Raising (Old) Canes
Chris Crisci returns from the basement to deliver long-awaited Feral Harmonic
Is it really already October? For many of us, 2009 may have gone hastily by without leaving much to show for it — but we can’t all be Chris Crisci. We can’t all release two albums through two different bands, all while raising a new baby. Show off...
Designer, interrupted
After a two-year wait, ‘Project Runway’ finally airs again — this time featuring KC designer Ari Fish
KC’s Ari Fish was one of the 16 designers who long ago taped season 6 of Project Runway, and has just had to wait — and wait — for it to see the light of day. The wait is about to come to an end though, as the first episode finally airs Thursday...
A Port in the Storm
Bringing together community, environment and entrepreneurship in the recession
A Lawrencian and Kansas Citian by way of Israel have managed to blend enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, the environment, and sense of a community’s creativity into a promising business amid the relentless recession...
Wrong Said Fred
Pro-Gay March Sets its Sights on Fred Phelps’ Hometown
Named to reclaim the “f word” from the Phelps family and its infamous “God Hates Fags” signs, organizers of the Million Fag March say they are challenging the type of intolerance that the Phelps' church epitomizes...
Don’t Adjust Your Antenna
KC’s Antennas Up puts their nerdiness to the test
We often forget that not all nerds are created equal. Luckily, the Kansas City band Antennas Up is here to set everyone straight.
He Who Smelt It, Drew It
Artist and Lawrence ex-pat Travis Millard returns with some fresh fudge
Although he’s called L.A. home since 2001, Travis Millard's work is still strewn about town—perhaps mostly prominently on the back porch of the Replay—usually signed “tm2.” Millard returns to Lawrence this week for two engagements.
Fresh Fish
This local clothing designer may not be familiar to you... yet. But she will be very soon—just trust us.
Despite outweighing his owner, Ari Fish's giant dog quickly blends in to the designer's home and workspace—in a way not unlike her ability to incorporate big, disassociated ideas into her clothing design. As Tim Gunn might say, she makes it work.
O Christmas Free
Recession-proof party plans
With the economy in a seemingly endless nosedive, many holiday parties are being scaled back or simply canceled. Even Vanity Fair is planning to tone down its standard-setting Oscar bash. In light of all the news, whatever is a humble holiday house party (and its broke hosts) to do?
Whoop Dee Doo!
Nutty faux TV show merges diverse communities in the name of fun and dance
Flip on the TV anymore and much that is flashed back is grim: war and death, crashing economies and lost jobs, drowning polar bears-it's enough to bring anyone down. What if the sights that greeted you were instead things like a fun-loving giant box of French fries trying to cheer up a sullen werewolf? Or some dancing grannies and a gospel choir that's lovin' life so much it hurts? That's the stuff of Whoop Dee Doo, Kansas City's imaginary-but real!-television show.
Pop Vacation
Another Holiday Finds Itself in a Clean Sound
We all change, but it's a rare that a musician completely abandons a style for something totally different. These days, Another Holiday's earnest, simple melodies, and signature female vocals call to mind early Rilo Kiley-without a trace of the formative ska origins of most the band.
Minus One
A podcast preview of Jordan Geiger's solo debut
We've come to know Jordan Geiger as the head of Minus Story, one of Lawrence's longer-running musical institutions. As that band has one-by-one scattered throughout the country (though musically remaining together) over the last couple of years, Geiger has had more of an opportunity to hone his solo material, which has come to be known under the moniker Hospital Ships.
Mended Paw
Formative Grunge Act reunites for Festival
To many in Lawrence, Paw's story is well-known. Their success with the song "Jessie" and two well-received albums, "Dragline" and "Death to Traitors," eventually led to a breakdown with their label, A&M, which shelved a third album. After coming back up for air with "Home is a Strange Place" in 2000, infighting and a departure of both vocalist Mark Hennessy and guitarist Grant Fitch seemed to signal a definitive end to the band.
The Feminine Artistique
LOLA Continues Handmade Local Tradition
While Lawrence prides itself on supporting the arts, gallery closings and less than stellar support for the art auction have caused some to wonder how deep that commitment runs.
Lust for Power
The Roseline ready themselves for the Big Time, Lamborghinis
After a decade in Lawrence, The Roseline have found a way to take the change inherent in a revolving-door college town and make it work to their advantage. Lineup changes, marriages, financial stress, and a little bit of old-fashioned libido might sound like ingredients for some pretty angsty listening, but instead the Lawrence band washes it all down with a sweet slide guitar and a hook-no screams here.
A Slit in Time
Ari and punk legends The Slits roll into Lawrence
Punk pedigrees don't come any more bona fide than that of Ari Up. Lead singer of the Slits-the seminal all-girl British '70s punk band that toured with the Clash and the Buzzcocks. If starting your own band at 14 years of age isn't punk enough, how about adding "step daughter to John Lydon of the Sex Pistols" to your resume and suddenly we have one punk as fuck Brit.
Far from Over
KC favorites It's Over! bring the energy west
After years of being one of the most fun, party-rockin' bands in the area, It's Over is finally putting out an album. "That Girl" captures the KC foursome's country-laced '50s rock and even some of that bombast from in its live performances.
A Bandit Returns
Bandit Teeth Gets New Life After Seven Years Apart
Lawrence sometimes feels like a revolving door, with both students churning in and out and a steady stream of "townies" who've made up their mind to finally get the heck out of this damn town. Brad Shanks took his leave seven years ago, effectively disbanding Bandit Teeth, which he had formed with friends Charley Downey and Cobi Newton.
Ghosty's Got the 'Answers'
Longtime Lawrence musicians find everything they need is here
It's hard to believe that it's been two years since the members of Ghosty-one of Lawrence's most beloved homegrown bands-packed up, going to Kansas City. This fivesome is still deeply connected to Lawrence, however, and for the release of their new album we will be treated to two shows in a week-and this from a band that spreads out appearance judiciously.
Kinetik Energy
Lawrence's liveliest performers translate their brand of party rock to debut record
For the past few years the Kinetiks have been steadily winning fans in Lawrence and KC for their high-energy, girl-fronted take on punk, rock, and dance music. The band's shows are as much about getting the audience moving as they are playing music. The band itself is hardly afraid to break a sweat-there is no shortage of clapping, jumping, or dancing on stage.
The Dish: Cilantro Eggplant Pizza
With Alexander Schorn, 23, student, Lawrence.
Schoolhouse Rock
The New Amsterdams gear up for the Lawrence Community Nursery School benefit
Some days, simply waking up can slay the most capable of adults. Some of us may only have work to manage, and that can definitely be enough-but we're not Matt Pryor. Since forming The New Amsterdams in 2000, the band has managed to release nearly an album a year, whether under that name or under the moniker of the kid-centric version of the Ams, the Terrible Twos. Add three young children to Pryor's family, two large dogs and commitments to the Little Red Schoolhouse-suddenly 'busy' becomes relative.
Backpedaling
The Pedaljets make their return with a new take on an old album
Everyone's got at least one thing in his or her life that could use a serious redo, but in most circumstances physics or the irreversible march of time renders that dream impossible. One can't take back a bad relationship or a bad decision-but in the case of the Pedaljets, the members have gotten their chance at a big do-over for their second album, which in large part led to their breakup in 1990.
Gimme Moore
Robert Moore takes Sonic Spectrum away from public radio and into some Buzz
Robert Moore, longtime host of Kansas City's Sonic Spectrum radio show on KCUR, surprised and saddened listeners earlier this summer when he announced he was leaving the NPR affiliate and taking his show with him.
A Healthy Approach
Local Hip-Hop Vet Looks West
Longtime Lawrence wordsmith Sean "Approach" Hunt has absolutely made his mark on the KC/Lawrence hip hop scene, starting with his first release in 1999, "Web of Thought." He's known for tirelessly supporting other artists, friends and fans while unleashing a flow with seeming effortlessness that'd be the pride of any coast.
