This Saturday, Northern Kentucky sonic sculptor Kevin Poole is throwing a party in honor of his latest project under the umin moniker, a full-length titled line. Artist Jason Erler (who created line’s artwork) will present an installation at the event, and further exploratory music will be provided by Louisville, Ky.’s Cher Von and Unexpected Vibe, an “analog electronic” project featuring Ofir Klemperer and Zach Larabee. The 9 p.m. show takes place at the Warsaw Room (3117 Warsaw Ave., Price Hill).
line continues umin’s all-instrumental collaging of baritone ukulele riffs and rhythms, which are often chopped, looped and otherwise manipulated and blended with electronic additives. The 13-track album is an incredibly fluid listen, but the fluttering atmospherics shape-shift throughout. Sometimes the music is hypnotic or meditative, while other times it’s utterly disorienting, though it’s almost as if the listener’s state of mind going in determines the effect, with umin’s soundscapes merely molding to that mood. The unique flapping string sound and circular movement of the samples serve as a rhythmic constant, and when the electronic ornamentation weaves its way into the mix, it’s distantly reminiscent of the pulsating sounds of Electronic music pioneers like Wendy Carlos or Kraftwerk. Like the early work of those artists, line is a creative musical display that is truly distinctive and singular.
You can listen to and/or download a “name your own price” copy of uimin’s line at uminmusic.com. A CD version (with full artwork) is also available at the site.
• The Z.G.s celebrate the release of their debut full-length Saturday at Southgate House Revival (111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com). The event begins with a 7:30 p.m. listening party/pre-show “fiesta” (with free tacos, veggie options and more; the bar will even have margaritas). The show begins at 8:30 p.m. and features guests The Scrubs, Loudmouth and Lockjaw. Admission is just $5 in advance (through ticketfly.com) or $7 at the door.
Formed in 2014 by brothers Jim and Louie Groh (on drums and bass, respectively), with their cousin Joe Groh on guitar and singer Ryan Zentay (a local transplant from Houston) on vocals, the band has maintained a steady presence on the local club front. The Z.G.s’ self-titled album is impressive in its ability to straddle several generations of Punk Rock — you can hear elements of some of today’s more powerful and melodic bands, but there are also traces of pioneers like The Clash evident in the Cincy group’s throbbing, buzzing bluster. The band sets itself apart with strong songwriting and guitar work, a powerful rhythmic throttle and lyrics that also seem to encapsulate many of Punk’s main themes since its inception. The band touches on political and social issues with tracks like “Bend or Break,” “Lies” and “Stamps” and offers working-class observations on “Get in Line” and “Music Makers,” but the songs also get more personal and internal at times, like on the pining “Used to Be.”
For show dates and more info on The Z.G.s, visit facebook.com/thezgs.
Hank, History and the Holidays
Just before Christmas in 1948, an emerging singer/songwriter named Hank Williams came to downtown Cincinnati to record at Herzog Studios. The sessions produced (among other songs) “Lovesick Blues,” which made Williams a star upon its release in 1949 (he returned to Herzog that summer and recorded more tracks, including his seminal “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”).
Herzog is now home to the Cincinnati Music Heritage Foundation, which regularly hosts events honoring Williams and other artists who recorded at the studio at 811 Race St. (also home to CityBeat). This Saturday, CMHF teams up with Sofaburn Records to present a holiday party and celebration of the anniversary of Hank’s historic first Herzog sessions. Joining CMHF’s Elliott Ruther and author/music historian Brian Turpen at the 8 p.m. event are some of the area’s finest musicians — Daniel Martin Moore, Lisa Walker, Jeremy Pinnell and The Hiders. The performances are being recorded and attendees will get the first chance at an eventual release. Admission is $10; advanced tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: [email protected]
