You can’t escape the beat
There are plenty of ways to approach a subject, and always comparing and contrasting things to one another can get tricky at times. Pointing out the positives and negatives can get you into a bind and isn't always helpful either. More often than not, there is no textbook way to approach a subject you’re passionate about or have some type of opinion on. Most of the time it just ends up being a response that creates conversation in which people agree or disagree; that’s all we’re doing here. We're only human, so we find ways to spark debate.
| An oral history of Night Air on the Midway
In preparation for their re-release show this Saturday, May 26 at the Highdive (which will include an array of kickass supporting acts: Common Loon, Psychic Twin, Brief Candles, and Fahri), Chris sat down with the guys from Evil Tents to discuss the band, the album, and the story of how both of those things were birthed into this cold, hard, beautiful world of ours.
The guys in Evil Tents are a talkative bunch. When I sat down for an interview I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Over cigarettes and beer on a lovely evening, the four gentlemen spoke at length, answering questions I had not asked yet and getting side tracked by things like poisoning Kings of Leon and making an album at Mas Amigos (which, to be clear, is not where Night Air on the Midway was recorded).
What came out of the interview was more than 3,000 words — a lot of which would make little sense to print. In between, however, was the story of their album, Night Air on the Midway, which is being released in its final, physical form Saturday at the Highdive.
Here is the story of how that album, as well as the band in its current incarnation, came to be, in their own words.
WHAT: Kevin Elliot, John Coppess WHERE: The Clark Bar (free) WHEN: Tuesday, May 22nd at 7 p.m. The singer/songwriter showcases at The Clark Bar continue with a couple solid dudes. Elliott released an album back in November and Coppess has been on a few of these bills in the past couple of months, so they seem to be chuggin' right along. Listen: Kevin Elliott: "The Right Thing To Say"
As we've reached the final installment of the BEST series for SP, we did things a bit differently this year. If you recall, last year the process was based on the results of polls and surveys that were collected. Not this year. We're shouldering all the weight this year — so hate it or love it, we'll put our asses on the line for some of the more fiery discussion that comes to the comment boxes on this site. However, …
Recently, a Daily Illini article about "raves" linked dubstep with ecstasy use in its opening paragraph. I take issue with the use of "rave" in the article. As a good friend once said, if you are at a promoted event in a bar and you paid a cover to get in, it's not a rave. Even though the article referenced a rave in Chicago, I suspect the "raves" discussed are, in fact, not raves but rather shows at bars promoted as …
In a show that ranks among the top five performances I've ever seen at Canopy Club, David Mayfield and the three band mates that make up the rest of his Parade dazzled and amazed in a performance Saturday evening that was equal parts sweet country love and total buffoonery. There was drama, comedy, a dance-off, and yes indeed, by the end of the night there was waist-up Mayfield nudity. This was my third DMP outing. I first saw him play …
The premiere installment of our Smile Politely Show Series kicked off this past weekend without a hitch. The bands did their part and we did ours, but we're not going to take much credit for people showing up to Mike 'N Molly's on Saturday. We're much further down the list, probably after this song, great weather (or cooperating weather for that matter), Mike 'N Molly's beer garden, and booze (especially booze). Not to mention this snapshot — it was getting out of …
WHAT: Anne Clements, William Dicker WHERE: The Clark Bar (free) WHEN: Tuesday, May 15th at 7 p.m. Another C-U Singer/Songwriter Collective show happens in the usual spot, where we find a duo of rootsy songwriters doing their thing. It's been a few weeks since I last mentioned these shows, but it's nice to see a consistent output on a weekly basis for something like this.
Bands have their ups and downs. There's no way around that. Some have their moment in the spotlight and have great success, and others fall off the face of the Earth, never to be heard from ever again. We all have heard the stories about musicians falling apart and giving it all up. They exist within the world of touring, constant recording, hardly ever sleeping, and being in a car or van more times than not. It's not always glamorous. …
The last time I saw the David Mayfield Parade, the show culminated with the man taking off his shirt. I could probably just leave this preview at that — it should be enough to draw folks from their lonesome Saturday-evening dog walking and CSI watching and over to the Canopy Club. A stocky, bearded country folker just might remove clothing. Tickets are bound to sell out immediately. The bonus here is that Mayfield and his Parade put on a show …
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represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
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Most Recent Comments
Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/