225BatonRouge.com - Blogs

The week started innocently enough on Wednesday at the Spanish Moon with Secret Annexe, who I am convinced must be following me, since I see them everywhere now. Just the other day, when mowing the yard, I could’ve sworn I heard a muffled viola strain coming from the bushes. I could have worse stalkers. I think they have an interesting thing going on, and interesting in a good way.

Now for the flip-side of interesting. Once, in a drunken, philosophical debate (is there any other kind?) with a fellow proclamation-heavy barstool Sartre, we concocted a credo of “Always on impulse, never on novelty.” I’m fortunate that there was no tattoo parlor near Chimes street back then, or I might be saddled with this forever on my back, but I think it still rings true. The world is powered by following through on a hair-brained idea. You never know what is going to stick. It’s one of the grand things that set us apart from the more survival-oriented members of the animal kingdom. But, the other good part is knowing when to say when. Tilly and the Wall got a wild hair once about asking their tap dancing friend to do the percussion for their adorable little songs, and I applaud it – for the first five songs. After a whole set of watching someone do that arm-spinning balance thing tap dancers do while the trio of women shout out cheers, I kinda felt like I was watching an SNL that had gone on a little too long. The crowd though, was ardently into it, so maybe it’s me, its not you – lovers of this Sanrio-style mirth. Really, I’d have loved an opening set by Tilly and the Wall, it would’ve been life affirming, but a full show was too much sugar.

Fortunately, the sleeping behemoth that is The Myrtles decided to emerge from hibernation at Chelsea’s on Friday to pull me back in. I had been absent from Baton Rouge during their heyday, so I’d never seen them first hand. All I’d really heard is that they were ridiculously loud, but after hearing their excellent swath of mid-tempo country rock swoon, I have to wonder. I’ve heard the same thing said about Uncle Tupelo, the band most similar to the Myrtles in style and tenor, that they were the loudest band that their fans had ever seen. Really? Ever been to a Pantera show? That is loud. Anyway, here’s hoping The Myrtles stick around in this non-ear-emulsifying version, with Harlan’s John Norris on keys and Righteous Buddha’s Dave Hinson on cello. They do the insurgent country thing right, not too much twang, not too much Steely Dan noodling but laying tracks somewhere in between. They keep it real enough to pound out great renditions of Neil Young’s ‘Powderfinger” and Tom Petty’s “Breakdown” in the midst of their originals.

OPEN YOUR HEART AND LET LOVE IN

Wednesday July 5: Danielson gets this party started right with his oddball, infectious all-encompassing pop at Spanish Moon. Elsah with Kristin Diable lay it out at Chelsea’s.

Thursday, July 6: The Slow Signal Fade flicker in the haze of the Red Star.

Friday, July 7: Dimestore Troubadours with the Vidrines have some hoodoo awaiting you at Red Star. Horseshoes and Handgrenades, Swords at Sundown and The Garden District rock it up at the North Gate Tavern. Lil’ Ray Neal will be at Teddy’s Juke Joint. The Rebirth Brass Band will raise the roof over at Chelsea’s. And, if all else fails, The Molly Ringwalds are dressing up the Varsity in their love.

Saturday, July 8: The Storm Tour featuring Aceyalone, Diverse, Ugly Duckling and MayDay threatens to destroy us all at the Spanish Moon with underground hip-hop style. Honky Tonk Disciples are at Chelsea’s.

Tuesday, July 11: The Big Possitive add to the asset column in your cultural ledger at the Red Star.