We’re three weeks in and the competition is starting to heat up.
But if you think the pool of talent around the Indy Music Scene is starting to get a little shallow by now, you would be mistaken.
Last Thursday, the third week of the annual Acoustic Live Challenge took place at the Ugly Monkey. By now, you know how it goes: five artists/bands perform; no drum kits; all acoustic all night; and their fates are in the hands of a panel of judges (40%) and fans (60%).
Though this week was with a few minor changes. First off, my colleague Candace had the night off so I was the lucky one who had to try to live up to the standard she has brought to the contest. Also joining me for the evening was Bleeding Media’s Dan Mecca and Glass Halo frontman Eric Arnett.
I’ll admit, I’m a bit on the socially awkward side (and as Walter in “The Big Lebowski” would say, I’m out of my element here’). Maybe playing the role of Simon Cowell isn’t for me, but alas, I’m here to do a job. So after arriving ridiculously early and trying to understand whatever it is I’m supposed to do, time to get things started. Who else will be joining our other winners for the May 12 semi-final?
Up first, we’ve got Chris Wolf, a kind of throwback to the country western/folk artists of old. Most artists I see in situations like this have a slight tendency to take themselves too seriously, but in the case for Mr. Wolf here, songs about critters, invisible dogs, and a “Crossroads to Nowhere” ruled his set. For this guy, his light-hearted approach delighted the few in attendance at that time (and left the rest of us in stitches and wondering where could I find an invisible dog). While I’m not the biggest fan of that kind of music, maybe this was the one to make me think twice about my preferences.
How to follow the next act? With a laid-back trio straight from my alma mater (IUPUI). I had seen Lounge Soundsystem before when they performed on the IUPUI campus, but then sadly they were shut down for a noise complaint. If they could last more than five minutes without getting shut down, then it’s already a success. Anyway, let’s get back to the music:
Their set intermixed instrumentals and the occasional vocals to create a very chill, very relaxed atmosphere (in contrast to the laser lights the Ugly Monkey usually has). While talented, I wasn’t really feeling the effects they added to their songs. Maybe they’re just a better-suited electric band or my perceptions on acoustic shows aren’t very up-to-date. Either way, effects and acoustic instruments threw me off for this moment.
Now for one of the harder parts of the evening: judging a band I’ve seen more than a handful of times since last fall, interviewed several times, and perhaps they’re even sick of me by this point. For the next band, it’s time to welcome The Post Script.
For a show like the ALC, they’re right in their element (they are, after all, an acoustic duo). Though they do have one obstacle to overcome: you can’t have a drum set. No worries for these guys though, as Abe Shanehsaz unveiled his makeshift kit including a storage box, shakers, tambourine, and a cigar box. Before they even begin, I feel the need to award points for creativity.
However, this is a contest for music, not improvisation. Back on topic now:
The past couple of times I’ve seen these guys, it’s gone like this: very energetic, very crowd pleasing, and above all, they always look like they’re having the time of their lives on stage. This time around? It’s no different. At a complete loss for words when handed the mic (since I’ve probably written about them as much as I have Goliathon), I’ll use what Eric Arnett told me to say (as made famous by Ric Flair):
“Woooo!”
Okay, so talking on the mic probably isn’t for me, but maybe this is why I opted for the journalism path in college. While I try to recollect myself, let’s get this next act going.
Taking the stage next is Eddie Brummett, a solo female artist who brought up thoughts of Margot and about every other indie artist that pours through my headphones around that time of the night (roughly 10:00 p.m.). It was a very calm set, though maybe in contrast to a few “that’s what she said” jokes thrown in between songs and the occasional heckler. While I was a fan of her voice and her sound, I did think she came off a little airy sounding at times with her vocals. I’ll chalk this up to her not being 100% (her, like me and man others across this city, have been affected by the constant weather changes).
To close out the evening, we’ve yet another band I’ve witnessed before tonight (I’m sensing a trend here). The last time I saw these guys, they impressed me with their high energy rock ‘n roll. Also to be noted, the way they always try to get the crowd involved and let them know that they’re a part of the show.
That being said, let’s welcome Finer.
Though with the way the rules are, they were more like Finer minus 1 (keyboardist Manny De La Rosa was absent due to keys not being allowed). That being said, I’m a little nervous that they may lose their edge or their intensity when they switch to being “unplugged.”
And five seconds in, my worries are washed away.
Heck, not even a brief audio failure could stop them. Bassist Ethan James made himself the standard for how to play bass (and even guitar for that matter. His solos are something to be witnessed); singer/guitarist Stacy Basner got the crowd going; and maybe more importantly, they didn’t lose anything switching to acoustic. By the end of the set, they look like a serious threat to win this year’s crown…
…However, that isn’t up to me.
It’s past midnight; all five bands now await their fate; and I’m now trying to remember how to score this thing based on what was explained to me at the beginning of the night.
It’s been a great night, and I’ve had a blast despite my lack of mic skills. Before revealing the results, I will say that Rob Snodgrass has created one amazing night of music. No wonder it’s still here after six years. Now enough of my rambling, after finally figuring out how to award points and the final votes have been tallied, let’s find out who’s moving on to the May 12 semi-final. Remember, only the top two for the evening get to move on:
1.) Chris Wolf
2.) The Post Script
3.) Eddie Brummett
4.) Finer
5.) Lounge Soundsystem
So that’s it. Night 3 is in the books. The semi-final is a little over a month away, and we’re just getting started. Join us next week when five more acts will compete for a shot at glory. Remember, your vote helps decide who goes on and who goes home. As last Thursday becomes a distant memory and we look forward to another one this week at the Ugly Monkey, all you need to do is answer the age-old question:
“Whose side are you on?”
See you all next week.