Thursday night was the last of this semester's Union Board sponsored IMUG "NOISE" shows, and the first chance that I had to check one out. I grabbed a coffee and a table by the stage and prepared myself for performances from a few artists I'd never heard or seen before, and a group that's quickly becoming one of my favorite local acts, Busman's Holiday. Unfortunately, Kentucky Nightmare didn't play, as had been originally planned, but the others more than made up for their absence.
The night was dominated by introverted singer/songwriter types, starting with Jonah Malarsky, a local with all the soul you'd expect from someone who plays a homeless musician in the upcoming production of Marisol at the Wells-Metz. He tested out a couple songs on the audience that he had written for that play, and though most of what he played was sad, quiet, alt-folk stuff, he can definitely sing. His voice is powerful, polished, and even poppy at times. Some of his stuff reminded me of Damien Rice or Glen Hansard's songs, though obviously without the accent.
Next up was Frank Schweikhardt, another Bloomington one man band whose voice was so quiet at first that it was difficult to tell if he was singing at all. Thankfully, someone turned his mic up, and I could make his scratchy voice out by the end of his first song. His soft, depressive songs reminded me of some bizarre cross between Cat Stevens and Pedro the Lion, but I will admit I was getting a bit bored by the end of his set. The music was pretty good, it just wasn't particularly energetic--even Schweinhardt seemed a little tired and out of it during his performance.
The next act had a little more gusto. Brooks Ritter, another singer armed with only an acoustic guitar, trekked up here from Louisville with his wife and a few buddies just to play in our humble IMU Starbucks. He put on a good set (he has a hell of a voice, great range and vibrato) with some very unique folk songs and guitar playing. He pulled out a banjo and invited his wife and friends up for a cover of Sufjan Stevens's "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti," a song that he said first inspired him to play the banjo. The harmonies sounded great, as did the a cappella ending, with Brooks and company gathered around one mic like they were posing for a family portrait.
Wrapping up the show were the ever-hilarious Busman's Holiday who, missing half the band, played as a guitar and drums duo. They really are a great local band; they've got a unique style that manages to be equal parts funny and serious, combining a carefree attitude with precise musicianship. Highlights of their set included: a cover of The Kinks's "Waterloo Sunset," a paper fortune teller reading by drummer Addison Rogers (he warned an audience member that she may be more allergic to bees than she knows), and of course the band's great original material, like "Ode to Sofia," "Mr. Spaceman," and "On the Floor." Though I still have yet to see them play a show with their full band, they said they planned on having the whole crew for their show tonight at Max's Place, and apparently a barbershop quartet is opening for them.
All in all, a fun night with good tunes from this last show in a series of IMU concerts showcasing great local music.
Greg
