Saturday, rootsy Folk rockers The Kentucky Struts headline Over-the-Rhine’s beer-fueled Bockfest events at the fest’s headquarters, Bockfest Hall. The band plays 9 p.m.-midnight. (To check out all of Bockfest’s musical options, visit bockfest.com.)
The Bockfest performance comes as the Struts are finishing up work on their next album. Of course, that could be said of every show the group plays (and has played) in 2011. The ambitious audio/visual album project is being digitally unveiled online in monthly installments of one new song and a corresponding piece of visual art created by different artists specifically for the unique release. The band is calling the album The Year of the Horse and commissioning artwork with an equestrian theme (a tribute to their namesake state) for each track. At the end of the year, the Struts will host a release party of sorts where they’ll perform the 12-song album in its entirety and exhibit the original artwork.
The Horse songs/art released so far — January’s “Tornadoes” (with artwork by former local/current Chicagoan Matthew Shelton) and February’s “Ava Estelle” (featuring visuals by Kentucky’s Chris Dye) — have been impressive. To experience the Kentucky Struts extended release project, visit thekentuckystruts.com, grab the downloads available so far and then wait for a monthly notice when the next LP track is ready. The downloads are “pay what you want,” with half of the proceeds going to Falmouth, Ky., rescue organization Speak Up for Horses, completing the “horse tie-in” circle. (The rest of the money will be split between the band and artists.)
More Local Notes
• Musicians interested in performing at this year’s MidPoint Music Festival (Sept. 22-24) can now submit press kits via Sonicbids for consideration and save a few bucks on the entry fee (the regular rate kicks in April 1). For full registration instructions, visit www.mpmf.com.
• About a decade ago, after stints with area bands like Let’s Crash and Lab Partners, Cincinnati-based drummer Matt Schulz split for New York City to join Dayton expat John Schmersal’s band Enon (Schmersal played MidPoint last year with Caribou and produced the debut LP by Cincy’s Eat Sugar). Schulz has kept busy, playing full-time with Canada’s Holy Fuck (another MidPoint alum) and on albums by Les Savy Fav and others. Schulz is coming back to town for a rare reunion gig by another of his old Ohio bands, Aperiodic. The freeform experimental trio (which also includes guitarist Kevin Parrett and bassist Ben Perkins) performs its first show in the area in 13 years Friday at the Southgate House’s Parlour. The free show (in honor of the opening of new art exhibit “Home Is Where the What Is?”) also features sets from Mala In Se, Swear Jar and Wasteland Jazz Unit.
• Newcomers Azucar Tumbao perform in public for the first time Saturday at the club Win Place or Show’s new Fairfield location (visit www.wpssportsbar.com for directions). Formed by local pianist Cliff Adams, the nine-piece band plays Salsa music … with a twist. Along with the expected Salsa fare and some original material, Azucar Tumbao performs Latin-style arrangements of Classic Rock and Pop tunes, including songs by Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and many others. Adams says the band is “looking to increase tolerance of Hispanics and the Latino Community by broadening the appeal of the Salsa style to native citizens of Greater Cincinnati.” The band plans to write a dozen original tunes this year and release an album by the time 2011 comes to a close. (www.azucartumbao.com)
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: [email protected]