When they were playing, the harmonies were flawless. And, when they were playing, the flute, the guitar, the drums, the vocal solos, were all fantastic. But, QuinnElizabeth had some technical issues. Compounded by adjustments, guitar passing, sisterly bickering, and trivia questions. So, sadly, we didn't get as long to enjoy the three sisters actually playing music. What we did hear, I enjoyed very much. This is only the second time I have seen the band. And I enjoyed them equally each time. The two shows were very different of course. The State Theater with its perfect lighting and focused audience compared to music over coffee and conversation at the Acoustic Café. I wish I would have gotten a little more music for my forty minute roundtrip, what I got I certainly enjoyed.

I don't mean to make it sound like I feel short changed. I mean, it was virtually a free show after all. I bought two beers, two cookies, and four ice waters. That seems pretty close to free for me. And, I got to witness all this incredible music talent. So I really feel like I have a hard time complaining about anything as it is. But, I feel like musicians I write about will go on to bigger and better things. And at those bigger, better venues, things make a difference. I think musicians hear their own music, experience their own talent, and the talent around them, and begin to take it all for granted. But to us talentless oafs in the audience, musicians are amazing. Performers don't really realize just how precious their time is to the audience. We get to hear them for such short periods.

• Check out the rest of the QuinnElizabeth review (inclusing some video) over at the Freaks & Geeks blog, originating from somewhere in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
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According to Snout music director, Chad Kruger, Str8up has never drawn a crowd in the three times they have played the bar.   A little surprising, because as far as bands go, Str8up isn't bad.   I saw them last in March of 2008.   At that time the lead guitar was quite new to the group.  So they had some rough edges.  Still though, despite those rough edges, Shelby Martin, lead singer provided me with my musical highpoint of 2008.  She sang the Four Non Blondes Whats Up?.  It was fantastic.   Breath-taking really. I requested it (something I almost never do) this trip,  knowing it could never reach that pinnacle.  Before, it was so totally out of the blue, this time I would know it was coming.  Shelby admitted when I talked to her, she hadn't sung it in a while.  She did a good job.  I was pleased.   It's a great song, and a great song for Shelby's range ...

• Check out the rest of the Str8up review (inclusing some video) over at the Freaks & Geeks blog, originating from somewhere in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
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Northern Howl came out of nowhere, and yet that seems fitting. All That’s Under the Night’s Sky, the band’s debut album, is more a friendly handshake than a high-five. It is a warm cup of cocoa while watching the snow fall in the streetlamps. Layers upon layers of melodies, harmonies and rhythms subtly slip into your subconscious, leaving you humming for the rest of the week.

... for more videos and photos of Northern Howl, check out The Valley.

The Valley is a collection of musical performances with the Chippewa Valley as a backdrop. The project is headed by three students at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire who may have only minimal experience, but a passion for their community and the art that surrounds it. (The Valley is inspired by Vincent Moon's Takeaway shows, available at La Blogotheque.)

Local record label and management firm Amble Down has signed Michael Perry & the Long Beds and seeks to release the country folk band's second full-length album Tiny Pilot March 16, 2010. Download the album's first single "Somewhere South of Sunday" here (right-click the link and select Download Linked File). Preorders from AmbleDown.com begin Feb. 1.

Tiny Pilot features country stompers, roughneck folk ballads and fiddle-addled Americana twang. "I write about the farmers, preachers, and tough country-women who raised me," says Perry, "And yet certain wisdoms are available only from whistlers, frauds, and sinners, so I try to slide them a few lines as well.” Michael Perry & the Long Beds' first album Headwinded was released in 2006 (listen to a free track from our web shop here).

Michael Perry is internationally reknowned as the author of his memoirs Population 485, Truck and Coop and the essay collection Off Main Street.

At the State Theatre, another night of Volume One's Backstage Series. The band South Farwell, with guest The Klenz/Walk Jazz Sextet. And, just down a couple of blocks Eau Claire street, The Old Fashioneds playing at The Haymarket Grill. It was a great night to enjoy local talent.

I continue to be impressed with the band South Farwell. From the very beginning they were impressive, but I thought they relied very heavily on the vocalist Bill Boles, lead singer. Skilled though he is, I felt the rest of the band was somewhat subdued, given their talent I had witnessed in previous bands. Over time though, the South Farwell has added depth by letting some of that talent free. The backing solos done by brothers, Tim Coughlin on guitar and Joe Coughlin on sax, I think are what really propel South Farwell into a new plane.

After the show, down the street from the State Theater, we caught the third set of a new local band, The Old Fashioneds. One word hyphenated, ya'all, Out-standing. I think it tugged to me in particular because this was the music my dad listened to when I was growing up. Hank when there was only one Hank, Merl Haggard. Real country music. Granted, even in it's wildest days back then, it didn't have near the punch of this night's performance. It would have confused my father. Long hair and 'lectric git-tars. And energy. The Old Fashioneds played the wildest version of Folsum Prison Blues I have ever seen, and that was just what opened the third set.

• Check out the rest of the review (inclusing some video) over at the Freaks & Geeks blog, originating from somewhere in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
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A Farms show is more than music. The energy expelled by these two musicians is equal or greater to that of the raging coal fire powering your computer right now. Drummer Andy Todryk’s arms beat like a turbine, leaving your eyes (and our camera lenses) a blur where limbs should be present. Nothing about this session is clean, crisp, or safe. It’s not supposed to be, because where’s the fun in that?

... for more videos and photos of Farms, check out The Valley.

• The Valley is a collection of musical performances with the Chippewa Valley as a backdrop. The project is headed by three students at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire who may have only minimal experience, but a passion for their community and the art that surrounds it. (The Valley is inspired by Vincent Moon's Takeaway shows, available at La Blogotheque.)
   

I had the privilege of attending a practice session of Eau Claire’s newest supergroup last night: The Old Fashioneds. Comprised of The Sidekicks/Electric Range’s Jeff White (vocals), Electric Range’s Tony Campbell (bass), solo folkster Greg Gilbertson (electric), Easychair’s Bronson Bergeson (pedal steel), and Excellent Adventure’s Bill Hamilton (drums/vocals), this diverse group of seasoned musicians play straight up country. And not the “pop with a twang” kind of country; this is the old, singer-songwriter kind of country. “Jeff called me up one day and said, ‘I’m putting this thing together, and we were hoping you’d come down and play drums,’ ” Bill said. “So I said ‘absolutely.’ … I can’t believe the group of guys he put together here.” With a suitcase substituted for a bass drum as the visual centerpiece, The Old Fashioneds play the likes of Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, and George Jones as well as a few of White’s originals. You’re not going to find a better “stripped down, beer drinkin” country band in the Chippewa Valley. Not a chance.

The Old Fashioneds’ first live show is Thursday, Jan. 14 at 8:30pm at Haymarket Grill and their second gig is at the same venue on Feb. 18. 

This video has been out for a few months but I just finally got around to posting it. Eau Claire's own Maggie Morrison, front-woman for the Mpls band Digitata (made up of other former Eau Clairians) has had a new project kicking for a while now called Lookbook. Unfortunately for whatever reason, Digitata made it to EC to play much more often than Lookbook has. Morrison, along with beat-maker Grant Cutler, have been amasing some praise and airplay from a couple of EPs and a full-length release. Below is an extremely well-done video for "Over and Over" from their album "Wild at Heart." 

To help offset the costs of renovating and opening Menomonie's new art co-op Gallery 111, co-owner Hannah Schroeder met with local musicians to contribute songs for a CD which they could sell. The CD, East of the River, features songs donated by all-girl folk trio Feathe, former The New Science member Savannah Smith and the acoustic/electronica The New Audrey and more. See the full list here.

The CD is available for $5 and can be purchased at Gallery 111 (111 Main Street E., Menomonie) when it opens Jan. 11 or by e-mail request at gallery111.menomonie@gmail.com.

Look forward to a full article on Gallery 111 in Volume One's Jan. 28 issue.

Saturday night was Dave Rogers from Lacrosse, on stage at the Snout Saloon. I am not a huge Dave Rogers fan. His performance is a touch dry, but technically perfect. So, behind that caveat, I have to say Dave was sounding the best I have heard him. The band plays a mix of mostly blues covers with an original or two thrown in. Dave plays a pretty good blues shuffle, so we hear some good Stevie Ray Vaughn. And, Dave Orr, in addition to being band Drummer, is the sound tech. No surprise the sound is great.

I chose Dave Rogers over another possible choice for the evening, South Farwell warming up for Down Lo at the House of Rock in Eau Claire. The Wife has been looking forward to seeing them again for a while so she called some her posse for a trip there. South Farwell is on the regular play list here. Their CD is often in the player. I could have easily tagged along to the House of Rock, but I am planning on seeing South Farwell next month in the Volume One Backstage Series. I figured it like this. Sure, the House of Rock show would be more exciting with a livelier crowd, but I anticipate the sound at the Volume One show will be perfect. I wanna hear that sound, hungry for South Farwell ...

• Check out the rest of the review (and what else happened that night) over at the Freaks & Geeks blog, originating from somewhere in Chippewa Falls, Wis.