday set; $10 for students at all shows), attendees of early sets are often invited to stay for the second. Smoke-free.
 
Marleyfest 8 with Murder City Players and guests
Blueberry Hill Duck Room  6504 Delmar  9:30-1  $15  Smoke-free
 
It’s been a pleasant winter here, but it’s still warmer in the Caribbean, where MCP, our town’s reggae institution will take you (at least in your mind) as they lay down riddems for Prince Philip, Tony Rome and several guest singers in their annual tribute to Rasta Man #1. 
 
Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers
Beale on Broadway  701 S. Broadway  10-2  $7  Smoking, moderate to heavy
 
High-energy swing-jazz and R&B sounds from MJatH.
 
I assume this takes place indoors, which means it’ll be cramped, and probably quite smoky.
 
If you feel a need to do some cretin hoppin’ instead of swingin’ or groovin’, you can head to Off Broadway (3509 Lemp) to check out Punk Rock Isn’t Dead, It Just Smells Funny. Bass Amp & Dano headline, joined by the Haddonfields, Black for a Second and the Chill Dawgs. The show starts at 8, with a $7 cover (+3 20-under). Smoke-free.
 
Saturday, February 4
 
Jazz at the Bistro hosts the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio for their last two sets, same details as Friday.
 
The Blind Eyes / Bo and the Locomotive / Mutts / Sleepy Kitty
Firebird  2706 Olive  9-1  $5 (+3 18-20)  Smoke-free
 
This show celebrates the venue’s third anniversary with a diverse bill. Soulful, jangly pop from TBE. BatL are fronted by Bo Bulawsky (son of Magic City frontman Larry), playing indie rock with a folk rock vein. Chicago trio M have a gritty, blues-rock sound that’s reminiscent of Black Diamond Heavies. It’s been a while since SK has played (to my knowledge), the duo offer a pop-rock base melded with improvisation via loops and effects.      
 
Swing DeVille

Schlafly Bottleworks  7260 Southwest  9-12  Free  Smoke-free
 
Fans of western swing or jazz artists like Django Rinehardt and Stephane Grappelli will dig SDV, sweet sounds from players with serious chops.
 
Marleyfest 8 wraps up night two at Blueberry Hill, same particulars as before.
 
Your humble servant,

Dick Caveat

Posted by | February 2, 2012 | Local, Music | Comment 

Marley / Volare: Bob Marley memories on the occasion of his 67th birthday

wikimedia.commons.org / Ueli Frey

Now and again in addition to co-hosting the reggae radio program Positive Vibrations on KDHX I do club spins. No chatter, just a lotta platter. Roots, dub, dancehall from eighties to present as long as the music’s conscious, or at least thoughtfully sexy and wittily worded, with a couple of shakes of rock steady.

One October Saturday night a couple of years ago, I did the early set, 6-10 p.m., at Atomic Cowboy. As regular denizens know, even among nightspots in the Manchester Grove, Atomic is set apart, a 3 a.m. nightclub-restaurant (better than average food, too) with music ranging from hip hop and house DJs to indie rock and jam bands. Servers can be expected to wear a mélange of leather, denim, piercings and tattoos, a point I mention only because of the contradistinction soon to appear. I was in their outdoor space on a raised stage in front of the patio and covered bar. A bonfire to my left would begin as soon as the sun went down.

The night was warm with a light breeze. First hour I came out with old time Treasure Isle, original riddims sliding into newer versions, same thing with Studio One, stirred and shaken with top-shelf dub. People arrived in trickles. Next hour I flicked the discs experimentally, Ernie Ranglin merging into Thievery Corporation, a Bob Marley “Stir it Up” running into a Nigerian tune with the same structure, and ran a sequence of new takes on old riddims, including Bob Marley’s “Coming in From the Cold” and Desmond Dekker’s “(007) Shanty Town.”

The real energy was at a picnic table, eight middle-aged folks of Indian descent hunched into each other, six on the benches and two on chairs on each end. A couple of the women wore saris, but the rest were in western attire. Several times I looked their way; the people didn’t seem perceptibly affected by the music. They ordered a full dinner and several rounds of drinks. Off to the side, purely for decoration, the bonfire was lit.

In the last hour I put on a dub and went to the bar so I could start tapping the $20 credit that came as part of the deal. One of the men from the picnic table was standing there, and I nodded at him. He began talking.

The man was sixty-ish, wearing the retiree’s regulation plaid shirt and a crisp haircut, and bore the aura of an immigrant freshly dispensed from the church van for an elderhostel lecture. He and his kin had heard my jams for a solid hour and a half, and I would have enjoyed being reggae ambassador for a minute but I had set the music loud. I could hear almost nothing beyond chin-kuhchun, chin-kuhchin of guitar, backbeat and the wicked Prince Jammy-produced crash of the cymbals.

I began thinking the man was a pharmacist, likely somebody unaccustomed to nightclubs. Maybe he and the missus originated in New Delhi early that morning and had been in transit all day. I began trying to imagine his story. They had just gotten off the plane, and the diasporan relatives had taken the weary couple directly to midtown St. Louis for their first night in America. To Atomic Cowboy for dinner and music. This must all seem very strange.

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Posted by | February 1, 2012 | Culture, KDHX, Local, Music | 3 Comments 

All Aboard for Fun Times: St. Louis show highlights for January 27-29

All Aboard for Fun Times Train

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A full menu of options for the weekend, including a dilemma for the rockabilly crowd on Friday:

Friday, January 27

The Wee Trio is a New Orleans vibes/bass/drums jazz group who’ve been exploring a path akin to that of the Bad Plus, reworking rock songs as part of their repertoire. Participation in a tribute project has lead to “Ashes to Ashes: a David Bowie Intraspective,” hopefully proving there’s room for another Duke, the thin white one, in the jazz canon.

This takes place at Jazz at the Bistro (3536 Washington), with sets at 7:30 and 9:30. Cost is $20 (10 for students). As always, attendees of the first set may be offered a chance to remain for the second. The RFT’s Dean Minderman has more details.

Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops / The Dirt Daubers / Paul Bearer & The Coffin Kings
Off Broadway 3509 Lemp 9-12 $10 (+3 under 21) Smoke-free

High-octane rockabilly/psychobilly from Carbondale’s SJatN9B. TDD hail from Paducah, KY and offer a vintage jazz sound that Pokey LaFarge fans should enjoy. PB&TCK play rockabilly with a macabre vibe.

Rockabilly fans should also consider heading to El Leñador (3124 Cherokee), where you can hear Everett Dean and Al Swacker singing genre favorites backed by a rockin’ trio of Rob Guth, (Scott Kay & the Continentals) Kevin O’Connor (Seven Shot Screamers) and Jamey Almond (Butcher Holler). This starts around 9:30, with a $5 cover (21+ only). Smoke-free.

Saturday, January 28

The Wee Trio repeats at Jazz at the Bistro, same times/prices.

Remember the ‘90s? The Lemonheads burned brightly for a brief period then, and frontman Evan Dando has formed a new edition of the band that’ll play their signature recording, “It’s a Shame About Ray,” along with other selections at Old Rock House (1200 S. 7th). Meredith Sheldon (not familiar with her) opens the show, which starts at 8. Admission is $17.50 in advance; 20 at the door (all-ages). Smoke-free.

Smooth soul purveyors Ransom Note and gritty rockers Bob Reuter’s Alley Ghost share a bill at the Blueberry Hill Duck Room (6504 Delmar). This starts at 9, with a $5 cover (21+ only). Smoke-free.

Soma / Mutant Opera / Loza
Schlafly Tap Room 2100 Locust 9-12 Free Smoke-free

S deliver high-energy rock with hints of pop and punk. A grunge-like heavy rock sound from Missouri. Dreamy rock soundscapes by L.

Plush (3224 Locust) offers the jump ‘n’ jive of Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers, along with solo guitarist Ian Lubar (not familiar with him), starting at 9 with a $6 (18-up) cover.

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Posted by | January 27, 2012 | Local, Music | Comment 

All Aboard for Fun Times: St. Louis show highlights for January 25-26

All Aboard for Fun Times Train

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I’ve got a few items of interest before the weekend:

Wednesday, January 25

Samantha Crain / Old Lights

Off Broadway 3509 Lemp 9-11:30 $10 (+3 under 21) Smoke-free

A mix of folk, country and pop-rock sounds from Shawnee, OK’s SC. Rock with a sophisticated pop perspective from OL (Beth Bombara plays keyboards in OL and has toured in SC’s band, so there’ll likely be some intermingling).

Carriage House / Great Isaac / Susie Cue
El Leñador 3124 Cherokee 10-1 $5 (21+ only) Smoke-free

CH — because you like rock blended with a nice touch of folk (no way I could pass that up, sorry). GI is a folk-rock group I haven’t heard. Solo folk/blues sounds from the powerfully-voiced SC. This being Stag Nite, you can get cans for a buck until midnight.

Thursday, January 26

This is the final night for the Chippewa Chapel open mic at El Leñador. It’s moving to the Tin Can on Morganford. Attendance has been anemic of late, so this move should help to determine whether there’s something about the location putting off potential attendees — or if the abundance of similar events around town has caused this one to fall out of favor. Johnny Vega$ hosts this farewell edition, which starts at 9 and is free (21+ only).

Off Broadway hosts a free STL Loud Label Showcase, featuring energetic vintage jazz/blues sounds from Rum Drum Ramblers, solo folk from Rev. Matt and old-school bluegrass/folk from the Lulus.

I’m a bit confused by this event; prior showcases centered on a new edition of the compilation series — not the case tonight. Since there’s no cover for this, it’s also not raising money for the next one. At any rate, it’s a chance to hear some local talent for free (without the DIY sound that usually comes with no-cover venues — and frequently leaves something to desired). This starts at 8, and is 21+ only.

Your humble servant,

Dick Caveat

Posted by | January 25, 2012 | Local, Music | Comment 

All Aboard for Fun Times: St. Louis show highlights for January 20-22

All Aboard for Fun Times Train

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If you check out the music section of the RFT, you’re probably aware that Cicero’s has severed ties with the folks who were booking/managing shows for them; as a result, several shows planned for the next few months are in an “off-sale” status on their site.

If you had plans to attend something there, you may want to check the Firebird (where Mike Cracchiolo stills works/books) for info; some shows have also been relocated to the Gramophone.

It appears that mid-late January is being used as some down time for a lot of acts; there isn’t a lot going on during the week, and I’ve heard from a few venue sources that booking can be a challenge right now, hence the lack of anything from me since last week.

That being said, there are shows worthy of your consideration this weekend (things are jumping on Sutton in Maplewood):

Friday, January 20

The Sidemen, a jazz project that includes members of many other enjoyable acts (Swing Set, the Lettuce Heads, Western Satellites, Box of Nerves, etc.), play at Maya Café (2726 Sutton). I haven’t heard them yet, but their collective pedigree definitely infers goodness. This starts at 8. I don’t think there’s a cover. Smoke-free.

Ellen the Felon and the Mattronome / Spot Ons / No Man’s Law
Blueberry Hill Duck Room 6504 Delmar 9-12:30 $7 Smoke-free

EtFatM offer her strong voice and keyboards, playing cabaret-ish, jazzy pop songs, propelled by M’s elaborate and muscular drumming. SO play laid-back folk-pop.

NML are a recent addition to the music scene that I haven’t seen live; haven’t had any luck finding songs online, either.

Dots Not Feathers / Via Dove / Palace
Off Broadway 3509 Lemp 9-12 $5 (+3 under 21) Smoke-free

Mellow, intricate indie-folk from DNF. Rock-tinged with blues from VD. P play pop that is similar to Old Lights in their lighter moments, to my ears.

Saturday, January 21

New-ish group One Take play a blend of many acoustic styles at Stone Spiral Coffee & Curios (2500 Sutton), running 8-10. Donate what you will in the cookie jar, relax and enjoy a variety of beverages (no hard liquor) and tasty appetizers/desserts. All-ages and smoke-free.

The Vondrukes / The Lulus / Western Satellites
Off Broadway 3509 Lemp 9-12 $8 (+3 under 21) Smoke-free

TV mine the rockabilly, country and rock veins – and release an album tonight. The ladies of TL offer traditional-styled folk, country and bluegrass sounds, featuring strong vocals. WS are a quintet of seasoned players from a bunch of projects, spinning a web made of jazz, swing and honky-tonk threads.

Beth Bombara / The Blind Nils / Ben & Allie
Schlafly Tap Room 2100 Locust 9-12 Free Smoke-free


A mix of pop, folk and rock sounds from BB (I don’t know if she’s solo). Quiet folk sounds, with very tasty vocals and instrumentation, from TBN. B&A are a rootsy acoustic duo I haven’t had a chance to catch live yet.

John Henry & The Engine / John D. Hale Band / The Clones
Cicero’s 6691 Delmar 9-1 $8 (+3 17-20) Smoke-free

The situation with Columbia’s JH&TE is quite confusing; after I stated it wouldn’t be the band as known for their early December visit, it turned out that only the bassist was different (it appears the band may be continuing as a live unit, with his Nashville solo thing being studio-oriented). At any rate, they have a late-’70s/early-’80s bar band vibe to them, offering rootsy, bluesy rock.

In a similar vein, Jackson, Mo.’s JDHB offer rocked-up country. I couldn’t locate TC; I doubt they’re either of the local punk bands that used the name long ago.

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Posted by | January 20, 2012 | Local, Music | Comment 

Concert review: Kishi Bashi and the Hibernauts rewrite rock formulas at Off Broadway, Saturday, January 14

flickr.com/photos/phillymostlyvegan/5806476270 / Brandee Nichols

As a rule, I’m a comparative thinker. As a writer, I construct parallels and employ juxtaposition all the time. As a critic, I see comparison as a means towards a more accurate definition.

The Kishi Bashi/Hibernauts show at Off Broadway this Saturday afforded me an opportunity to indulge in a study of contrasts.

First, let’s dispense with the obvious. The Hibernauts are four very white guys from the local area and Kaoru Ishibashi (AKA Kishi Bashi) is an American violinist of Japanese descent from Seattle. In the words of Kishi Bashi’s sexually charged anthem — which some on Saturday may have remembered from the Luminary’s of Montreal show from last June — that’s “just the tip.” There’s other glaring contrasts that set these musicians into singular categories and points towards their respective fates.

The Hibernauts’ brand of South Side gritty is a classic example of a post-punk paradigm. What do you do when you grow up in the Midwest and make music? If you are a band by the name of the Hibernauts, you adopt the classic two guitar, bass and drums formula and hope to break out of formulaic results. To their credit, they bring energy and verve to the enterprise, and what kept this band together, even when only sporadically doing live shows or recording new music over the years, is what makes them fun to watch — a palpable synchronicity and the ability to play off one another.

That’s fine if you play the odd Off Broadway gig or jam out for the happy hour crowd at Maggie O’s, but in this era of music-by-demand and cloud-driven social phenomena, a band has to work something else: its network. The Hibernauts have fans, and the turnout this Saturday was respectable and lively, but I’m starting to see why they are “retiring”: They just didn’t create the kind of buzz that makes you heard above the fray, and when they played, it sounded familiar and catchy, and sometimes, regrettably, well — too familiar.

With no single vocalist’s voice pulling the band out of the norm, they seem almost destined for comparisons to other more successful bands. Which is too bad, since while it was billed as a review and featured an old setlist that stretched back to the early oughts, the best stuff they played was the newest. Indeed, “Backburner” should have been moved to the front.

If the Hibernauts represent a classic, tried-and-true formula, Kishi Bashi is a mad scientist tinkering with new elements and new recipes. Classically trained on the violin at the Berkeley School of Music, his instruments double as input devices to a series of loop and effects peddles. It’s no wonder he studied film scores, cause there’s a majesty in his music, and enough depth to inspire the imagination and fill in any gaps that might be left by the lack of a full band.

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Posted by | January 16, 2012 | Concerts, Local | Comment 

All Aboard for Fun Times: St. Louis show highlights for January 13-15

All Aboard for Fun Times Train

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I don’t know if they saw my comments with a trolling program, or if it was just coincidence, but the folks at Plush had the address on their website within 24 hours of my gripe about its absence.
 
It’s your turn, Mangia Italiano; they designed a nice new website with a month-long calendar — which still has last month’s shows as of press time. Old habits die hard.
 
Plenty of options this weekend; Friday is packed, while Saturday offers several tempting options — all running concurrently, for your inconvenience: 
 
Friday, January 13
 
The Red-Headed Strangers, who’ve been pretty quiet in recent months (due to babies, weddings, etc.), return to playing their country/rock/folk blend of originals and covers at the Focal Point (2720 Sutton). This starts at 8, with a $10 cover (proceeds benefit the facility). All-ages and smoke-free.
 
Todd Snider

Sheldon Concert Hall  3648 Washington  8-10  $25/20 (15 for students, if available) Smoke-free
 
Nashville’s TS, who gained a minor degree of notoriety with his song “Talkin’ Seattle Grunge Rock Blues” back in the early ’90s, is a singer-songwriter and raconteur with an acerbic wit. Hope you have tickets as this KDHX-presented show is sold-out.
 
Jason & the Scorchers / Brian Henneman
Off Broadway  3509 Lemp  9-12:30  $15 advance/18 door (+3 under 21) Smoke-free
 
A 30th anniversary tour visit from J&TS, brandishing the twangy, revved-up rock that lead to them being hailed as pioneers of cow-punk. BH performs a solo set of Bottle Rockets tunes and more.
 
Colonel Ford
Schlafly Bottleworks  7260 Southwest  9-12  Free  Smoke-free
 
Vintage-styled honky-tonk and country sounds from CF, with a nebulous but very skilled roster.
 
The Way Out Club (2525 S. Jefferson) offers a reunion by twangy rockers Free Dirt, who were a mainstay at the old club on Cherokee. They’re joined by Giants in the Sky and Lida Una – bands I’m unfamiliar with. This starts after 9, with an unknown cover charge (probably $5-7). Smoke-free.
 
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Posted by | January 13, 2012 | Local, Music | 1 Comment 

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