A WFDD Original
They Might Be Giants, The Story of My Life, The Love Language, and More
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants have been making off-kilter alternative rock since before that particular term/genre had ever been coined. Friends & musical partners John Linnell and John Flansburgh began as a duo in Brooklyn, New York back in 1982. They were staples on the Lower East Side club scene, and by 1986 they released their first record, featuring the song "Don’t Lets Start", which we sample from in today's show.
The last decade saw They Might Be Giants winning a Grammy for the theme song to the television series Malcom in the Middle. They also dove head first into the world of kids music, which is not that surprising given their flair for fun, engaging & spirited pop music that has been known to serve up unexpected lessons on history, geography & science. They’ve also had a documentary made about them – Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns was released in 2003, and featured live performances and interviews with the likes of John Stewart, Frank Black of The Pixies, and Ira Glass.
With a Platinum record, three Gold Records, two Grammys, an iPhone app, and 15 full length albums (not to mention tons of EPs and singles under their belts), they’ve just released their 16th album, Nanobots. They Might Be Giants are hitting the road, and they’ll be taking the stage at Ziggy’s in Winston Salem on Sunday, October 13th. Eddie Garcia had a chance to talk with John Linnell from his home in Brooklyn, days before he and the rest of the Giants headed out on tour.
http://youtu.be/VlGNm7_dvz4
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The Story of My Life
The Story of My Life shares the lives of six adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Greg Silvernail, James Loudermilk, John Linville, Cecelia Henry, Karen Lash and Ghree Lockard. Their stories are told through photographs, spoken and written word, and visual art that they created in collaboration with instructors from the Sawtooth School for Visual Art. The multi-media exhibition at the Eleanor and Egbert Davis Gallery in Sawtooth opens Friday, October 11th at 5:30 pm with a nice reception. It’ll remain on display through November 14th at the Sawtooth School in Winston-Salem.
The Story of My Life is told by three local award-winning documentarians: photographer Christine Rucker, journalist and multimedia editor Michelle Johnson, and investigative journalist, narrative writer and college teacher Phoebe Zerwick. Christine and Phoebe were joined in the studio by Sawtooth Executive Director Joanne Vernon.
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The Love Language
North Carolina has its fair share of indie rock success stories, and one of the latest musicians to make people stand up and take notice of our state’s thriving music scene is Stuart McLamb, the creative force behind The Love Language. What started out in a Winston-Salem apartment as a lo-fi love letter has developed into a panoramic indie pop pastiche, bringing elements of music’s past, present, and future together - a wall of sound approach that harkens back to the days of Phil Spector and his recordings with the Crystals & The Ronnettes. But beyond the strings, the horns, the glockenspiel, and the healthy dose of reverb, there’s the songs. And singer, songwriter, guitarist Stuart McLamb has a way with words and melodies that prove the word “pop” doesn’t have to be a dirty word.
The latest release by The Love Language is called Ruby Red – its their third record, and second to be released on Merge Records, the home of classic indie rock bands like Superchunk, Polvo, The Magnetic Fields, and contemporary trendsetters like Spoon and the Grammy winning Arcade Fire. To say McLamb is in good company would be an understatement.
You can see The Love Language live at SECCA in Winston-Salem, as part of their Crossroads Concert series, on Thursday, October 17th. Along with the show you’ll find food, beverages, outdoor activities, and an opening set from like-minded Winston-Salem band Estrangers.Winston-Salem band Estrangers will be opening the show. Check WFDD dot org and click on Triad Arts Weekend for more info.
Eddie Garcia talked with Stu last week by phone, about Ruby Red, his days in Winston-Salem, and the evolution of The Love Language sound.
http://youtu.be/yj45XbqsnAw
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The Idiot Box Comedy Club
Did you know the art of comedy is alive and well right here in in the Triad? It certainly is, and much of the credit goes to The Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro. There you’ll find a veritable beehive of activity going on year-round. This fall is no exception with their monthly Knuckleheads production—an all-ages, kid friendly show with stand up, improve and sketch. Comedian Eric Trundy and club owner Steve Lesser are teaching stand up classes, and tonight at 8:00 at the Idiot Box it’s round two of The 6th Annual Ultimate Comic Challenge. Eric knows the UCC well, as does Idiot Box Co-owner Jennie Stencel. Jennifer is a comedian and improv actor well-known to Triad audiences. From 2006-2010 she was the comedic traffic reporter on WXII-TV whose on-air antics—rapping the traffic report—eventually wound up on CNN, VH1, and MSNBC.
Tonight at 8:00 at the Idiot Box it’s round two of The 6th Annual Ultimate Comic Challenge.
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