It’s that time again!
That special time that comes around every so often in a town’s life when Michigan Folk favorites Seth Bernard and May Erlewine roll into town with their gaggle of friends and fellow musicians. The recipe’s perfect: incredibly talented musicians, song writing skills to embarrass your 8th grade English teacher, a whole evening’s worth of story-telling, and maybe even some good ol’ fashioned camaraderie… what’s there to lose!

As always they’ll be featured with a smattering of their usual line up of friends- Joshua Davis on keyboards, Mike Shimmin on drums, and Ian Gorman on bass. You really would be doing yourself an injustice if you miss this one!

So come on down for a evening of musical delights and do your soul some good!

THURSDAY, JUNE 30
BELL’S ECCENTRIC CAFE
$10 (holy cheap for a Bell’s show, Batman!)
21+ (sorry dudes…)

When I used to work at The Corner Record Shop I would sometimes go up and fill shifts at the Grandville store. Some pretty amazing records came through the door but one that stood out to me was ‘Ode To Quetzalcoatl’ by Dave Bixby. The title, coupled with the strange minimalist artwork, intrigued me. Sometimes, you can tell a record is gonna be good just by looking at it.

I listened to the record and was immediately interested. One of the best psych/folk albums I’ve ever heard! A lot of music in that genre is typified by odd instruments, lots of effects, ambient instrumental sections and general psychedelic sounds. However, this album was mostly just Dave’s vocals and acoustic guitar with some natural reverb and echo. What really set it apart was the mood. Practically the definition of haunting pop. These are beautiful songs but played with a feeling of torture and isolation. There is a profound sense of passion and longing. No doubt that the music is completely genuine.

I did some research and found that the album was actually recorded in Grand Rapids in 1969. Apparently Dave was a part of a drug cult at the time. One evening he found God and decided to renounce his ways and live a life of sobriety and peace. He was then promptly abandoned by the cult, his friends and the local Christian group. Shortly after he wrote and recorded ‘Ode To Quetzalcoatl’ as a reflection on his new found convictions and loneliness.

I then found out from CRS’s owner, Steve, that the record was super rare and was the kinda thing vinyl nerds went crazy for. We put the album on ebay and as I remember it ended up selling for close to $1000. I found the whole thing fascinating as there seemed to be very little known of Dave since then. He recorded a few other albums with no real success or acclaim and then seemingly dropped off the face of the earth for 40 years. As a lover of obscure music, I’ve come across many artists with stories ending similarly. I can’t help but wonder where some of them are currently and what they’re doing.

Normally the story would end there. However, a few weeks ago I got a unexpected email from the musician Derrick Hart. He wanted to know if I’d be interested in helping set up a show for this guy he’s touring with. DAVE BIXBY. I couldn’t believe it! Instead of just wondering what happened to him, Derrick actually tracked the man down and convinced him to go out on another tour. AFTER 40 YEARS! This kind of thing just doesn’t happen often.

So, all this to say, the one and only Dave Bixby will be playing The Strutt TONIGHT. Joining him will be Derrick Hart, Peter Damien Cook and Silphium Blooms (Tyler Bassett). Cover is only $5 and music starts at 9pm. All ages are welcome.

If this sounds at all like something you’d be interested in, please help spread the word! Let’s make sure Dave feels welcomed!!

What happens when you combine unhinged Noise and cute Indie Pop? A seisure? Well, yes, perhaps. But what’s more, you get AN AWESOME SHOW AT LOUIE’S! This show has somethin for the whole family- chaotic, ambient, free-jazzin’ noise and good old fashioned feel good music. Surely no disappointment to be had.

Chicago transplant Problems That Fix Themselves and Kalamazoo hometown-heroes Forget The Times will be rattling everyone’s brains late into the eve, and Iowa City’s The Wandering Bears and The Western Front will be delighting all with their sweet soda pop to round out the night.

The festivities get goin’ at 8 p.m. at Louie’s Trophy House Grill (773 W. Michigan)
Forget The Times plays first at 8:30 SHARP (no punk rawk time!)

$5/ 18+

GET ON DOWN!

Forget The Times:

The Wandering Bears:

Problems That Fix Themselves:

FRIDAY NIGHT!  Get with it, people!  The Strutt shall be hosting three excellent bands, each of an entirely different persuasion from the others.

NWE SPRYGHTS – wild prog rock from far beyond

PAUCITY – post-rock intensity

COMA NOVA – post-grunge weight!

photo by Jeremy Martin

The Strutt is located at 773 W. Michigan Ave. in Kalamazoo.  Cost of the show is $5 and it starts at 9 p.m.  Show is all ages!

Tonight, the Strutt plays host to a trio of most excellent songwriters and guitar-players the likes of which are hardly ever tucked under the same roof. David Dondero is one of them, and it’s a triumphant return that I know many folks have been waiting for.

Also taking stage tonight is the lead singer of Kalamazoo’s own Nightjars, Aaron Young. He’s doing a rare solo performance, and if it’s anything like his last rare solo performance, it’s going to be a real good one. Make sure you check it out.

Finally, The Go Rounds’ Gitis Baggs will be pickin’ and grinnin’ and doing those things that Gitis Baggs does. His tunes are more than killer, and similar to Aaron Young’s in that his solo sets are few and far between.

Music starts around 9pm and the door will cost 5 bucks to walk through. Not a bad price for a good time on a Monday night.

Kalamazoo’s premier local artist zine, Asylum Lake, have completed their 4th edition and are holding their release party tonight, Friday, June 10th, at Boomerang’s with performances from two bands the latest edition features, Almanac Shouters and Good News, as well as Lincoln County War.

Almanac Shouters/photo by Jeremy Martin

Almanac Shouters have but a few shows remaining before disbanding due to new paths to be traveled in life by bandmembers.  The folkpunk trio released their sophomore effort Windmills earlier this year, which is reviewed in this issue of Asylum Lake.

Lincoln County War is the project of the engaged Benji Myers and Sofia Peters, on guitar and violin respectively.  Both sing and have engaging tunes, falling somewhere between punk, Americana, and other!

Good News

Good News are the artist featured in Asylum Lake; the mathrock duo have spent the last year and a half perfecting their dynamic, shifting instrumentals and have grown incredibly tight.  Live shows are exhilarating!

Admission to this event is only $2!  Copies of Asylum Lake #4 will be on sale for $5.  Boomerang’s is located in the Rugger’s Up & Under building at 711 W. Michigan Ave in Kalamazoo.

This is a relatively exciting post for me personally, so I’m just going to get all the way down to business: Michael Chapman is a 70 year old man from the United Kingdom, over by way of Europe. he is also a brilliant musician and phenomenal guitar player. He is also playing The Strutt tomorrow here in Kalamazoo.

This is going to be an excellent show just in regards to Mr. Chapman. But in case that wasn’t enough, Kalamazoo locals Lincoln County War will be providing support. In case that’s still not enough, Matt Motzell – the drummer for local rockers Coma Nova – will also be performing a solo set, and his first solo set in a very long time.

It should be a night of excellent music, and for a mere pittance of $5 at the door, what more do you want on a Monday Night?

Music should start around 8:30, so get ready to rock right around then!