x
the_deli_magazine

This is a preview of the new Deli charts - we are working on finalizing them by the end of 2013.


Go to the old Top 300 charts

Cancel

The Deli KC




Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: Key Party
(Photo by Jeremy Rockwell)
 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
With a well-established and acclaimed musical career, Kirsten Paludan has proven to be an invaluable asset across various facets of the local music community. From the haunting, celestial sounds of Olympic Size to the country charm of Starhaven Rounders to her catalog of solo work, Paludan possesses a versatility unlike other vocalists and songwriters.
 
Earlier this year, Paludan wrote and released an album with Key Party, a project that began with her and bandmate Jessica Gomez, eventually becoming a five-piece. We talk with Paludan about her music and the evolution of her group.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Paludan: Ethereal, soulful, dynamic, and dreamlike music interwoven with stories of life, love, loss, and everything that happens in between.
 
The Deli: Give us some background on Key Party. What’s the lineup?
 
Paludan: Currently, the lineup is yours truly (vox, acoustic guitar, keys), Jessica Gomez (electric guitar, keys, background vox), Dalin Horner of Black Christmas (electric guitar), Garret Brown (bass), and Ryan Pope of The Get Up Kids (drums). Key Party started as just me and Jessica in the winter of 2010. I had recently moved back to Lawrence from KC—where I had been living for 10 years—due to a family tragedy, and hadn’t been playing much music. I was offered a show at the Jackpot and was without a band at the time. Jessica and I were good friends and she mentioned that she used to play. I said, “What the heck, join me for this show!” I had to twist her arm since we only had like two practices, but she did it, and the rest is history.
 
The current lineup has only been together since early spring of this year. There have been several different incarnations since 2010, but this group of people is like family. We all collaborate on a separate project together (LongShadows—our first show will happen this winter) and it’s like we have this little music collective of our own.
 
The Deli: You're an accomplished songwriter who's done a lot of solo work and has been in several notable bands in the area. What is your approach to Key Party's music? And what are you learning through this experience as a songwriter and musician?
 
Paludan: When this incarnation of the band first got together earlier this year, I was asking them to recreate the songs from my album Up All Night (recorded with Dave Gaume at Element Recording with an entirely different lineup, other than Jessica). As I continue to bring in new material, the band is giving more and more input.
 
I really appreciate having people on my side whose opinions I can trust. Sometimes when you are the songwriter, it’s hard to be unbiased and objective about a song, and that’s where having a deep bench really helps. Ryan and Garret are a great rhythm section and always have awesome ideas about arrangement. Dalin is an amazingly versatile and soulful guitarist and one of the nicest guys on the planet. Jessica’s simple yet incredibly tasteful approach to her playing makes her one of the band’s secret weapons. Everyone has taken the songs from the record to another level and has really made them their own. When you have such smart and talented people on your team, it only makes sense to use the knowledge they bring to the table. I’ve found that when you can let go and release the need to control the outcome, the results can be better than you ever imagined.
 
The Deli: Tell us more about Up All Night, your latest release.
 
Paludan: I released Up All Night in Spring 2014; it is available on Bandcamp, iTunes, and all other major online retailers. It was recorded and co-produced with Dave Gaume and features John Anderson on drums, Dave Gaume on bass, Jessica on guitar and keys, plus guest appearances by Hermon Mehari, Wade Williamson (guitar), Mike Harte (cello), Chris Tolle (guitar), and Adam Stafford (guitar, pedal steel, background vox).
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Paludan: Well, since this is a fairly new band, I would say our greatest accomplishment so far is having a great time playing music. It may sound silly, but it is very hard to find that right balance in a band. Where egos don’t get in the way and everyone is there to give their all to the songs. At this point, I’d say I’m the happiest about finding a group of people who I feel really get me and the songs I’m writing. From here, everything else is gravy.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Paludan: To me, it’s not just about supporting local music—it’s about supporting the community. Most people know that a vibrant art scene is the pulse of any city worth its weight, and making the effort to cultivate and elevate that element is just common sense. I am grateful to be a part of a culturally rich area that understands how important this is.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Paludan: I don’t like to play favorites, because I think we have an amazingly talented group of people creating music in our scene and unfortunately, I don’t get out to see bands as much as I’d like (usually because I’m performing myself). However, there are a couple of bands/singers that I always love listening to: The Hips, Drakkar Sauna, The Caves, The Belles, Your Friend, Ghosty, Lauren Krum... to name a few. Also, I am a fan of all of the people I play music with—every single one is a talented artist in their own right. I am damn lucky!!
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Paludan: I’m attracted to a mix of genres and eras when it comes to non-local listening. Currently on my playlist: Loretta Lynn, Ella Fitzgerald, cast recording of The Nervous Set, Lower Dens, Warpaint, Sharon Von Etten, Neko Case, The National, Leonard Cohen, Blonde Redhead, Prince, Emmy Lou Harris, Ray Price, Wye Oak, Fleetwood Mac, Cat Power, Patsy Cline, Sade, the list goes on...
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Paludan: I’m looking forward to seeing everyone! It’s an event that attracts so many types of people, and it’s great to have a spotlight on local music. Thanks to Ink, a lot of Plaza Art Fair goers are being introduced to the great music being made in their community.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Paludan: Current: Warpaint + Sharon Von Etten + Neko Case
Super duper fantasy bill where time and space don’t matter: Fleetwood Mac (Tusk era) + Sade (of any era, because she is a goddess).
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Paludan: This is a really tough question! I’ve been mulling it over and decided on these four (and I cheated a little) for what they have contributed to music overall.
Beethoven: His music is like the primer for all music that followed it.
Prince: He is a bad ass. That is all.
Lennon/McCartney: No one can deny their influence on popular music and their ability to inspire generations of songwriters and bands.
Loretta Lynn: A force of nature with the voice and personality to match. To me, she is the undeniable queen of country music.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: What other goals does Key Party have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Paludan: We have plans to begin recording sometime this winter starting with demos in Dalin’s basement studio and more than likely working with Dave Gaume on the final product (as long as he is available, busy as he is these days). Future plans include continuing to have a great time and playing awesome shows. Hopefully, having that as our goal will lead to greater success. If not, we still win.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Paludan: These are things I’ve learned from my family, my bandmates, and friends over the years: Learn as much as you can from other people, even those with different opinions than you. Be open to alternate possibilities. Live your truth. Always try to do your best and you’ll never be disappointed. Be kind. Don’t forget to say please and thank you.
 
Key Party is:
Kirsten Paludan: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, keys
Garret Brown: bass
Jessica Gomez: electric guitar, keys, vocals
Dalin Horner: electric guitar
Ryan Pope: drums
 
 
Key Party will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Saturday, September 20 at 12:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
You can also catch Paludan in a production of The Nervous Set—a Beat Generation jazz musical—at the Lawrence Arts Center. It runs the first three weekends in October, Thursday through Saturday. Ticket link.
 
--Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

Free Counters

Published: September 18, 2014 |
Comments |




Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: Hembree

(Photo by Rusty Wright, The Waldron Photograph Co.)

 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
With the release of a brand-new single and its upcoming debut performance, Hembree is picking up where Quiet Corral left off, but with a renewed vigor and sensibility.
 
The group—who makes up five of the six members of Quiet Corral (vocalist/guitarist Jesse Roberts left the band last year, shortly after the release of its debut album Ancestors)—retains much of its former identity of compelling, captivating Americana, but with a pop appeal.
 
Hembree’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Isaac Flynn answers some questions about the new outfit and what we have to look forward to from them.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Flynn: I’d like to think that our music sounds like a 1980s pop band that decided to start an Americana rock band, but they forgot to tell the keyboard player.
 
The Deli: How long have you all been making music under this moniker?
 
Flynn: The lineup is all of the remaining members from Quiet Corral. It consists of Garrett Childers, Jim Barnes, Zach Mehl, Matt Green, and myself.
 
We had talked about starting a band called Hembree as soon as Quiet Corral ended in October of 2013. During our time in the studio throughout 2014, we came up with several other names, but for some reason we couldn’t escape Hembree. We have a great friend named Hembree, and he was instrumental in convincing me to write more music after QC ended. His encouragement meant a ton to us, but we also just thought he had a really sweet name.
 
The Deli: Your appearance at Plaza Art Fair will be your debut as Hembree. Since disbanding Quiet Corral, what has changed about your music and how have you grown from that experience?
 
Flynn: So much has changed since Quiet Corral. Several of us were very young when we started Quiet Corral. Like 19 years young. I remember a show in Bowling Green, KY, where our bassist Matt [Green] and I had to watch the headliner play through a window because we weren’t legally allowed in the venue. We learned so much during that time period, and now we are trying to take what we learned in Quiet Corral and apply it to Hembree.

We were incredibly serious about everything in Quiet Corral. While we still hold ourselves to a high standard musically, we’ve learned to have way more fun throughout the entire creative process.
 
The Deli: You just released the single "New Oasis.” Are you going to release an album with it? What can listeners expect from the new material?
 
Flynn: We are planning to release an EP later this year. We kind of holed up in the studio, and we’re starting to show folks what we made. It was an amazing experience. We had no expectations or deadlines. We’re excited for everyone to hear the songs.
 
The new material is going to have some of the elements that listeners enjoyed with Quiet Corral, along with a heavy focus on melody, electric guitar, and keyboards.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Flynn: For me, supporting local music means getting to know as many people as possible in our music community. I’m an audio engineer, and I’m very fortunate to have worked with a lot of bands from Kansas City and Lawrence. I’ve learned that we have some of the most talented and genuinely amazing individuals living in our area. Whether they’re musicians, promoters, journalists, DJs, fans, etc., KC has some incredible people. I love how supportive musicians are of other musicians in the community.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Flynn: In no particular order…
CJ Calhoun (Cowboy Indian Bear): CJ is a dear friend of mine, and he happens to be one of the most talented musicians I know. CJ has the unique ability to craft infectious music with just the right amount of darkness.
 
Spencer Mackenzie Brown: Spencer is another great friend of mine. He delivers lyrics in a way that make you feel like you’ve lived the exact experience he’s writing about. 
 
Alex and Austin Ward (The Noise FM): The Wards are also dear friends. As you can tell, I really admire my friends. These guys live in Chicago now, but they’re KC natives. Their music hits so hard, and they never fail to blow my mind during their live shows. They’re also some of the funniest dudes ever. Check out their Boy Meets World fan fiction and see for yourself.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Flynn: I’m really digging this band called Snowmine from Brooklyn (thanks Middle of the Map!). They write brilliantly crafted indie-pop songs.
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Flynn: The lineup is fantastic this year. Just a few of the bands that I’m excited to see are Wells The Traveler, Josh Berwanger Band, Carswell & Hope, and She’s a Keeper.
 
The Deli: Besides Plaza Art Fair, what other shows do you have coming up?
 
Flynn: We’re in the process of booking several shows right now. It’s looking like we’ll have EP release shows in Lawrence, Kansas City, and Austin in November.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Flynn: Arcade Fire, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and The Beach Boys of 1966 headline (not to be confused with The Beach Boys of 1996 with John Stamos on drums).
 
Side note: if you’ve never seen it, check out the episode of Full House where Uncle Jesse sings the song “Forever” with the Beach Boys…perfection.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Flynn: Prince: The man can play every instrument!
Quincy Jones: Perhaps MJ deserves this spot (maybe the best performer of all time), but I can’t get over Quincy’s production. So incredible.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney: I can’t split these two up. They definitely both deserve a spot.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: What other goals does Hembree have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Flynn: In Quiet Corral, we wanted to be the first band to play on the moon. I think it’s safe to say that goal still remains for Hembree.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Flynn: Visit the Space Jam website. It hasn’t changed since 1996. You’ll love it.
 
Hembree is:
Jim Barnes: drums, vocals
Garrett Childers: guitar, vocals
Isaac Flynn: vocals, guitar
Matt Green: bass
Zach Mehl: keys
 
 
Be sure to catch Hembree’s debut on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Friday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
--Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands. Seriously, check out the Space Jam website. It’s unreal.
 
 
Free Hit Counter

Published: September 17, 2014 |
Comments |




Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle features a collection of KC’s finest musicians, fronted by pianist and composer Eddie Moore. The Houston native formed the group 3 years ago while working toward his Master of Arts in Jazz Studies at UMKC. We talked with Moore a bit about The Outer Circle’s jazz and soul-inspired sounds.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: one sentence to describe your music.
 
Moore: My music can best be decribed as groovy, sophisticated soul.
 
The Deli: Give me some background info on The Outer Circle. How long have you been together? How did it all come to be?
 
Moore: The band has been together for about 3 years. The Outer Circle came to be while I was in graduate school at UMKC. We were all in combo together for the most part and shared common interests musically. We were often experimenting with ideas, and just having fun with them.
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Moore: I think one of the greatest accomplishments has been the opportunity to take our music aboard. This past year myself and Matt Leifer (drums) collaborated with musicians from Costa Rica in celebration for the Limon Roots African Culture Awards held at the National Theatre in San Jose. To be a part of the celebration of African American music was a very humbling experience and honor.
 
The Deli: What is your songwriting process like?
 
Moore: I don’t have a specific writing process. I usually like to sit at the piano and think of things in my life that move me to create. It could be anything from hanging out with friends and family to the car breaking down on the freeway. We are all human and life is full of twists and turns.
 
The Deli: You just released your album, The Freedom of Expression, last February. What can we expect from it? Are you recording again anytime soon?
 
Moore: People can expect to hear pieces that tell great and different stories that take the listener on a calm, at times ruckus groovy journey.
 
We are in the middle of our second project now. I am very excited for it, as it will be quite different from our last, but still true to our sound.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Moore: Supporting local music to me as an artist is more than just going to local shows—yes, that is a big part and we all need support. However, I think the real support to local music is through collaboration with other artists, thus making the scene stronger. I choose to mainly play with groups that contribute their original music to the local scene, regardless of genre. Groups like Book of Gaia, Various Blonde, 77 Jefferson, Zack Mufasa, and The Project H to name a few. The time is now; more creativity makes a strong scene.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Moore: Peter Schlamb and The Project H. Both are friends of mine and great bands. Have been groovin’ out to their music a lot lately.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
 
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Moore: The Ink Stage is deep this year, I’m just gonna camp out there.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Moore: I am a specific lover of Houston Jazz being that I was raised there, and all the great musicians that are from the city. It would be a dream to one day share the bill with all those I look up to. Guys like Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Jamire Williams, Walter Smith, and Mike Moreno.
 
The Deli: What other goals does Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Moore: The main goal is to grow as band, creating more music to share with people all over the world.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Moore: Please, listeners and patrons, go hear and support local music as often as you can. Here in KC we are blessed to have great and interesting scene brewing with lots of young vibrant talent across the board make noise nationally. Artists, collab with your friends—as well as those you may not know—to do interesting original projects.
 
Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle is:
Eddie Moore: piano
Dominique Sanders: bass
Matt Hopper: guitar
Matt Leifer / Ryan Lee: drums
 
 
Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Saturday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
--Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

Free Counter

Published: September 16, 2014 |
Comments |




Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: The Project H
(Photo by Aaron Linscheid)
 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
Most people know that Kansas City is steeped in a rich jazz heritage that continues to this day. One of the groups that has helped carry on the city’s vibrant jazz scene is The Project H, who has taken the music’s tradition to a modern level. Though still tasteful to listeners of jazz standards, the band incorporates a range of influences and abilities, creating music that is relevant and colorful. Ryan Heinlein, the band’s trombonist and songwriter, answers a few questions for us about the group.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: one sentence to describe your music.
 
Heinlein: Doesn’t matter if you want to dance to it or analyze it, you’re going to be singing it for a while after you hear it.
 
The Deli: Give me some background info on The Project H. How long have you been together? How did it all come to be?
 
Heinlein: The band started in 2007 when I lived in Wichita. It took a year or so to get the band up and running when I moved to KC in 2008. The lineup is: drums, bass, keys, guitar, trombone, trumpet, and tenor sax, but we have a lot of people sit in. Everyone in the band freelances and makes most of their money playing other gigs so I use a lot of subs. That’s the thing about the KC jazz scene though, the talent pool is deep enough that I can call quite a few people on any instrument before there is a drop off in musicianship.
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Heinlein: I think there’s something to be said for releasing three independent records with a band like this. Getting freelance musicians to commit their time and creative energy to a project like this is definitely an accomplishment, and the fact they still wanted to do another one was a win for me! Gig wise, we covered Beck’s “Song Reader” in its entirety (20 songs) last year with our friends Mark Lowrey, Shay Estes, and Jeff Harshbarger. Selling out the recordBar is always fun.
 
The Deli: The band has done educational clinics for schools in the area. What benefits have you seen it have on students, and also for yourselves as musicians?
 
Heinlein: Yes, we usually book them in bunches once or twice a year. I think it’s safe to say that we wouldn’t be the musicians we are today if it weren’t for music education. The day-to-day activities of being in a high school band or being a music major in college tend to run together but, for me at least, the lasting memories were the clinics that were provided as well as the performance opportunities. So I guess it’s just a “pay it forward”-type situation. The students get to see a group of younger guys making a living doing by being creative and doing what they love. And for us, it’s an easy way to let younger audiences hear us. We feel that we have an opportunity to attract people to more straight-ahead jazz if they hear our not-so-straight-ahead jazz. Basically we function as a gateway drug for jazz!
 
The Deli: You just released your third studio album, We Live Among the Lines. What can we expect from it?
 
Heinlein: A lot of layers and textures. The rock influence really sticks out to me on this record, probably because we added guitar to the group about a year and a half ago. I think there’s a commonality among the songs but at the same time, every song can stand on its own. I honestly think there’s something for everyone on this record.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Heinlein: I don’t get out as much as I wish I could with family and working on a doctoral degree but just getting out and seeing as many shows as I can. I don’t worry about genres, I like a lot of music and it’s pretty easy to find a good concert to go see when I do get out.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Heinlein: This answer would be different for every member of the group so I’ll just give you mine. In no particular order: The Grisly Hand, David Hasselhoff on Acid, Peter Schlamb, and Katy Guillen & The Girls… there’s seriously a lot of really good music in this town!
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Heinlein: Becca Stevens, Jose James, Tigran Hamasyan, Jaga Jazzist, and I have always had a soft spot for Dillinger Escape Plan.
 
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Heinlein: Aside from a couple groups I mentioned earlier, The Phantastics and My Brothers & Sisters on Friday, Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle and Diverse on Saturday.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Heinlein: Oh man, something really diverse. I wish Mr. Bungle were still around. Maybe have a classic jazz group like the Jazz Messengers or Weather Report. P-Funk would be awesome too!
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Heinlein: This question is pretty much impossible so I’ll give you one based on my musical influences.
Mike Patton: His ability to explore and push the boundaries of music, no matter what genre he is doing.
James Brown: C’mon! He’s the Godfather of Soul! The pocket in his bands…
Bobby Watson: He’s pretty much responsible for igniting this jazz renaissance in KC. His playing and writing is the perfect combination of technique and soul. I owe him so much… Everyone in the band does too.
JJ Johnson: My influence, as far as trombone players are concerned, changes a lot. Right now I’m on a JJ kick. He’s just so soulful when he plays.
 
The Deli: What other goals does The Project H have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Heinlein: We are starting a collaborative series starting next month at the Westport Coffee House Theater where we act as a backing band for different KC musicians. October will be with Kelley Gant, December will be Emcee Reach and next February will be Lauren Krum. We are also talking with Julia Haile and Jorge Arana for later in 2015. I’d like to play some festivals outside KC, continue to support this record, and just expand our audience. I’d also like to do a Project H big band show…I have a lot of writing to do I suppose!
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Heinlein: Get out and listen to a group you may not normally follow, or go to a club that you’ve never been to. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. There are great things happening in our city, let’s celebrate it!
 
The Project H is:
Clint Ashlock: trumpet
Ryan Heinlein: trombone
Brett Jackson: tenor saxophone
Matt Leifer: drums
Andrew Ouellette: keys
Dominique Sanders: bass
Jeff Stocks: guitar
 
 
The Project H will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Sunday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
--Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

Free Counters

Published: September 15, 2014 |
Comments |




September Artist of the Month: The Thunderclaps
The Thunderclaps are our September artist of the month!
 
Though the two have been making music for a number of years, Bryce Jones and Colin Blunt formed The Thunderclaps just at the beginning of 2014. A grimy garage rock guitar/drums duo influenced by the surf leanings of The Gories and the psychedelic offerings of Thee Oh Sees, the band delivers an undeniable lo-fi rock ‘n roll edge.
 
Along with being our artist of the month, the band will be playing on INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair next weekend. We talked with Jones and Blunt to get a little more insight on what The Thunderclaps are all about.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: one sentence to describe your music.
 
Bryce: It’s like a fried egg sandwich: nothing fancy, but it'll stick to your ribs.
 
The Deli: The Thunderclaps is a relatively new band. How long have you been together? How did it all come to be?
 
Bryce: We've made quite a bit of noise together over the years, but most of it has been for our own enjoyment and edification. The Thunderclaps got going when Colin tracked down a drum set and we tried our hand at thumpin' out tunes and filling them out as best as we could as a duo. We played to the living room for a long while before we decided to gig for a friend's New Year's gathering. Folks were dancing and having a good time, so we settled into the idea of trying to get out and play as often as we can.
 
The Deli: The Thunderclaps are a guitar/drums duo. Was this a conscious effort to conceive a certain type of sound, or have you wanted to add other instrumentation?
 
Bryce: The configuration was bred out of necessity in a way. I don't live in KC, so it streamlines the process a bit when I can make it to town. We can buckle down, get things moving, and flesh out ideas. From a songwriting angle it does provide interesting parameters within which to work. Certain ideas just aren't going to play, but other options that otherwise wouldn't even come up rear their head. We’ve kind of toyed with the idea of adding a bass player, but for right now it's enough of a good time that I think we'll roll with this instrumentation for a bit.
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Colin: Honestly, being interviewed is pretty sweet. Being asked to play the Plaza Art Fair is a huge step forward as well. Then there was the time when we were asked to play at someone's wedding reception. That was real fun. The bride lived near where we practice, heard us from up the street, and the next thing we know, we're playing for a dancing bride and groom.
 
The Deli: You released an EP, Not Bad, August. What can we expect from it?
 
Colin: “Not Bad” is actually just kind of a placeholder name for the tracks we recorded on a cassette player a while back. And we didn’t really “release” them as much as we “put them on the internet.” But to answer your question, you can expect some lo-fi rumblings and a crocodile on the telephone.
 
The Deli: You guys are playing the Plaza Art Fair in a couple weeks. Who are you most looking forward to seeing there?
 
Colin: You know, to be honest, I haven’t heard a lot of the bands that are playing this year, which is really exciting actually. I like going to shows where you don’t really know what to expect and being pleasantly surprised. I anticipate I’ll have a few new favorite local bands after that weekend, but for now, I’ve heard a lot of good things about My Brothers & Sisters and Katy Guillen & the Girls, so that’ll be fun.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Colin: Hangin’ with good people who appreciate making and enjoying music.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Colin: Cadillac Flambe, Rooms Without Windows, and Making Movies are all amazing, but I’d say our new favorite is The Garage Kings—they make great music for ordering a hamburger, and even better music for eating a hamburger.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Colin: Oh man, where to begin. As far as classic stuff, Bo Diddley is the alpha and omega of rock and roll music as far as we’re concerned. Besides that, we also really like Thee Oh Sees, The Gories, JD McPherson, Thee Headcoats, The Oblivians, Reigning Sound, etc. Basically anyone who just brings the rock and roll and never looks back.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
The Thunderclaps: Realistically, any of the happenin’ flashback bands right now would be fun to open for. But ultimately, maybe we bring Phil Lynott back from the dead so we can open up for Thin Lizzy?
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
The Thunderclaps: Bo Diddley (because he’s a gunslinger), Fats Domino (because he’s the man), Link Wray (because louder is better), and Elmore James (just because). Can Teddy still hang around to class up the place?
 
The Deli: What other goals do The Thunderclaps have for 2014?
 
The Thunderclaps: We just want to keep on rockin’ and rollin’.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Bryce: If your toes start tappin’, tap ‘em. If your knees start shakin’, shake ‘em. And if your hips start movin’, by all means, groove ‘em.
 
 
The Thunderclaps will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Sunday, September 21 at 1:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
--Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

Free Counters

Published: September 11, 2014 |
Comments |
Published: December 31, 1969 |
|
- news for musician and music pros -

Loading...