Shadowboxer back at it tonight
The Shadowboxer Collective has another unique show in store this evening at Mike 'n Molly's, as Chicago's Them Damn Kids and Bloomington, Indiana's Sam Lowry join forces with our very own Ryan Groff for a 9 p.m. show amidst the cool breezes of the beer garden. It'll probably be below 90 by the time the show starts, so pony up seven bucks at the door, grab a cold one and settle in for some low-key jams that won't overheat you. Here's some info on the out-of-towners:
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Home base: Chicago, Illinois
"Bad Decisions" by Them Damn Kids
Former seminarians Chris Darby and Rolland Gairroes (not to be confused with the French tennis stadium) have been performing together off and on since 2001, by themselves and as part of larger collections. They have a new album titled Arm Yourself with Perspicacity on Chestnut Tree Records, and are generally well-behaved. This is the second date on an 11-show tour that will take them as far as Brunswick, Maine.
Smile Politely: How would you describe your sound to someone who's never seen you perform before?
Them Damn Kids: We play a mix of folk, roots, and rock, but more on the mellow side — think Cat Stevens meets Tom Waits ... maybe. I always have trouble answering that question.
Smile Politely: Have you played in C-U before?
Them Damn Kids: We have played Champaign several times in the past, at Aroma Cafe.
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Home base: Bloomington, Indiana
"Manhattan Took Us First" by Sam Lowry
Sam Lowry has been on tour supporting his new, fourth album, With/Without. He's no stranger to the road, playing over 600 shows over the last several years.
Smile Politely: How would you describe your sound to someone who's never seen you perform before?
Sam Lowry: Typically my sound can be summed up as lyric driven Americana with a penchant for darker subject matter. I'll be performing solo [tonight] so it will be a bit more stripped down in nature for this show.
Smile Politely: Have you played in C-U before?
Sam Lowry: I have had the good fortune of playing the C-U a few times. This year I've been at the Canopy Club twice, first as the opener of the Murder by Death/Fake Problems tour, and then a few months later as the opener on the Asobi Seksu tour. I've also performed there a few years ago as part of Pygmalion Fest, and once several years ago I performed at the Iron Horse as part of a songwriters in the round night with Larry Gates of the band Lorenzo [Goetz]. He still owes me a beer and a shot so hopefully he'll read this and come to the show to repay his gentleman's debt.
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John, I’m not sure that the current climate for indie rock stardom is all that favorable for bands who simply rock out. Most of the bands doing it well that are also popular have been around for a while and have a tested identity (I’m thinking Spoon…
The link has been updated. Thanks for alerting us.
This also explains why I was starting to think Roses & Sake was a group of strange pagans from Vancouver. This is when it pays to be a local. My apologies to the true Roses & Sake, we’ll fix this ASAP!
Ahh, shame on me. I grabbed it directly off of Mike ‘N Molly’s website. I’ll see if I can’t get it corrected on here (and maybe pass along the word to them as well). Thank you, observant reader!
I’m with Brigham regarding the Acrylics set. Very XX-ish. Very good.
i think the roses & sake link is actually: http://www.myspace.com/rosesnsake
Very nice preview…I’m stoked to be seeing The Young Republic
I believe there were bands all 26.2 miles of the marathon. But yeah, I’ll read more closely next time ;)
Emma — This was posted under the Music section, and as such, I think the intention was to highlight the festivals where live bands and DJs would be present. =)
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Pheidippides wasn’t planning on running a marathon; that’s why he died. If he had known ahead of time that he’d be running 26 miles and followed a good training program for a year, stretched properly before the event, had bands and cheering people along the race route,…
Doug, I absolutely agree. I think this might have come across focused on rock because, as you say, rock was the 90s, and we had some innovative rock bands here then. But what I’m really trying to get at is that there’s no way Dirty Projectors, Liars…
John, I’m not sure that the current climate for indie rock stardom is all that favorable for bands who simply rock out. Most of the bands doing it well that are also popular have been around for a while and have a tested identity (I’m thinking Spoon…
Keep us posted on the latter!
Nice article, Emily! When I get to the CU area, I’ll be sure to give this place a try.
The marathon is certainly a tough distance, but I imagine that it compares to childbirth. In any event, having completed the former, I will agree that it is an excruciating tastk. Should the opportunity arise, I will let you know how the latter compares.
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Zelini, I really like this - I’ll try to follow the theory more closely. As they reveal more about Kate (possibly next week), it might give us more perspective. I agree with your observation about Ben and I think Michael Emerson has done an excellent job conveying his lesser stature.
Surprised you think it will take two wins. I think we have a shot to get in with another loss. The bubble is just a disaster this year, and we’ll float to the top even with one win.
What if the sideways alternatives are where Jacob actually grants them their wishes, but in ways they didn’t quite expect? The elimination of one regret. Sayid gets to be with Nadia - although through his brother. Maybe he ends up with her at the expense of his…
The link has been updated. Thanks for alerting us.
This also explains why I was starting to think Roses & Sake was a group of strange pagans from Vancouver. This is when it pays to be a local. My apologies to the true Roses & Sake, we’ll fix this ASAP!
Ahh, shame on me. I grabbed it directly off of Mike ‘N Molly’s website. I’ll see if I can’t get it corrected on here (and maybe pass along the word to them as well). Thank you, observant reader!
I’m with Brigham regarding the Acrylics set. Very XX-ish. Very good.
i think the roses & sake link is actually: http://www.myspace.com/rosesnsake
Dangit! Now I have to go home and try that cake. MMMmmMMMMmmmm looks goood. Cakey cakey cakey…
Very nice preview…I’m stoked to be seeing The Young Republic
I understood this totally differently than the other people that posted…this is what I got from it: - the more background you have going in, the more of the allusions you will understand when watching - afterwards, you can do a little research to fill in the…
Sorry about the lack of address and hours. All I can say is duuuh
Amen. When I told people I’ve lost 18 pounds since early October the number one response I get from women is concern. 18 pounds in four months is not unhealthy, quite the opposite for me. But don’t give up on sugar, or become a vegan, or do…
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Doug, I absolutely agree. I think this might have come across focused on rock because, as you say, rock was the 90s, and we had some innovative rock bands here then. But what I’m really trying to get at is that there’s no way Dirty Projectors, Liars…