Category Archives: music

Tonight, we have signal!

Posted on September 3, 2008 by | Leave a comment

We Have Signal image - APTV

I will be at Bottletree tonight for the We Have Signal preview.

We’d never miss out on the opportunity to watch a rare union in Birmingham take place: good music and local TV.

There’s a reception — yay for popcorn and drinks — and the screening of the original series begins at 9 p.m. Afterwards, there will be a chance to ask the producers (J. and Matt Whitson) a few questions.

There’s going to be limited seating according to what APTV’s been saying, so get there early if you can. If you can’t make it, don’t worry; the series starts on TV in October.

Image: Alabama Public Television.

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Bottletree scores Oxford Collapse

Posted on August 25, 2008 by | Leave a comment
Tonight, Brooklyn-based Oxford Collapse is playing Bottletree! These guys have toured with one of my Top 5 favorite bands, We Are Scientists, so that’s good enough for me. If you — like most intelligent people — aren’t an easily convinced fangirl, then you should listen to a few of their tracks and decide for yourself if you want to join in and show some Birmingham love to these guys.

They are here with Love is Laughter. For those of you that caught the Modest Mouse show in the Ham, you’ll remember these guys as the opening band. Described as “almost funk” and “very psychedelic”, I think I wanna give these guys a chance. Any band prefaced with that should be on my radar.

Details: Doors open at 8 tonight, but if you buy advance tickets before 6 p.m. today, you can save yourself 2 bucks. [$8 adv, $10 at the door] 18+

It’ll be rainy all week, so enjoy everything that this indoor show has to offer. I’ll be making an appearance, so see you guys there!

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Take a detour onto Arkadelphia

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Arkadelphia - Photo by Jolyn Picard If you’re looking to chill out and enjoy some good old fashion rock and roll in the process, check out Speakeasy tonight. Here’s what happened with Whitney got together with the members of the headlining band for tonight’s show, Arkadelphia:

Growing up on the outskirts of the Western metro, I am very very familiar with Arkadelphia Road. For most folks, it means Birmingham Southern College, a corridor to Memphis and miles and miles of the country scenery Alabama is known for, but for me it’s home.

Same goes for the newest bassist for local band Arkadelphia, Justin. He’s a native of Curry (My kid sis is #31 for the Lady Jackets basketball team!) and was an excellent translator of my thick accent when I met up with him and the two founding members of Arkadelphia Wednesday night. Lead singer and guitarist Lee Baines III grew on Birmingham’s Southside and knows a thing or two about classic soul, country and rock & roll.  I don’t just say that, it’s in his voice. The southern hospitality, the white tee and cowboy boots and the Jerry Lee Lewis-esque swagger that he emits during performance is all very Alabama, in the best way possible. Drummer Ra-Jaan Parmely has been calling Birmingham home since his transplant from Sacramento, California eleven years ago. All of these guys are legendary in town for being vital players for bands like Duquette Johnston‘s Rebel Kings, Model Citizen, Dan Sartain‘s band and the Grenadines.

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a (mandatory) dance party

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Let’s all be serious here. We love to dance, just not out on the street or, for that matter, anywhere in the general public. Maybe it’s just my gangly white femaleness, but still. ALAS! I think I met someone this week that will change my, err your, mind concerning all things “cuttin’ a rug” related.

Rebecca Davis started ROCK PAPER ROCK, a local booking agency that is responsible for a healthy percentage of Birmingham’s recent lucky streak when it comes to getting good bands (i.e. nationally known) to play our great city. She’s also a local girl who moved away, only to return with more love and affection for our great city. So, who better an ambassador to the indie music scene than her to introduce one of the best ideas I’ve heard about it a while?

KIDS GOT THE DISCO!

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/A09PbCXYQsc" width="400" height="329" wmode="transparent" /]

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Speakeasy deals in the Black Market

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | 2 comments

The lede’s up on the front page; I’ll wait while you go check it out…

OK, I sat down and talked with George about a great upcoming development.

WHITNEY: Give us a quick description of what’s happening in Georgeland lately.
GEORGE: The Black Market Bar (BMB) is located at the Colonnade on Highway 280. It is somewhere you would find in the pages of a graphic novel or on screen in a detective noir film. The walls are dark with mood colors and low lighting. The staff is friendly, hip and well-versed on signature drinks, beer and wine. Coffee drinks too. The food menu is to the point and original. Our hours of operation are 4 pm to 5 am. (closed on Sundays & Mondays) The BMB is non-smoking, thankfully, BUT has a huge covered patio that is available for cancer causing habits. My theory is… If you go out late, then you want to go somewhere nice…

W: How did this idea for a new Birmingham bar come about? Was it a long time in the making?
G: I came up with the concept back in the fall of 2007. Since I opened the Speakeasy in ’06 I knew I wasn’t going to sit still with just one bar. I like the idea of a different location to try new things without betraying the atmosphere people are accustomed to at the Speakeasy. Black Market Bar + Speakeasy + Firefighting = no sleep, but thats ok. Continue reading →

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Jubal and Kendra Jam on Friday!

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | Leave a comment

For those of you familiar with local jazz/country siren Kendra Sutton, you’ll know that she’s more than just breaking into the business, it’s bending over backwards for HER.

Recently linked to possible development deals with country stars Big & Rich and complete with production by legendary session musicians Wayne Perkins (Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd), recent news about a show with her musical partner Jubal John at Java & Jams has spread faaast.

In fact, with the show starting at 8 p.m. and no cover, this is the perfect opportunity to see some real talent at work in one of The Terminal’s favorite hangout spots.

Check out the J&J website for directions (they are insanely convenient at the corner of 4th Ave. and 20th St. N. downtown) and more details about upcoming shows.

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Whitney visits with 13ghosts

Posted on August 14, 2008 by | 1 comment

I talked with local (gone big time) band 13ghosts earlier this week and decided to share the spoils with you guys before they play the Mellow Mushroom in Tuscaloosa on Friday night.

For more info, check out their website or their MySpace profile.

Do you want to hear what their designated frontman (for this interview at least) Brad Armstrong had to say? Click on the “read more” link to find out…

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Who is famous and what who?

Posted on August 7, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Poster for 8.7.2008 Bottletree show Hello, hello.

I’ve been preoccupied for the past couple of days with the sheer lack of things to get me off the couch in our fair city. Well, today is a little different? I’ve read up (and heard raving reviews from people in my office) about the Austin, TX band playing Bottletree tonight: What Made Milwaukee Famous

I recently came across an IGN review where WMMF’s album What Doesn’t Kill Us was described using the line “If you buy one album this spring…”. Them’s powerful words.

I know, I know. Lots of bands with iffy names are lucky enough to entertain me and this one has a chance to win me over tonight around 7-8ish. It’s actually an all ages show, so bring the kids (or maybe not because this is all the research you get for free) and $10 and you’re in.

Also, Black Joe Lewis hails from Austin as well and this is an awesome chance to see local band the Photonicas (not listed on flyer) in action.

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After the show, it’s the after party…

Posted on August 2, 2008 by | Leave a comment

The White Oaks, courtesy of their MySpace profile YAY! All Jay-Z/R. Kelly lyric references aside, I’ve been all about this show since I found out two weeks ago. You see, I was stoked enough to find out Birmingham was putting on a Folk Festival (at Avondale Park, no less) and then, dun dun DUH, the afterparty!

I met with The White Oaks this past Wednesday. They were in the process of shooting a short film based around their song How Do You Sleep?. They were in full rehearsal mode at The Playhouse, complete with directors (Chad Crowley), storyboards and guest star Lonnie Holley (world renowned folk artist). This was an event. Lonnie’s work has been acquired by the American Folk Art Museum in New York and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. His work has also been displayed at the White House. This was an amazing opportunity for the band, and for Birmingham.

After settling in for a break, the guys were eager to talk about their set at the after-party, but I was interested in hearing about their music.
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Folk Festival preview: Duquette Johnston

Posted on August 1, 2008 by | Leave a comment
Photo by Morgan Jones, courtesy of Duquette Johnston's MySpace profile

Duquette Johnson. Photo by Morgan Jones.

Duquette is a seemingly soft-spoken guy with a hectic schedule and even more crazy background. But that’s what bios & MySpace pages are for.

What Duquette and I talked about yesterday was Birmingham and the endless possibilities that come from finally utilizing an (up until now) recently under-used venue: Avondale Park and specifically, it’s amphitheater.

“I hear guys all the time talk about the amphitheater but I can’t think of any of us that have played there,” he says. “I remember seeing pictures from the ’30s when people would be all decked out and bands playing…” Duquette played the first incarnation of an Alabama roots music type festival last year, at a farm in Hoover. This year, when time came for booking, he was one of the first on board. “I see myself in more of a rock and roll type deal, but this festival runs the spectrum from bluegrass to indie and even indie bluegrass.” He waits a minute, and reminiscent of a proud parent he says, “This is a good way to handle a festival”.

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