Neo-Folk/Pop duo Dividing the Plunder enters a new era on Friday as they debut their new EP and new name — Ellery. The husband/wife team of Tasha and Justin Golden recorded their new six-song release, Make Your Troubles Mine, with ace local producer (and Monk mainman) Ric Hordinski. For the release show Friday at the Muntz Hall Theater on the campus of UC/Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash, the Goldens are joined by musicians from the album, including Hordinski, drummer Josh Seurkamp and bassist Amos Heller. Music starts at 8 p.m. with opener Peter Hicks.
Make Your Troubles Mine is a gorgeous recording, abetted by Hordinski’s magical production touch and some impressively well-developed songwriting. Singer Tasha Golden has a stirring, delicately soulful voice that guides the listener through the album with a gentle yet assured hand, delivering the towering melodies with a snug intimacy. There’s a distinct airiness to the sound of Troubles, but repeated listens confirm that this is more than fluff, as the band expertly translates the emotional content of the lyrics into an incredibly expressive backdrop, loaded with shimmering ornamentation in every crevice, but also maintaining an engaging spaciousness. Comparisons to local legends Over the Rhine are inevitable (married braintrust, ethereal base, spiritual/personal lyrical ruminations), but the material on this intro EP is so solidly crafted, it deserves to be judged on its own merits. If this is just an introduction, keep an eye on Ellery: few local acts have ever mustered such a commanding first step. (ellerymusic.com)
More Local Notes
· The Fringe Festival gets a kick-off party this Friday at alchemize in Over-the-Rhine.
The fest runs June 1-12, celebrating all forms of art that fall outside of the “mainstream” realm. Tickets and passes for the fest officially go on sale Friday as well. For the warm-up bash, Clabbergirl, Abiyah, The Naked Redheads and Medic provide the music on alchemize’s first floor, while performance art from Antaesop, The Frisch Marionettes and Blueforms takes over the club’s second floor. (cincyfringe.com)
· The SOS Art 2005 series of progressive and experimental thought, art, film and music continues Friday at The Mockbee. Following a presentation and discussion about the Cincinnati Police Collaborative Agreement at 8 p.m., music will be offered up by Realicide, Bobby Vomit, Stallio, Pearl Brooch, Dr. 8 MD and Mark Haap. Saturday, following a 7 p.m. poetry reading, the event will feature two multi-media presentations with music by local experimental musician Roesing Ape and others (the film Weapons of Mass Deception airs afterwards, starting at 10 p.m.). (themockbee.org)
· MC NapoleonSolo (aka Napoleon Maddux) will be in town between national tour dates with his group, Iswhat?! (the trio has done dates with artists like Saul Williams and Maktub), for an appearance at the InkTank event this Friday at InkTank’s headquarters (1311 Main St., Over-the-Rhine). The 7:30 p.m. showcase features spoken word and music from Maddux and Cincinnati Poet Adverse (aka Anthony Jones). (iswhat.net; inktank.org)
· The Walnut Hills High School Community Action Team presents a benefit concert Saturday at Eden Park’s Seasongood Pavilion. The 5:30 p.m. concert will raise funds for an apartment renovation project for former Drop Inn Center residents, which the students have set up in conjunction with the ReSTOC organization. Slated to appear: Let Her Die Gorgeous, Prairie Dog Gangsters, The Pinstripes, C-Bus, The Uprising and Sick in Georgia.
· Former local Hard Rock legends Spike reunite Saturday for a one-time show at The Blue Note in Price Hill. It is the first gig for the group since a 1998 reunion gig. The band — which features guitar virtuoso David T. Chastain, singer Stephen Fredrick (currently of Kinrick), drummer Les Sharp (now in Black Bone Cat) and bassist Mike Shimmerhorn — promises all of the old Spike favorites, plus a song or two from the CJSS catalog (Sharp, Shimmerhorn and Chastain were also all members of that equally beloved Metal act). (spike05.com)
· A benefit for banjo player Kevin Hendrix (a member of Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass) is scheduled for this Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Elmwood VFW Hall (5910 Vine St., Elmwood Place). Hendrix has been undergoing radiation treatments for his lymphnoid cancer and is unable to work. The show features Appalachian Grass, The Woolen Brothers and many other Bluegrass acts. Tickets are available in advance at the Famous Old Time Music Company (513-242-1442).
This article appears in Apr 27 – May 3, 2005.
