Author Archives: Joel Oliphint

Record Store Day in Columbus 2012

As we’ve noted, and as you’re likely aware, Saturday is Record Store Day. Here’s everything you should need to navigate RSD in Columbus. Feel free to add any additional relevant info in the comments.

Columbus RSD releases:
Lydia Loveless has an official RSD exclusive 7-inch release on Bloodshot featuring “Bad Way to Go” from Indestructible Machine backed with a cover of Elvis Costello’s “Alison” (750 copies nationwide). Moviola is releasing a split 7-inch with North Carolina’s Hiss Golden Messenger (ex-Court and Spark members). It’ll have Moviola’s “Yankee Road” b/w HGM’s “Shiloh Town” (by Tim Hardin); 200 copies available at Used Kids, Lost Weekend and the Wexner Center store. The first release of Lost Weekend Records’ new label of the same name is a 7-inch featuring The Guinea Worms’ Will Foster doing “G-A-u,n,t GAUNT” and indie filmmaker Nasli Hovsepian doing “Reba’s Face” (more background and info on this release, plus some RSD background, in The Other Paper); 150 black, 130 purple and 15 tie-dyed available only at Lost Weekend on Saturday. Athens orchestral-folk act The Ridges is also releasing “The Insomniac’s Song (Live with The Sleepless Singers)” — “a limited run, LP-sized, 12″x12,” hand-screened printed poster that comes with a download code,” available locally at Magnolia Thunderpussy.

And here’s the skinny on all Columbus record stores, including address and any extended Saturday hours, live band/DJ performances, whether or not the store ordered RSD exclusives, store discounts for RSD and any other extras the shops are offering (Update: Added Endangered Species in Delaware):

Ace in the Hole Music Exchange
1153 Kenny Centre, 457-5666
Saturday hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (or later)
RSD exclusives? Yes
Extras: Ticket giveaway for upcoming LC shows – Wilco (8/4) and O.A.R. (7/25)
Continue reading

Wednesday @ Rumba: Anais Mitchell

YouTube Preview Image

Anais Mitchell‘s folk-rock opera Hadestown was one of my favorite records of 2010, and the spritely singer returned this year with Young Man in America. I don’t think it tops something as rich and varied as Hadestown (a quasi-modern day re-imagining of the Orpheus/Eurydice Greek tragedy), but it’s a strong record from a strong songwriter nonetheless, and I relish the chance of seeing her do her thing at the Rumba Cafe on Wednesday (9pm with Cuddle Magic, $10). Also, for public radio nerds: Mitchell sings in the way Sarah Vowell speaks, which is an acquired taste but, for me, a good thing.

Above you’ll see the video for “Coming Down,” and below you’ll see Bon Iver covering the same tune recently for Australia’s Triple J. (Justin Vernon collaborated with Mitchell on Hadestown, singing the role of Orpheus.)
Continue reading

Video: The Kyle Sowashes – “Pain Don’t Hurt” (premiere)

Here’s a brand new video for a brand new song from one of my hometown favorites, the Kyle Sowashes. It all starts with a cough/sneeze combo, which has painful consequences for Mr. Sowash’s tongue.

New LP Somebody, the Kyle Sowashes’ follow-up to Nobody, comes out on Anyway Records in May. The Columbus release show is May 5 at the Tree Bar with the Safeties (Cleveland), the Cabdrivers and Harlem Airshaft.

MP3: Strangers in Daylight – “Forsythe” + show with Howler (Rough Trade) Sunday

MP3: Strangers in Daylight – Forsythe
MP3: Howler – Back of Your Neck

Letters of Transit, the debut album from Strangers in Daylight, has been the most pleasant surprise so far this year when it comes to Columbus releases. I’ll just state what I said in a recent Other Paper review: “Letters of Transit represents a change in direction from the original spy-rock vision of Strangers, trading in trippy, Pink Floyd tunes for a hook-driven, Britpop base… Eight tracks clock in at just 26 minutes, and a few songs that end around the two-minute mark feature anthemic, gang vocals reminiscent of that Surfer Blood song “Swim,” but filtered through an apparent love of Blur.”

Above is the lead-off track for your downloading/listening pleasure. Download the full album at SiD bandcamp HQ. An official CD release is coming in June.

Strangers were also just added to this Sunday’s Rumba show with Howler, the Minnesota young bucks who share a love of brit-pop and released America Give Up a few months ago on Rough Trade. (You may have heard “Back of Your Neck” on CD102.5 recently; grab that one above, too.) For those who like to complain about late-night shows that make work-week mornings miserable (who, me?), there are no excuses for this one: This well-paired $8 double bill goes from 6-9pm at Rumba Cafe (Hoo Doo Soul Band is the late show).

Saturday @ Used Kids: Bill Goffrier (The Embarrassment, Big Dipper), Planktones

Used Kids in-store performance from 6-8 pm, brought to you by Old3C Records. A hat will be passed around to give Bill some gas money.

Poster by Matt Wyatt/Aliastrations

Video: Lost in the Trees – “Golden Eyelids”

Lost in the Trees’ Ari Picker told Brooklyn Vegan, “The idea was to create a video that takes place entirely underwater, composed of evocative moments of eerie and angelic beauty to underly the mood of the song.”

Head over to BV for Picker’s initial sketches for the video, as well as info from the director (“We blacked out the whole back of pool with plastic and our gaffer, Henry, and I, took a crash course in scuba.”)

Tonight @ Kobo: Cheyenne Marie Mize

YouTube Preview Image

Onetime Bonnie “Prince” Billy tourmate and collaborator Cheyenne Marie Mize played last year’s Nelsonville Music Festival, and her set was memorable for me because a.) I introduced her, b.) she had just lacerated her finger or hand and instead of canceling the show just learned new ways to finger chords, c.) she sounded great, and d.) she’s, well, easy on the eyes. (I doubt someone could pull off the concept for this “Wishing Well” video so successfully otherwise.)

But point C is the take-home here, as you’ll also notice from the video and Mize’s new EP, We Don’t Need, which is out now on Yep Roc. There’s not one song that sounds like another, so expect her to keep things varied tonight on the Kobo stage.

Donora and Fever Fever open tonight’s show. Doors at 8pm, $5.

Tonight @ Bluestone: Lucero

YouTube Preview Image

Rumba Cafe manager Todd Dugan has recently branched out and started booking bigger shows at other venues under the name “Rumba Cafe Promotions.” That explains why, if you go to the Bluestone (previously BoMA) website, you’ll see Lucero and Justin Townes Earle listed in the upcoming shows.

JTE will have to wait till May, but today (4/9) brings Lucero to town. The band has been tapping into Memphis soul lately, but Lucero is a chameleon, so any pithy description of the music would leave something out. Instead, head to the band’s website where you can stream every Lucero album. The new record, Women & Work, is out now on ATO ($5.99 at Amazon).

Ragged-voiced Americana/bluesman William Elliott Whitmore opens tonight’s show. $17, 18+, doors at 7pm.

Wednesday in Columbus: Hospitality

MP3: Betty Wang
MP3: Friends of Friends

New Merge Records band Hospitality has been touring with Wild Flag, hitting Philadelphia today and Chicago on Thursday, followed by some shows with fellow Mergers Eleanor Friedberger. But a one Mr. Kyle Sowash is filling Hospitality’s empty Wednesday (4/4, tomorrow!) with a show here at the Summit in Columbus. Check out the tracks above for a preview of what’s in store (good old-fashioned, head-boppin’ indie pop.)

Two noteworthy local acts on this bill: Terribly Empty Pockets and half of Donewaiting BFF Miranda Sound.

Video/MP3: The Welcome Wagon – “Would You Come and See Me in New York”

MP3: Would You Come and See Me in New York

Here’s the first taste of the new album from Brooklyn husband-and-wife duo Vito and Monique Auito aka The Welcome Wagon. Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices releases on collaborator Sufjan Stevens‘s Asthmatic Kitty label June 12.