Author Archives: rraarrss

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About rraarrss

I am all the coffee. Music maker, flyer doodler, show booker, anxiety haver.

Something a Little Different on the DIY Touring Circuit – THE GADABOUT FILM FEST 12th year + Eric Ayotte @ THE VNA 9.8

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With the mass of DIY touring bands that come through Kalamazoo, it’s easy to get a sense of jaded on the “same old same old.” While I would personally boast that the musical Gadabout 2014 posterMODIFIEDexperiences available in Kalamazoo from week to week are highly varied and innumerable, it’s not hard to find yourself wondering, from time to time, if you’re actually up for another show.

If you’re looking to break up the monotony, but still enjoy DIY art, look no further! Eric Ayotte (of Plan-It-X Records association, and long time pal of our little city) is stopping in with his traveling film fest, The Gadabout Film Fest.

The Gadabout is a collection of short films from all over the world, ranging in style, and submitted by anyone willing to throw themselves into the mix. Every year a theme for the fest is picked, and a line up fitting that theme goes on tour, just as a DIY touring band would. So we’ve got amateur artists, showcasing their art for cheap all over!

As an example of what has previously been featured (but wont be this time around, so I’m not ruining any of it for you) is this sort documentary about an avid pinball fanatic

This year’s program is SPEECHLESS, showcasing several short films featuring zero dialog.

Opening the night at 8:00 will be Eric Ayotte himself, who is a seasoned folk musician, and one of my absolute personal favorites.

We’re kicking off this thing at 8:00 at the Vine Neighborhood Association. Please bring donation just like any other show or what have you (5 encouraged but not required). Respect the venue, the folks who traveled here and set it up, and your fellow film viewers. Be kind, rewind.

Fast And Angular Anxiety Music – Forget the Times, U SCO (Oregon), Anybody But The Cops – 8.29 – Milhouse

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This Friday at Milhouse, expect to hear some loud, fast, experimental and instrumental kaseygnar – from near and far.

U SCO, traveling all the way from Portland, Oregon, are making their first trip to Michigan, though one member previously played Milhouse in the band Duck, Little Brother, Duck! If you are a fan of Hella, Spelling Bee, or any of those other technically precise yet overwhelmingly chaotic bands, it is imperative that you check this band out. They have just released a new album, Treffpunkt, which they will have on tour.

if U SCO  was not enough, local leaders in West Michigan noise music, FORGET THE TIMES will be making their first Milhouse appearance of 2014. If you’re unfamiliar, you’ll more or less have to check it out live because this improv collective is a different deal every time.

Finally, the band that is essentially Milhouse’s house band for angular bullshit punk, ANYBODY BUT THE COPS will also be making an appearance. A grab bag of highly planned music that sounds like a bunch of mistakes in a row, or 30something songs played as a medly. Expect a new track if you can find it!

THIS SHOW STARTS AT 9:00. THIS SHOW ALSO IS DONATION BASED WHICH MEANS BRING SOME ¢A$H DOLLARS. THIS SHOW SUPPORTS NO JERKS AND WISHES FOR THE DISBANDING OF THE JERK RULING CLASS. BE EXCELLENT.

for the address email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com

Synth, Noise, Time Travel – M. SORD | LAIR (Boston, MA) | DOG (Patterson, NY) | SURPRISE ATTACK – Milhouse – 8.9

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If you’re looking for some sounds with an oldschool krautrock sound, coupled with some new and exciting sounds that the east coast has been sharing with Kalamazoo over the last few years, LAIR may be just the band for you. Out of Boston, Massachusets, this two piece msordcreates as full and mysterious sound and style. It’s their first time through Kalamazoo, and since Kalamazoo has a long-term appreciation for the out-there, lets show them some of that.

LAIR are travelling with Patterson, New York band DOG, who are honestly hard to find any information about because they’re a band named DOG for christ’s sake. But if you click their name, the link will bring you to some forceful drony noise. If you’re a fan of Old Time Relijun or bands of that sort, you’ll probably be way down with what this group has to offer.

If this wasn’t enough, long time Kalamazoo performer and legend M. SORD will be making his first appearance at Milhouse. If you’re unfamiliar with M. Sord, I assure you, you are in for a real treat. Though the recordings are phenomenal in and of themselves, the live
performance is what will win you over as an M. Sord fan.

And finally, kicking off this show will be a newer(ish) improv band SURPRISE ATTACK – who have no recordings because they have no songs and never practice, but who may or may not include members of Fuzz Town, Saxquatch & Bridge Band, Anybody But The Cops, Boron Nuzzle, Rotten Wood Moon and more.

This show starts right at 9:00! There are two touring bands on the bill so BRING MONEY FOR THE TOURING FOLKS. Don’t be a jerk! Respect the synth, noise, drone, fog, dance, house, friends, acquaintances, strangers. Be excellent

Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address.

SEVENTEEN AGAIN | MARCY | THE SHORTLIFE | CHURCHKEY – CASA MONA – 7.17

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bundle up!

SEVENTEEN AGAIN

local pals playing heavy music at crunch-time pace. On their first tour with their first record!

MARCY

Former folks from one of the Kalamazoo favorites from across the lake ALTA

CHURCHKEY

Hard hitting rock n roll /emo from Chicago ILLLL

THE SHORTLIFE

Local Hunk Haus Heros and members of Natural Disasters

 

SHOW STARTS AT 8:00. RESPECT THE HOUSE // RESPECT THE EVERYONE // Don’t Ruin the fun for everyone just because you can’t keep it together. DONATE!

Email DITKALAMAZOO@GMAIL.COM for address

Punk//Punk//Queer//Punk//Punk – Bespin – 7.8

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Like most or all of the songs you will hear if you attend this show, this post will be short and to the point.

MARINE CORPSE are a hardcore band out of Bloomington, IN, making their second appearance in Kalamazoo. Loud, fast, angry, and just the best people. They get rave reviews so if this seems like you’re thing you’re probably going to love it.

JANE IRE also came to Kalamazoo for Marine Corpse’s last trip, and are from Cleveland, OH. I cannot find recordings, but word on the street is their queer hardcore.

DICYCLE are Grand Rapids grind. Enough said.

ANYBODY BUT THE COPS are your friendly neighborhood trash compactor of punk and related sounds.

DONATE TO THE TOURING BANDS, FOR REAL. SHOW AT 9:00.

Contact ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address.

Local Punks On The Move – No Bails, Anybody But The Cops Tours Kickoff + More – Milhouse – 6.5

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Kalamazoo has become notable for being a go-to spot for DIY touring bands. Houses are packed, people are nice, the couches are bedbug free, and Michigan has limited poisonous creatures – all good news for the band on the go.

For all the hard work Kalamazoo does to make this town a good time for bands that come here, the amount of locals that really get out there and travel sometimes seems small. that’s why No Bails and Anybody But The Cops, embarking on two tours on the same day, is a notable happenstance.

NO BAILS are a long time West Michigan force of garage rock and sloppy punk, a key band associated with UFO Dictator, the mysterious local label responsible for bringing you all that is good in garage punk sounds once a year. No Bails are playing for the first time at Milhouse, and then taking off on a tour promoting their new new new new new record Epyx Shredder

ANYBODY BUT THE COPS are the scattered noise punk group that has played Milhouse more than anyone of that description. After 2.5 years and 3 drummers, they are going on their first tour. They cannot stop drawing traffic pylons.

This show is mainly to raise up some funds to begin these two tours, and to kick things off on the right foot. In order to do that, there’s even more!

If we’re trying to run the gamut of Kalamazoo punk in one small show, that means including a brand new band. TALVISOTA will be playing their second show ever. They are a two piece, because nobody really likes bass anyway, and they are nervous so show up on time and put their minds at ease.

Also on-the-spot painting will be had by friends of No Bails Michael Bailey.

Donate. Show starts at 9:00. Respect the house, friends new and old, and yourself. Be kind, rewind.

Message ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for address.

Folk For Many Folks – Axel & Marcus Quinlan, Ugly Brothers, Lousy Trouts, Deep Waters – 5.27

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Louie’s Trophy House will be the place for fans of acoustic music from across the board. Be it gruff of ethereal, there’s something for all tastes. The night is particularly exciting, as two Milwaukee bands are making their first trek to Kalamazoo.

UGLY BROTHERS are a large band of rag tag soulful folk singers. For fans of The Avett Brothers, Elvis Perkins, and Tik Tok, but a bit more rough around the edges than those examples – not that they are not fine players – just a tangible authenticity in their style.

LOUSY TROUTS on the other hand, are quite reminiscent of Lonesome Crowded West era Modest Mouse – but all acoustic and refreshingly new to your ears.

Also this night, not so lousy, not so trouty, not so ugly, but definitely brothers – Axel and Marcus Quinlan will be playing their first set as a duo since August. Axel is the former songwriter for The Almanac Shouters, and has been working on a large body of solo work for the last couple of years. Each show is a glimpse into some portion of what is to be a cohesive concept album.

Also backing up the traveling acts would be the profoundly ethereal Deep Waters – a project started by talented local musician DSK as a keyboard project – many of the songs are now often performed live on acoustic guitar. Meditate and contemplate, get pensive but not sad.

Bring yourself, bring your friends, bring five dollars, bring what is left of your show worn ears. Tip the waitstaff and give the sound engineer a high five.

Sounds Outta Bounds – KEIR NUERINGER | PROGNOSIS NEGATIVE | FUZZ TOWN – CRS – 5.16

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Jazz, noise, saxophones, distortion, unconventional playing. You can find this in recorded music over at The Corner Record Shop, or you could very well experience it live. Though some great, innovative, and boundary pushing innovators are dead and gone – living through their undeniable masterpiece works on LP – there are people still here, pushing that envelope a bit further. Don’t let this opportunity slip by to see some great work performed live at the low low price of your donation and respectful attention.

KEIR NEURINGER is a composer, mostly notably known for his experimental and emotionally riveting saxophone work. He’s played in Kalamazoo a few times, and has always been a pleasure to witness.

 

 

THIS SHOW ALSO FEATURES:

PROGNOSIS NEGATIVE – the sax-laden brainchild of “Local Boulder” JarDad “The Saxquatch lost The Game” Yard Sard Selner and Sean Hartman.

FUZZ TOWN – the improv champions Josh Miller and Poncho Klinger showcasing their knowhow of space travel via guitar and electronic noise.

Bring a friend, bring yourself, bring donation, bring an open mind. 9PM.

Post-Punk From Eastern Europe And So Much More – Milhouse – May 7th

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Maybe one of the most surprising things for people when they first learn about all the basement shows happening in Kalamazoo, is just how far some bands travel to play here for these small audiences in these strange settings. I have heard multiple people over the last year express shock at bands from New York or Portland “why are you here? how did you get here?” The fact remains that many bands prefer the unconventional, the DIY for touring, but at first encounter it does seem quite strange.

Kalamazoo has hosted countless bands from this continent, but artists traveling in from abroad, especially for basement shows, is a rare treat. And this Wednesday, Kalamazoo has a rare and wonderful treat for you in the form of Macedonian dancy post-punk band, BERNAYS PROPAGANDA. If you like hard-hitting, get-yer-ass-movin’ punk, this is just the thing for you.

And now you know where Macedonia is

If that was not cool enough on it’s own, Bernays Propaganda are on tour with GHOST MICE of Bloomington, IN. Ghost Mice were here not long ago, supporting the KCAC at a benefit show. If you haven’t seen them, they’re a long standing energetic acoustic folk punky project, long associated with Plan It X Records.

PLUS this show will include two locals who have never played Milhouse before – GUPPY – who are a new project without any recordings, but feature members from The Reptilian, Shoto, George Costanza, and Ackley Kid so you know it’s going to be good. THE MUSHMEN will also be making their first appearance to the Milhouse basement, promising to get you dancing.

Please bring money for the touring groups as Macedonia is unfathomably far away from our little Midwestern city. Respect the venue, respect everyone around you, make some new friends. SHOW STARTS AT 900, don’t be late!

Kalamazoo’s Newest and Oldest Venture – The KCAC

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If you visit this site, you know Kalamazoo is a place for music. It’s not a place the big touring acts come to, it’s not a place with large venues and expensive tickets. But it is a place that fosters excellent and variable local acts, and brings small and up-and-coming touring acts from all over the world (yes, world).

And if you know this, you may also know the options as far as venues go – bars and basements. Though Kalamazoo has put together something wonderful using these spaces, the both come with their drawbacks and risks.

Something Kalamazoo has not had in many years, but does need and would use is a collective space. An all ages space run by the participants and not by business. A non profit space where people work to put on events, bring art to this small city, and make in accessible to everyone. In a town dictated by the college atmosphere, the bars are inaccessible to the younger residents of this city. And the basements are only accessible by word of mouth, and are risky endeavors that could easily disappear.

THE KALAMAZOO COLLECTIVE ARTS CENTER (or THE KCAC) is in line to add itself to the already excelling arts and music community. since 2008 many folks have come and gone on establishing this project. A new board has taken over to refresh, and they are showing tons of progress on making this idea a distinct reality.

Currently, The KCAC is in the fundraising stages of the project. you can check out their fundraising campaign here:

http://igg.me/at/thekcac/x/6857275

Please consider donating even just 5 dollars to this! If we do not do it together, it wont happen – Kalamazoo is a tried and true testament of this.