All together now

Joshua Polk thinks Baton Rouge has more good bands than people realize. “There are a lot of good shows I’ve been to where attendance is less than ideal,” says Polk, a musician and member of the Kenmores. “A lot of people need to get exposed to this music.”

He cites a Paste magazine blog post from earlier this year listing “12 Louisiana bands you should listen to.” Six hailed from New Orleans, three were from Lafayette, one cited both cities, one was from Shreveport and only one, England in 1819, was from Baton Rouge.

You could chalk that up to dropping a big-city music critic in Louisiana and asking him to find cool new bands—he or she will likely head to New Orleans first.

“To me, with the talent we have here, that told me something was wrong,” Polk says. “Maybe we’re not working together enough or not promoting each other enough.”

Which is why Polk put together a compilation of local rock, punk, metal and alt-rock bands that might still be under the radar. Bands and musicians such as The Rigs, Denton Hatcher, Glitchell and the Kenmores have signed on, contributing songs to the album, titled River Hymns: A Baton Rouge Music Compilation.

It’s being released on Polk’s label, Exploding God Heads, Aug. 20, and Polk’s planning a weekend of shows to celebrate its release (see below).

“I tell bands if this is done right, it could be a big deal. They need to put their best foot forward,” he says. “This is a good sampling, a good mix of the different things going on in Baton Rouge.” eghbr.com

Aug. 23: The Widowers, Kozmic Nod and Joshua Polk at Chelsea’s.
Aug. 24: Mr Rent, The Sweat and Glitchell at Spanish Moon.
Aug. 25: Ghost in the Gallows, The Rigs and Denton Hatcher at Mud and Water.