Tag: ohio university

The Western Reserve – Gladden House Sessions at the Nelsonville Music Festival (2014-2017) – Episode 17

Another amazing Nelsonville Music Festival (produced by Stuart’s Opera House) just finished up and we thought it made sense to have an NMF episode of The Western Reserve! Episode 17 brings you some of the wonderful Gladden House Sessions hosted by Josh Antonuccio and presented by Ohio University School of Media Arts and Studies, WOUB Public Media, and the Nelsonville Music Festival. Lots of Ohio artists and folks with Ohio connections in this show, but a few non-Ohioans too. Music from Saintseneca, Cloud Nothings, Adam Torres, Zeb Dewar, Justin Gordon, J.D. Hutchison, Big Thief, and many more. Enjoy an audio visit to Robbins Crossing and the sounds of NMF. Check out all the videos here!

Saintseneca – “Happy Alone” (2014)
Cloud Nothings – “Stay Useless” (2017)
Swarming Branch – “All I Wanna Do Pt. 22” (2017)
Adam Remnant – “California” (2014)
Zeb Dewar – “The People’s Republic” (2016)
Justin Gordon – “Close Quarters” (2014)
Tim Easton & Megan Palmer – “Crazy Mother from Shelby Ohio”  (2015)
Adam Torres – “Where I’m Coming From” (2015)
Big Thief – “Capacity” (2017)
Joan Shelley – “Stay on My Shore” (2016)
J.D. Hutchison – “If I Had Possession” (2014)
Ben Stalets – “Bound To Go” (2015)
Mike Elliott – “The Rebels Are Coming” (2015)
Steve Gunn – “Old Strange” (2014)

A Sad Day in Athens, Ohio

photo from The Union's Facebook page
photo from The Union's Facebook page
photo from The Union’s Facebook page

Today was a sad day in Athens, Ohio. In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 16th a fire broke out somewhere on West Union Street between Court Street and Congress. Extensive fire, smoke, and water has damaged buildings including The Union Bar and Grill, Jackie O’s Public House, Jack Neal Florists, Kismet, Campus Sundry, and Smoke Zone Smoke Shop. The Union and Jackie O’s both received considerable damage, as of now it appears that Jackie O’s kitchen and Public House will be closed indefinitely though the hope is the Brewery side will open soon. The Union received significant damage and more details will be known in the coming weeks. Aquabear Legion stands in full support of all of the business owners and people who lost their homes, a GoFundMe donation site is already up to help Union Street employees during this difficult time and more benefits and work is already in planning. You can read about all of the events here over at WOUB Public Media.

Simply put, the Aquabear Legion would not exist without the Union. It is an essential part of the Athens music community. It has hosted countless Aquabear shows and 6 of our County Fairs, not to mention served as the place for all underground rock and roll existing in our town and all that passed through.
When I came to Athens in 2001 as a Freshman at Ohio University I felt as I imagine a lot of kids feel: excited and confused to be out on my own and in general a little out of place. That feeling was short lived because I set foot in the Union after only being in town for a couple weeks. Instantly I felt at home. In the 13 years since then I have since graduated and made Athens my home that place has become a central location for some of the most important events in my life and led to countless friendships, creative collaborations, amazing shows, and even eventually to my own wedding. The Union is an institution. Having a space like that is essential to a vibrant community, for over 90 years people who were looking for all of the other folks who didn’t fit in found them by looking there.
The Union has been a central location to my life for the last 13 years and I cannot imagine where I would be without it. In terms of firsts alone: I had my first beer (at a bar) there and played music in front of people for the first time, and it was the first place I went to after graduating college and marrying my wife Sherri who would be found the night of our wedding in her wedding dress downstairs surrounded by all our friends. The list of great bands I saw there is endless, some from far away towns and cities and some from right down the street. I had the privilege to play shows there in every band and project I have been in and believe that I still will play on a stage at that building again.  I feel honored to be a part of that family and the Athens music community, and I believe that with the support of that community we will be able to rebuild the home base for Athens rock and roll and make sure that institution is there for generations to come.
My thoughts are with all of those affected at this time, especially those whose homes and businesses were destroyed and all of the wonderful people who will be dealing with the loss of work as a result of the damage. The damage to all of the businesses and housing is unbelievable, and the loss of The Union and Jackie O’s Public House in the immediate future will be huge for the Athens music community and the Athens community members who work in those places.

Best of Ohio 2012: Part Five

volume-2-comp-250x250Aquabear is kicking off a brand new year-end tradition by asking some of the state’s best musicians and music related folks to share their favorite Ohio music finds and experiences of the year. Look for a whole bunch of these before the start of 2013! Here’s the fifth batch featuring Paul Maccarrone (Cleveland – Zombie Proof, Curtis Frey (Cleveland – We March, Palaces),  Josh Antonuccio (3 Elliott Studio), Noah Andrews (Cleveland – Aquabear Legion/Sometimes The Bear Eats You, 5unday 5essions), and Eddie Ashworth (Athens – Ohio University Professor, Producer, Engineer, Mixer). Look for more in the coming weeks and please share, if you would like to participate drop us a line at contact@aquabearlegion.com.

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Paul Maccarrone
Cleveland  (Zombie Proof)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Obnox – “Rojo”  (12XU): I still have no idea why I like this so much since I’m not a fan of noise or free jazz in general. Bim started throwing curves here. Wetbrain (Bloodclot) This demo doesn’t even touch them live, but it’s good introduction. McShitz “Wish The Morning Never Came.” (self-released) My favorite of 2012. I still play this every Sunday morning. They hired some prog-metal jerk to print the cover and he turned out to be a deadbeat. Perfect for a band that never actually released a record while they were active, but frustrating nonetheless.

Favorite new Ohio band
New? What do you mean? Safeties, Smooth Brain, Murdered Man, Family Dollar, Royal Blood, Homeowners, Black Puddle Noise, Banging Fragiles.

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Homostupids playing Class at the end of December. Sorry, they’re still the best live band in Cleveland. Neck and neck for second are Bad Noids @ Class before George went on vacation, Obnox on Halloween @ the WCSB show (Cleveland Public Theater), This Moment In Black History and Homeowners both here in my living room.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
Safeties. Whenever they finish that recording it’s going to be amazing. I heard that the Inmates recorded something new and I’ve never heard anything bad from them. Steve Peffer and Kevin Jaworski got together with Brandon from Brown Sugar and wrote five songs together. If they find someone to put vocals on it, I’m sure it’ll be a crusher. I’d like to see Homeowners put something official out this year. I’m psyched to record Royal Blood  and Shitbox Jimmy this month. Both of these bands have the capability to lay down bizarre and timeless rock. Generally, I’m looking forward to being surprised once again by all of the talented nut jobs that play music in this town whether I know them or not. Obnox is putting out an E.P., a double 7″ and a double 12″  this year. All completely different from one another, all pissed, distorted, and with great heart. I’ve been accused of liking Bim’s music because he’s black, but I think he just writes better rock songs than most of the crackers around here. So there.

What have you been working on lately?
Cracked Cup – I get to work with Becket, and two Bad Noids (George and Mike), love it;. Tuk Peenerson & His Weinermen – I get to work with two Paint Chips (Richard and Maude) and Jack and Jim  from the Noise Mafia. Put a McShit on drums (Dave), and you have Dick Salad. An acquired taste, but more fun than I’ve had in years, for sure.

What are you listening to right now?
Old mix tapes that people have made me. I’ve been transferring them to CD and playing them in-between bands @ The Grog Shop and Now That’s Class where I’ve been working doing sound.
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Curtis Frey
Cleveland  (We March, Palaces)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Founding Fathers “Rapid Transit”, This Moment in Black History “Higher Deffer”, Obnox stuff. Obnox’s Soundcloud page,  “Black Mail Librarian”  (Paul Maccarrone’s soundcloud) is pretty awesome. I don’t buy records anymore, I don’t have anything to play em on, i just listen to shit on the internet. People would give me records and I would just fuck em up. People don’t give me records anymore.

Favorite new Ohio band
The band I had with Nate Scheible and Eben Nichols. Nate moved. Probably the best thing I’ve ever been apart of.

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
This Moment In Black History @ the black eye. Kill the Hippies/Founding Fathers @ The Black Eye.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
I don’t get excited about things that haven’t happened yet.

What have you been working on lately?
Playing keyboard in Palaces with Dave Straub, Eben Nichols, Roseanna Safos, and Jesse Alison. We March shows in February. Keeping Variants going with Eben either by recording or getting a new drummer. Also gonna be working on getting a label started with Dave and hopefully others to digitally release our old bands’ stuff and release digital singles of our new projects. Of course, we’d like to eventually release stuff physically as well, but you know…poverty.
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Josh Antonuccio
Athens  (3 Elliott Studio)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Got to work on some wonderful Ohio albums in 2012 including releases by Southeast Engine, Old Hundred, and Human Cannonball.

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
There are so many great bands in Athens right now.  I’ve been digging shows by Hexnet and The D-Rays.  WeldyFest at O’Hooley’s was an amazing assembly of talent and saw a fantastic show on Dec. 16th at Donkey Coffee with Justin Gordon, Adam Remnant of Southeast Engine, Michael Nau of Cotton Jones, and Matthew Milia of Frontier Ruckus.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
Nelsonville Music Festival with Wilco and John Prine and heading back down to Austin,TX for South by Southwest.  Rumor is that Nick Cave is playing.  Very psyched for that.  Also, looking forward to the new Nick Tolford album.

What have you been working on lately?
Producing and engineering great albums for 2013, including new Ohio releases by Chris Shaw, Mike Elliott, The Antivillians, and Joey Hebdo.   Also, new music collaborations are in the works with some of my favorite Athens’ musicians.

What are you listening to right now?
Neil Young and Crazy Horse “Psychedelic Pill”, Grizzly Bear “Shields”, Walkmen “Heaven”, Japandroids “Celebration Rock”, The Antlers “Undersea”, JD McPherson “Signs an Signfiers”, Bill Fay “Life Is People”, Bruce Springsteen “Wrecking Ball”, Window Twins “Wish”, D’Angelo “Voodoo”, Jackson Browne “Waiting for the Sky”, Graham Nash “Songs for Beginners”, Big Boi “Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors”, Elmo Hope – “Trio and Quintet”
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Noah Andrews
Cleveland  (Bark & Hiss, Editions Mego, Aquabear Legion, 5unday 5essions)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Emeralds – Just To Feel Something, Wesley Bright and the Hi-Lites – Get It Right/Love (I Got It) 45″, Black Unicorn – Rediscovering Infinity, Machine Gun Kelly – Lace Up, Weedghost – “Rooneysghost”, Trouble Books – Concatenating Fields, Boquet Machine Box – live album , Piano & Elektron – “The Hornet & The Velodrome”

Favorite new Ohio band
The Ohio Players

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Giant Claw – at the Noise Cave by Rubber City Noise for Ingenuity-fest 2012

What are you most excited about for 2013?
The ending of recorded time and the unlimited possibilities of the future.

What have you been working on lately?
Matthu Stull, but he’s a dunce. I’d rather record/produce myself.

What are you listening to right now?
The Halloween re-issues on Death Waltz
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Eddie Ashworth
Athens  (Ohio University Assistant Professor, Producer, Engineer, Mixer)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Real Women: Mt Carmel, Let’s Go Eat the Factory & Class Clown Spots a UFO: Guided by Voices, Arrow: Heartless Bastards

Favorite new Ohio band
Sportfishing U.S.A., HellNaw, Burning River Ramblers, Hex Net

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Gotta be honest: Concert for Weldy (Qiet, Amish Electric Chair, Controlled Folly, HellNaw, SassafraZ, Burning River Ramblers, Corbin Marsh, The Porters, Jeff Ellis, Rachel Figley and Ben Leeson, Almost Any Colour, Broken Ring, Maza Blaska) at Jackie O’s in December. Made me feel good to live Athens.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
Wilco at Nelsonville Music Festival.

What have you been working on lately?
Anyway, wrapping up the new album by the great WV singer/songwriter Jeff Ellis, mixing with local hip-hop artist Erik Paul, working on some new material with Columbus-based Maza Blaska, recording Silent Lions from Toledo next month, and am in discussion right now to produce a couple of artists that I’m very excited to work with, but can’t talk about it quite yet.

What are you listening to right now?
Lonerism: Tame Impala (2012), Throw it to the Universe: The Soundtrack of Our Lives (2012), Resurrection: Brian Vander Ark (2003), Silver Age: Bob Mould (2012), Propellor Time: Robyn Hitchcock (2010)

 

ACRN’s Lobsterfest Takes Over Athens

This weekend, June 2nd through 4th, the All Campus Radio Network (ACRN) presents its annual Lobsterfest. This year’s fest features many local and regional bands to create a full and diverse lineup. This event is sponsored by ACRN and in part by the Student Activities Commission and local businesses.

Lobsterfest kicks off Thursday at 10 p.m. at Casa Cantina. Headliners include Columbus band Tin Armor and Athens act Scubadog, while The Kyle Sowashes and Stomp the Condor, both of Columbus, are opening.

Lobsterfest continues Friday at 10 p.m. at The Union. Headliners include Detroit art rockers Child Bite and Columbus post-punk band Narrow and the Brights. The night will begin with Cincinnati act Evolve, and Athens band Nurser.

Finally, on Saturday at noon, Lobsterfest takes over South Green’s lawn for an all-day extravaganza. New York City dream pop band Asobi Seksu and Detroit indie-rockers Prussia will be headlining. Athens favorites Brothertiger and She Bears will also be playing on Saturday. Expect to see many other acts from Athens and Columbus for a full line up check out the Lobsterfest Facebook event or ACRN.com.

To finish the evening on Saturday, Dave Rave, Busted BASS and the ACRN.com DJ Crew will be presenting a Lobsterfest themed Dave Rave at 10 p.m. at The Union.

FULL LINEUP + SCHEDULE AFTER THE BREAK

Continue reading ACRN’s Lobsterfest Takes Over Athens