1. George Harrison, Early Takes Vol. 1 (Universal)
2. Nora Jones, Little Broken Hearts (Blue Note)
3. Father John Misty, Fear Fun (Sub Pop)
4. Santigold, Master of My Make Believe (Atlantic)
5. Rufus Wainwright, Out of the Game (Decca)

Landlocked Music is an independent, locally-owned record store located just across from the downtown square at 202 N. Walnut Street.

This weekend is the fifth annual WFHB Acoustic Roots Festival! Saturday, May 12th, hosted by Upland Brewing Company at 350 West 11th in Bloomington. Festival gates open at 3:30pm, with non-stop music from 4pm-11pm. Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the gate.

WFHB’s Acoustic Roots Festival is a fundraiser for Bloomington Community Radio, focusing on the rich heritage of American acoustic roots music.

Main stage

• 4:30pm: Cari Ray
• 5:45pm: Indiana Boys
• 7:00pm: Davy Jay Sparrow & His Well-Known Famous Drovers
• 8:15pm: Tim Grimm and the Hay Wagon Gypsies
• 9:30pm: White Lightning Boys – followed by Acoustic Roots all-star superjam.

Side stage

• 4:00pm: Buffalojump
• 5:15pm: Garden of Joy
• 6:30pm: The Whipstitch Sallies
• 7:45pm: Carpenter and Clerk
• 9:00pm: Kade Puckett

As the next band, the Reckon Crew, started their set up and sound check, J.C. shared her plans for the future of the showcases and the network of musicians. Her goal is to provide a support system to foster growth and development and work together to put on a great show while bringing about awareness to the genre. She stated that the showcases do very well in Nashville and that Bloomington has a very strong Americana presence but many students are unaware of it.

The Reckon Crew started off with a very bold sound from a banjo, stand-up bass and two guitarists playing off of each other. The group played songs from each artists’ repertoire and those composed for the whole group as well. To break it up a bit they would simply lay down a jam between songs which added a nice touch to the performance as a whole. One audience member even indicated that the band could be considered “arguably one of the best bluegrass groups in the area.” Chill Billies was up next but there was no rush as laughing and good times filled the room. A sense of comradery could be felt between the groups.

J.C. came back up after the set to further explain her long term goals. She hopes to make Bloomington a hub for the Americana genre and create a conference similar to SXSW within the coming year. The networking/showcase group is a nonprofit and, therefore, all of the funds made from the shows are donated to the cause. After this discussion I was introduced to Dave Sharp, Ken Meadows, and Tommy Simmons of Chill Billies. When asked what they thought about JC’s hard work with the showcase, Sharp responded, “I think it’s really great what she’s doing. She gives a venue for original music.” I learned that all of the Chill Billies’ songs are written by Simmons and that the group has been together for about two weeks, which was surprising considering how well the band played together.

Overall, the showcase is a very cool way of bringing about awareness to Bloomington’s genre of bluegrass and Americana music. The shows take place every week within the four counties surrounding the Bloomington area and include National and local acts. For the Bloomington shows there is currently a venue change in the works for Max’s Place. Keep an ear and eye out for more American Original Music Showcases coming soon!

Doors open at 9pm with 10pm DJing by Mason Williams and the Morning Afters performing live at 11.

The album can be purchased  and streamed online at http://ripandthemorningafters.bandcamp.com

Check out the facebook event to stay informed!

Every 4th Saturday of the Month at the Root Cellar Lounge (108 E Kirkwood) in the basement of FARMbloomington, you’ll hear sweet Fifties and Sixties tunes spun by Mason Williams and friends. DJ Bongo and Biff Bang Pow’s other DJs pull out obscure tracks all twistable, shakeable, and all around groovin’. Often The Vallures will perform live, making nastalgia seem so real it has a taste.

Biff Bang Pow has been going strong for three years in one of the coziest, hippest venues in town featuring a wide selection of bourbon, low lights, smaller conversation rooms, and a VERY intimate dance floor.

Celebrate BBP’s third anniversary this Saturday at their free dance party!

Saturday, April 28th, 8pm, $5 strongly suggested donation. RSVP or learn more on Facebook

Touring acts include: Hume and The Dreebs

The three local electronica acts promoting their newest material are John Flannelly vs. Rob Funkhouser, Assimilation, and Noon. Normally John and Rob play by themselves, so I wrote about them separately.

John Flannelly

When I first heard John Flannelly, I was surprised at how intricate and understated his pieces were. I don’t listen to a lot of electronica, but when I do, I favor artists that move, like Chemical Brothers or Prodigy.

Flanelly’s latest works are Spaced, released by Auris Apothecary and Fables, released by Blusanct.

I personally prefer Fables. It has a dark and dreamy quality that I gravitate towards. Electronica fans who enjoy throwbacks to Nineties gaming sounds would enjoy Spaced.

Rob Funkhouser

Rob Funkhouser is aptly named. His music is melodious, undulating and metallic. It reminds me of slow motion club scenes in action films.

Assimilation

Assimilation is way more industrial sounding. They’re less focussed on a beat and more just exploring sound. Try them out if you’re into the abstract.

Noon

Noon is fun and eclectic. Listen to how very different their songs are. I love it.

-Jennifer

Where? 13th and Fee, McNutt Residence Hall Parking Lot

When? Saturday, April 14th at 5:00 P.M.

Addicted To Music is an event hosted every year by Indiana University’s Business Careers in Entertainment Club. It is an free benefit concert raising awareness about addiction to any substance. The event is to take place on Saturday, April 14th and set to begin at 5:00 P.M. The concert lineup will feature two local bands, Marshall Robbins and the Phunk Nasty, who were the winners of Addicted To Music’s first ever opening act competition, will start the event.  Marshall Robbins is a jazz funk jamband really incorporates improvisation. The Main Squeeze a very popular Bloomington band, is known throughout the state of Indiana and will play just before the feature act of Kids These Days. Although also a funk group, The Main Squeeze incorporates R&B and rock styles. Both bands are set to open for Kids These Days, who are from the Chicagoland area. Kids These Days had their biggest show at Lollapalooza in 2011.

Addicted to Music will take place at 13th and Fee or the South McNutt residence hall parking lot. Donations will contribute to the Amethyst House, Bloomington’s local drug and alcohol abuse organization that provides quality recovery services and guidance to sober lifestyles, and IU’s Alcohol Drug and Information Center. All over campus, Business Careers in Entertainment Club has taken pictures of many students who participated in their whiteboard photos which simply state “Hi, my name is ___ and I’m addicted to ___” These pictuers will be featured throughout the show and in the mosaic backdrop to promote safe habits. Water will be provided for free at the event. Also, the parking lot is a large venue and guests are welcome to bring blankets and snacks for the show. Featuring local and national entertainment and a great cause, Addicted To Music is an event worth checking out.