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Spotlight on KC PsychFest artist: Your Friend
(Photo by Lindsey Kennedy)
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing KC PsychFest from Thursday through Saturday nights at recordBar.
Taryn Miller’s intelligent songwriting and entrancing music is making its way around, and for good reason. Miller’s project Your Friend was signed to Domino Records earlier this year. With her debut album, Jekyll/Hyde, Miller constructs a simultaneously comforting and haunting atmosphere, fashioned around somber but colorful vocals.
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
Miller: The music itself has distinct differences when presented live or by the actual recordings, but I’d say it’s spacious and constantly evolving.
The Deli: Give us some background on Your Friend. Do you have a regular cast of musicians that play with you? How long have you been operating under this moniker?
Miller: I’ve been playing under the moniker for over 2 years now. When it began, the roster was always changing, and that was exciting. But I felt that in order to dig deeper over time, I wanted some sort of solidified group to explore with. I really enjoyed the risk in one-off shows but I wanted the trusting element to be more present. There’s always going to be some sort of risk playing with me anyway! It all happened organically though. We all work well together as friends and as bandmates. Nicholas Stahl, Chris Luxem, and Austin Swick are the gentlemen I have played with the longest. I can’t imagine playing with anyone else at this point. It feels like a group more than a solo project than it ever has.
The Deli: What inspires your music and songwriting?
Miller: In all honesty, just purely existing. I am very intuitive and tuned in to all that is happening around me at all times. This is my way of documenting it. It’s very cathartic for me to do this. I’m inspired by energy, and the lack of it, all at once.
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
Miller: Touring and still loving each other afterwards. It only made it more apparent that these are the people I should be surrounding myself with. It wouldn’t have gone as smoothly without them.
The Deli: Your debut EP Jekyll/Hyde was released on Domino Records earlier this year. What can listeners expect? Do you have plans to record again soon?
Miller: The most rewarding things about having this amazing company backing the project are that the music gets to be heard by people that wouldn’t otherwise know it exists, and the tools to make something that I am truly proud of. It’s the kind of support that I had always dreamed of. I’m in the process of finishing the writing process of the full-length. The plan is to record it by the end of the year and for it to be available next year. I’d hope that there will be a sense of growth that can be heard with the newer material. I’m definitely in a radically different headspace.
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
Miller: It means everything from what I’ve experienced. I’ve only had the opportunities that I’ve had from the support of the community. Being involved in it, there is some sort of magic that peaks out of so many different directions. I’ve gotten to grow as a musician and watch all of my friends do the same. I’ve learned so much from the local scene and talent within it.
The Deli: Who are your favorite local and non-local musicians right now?
Miller: Locally, everything coming out of SeedCo and a part of the Whatever Forever collective. I’m really looking forward to Karma Vision’s release. I fell in love with No Magic this year and practically begged him (Ben Sauder) to let me play live with him. KC-based, All Blood has been really killer to watch. I grabbed their earlier tape and really love how unique the material is. I’m also a big fan of Lazy, The Conquerors, and Shy Boys. There’s also a guy, Nathan Dixey—he plays as The Dan Ryan—who also played bass on my EP and sent me his mixes of his upcoming release. I can’t wait for it to reach other ears. He lives in Austin now but he’s still local to me.
Non-local, I’m all over the place. To keep my head clear I find myself listening to a lot more droney things. Although I have been really excited about the newest Caribou record.
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at PsychFest?
Miller: The Conquerors, Gemini Revolution, Monta At Odds, Jorge Arana Trio, White Mystery, and I’m still holding out for some surprise Expo 70 appearance.
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
Miller: This answer would probably change depending on what I’ve been most into. So, currently, Lower Dens, Timber Timbre, with Nils Frahm closing the show.
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
Miller: Referencing the last question, it mostly depends on what I’m listening to the most at the time. I would say William Basinski, Steve Reich, Arthur Russell, and Leyland Kirby. William Basinski has transported to me to an entire different form of listening. I could say the same of all of them honestly. I’m definitely drawn to composers. Listening to their work is almost like a glimpse of what their brain appears like on the inside. Steve Reich’s arrangements require your attention and I respect that artform. Leyland Kirby has worked in so many different types of environments. I love his spontaneity and also his control and selection. Arthur had sort of the same trajectory. All of his records touch upon something different. From the absolute joyous to morose. He was always creating, and it inspires me.
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
The Deli: What other goals does Your Friend have for 2014, and beyond?
Miller: The same thing I tell myself every morning: finish this record. It’s been very challenging to make this next thing. Now that I’m aware of what ears it could reach I want it to be very representative of myself. I also want to make something that I can be very creative with in the live setting and keep it exciting. Those are the goals as of now. If I look too far ahead, the page in front of me gets blurry.
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
Miller: I’ll cheat and quote Allen Ginsberg. First thought, best thought. I’m beginning to learn what it means to trust your instincts. I feel as though I spend so much time trying to change what’s inherent. Stay true to who you are and surround yourself with the people that irrigate and continually inspire that.
Make sure you check out Miller with Your Friend. The group will be playing KC PsychFest this Saturday, October 11, at 8:00 p.m, at recordBar.
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
Lawrence Field Day Fest bridges KC and Lawrence music communities
(pictured above: Oils / all photos and videos by Michelle Bacon)
Spanning over three evenings with 28 acts, the third annual Lawrence Field Day Fest proved to be a large success. From Thursday through Saturday nights, some of KC and Lawrence’s most notable acts converged upon the town and brought with them a score of talent and style.
For this reviewer, LFDF kicked off on Friday evening at Jackpot Music Hall in the middle of Katy Guillen & the Girls’ explosive set. The KC trio had the full attention of a trickling-in crowd, most of whom had never seen them before and all of whom raved over them after. Once you experience one of Katy Guillen’s searing guitar solos—impelled by her tenacious rhythm section—you’re never really the same again.
Immediately following KG&G was Destroy Nate Allen. As the duo began to do a sound check while walking about the room, I realized that this would probably be nothing like what had preceded it or what would follow at any point during the fest. The husband/wife team of Nate and Tessa Allen has a delightfully unusual punk folk style, characterized and enhanced by an unconventional, interactive live show.
The rest of the weekend was a somewhat similar story, where festivalgoers—myself included—were getting to experience bands for the very first time. The lineup dropped a portion of the KC music scene in a setting they aren’t as saturated in, allowing an initial exposure to many Lawrence music fans. In that same vein, the KC faction was also able to see performers who don’t travel east very often.
“Last year, I was burdening myself with the task of finding national acts because I thought that would help the draw,” says festival organizer Cameron Hawk. “I was worrying about stuff like that, and I think it made me forget that not only do we have a huge crop of amazing bands around here, but they are bands people care about. We are so lucky to have that.” So this year, Hawk took the approach of building a solid lineup from both sides of the state line, and was able to draw in fans from the two music communities and parts in between.
Other highlights included Major Games’ highly anticipated set on Friday at The Bottleneck. Emerging from a nearly two-year live show hiatus, the trio played its upcoming album in its entirety and presented an even bigger, fresher, more passionate sound than before. Following them was Loose Park, a pure rock ‘n roll band who manages to somehow become even more electrifying and fun with each passing performance.
The Sluts closed down The Jackpot on Friday night to an enthused, riotous audience. The duo of Ryan Wise and Kristoffer Dover has a steady following in both KC and Lawrence, and was able to prove exactly why with Friday’s performance. They have a stripped-down, DIY garage rock/punk sensibility, with just enough hooks to grab almost anyone who could possibly be entertained by the thought of live music. Wise’s newly added vocal effects also brought more depth and grunge to their songs.
Saturday night marked Pale Hearts’ final performance, as frontman Rob Gillaspie (also currently doubling as Lux Interior in The Cramps’ tribute band Stay Sick) prepares to move to KC. The always enigmatic performer led his band through its dark, poppy, ‘80s-influenced catalog. We hope to see more music come out of Gillaspie, perhaps in future collaborations with KC artists.
At Jackpot, CS Luxem entertained and captivated a new audience, showcasing Christopher Luxem’s talented songwriting both as a solo act and realized as a full band. Meanwhile—and with the help of Jar Jar Binks—Josh Berwanger and his band got the Bottleneck crowd on its feet.
Like other frontmen I was able to catch on that stage (Gillaspie, Matthew Dunehoo of Loose Park), Berwanger can capture an audience and keep it engaged—a feat many lead vocalists haven’t quite figured out yet. His obvious charm, coupled with the group’s grooving power pop anthems, warmed the audience up for Cowboy Indian Bear.
Cowboy recently announced that it would take a hiatus after LFDF, resulting in a lengthy, heartfelt, double-encore show. The band played several songs off its acclaimed 2013 album Live Old, Die Young, and delivered a touching but fervent performance—one of the most dynamic, gargantuan performances I have personally witnessed from them.
And closing down LFDF was Stiff Middle Fingers, who wins the award for Most Spirited Audience of the fest. In true form, frontman Travis Arey riled up the crowd, inciting friendly mosh pits and audience members storming the stage.
The exuberant crowd chanted and shouted right along with Arey, also showing its gratitude for guitarist/fest curator Hawk. The group’s straight-up don’t-give-a-fuck punk style was the perfect environment to congregate in for LFDF’s swan song. The KC and Lawrence music communities let loose together, shouting “I ain’t no goddamn son of a bitch” as SMF busted out a Misfits cover, and locked in sweaty embraces to celebrate a job well done.
--Michelle Bacon
Michelle is editor of The Deli KC. She is in bands. She is the only person in the world not watching the World Cup right now and is sorry for that.
Review: Love Garden's 24th Anniversary Show
Love Garden Sounds celebrated its 24th anniversary this past Sunday at The Granada, with an impressive lineup of local and national acts.
1. Oils - Oils kicked off the anniversary party with a bang, bringing the people a composed set of upbeat and rhythmic progression, a build-up style characteristic of the crew. So it was no surprise Taryn Blake Miller of Your Friend joined in playing some extra percussion for the group. They really set a comfort zone for the rest of the evening as people started showing up for the event.
2. No Magic - No Magic's solo act followed Oils opening set, introducing the side stage where 3 other bands would later play. His crispy vocals and folky guitar tone drew the main stage crowd toward him but may not have kept their attention. Though you've got to give him kudos for playing the second slot amongst such an ambitious local lineup.
3. CS Luxem (solo) - After a thirty-minute halftime, Chris Luxem took the main stage again with his solo act, taking control of the crowd almost immediately with his light and harmonic guitar melody. His undeniable energy and, at times, gritty and gut-wrenching vocals, ring genuine and heartfelt. He really hit the mark ending his set by looping and layering his guitar and vocals, allowing him to put down his instrument and keel over with the microphone nearly to his knees while belting out his final few verses.
4. Psychic Heat - There's nothing really more capturing and exciting than a band comprised of a bunch of best dude friends, and this foursome rings tried and true in that department. Like a starter pistol at a footrace, Psychic Heat took off in full speed with no intention of looking back to see who they'd left in the dust. The foursome's set was made up of drum-drilling, back-to-back hits with heavy reverb on the guitar. They showed up, they played, they kind of left you wanting more and they liked it.
5. Brooke Tuley - Brooke Tuley of Bloodbirds was the second artist to take the side stage on Sunday, celebrating the record release of her debut solo album, First Midnight. One of the only acts representing Kansas City, husband Mike Tuley accompanied Brooke as she serenaded the crowd with stripped down, lo-fi melodies and haunting, youthful vocals. First Midnight is a collection of songs she's recorded over the years, a side project she's pulled to the forefront now that Bloodbirds is on temporary hiatus.
6. Your Friend - Taryn Blake Miller, better known as Your Friend, has more or less become the unofficial sweetheart of Lawrence. After signing with Domino Records last year, Miller's performance and confidence level have been on the rise, bringing in bigger and bigger audiences. Playing with her full band, Miller ended her rather quick set writhing and lashing on the floor with guitar in hand, losing her chunky black frames on the way down. She still managed to thank the crowd as the lights went up, out of breath and still not recovering her glasses.
7. Gnarly Davidson - Gnarly Davidson could really give a shit, but in the best way. This trio took back the side stage with a vengeance, explaining to the crowd that they played "beer rock." Beer rock, motorcycle metal, whatever the case may be, they prefaced their radical set with, "We're Gnarly Davidson, and this is our last song!" The crowd either watched with dropped jaws or gave in to the madness and moshed/danced their set away.
8. Quilt - Quilt from Boston was the first touring band to see the stage that evening. Their light and harmonic tone with a tinge of psychedelia hinted at some definite Fleetwood Mac influences. The lead singer told the crowd that she and the drummer had officially visited all 50 states now that they were in Lawrence. "We saved the best for last," she said. In hindsight, the band could have been lined up behind Woods rather than squeezed between Gnarly Davidson and Blood On The Wall to give them a better transition.
9. Blood On The Wall - It was pretty clear who showed up for Blood On The Wall reunion, even more so where their best friends were in the crowd based on the amount of head banging, hollering and beer cheers-ing in air. The drummer of Gnarly Davidson could be found behind the stage, hugging a friend and fist pumping through the entirety of the set. It truly was one of those Lawrence throwback shows, like a high school reunion. Brad and Courtney Shanks took the crowd by storm with shrieking vocals and a commanding stage presence.
10. Woods - Based out of New York and Vermont, Woods headlined the show as the big wig touring band, but they honestly had some work cut out for them, considering the local theme of the evening. Kevin Morby's name was being dropped and overheard all over the venue but was a surprising no-show as Woods took the stage, seeing that he would be the Kansas City connection to the show. Morby or no Morby, the band performed a pretty solid set but were ultimately a little somber toward the crowd.
--Leslie Kinsman
Leslie is a freelance writer and blogger. A founding member of the music venue FOKL Center, Kinsman also runs her own blog wunderhub, where she features local fashion, music, and art pieces. Keep your eye out for wunderhub Radio, a weekly collaborated playlist released for free by Rory Cameron of The Conquerors.