225BatonRouge.com - Blogs

Saturday night started out with considerable promise when I walked out of Highland Coffees. Not only was the air filled with song, but competing songs. Out in front of the Chimes Leroy White and his lone guitar sent his soulful blues into the ether, only to cross swords with some nicey-nice songbird action coming from Emily Bullers and The Chi Alpha Coffeehouse. Should anyone be looking for a ruling, White was the victor since he held his own against the coffee shop’s PA, which was obnoxiously pointed outside to the street.

A less contentious gathering happened at Spanish Moon starting with Blessed Yes, a piano-fueled quartet led by Brooke Waggoner. The band’s punchy demeanor and sense of adventure (replete with bowed guitar on a couple numbers) separates this from the usual girl-with-piano thing. Secret Annexe found its shambolic, indie psyche lost in the mix a little, but I still think they pulled it off. Color Revolt from Jackson, Miss. adds a smearing effect to the metronome groove of say Spoon, sounding like the indie touchstone’s soulful stomp is being played underwater. It was good stuff, but honestly Blessed Yes actually won the spirit stick for the evening. Word around the campfire is they are headed to Nashville soon to seek their fortunes, so be on the lookout for a final local show from this fine little band.

The best show of the week, though, and maybe the best show in months (besides the Woggles) was provided by Austin, Texas quintet Quien es, BOOM! More like Quien es, Awesome! These guys pull off that prismatic, indie thing going around, but pack the songs with enough gunpowder to make them explode on stage. Their songs seemed to almost form out of the weave of the interlocking fibers of the keyboards and dueling guitars. They bore more than a passing resemblance to the post-twang Wilco, which is not a bad thing in my book. It was the final night of their tour, and it seems they brought a crowd of friends and family with them from Austin, but not a lot of locals there for the sleeper hit show of the summer.

THE BREAKDOWN FOR YOUR SHAKEDOWN

Wed., June 14: Cross Canadian Ragweed brings their jingle jangle jingle to the Varsity. Useful Knots unravel at Spanish Moon. Seven Deadly Sins, Cearly Slot and Danny's Alibi rock it out at Click’s

Thurs., June 15: Crawling with Kings will lurch their way into the Red Star. Ethylene starts a two night run at Click’s. Remember Blues Traveler? The Varsity offers a refresher course in the harmonica-soaked heroes of yesteryear.

Fri., June 16: Terror of the Sea with Brass Bed at Red Star and Electric Crush and Palo Viejo are at the Spanish Moon. Goodman Country will be serving up the rock and/or roll at North Gate Tavern with The Melters and Buffalo Nickel. Heorot, Sound and Shape and The Pretentious at the Darkroom.

Sat., June 17: Hey! Ho! The DJ Birds, the Ramones Tribute band, is at Spanish Moon. Southern Backtones groove up the Indie Rock Dance Party at Red Star. Dammrea, Wicked Faith and Beneath the Surface threaten the good people over at Click’s. Greg Talmage, Dreamfast and Turning Ground are at North Gate Tavern.

Mon., June 19: Let the flower of your week blossom with Calico System, The Quartering, Scars of Tomorrow, Inked in Blood and Drop Dead Gorgeous at the Darkroom.

Tues., June 20: The Darkroom hosts Tyler Read, Winston Willingham, The Finals and Subject Optional.