Samantha Crain and The Midnight Shivers– Samantha has gained quite a bit of notoriety around the country within the Indie/Gospel revival movement, but for some reason Tulsa hasn’t gotten privy to her. Samantha’s song-writing will transport you to another era, a black and white picture of a (sometimes)  romanticized South. Full of wistful narratives and dusty spirituals, Samantha’s got the right idea. Her albums are available on iTunes. Mixtape Pick: Rising Sun

Fiawna Forte– Ok, well, maybe you have heard of her. The Gospel of Fiawna has traveled far and wide. She played our blog launch show on the 6th, and the pictures of her alone are enough to make you swoon. Fiawna and her band have found the holy grail: chemistry, dynamics, charisma, and a lead singer you want to take home to mom–but only if your mom is into Janis Joplin and Jack Daniels. Mixtape Pick: I’d Rather Die

Pillotalk– Broken Arrow crooners Seth Harcrow, Nikolai Datsko, and David Warwick certainly are smooth. With complicated guitar harmonics, acoustic/electric pairing and cymbal heavy drum beats, they make very difficult musical endeavors look, and sound easy. Comparisons to Snow Patrol and Iron & Wine are easy to draw. Mixtape Pick: Away With Me

Low Litas–Mandii Larsen is responsible for Low Litas, which is remarkable in itself. To think that one person could create all the sounds you hear in Low Litas music is mind-blowing. I hear something new every time I listen. At the core, Low Litas is a girl singing about love and loss. Piled on are heavy vocal effects, sound effects, harmonicas, guitars and a number of other things. Listening to Low Litas is like finding someone else’s love letters. As you uncrumple the music, you begin to live vicariously through the protagonist. She lets you in, and you root for her. Mixtape Pick: Closer, but No Good For You is pure poetry.

The Lava Children–Featured on NPR last lear, The Lava Children are one of Tulsa’s best kept secrets. They don’t play often, but their Self Titled EP is available on iTunes. If you purchase this EP, you can expect to hear Joanna Newsom-esque vocals, heavy basses and lots of electro elements. The sound is layered and whimsical. The Lava Children manage to combine a childlike fairy tale fantasy with a heavy alternative rock sensibility.  Mixtape pick: I am a Pony

Bart Ford, owner, had an entire shelf dedicated to local music, stocked local artists Louis & Cluck t-shirts, and records for miles. Located on 14th and Harvard, a mere stone’s throw from TU and entertainment district Cherry Street, I think we all took for granted that Under the Mooch would always be there.

Over the time the Mooch was open, it found a warm place in the hearts of Tulsa’s alternative music fans. Bart had in-store shows with some of the country’s budding musicians including Tavo Carbone and many more. The Mooch was also a venue for blossoming avant garde t-shirt company RandR. Always a first stop to put up concert posters, the Mooch was a proverbial hotbed of the music scene here in town.

I have fond memories of spending money at The Mooch, and anytime I was curious about a band or album Bart would do his best to play me a sample, even if he had to go to the band’s myspace page. He would go above and beyond for custom orders, whether it be new vinyl, or an old favorite. Try getting that kind of service at Best Buy!

But Under the Mooch’s closing signifies more than just the loss of an amazing local business. To me it signifies our need to fight for our local culture. The malls are closing in, and its getting harder and harder to find local businesses that deliver good customer service and competitive inventory. The one thing we can do to support our town, and develop our own identity is to think local first. When going out to eat (Elote, Joe Momma’s, Tucci’s, Kilkenny’s), when going to a movie (Circle Cinema), when going shopping (Ida Red, Dwelling Spaces, Kiddlestix, Shoe Gypsy), think…is there a local business that will cater to my needs? If there is, by all means go there first over a big box store. I know I am preaching to the choir to some extent, but Under the Mooch is our loss too. If we fail to support our local businesses, they will close, plain and simple. Don’t take them for granted.

The crowd was more thinned out when Bearhug went on, but they certainly amplified the energy level of the audience. With song titles like “Get Down On Your Knees and Tell me You Love Me” and “Clenched Fists,” Bearhug presents a macho-rock sensibility. If you’re a fan of Black Flag, or Minor Threat, you’ll appreciate Bearhug’s work. Thick guitar riffs paired with tinny drums, this is the kind of music you listen after a bad day when you just want to break faces.

Mount Righteous packed out the bar, not only with their fans but with themselves! I mentioned in my last post that they’re a nine piece ensemble. Their sound is sensory overload in the best possible way, you don’t know whether you’re at half time during a Big 12 Game, or enjoying a symphony, or even at a dance club. I think its a happy marriage between all those things. They take the best elements of big band/marching band music and incorporate it with indie melodies and harmonizing vocals. It is really a sight to behold. The floor was so crowded, and being vertically challenged myself, I could only see the lead singer, his bass drum, and the top of the white tuba. Still, they created a fabric of sound that’s hard to resist dancing to. My one suggestion to Mount Righteous: next time you come to Tulsa, come to a bigger venue!

Bearhug, who doesn’t have a Myspace yet, or maybe they’re boycotting, is made up of Tulsa music veterans Brian Voris (Crackerwagon), Tony Delesdernier (Congratulations!, Wighead), Jeff Dipesa (Wighead), and Tyler Hall (Wighead). I haven’t heard much about Bearhug yet, but with this group you can expect crazy, energetic live performances and true musicianship. Expect to hear more about Bearhug later.

Mount Righteous is nine piece band with, get ready: Trombone, Electric Guitar, Trumpet, Drums, Bass Drum, Bells, Vocals, Cymbals and Tuba. All nine members sing, as well. Judging from the videos on their myspace, it is going to be really fun to see them live. They remind me some of, I’m From Barcelona. It seems the lead vocalist wears the bass drum, and plays it as he sings. Awesome! You don’t want to miss this!

See you tonight!

Dead Sea Choir provides a rich sonic-scape filled with keys, flutes, violins, synthesizers, and guitars. Choir is a great descriptor for this band, because it sounds like a choir of instruments coalesces to create a soothing, but somehow unsettling sound. I have never ‘officially’ seen them live, so I am looking forward to it tonight.

Giant Cloud is a folk-indie band with influences ranging from Bob Dylan to The Grateful Dead. If you like Camera Obscura, The Submarines, or The Dirty Projectors, you will enjoy this band. Deliciously sweet male-female vocals console you. But you don’t have to take my word for it…here’s what the band says about themselves, “Impressed with their own perception, they decided to live the life of traveling cantantes, touring the universe inciting dance riots and spreading the gospel of soft/loud/soft/loud rock ‘n’ roll.”

Come out and be a part of your city’s culture! We need you!

Album Cover

Oklahoma City’s Brother Gruesome consists of Todd Jackson on vocals and guitar, with Levi Watson on percussion. They just released their first album…well, I hate to use the word album because the only physical manifestation of the music is being released on cassette. Pretty cool, huh? I didn’t even know you could still mass produce cassette tapes. Thanks for proving me wrong, Brother Gruesome.

The opening track, “NakedGirls.com” is a shoe-gazey little number. Todd’s vocals are ethereal as he sings  about, ahem, Internet porn. Don’t be deceived, it’s message is more about the isolation caused by a lack of real human interaction.

On to track 2, “Cut It Out.” We get much more up beat with muted fast paced guitar riffs leading you into the chorus, “Why don’t we cut it all out?” he asks with an undulating confidence.

On “Holy Army” Todd abandons his normal tenor for a baritone. It hearkens me back to The Smiths, thumpy drums accompany their vocals as they harmonize “Kill for peace / and earn your sleep.”

“Room for Rent” begins with a harmony of “Ahs” that reminds me of Fleet Foxes. With lots of emphasis on the up and back beats, I feel like I am at a dusty Traveling Circus show. This song stays fun without losing its weight.

The closing track, “Song For Mike”is my favorite. This may be just because I have a soft spot for accordions. In a waltz-y 3-4 rhythm, Todd croons, “Sometimes a boy can’t get how precious life is, work 40 hours and then what do I get? ” An ode to a friend who committed suicide, it’s certainly not lite fare.

Makes me want to: join the sideshow; its sad and isolating, but at least you’re not alone.

Brother Gruesome comes through with their introductory release. They’ll take you from high to low and back again in just 5 tracks. A ruddy, sanguinary and raw first effort, well done guys! You can buy the album, er, cassette here.

BRONCHO sets up with three mics, 2 electric guitars, 1 electric bass and a drum kit. Their sound is raw, unbridled punk, drawing influences from Iggy Pop, The Ramones and Stiff Little Fingers. After hearing Ryan Lindsey’s solo project, I was surprised by the laissez faire vocals, but it works with the concept of the band. This being their first time playing in Tulsa, it was impressive that they reduced the crowd to a moshing, beer-soaked mass in a mere 20 minute set. There is a myspace page in the works, so you can hear them for yourself soon, and they have another show coming up next month in case you missed it!

Ishi, I must admit, was my favorite band of the night. I didn’t do them justice in my previous review. Ever think a handlebar mustache, a feathered fedora, a vocoder and a cover of ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ could make sense all in the same 30 minutes?Prepare to be surprised. Ishi makes it work, not only that but they work it. The dynamic between the lead vocalists, a fiery headed chanteuse and the previously mentioned Fedora-sporter, is romantic and intriguing. Watching their onstage relationship felt voyeuristic and  gritty, but still innocent and sweet somehow. The subtle harmonies and calm synth parts will sneak up on you, and before you know it you’re breaking out your best 90′s moves. If you get the chance to see Ishi, in their hometown of Dallas, or if they come back to Tulsa, take it. You won’t regret it.

Ptiaradactyl closed out the night in their tighty-whiteys. No, they didn’t bring the papier mache dinosaur heads this time, and I imagine they might be worse for wear after a few of their shows. Ptiaradactyl is the premier avant-garde band in Tulsa right now. With masks, vocal effects, and pedals they produce an electronic-screamo-metal sound. Its worth seeing, even if you don’t get it. The secret: no one gets it, thats the point. I think.

We are throwing a party to ofiicially launch this blog! Here is the info…

For more information email music@tulsaproject.com!

This show is going to be great! I will tell you a little about the bands:

Fiawna Forte–There are literally no words. Fiawna is a whirlwind femme-fatale who will steal your heart (and maybe your drink when you’re not looking). As Fiawna sings, the entire crowd formulates an “I want to date a musician, marry him/her and have babies and a white picket fence” fantasy. Well, see for yourself…

I’ve already done posts on Ghosts and La Panther Happens, so I want to tell you about The Televised. If I had to come up with a close comparison of genres, I have to say pop-punk. But ‘pop-punk’ sets off certain alarms in your head. Don’t be afraid. There are so many more sub-genres involved in what The Televised do. I’m talking singer-songwriter, ska, mariachi…how does it work, you ask? Seamlessly. I don’t know how a magician does his tricks, and frankly, I don’t want to know. I just want to be spellbound. That is what The Televised does, they spellbind you.

Coincidentally, you can catch them tonight at The Soundpony! 409 N. Main. I think they’re the only band on the schedule tonight, so you can savor it.

Thats all for me today, see you tonight and this weekend! Dont forget to check my show calendar for great shows you might not hear about anywhere else…

Lizard Police was crunchy, raw, energetic rock. I want to stave off the word screamo, but I dont think it’s far off.  Overall, enjoyable.

Barf Makeout are a curious bunch. Their singer is apathetically charming for someone who likes puke so much. Their tunes, take it or leave it, have shades of early Green Day. Punk to the core. I enjoyed their set.

I’m posting some pics, after all, I don’t want to yack your ear off. I am winded from all this moving…

Jhohn Casio(guitar), Chris Rusk(bass), John Atkins(drums)

Andy Layden (lead guitar)

Dustan Turner(keys)

Apologies for not having pictures of the first two bands. My camera’s internal memory just wouldn’t hold up. I have these pics because of the generosity of a friend. Many thanks.