Sounds Good: Making Movies@Jazzhaus, Fire in the Churchyard & La Guerre@Replay & Wakarusa

OK, so maybe I’m getting jaded…

I’ve seen so many great shows over the past year, on an almost weekly basis, that I think I’ve gotten a little spoiled.  Wilco, The Jayhawks, Bon Iver, Steely Dan, Muse, Bright Eyes, Roger Daltry, Zappa, Arcade Fire, St. Vincent, Mumford and Sons, Old 97’s, Ween, Willie Nelson, My Morning Jacket, the list goes on and on.  Breakout local acts, too, like the ACBs, Fourth of July, and The Noise FM to name just a few. 

I’ve gotten to the point where I simply demand to be entertained by interesting and talented performers night in and night out.  So the last few weeks have been tough for me. 

Some people blame their melancholy on the (normally) crappy, grey weather, the short days and long nights.  I blame it on the doldrums – the period of time from the middle of December to the middle of January when it seems like the live music scene all but grinds to a halt.  The national acts aren’t swinging through town.  The better local acts are on vacation, or playing somewhere else that’s warmer. 

(I never thought I’d say this but) C’mon February, where you at?

Speaking of somewhere warmer, the Wakarusa Festival just made their first round of artist announcements for this summer’s bash in Arkansas.  Check out who’s on the list, as well as a couple bands in the KC area this weekend to tide you over, after the jump…

Wakarusa Festival, May 31st – June 3rd at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas

So, this is only the first round of artist announcements, and usually there are three or four rounds.  There are roughly 25-30 acts that were released today, but the top of the list right now looks like this:

Pretty Lights
Weir, Robinson, & Green Acoustic Trio
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
G. Love & Special Sauce

Fear not, skeptics, at least two to three more headliners will be forthcoming, probably bigger names than anyone already on this short list.  Check out the full initial lineup announcement here: http://wakarusa.com/2012/lineup.asp

Friday, January 6th

Making Movies at the Jazzhaus in Lawrence

I saw making Movies a few weeks ago with Cowboy Indian Bear and The Noise FM at the Bottleneck for a Toys for Tots benefit.  They play a mix of Latin infused indie rock, which sounds odd when I describe it, but is actually kind of cool when you see them live.  Very unique sound, to say the least, that was a little tough to wrap my head around at first.  But after a few songs their gumbo approach starts blending musical flavors together to make a spicy and nutritious meal. 

They’re actually playing Friday and Saturday night at the Jazzhaus, so why not double up?  Oh, and their favorite recent band is Delta Spirit, so mad props for that right there. 

Saturday, January 7th

Fire in the Churchyard & La Guerre at the Replay in Lawrence

Do you like indie chicks?  No?  How about beer?  Still no?  How about the filthiest fucking bathrooms this side of that one in Trainspotting?  No again?  Then there is no pleasing you…

For the rest of you who like those things, the Replay will be your hideout Saturday night as the girl-girl stylings of Fire in the Churchyard display their ukuleles and minimalist weird songs.  And as if that weren’t enough, Kat Conroy will be there too, with her new project, La Guerre.  You might know Kat as the girl in Cowboy Indian Bear.  La Guerre is kind of loopy and electronica, with Kat’s pristine vocals layering over the top of everything.  Should be a scenester’s wet dream.