Ok. Some f*ck emailed me and identified himself as an Editor for SPIN Magazine. He asked for a review on the Louisville Music Showcase for a future issue. Still yet to be published….otherwise I didn’t realize this dude’s ass wasn’t behind his mouth…….
Photo courtesy of Damon Atherton at ThePhotoDemon.com
Louisville: Musical Masterminds and Mediocre Neverminds
Known for launching the careers of several hit-makers in the 90’s and 2000’s, Louisville searches for its next national icon via an annual industry showcase.
By Jason Ashcraft
You’d probably think a city which gave birth and fostered such bands as My Morning Jacket, Days of the New, Tantric, and FLAW, is bustling with hordes of other musicians/bands just waiting to export their music abroad. Louisville, Kentucky a city only two hours from Nashville, two hours from New York (by plane) and in the past has been referred to as the music industry’s next Seattle. Well, yes, possibly. There are quite a few gifted artists in Louisville who are, without a doubt, ready for whatever opportunity that could come their way. There is also a handful who are on the right track, but aren’t quite ready yet for going national. Then, of course, there’s a plethora of mediocre bands who think they got it – musically – but in reality, don’t. You know the ones whose girlfriends and roommates are their only fans at their shows?
Then enters the Louisville Music Showcase (LMS), an annual event now in its fourth year, which seeks to separate the masterminds from the neverminds. LMS has a reputation for being run in a very organized, straight forward and timely manner by its organizers Krowe Records, an independent label in Louisville, Kentucky. Musicians who think they have what it takes for national stardom are asked to submit their press kit to Krowe Records, in order to be considered to play at the showcase. No submission = no showcase.
Over the years, the showcase has brought in the national record label executives from Warner Brothers, Sony, Wind-Up, Interscope, and Virgin Records. LMS has brought in a number of Grammy winning producers, and national media such as SPIN and Rolling Stone Magazine. Management groups who manage some of the nation’s best artists worldwide have attended LMS since its inception. Literally the entire national music industry has laid its eyes and ears on Louisville’s apparent best over the past 4 years via LMS. This is the defining event for musicians to put themselves to the test.
The 2010 showcase received 80+ submissions from unsigned musicians representing a multitude of musical genres from around the Louisville and Kentucky region. Krowe Records narrowed down that group to 16 bands who best represented their respective genre/style.
The LMS 2010 lineup consisted of 16 Bones (acoustic folk rock), Artifex Pereo (emo metal), Autumn Canvas (indie/alternative rock), Black Wood Fields (punk rock), Bonejinn (mainstream hard rock), East 146 (pop rock), Hardlein (straight rock-n-roll), Heatherfield (Blues Rock), Heaven Hill (Southern Rock), Institution (Rap Rock), Kenzo (Hip Hop), Shatterstone (Metal Rock) , Some Kind Of Saint (Alternative Rock), Sonic Epitaph (Gothic Rock), The Less Obvious (WTF), & Thomas Medicine (Post Punk Rock).
LMS 2010 artists and the ones who need to be next year……
16 Bones. Although they were down a few vital members at LMS due to a snow storm, this band, when the front core members are Sailor (guitar, vocals), Bryan Fox (guitars, vocals) and Erin Dabney (violin), and Jason Horne (guitar), it’s hard not to believe they are not ready for anything a national label or producer could offer them.
Artifex Pereo. Pay attention, all you poor, depressed teenage mallrat brats with reverse mullets who loiter on the 502 message board. If you find emotional refuge in most emo bands, you’ll get it with Artifex Pereo. Boasting a large audience at LMS, their attempt to meld their emo and metal roots came off well. I just couldn’t figure out why vocalist Jeremiah Brinkworth kept running back to his Mac book every few seconds during their set. Apparently he is on keys but I didn’t hear it. Maybe he was checking his facebook?
Autumn Canvas. The newly formed indie-alternative concoction features members from (intheclear) and impressive lead vocals by Alex Ruidiaz. Having tunes littered with popish-like hooks, these songsmiths could be ready to hit the mainstream if a label dares to chance it.
Bryan Fox. When he’s not making his occasional live appearances playing with 16 Bones, he’s working on his solo country band, Bryan Fox and The Good Chickens which features Jessi Vest (Days of the New), and Kevin McCreary (Outspoken, Ugly) on strings. One of Fox’s solo songs is currently “on hold” for country music showboy Kenny Chesney. And he somehow still finds time to be a Dentist.
Burn to Shine. Producer Toby Wright recorded this band’s debut album, “Signs Of What’s To Come” and somewhat f**ked them over on the mix. They have great songs that occasionally have similar rhythms, but nonetheless are composed well. Wright should get serious with this band, and re-record a few of their prime tracks. A few that you may just find singing to yourself in your head. Burn To Shine needs to bring that traditional Louisville acoustic-rock style to LMS in 2011, submission or not. Like Days of the New did with this style in the 90’s and with this whole revival of 90’s bands (stp, alice in chains) going on right now, BTS has a shot. As long as none of them are end up on an “Intervention” TV set, that is.
BoneJinn. Attention-grabbing and dripping with potential since their recent emergence. Front man Marty Triplett has clear stage presence and soaring vocals. Maybe once they achieve a consistent lineup, and a good producer to tweak a few of their songs (i.e., “Time Bomb”), their catchy style could be the next Louisville export.
East 146. These Oldham County boys have come a long way over their Louisville musical career. The once emo-esque punk-rockers have now settled into a more melodic and pop rock style as exemplified by their best song “Pretty Girl.” In the end, it’s more of a 50/50 chance that a major label would take interest if nothing else.
Flatlyne. If you were down with the “F” when the “F” was in it’s prime (2002-2004), well you witnessed one of Louisville’s greatest original rock bands that never went anywhere. If someone can turn up vocalist Chris Shewmaker, we may just be able to resurrect the “F” if only to just play the next Louisville Music Showcase.
Hardlein. First off, these dudes f***king rock! But, maybe they ought to consider their options in making a shift to being an AC/DC tribute band if they’re after instant financial gratification playing music.
Heaven Hill. Louisville’s top act in terms of album release, image, and their intense, well rehearsed live performances. A major record label should wise up soon and sign these guys before Heaven Hill puts another song in the billboard charts with no one’s effort but their own.
Institution. Extremely entertaining live band. I’ve not heard much of their recorded material (because they’ve never submitted it) but they definitely have an intriguing live performance. It will be interesting to see how long they can stay prominent in the whole beat down and fading rap/rock genre.
Kenzo. He actually showed up at a record label showcase and lip-synced to one of his recordings, playing from a CD player. Really, Kenzo? Really? Apparently social-Darwinism translates to the music industry too. If so, Kenzo won’t be evolving much.
Kimmet Cantwell. Her original rock band that is. This former Days of the New diva didn’t perform at LMS by the way, but should’ve. Her incredible voice and lyrics can literally reach out and grab you and make you think of a similar situation you’ve been in. Everyone, take note. She still has the best female vocal chords in Louisville.
Magnetic Flux. Gene Simmons showed significant interest in them in 2003, shortly after he received a copy of their 2003 debut album “Rock n Roll.” If these guys could just get their bass player to scale back or quit his gig with Billy Ray Cyrus, and reunite, this band - hands down - is amongst the top 5 best rock bands in the city.
Shatterstone. They scream. They play loud. They’re power rockers except one of the dudes acts like he is playing to old people eating prime rib at a jazz recital. Back to the drawing board guys if your trying to seek glory beyond PHT on Friday nights.
Some Kind of Saint. The ex After The Fall members have failed to exceed the talent they demonstrated in their latter band. Both the songs and the performance were a bit mundane. As musicians, they’re capable of both writing and performing better music. It will be interesting to see if they do.
Sonic Epitaph. Even if you manage to hang through the first minute or two of one of their voiceless instrumental montages, bet you’re done once you’re convinced most of their music lacks an obvious hook and chorus, and each song is mundanely the same as the next. The symphonic aspect of their self-proclaimed style never really has any moments of triumph during their performance. What’s that? You like their music? Ah, the easily entertained.
South 75. These redneck rock boys from Richmond, Kentucky made their southern hard rock cool even before Black Stone Cherry took it worldwide. South 75 is the original Kentucky-based hard southern rock achieving almost legendary status in their home music scene of Richmond & Lexington, KY drawing hoards of fans to each of their shows. They’ve been off the road over the past year or so working on a new album, but may journey to Louisville to celebrate the release. Keep an eye on these guys and hopefully they will make the cut for the next LMS.
Thomas Medicine. They have a little angst in the way they come off, but no shortage of good musicianship and talent. Usually angst translates to a bunch of incoherent noise that some call metal. Not these guys.
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