RAY RAPOSA OF CASTANETS PRODUCES WILLIE NELSON COVER
August 15th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Ray Raposa of Castanets is nearly finished with his own album, In the Vines (due in October), but he lent a hand to Texan band Shiny Around the Edges to produce their cover of Willie Nelson’s "I Just Can’t Let You Say Goodbye."
The song will appear on a limited 7" due soon and later in video form. You can hear the band on their MySpace page here.
ABSOLUTELY KOSHER BAND IN ACCIDENT; PLEASE DONATE
August 10th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Very sad news: Bottom of the Hudson, Philadelphia/Brooklyn band, was in van wreck on Sunday, July 26th. Bassist Trevor Butler was killed and drummer Greg Lytle is in intensive care. The hospital released the other members of the band, Eli Simon, Michael Prince and William Chesterton Chambers.
The band’s label, Absolutely Kosher, is accepting donations via PayPal to help Trevor’s family and pay for Greg’s hospital bills. Please consider donating via their webpage here.
UNUSUAL ANIMALS INDIANAPOLIS OPENS TONIGHT
August 3rd, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
If you’re in the Midwestern area of the United States, stop by the Harrison Center in Indianapolis tonight for a free display of art and music. Zack Bent, frequent sidebar author here at Asthmatic Kitty, has penned a recent entry on why he misses the Harrison Center, and we have several reviews from Gala Bent […]
Read the Rest...UNUSUAL ANIMALS FIND NEW HUNTING GROUNDS ON AKRADIO
August 1st, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
This Friday night starting at 6pm, Indianapolis is host to the third Unusual Animals party (see details here). We’re kicking off our pre-show show today with some new Indianapolis-related sidebar entries, and some new additions to our growing Unusual Animals AKradio playlist. Click on akradio just below our banner to listen to tracks from Actuel /Paren, Bronze Float, More Animals of the Artic, and Pope Whiter.
MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND ON COVER BINGE
July 29th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Shara Worden, of My Brightest Diamond, recently covered Radiohead. Next on what seems to be a list: Huey Lewis and the News. Her swooning cover of the classic "Naturally" will appear on the upcoming Huey Lewis tribute album, Are You Still With Me?! Click here to visit the album’s MySpace page and stream the track.
BELLTOWER APPEARS IN SAN FRANCISCO
July 25th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Our good friends Belltower will be playing at San Francisco’s The Makeout Room on Monday, July 30th. Frontwoman Bridget DeCook has played with Liz Janes, Castanets, sung on Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas, and toured in his Illinoisemakers. On Monday she’ll be singing and playing bells, various small percussive instruments, the accordion, and – if everyone is lucky, the banjo. Daniel Dixon will accompany on guitar. Belltower’s 2006 debut, Sweet Fruit, is available for ordering here.
"Two Divided by Zero," Belltower (Pet Shop Boys cover)
CASTANETS ON VINYL, IN REAL LIFE
July 24th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Never ones to pass up the Sunshine State, Castanets are spinning a quick tour of the Florida panhandle and its close neighbor, Georgia, with new Dead Oceans signees Phosphorescent. Future tour dates include Pensacola, Panama City, and Athens, Georgia. Then, just to keep everyone on their toes, Castanets will be in Brooklyn on August 11 with Calla. Click here for tour dates.
If you aren’t in Florida, Georgia, or Brooklyn, and if you’re one of the proud owners of a vinyl playing device (a record player), we have released Castanets’ first album, Cathedral, on beautiful vinyl. The album is available for order now, for $12.00, by clicking here.
"Three Days Four Nights" Castanets, Cathedral
TOM EATON AND LAURA PARK ILLU-REVIEW THE MOCCA ARTS FEST
July 23rd, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Back in June, artists Tom Eaton and Laura Park both attended the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art’s 2007 Art Festival. They saw many things – which they have decided to encapsulate in a collaborative four-part sidebar review of the festival!
Each day this week, starting with today, we’ll post one part of this four-part series. Then, on Friday, we’ll post the full, uncut illustration. View the first one here, the second one here, third here, and fourth here.
LIZ JANES PLAYS AT HAUNTED INN
July 19th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Liz Janes will be back on stage this Saturday night in Nashville, Indiana, at the Story Inn. The Inn doesn’t hold shows like this very often, but when they do, the shows are always sophisticated, energetic, and packed with good listeners.
Joining her will be Norman Oak, Bronze Float, and Daniel Paquette (of the Abner Trio). The show will start at 9PM.
If you live in the Midwest, we promise a good show worth the drive. You might even see the Blue Lady – one of the many ghosts that inhabit the Story Inn! See here for more Story Inn ghost stories.
TOM EATON BRINGS CHRISTMAS TO JULY
July 13th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
You’ll of course remember illustrator Tom Eaton’s marvelously animated video for Sufjan Stevens’, "Put the Lights on the Tree" (click here to refresh your memory).
Animation Block Party, which exhibits quality, independent art, is featuring Tom Eaton’s video at their yearly NYC block party. The video will air on the third night of the festival, July 29th, at the Galapagos Art Space.
Congratulations Tom!
See our sidebar for our own collection of Tom Eaton illustrations.