Bourbon & Beyond has just released it's 2019 line-up for their September 20th-21st event at the Kentucky Expo Center, and it reads like a 'best of' list from past Forecastle performances. Artists include classic rock icons Joan Jett, ZZ Top, Hall & Oates, The Flaming Lips, and Robert Plant, as well as contemporaries Leon Bridges, Kurt Vile, Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros, Cedric Burnside, Blackberry Smoke and locals White Reaper and Ben Sollee.
The schedule also has a stellar line-up of female artists including Margo Price, Jenny Lewis, and Grace Potter; far outweighing Forecastle's 2019 line up, although Forecastle has more local female artists including GRLwood and Carly Johnson.
Tickets range from $89.50 to $1600 and go on sale March 15th here.
On Saturday, March 2nd, one of the most bizarrely unique events took place at the Tiger Room in the famous Trixie's Adult Entertainment Complex on Preston Highway along the Greasy Ditch Canal.
Located in the same building as Trixie's Indulgence (the Erotic Dancing side of the complex) is the Tiger Room, a homage to the now closed Toy Tiger Venue, and oddly an all ages venue. Trixie's hosted the free event staring St. Louis' favorite clown, Clownvis Presley, and local party electronica duo Bus Hus, now celebrating their 20th year.
The 'King of Clubs' hosts 'The King of Clowns'
Oddly unique performance situations is nothing new for Clownvis, who has in the past performed while getting shot out of a cannon, at the funeral for Louisville Zombie Attack, and most recently at the legendary Gathering of the Juggalos; and has an upcoming project with the Insane Clown Posse.
So perhaps the 50+ Clownvis fans who ventured out to Trixie's may have found this particular event a little unorthodox, Clownvis felt right at home, entertaining the audience with his patented mixture of Stand-Up, Elvis Impersonation, Comedy songs, and magic; as well as with skits involving his ever rotating cast of characters; this time including his personal bodyguard Uncle "Huckle" Berry.
A new addition to the Clownvis set, was several songs played acoustically on guitar for a warm intimate segment of the show, and included the Clownvis original The Cursive Song.
Finishing the set, as always, with Elvis' famous finale the American Trilogy to massive crowd approval, Clownvis once again reminded Louisville why he is The King of Clowns, no matter the venue or occasion.
After the show the crowd was invited by the friendly and accommodating staff at Trixie's Indulgence to continue the festivities. And although there wasn't a sighting of Clownvis in Indulgence, many of the guests ventured over to 21+ side of Trixie's for an inviting and fun atmosphere and post show celebration for another unforgettable Clownvis experience.
Signing autographs for the youngest Clownvis fan to ever enter Trixie's
Fearless reporter John King bravely enters Trixie's Gold Room
Hot off the heels of his 2018 tour with Insane Clown Posse, everyone's favorite, Clownvis, will be at the Tiger Room at Trixie's on March 2nd with longtime Louisville electronic artists Bus Hus. Tickets are just one cent (VIP Tickets $15). Order here.
This year Louisville Is For Lovers has partnered with Studioworks; which provides a creative space for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that they may pursue their passion in creative arts. The 2019 Valentine's CD package was designed by artists at StudioWorks and the album release show that will be at StudioWorks (1503 Bardstown Road) on Friday Feb. 15th featuring Your Band, Sam Filiatreau & Maggie Halfman, Monkey Boy, Fiji Waters, & Eyeball.
Louisville Is For Lovers Showcase at StudioWorks (1503 Bardstown Road) on Friday Feb. 15th at 4pm & 7:30pm. $10ea/$15 per couple.
Planetary Overdrive talks about their new album, their song 'In Your Arms Again' on Louisville Is For Lovers 2019, and what it's like being in a family band.
Planetary Overdrive & Hawks will be playing the WFPK Live Lunch this Friday, February 1st, at noon.
Pardieu duo Brian Walter and Kyle Peters (who is also in The Pass) talk about their two tracks on the new Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's Compilation and an upcoming EP at our very first "Valentine's All Month" series at Tuesday Vinyl Nite at Butchertown Social.
Join us every Tuesday Nite from 9pm-1am at Butchertown Social for vinyl Nite.
Tuesday Vinyl Nite presents 'Valentine's All Month' at Butchertown Social:
1/22 with Hawks & The Fervor
1/29 with Planetary Overdrive
2/5 with Sam Filiatreau & Maggie Halfman
2/12 with Cody Johnson (Your Band)
2/19 with Chad Castetter (Cubic Centimetre)
2/26 Live Set with Carl Jacob & Sheri Lynn (Streeter)
Along with Louisville Is For Lovers, we sponsor Tuesday Vinyl Nite at Butchertown Social (1601 Story ave), a weekly free event with guest DJs and food and drink specials every Tuesday from 9pm-1am. We invite anyone to bring in a record to spin and our guests get an hour DJ set as well.
Now through the end of February, we are presenting 'Valentine's All Month' (but its actually one and half months!) and each Tuesday we are having an artist from the new Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's compilation as our guest DJs!
The first event will be with Pardieu members Brian & Kyle (also in The Pass), and we'll have champagne and dessert specials too! FB Event Page here.
Full Schedule:
1/15 with Pardieu
1/22 with Hawks & The Fervor
1/29 with Planetary Overdrive
2/5 with Sam Filiatreau & Maggie Halfman
2/12 with Cody Johnson (Your Band)
2/19 with Chad Castetter (Cubic Centimetre)
2/26 Live Set with Carl Jacob & Sheri Lynn (Streeter)
We asked Daeodon guitarist John Torstrick and vocalist Sam LeMay for a list of artists and albums they are looking forward to most in 2019.
1. Deftones
Sam: I wasn’t really a fan of 2016’s ‘Gore’ but I still bought it. It just seemed a little off. Come to find out their guitarist Stephen Carpenter wasn’t really into the songs on that record, and maybe that had something to do with it. Deftones have never left my playlists, and hopefully their new one in 2019 is back to business for them.
2. Flaming Lips
John: ‘The Soft Bulletin’ is a masterpiece. Always excited for new Flaming Lips.
3. Mastodon
John: I’ve only recently started digging into their catalog, and I have a long way to go. These guys seem super inventive and unique, I’ll be checking this out in 2019.
Sam: Mastodon is one of my favorite bands. ‘Emperor of Sand’ was amazing and so was the ‘Cold Dark Place’ EP. The more melodic and psychedelic they lean, the more I like it… although Brent Hinds was talking about doing a country album on ‘Let There Be Talk’ Podcast with Dean Delray. That would be a trip.
4. My Morning Jacket
John: I love 2005’s ‘Z,’ and will definitely check out what direction MMJ decides to go for their next album.
5. Pearl Jam
John: I've been a big fan since ‘Ten,’ but lost touch with them after ‘Yield.’ Still waiting for Eddie to reel me back in. I’ll be checking out their 2019 release, but might end up going back to ‘Vitalogy’ for rocking PJ.
6. Tool
John: They have the best chance of releasing something mind-blowing this year. I would never bet against Tool. If they seriously plan to release a new album this year, expect a banger (not sure what “banger” means, but sounds about right).
Sam: Maynard has said the reason he is in so many projects is because he needs to create, and create often. A Perfect Circle just released some really orchestral and emotional tracks on ‘Eat The Elephant’ and Maynard is one of my biggest influences so of course I’m ready for the next tool album. Jeez. Who isn’t at this point?!
Louisville Is For Lovers just announced this year's Valentine compilation release date and list of contributing artists. This year's album, vol. 14 in the series, will have 17 original tracks on CD or as a download and will be available on Feb.1st online and in Louisville record shops and can be pre-ordered now here.
This year's artists include first time contributors to the project including Drift City, Hawks, and Fiji Waters, as well as return guests including Brother Wolves, The Fervor, and Monkey Boy who was on the very first volume in 2001.
This year the project has partnered with Studioworks for the artwork of the album. Studioworks provides a creative space for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that they may pursue their passion in creative arts. The CD package will come with one of four covers designed by artists at StudioWorks and each of the four packaging options will have it's own exclusive bonus track. A deluxe version will be available in Louisville record shops that includes high quality reproductions of all four designs and a 2nd disc with all four bonus songs.
The album release show also be at Studioworks on Friday, February 15th, and proceeds from the show will go to benefit the arts program.
Further information on the album and partnership with Studioworks here.
Join us and Dr. Dundiff for the first Tuesday Vinyl Nite of 2019 on January 8th at Butchertown Social as we ring in the new year spinning our favorite records and yours! FB Event Page.
Dr. Dundiff's new album, Cool, with Otis Junior has just been released on Jakarta Records.
Often times a tumultuous or even disastrous year politically can bring a fountain of artistic delights; and even though in a lot of ways 2018 was disappointing; musically it was exciting all the way through. This year much of the ripples in the musical pond came from relatively smaller acts rather than big time names; creating an exciting wake of fresh and unique work.
Topping our list of favorite full length albums this year is the Brit-Punk outfit IDLES' album Joy As An Act Of Resistance and Car Seat Headrest, who topped our Favorites list in 2016. Both of these groups have released completely unique albums this year, that may have gone completely unnoticed in years past; or at least the messages in them would have been; but the climate was right in 2018 for new voices and new perspectives; albeit completely unlikely ones to top Best Of Lists.
Car Seat Headrest's newest, and 11th album, Twin Fantasy (Face To Face), is a complete re-recording of their 6th album Twin Fantasy (Mirror To Mirror), originally released in 2011, that helped frontman Will Toledo gain a cult following for his lo-fi gritty pop bandcamp recordings. One might argue that it isn't technically a new album but this new clearer recording helped Toledo grab a larger audience for his technically apt musical work as well as his unique take on heartbreak and healing. Had the larger world been listening in 2011 when the original Twin Fantasy was released, the world might have been stuck on the fact that it is an unabashed tale of a homosexual relationship, but hopefully in 2018 the world was ready to see it for what it truly is; a remarkable album both musically and lyrically as a heartbreaking work about love and love-lost, and the road to reclamation no matter who it is in the driver's seat.
If Twin Fantasy is remarkable for it's multi-layered complexity, IDLES' Joy As An Act Of Resistance is remarkable for it's blunt, and at times, brash sound and upfront political message; like a good natured European football hooligan spitting outrage over State sponsored violence, racism, and open homophobia. If Car Seat Headrest has spent the last 8 or 9 years releasing a dozen or so albums slowing amassing a loyal audience; IDLES spent much of the last 8 or 9 years hidden from view working on an attack plan; after releasing a lack luster radio-pop EP in 2012 they re-emerged in 2017 as a mutant beast of its former self with the aptly named well received Brutalism LP before completely shattering all expectations with Joy all the while paying homage to pop music's past; with not-so-subtle nods to everyone from Pavement to Nancy Sinatra with singer Joe Talbot as rambling ringleader barking about the weight of social traditions anchored in power grabbing hatred. Talbot's howling and circus-like showmanship is a perfect amalgamation of Jon Spencer and David Yow wrapped in a Bristol street poet paper bag that might have been under appreciated in years past; but if 2018 has taught us anything, it's that extreme behavior politically needs to be met with extreme opposition socially.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg of our top 50 favorite musical moments of 2018; including a mountain of great work from Louisville artists including Baby Bones, Barrel & Biscuit, and Brenda; as well as a slew of great soundtracks, singles and reissues including John Carpenter's Halloween soundtrack, Young Widows rarities collection, and the Satellite Twin/Mutts split single; and a whole lot more. Full Length Albums:
20- MC HIJACK "Tender Pieces" LP
19- Black Moth Super Rainbow "Panic Blooms" LP
18-Spiritualized "And Nothing Hurt" LP
17- Hot Wires "Dark Energy" LP
16- State Champion "Send Flowers" LP
15- Dr. Dundiff & Otis Junior "Cool" LP
14- La Luz "Floating Features" LP
13 - Planetary Overdrive "Boneyard" LP
12- Jaye Jayle "No Trail And Other Unholy Paths" LP
11- Shannon and the Clams "Onion" LP
10- Frankie Cosmos "Vessel" LP
9- Dr. Octagon "Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation" LP
8- Charles Bradley "Black Velvet" LP
7- The Breeders 'All Nerve' LP
6- Vive La Void S/T LP
5- Egyptian Lover "1985" LP
4- Oh Sees "Smote Reverser" LP
3- Lala Lala "The Lamb" LP
2- IDLES "Joy As An Act Of Resistance" LP (37FLOOD Approved)
1- Car Seat Headrest "Twin Fantasy" Face to Face LP (37FLOOD Approved)
Cover Albums, Compilations, & Live Albums:
5- Will Oldham "Songs Of Love And Horror" LP
4- OCS - Live In San Francisco LP
3- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds "Distant Sky" Live LP
2- Young Widows "DECAYED: Ten Years of Cities, Wounds, Lightness, and Pain" LP
1- Louisville Is For Lovers 2018 valentine's Album (37FLOOD Approved)
Soundtracks/Reissues:
5- ESG "Come Away With ESG" Reissue
4- Z Nation "The original Score Soundtrack Seasons 1-4" LP by Jason Gallagher
3- Car Seat Headrest Twin Fantasy (Mirror To Mirror reissue) LP
2- TRAFOZSATSFM: A Louisville Is For Lovers Tribute To Ziggy Stardust 2CD Reissue
1- Halloween Soundtrack by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies (37FLOOD Approved)
Louisville rock n' roll living legends Daeodon and GRLwood are playing at Mag Bar on Friday December 21st with El Bisonte, Manic Methed, and Julius, and we have two tickets to give-a-way!
Just share our Facebook post or tag a friend you want take to the show with you and we'll pick a winner at random on Sunday the 16th.
Louisville Is For Lovers just released a new Christmas Track by MC HIJACK for FREE on their site called Jingle Bells Y'all! and is a monster mix of danceable holiday songs from yesteryear including samples from Darlene Love and Pastor T. L. Barrett and the Youth For Christ Choir.
Looking back to 2016, it was a difficult year. One headline read 'The Year Music Everything Died." The Metropolitan Housing Coalition released the annual the State of Metropolitan Housing Report for 2016, in which Cathy Hinko, executive director of the Metropolitan Housing Coalition, has found that Housing costs has raised 20% from 2005-2015 and another 9% in the last year alone. People thought we had nowhere to go but up. But then 2017 happened. In Louisville it has been an especially bad handful of years, with the brunt falling on our city's working population. On December 8th, 2017, The city bulldozed a homeless camp in freezing temperatures, many losing everything they have with nowhere to go. The work of the Mayor and property speculators like Gill Holland have helped market our city to outside interests that have seen Real estate prices skyrocket. Louisville has seen a 34% increase in residents who pay more than 50% of their earnings to housing costs in the last 10 years, meanwhile wages in Louisville 'lag behind' making inflated living costs even more unattainable. According to the Housing report, an astounding 43% of the population of Louisville cannot afford adequate housing without "taking on excessive cost-burden." The report also states that an average Louisvillian would need to make about $20/hr full time to meet basic quality of life needs, and yet our Mayor promised to veto a minimum wage increase over $9/hr. That's not even half of what is needed to barely scrape by in Louisville. Full time work at minimum wage doesn't even crack $14,000 a year. If the mayor had ever tried to survive under the poverty line he would know the impossibility of escape, and the economic slavery it creates. The mayor routinely gives sweetheart deals to outside interests, like $30 million for the soccer arena witch will stand where the homeless camp used to be, and skyrocketing rents and run-a-way AirBnBs that drop the amount of available rental units in the city center, pushing the lower income residents further out with longer commutes and less career options. I'm not saying Greg Fisher needs to try and take care of his family on $14K a year, I'm just saying he needs to stop forcing the rest of us to do so.
Louisville Metro Government: You Won't Be Alright
Fisher has created an inescapable economic prison in which the population grows daily, so that Property speculators and land developers can make hand over fist pimping out our city for high rise luxury condos and city funded arenas, while the poor are herded en mass further and further away from the city center. And if they refuse, they are literally removed by the police, as we saw in December of last year. “That is not accidental,” said Kathy Hinko in a recent WFPL interview; “We’ve done everything in our power to herd low income people into small geographic areas.” And yet our mayor cannot see beyond the money signs in his eyes to stop this crisis while our city crumbles. In 2016 Fischer attended SXSW, the annual the music, media, and film festival is set in the heart of America's latest 'it' city, Austin Texas, with the expressed interest of learning more about how to create a population boom like Austin, and Williamsburg New York before that, and Portland Oregon before that. "It" cities rise to international spotlights, riding on waves of local music, culture, and above all, affordable housing for those who want to experience it. We saw this happen almost overnight in New Orleans after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina left a multitude of empty homes at rock bottom prices. Just 10 years later in the Big Easy a one bedroom apartment goes for more than $1,200 a month. Thats up by 50% in the last 5 years. Austin's is worse, rising 80% in the last 5 years. What's all this have to do with our Mayor? Besides his love for trendy photo-ops at music festivals and Bourbon Tastings, He has big plans for Louisville, mostly he wants to make Louisville the next Austin. This is great news for property owners and investors who may see 50 to 80% growth in rental income but bad for everyone else, especially the 60,000 Louisvillians who spend more than 30% of their income in rent, not to mention the 24,000 who spend more than 50% in rent (me included). If rent jumps up 50% or more, many of these people will have no recourse but exile in the far reaches or homelessness. But the mayor is pushing big time for a population boom anyway. In an interview on WFPL, Jacob Ryan asked the mayor if he wanted a population boom like the one in Austin, and the mayor's reply was “We want to grow faster, we want to be more global, but we always want to be mindful of keeping the soul of our city as well.” Good news, mayor, your boom is here. The average one bedroom in Louisville is now $760 a month, with the average apartment in Schnitzelburg costing the same as apartments in Cherokee Triangle. If you are not a person scraping by on minimum wage, imagine making $1,000 a month with $240 left after paying rent. Personally I make about $900 a month with $700 going to rent and utilities, another $90 a month for car insurance, and $50 for cell service. That leaves $160 a month ($40 a week) for everything else: gasoline, food, clothes, everything. That's under $6 a day. But when nearly half of our residents cannot meet basic living standards, it has become an epidemic. We cannot stand idly by any longer watching our city turn into a playground for the rich and a prison for the poor. When I first began writing about the gentrification crisis in Louisville (5 years ago) I received hate mail from people calling me a stupid idiot standing in the way of progress; I don't get many of those anymore. Now I get email from working mothers desperate to find affordable housing in Louisville. But if you are a single mother making $1,000 month and the average 2 bedroom apartment in Germantown is $900 a month you have no choice but to fall into debt just trying to keep your children fed. When the basic cost of living is higher than the minimum wage we see working neighborhoods fall into desperate situations. The federal government's 'County Health Rankings' found that 22% of children in our city live in poverty, that's 1 in 5 children that does not get enough food to eat on a daily basis. One starving child in our city is too many but this is a crisis. But you don't have to be living under the poverty line to decide that this government enforced economic slavery is unjust and needs to end. You can still be a democrat while also telling Fischer this all needs to stop. When will the rich and powerful have enough? The truth is, they won't ever push the plate away and say they have had their fill. Greed pushes away sanity and empathy. They won't stop, and we have nothing left to give.
