Interview: Jessica Bailiff

Jessica Bailiff is known for her work in shoegaze and dream pop, releasing five albums with Kranky Records, and has collaborated with artists such as Low's Alan Sparhawk, Odd Nosdam, and Dave Pearce. Her latest collaboration is a cover of the Misfits song 'Hybrid Moments' with John King of The Gallery Singers and Electric Choir, on the compilation Louisville Babylon III, released this month on Louisville Is For Lovers Records. 

37-Do you have much of a connection to the Misfits besides this new recording? 

JB- I never really got into them. My husband’s car has their skeleton face thingy hanging front the rear view mirror, and I occasionally drive it, does that count? 

37- Yes it does. How do you feel about themed/holiday albums in general? 

JB - I hold no grudges against holiday albums. They can be fun. 

37- You are known for collaborating with other artists besides your own solo work; who are some of those you have worked with? 

JB - Annelies Monseré from Belgium, she’s the most recent and constant collaborator. We have an album that will hopefully be released sometime next year. I did Eau Clair with Rachel Staggs (All In the Golden Afternoon, from Austin), she’s my musical sister and dear friend. We always hope to do something else together. I had so much fun doing some songs with Odd Nosdam, too, just after the cLOUDDEAD era. A truly special project was clearhorizon with Dave Pearce of Flying Saucer Attack. We made one album inspired by some unfinished FSA tracks, and started another that we’ll probably never finish, but he’s full of surprises so you never know. 

 37- Do you expect to do more collaborations in the future? 

JB - I was invited to play on the next AMP album, hopefully that will work out. The world is in such upheaval now, things are uncertain but remarkably hopeful. 

37- Have you done many covers songs/records in the past? 

JB - Yes, I love doing covers. I’ve done a version of “Cave In” by Codeine, and used to play “Sea” live. There’s a recording of Lou Reed’s “Oh, Jim,” a Low song, “Down,” for a tribute comp and “Sort Of” for a His Name Is Alive comp - no idea if that one ever was released. “Fly” by Bridget St. John was in my live set when touring with Annelies. I’ve been playing some PJ Harvey songs from the album White Chalk on piano lately, just for myself.

Quarantine Stay-Creative challenge: Record A Misfits Cover Song For Upcoming Compilation

In 1994 the Analog Distillery label released a compilation of Louisville artists covering the Misfits, In 2007, for the 13th anniversary, Louisville Is For Lovers released a follow up, Louisville Babylon II, and now, as it is at the 13th anniversary of Babylon II, Louisville Is For Lovers has issued a quarantine Stay-Creative challenge asking Louisville artists to record a Misfits cover at home for a third Louisville Babylon compilation that will release later this year. Details here.

Review: Drift City 'Mercurial Mirrors' LP

Hot off the heels of their very impressive contribution, Make Believe, from the 2020 Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's compilation 'Dreaming In Love City' comes the first full length LP by the band Drift City, headed by the elusive J Rivers, titled Mercurial Mirrors.


The solid 8 song LP begins like a fever dream, halfway etherial, halfway ephemeral, as if saddling the ghost of Sparklehorse.

The album's first single, Sailor, sounds as if the ghostly dreampop of David Lynch collided with Johnny Jewel's candy coated synth-pop to create a smoldering Chromatics album at the dark end of the street. J Rivers vocal work evokes a feeling of beautiful agony that resonates throughout the entire LP.


Side B starts with the hopeful, gospel anchored Show Me The Way, before drifting back into twilight with Flock of Birds featuring Louisville legend Chris Rodehoffer's haunting peddle steel, but returns to a more hopeful feeling with So Memory. Unlike side A, which is masterful in its tragic beauty, side B shows the other hand, an uplifting and hopeful -if not a little more country- side to Drift City, like Hope Sandoval wrapped in southern charm.

In all, Mercurial Mirrors is a must for anyone who has kept up with the work of Drift City, or anyone who enjoys their dreampop a little darker and dipped in Kentucky roots.

2/14 FREE Valentine's Day Events in Louisville

Valentine's Day at the Louisville Visitor Center Stop in to 301 South Fourth St from 10 am-5pm for free Schimpff’s (Indiana candy makers) Red Hot hearts and flowers. More Info Here.

Louisville Is For Lovers Live Lunch with The Excuses and Rebecca Williams. Noon. WFPK Studios. Lunch provided by New Wave Burritos. More Info Here.

PAL-ENTINE’S DAY at Nachbar with The Winger Brothers, Underberglers, and DJ McKinley Moore.  Bring a box of children's Valentines to swap. 8pm. More Info Here.

Favorites List of 2019

    At the end of every year when we compile our Year End Favorites we remark on how great the music was that year, and surely think it can't be beat, and then the next year's list comes in and and we, again, are amazed.

   What was apparent for 2019 that is rare, is that great albums were released all year long, not stacked around key sales dates like Black Friday/RSD days. Kelly Finnigan, Sharon Van Etten, and Shana Cleveland all had early release dates and are all solid records by solo artists; and same for our #1 full length album pick, Orville Peck's Pony LP, released in March and still in heavy rotation here at the 37FLOOD HQ. Not surprising is the amount of high quality local albums released this year, including Hawks, DJ DS, Planetary Overdrive, Twin Limb, Bonnie 'prince' Billy, Dr. Dundiff, and a lot more.

   It continued to be an amazing (and puzzling) year for physical media. Imaginative vinyl packages such as Angel Olsen's All Mirrors on double clear vinyl with poster and booklet for the steal of a price at $24 and the posthumous Leonard Cohen Thanks For The Dance, which is gorgeous, but follows the major label president for charging way to much for no damn reason; $30 for one black vinyl LP with no booklet or even download card. The Lightning Dust Spectre LP on orange moon marble, and Mattiel's Satis Factory on cautionary yellow were very clever with no additional cost at $22 each. Orville Peck's Pony was originally released on splatter yellow vinyl and red cassette at a steal of $17 and $8 respectively but sold out immediately; The underappreciated Boduf Songs and Kelly Finnigan LPs both available on archival quality vinyl at no upcharge, and there were some interesting bundles as well; Bonnie 'prince' Billy's I Made A Place bundle (at the hefty $50) came with a 7" single not available individually and in a limited edition tote.

Some great 2019 albums failed to get vinyl releases, most notably the Twin Limb and Prayer Line albums, although the latter is available on blood red cassette. Whatever your media preference, 2019 stacked up nicely on creativity, quality, and diversity of genre.

Angel Olsen - All Mirrors
Great Value: 2 Clear LPs + Poster= $24

Lightning Dust - Spectre
Good Value: 1 Marble LP = $22

Leonard Cohen 'Thanks For The Dance'
Least Value: 1 Black LP = $30

Full Length Albums:

20. Karen & the Sorrows - Guaranteed Broken Heart
19. Frankie Cosmos - Close it Quietly
18. Shana Cleveland - Night of the Worm Moon
17. Boduf Songs - Abyss Versions
16. Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel
15. DJDS - Vibes
14. Prayer Line - Drink The Blood
13. Sharon Van Etten - Remind Me Tomorrow
12. White Reaper - You Deserve Love
11. Bonnie 'prince' Billy - I Made A Place
10. The Hu - The Gereg
9. Dr. Dundiff - The Distance
8. Twin Limb - In The Warm Light, As A Ghost
7. Leonard Cohen - Thanks For The Dance
6.  Angel olsen - All Mirrors
5. Hawks - Truth Will Out
4. Lightning Dust - Spectre
3. Kelly Finnigan - The Tales People Tell
2. Mattiel - Satis Factory
1. Orville Peck - Pony (37FLOOD approved)

Orville Peck 'Pony' Paper Cut Out Fan Art

 Cover Albums, Compilations, Soundtracks, & Reissues:

10. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2007
9. Rob Halford - Celestial
8. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2010
7. Big Trouble Little China OST
6. The Pop Group: Y (Definitive Edition)
5. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2009
4. V/A - River City Rumble Vol. 2
3. V/A - Louisville Is For Lovers 2006
2. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling OST
1. Louisville Is For Lovers 2019 - American Promenade (37FLOOD approved)

EPs & Singles:
10. Body Count - Carnivore
9. Black Mountain - What's Your Conquest?
8. Rebecca Rego & the Trainmen - Fear, Love, and Greed
7. Tristen - Dream Within A Dream
6. Planetary Overdrive - Manual Override
5. Dom B - Dark Heart
4. Twin Limb - Water
3. Lala Lala & WHY? - Siren 042
2.  Bonnie 'prince' Billy - At the Back Of the Pit
1. Davilà 666 - Huesos Viejos (37FLOOD approved)

Louisville Shows:

15. Rock N Roll $20 Art Show w/Hawks
14. The Pleasure Boys & Sour Milk Sea Allstar Band at Kaiju
13. Hawks, Los Dolores, & The Captain The Ship at Zanzabar
12. Juneteenth at Butchertown Social
11. 2019 Louder Than Life
10. Adia Victoria at Waterfront Wednesday
9. Planetary Overdrive and Proles at Kaiju
8. Wingerfest 

7. Louisville Is For Lovers 2019 Live Lunch with Hawks & Planetary Overdrive
6. Louisville Is For Lovers Valentine's Showcase
5. The Glasspack, Call Me Bronco, Sound Company, Wiirmz at Headliners
4. Clownvis at Trixies Tiger Room
3. Mono, Emma Ruth Rundle, & Dane Waters at Headliners
2. 2019 Bourbon And Beyond

1. Cowboy Kev at Butchertown Social

Louisville Is For Lovers Vol. 9 & 10 Reissued

Looking for that last minute gift for a Louisville music fan? In keeping with a promise to make available all past editions of the Valentine's compilation for the 20th anniversary in February 2020,  Louisville Is For Lovers has just reissued digitally volumes and 9 & 10, which include original work by Bonnie 'prince' Billy, My Morning Jacket, Cheyenne Mize, and many more. Each edition also comes with bonus tracks from the PS I Love You hidden discs, topping out at 32 tracks for vol. 9 and 30 tracks for vol. 10, and just for $5 each. With one click they can be sent as a gift for a thoughtful last minute gift.

Louisville Is For Lovers reissuing all of the Valentine's Day Compilations

As part of Louisville Is For Lovers 20th Anniversary this coming February they are reissuing all of the Valentine's Day compilations digitally for only $5 each. Volumes 1-5 and 11-14 are already available and 2 more will be reissued every month until the release of the 15th Valentine's compilation on February 1st, 2020. 

Just released for November is volume 6 and 7, which have never been reissued before, volume 6 originally sold out in one month due to the inclusion of Bonnie 'prince' Billy,  My Morning Jacket, and The Phantom Family Halo all being on the same release for the first time. 

These reissues have over 30 exclusive tracks collectively and both releases have added bonus tracks. Get yours here. 

6/19 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration with Kr8vN8vs & Louisville Is For Lovers

We are proud to co-host the 2nd annual Juneteenth Celebration with Kr8vN8vs & Louisville Is For Lovers!

Starting at 8pm at Butchertown Social artists from Kr8vN8vs & Louisville Is For Lovers will perform all night in a family atmosphere with both food and drink specials. The celebration is free and open to all.

About Juneteenth:
Known as 'Juneteenth', 'Emancipation Day', or 'Freedom Day', this annual holiday originated out of Texas and has been celebrated for 150 years commemorating the end of slavery following the Civil War, and continues to be an important, if underreported, holiday in America and is celebrated every June 19th.

Event Info Here.

5/25: LFPL's Louisville Mix Discussion on Louisville Is For Lovers Series

The Louisville Free Public Library's Louisville Mix will be discussing and listening to excerpts from the Louisville is For Lovers series this Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. at the Bon Air Library (2816 Del Rio Place).

Vinyl Nite Podcast #108: Drift City

Louisville garage rockers Drift City talks about their track, The Transmutable Heart, on Louisville Is For Lovers 2019, and their upcoming free show with Hawks at The Butchertown Social on Friday, March 29th. Event info here.

Photo Review: Sam & Maggie at StudioWorks

Photo Review of Sam Filiatreau & Maggie Halfman at StudioWorks

by Will Fenwick

2/15: Louisville Is For Lovers Showcase

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. 

Reserve Tickets Here.

Vinyl Nite Podcast #107 with Planetary Overdrive

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.

Louisville Is For Lovers 2019 Announced

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.

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Photo Review: Whistle Peak Phantom Family Halo at Zanzabar

Photo Review by Phaedra King

Free Christmas Track from MC HIJACK & Louisville Is For Lovers

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.



And if free Christmas music isn't enough, Louisville Is For Lovers also has as 25% off sale on all apparel until Christmas.

12/29: Phantom Family Halo & Whistle Peak at Zanzabar

The Phantom Family Halo will be playing their first Louisville show in 5 years at the TRAFOZSATSFM: A Louisville Is For Lovers Tribute To Ziggy Stardust showcase at Zanzabar on Saturday Dec. 29th with Whistle Peak, reuniting specifically for this event.
The 2 disc reissue releases on December 1st online and at Louisville stores, and can also be preordered here.

Tickets to the showcase can be found here and at Guestroom Records.

Louisville Is For Lovers To Reissue Ziggy Stardust Tribute Album

On Dec. 1st, 10 years to the day,  Louisville Is For Lovers will be reissuing the TRAFOZSATSFM: A Louisville Is For Lovers Tribute album both digitally and as a limited edition 2 CD set. Both versions come with the original 14 track version with contributions from Wax Fang, Trophy Wives, Whistle Peak and others, but will also include 2 tracks originally only issued as singles by IamIS and Dangerbird as well as a hidden remix track, but the CD set will also include alternate tracks never before released by The Phantom Family Halo and the Gallery Singers; as well as a '10 Years' remix by MC HIJACK.

TRAFOZSATSFM Reissue can be pre-ordered here and will be available in Louisville stores on Dec. 1st.

Video Exclusive: MC HIJACK in 'Road Rage Dance Off'

Louisville Is For Lovers has just released a new video featuring breakdance artist Prep D (from Team Totoro) featuring 2 songs from MC HIJACK'S new album Tender Pieces.



MC HIJACK also makes an appearance, as The Driver,  as well as Team Totoro member KY Jenny.

Tender Pieces was released on July 5th entirely for free (downloads as well as CDs) and is available here.

Submit to Louisville Is For Lovers 2019 Valentine's Album

Submissions for Louisville Is For Lovers 2019 Valentine's album are now open! If you are interested in submitting a song for the 2019 compilation please visit the Louisville Is For Lovers Submit page and send tracks (2 max per band/artist) via email before October 15th, 2018.