The best show I/we saw this year: R. Stevie Moore at RecordBar What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Ross Brown
The Pitch Music Showcase 2013 continued from page 29 Maggies, and I’m playing bass in a brand-new project that doesn’t even have a name yet. (It’s pretty cool!) Soon I’ll be starting my radio show on slamlive.com. The fall-equinox edition of Weirdo Wednesday Supper Club will be September 18 at Davey’s Uptown. The lineup is fantastic! There is also talk of a Sister Mary Rotten Crotch reunion this year, as well as a possible American Catastrophe performance toward the end of 2013. Fun with old friends! Music and new adventures all around!
ROSS BROWN
MARGO MAY What’s new and what’s next? My sound is whatever I feel like making at the moment. Right now I am into chillwave, Italo disco and tropical beat. My next album is all electronic — I am so into it. European dance culture has captured my heart musically at the moment. In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … Basically like Hope Sandoval meets Enya meets Nine Inch Nails. What are you liking/not liking about the KC music scene right now? Uh, Kansas City is cool; everywhere is
ERICA PETERSON
What’s new and what’s next? Toured in July. I’ll also be recording a few live sessions, including my first Daytrotter as La Guerre, and I’m incredibly excited! I’m releasing an EP in August called Violent, and a full-length called Sapphires later this year. You know, keeping busy … In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … Compliments of my boyfriend: “It’s exposed and vulnerable yet it’s countered by empowering vocals. There is soaring ambience cut by rhythmic keys and stirring melodies. What initially seems personal becomes a shared experience with the listener.” The best song/album I/we heard this year: Modern Vampires of the City by Vampire Weekend is tied with Tales of a GrassWidow by CocoRosie. Both are really innovative and have incredible sounds. The best show I/we saw this year: When Cowboy Indian Bear was touring in NYC this spring, we saw the album-release show for a woman named Xenia Rubinos. It was at a small club in Williamsburg that we had played the night before. There wasn’t a huge crowd, but she blew everyone away. She has just released her new album on Ba Da Bing Records, and it’s excellent. What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Y[our] Fri[end] and Akkilles are two new acts that I’m really in love with. I’ve also really loved everything that Mat Shoare has been putting out. Notice that I can’t give just one answer for any of these. Our music scene is just too good!
DOMINIC PETRUCCI
LA GUERRE
Margo May (above) and Ross Brown fine. Doesn’t matter where you live as long as you work hard. I have a huge crush on L.A. The best song/album I/we heard this year: Currently grooving to Zola Jesus, Grimes, Kleerup, BloodDiamonds, Sun Glitters, Glass Candy, Stevie Nicks, Chromatics, Kraftwerk, Kate Bush, Hannah Hurrle and MNDR. The best show I/we saw this year: Best live show this year would have to be MNDR in Columbia, Missouri. She was just DJing, but I respect her work ethic and everything she does. Badass chick. What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Favorite local act is Kiana from Tilly and the Wall. I want her to release a solo album so bad! I would listen to the shit out of it!
Also nominated: Heidi Gluck SINGER-SONGWRITER (MALE)
BEN MOATS What’s new and what’s next? Since releasing an EP called Fathers and Sons last summer, I have been working to finish a full-length album called Slow Exit, which I hope to release in the fall. In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … Largely acoustic-driven with some minimal drums and instrumentation. The best song/album I/we heard this year: As far as a local band is concerned, the ACBs’ Little Leaves has been my favorite album. As far as all albums released this year, I also like David Byrne and St. Vincent’s Love This Giant and Atoms for Peace’s Amok. The best show I/we saw this year: I just saw Wu-Tang Clan at the 80/35 music festival in Des Moines, which was a good show and an interesting experience. I also saw David Byrne and St. Vincent, which was also a great show. What’s your favorite local act at the moment? The ACBs, Ghosty or Shy Boys
ERIK VOEKS
What’s new and what’s next? I’m working on a collection of songs that might end up being an album. Otherwise, I’ll just continue to play in bands. In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … Just trying to write good songs and do cool stuff. What are you liking/not liking about the KC music scene right now? Like: There seems to be a growing enthusiasm and awareness about it. Dislike: Having to describe my sound. The best song/album I/we heard this year: Al Stewart, “Year of the Cat.” Late to the game on this one. The best show I/we saw this year: Chris Cohen at Love Garden What’s your favorite local act at the moment? Shy Boys
What’s new and what’s next? Working on new songs to hopefully release before the year’s end. A north-east tour (Chicago, Boston, New York, etc.) with the Depth and the Whisper in early August. A Spain tour in mid-September. What’s new and what’s next? In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … I’m working on a new album — more acousAn amalgam of all I heard while growing tic-based, with slower, sadder songs. Talkup: power pop, psych, West Coast singer- ing with a label called Zap Records in London songwriters, AM radio, skinny tie new wave about releasing it. It should be coming out and a little prog! before next summer. Also, The best song/album I/we I’m staying busy doing muThe Pitch Music Showcase heard this year: sic for commercial and film Friday, August 2 I’m presently stuck on projects with Primary Color
SAM BILLEN
the Pedaljets’ new album. Music. The best show I/we saw In 140 or fewer characters, The Pitch Music Awards Sunday, August 11 this year: my/our sound is … Richard Thompson at the Kind of pretty, kind of Folly. Holy crap! soft, kind of sleepy in your What’s your favorite local act at the moment? loft — listen with your headphones on, listen Too many to list, but Hidden Pictures, the when you’re all alone. ACBs, Dead Voices, the Grisly Hand. The best song/album I/we heard this year: I love the new ACBs and Cowboy Indian Bear albums. I also took a short trip to Japan last month and fell in love with the new Phoenix album when I was there. The slight Asian What’s new and what’s next? In December, I released my new album, flare was so coincidental and perfect. The best show I/we saw this year: Domestic Partnership. I am still playing shows My good friend Josh Atkinson and I played a locally and regionally in support of that record show around New Year’s at the Replay Lounge and my previous ones. I am also working on in Lawrence with Jordan Geiger, the ACBs and a few future projects, one of which is a Harry the Shy Boys — every act was awesome! Nilsson cover album, which I hope to release What’s your favorite local act at the moment? before the end of the year. Definitely too hard to answer with just one, In 140 or fewer characters, my/our sound is … so I’ll give you a little list: Shy Boys, the ACBs, Woof woof! What are you liking/not liking about the KC Cowboy Indian Bear, Quiet Corral, Hidden Pictures, Heartscape Landbreak, the Republic music scene right now? Tigers (do we still call them local?), etc. I like the enthusiasm that musicians, venues and promoters have for the local stuff that is going on right now. I think KC is a great Tina Smithers contributed to this article. starter city for musicians. In the coming years, See pitch.com for an extended version it certainly has the potential to grow into a of the interviews. full-fledged music town of its own. The best song/album I/we heard this year: The Beatles’ White Album E-mail feedback@pitch.com
MAT SHOARE
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