6/19: Juneteenth Celebration and Kr8vN8vs Showcase

Join us, Louisville Is For Lovers, Kr8vN8vs, and Never Nervous on Tuesday June 19th for a Juneteenth Celebration and Kr8vN8vs showcase featuring performances by Rmllw2llz, Dom B, W.I.P., Ralph Blacc, Pronoun, and DJ DS at OuterSpace at Galaxie Bar. This event is Free to all. We will also be giving away tickets to see Rmllw2llz at Poorcastle on July 7th! Event info here.

5/18: Hot Wires album Release Show with Adventure & Baby Bones at Zanzabar

Louisville's Hot Wires are releasing their new album, Dark Energy, this friday with an album release show at Zanzabar with Baby Bones and Adventure.

Hot Wires

In a new 'Best Buddies' podcast collaboration, 37FLOOD & Never Nervous speak to local musicians during vinyl nite at Galaxie (every tuesday 8pm-midnight) and air the podcasts on Never Nervous.
Follow this link to hear our Podcast with Hot Wires (and exclusive tracks from the new album). 

Album Release Show info here.

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.

Interview: Jake Hellman of Never Nervous and Quiet Hollers

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.

Jake Hellman is a music and culture writer for the Louisville entertainment blog formed in 2011,  Never Nervous,  and is the bassman for Quiet Hollers, whose third album Amen Breaks was released on 7/7/17. They will be playing Forecastle on 7/14/17. 

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

JH- Since 2012

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

JH- I was blogging on my own about random things that intrigued me, as well as writing for CardinalConnect.com and NBA2LOU.com. Phillip Olympia and I were hanging out at Forecastle and he asked if I was interested in writing for his website. For me it was a way to stay in touch with the local music scene that I had always loved.

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

JH- 2 moments come to mind. A few weeks ago a hip hop show was held at Z-Bar to thank us for the work we do at NN. That was a special moment for me. As we were on stage being presented a thank you it just felt surreal. I grew up in Bullitt County loving hip hop and learning to play bass to it, but I never thought I would actually get to be a part of it.

Personally, my most rewarding post was randomly reviewing Quiet Hollers self titled album. I fell in love with the music. A few months later I was in the band. It's funny how things come together that way sometimes.

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

JH- I've never had a “scandal” situation thankfully. The first review I ever wrote for NN was for the first Shadowpact album. I kind of took a dump on it. I didn't hate it completely but I was brutally honest about how I felt about it in that moment. Now I like the album and I'm great friends with those guys. They sometimes thank me for my honesty in that post, but I don't feel great about it.

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

JH- LEO, 37Flood (DUH!), and RJMeads.com. Syd Bishop, Scott Roecker, Phillip Olympia, Allen Poe, RJ Meads. I've got love for everyone who gives their time to this sometimes penniless and thankless profession.

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

JH- Definitely Poorcastle. If anything represents what the guys at NN are all about, it is that Festival.

Next on my list would be last years NN Christmas party. There was a vibe that day that I've never experienced before or after. Everyone was loving life and enjoying great music in Phil’s living room (AKA Never Nervous Headquarters).

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

JH- Louisville has the potential to be a smaller version of what New Orleans is. A music scene that is respected worldwide. A city that no matter what day you show up you will see some amazing music, and probably party hard too. There are so many great bands making waves nationally and internationally right now. I think the next step is seeing our hip hop scene expand outside of the city limits as well. I feel like that's about to happen with producers like Eons D putting in some amazing work.

3/6 Jalin Roze, 1200, Allen Poe @ New Vintage

our friends at Never Nervous are hosting a massive Hip Hop event at New Vintage on March 6th with   over 10 artists including Jalin Roze, 1200, Allen Poe (from our state's capitol) and 37FLOOD favorite Skyscraper Stereo. $10/$6 for UofL Students.