The Trunk Space offers Phoenix an alternative to “diets of TV, commercial radio, and mall fashion.”
This space was originally an art gallery, but its owners’ desire to promote avant-garde and non-commercial forms of expression led them to booking bands and hosting films, improv nights, circus sideshows, burlesque performances…basically, the antithesis of the mainstream culture diet.
The venue also has a full espresso bar, which makes all the experimental activity even more delicious.
With a melody-filled free-jazz oeuvre, Chicago drummer Mike Reed gathers a host of exceptional local jazz performers for his Loose Assembly, including saxophonist Greg Ward, vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, cellist Tomeka Reid and bassist Josh Abrams.
It would have been killer to see Femi Kuti & Positive Force on Saturday, but the Afrobeat star’s US tour has been postponed until he recovers from illness.
The cancellation, at least, gives us a chance to catch two other strong options: the heavy, beat-driven jazz-rock of Doppler Shift and the keyboard-fueled Led Zeppelin covers of Bustle in Your Hedgerow.
In anticipation of Cursive‘s anticipated 2009 release, the melodic and dissonant indie rockers tide fans over with a stint of Midwestern tour dates.
Fans have eagerly awaited the completion of Big Business’ newest album, Mind the Drift (Hydra Head), and so have we. Though you’ll still have to wait to hear the whole album, yesterday the band posted album track “Gold and Final” on its MySpace page.
Jazz bassist Melvin Gibbs is an extremely diverse musician, and this musical diversification is exemplified by his new project, Melvin Gibbs’ Elevated Entity.
Hailed by some as the “best bassist in the world,” Gibbs expands his palette further on his forthcoming record, Ancients Speak, including tastes of Brazilian hip hop and African Yoruba culture.
ALARM contributor Michael Dunaway spent much of last Thursday driving to New Orleans from Atlanta. Once in town, he witnessed an inspirational night of music for the reopening of the Mahalia Jackson Theater — and he also got a quote from the embattled city’s mayor.
Join Chicago animator and illustrator Lilli Carré on January 15 at Quimby’s bookstore for a signing of her new graphic novel The Lagoon (Fantagraphics). Carré will also be selling prints and various little handmade book items. The event starts at 7 PM and refreshments will be served.
At Tease-O-Rama 2002, I had a front-row seat for Dita Von Teese‘s performance with her giant moon prop, and you may well resent me for that.
It was a gorgeous performance, with Dita obviously having a good time, and at the end of the number, a cannon shot a shower of silver mylar stars over us, hundreds of which I carried in my camera bag for at least a year after the show.
This year promises to be a great one for music. Isis, The Bad Plus, Mastodon, Dan Deacon, Coalesce, Jerseyband, Converge, and at least three Mike Patton creations (Mondo Cane, Fantômas, Crudo) are slated to release new albums.
Get the ETA on these and other anticipated albums after the jump.
Don’t miss this film. It’s amazing. Read the review here then watch the great documentary on his below. Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna. Directed by: Gus Van Sant.
The Bike Barn is the northern-most DIY venue we have profiled so far. Known as Falmouth, Maine’s only interesting attraction, the barn is a popular destination for locals and tourists when the weather is warm.
For more than four years, this space has hosted performances and classes. Currently, a house is being built so that shows can continue through the winter months.