Interview: Alex Schaaf from Yellow Ostrich, Friday at Der Rath

Posted on March 9, 2012 by erinberge

The much anticipated concert this Friday in Der Rathskeller includes the one and only Yellow Ostrich. With their recent release of Strange Land, we can only expect great musicians performing new and exciting tracks. Alex Schaaf, the singer-guitarist of Yellow Ostrich, spared a few minutes to talk about the new album, and beloved crowds. Originally from Wisconsin, Schaaf moved to Brooklyn and since then has seen much success within Yellow Ostrich. However, Brooklyn does lack one essential item that resides in Wisconsin– Spotted Cow Ale. So come out at 8:30 p.m. to Der Rath to see Yellow Ostrich’s show with Lower Dens, Grace Weber Band, and 1,2,3. Witness the “raw and aggressive” songs played with passion, and let’s get these guys a Spotted Cow!

Have there been any artists that have influenced Yellow Ostrich’s melodic style?

Neil Young, Velvet Underground, The Beatles, Talking Heads, Shania Twain, Bob Dylan.

What inspired you to make a head out of fur on your Strange Land album cover?

I really wanted some element of mask-wearing on the cover, and the ideal mask is one that doesn’t have any face, that’s just sort of a blank slate. So that one ended up working out perfectly. It’s my furvorite. Sorry.

Were there certain instruments that you guys wanted to emphasize more on this album?

Not specific instruments so much as a certain kind of feel and vibe. We wanted it to be really raw and aggressive and live, rather than quiet and ”nice” and adorable. We wanted to take a sledgehammer to cuteness.

Since you have moved from Wisconsin to Brooklyn, and have had the chance to perform in Madison, do you notice a difference between Brooklyn crowds versus Madison crowds?

Well Madison crowds tend to be friendlier and more supportive. But that probably has to do with the fact that my parents and family are always at the Madison shows. Regardless, I always like the vibe of Madison shows. And the Spotted Cow. There’s no Spotted Cow at Brooklyn shows.

Are there certain songs that you enjoy performing live compared to others?

A lot of these new songs are really fun to perform live because they are so aggressive and raw, it’s a very effective way to release everything that’s been pent up throughout the day. It’s like emotional vomit, just cleansing your system of these feelings by just ripping them out through the guitar. But in a more melodic and harmonious way than actual vomit.

Anyone that I’ve talked to that has seen Yellow Ostrich live here in Madison just loves your music, what can we expect from this concert here Friday night?

It should be good, we’re going to play a lot of these new songs and a couple of our older jams as well. We have our own little lighting setup for our current tour, so that’s been something new and interesting. Also, there will be Spotted Cow. I specifically demanded it in our contract.

Back for More: Trapper Schoepp and The Shades w/ Ferdinand the Bull at Der Rath

Posted on March 1, 2012 by mollymagnolia

A couple weekends ago, Milwaukee’s own Trapper Schoepp graced our presence at Der Rath by opening for Juniper Tar with a crowd-engaging and foot-stomping set. This Friday night at Der Rath, Schoepp is back for more; he’s even bringing his band, The Shades!

Schoepp and the Shades string together pop-rock melodies with Bob Dylan-esque Americana thrown in for some spice. Kiki Schueler of the The Punk Rock Skunk Blog described Schoepp as “what Bowie would sound like if he grew up in Pewaukee instead of the UK.”

The four-man band has just released a new album, Run Engine Run, with twelve new songs sure to instigate plenty of head-nodding and foot-tapping. The Isthmus described Schoepp as “a songwriting talent in the making.” With influences like Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, and The Clash, Schoepp and the Shades will be sure to bring that summer Terrace-feel music straight into Der Rath.

Opening for Trapper Schoepp and the Shades will be Ferdinand the Bull, a Madison band the core. With songs like “Barcelona,” the band strikes similarities with the likes of The Black Keys and Jack White, throwing in some raw guitar riffs and awesomely scratchy vocals. FTB’s enigmatic personality and rock n’ roll vibe will surely set the stage for Schoepp.

So f you’re looking for a Friday night to chillax, drink beer, and get back down to your roots, Trapper Schoepp and the Shades and Ferdinand the Bull will surely sooth your musical soul. PS: It’s FREE!!

Download “So Long” by Trapper Schoepp and the Shades

Advance Base w/ The Lazy Reason: Friday at Der Rathskeller

Posted on February 23, 2012 by marleealexa

What can you expect to hear from Advance Base this Friday at Der Rathskeller?

Owen Ashworth, formerly of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, is producing new and not-so-painful music under the fresh name of Advance Base. His debut album, A Shut-In’s Prayer, is scheduled for release this May, 2012 on Orindal Records and Caldo Verde Records, the latter of whom features artists such as Kozelek and Sun Kil Moon.

Ashworth previously wrote and performed his own music, utilizing digital sounds such as drum machines and keyboards, and the occasional guest performance. However, after thirteen years performing as Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, an era has ended and he is ready to take on something new (quite the challenge for any established artist) as Advance Base. We hear softer, mellower music from Ashworth, as well as more reflective lyrics. His new music undeniably reveals his growth as an artist and it’s also lovely to listen to- it makes you feel kind of cozy and warm. As an experienced performer turning over a new leaf, Advance Base will no doubt put on a great show at Der Rathskeller this Friday, so don’t miss out!

Check out Advance Base’s “Our Cat” below and follow this link to read an interview Owen Ashworth did with Madison Yeah in anticipation of this show.

Our Cat (Nov 3, 2011) by Advance Base

The Poison Control Center, Sat. Nite Duets, and The Fatty Acids take over Der Rath Saturday

Posted on February 22, 2012 by erinberge

Sat. Nite Duets

Cancel all previous Saturday night plans (with the excuse of “i’m going to a sick concert”), for you will not want to miss this show that WUD Music has so kindly booked for you. As The Fatty Acids start off the night with their named “quirk pop” sound (or according to the band themselves “psych polka” and “scramble pop”), standing still will not be an option. Their new album Leftover Monsterface (available for free download on their bandcamp), released in June 2011, has an unusual alternative rock feel, but also resembles electronic pop. With their hometown in Milwaukee, the band’s fan base continually grows through passionate live performances.

Next, Sat. Nite Duets set high expectations from their recent album, Summer of Punishment. Revealed in a recent CNN interview, Sat. Nite Duets use their songs to “poke fun at societal outrages” during the political tension residing in Wisconsin. Their humorous stance adds that much more to their rock and roll performance.

To end the night on a fantastic note, The Poison Control Center will take the stage, hailing from Ames, Iowa. There unique personality can be heard in songs such as “Some Ordinary Vision” or “Dracula’s Casket.” But just listening to them on your speakers does not do this band justice. The prominent sounds of the guitar combined with hard vocals can only result in a heart-pounding performance– In conclusion, it will be awesome.

Download a song from each band below and join us at Der Rath at 9:30 on Saturday.

Download The Fatty Acids’ “Memory Banks”
Download Sat. Nite Duets’ “Way Behind My Age Group”
Download Poison Control Center’s “Underground Bed”

Juniper Tar and Chaperone at Der Rathskeller

Posted on February 16, 2012 by marleealexa

Milwaukee natives Juniper Tar are coming to Der Rathskeller this Saturday 2/18 along with Chicago-based Chaperone. Be excited. Both of these bands offer something different and pronounced from the typical bass-drowning and synthesizing that goes down in much of the music today.

Juniper Tar was created in 2005 and has since released an LP, To The Trees, and EP, The Howl Street. Both are rather lovely and can be downloaded for free on their website (that’s right, free!). After listening to both of their albums, it’s evident that these guys know what they’re doing and they’re quite good at it. With a rather melancholic tune, Juniper Tar’s passion and personality is revealed in their music. Along with varying vocals and thought-provoking lyrics, the overall effect of their songs provide their audience with melodies that delve under the surface much like masters such as Mumford and Sons and Death Cab for Cutie. Therefore, you must come check them out… for free!

Want some delicious radio rock with a kind of Hawaiian influence? Say aloha to Chaperone. This quintet, right out of Chicago, is the epitome of awesome. With the release of their EP album Cripple King in 2010, Chaperone’s fan base has been steadily growing. Their sound is cheerful but tough, much like if the Beach Boys and Sex Pistols had a baby (the Beach Pistols). You can find out more about them on their blog or just come see them and hear their raucous and charming sound this Saturday at Der Rathskeller!

Download “In Cement” by Juniper Tar

This Saturday at the Sett: Night Moves with Kane Place Record Club

Posted on February 16, 2012 by mollymagnolia

Have you heard of Domino Records? This is the record company that’s nabbed bands like Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, The Kills, Real Estate… the list goes on and on. If you’re a fan of any of these bands, you’ll be happy to know that Domino’s newest sign-on, Night Moves, will be tearing it down at the Sett this Saturday night. Night Moves pairs smooth electric beats with melodies of nostalgia. Opening for Night Moves will be Kane Place Record Club, one of Milwaukee’s favorite live acts, bringing the best jam sesh you’ll ever see at the Sett. Last time KPRC was in town, headliners JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound tweeted, “Damn @kaneplace is not fooling around, we’ve played with some hot bands this tour.” Clearly, you don’t want to miss this epic raucous of a show.

Download “Headlights” by Night Moves

This Saturday in the Sett: F. Stokes w/ DJ Radish and Briar Rabbit

Posted on February 10, 2012 by T.J.

It’s probably easy to forget where you come from when you move to New York City, but F. Stokes ain’t having it. There’s no greater evidence of that than “My Simple,” the lead single and video from his upcoming release, Love, Always, out March 6th. The song declares, “This is not New York and this is not L.A. – this is my small town in the U.S.A.” He says it with pride, not afraid to make distinction from his current home base. The video also bleeds Sconnie pride, showing off some of the places that make the Madison area great, from the Majestic to Strictly Discs to Mermaid Coffee to a cornfield.

So it’s fitting and admirable that F. Stokes will play a free concert on Saturday, recognizing the fans that supported him on the journey to where he is today. He tweeted last night, “This Saturday. Union South. Me & Radish. Free show. Madison, I’m so excited to finish my tour off in my hometown.” We’re so excited to be hosting an event that celebrates one of our own.

It’s probably safe to say that DJ Radish and Briar Rabbit are excited to be a part of it all as well, and you should look forward to seeing them. Getting us started will be Briar Rabbit, whose self-coined “thought pop” features some excellent grooves and deep subject-matter. The most recent example is his Black History Month-inspired ‘The Great Routine,’ where each Thursday of February he releases a free song on his site following the storyline of an African-American blackface minstrel. It’s both powerful and catchy. Following Briar Rabbit, DJ Radish will give you some serious homegrown beats to get your body jumping. You may have caught Radish playing all over Madison, including the Majestic and Segredo.

So get down to The Sett at 9 p.m. on Saturday to be a part of this homecoming. We may not be New York, and we may not be L.A., but we’ll definitely be doing some big city-caliber partying this weekend.

Download “My Simple” by F. Stokes

Get Your Juke On at Chrissy Murderbot + DJ Diamond Tomorrow at the Sett

Posted on February 2, 2012 by T.J.

As A.V. Club Madison said in their blurb on tomorrow’s show, “Chrissy Murderbot is about to be kind of a big deal.” Murderbot’s latest, Women’s Studies, is especially connectable with our demographic, as his love for things like Nintendo and All That, which triggers our nostalgia-senses, shines through in his art and presentation. DJ Diamond is no slouch either, and fires on many of the same cylinders as Murderbot with speedy, infectious beats. Oh, yeah, and Diamond’s Flight Musik was Tiny Mix Tapes’ fifth-best album of 2011. No big deal, right? His beats are so in demand, in fact, that rumor has it some of the best practitioners of the Chicago-originating dance of “juke” will reportedly make their way up I-90 West tomorrow just to move their feet at lightning fast speeds to his and Murderbot’s spinning.

So get ready for a full night of dancing to infectious beats, as DJ Diamond hits the stage at 10 pm and Chrissy Murderbot takes over at midnight. Check out some tracks below, and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Behind the Beat Schedule Set, Tom Ryan Jazz Combo Tomorrow

Posted on February 2, 2012 by T.J.

I’m sure it needs no introduction, but Behind the Beat is our jazz and blues series that takes place at 5 pm at Der Rathskeller every Friday. It’s a perfect atmosphere to have a pitcher and listen to some music while you kick back with some buds after class. It features some of the best acts of their genres, local and otherwise. Pull up a chair!

Want to get a taste? Check out the Tom Ryan Jazz Combo tomorrow. You know Tom as the orange-jumpsuit-wearing piccolo legend that you can often catch playing tunes on State Street. Check out the full schedule below, and make sure to come out to TRJC tomorrow.

1/27/2012 Chris Greene Quartet
2/3/2012 The Tom Ryan Jazz Combo
2/10/2012 Louka Patenaude
2/17/2012 Boo Bradley
2/24/2012 TBA
3/2/2012 Alison Margaret Quartet
3/9/2012 Green Means Go
3/16/2012 TBA
3/23/2012 Sons of Daughters
3/30/2012 N/A Spring Break
4/6/2012 N/A Spring Break
4/13/2012 Luke Polipnick
4/20/2012 Threefifty Duo
4/27/2012 Badger Bone Choir
5/4/2012 TBA
5/11/2012 UW Jazz Orchestra

Your Saturday Night with Deleted Scenes and A Lull

Posted on February 1, 2012 by mollymagnolia

Three words: Innovative. Exciting. Fresh. If you grace us with your presence at the Sett this Saturday night, you will get to experience these three words in motion. Deleted Scenes, a band hailing from Washington, DC, will blow your mind with their fusion of pop and electronic sound, while throwing in rhythms from surf rock to R&B. Chicago’s A Lull takes experimental music to a whole new level while concurrently providing beautiful vocal melodies. Who WOULDN’T want to have this experience? Moral of the story: You will not be let down by these two phenomenal talents. 9:00 pm. The Sett. Union South. See you there.

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