ARTIST PROFILES: TEEN FICTION

written by Josh Weiker 

Photo courtesy of J. MATTHEW PHOTOGRAPHY

 Dance Party, you say? Look no further than TEEN FICTION. By looping amazing hypnotically bass-driven beats, and adding a vast array of accompanying melodies, this act is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

Photo courtesy of J. MATTHEW PHOTOGRAPHY

Front man, Bob Dawson, is like a magical, electro-rock pastry chef, who delivers awesome little treats concocted from his primary ingredients: drums, guitar, keys, sampled beats, and vocals. Then, right hand man, and local saxophone extraordinaire, Colin Martin comes along to place the proverbial whipped cream and cherry on top – seriously, it’s a ridiculously perfect mixture of modern and classic musical styles, that truly rocks, and is a must see ...

The first time I saw this act was at ComFest (2011). Sadly, I came in near the end of their set, but it was very obvious by the rather sizable dancing mobs of people, both on, and in front of the stage, that something good was going down. It was kind of hard to tell who was in the band, and what was happening, but I remembered that Teen Fiction was worth checking out – little did I know, just how many times I would see them in the following months.

Photo courtesy of J. MATTHEW PHOTOGRAPHY

This dynamic duo has been blowing up all over Columbus in 2011. Aside from playing ComFest, you might have seen them at Urban Scrawl, Hot Times Festival, Independent’s Day, Trauma, or at one of the many various venues around the city (and perhaps maybe even a strip club).What is really incredible, is the level of energy Teen Fiction brings to each show.

Mr. Dawson is always hyped and ready to dance semi-circles around his drum pad and keyboard – and you know the party is really going when he yells out his now trademarked fixture, “WoOOooOO !!” (which will also be supplemented with the occasional, “ YaaAAA !!!”). Mr. Martin, on the other hand, has taken it upon himself to wear the most hilariously peculiar outfits for their latest live shows – it’s as if he has an eccentric alter-ego [whose name is either unknown, or yet to be determined].

 Additionally, there have been recent sightings of one, Miss Button le Bouton, fancifully dancing about various Teen Fiction stages – and what can’t you love about her? All music aside, you should go to a Teen Fiction show just to have the opportunity to meet Mr. Bob Dawson– he’s one of those amazing people that emits ridiculous amounts of positive energy.

Photo courtesy of J. MATTHEW PHOTOGRAPHY

I swear his happiness is contagious, and it comes out in his music, his performances, and his company – each show is sprinkled with quirky shout outs of love to the crowd, and ever-present dancing legion of followers. I dare you to get out to a Teen Fiction show, listen, let go, and just have fun … just don’t yell at me when you end up dancin’ your pants off.

For more info, please check out:

Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/TeenFiction

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teenfictionxoxo?sk=info

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VENUE: NEWPORT Music Hall

VENUE: Newport Music Hall
Written By Josh Weiker

 Location:  1722 N. High Street (between 12^th and 13^th Ave.)

Events Calendar: Link

 Genres:  Variety - Nationally touring acts

Cover:  +$20

Drinks:  $5 - $10

 Perks: Balcony

        

Sitting just off the heart of the Ohio State campus is the Newport Music Hall. With its giant billboard promoting upcoming shows, and the almost ritualistic line of patrons awaiting entrance, it’s almost impossible to not notice this place. 
Primarily an outlet for nationally touring bands, this is a venue’s venue. The interior is very spacious, with an upper balcony for your alternative viewing pleasures – but don’t let the space fool you, this place gets packed. The main pit is usually the most crowded and rowdy, and if that’s not really your thing, rest assured, there is usually enough room to dance in the wings. Again, the balcony is a great spot for getting a good look at the band, people watching, or trying to find somewhere to sit down for a bit, but most of the fun is being had on the ground floor. 


There isn’t really a patio, as much as a door that takes you out to a small, semi-fenced area, where you can get some fresh air and/or smoke between back-alley buildings (but be advised, you can’t take your drink with you – lame, right?)

Beginning as a movie theatre, and then spending a short time as a ballroom, the Newport officially became a music hall in the mid-80s. After one look, it’s not hard to tell that this place has been arranged for one thing – live music. With a very simple bar set up (pretty much domestic draft beers), and minimal options for sitting, this probably won’t be a place to hang out all night, or frequent on a regular basis. If you happen to attend a show at Newport, then definitely make post-show plans. 

Most shows let out kind of early, and it’s usually nice to go to a bar where you can unwind and cool down after a show, not to mention get some liquor for a decent price. The Newport Music Hall is tied in with PromoWest Productions, which also manages the stages at The LC, Stage AE, The Basement, and the A&R Music Bar. Additionally, CD 102.5 (previously CD101) helps coordinate their shows, which occasionally gives local musicians an opportunity to play on these bigger stages.

The radio station also frequently uses this venue to present its “Low Dough Shows;” in which a better known or rising band is featured, and tickets are usually around $5 - which is a steal, being that the average ticket price for a show at the Newport falls within the realm of more than twenty dollars.

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ARTIST PROFILES: LIONEL THE JAILBIRD

Written by Raad Shubaily

Who: Lionel the Jailbird

What: AMAZING Rock performance

For more info on Lionel The Jailbird, check out

http://www.lionelthejailbird.com

Facebook 

Twitter

Myspace

Check out Band Calender

One of the busiest bands in town, Lionel the Jailbird, is quickly gaining momentum.  Now with a weekly slot at Ruby Tuesday, there’s always a chance to catch this four-piece rock outfit in town.  Between weekend performances and their slot at Ruby Tuesday, there’s no reason to miss them.

             

Though primarily a rock band, there’s a certain level of complexity found in their music.  There are hot guitar licks dispersed all through the set, inspired often by the blues.  They aren’t without peaks and valleys though. They can do the slow ballads just as well as loud-fast rock tunes, even incorporating an acoustic guitar at times. 

Jonathan Giacalone - bass

Paul Talbot- Guitar

With a bit of jam-band feel, including extended solos, their main influences are obvious.   Their take on the Rolling Stones’ “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” is a wonderful example, as well as Led Zeppelin’s  “Dazed and Confused.” These songs seem to coincide perfectly with Lionel the Jailbird originals, as the roaring bass lines are reminiscent of something found on a Led Zeppelin album.

Drummer- Mitchell Rowland

 The drumming is also Zeppelin-esque, in fact, Lionel the Jailbird might possibly have the only drummer I’ve ever seen casually chewing bubblegum amidst blazing drum fills. 

Singer Dominique De Biasio

 A nice addition to an otherwise common instrumentation is the violin.  Singer Dominique, who sounds like Janis Joplin, Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane and Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach combined, also wails on the the violin - which seems to absolutely weep whenever she picks it up.  It’s a nice compliment to the sweet sounding, slower parts of the set in between the fiery riff-rock.

      

Lionel the Jailbird is a group of four friends doing what they love to do, and doing it well.  This Saturday is their one-year anniversary show at Ace of Cups and they’ve done nothing but grow in that time.

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VENUE: DICK'S DEN

Written By Josh Weiker

Location:  2417 N. High Street (between Maynard and Blake Ave.)

 Events Calendar:   http://www.dicksdencolumbus.com/

Genres:  Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, R&B, Funk, …

Cover:  $4  

Drinks:  Under $5

Perks: Patio, Pool Table  

        




 If you feel comfy in a dim, hole-in-the-wall bar with chill people that just don’t give a damn, then you should ask yourself ‘Why Not?’ Far away enough from the hustle and bustle of the OSU campus crowd, Dick’s Den is one of the best kept secrets in Columbus. Just located just off the corner of High Street and Blake Avenue, Dick’s Den is easy to miss with any run of the mill passerby, but it only takes one glimpse to notice.

         On any given night, Dick’s Den provides a stable platform for local Bluegrass, R&B, Jazz, Blues, and Funk music (just to name a few).  The true gem of the Den is the virtually non-existent separation from the performers and audience; the stage sits right on top of you - and more often than not performers end up on the floor, in front of what is surely to be a crowd of enthusiasts, dancing.

Even if you might happen to stumble in, and not necessarily dig the bands, (you may) wander out to the patio (just beyond the pool table) where I promise, an interesting conversation awaits you.  Feel free to chat with the amazing musicians that just consistently deliver your multiple ‘eargasms’ and breathe life into BusTown. There aren’t many places where you can take advantage of this opportunity; and it’s extraordinarily refreshing to hear that they enjoy playing for you, as much as you enjoy listening. 

         There is almost always a $4 cover (except on Tuesdays), but once you’re in, the drinks are cheap, the bar staff is excellent, and the bands are outstanding. Go to Dick’s Den, meet the people, listen to the bands, and enjoy yourself … I mean, why not?

BusTown Reviews was produced by Joey Gurwin 

BusTown Music General Manager is DP Krukrubo

Shout out to the BusTown Music Family

Special Thanks to the great Columbus folks

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VENUE: KOBO

Written by Raad Shubaily

Address:  2590 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43202

website:  http://www.kobolive.com/ 

Genres:  Funk, Hip-Hop, Alternative/Indie, Country, Rock …  

 Cover:  under $5 

Drinks:  under $5

 
On a fine piece of real estate near Hudson St. & High St. lies a music junkie’s mecca. Kobo, which is the Japanese word for an “Artist’s Workspace,” seems to have found its niche in Columbus.  Usually booked for months in advance, there are few venues in town with such an intimate aura.

The stage is very small, giving fans a rare and original opportunity to interact with performers.  There’s live music almost every day, with a 90’s night on Mondays and karaoke night on Wednesdays. 

The bands that come through Kobo’s doors usually fall under the blanket category of rock/pop.  Some local favorites that appear fairly often include Ghost Shirt, Karate Coyote and the Phantods.  There’s also a monthly dance party called Dance or Die, hosted by DJ Self Help and DJ Barticus. 

Kobo has become a staple of local music, hosting events with the Hot 17, the Columbus Music Co-op and various other local sponsors. When it comes to keeping up on the hottest bands in town, Kobo keeps a close eye on the pulse of the city’s ever changing, diverse musical tastes. 

If you’re interested in local music, you’re going to find yourself here one way or another.  It’s a fantastic location to catch your favorite bands because, one day, you might not be able to walk right up to the stage they’re playing on.  Though this venue can be considered small in square footage, it’s quite sizeable in the local music scene.

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ARTIST PROFILE: DESCENDRE

Written by Josh Weiker

Members:    

Adam Smith – Keyboard/Synthesizer

Stan Smith – Guitar

Jim Tussing – Bass / Synthesizer

Justin Campbell – Percussion

Accompanied by: Nicole Rachelle – Saxophone

Genre/Sound: Lucid Instrumental Psychedelic Fusion Jazz Soundtrack

- like if you were to remake the Herbie Hancock album ‘FutureShock’, for the original Zelda … on acid

Observations:

Descendre Live @ Ruby's

There’s no beating around the bush with Descendre – they come right out, and smack you in the mouth. Go ahead and pick your jaw up off the ground, wipe that confused look of amazement off of your face. 

This is live music that is intense, wonderfully orchestrated, and more than anything … enchanting.

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VENUE: BROTHERS DRAKE MEADERY

Written by Raad Shubaily

Location: 26 E. 5th. Ave., Columbus, Ohio.

Cover: $0

Drinks: $6.25-$7.25/glass
             $24-$28 per bottle

Specials: $15 for tastings (5 different types of mead)

Website: 
 http://brothersdrake.com/wordpress/



      





 Try telling your friends you’re going down to the local meadery for the evening.  The quizzical faces come on swiftly: “The what? Meatery?,” “Something about meat?”  The answers to these questions are simple, if I wanted to purchase some fine cuts of beef, I would go to the butcher.
The Brothers Drake Meadery is Columbus’ first and only meadery, which explains why few people seem to grasp the concept of mead.  To be brief, mead is wine made of honey.

Raad Shubaily interviewing Oron Benary

    Brothers Drake was co-founded by Woody and Eric Drake in 2007 at a location in Worthington.  Oron Benary helped oversee a transition to the new location on 5th Ave. in September 2010, where he took on the position in helping to manage and grow the business.

     Bustown Music was lucky enough to have a tour of the back room, where the mead is actually made.  They receive their honey from local honey producers while the product is very much in its raw state, including a dash of the noble bees’ wings. 
    






 The first process in making mead is fermentation, where the ingredients are compiled and fermented for 6 to 12 months.  The next process is filtration.  At the end, there’s the maturation process, which takes the most amount of time.

In the front room, there is a bar offering five different types of mead.  Brothers Drake is currently looking to double the mead selection and get ahold of a liquor license.  After obtaining said license, they plan on selling only locally made alcohol.  



    



The idea is to create a self-sustaining local economy by using only local products and selling only to local clients.  They won’t ship outdise of greater Columbus as a matter of principal, it’s a philosophical idea of supporting Columbus’ vibrant nature.  Also in the front side of the building is a performance space.

  There’s usually a performance every week, including improvisational jazz performers, dancers, painters, musicians and V.J.s, or visual jockeys. Outside of some touring and local bands, there are also a few bands that come through every couple weeks, the Devil Doves and Rawkadeus. 

    



 Brothers Drake Meadery is very welcoming, staff members are both friendly and very informative of their product.  They even have something that looks like a mad scientist’s laboratory in the back, where they create and test new flavors to keep the vibe fresh for the regulars.  With an artistic, west-coast vibe and a positive outlook on building local relationships, it’s obvious why the clientele keep going back for more.

 













  

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