CHAINSAW WEASEL - Indie Art and Music

Fienix - live video

Sometimes fienix is a band and sometimes it’s just Chris.

This video was shot live at The Greenhouse in Woodland Park, Colorado and it captures just a little bit of the brilliance of Chris Nelson. I hope you love it!

www.fienix.com

Listener - Bonus Video Footage

As promised in the casting of the pod, here is Dan Smith a.k.a. Listener, performing one of his poems…

I recorded this at a new venue in Woodland Park, Colorado October 15, 2009.

As Dan would say, “I hope you love it with all of your heart”.

Tell a friend and make sure you subscribe in iTunes!

Listener - Dan Smith

Listener has been touring the world for the past seven years devel- oping a unique style of “Talk Music.” Vocalist Dan Smith has been the driving creative force of a rotating cast of musicians. Through- out different tours the lineup of Listener might change but the goal has always been to create honest music with energy from the heart. The past three years specifically Listener toured extensively in the US building momentum in small and large cities alike on house show tours in garages or attics to venues and bars opening for large acts. Talk Music is a term coined by Dan to describe his poetry-and- music style of art. Coming from a hiphop background early on Smith has been a part of that world in one way or another his entire career. These past few years has seen him take on a completely different and more meaningful direction from his former projects making Talk Music the main goal with first mate Chris Nelson

Todd Warren - Get On Your Fun Shoes!

This week we had the amazingly talented and upbeat artist Todd Warren in the studio. He chatted with us about how his artistic expression is a direct result of embracing who he is in ever aspect of his life. There is a very light hearted but deep conversation of how his faith impacts his art as well. Very engaging interview with a wonderful live bonus track at the end where Todd’s wife Ashley joins him in the studio!

Todd’s Bio: Todd Warren is the genuine experience. You’ll be reminiscently drawn in as he emotes old-school soul amid his fresh indie-pop soundscape. Once associated with bands & other genres, Todd is shaping a unique design of vibrant melodies & buoyant gratefulness. His new release, Breakthrough, is spirited & bold, full of most everything you probably love… so get your fun shoes on & enjoy the brilliant rush.

Visit: www.toddwarren.com to buy his CDs!

Thorn’s Musical Journey

This week we had the pleasure of having Darren Thornberry from Edinburgh based band Thorn’s Musical Journey in the studio. This amazingly entertaining and interesting song writer shares his musical journey and the back stories behind his work with you! There are a few audio glitches, but all in all this is a very enjoyable interview!

BIO: The Canadian-born songwriter is known for lush, acoustic melodies, a haunting, soulful voice and painfully honest lyrics that take an unflinching view of relationships, God and human nature. His songs might just remind you of scenes from your own life. Most recently, Darren has raised up an international collective of artists based in Edinburgh, Scotland, known as Thorn’s Musical Journey. The band has made three recordings together, most recently “live in Edinburgh,” which captured a rocking five-piece hitting their stride. Darren is now Colorado-based, but will continue to collaborate with a wide range of musicians under the Thorn’s Musical Journey name.

Rahim Quazi - Supernatural

This week we have Rahim Quazi in the studio to discuss the art and evolution of his sound and his songwriting experiences. We discuss the backstory from three different songs and the two solo albums Big Black Box and Supernatural. Very engaging interview with a live studio cut of one of his favorite songs!

Hope you enjoy it!

The Brave Little Tailor Podcast

We received the following message posted as a comment today from the Author of “The Brave Little Tailor”:

“Please take this video off the internet. This is my show, it is copyrighted and it is NOT a non-royalty show free for the taking. I’m sure you intentions are good but you are REALLY putting MY work out there without my permission. You don’t HAVE my permission and won’t. Laura Toffenetti”

We were told there were no royalties for this play and that I was free to post it for your viewing pleasure. My information was obviously bad. So I apologize to you, my viewers and listeners for that.

To Laura Toffenetti, my sincere apologies, and just to let you know there is no money made or solicited through tis podcast, it is completely non-commercial and just my attempt to support indie artist across the globe and get their art out for the public to appreciate. My son’s, niece and nephew were in the performance video taped and I have been a strong supporter of both Mr. Leonard as well as our local children’s community theater troupe. There is no ill intentions or disrespect intended.

Best Regards,

Tony V

Tim Coons - Seven Deadly Sins and More!

Tim Coons joined us in the studio to discuss his evolution as a singer songwriter as well as some of his daring new projects: The Psalms Project and Seven Deadly Sins. Tim is an engaging and entertaining talent with a penchant for capturing deep emotions that are normally avoided in the singer song writer genre. I think you will be both blessed and entertained with Tim’s quick whit and attention to detail.

Visit www.timcoons.com for more information.

Sit back and enjoy this hour long interview with one of our generations most interesting song writers.

This Friday’s Podcast Update

Hey Indie Art and Music subscribers. Just a quick and friendly warning that this Friday’s podcast which will be delivered to your iTunes or other reader at midnight MST is a large one! 768mb, 1 hour, 50 minute video of a local community theater production of The Brothers Grimm “The Brave Little Tailor”. This is a musical adaptation performed by a cast that ranges in age from 7 to 18. I video taped this production and edited it down to a standard DVD length “film” to capture how powerful community theater can be in a young person’s life. You will see a wide range of “types” and talent levels bring these age-old characters to life in an entertaining kitschy musical. I really think it is worth your time!

I was advised by the wise sage @jdale (Jon Dale) that many folks get their podcast updates via cellular internet cards and many of these have severe billing cycle bandwidth limitations, so you might want to be careful when and where you get your download.

This is a royalty-free production so feel free to share it with the director of your local community theater company!

Aaron Strumpel Elephants - Live Improv

This is one of those moments you capture on tape that you will cherish for a life time.

At the recent Worship @ 8500 festival (www.worshipat8500.com) Aaron Strumpel brought his critically acclaimed Elephants to a new level with a band gathered from all corners of North America. The format for the festival included an audience inspired improvisational piece on the hour, every hour, regardless of what performer had the stage.

The inspiration came from a passage in Jeremiah where G-d tells Jeremiah that he will be like a loin cloth to his people.

Check out Aaron Strumpel at www.aaronstrumpel.com and buy a copy of Elephants (buy two and give one away as a gift!) You will not be disappointed.

Fike & Dana - Interview with Richie Fike

Richie Fike made a stop by “Electric Weasel” studios to discuss the skyrocketing carreers of their band Fike & Dana. We have a great talk about the unique approach they take toward music writing, their histories and Richie Fike lays down some spontaneous one-take flow over a new Chainsaw Weasel beat.

If you don’t already have a copy of their award winning CD “Make a Sound” you should! and if you do, buy and other as a gift. This is really a great CD that can blends a mixture of rock driven worship with elements of traditional psalmic styles, hip-hop and balad. I have had a hard time gettign this CD out of my player, its that good.

Check out their website at www.fikeanddana.com for more infor and make sure to tell a friend!

Fike & Dana Podcast June 17th! Don’t Miss it!

Fike and Dana Bio

There is something beautiful about two souls connected through music. For Richie Fike (Fike - as dubbed by his friends) & Dana, it was like a hand in a glove - a match made in heaven. They married in the summer of 1999, and quickly began writing and performing in the band “FaceDown”, which gave them the opportunity to tour with Shane & Shane & Robbie Seay, among others. They traveled throughout much of the south, performing concerts and leading worship.

During those years of touring, Fike felt called to pursue a life of local church ministry. God impressed upon his heart the value of the local Church, and the impact he could have on a family of believers through song-writing, leading worship, and developing relationships.

In 2002, the Fikes moved to Colorado Springs to join the ministry of Vanguard Church. It was there that they were inspired to write worship songs for their church, resulting in their first two independent worship CDs, “In & Out of Season” and “The Morning is Come” produced by their partner & contributing musician, Sean Mulholland.

Fike, Dana, & Sean were blessed to attend the GMA’s Music in the Rockies 2008 event, where they submitted 4 songs in the amateur songwriting competition among hundreds of other entries. After 2 of Fike’s songs made it to the top 25 out of the 384 in their division, they were honored to win first place - the “Song of the Year” award for the song “Ascend to Heaven”, which opened the doors to numerous performing opportunities and a trip to the Dove Awards.

In February of 2009, Fike and Dana challenged the boundaries of worship with their latest release “Make A Sound”, which offers a wide range of musical offerings. A few songs are infused with Fike’s long time love of hip-hop, while the song “More Than A Friend” displays some of Dana’s roots in country music. This latest worship release showcases the best of Fike’s songwriting, Fike & Dana’s captivating vocal performances, and Sean’s brilliant production.

The first single “Ascend to Heaven” (winner of the 2008 “Song of the Year” award at GMA’s Music in the Rockies), has been released to CCM radio stations throughout the globe through CRW Platinum Gold Promotions. Fike, Dana, & their band will be performing this amazing song and the other 13 songs from “Make a Sound” at worship events & concerts throughout 2009.

For more information about Fike and Dana go to www.fikeanddana.com or to book them for your event, workshop, or church worship service, please contact them at fike@fikeanddana.com.

Aaron Strumpel Live - Blow Out the Wick

This is a brand new song from Aaron Strumpel caught live at Every Day Joe’s during his CD release party. This is a ground breaking album that will change the way you look at psalmic music. There are other tracks from the concert up at http//www.youtube.com/vilgiate.

Check this out and then get on www.aaronstrumpel.com and buy your copy of Elephants! You won’t be disappointed.

I am hoping to get Aaron into the studio in the next week to talk about this album and the creative process that let to a very bold sonic direction for this up and coming singer/songwriter.

Barry and Michelle Patterson - W/ Photos

This is the same audio as the previous podcast, but has enhancements like photos of them playing live in the studio and the album cover art.

Barry and Michelle Patterson

Come dig on the debuet of Barry and Michelle’s long awaited new album “Long Straight Up Hill Climb” featuring their best work to date that will rock your socks off and feed your soul.

Visit them online at www.barryandmichelle.com to get the CD but don’t miss the podcast with a live version of “If You Are Waiting” and some great insights into why and how the album came together like it did!

Karla Adolphe - Chair and Microphone Volume III

Karla, an award winning and accomplished Canadian Singer Songwriter joined us in the studio this week with a preview copy of her up coming Enter the Worship Circle release: Chair and Mic Volume Three.

Get the back story and inspiration behind Karla’s latest work.

Jacob and Lily - House Concert Footage

Here is a different spin for you.

This week I dug into the archives and pulled out some good house concert footage of Jacob and Lilly performing live in Colorado in 2007. The 9 min. video is a great representation of their live show.

You can get more information about Jacob and Lilly at www.jacobandlily.com.

Thanks for watching,

TonyV

www.villageoddity.com

Todd Berger of Village Thrift

Todd is a full time musician who finds his inspiration in ancient poetry and through the modern gritty beats of urban America. Todd’s unique style is indicative of the traditional singer songwriter a la Billy Joel mixed with the modern high energy rock and electronica more typical of Cold Play or early Beck.

Todd has some great insight and wonderful stories to share. Don’t miss it!

The Album Green & Jericho Kids

We are joined in the studio by multi-genre artist Thomas Ewing who along with his solo project The Album Green and his youth focused hip-hop group Jericho Kids is making a splash in the indie music scene in Northern Colorado.

Lots of fun and interesting stories behind all of Thomas’ latest work. You don’t want to miss this weeks fun podcast!