Indianapolis - Part 3: Margot & the Nuclear So and So's

Fact 1: George Bush pronounces the word "nuclear" as "new-kew-ler"
Fact 2: Margot Helen Tenenbaum is super.
Fact 3: Unbeknownst to me, Indianapolis has handfuls of great artists.

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's become the third installment of our Indianapolis spotlight series. They are a band with a strong connection to Wes Anderson's masterpiece, The Royal Tenenbaums, and I can't blame them. Before the formation of his current band, guitarist and vocalist Richard Edwards was in the band Archer Avenue, which was named after the street the Tenenbaums lived on. Being a bit facetious and pulling inspiration from Bush pronunciation blunders and the legend that is Margot Tenenbaum, Margot & The Nuclear So and So's formed in 2005.

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's have that quintessential raw sound that the populous identify as "indie." Hold up - this is no disrespect to the band or a knock on their originality. In my book, it's still OK to be labeled as "indie" as that term lost it's meaning once Sub Pop signed their one-billionth artist and charged more for the film licensing of their "indie" artist than U2. I digress. One listen to the pop-rocked "As Tall As Cliffs," built upon beautifully mastered layers will have you humming along in no time and tapping the toes with confidence and smiles. The piano, lighthearted tempo and trumpeted silliness almost overshadow the seriousness of the lyrics. Due to the depth of the lyrics and instrumentation and the fact that I've played it over 12 times today alone, this is a track that will most undoubtedly grace many upcoming mix tapes. Then there's the opposite of Margot's artillery...the slower-paced and shadow brimmed "A Children's Crusade on Acid." It's a true breath of fresh air to hear the (I repeat) layering's and orchestral make-up that went into Margot and Co's songs regardless of theme or mood.

If you're in the mood for some lighter indie rock with an adventurous but balanced circus of noises, Margot & The Nuclear So and So's should fill the shoulder's chip. Think Boy Least Likely To with a few more members and deeper melodies. Think Arcade Fire or Bright Eyes stripped of some raw angst and darkness. Oh, I bet I get some heat for that one! Edwards is not shy of going falsetto and pushing his voice, which is few and far between on my current play list and deserves and extra high five. Margot Tenenbaum has lent her name to a deserving band but don't expect the musical group to deliver such a dark and uncomfortable comedy act...that's saved for Bush's influence! Margot and Co. release Not Animal via Epic Records on Oct 7. Here are two gems from the upcoming album that have been hogging my ears.

Margot & The Nuclear So & So's - As Tall As Cliffs

Margot & The Nuclear So & So's - A Children's Crusade on Acid

Indianapolis - Part 2: Born Again Floozies

There was a "Part 1" a few moons ago and thus a "Part 2" must follow. This is the second installment featuring artists from Indianapolis. Surprisingly, this band band calls Indiana home, though it seems more proper if this band were from the busker-burlesque backbone that is Paris or New York City. The Born Again Floozies consist of a few tap dancers, tuba, trombone, guitar and an early 1920's marching band drum.

Sexy and seductive tap dancers? Yes. Think Yard Dogs Road Show, Puppini Sisters, and a smidgen of DevotchKa. Can I also say Tilly and The Wall since the Floozies tap style and sounds remind me of Moulin Rouge or the line-gals in Vegas?

def. (noun) floozie - a prostitute who attracts customers by walking the streets

The Born Again Floozies have been described as "voluptuously surreal," "a rock band with extra members," and "Fellini-esque songmongers." The vixen beat-keepers hold true to the floozie definition with their raw clanking sound produced by the duo, tapping on old oak slabs. Here is their birth


The Born Again Floozies are out with a new album from Triple R Records/Half-Naked Music (BMI) titled Street Music (13 Rebellions and a Song of Consolation) which is for sale now.

The Born Again Floozies - We Got The Power (Love Letter From America)

Indianapolis - Part 1:Josh Garrels

Is it gospel? It's preachy and he definitely has vocal chords that aren't afraid to venture. I definitely hear a bit of Tracy Chapman-meets-testosterone. Wait, there's some John Butler, Harper, Alexi Murdoch...and then I heard some free-style via white man preaching women and freedom and livin'. No, it's not Xavier Rudd...this guy speaks through his songs, not right-wing bash sessions between songs.

So it's time I post on Indianapolis-based Josh Garrels. I know a few of you have told me about him in the past and I may have sluffed you off. Last week, my compadre Johnny Utah out West re-alerted me to him. After finding out he's associated with my pal Trace Bundy and Braddigan (of Dispatch), I decided to give him a further nod. I'm not convinced I love half of his material yet; although the few songs I've liked, I've REALLY liked.

I'm sure you'll be hearing some of Josh Garrels in some of the soundtracks I'm currently working on as his style and anxious crescendos really seem to fit in on the stories I'm working with. Plus, when has a simple guitar rhythm backed by a nice kick drum and beats not worked? (Rhetorical, mind you). Here's one song that you can download for free via Garrels' site that's been swooning my speakers lately:

Josh Garrels - Sleeper

Josh has a new album in August that you can pre-order from his website which is also full of audio samples and art from he and his wife. Once I started grooving to his beats and motioning voice, it didn't take me too long to start bobbing my head, tapping my toe and realizing I needed a nice porch and cool summer sky to accompany the mood he set.

**I never condone Dredlock Holiday doing a hippie-infused/marionette doll dance on stage like seen above. I do condone Josh Garrels.