Greetings Indianapolis, today is the big game when everyone is thinking Go Colts or Go Blue! I’m here to tell you that you can go blue any night of the week and it’s a year round event! It’s called Blues and the music can be found all over Indiana and abroad each and every night. The blues even offers prime time players who give their all to their respective craft day in and day out. It’s not considered mainstream music although it’s as deserving as any genre out there for the heart, passion, and intensity by which these soulful men and women play. Ask those musicians in rock bands headlining national tours who inspired them and you’re guaranteed to hear one or more of the names Johnson, Wolf, King, Guy, House, Hooker, Hopkins, Waters, Williamson & many more. American Blues has influenced other forms of music for decades and despite playing in the shadows of mainstream music it’s alive and well! When you speak of blues in Indianapolis you immediately think of the Slippery Noodle Inn, Indiana’s oldest blues establishment. I had my first taste of the Noodle one night after a concert at Market Square Arena in the early ninety’s. I was already a fan of blues having purchased and played Stevie Ray Vaughan’s album Instep repeatedly until I realized blues above all was music with feeling, that which penetrated your soul allowing you to come alive and feel the intensity of every note played or connect on a personal level with the vocal as it was projected. What followed was learning of those who influenced Stevie like Albert King and Buddy Guy, then I wanted to know their influences and it became a who’s who of Blues Legends! The Slippery Noodle has seen many of these legends perform on their stage but even more so have had countless blues musicians who’s skill and intensity was a thrill to watch although their names were not legendary.

  This past Monday I found myself at the Slippery Noodle Inn once again as I have many times since my first encounter. On this night a local and very talented blues trio known as the WT Feaster Band was on the front stage creating a memorable evening filled with their own original music and some blues/rock standards. Travis Feaster, a fourteen year guitarist who created the band some five years prior was sharing his influences through his own written music while adding his own flavor to those familiar covers. Performing was Travis on vocals and lead guitar, Austin Shearer on bass, and sub Brian Yarde on percussion, not drums but something known as a cajon which is a Peruvian instrument that began as a fruit crate and evolved into a box with a padded seat and a guitar string laced on the walls inside for tension. This gave a more subtle sound and was pleasing to hear as it had a mic linking it to the sound system. Joining the trio for a few songs was lead singer of Phoebe and the Mojo Makers, Sara Phoebe and she added her own soulful mix of songs from such artists as Susan Tedeschi and Bonnie Raitt. Like the WT Feaster Band, Phoebe and the Mojo Makers are a regular at the Noodle and both are soulful talented acts to follow and appreciate, here’s your chance GO BLUE!!!  

I failed to mention the covers performed by the WT Feaster Band intentionally because it was their original work which stood out most. From the melodic title track “Long Overdue” which remained in my head as I sang along during the drive home, to the traditional blues sound of “Walk On,” to the funky groove ” Turn Me On” that oozed from his Don Grosh crafted Guitar, Travis and company pack a punch that take them beyond local status. You know how you knew this kid from your home town who propelled himself to something greater leaving you saying to your friends, “I knew him when.” We’ll be speaking of this band in that way soon so go see them now, support them, and have a great time with them! Unlike major concert or theater events where everything is controlled and you rarely get to meet those you idolize, blues is in your face entertainment and the musicians are every day people like you and I and easily accessible to share a few words between fellow music lovers. Often they travel with Cd’s and other merchandise for you to purchase to round off a memorable evening. Remember blues music is available every night of the week in some venue across Indiana with Indianapolis as a focal point and blues artists work hard to make your experience a memorable one so get out and enjoy the gift of music! Subscribe and follow all the breaking news on blues and other genres as we bring all things music in Indiana to your inbox!  

GO COLTS!  

Mark Bastin