Joshua Folmar at The Filling Station TONIGHT

Ladies and gentlemen, Hackberry Records artist Joshua Folmar will perform tonight at The Filling Station in Tuscaloosa.  I couldn’t be more excited for Josh to make his formal live debut to the public, because his songs and his talent are truly unique and the road he travels with his music is one you probably haven’t walked down.

Josh served our country in Iraq– a truth that cannot be avoided when listening to his material– but like any modest person, the tunes don’t necessarily revolve around his bravery.  He’s a storyteller, and there’s room for you in the story.  This is all just me bragging about the guy (Full Disclosure:  I represent him.), but I invite you to head down tonight and check him out.

I’ve tried to stay out of his hair on this one, but I expect a solid range of covers (good ones, I’d bet) and a good sample of his own material.  It’ll start at your normal bar starting time.

It’s a good option for live music on Wednesday night.  Give Josh a shot tonight.

Filed under: Show Preview

New Releases 9/29

No, these aren’t all of them.  I put up the ones I want to.  That’s how we roll here.  Then I choose a few you should check out.  These shouldn’t surprise you.

• The Avett Brothers- I & Love & You
• Paramore- Brand New Eyes (Dinah Recommends!)
• Karen O & the Kids- Where The Wild Things Are OST  (Dinah Recommends!)
• 7 Worlds Collide- The Sun Came Out (Dinah Recommends!)
• Elvis Costello- Live at the El Mocambo  (Dinah Recommends!)

Anything stand out about that to you?  Look closely.  No, you aren’t reading that wrong.

If you are unlucky enough to pick up the new Avetts disc (and many, many of you are), be sure and read the little monologue on the inside front cover.  It’s referred to in the booklet as the “Mission Statement”– but it reminds me more of Kanye West.  Yeah, I suppose I’ve punched my ticket to the Haters’ Ball on this subject, but I’m patiently waiting for the moment where everyone takes a deep breath, opens up the album, gives it a spin…and a collective “huh?” brings everyone back down to Earth.  I’ve rarely heard as much hype over a dud in my life.

And that officially ends my Avett Brothers rant for good.  I’m through.  Back to Emotionalism.

Filed under: General Rambling, New Releases

Blog Features on the Horizon

Just a few notes on a few things that are coming down the pipes here.

• From time to time, I’m going to start posting some album reviews– nothing particularly focused on T-Town, but general national released albums that I think are notable.  If I get the feeling, I’ll post it.  So that might be coming up.
• I’m thinking about starting a “Random Wax” feature, where I spotlight a weird or notable record in either my LP collection or the collection of one of my friends.  I’ll probably have an entry into that series sometime this week.
• I’ve got some friends that have some incredible taste in music– some that are so focused on particular genres that it’s almost like reading an encyclopedia.  These folks are obsessed.  During the week, it’s obvious that there are going to be dead zones for local music talk.  So from time to time, I may let one of these interesting people jump in an recommend a listen to something they really enjoy, and then tell you why.  That may not start this week, but it’s coming down the chute.
• Finally, I want to have an occasional emphasis on art in music– posters and LP art and the like.  I may start a series where I post concert posters/LP art that I think is interesting, and my explanation as to why.  Also, interviews with the people who create that art.  Those that have been in my room know that concert posters are one of my curiosities.
• Basically, I want to continue to expand this blog into something that is not only enjoyable on the weekends, but something that is engaging and enjoyable all the time.  Our traffic has been overwhelming and I really appreciate it.  It gives me motivation to continue on doing it and cranking out stuff I think is cool.  So keep on checking it out and let me know what you think.

Filed under: General Rambling

Last Minute Update: PB Army @ Oz, Egan’s

So it’s Sunday, you’re hungover…and really have a hankering for some live music.

Well, your answer literally just walked in the door at Oz.  We thought they may not show, but they did, so here’s a last minute update– the PB Army from Toledo, OH is about to start their in-store performance at everyone’s favorite local record store.

I’d put a picture of them here…but they don’t really have a good one.  So PB Army…get to work on that.  Everyone else, check them out right now at Oz and tomorrow night at Egan’s.  And take a picture and send it to them.

There ya go.  Nice folks, go support them.

Filed under: Calendar/Schedule

Five Questions with Adam Pate

If you’ve been “out” to see live music in Tuscaloosa, chances are you’ve probably seen Adam Pate.  Whether you’ve been carded at Egan’s, or seen him playing bass for Baak Gwai— Pate is tough to miss.  He also happens to be one of the nicest guys in the world of Tuscaloosa music.  Tonight, his band joins fellow Tuscaloosa fixtures Blaine Duncan and the Lookers for a split-bill show at Little Willies.

Pate was kind enough to help us with our second edition of “Five Questions With:”.

Slappin da Bass

1. Baak Gwai has been a fixture in the Tuscaloosa music scene for as long as I can remember. What keeps it interesting for you guys?

Touring. Until the past year we didn’t go out on the road for longer than a week at a time. Last year we spent about two and half months on the road. New places, new listeners, new friends and lots of new music. A good bit of the new stuff we are working on came from or is lyrically about that tour.

2. Being someone who’s been “around” for a lot of it, what do you think it’s going to take to see real, sustainable cultural growth in this city? Is it even possible over the long haul?

Being a college town we have cycles of new people coming and going. New bands start from all these new people coming into town then tend to breakup/leave town when school, the main reason they came here, is over. I don’t think places like Athens have the ” I can’t wait to get out of here” syndrome that plagues this town. If we lose that mindset and realize we have to make it cool for ourselves we may see some cultural growth.

3. A lot of people probably know your face from being the doorman at Egan’s. How has that job, and the multitude of bands you see, helped your band?

I actually just started working there a few months ago, just before our hiatus. Egans has always treated us great, there really isn’t a more fun place to play.

4. Are there any plans for a new LP from Baak Gwai on the horizon?

We are recording the demos now. We will go into the studio in the next few months and are hoping to have it out early next year. I’m excited about this one.

5. Finally, as with any college town, people will come to see you that’ve seen you a dozen times. Maybe even more. Knowing that, how do you guys approach a show in terms of keeping it interesting for repeat viewers?

We try to mix up our sets here more than anywhere else. We have a pretty large songlist and can change it up pretty good. We also play as both 3 and 4 piece here, our guitar/keyboardist lives in Baton Rouge and can’t drive over every time. Friday we will be a 4 piece so you will get extra guitar, vocal harmonies, and keyboards.

Baak Gwai plays with Blaine Duncan and the Lookers tonight at Little Willies.

Filed under: Five Questions, Show Preview

Farmers Market at Canterbury Episcopal

Yes, this is late notice, but I just got this info so I’m passing it along.

Today is the FINAL Farmers Market of the year at Canterbury, and this has been a great event…so go support it!  It’s happening from 3:00 (now) til 6.  Progressive happenings in Tuscaloosa are few and far between, so all you hippies oughta support them.

They always have live music (thus the inclusion in this e-mail), but the act for today is still not known to me…so I guess it’ll be potluck.

If you want more info on this and other events like it, join the Homegrown Alabama e-mail list.  Just send a request to homegrownalabama@gmail.com and ask to be informed.

Filed under: Announcements

New Releases 9/22

As always, these and gobs more are available at Tuscaloosa’s very own independent music retailer….Oz Music!

• Pearl Jam- Backspacer
• David Gray- Draw The Line
• Monsters of Folk- Monsters of Folk

And I thought they were all boring, to be frank.  Objectivity is alive and well on this blog and at Oz.  So hit up your favorite little record shop and buy something else great.  Just not these.

Filed under: New Releases

Seabass and the Fellas at Little Willies

This is going to be a quick little blast because I’m too busy at work selling Lil Boosie CD’s.

The Youth movement in Tuscaloosa music continues tonight, as Seabass and the Fellas make their bar debut (I believe).  It should start tonight around 9:30/10 and it’s at Little Willies, a great little bar in Temerson Square.  There’s no cover, as well.  You have nothing else to do tonight, so go check these guys out.

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen them perform, and I believe they’ve gone through a couple of member changes, but there’s real talent there– especially with the lead singer.  Dude can wail.

If they’ve stayed on the same trajectory, then this should be worth your while tonight.

Filed under: Show Preview

Five Great Rain Songs

If you live in the deep south right now, chances are you’re in the middle of a torrential downpour.  It’s been raining for days and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop.  Another week of it, probably.  This makes some folks complain…but I love it.  Rain is peaceful.  It also makes people slow down a bit, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Here’s five wonderful songs with “rain” in the title, in honor of our sudden onslaught.

• Creedence Clearwater Revival- Who’ll Stop The Rain
• Travis- Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
• R.E.M.- So. Central Rain
• Bob Dylan- A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall
• Blind Melon- No Rain

Notes: The Beatles- Rain is probably the greatest song ever written with “Rain” in the title, but for the sake of the list, I decided to give it a rest.  McCartney’s bass playing in that song will forever put it at the top.  Also, “Who’ll Stop The Rain” is a better tune than “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”.  Just my opinion.  And is that R.E.M. video not hilarious?  Letterman slagging on Athens never gets old.  Everyone knows Dylan, but that song’s been in my head so it was included.  “No Rain” is a wonderful song, very underrated, if you ask me.  Plus, it makes our Mississippi friends happy.

And just for kicks and giggles…click here.

EDIT: Because we love R. Kelly here at the Dinah, here’s the remix.

Filed under: Lists

An Ode to Josh Sahib

Here’s some facts for you.  Most people have no clue what an effort it is to throw a house party.  The people who throw them go through the effort to provide a place for people to get together and for bands to be showcased.  It’s a noble effort, and you pretty much lose money every single time.  That’s a fact, and most people who throw these parties go unappreciated.

So first off, Josh Sahib, otherwise known as DJ Bin Rockin– thank you.  Thank you for the effort.

Apparently, some loser decided it would be a good idea to run in to his party last night and steal the cashbox and a bunch of cameras, and even break into a car.  Obviously, this is the kind of thing that everyone hates.  It’s complete bullshit and it ruins people’s time and it discourages people from trying to better this community.

There are some ideas brewing about how to help out Josh and show some appreciation, but suffice it to say, Josh is one of the nicest guys in the Tuscaloosa music scene, and we just wanted to say that we appreciate what he does.

Thanks for trying Josh.  It ain’t over yet.

Filed under: Announcements