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Two months down.  Sixteen acts remain.

Welcome to the semi-finals.

At long last, the annual Acoustic Live Challenge has been narrowed down to just 16 acts.  Each has proven that they deserve to be here; their fans are loyal; and above all else, they possess what it takes to be Indy’s next big thing.  The down side?: there can only be one.

However, before we can crown a new champion, first we need to get through this night.  The rules–and are you sick of hearing them yet?–remain the same: each artist gets 25 minutes to perform; their fate is determined by fans (60%) and judges (40%); and your top 4 get to move on to the May 26 finals.  I’ve been looking forward to this all week and I can’t wait to get inside to see what the best of the Indy Music Scene has to offer.  So after soaking up the beautiful weather outside and exchanging pleasantries with some of the artists, time to head inside to take my seat at “The Inferno.”  Time to see who’s moving on and who’s going home.

Up first, we have Jamie Nichole.  I’m wondering if the phrase “the champ is here” will be uttered at any time during her set.  That’s right, after winning it all last year, she’s here to defend her crown.  While I’ve never seen or heard of her before, but she has obviously done something right to get to this point again.

And after seeing what she could do, I can say that it was very uncomfortable under that rock I’ve been living under.

Sure, maybe there wasn’t much movement on stage and her style was slower than maybe what I listen to all the time, but when you put that much emotion behind your performance, you don’t need anything else.  Her soulful lyrics and relaxed style of presentation can only be referred to as one of the most honest and heartfelt performances I’ve seen not just in this contest, but maybe ever.  Clearly, Jamie has earned any and all bragging rights.

You know how I said I couldn’t wait to get inside?  Well, let me revise that a little:

In the downtown area, there are places with air conditioning and there are places without.  The Ugly Monkey fell into that latter category.  To put things into perspective, the nice summer-like weather outside felt cooler than the oven of a bar inside.  For once, I envy those who can stand outside whenever they please (while my plea to move the contest outside ultimately failed).  While the brief few moments of fresh air were great, I have a job to do (and thankfully, Rob says air conditioning will work next week).  So time to take my seat again to judge this next trio.

Joe Sherfick has now taken the stage.  Last time, he impressed me with his high-energy performance and equally impressive backing musicians.  Now it’s time to see what he can do when the stakes are higher and the crowds are bigger (many of which were actually there for Sherfick).

This time around?  It’s more of the same: that kind of wildly energetic acoustic rock performance to match the crazy strobes of The Ugly Monkey (now appropriately renamed “The Inferno”).  As impressive as his performance is, it did seem like there were projection issues once again.  Almost like letting off the gas in a few of his songs resulted in letting off his vocal style.  However, this is just nitpicking.

Each act is great in their own right, yet there’s something reassuring about seeing their fan clubs in full effect each week.  Whether they traveled just a few minutes or even a few hours in some cases, they’re out to ensure their favorite artists to the finals (which is actually possible.  Fate is left in the hands of the fans after all).

There has been no shortage of solo talent in this year’s contest.  Some have made their mark with a distinct voice.  Some have done it with a “jaw-dropping guitar solo” (‘eat your heart out, Eddie Van Halen’).  Some did it with memorable hooks.  Others with a sense of humor.

Then there’s Chris Wolf, an artist who has done it with all four of the above listed criteria, and then some.  When I last saw this guy, he amazed and left the entire building in stitches with his songs about invisible dogs, critters, and a crossroads to nowhere.

This time around?  It’s no different.

Though later admitting he was nervous before taking the stage, he looked nothing like it underneath the blazing hot lights of an already toasty building.  Sure he may not have a fancy effects board, a backing band or a drum machine, but who needs it?  What Chris lacks in fancy toys, he makes up for in sheer, raw talent.  Besides, you don’t need all of those anyway to get a room full of people clapping (well, those who are still inside at this time at least).

Acoustic music?  Sounds good.  Rap?  Also sounds good.

But a duo that blends both?

That being said, let’s welcome James Wilkerson and Pat Armstrong to “The Inferno.”  Like many in this night, this is another musical act my fellow IndyConcerts.com representative Candace knows a thing or two about.  I have no idea what to expect, which has a tendency of being something to check out in the future or a disaster of Rebecca Black proportions.

Thankfully, it’s the former.

Though a concept like acoustic rap might sound strange, it actually works very well.  Wilkerson’s energetic presence and vocal growl seemed to complement Armstrong’s mostly freestyle verses.  Actually, with how much enthusiasm they displayed on stage, I’m surprised they didn’t fall of their stools.  Truly, they utilize a concept that’ll stay in the minds of anyone who witnesses them.  We’ll have to find out later if this does actually work.

From the not-so common to the realms of a little more familiar concept.  Daryl McGuire is next to to perform to the masses.  His set?  It was like something ripped straight from the pages of an Eddie Vedder/Seven Mary Three 90s alternative playbook, vocal growl and all.  As much as I enjoyed the nostalgia, it did feel like maybe he rushed through his set.  Whether that was due to time constraints or otherwise.  It’s a common occurrence in contests like this.  We’ll check in on him later.

Maybe it’s time to revisit the rules for just a second: each band can be no bigger than a trio; no drum sets; no keys; and as we’ve discovered in recent events, no covers.

That being said, let’s welcome the Brad Odom Trio, a band we learn is actually one half of a bigger musical force known as Kilgore Trout.  Brad warns us his songs tend to run a little long.  Will their jam band style hurt them in a show that’s nearing the end and is also held in a bar featuring $1 beer?

Well, maybe just to one minor fault.

I thought maybe the drums were a little too quiet, almost to the point of non-existence.  Though their songs ran a little long, I did think they sounded like one cohesive unit rather than just three people on stage doing their thing.  Chemistry is important and theirs blended together perfectly.  It makes me wonder what they can do as a full band…

We’ve gone to much more familiar musical territory as the night has gone on, and now it’s time to see and hear a duo I’m really familiar with.  How much so?  Something to the tune of judging them in Round 1 of the ALC, three rounds of the Battle of Birdy’s, multiple interviews, and also a few other shows around town.  Yet it always seems like every time I see them in a battle-like atmosphere, they’re either playing at the beginning or end of the night.

Let’s see what The Post Script can do this time around.

I will admit to be a little disappointed Abe Shanehsaz ditched the tote box/cigar box drum set in favor of a big wooden box, but hey, maybe it’s for the best.  As I promised, my comments at the end will be more than just one word this time.

Actually, their performance can best be described in one way:

They’re always upbeat, they always display an energy not seen in a lot of bands (also to the point of nearly falling out of their seats), and they always look like they’re having the best time of their lives.  Whether it’s to a room full of people in the finals, an all-ages basement off Central Avenue, or to a blazing hot downtown bar where most of the crowd is soaking up the cool air outside (rather than just soaking inside), it doesn’t matter.  They keep the same mentality in each performance, and truly making each one something to watch.  Even to someone who has seen them many times over the past few months.

We’re at the final act of the night, and not a moment too soon.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I also like not sweating constantly.  Especially when all I’m doing is sitting at a table looking like I’m thinking really hard.

To end the evening, Chuck DeLong takes the stage.  It’s been a long night, and maybe performing last isn’t the ideal spot at a bar for obvious reasons.  However, he didn’t let this affect him.  He just kept on playing and showed he has what it takes to be crowned this year’s champion.  Heck, he even broke out the acoustic rap (how have I not heard of this before?).  In short, a solid performance to close out a great evening of Indiana music.

And like that, it’s time to submit votes.  As a judge, I have my favorites to win, but I’m only worth 40% of the ballot.  Sure the temperature may have been hot inside, but maybe that’s just a means of measuring how hot the competition was tonight.  After a few moments of taking notes on this evening so I could pen this review, Rob Snodgrass takes the stage.  Time to announce the results.

They go a little like this:

1.) Joe Sherfick (863)
2.) Chris Wolf (747)
3.) James Wilkerson and Pat Armstrong (733)
4.) The Post Script (624)
5.) Jamie Nichole (601)
6.) Brad Odom Trio (418)
7.) Chuck DeLong (408)
8.) Daryl McGuire (388)

The end is quickly approaching, but of course, we still have four more spots to fill.  Join us next week as we find out who’s moving on to the May 26 finals in what is sure to be the biggest party in downtown Indy (thus far).  In addition to a night of great music, it’s also the birthday of Rob Snodgrass (you know, the mastermind of this entire show).  Only two more nights to go in this year’s contest.  Hot weather and an even hotter competition?

Only at the Acoustic Live Challenge.

See you all next week.

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