The Butterfly Tour hits Chicago

Last weekend The Butterfly Tour traveled to Chicago for one of the best weekends I've ever had in The Windy City.

Friday night I rode up with my boyfriend for the DJ Shadow show in Chicago. Read my full review here on NUVO.net.

After the show, we stayed the night at Kristin's new place. Brendon took off early in the morning while I waited for Swanny to wake up. We went to a handmade craft fair in the afternoon where I made a few purchases and crossed a few names off of my Christmas list. After that, we went out for dinner at a small Mexican restaurant where I learned about Chicago's BYOB policy. My understanding is that due to the high number of restaurants in a relatively small area, not all places of business are able to obtain liquor licenses. Consequently, a policy of BYOB is in effect at some establishments, allowing customers to literally carry in their own beverages. In leiu of margarita mix, we each purchased a lemon-lime soda to mix with the Cuervo we picked up at the Seven Eleven on the way there. BYOB FTW.

After dinner, we had time to kill and met up with some of Kristin's friends before heading to The Congress Theater to see Mutaytor. After two bars, two beers, and one shot each- we were ready for the show. Of the many things that put me in awe when I visit Chicago, public transit ranks among the top. After a relatively quiet train ride, I found myself on the bus listening to the guy behind us repeatedly remind everyone that Soul Train would later be on Infusion and that he couldn't wait to watch it as he shared his blueberry pie with his cat.

The Congress Theater was more striking than I could have imagined. A DJ was set up on the lobby's picturesque double-staircase and a small ragefest was in full swing on the floor below him. Inside the theater, the show was surprisingly under-attended. Nonetheless, the crowd was full of freeks and geeks- exactly the way I like it- and I had never felt more at home at a show in Chicago than I did in that crowd.

After Mutaytor, we headed back to the sports bar we were at earlier and rejoined the crew we had left before the show. Still in "dance mode" I entertained myself in the corner to the music supplied by the house DJ while everyone else played beer pong and continued the debauchery. The rest of the night is a collection of fragmented memories that includes a stop at a different bar full of creepers, falling asleep at the table over a plate of breakfast, and a heated debate about what's best: BJ's or handies.

Fully equipped with a massive hangover, I embarked on a three-hour bus ride home the next afternoon. I slept the entire time.

But hey- at least my car didn't get impounded and nobody went to jail this time.

Indy's Next Big Thing is... not The Twin Cats?

Last Friday Indy's beloved Twin Cats performed in a contest called "Indy's Next Big Thing" in which they competed against 3 other local bands for a large marketing package and studio time. The Cats were the obviously dominate band, evident by their massive fan base. Alas, the winner was chosen by three judges, not the level of audience support. After the announcement was made that The Last Good Year were the winning band, the entire venue booed the announcer. Minutes later, a group of people began chanting "Bullshit!".

Although I was just as disappointed as everyone else, I found the chanting to be incredibly inappropriate.

Admittedly, I chuckled a little when the crowd started booing after the announcement. It felt nice to sort of "stick it to the judges" to make it known that The Twin Cats had the biggest fan base and that we all felt they should win.

However- when that smaller group of people started chanting "bullshit!" I was a little appalled. That was a totally unprofessional representation of the Twin Cats fan base. As their biggest fans, our words and actions are a direct reflection of the band. Imagine how that would have felt to be one of the Twin Cats shaking the hands of The Last Good Year members and congratulating them while the crowd completely minimizes the amazing accomplishment they've just made.

If the roles were reversed, how would we (the local Twin Cats fans) feel if the guys took first place and some other band with a fan base that dwarfs our own came out and starting chanting bullshit to the fact that they won? We'd say, "Wow. Those guys are a bunch of pricks. I'll make sure I never go see them live."

The Twin Cats had an opportunity to enhance their already-massive local following last Friday and win over fans from a completely different musical genre. But because everyone got caught up in winning and losing, we overlooked the fact that the event was to support and celebrate local Indianapolis talent and be happy for the band that won.

The Butterfly Tour 11/5

Cyberoptix was at The Mousetrap on Thurzday and I went to bed around 3 or 4 that morning. Lucky for me, I scheduled Friday off of work.

I had a meeting with my editor at NUVO around 11 on Friday. We talked about a regular "Nightlife" column that will be added to the print version of the magazine early in 2011 and we brainstormed on what type of content should fill the space. Funny? Sarcastic? Heavy on photos? Advice, tips, and tricks? Reviews? Informative? Opinionated? Only time will tell...

The first stop on The Butterfly Tour that evening was at White Rabbit Cabaret in Fountain Square for the MarchFourth Marching Band. I'll be posting a review of that to my NUVO blog, so if it's not in that column along the left, then it will be soon.

After that, I drove north to the The Vogue for "Static Shock: where hair & fashion meet music & art". I was primarily interested in seeing AudioDax, but was curious to see the format for the event as well. Impeccable timing put me inside the venue minutes before AudioDax came on. Considering the amount of production put into the songs, their live show remained remarkably true to the original compositions. The set was active, but movement was limited to the two emcee's jumping around the stage and flailing their arms in lieu of instruments. I started in the front row, but quickly left the hoard of college frat boys I found myself immersed in. Literally... " 'scuse me," one said as he scooted in from the side with his camera. As if I'd asked for validation, he squealed at me with a burst of excitement, "These guys are in my fraternity!"

From my new position along the back of the concert floor, I observed a catwalk extending into the audience that was apparently used in the fashion show portion of the event. Except I personally only saw one really drunk girl use it in her attempt to maintain a sexy demeanor while stabilizing her intoxicated body horizontally on the catwalk. After less than half an hour inside The Vogue, I had seen enough.

Over on Guilford at Tru Night Club my good friend, fellow mofo, and fellow Jay County native Kelli Whitenack was having her birthday party. The overwhelming number of Indy Mojo members was fun and exciting, nostalgic and touching. When we do fun things in big numbers, we do it better than anyone else around. From massive events like The Zombie Walk, to co-ed strip club outings, to invading Tru Night Club on a Friday night to support Matt Allen and celebrate Kelli's birthday- its always more fun (and safe) in mixed company. "Who are you here with?" one of my non-mojo friends asked me on the side. I slowly made a large semi-circle in the air with my hand as I turned and faced the mass of mofo's that had swarmed the dance floor. "All of them," I replied.

John Larner's set was heavy on Top 40 music and proved to be annoyingly unpredictable;  those who had come to dance found it difficult to locate a solid beat. Furthermore, the tracks were uncomplimentary from one to the next and his choices lacked cohesiveness. Soon after Larner was done, however, we danced away Matt Allen's hour in the blink of an eye- an invigorating set that included both ample amounts of Weezy and a fun classic by Eurythmics.

Pro Tip #23

Planning a trip to the record store soon? Go through your collection of CD's and (if you have any) vinyl to see if there's anything you can part with. Luna usually offers generous trade value for your old and unwanted music, but it's worth a shot to ask any non-corporate music retailer if they'd be able to make a deal with you. It could shave a couple dollars off of that new album you've been wanting to pick up but couldn't quite make the financial splurge for. 

The Butterfly Tour 10/8

Last Friday, after the obligatory trip to my favorite local brewer (Sunking) for a $5 growler fill, I headed home to walk my dog and change clothes. Shortly thereafter, I was en route to meet up with the boyfriend and head out to my first haunted house of the season.

We opted for Nightmare on Edgewood on Indy’s south side. At $15 a head, the haunt is easily worth the money. This is primarily so because of NOE’s touching policy… or lack thereof. Fingers combed my hair, hands were laid upon my shoulder, my pant legs were tugged at, mechanized cutting devices were thrusted at my limbs, and there was even once an effort to pull me from the bear hug grip I had on my escort. While the haunt utilizes some familiar old tricks, NOE’s first room of terror is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in a haunted house before. Let me just say- so as not to spoil the surprise- you are locked in a small room for what feels like an eternity. And you will NOT be standing still.

After Nightmare on Edgewood, I trucked north to Broad Ripple to purchase some Christmas presents from my friend Ashley Woodrum and enjoy a short visit with she and boyfriend John. Looking for an affordable local visual artist to buy your next birthday or Chirstmas present from? Look no further. Also, check out her Alice in Wonderland series, as featured on Heavy Gun Blog.

Space Owls Series - Ashley Woodrum

Next on The Tour was a brief stop at The Mousetrap to see Catch Curtis for the first time; I unfortunately missed them at Wuhnurth in September, so I made a point to catch their early set here in town. Be on the lookout for an upcoming Thursday night Catch Curtis gig at The Mousetrap with improv/dance/livetronica group Embryonic Fluid.

30 minutes later, I realized I was falling behind my own schedule (hey, sometimes you have to be flexible on The Butterfly Tour) and headed back into the village to check out electro mashup DJ Matt Allen’s new weekly event at Tru Nightclub- Blend.

I had one last stop planned for the night: the final installment of Cultural Cannibal’s weekly event at Hyde. My sources on the scene told me before I was able to get there that the party downtown at Hyde was dead, even past the stroke of midnight. Such was the case for the previous week's event,  as well. To understate, this was depressing news to me, as the one night in the series that I did attend was ridiculously packed and tons of fun. I guess you can't win them all.

So instead of relocating downtown, we stayed at Tru and got dirty with Matt Allen all night long- including an unlikely dubstep version of Owl City's "Fireflies"- a mocking summarization of Matt Allen's feelings about the electronic sub genre. He did throw in a few legitimate womp wobbles, though. And I appreciated that.

In summary

1.)    Go to Nightmare on Edgewood.

2.)    Buy art from Ashley Woodrum.

3.)    Go see Matt Allen (with special guest Steady B) on 10/15.

Local music knowledge trumps spelling skills

Last night I was preparing an event preview for The Pass' show in Indy this Friday. Without even realizing it, while typing the names of the supporting acts, I subconsciously keyed in "Jookbox" instead of "Jukebox" and thought to myself, "Wait. That doesn't quite look right..."

VS.

The seasons, they are a-changin'

Three weeks after Wuhnurth, I finally put my camping gear away yesterday. It’s bittersweet; refreshing to have my living room floor space back, yet sad to pack up all of my outdoor living gear (even if it is covered in filth and stained with the smell of campfire). For some people, Labor Day signifies the close of summer and beginning of fall. For me, boxing up my tent, cast iron skillet, and portable gas grill is the official expiration of summertime.

This festival season has been my best yet, unquestionably. I ended my two-year relationship with Bonnaroo, but this was inevitable. The mediocre lineup saturated with mainstream artists was an instant turn off (Kings of Leon? Really, Bonnaroo?!). After a sizeable amount of experience at smaller, local festivals I’ve also grown to despise Bonnaroo for its colossal size. It’s ironic that it took my virgin festival experience at Bonnaroo 2008 to make me realize that there’s a massive underground culture of people who think, act, dress, feel, and live just like me… and that I don’t have to travel to Tennessee every year and bear their farcical temperatures to enjoy being a part of that culture.

That said, I did attend two smaller festivals with a balance of grassroots bands and nationally touring acts. Summer Camp (in Chillicothe, IL over Memorial Day weekend) was my first time working in the field. S-Camp had their shit together and conducted media relations with the highest degree of professionalism, including daily press briefings in the morning and afternoon. Five stages, all 5-8 minutes within walking distance of each other, and a supreme lineup of talent could only set a reporter up for success. My coverage resulted in three full-day reviews, a full set review of the Heatbox show, an interview with Boombox, an interview/review with Kinetix, and an interview with Ana Sia.

I also covered the All Good Festival in West Virginia. It was the farthest distance I had ever traveled for a music festival, but the drive proved to be more than worth it. All Good trumps Summer Camp for its camp-with-your-car policy, freedom to bring in your own beer and alcohol, picturesque mountaintop setting, no overlapping sets, and the realest crowd of hippies I’ve ever had the pleasure of festivaling with.

Other festival-related highlights of my summer included Springfest (standout performance: GARGANTA), Mojostock, Wuhnurth, and Knollfest.

I also got to see Lady Gaga this summer, one of the most beautiful, detailed, well-constructed, and energizing shows I’ve ever seen in my life. She really is an artistical, musical genius.