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Brian is a media studies student at the University of Illinois and, after growing up in the western suburbs of Chicago, he now lives in Champaign. He is a member of area band World's First Flying Machine, a former buzz columnist and an award-winning cartoonist. He loves Dr. Pepper.
This fall semester, the Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant has kept its doors open later on the weekend and started hosting live music once again. Yes, one the sun goes down and the moon is on the rise, the Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant turns into the Red Herring Coffee House. With shows running every weekend, including some Pygmalion related events, the intimate basement establishment has proven to be a great place to see a wide range of acts. Dr. Manhattan brought power pop, Treologic hip hop and now Throw Me The Statue and David Dondero will be representing the best of indie songwriting.
On David Dondero’s newest album, Simple Love, he sings “my religion is to love you, my church is entropy.” His music is summed up by this direct line. The words that tremble out of his throat are very direct. Below that all is a depth of wisdom and insight that comes forward in his songs. Called a modern day Townes Van Zandt, he conjures the images of any great American songwriter that stands behind an acoustic guitar. Recording music since 1993, he is noted as being a major influence on Conor Orberst of Bright Eyes. Listening to him really is like listening to a mature, wise and well-balanced Bright Eyes. The Portland-based performer will be playing a solo set.
Headlining is Seattle’s Throw Me The Statue. Mentioned early in The Overture, this five-piece wrote one of my favorite songs in recent memory. With minimalist orchestration while utilizing a plethora of sounds and instruments, the group has managed to create some complex and equally fun three minute pop songs. West Coast inspirations no doubt come from the brilliant stuff that came out of K Records in the nineties; TMTS is strange and haunting while being very familiar.
The Red Herring is a perfect venue for these two artists. Intimate enough so the acoustic set by Dondero can be appreciated by painted in bright enough colors to complement the lo-fi pop onslaught that is Throw Me The Statue. It’s only $7 and starts at 10 p.m.
Comments (4)
Saturday, October 11, 2008 3:57 AM
$7??? I paid $10. Did Seth take my 3 bucks? Either way, it was a great show ;-) and completely under-attended. Maybe the price tag was a bit high? Ten bucks for "relatively" (to most) unknown acts at a venue no one knows about on Homecoming weekend? Hopefully that money went directly to the Red Herring or the bands.
Great show. Lookin forward to more Dave D shows in the future? (weeeee you know you want to Daaave!!)
Sunday, October 12, 2008 12:01 AM
1. Promoters rarely set the ticket price on a show. Agents do. So, blame the Agency Group in Los Angeles, if you must blame someone. But price had nothing to do with the lack of attendance. These artists simply aren't very popular and don't draw well. 600 people paid $15 to see Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime the night before, so -- there ya go.
2. The show was always $8 ADV and $10 DOS. Never trust the press. Always ask the venue or promoter. I stay out of the music section here, even though I help run the site.
3. We lost plenty of money on this show.
4. We often lose money on shows like this one. But we put them on because we like to bring artists like David Dondero to town, even though he doesn't draw out almost anyone.
5. Not sure what it will take to get the average show-goer to understand the considerable costs in putting on shows, and why $8-$10 is SUPER cheap for a show like this, what with EVERYTHING ELSE in the world inflating like a balloon, but here is a prime example of a complete lack of understanding. I appreciate the insinuation that I might pocket some of the non-existent money, too. Nice.
6. Thanks for coming though. Seriously.
Sunday, October 12, 2008 12:39 AM
Was just kidding about the money, Seth. Of course I don't think that, sheesh. I guess what I meant to say is I'm also frustrated with the lack of turnout for great shows. You want to see artists you like get great receptions, and get pissed when you see a million people next door for ladies' night. I understand it's tough and a labor of love, believe me, and didn't mean to imply otherwise. If it weren't for my job, I'd probably go to 5 shows a week.
Sunday, October 12, 2008 9:49 AM
Late night over-reaction.
Sorry, Stef.
:-)