Author Archives: onwingsalit

Zine Workshop TONIGHT!

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Have you been interested in DIY publishing, but weren’t sure where to start? Maybe you have a collection of zines and are interested in finding more types or reading some new ones. Perhaps you’ve even made zines in the past, but you are looking to spice things up with some alternative bindings or unique formats?

If you could relate to any of the earlier sentiments, you might find tonight’s Zine Workshop helpful and informative! The latest offering by Kalamazoo Free School, this workshop is being led by our good friend Mira, with a little help from fellow zinesters DeGraw and Lauren.

For the uninitiated, zines are usually self-published booklets that can be in many formats and include a variety of subjects.  They can be instructional, historical, anecdotal, fictional or personal. Some are single page folded and some are intricate, large volumes with hand sewn bindings.

If you head over to Milhouse around 8 PM tonight, you’ll learn more about the history and variety of zines, as well as current zine culture and how people distribute and share their zines. There will also be a hands-on portion where you can practice binding techniques.

As with all Free School events, the workshop is open to people of all interest levels and abilities.  If you feel you have a decent knowledge of zines and would like to contribute to the conversation, your input is welcome. If you would like to bring a current zine project with you, there will be time for you to work on it in a collaborative environment. There will also be a zine library for browsing through.

TONIGHT 3/4 Harley Poe, Homeless Gospel Choir, Lincoln County War, Arms Akimbo @ Milhouse

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Hey guys, it’s Sam. I don’t usually contribute posts but tonight’s show is too good to pass up. So here goes:

Harley Poe has a special place in my heart. Singing about such delightful subjects as transvestites, cannibalism, zombie apocalypses and more of the strange horror and macabre that we all love, Joe Whiteford takes these dark subjects and puts delightful melodies behind them (a previous reviewer put it well: a mix between the Violent Femmes and The Misfits). You will wonder why you are walking around all day humming such frightening lyrics. The answer is: you can’t help yourself.

I’m excited to see the full band, who I have not seen yet. I can attest to how entertaining Joe and Christian are to see live. Joe’s dry humor and tiny stature are paired perfectly with Christian’s hearty laugh and impressive frame.

 

Homeless Gospel Choir has come up again and again as a band worth checking out and even better to see live. The lyrical content of Harley Poe and HGC are both full of wit and sharp humor pointed at society. Derek is also an impressive performer who can capture the room with his guitar and voice alone.

 

I would say that I love Lincoln County War even if the band members were not good friends of mine. Great lyricism and high energy are the highlights of this two piece band who explore dark themes in a raucous fashion. Sofia’s violin sweetly cries behind Benji’s strained and powerful voice.

Arms Akimbo is a long-time friend and fairly new transplant to Kalamazoo. They say that art comes from pain, and Topher Twiggs has broken my heart since the day I met him. The world is lucky that the kid learned how to play guitar and can write some decent lyrics.

I’m headed down to Milhouse around 9PM. Looking forward to hanging out in a living room and enjoying some solid acoustic acts.

HEY! the strutt is gonna be fantastic this evening!

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In case you haven’t received the memo, tonight’s show at The Strutt
is going to be totally killer!

Black Swans are a hot new up and coming indie band that is drawing praise from all over. They’ve toured with Okkervil River, Magnolia Electric Company and just released a spit 7″ with Bonnie Prince Billy.

They’ve got that perfect kind of hauntingly beautiful indie sound that just makes you want to turn the lights down and curl up with a blanket all day long. If you’re into bands like Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes or Arcade Fire then you owe it to yourself to be at The Strutt tonight.

White Pine's Joesph Scott

 

Joining the Black Swans is fellow touring artist White Pines and the ever amazing Michael Beauchamp. The fellow likes old timey music and eating strawberries in an old canoe. He is one of my local favorites.

 

The indelible Michael Beauchamp

 

Doors at 8:30, first band at 9:30
ONLY $5 FOR ALL THIS AMAZING MUSIC
See you there.

Like the sea, but with more guitars

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Tomorrow the Strutt is hosting a veritable smorgasbord of musical delights. I am excited, and you should be too.

The headliners are Caspian, instrumental post rockers supporting their recently released album Tertia. This is a video from that album:

Caspian has explored many formats for this release, which has been praised as their most cohesive and talented piece of work to date. I can only expect the live version to be captivating and loud as hell.

Supporting acts include Her Majesty’s Ship Victory! and Lights at Sea. These are two of my favorite bands in the area. HMS Victory! just practiced in my basement and I am sure that their performance tomorrow will only be more intense. These kids have been out of town for the summer, and we welcome them back. Think huge swells and epic soundscapes.

Lights at Sea continues in the same vein as the other two acts. Hailing from Grand Rapids, this group recently recorded a new album. So, we can look forward to new material. Let’s hope they continue with the same sense of foreboding, heavy post rock we have come to love.

Doors are at 7pm so don’t be late. Tickets are $10 at the door. If you hurry, you might still be able to pick up an $8 advance ticket from one of the HMS V! dudes, or at the Corner Record Shop in Kalamazoo. See you there!