Wednesday, July 26, 2017

7/29: PotterPalooza at the Louisville Free Public Library Main Branch

For everyone who has listed 'Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft' as your alma mater on Facebook, head down to the Louisville Free Public Library this Saturday July 29, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. for PotterPalooza (301 York Street), in honor of Harry Potter's Birthday (which is technically July 31st).

The event claims to have everything Harry Potter, a Diagon Alley exhibit, a Muggle Museum,  magical craft making, broomstick flying lessons, Quidditch, and more.



Activities for younger fans will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., and activities for older kids, teens, and adults will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Carmichael’s Kids will be selling books from the series during the event. And of course, everyone is invited to dress as their favorite character from the world of Harry Potter. FREE.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Interview: Phillip Olympia of Never Nervous

As part of 37FLOOD's 10th Anniversary we have asked Louisville writers to talk about music, Louisville, culture, and what it's like writing about it all in the Derby City. We will be posting the interviews throughout the summer.

Phillip Olympia is the founder of the Louisville music & entertainment blog Never Nervous, which he began in 2011. He is also a musician and operator of Dunkenstien Records

37- What is the name of the publication you write for?

PO- Never Nervous, obviously named after Louisville Basketball legend Never Nervous Pervis Ellison.

37- How long has it been operating?

PO- I started Never Nervous in 2011 as a sort of excuse to keep in touch with music in Louisville. The band I was in at the time had just broken up, and considering there wasn’t another band for me on the horizon I figured this would be a good way to contribute to the “scene”.

37- How long have you been covering music in Louisville?

PO- I’ve only been “covering” music since 2011, but I’ve been personally documenting it since the late 90’s by purchasing tapes, CDs and records from countless bands thanks to likeminded friends that introduced me to bands like Bodyhammer, Elliott, Seaside Panel and By the Grace of God when I was a teenager.

37- What made you decide to cover music in Louisville?

PO- To start, Bryan Volz and Louisville Hardcore were a major inspiration behind Never Nervous. I loved what he did, I loved his passion, but wanted to expand beyond Louisville’s heavier side.

In short, I just fucking love this city and it’s weird collection of artists and musicians. I haven’t been actively playing music in a while, so as a spectator, how could I not? I’m never bored in Louisville as a fan of music, and I don’t see that ever changing.

37- What has been the most exciting or rewarding  post you have written?

PO- That’s an impossible question to answer. I’ve gotten all-the-way-hard writing about all sorts of things, whether it be reminiscing about Bodyhammer’s “Die Young Amplifiers” album, interviewing Will Oldham about his Merle Haggard covers record, or telling people how awesome Rec Bar was when they first opened. Just about every thing I post about is a boner for me, and if it wasn’t I wouldn’t write about it.

37- Has there been a scandalous situation you have been involved with during your time as a music writer?

PO- Shit, John.. I don’t think I’ve ever written anything scandalous or controversial, aside from a few record reviews that weren’t 100% positive where the band/artist put me/NN on blast for not falling in love with their project. But that’s not really news as a “music writer” right? Sometimes you love it, sometimes you don’t, but there’s almost always something to appreciate from a genuine artistic output, right? Yes, I’m right.

37- What Local music publications or writers do you keep up with?

PO- I mean, all of them? I guess? LEO still turns me on to some cool shit and rjmeads.com is a killer hip hop blog. I’ve actually been subscribed to the 37Flood e-mail list for years. But to be honest, I spend so much time in the Never Nervous e-mail inbox sorting through this and that figuring out what’s what that I don’t have much time to get to much else aside from clicking links on social media. The only blog that I anxiously comb through on a daily basis is Bloody Disgusting, because duh, it’s awesome.


37- What are some of your favorite events you have covered?

PO- Man, covering last year’s Days of the Dead horror convention was a fucking blast. Meeting the cast from Return of the Living Dead and a bunch of other horror icons (like Sid Haig!) was so much fun. I know that’s not related to music, but hot damn, that was a great time.

Aside from that, Poorcastle is always a blast, as is Forecastle. I also had a great time hanging out at last year’s Louisville Arcade Expo, especially when Bit Brigade performed their version of the soundtrack to Mega Man II as a speed runner blew through the game while remaining in sync with the band. It was nuts!

37- What do you see in the future for Louisville Music?

PO- In the near future I see Louisville’s hip hop scene continue to blossom as a unique community unlike any other. I feel like acts such as James Lindsey, Touch AC, 1200, Shadowpact, Goodbar & RMLLW2LLZ (to name a few) are so fucking brilliant; I’m proud to walk on some of the same dirt as those dudes for sure.

Aside from that, who the hell knows? I like being surprised, I prefer to not prognosticate. Every week something awesome arrives in our inbox, or something brilliant will surface on Bandcamp or Soundcloud (although Soundcloud sucks, I wish people would stop using it).


In closing, I love this god damned town, warts, farts and all. I love the noise, I love the food, I love the beer, I love the fun. Never stop being awesome, Louisville.


Friday, July 21, 2017

Photo Review: Forecastle 2017




Panorama of Sturgill Simpson crowd. Photo by John King/Fair Use


Quiet Hollers' Jim Bob and Aaron (and security). Photo by John King/Fair Use

Shadwick, Dave & Jake of Quiet Hollers. Photo by John King/Fair Use

Port-a-Potty art

Todd & Neil of Jaye Jayle. Photo by John King/Fair Use

Jaye Jayle w/ Emma Ruth Rundle. Photo by John King/Fair Use


Our short video of a dancer at the Jaye Jayle set received
 130,000 views over the Forecastle weekend 

 Photo by Marife Bautista 

 Photo by Marife Bautista 

 Photo by Marife Bautista 

 Photo by Marife Bautista 


Run The Jewels Killer Mike & El-P.   Photo by Marife Bautista 

 Photo by Marife Bautista 
                                             

El-P of Run The Jewels.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

R-T-J!  Photo by Marife Bautista 

 Photo by Marife Bautista 

Mandolin Orange. Photo by Marife Bautista 
Alex Smith (of Howell Dawdy), John King (of 37FLOOD), Nik Vechery (of LEO).
 Photo by Marife Bautista 





Matt Shultz of Cage The Elephant.  Photo by Marife Bautista 
                                                 

Griz.  Photo by Marife Bautista 


Party Cove for unaccompanied youth.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

Teddy Abrams and Friends.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

Scott 'Heavy Friend' Carney.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

Teddy Abrams.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

Teddy Abrams and all his friends.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

Party Cove.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

Party Mermaid.  Photo by Marife Bautista 



Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Phantogram. Photo by Marife Bautista 



 Crowd at PJ Harvey set. Photo by John King/Fair Use

Sturgill Simpson and Co.  Photo by Marife Bautista 

Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel. Photo by Marife Bautista 


LCD Soundsystem. Photo by Marife Bautista 

LCD Soundsystem. Photo by Marife Bautista 
LCD Soundsystem, Photo by Marife Bautista
Party Cove Mermaid Explosion. Photo by John King/Fair Use

Party Cove. Photo by John King/Fair Use

Jake (Never Nervous) and John (37FLOOD) working hard for you.
The Screamin' Eagle Charles Bradley. Photo by John King/Fair Use

The 'Extra Special Lover' Charles Bradley

Charles Bradley. Photo by John King/Fair Use

PJ Harvey Crowd. Photo by John King/Fair Use

Kentucky State Flag. Photo by John King/Fair Use

37FLOOD's Head Photographer Marife Bautista in action.
Photo by John King/Fair Use

Conor Oberst. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Conor Oberst & Co. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Photo by Marife Bautista 

Photo by Marife Bautista 

Art Wall. Photo by Marife Bautista 

STRFKR.  Photo by Marife Bautista 
Mick Harvey & PJ Harvey. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Polly Jean Harvey and sax. Photo by Marife Bautista 

PJ Harvey band. Photo by Marife Bautista 

PJ Harvey band. Photo by Marife Bautista

PJ Harvey. Photo by Marife Bautista

X Ambassadors. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Foxygen. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Foxygen. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. Photo by Marife Bautista 

King Cuomo. Photo by Marife Bautista 


Forecastle 2017 finale. Photo by Marife Bautista 

Clean up time. Photo by Marife Bautista