Hopefully you all know already that the voting for the 2009 RFT Music Awards is underway (vote here!), and that the RFT Music Showcase is happening on June 7th, a week from this Sunday. Well if you didn't know, now you do.
Anywho, you can check out the Showcase schedule here, but I thought it would be helpful to those of you who aren't exactly "familiar" with your local scene for Ryan and I to recommend some bands to check out at the Showcase. And you *should* come to the Showcase - wristbands are only $5 and you can buy them here.
So, without further ado, here's the GAH Guide to the RFT Music Showcase (including a confusing map at the bottom!):
1:00 - 2:00
RYAN says: Troubadour Dali at the Cucina Outdoor Stage. I love both fuzz AND reverb. It's the complete package. Goes great with the first beer of the day!
STEVE says: Nothing like starting the day out with the DJs in The Beat Street Crew at the Main Outdoor Stage. Grab a Schlafly and soak it up, ‘cause it’s the only hip-hop you’ll get for the next six hours.
2:00 – 3:00
RYAN says: 30 MIN. SPLIT – 2:00-2:30: Jon Hardy and the Public at the Main stage. They always come charging out of the gate. Then, at 2:30, the Funky Butt Brass Band at Cucina Outdoor Stage. They'll just be getting warmed up by then. Two parties, either way!
STEVE says: While the FBBB sounds like a good time, I gotta stay planted at the Main Stage. JH&tP’s tunes are too good to miss, and you never know when they’ll break out a Springsteen or Randy Newman cover.
3:00 - 4:00
RYAN says: Kentucky Knife Fight at the Cucina Outdoor Stage. One of my favorites in town; highly recommended!
STEVE says: Having never seen One Lone Car, I’ll stick around to check out their set, which seems to owe a debt to nice-guy mid-90’s pop rock a la The Gin Blossoms and Matthew Sweet, and maybe a touch of Nada Surf’s last couple records.
4:00 - 5:00
RYAN says: 30 MIN. SPLIT: Obviously, I'm playing on the Main Stage, but if I weren't I'd split my time between us and The Monads. Thankfully, they aren't too far apart.
STEVE says: The Monads are always fun, but you should stick with us. ;)
5:00 - 6:00
RYAN says: LOGOS on the Main Stage. Easily consumable, highly entertaining, guitar shreddery. Freebird!
STEVE says: I’ve been meaning to check out The Educated Guess, who will be over at the Cucina Outdoor Stage. Anyone who warrants a comparison to Springsteen gains my immediate interest.
6:00 - 7:00
RYAN says: Grace Basement at Racanelli's. I love this band. 'Nuff said.
STEVE says: While the new tunes from Grace Basement sound quite good, if you choose to skip Ryan’s recommendation, I would suggest either checking out the Strokes-ian garage rock of The Radical Sons at Cicero’s, or hopping over to Blueberry Hill’s Elvis Room to see how Raglani is reinvented in the wake of having gobs of custom gear stolen in New York (benefit show at White Flag Projects this Sat.).
7:00 - 8:00
RYAN says: Beth Bombara at Pi, followed immediately by Cassie Morgan at 8pm. Both of these ladies make heartbreakingly beautiful music, and are about the sweetest gals you could hope to meet.
STEVE says: If you’ve been around since 1:00 and are starting to have some turntable withdrawal, check out the “dirty beats & dinosaur dance parties” promised when DJ Thumpasaurus hits the wheels of steel at Pin-Up Bowl.
8:00 – 9:00
RYAN says: 30 MIN. SPLIT – 8:00-8:30: Cassie Morgan at Pi. I'd hate to leave, but I will, to see… 8:30-9:00: The Blind Eyes at Cicero's. Another of my top five bands in town. You won't be disappointed. Highly Recommended!
STEVE says: Ditto the 30 MIN. SPLIT. You can’t go wrong with either one – two of the best acts in town. Just a shame they’re playing at the same time. If you happen to be walking by the Delmar Lounge, poke your head in and catch the Rats & People, but be warned: It might be hard to tear yourself away.
9:00 - 10:00
RYAN says: Wooden Kites at Delmar Lounge. Haven't seen them in a while, but they have never failed to rock my ass.
STEVE says: If you stuck around at The Delmar, I’m with Ryan – stay for Wooden Kites. If you’re still at Pi, you should check out Magnolia Summer. If you’re in the vicinity of Brandt’s, definitely make a point to catch Caleb Travers. If you’re near Vintage Vinyl, check out The Mhurs, who we’re playing with at Off Broadway on 6/18. And, if you’re feeling some hip-hop, from 9:00 to midnight is a truly all-star cast of local cats at the Duck Room. Get there early ‘cause it’s bound to be packed.
10:00 - 11:00
RYAN says: Theodore at Riddle's. In my top five favorite local bands, period. Highly recommended!
STEVE says: Theodore is a solid bet, but if you’re in the mood to dance, or even just some drankin’ and head-bobbin’, my favorite DJ in town, DJ Mahf, is at Pin-Up. I might miss them both, though, to catch Exercise at the Delmar, right after Wooden Kites.
11:00 - 12:00
RYAN says: Fred Friction at Riddle's. Fred's songs will sneak up on you. They are actually amazing, but his effortless delivery and booze-soaked performance will make it look like he's not even trying.
STEVE says: If you’re still at the Delmar, don’t move. Target Market is sounding better than ever, and you shouldn’t miss their set. In fact, take the opportunity to pick up their new disc!
12:00 am.
Still going? Bravo. The only show on the schedule for midnight is Bunnygrunt at the Delmar. That is, unless you’re at The Pageant checking out the Hall of Fame show featuring The Schwag, Steve Ewing, and the Murder City Players, which may very well run past midnight. Get home safe!
And as promised, for your (in)convenience, a map of the routes that Ryan (Pink) and I (Blue) suggested. This most likely isn't going to help anyone so much as it just illustrated how much walking we'll both be doing, unless of course we can hire our own private pedicabs for the day! Take note, local pedicab services - this is the place to be on 6/7! Does St. Louis even have a pedicab service?
But yeah, I think this map might involve some inadvertent time travel somewhere along the way, and the subsequent possibilities of our past and future selves meeting. No worries, though, as NBC's Heroes has clearly disproved the theory that such a meeting would result in an unraveling of the time-space continuum. Anyway, enjoy, and see you there!
Cheers,
Steve | GAH
