Ruffle your feathers to duck rock

How many indie kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?\nJust ask Little Joe Gould. It has that joke on vinyl. \nIn an art form that attracts oddities and obsessives, kids who would search forever for a specific import, there must be an aura of individuality and cool around an indie band that can make it. It must trade shows with other bands to get by and play behind poles in crowded basements. And the bands have to love it.\nLittle Joe Gould meets all the requirements. Originally formed during the spring of 2000 and then reformed into the present setup at the beginning of the school year, the band's darkly rocking sound came into being from a variety of influences and oddities. The first being duck rock.\nThe band members call themselves the purveyors of duck rock, whatever that means, and carry off this sound with precision and passion. So, from here on out, instead of referring to the band as a blend of anti-emo and musical love, we will refer to Little Joe Gould's oft indescribable sound as duck rock. \nThis duck rock comes from the combined talents of senior Matt Armstrong on bass, freshman Sarah Balliet on cello, sophomore Vincent Edwards on keyboard and samples, sophomore Alex Schrodt on drums and sophomore Adam Turla on guitar and vocals.\nThe quacking roar echoed from the Collins Clubhouse, on Eighth Street next to WIUS, one Thursday night before an interview. Armstrong was kind enough to sacrifice ear plugs to this journalist before diving back into the set. \nThis night, as per usual, the band played all original tunes. "Come Thursday," an eerie yet heartfelt ballad of losing and longing with a very cool keyboard line in the background, topped the set list. "Canyon Inn," "(Como) Panuelos (Blancos de Adios)," "This Song (is brought to you by the letter C and the number 6)," "Those Who Left" and "Those Who Stayed" rounded out this practice and interview time share.\nThese musicians came together like many do— entirely by fate and jam sessions. Edwards, Turla and Schrodt jammed together in the Collins residence halls with some other friends and decided to dive right into the whirlwind life of independent music. Originally, this setup included a violist and a violinist, but the music majors were forced to quit after threats from their professors.\nLater adopting Armstrong and Balliet, the duck rock sound took on that mysterious aspect that pop music misses: originality. It brings something a little different to the ears, with crazy bass playing that sometimes sounds like keyboards, keyboards layering melodies, the cello adding depth and the drums, vocals and guitars just doing their thing. \nThese musicians aren't afraid to try something. Duck rock really is the best way to describe the sound, otherwise the melee of 15 clashing, descriptive words wouldn't do justice to the semblance of balance that Little Joe Gould obtains.\nThis creativity does not stop at the music. Little Joe Gould also has really unique fliers that always get stolen. Edwards is, apparently, a master at the computer and will stop at nothing to take normal pictures and images and transfer them into something unique and somewhat crazy. The fliers usually have interesting pictures with lots of color. The font and writing occasionally resemble a scrawl. \nAfter a short time together, these musicians took to the basement of an independent recorder and put some songs down. The cover of the album is as beautiful and hectic as the music is. It is a mixture of fury and musicianship that meshes to form something good. \nWhile they play, this mixture is even apparent on the faces of the musicians. Edwards is serious, Balliet intense and Schrodt and Armstrong just look as though they are having fun. Turla switches between all three. \nThe music, emotion and quirkiness of the band creates a geeky cool of indie music. It even opens up the door to the indie music ignorant such as I. \nTrading shows with other indie groups such as Nymb from Chicago, the band is looking to set up a May tour. As long as you give him a floor to crash on and a little bit of food, Turla says he is ready to play. This trading and family type atmosphere is one of the definite benefits to being unsigned. \nSo with a quack and a ruffle of feathers. Little Joe Gould is on its way to doing what it likes best. Playing.\nLittle Joe Gould will play Saturday at Culture Shock in Dunn Meadow; April 13 with Das Spooky and Hijla at Rhino's All Age Music Club, 325 1/2 S. Walnut St.; April 21 at Collinsfest at the Collins Residence Hall and April 29 with the Shipping News at Rhino's.