We are firm believers that if you can’t waste time on the internet, you’re doing it wrong. We’re here to help. Here are some videos that are making us less productive this month.
Oberhofer on Audiotree Live
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Typhoon performing The Honest Truth on Letterman
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Desert Noises perform Oak Tree
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The Dodos perform Fables on KEXP inStudio
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More to come…
People often ask what it is we’re listening to at the OT. We’ve decided to start highlighting some of the stuff we’re really into on the blog. Once or so a month, we’ll be updating this. We’re open to recommendations, as always.
Here’s some artists that we love right now with recommended albums (embedded from Bancamp when possible), in no particular order.
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Available from Lujo Records.
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We’re not gonna lie, we’ve been on the ball these last couple months. We’ve had the best summer ever, and couldn’t be happier about the fall. That being said, we’re gonna lay out a preview of some of the shows we’re most excited about. Because, seriously, there’s some pretty amazing shit passing through town.
with Shit Dang Monster Trucks
Sunday, August 29, 2011
Free show
South Carolina’s Shovels & Rope play folk music that is both gorgeous and gritty, harvested from a junkyard. Literally. They’ve kept it simple, stripped their music down to the bare essentials, playing music on guitars and a drum kit pulled out of a junk pile.
Michael Trent and Carrie Ann Hearst, who make up Shovels & Rope, have had success in their careers before coming together, both releasing several albums. But this sloppy tonk, beauty-in-the-grit collaboration is new for both of them.
Their live show will make you rethink your definition of a “rock show” as they swap instruments and lead vocals as their show teeters between wild and beautiful, sometimes in the same song. This is perfect Sunday music if you you spend Sunday days relaxing on the porch and Sunday nights drinking whiskey with your closest friends.
VIDEO: Bad Luck by Shovels & Rope
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with HotChaCha
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Free show
A couple days ago, I texted Jovana from HotChaCha to see if Summer People had a stage plot for us to look at. I was unsure how we were going to mic everything and fit everyone. Their music is so complex, so explosive, there was no way this wasn’t a band of 15 people. And when they’re not exploding, they’re pretty. Really pretty. That had to be at least another 5 people.
Turns out, their set up is simpler than I had imagined (I’m not so good with sound, that’s why we have Dan). Somehow, just the seven of them make all these sounds, both the beautiful ones and the explosive ones. Somehow all the awesome noise and delicate sound comes out of just 7 folks from Upstate New York.
And, for those of you in the know, Summer People contains members of Mysterious Mysteries, The Trip Wilsons and Fire When Ready, but I’m fairly certain the music speaks for itself.
VIDEO: New Song/Broken Bones by Summer People
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with TBA
Monday, September 5, 2011
Free show
Experimental math rock madness to tear your face off. Sometimes you just need some of this in your life. Two important things to point out: 1) We now sell earplugs behind the bar for a buck. 2) If you don’t plan on attending this amazing show, feel free to pass it along to all of your friends with bigger balls than you. I’m sure they’ll be interested.
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Thursday, September 15, 2011
Free show
There’s two things I love in life more than anything else. Great music, and my job being made easier by the hard work of others. This truly amazing double bill combines those things.
When the good folks at Vulcan Army Booking (Andy D., Baby Baby) send me a band they’d like to book, it makes my day. We’ve truly never been anything but blown away by their artists. But, when they send me two bands to book, I could kiss them. Watch the videos to see why:
VIDEO: (We’re Both Such) Fancy Talkers by Junior Astronomers
VIDEO: Candlelight by The Winter Sounds
We’re not really sure how these two bands make sense together, but eff it. We really like them both.
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with GOLD
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Free show
You might think that just because I’ve heard Sleeping in the Aviary play two Jimmy Buffet covers in one night and because they’re laying in a pool in that picture, sipping boat drinks and wearing leis, that they’re douchebags. But let me tell you, that is not at all what makes them douchebags.
I’m kidding of course. And seriously, pretend I never mentioned Jimmy Buffet. It was sort of a joke that went too far one night. Way too far. But it does show one thing. Sleeping in the Aviary never take themselves too seriously. That’s what makes them great drinking buddies at 5 am, and that’s what makes their really great, solid songwriting shine when you see them play it live. And their songwriting is great. We think so, Daytrotter thinks so, Science of Sound thinks so, and a whole shitload of blogs and websites think so. Don’t believe us? Check the video. (And yes, they happen to be sitting by a pool. I swear it’s a coincidence.)
VIDEO: Infatuation by Sleeping in the Aviary
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with TBA
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Free show
My job is fantastic. I could lie and say that hanging out at a bar listening to great music is hard, but it’s not. But my job is especially rewarding when I’m really enjoying an album, drop an email to the band or artist, and get lucky enough to be able to book a show. Such was the case with Netherfriends.
Chicagoan Shawn Rosenblatt released his 7th release in April, I read about it somewhere online, and fell in love with Netherfriends. All his music is available on his Bandcamp page, and it’s all definitely worth a listen.
VIDEO: Tac Tac by Netherfriends
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with Sean Rowe & JWC
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Free show
The first time I met Mark Heidinger and Rose Guerin, I was nervous as hell. Having been a These United States, I had become familiar with Mark and the music of Vandaveer, and was thrilled when I got an email about booking him.
We were just starting out. Or at least it seemed that way, and hadn’t booked a lot of nationally touring acts, especially ones that I listened to on a regular basis and was such a fan of. So, when Mark and Rose showed up at the OT early, like at 4:30 in the afternoon, I was instantly worried we were going to eff something up.
I asked them if they were hungry. They said they could go for some food, so I brought them their rider-demanded tray of food–organic yogurt, fresh almonds and walnuts, granola, apples, avocados. The look on Rose’s face was something I will never forget. Then she said, “What’s this? This is really nice of you.”
No one had read their rider, no one had followed it. No one but me. Noobz Sattler. Mark and Rose had no idea what their booking agent had thrown in their contract rider, and were even more perplexed by how he knew that they liked all these things. “Maybe he saw us eat this stuff one day,” Mark later said as we joked about it.
The point is, Mark and Rose are about the most down to earth people I’ve ever met. We’ve had happy hour customers that were 100 times more demanding. They make beautiful music and are amazing and kind people, and contract rider or not, I’m making them another tray of food when they come to town.
VIDEO: Dig Down Deep by Vandaveer
VIDEO: Chocolate Cake by Sean Rowe
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with TBA
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Free show
My better judgement tells me not to admit this publicly, but, honestly, even my better judgement still isn’t that great. So here it goes. Every once in a while I come home from the bar, maybe a little drunk, and stumble across a band, think they’re outstanding, think there is no way we can get them at the Ottawa Tavern, and email their booking agent anyway.
So, drunk night out, listening to great music, in a great mood. Enter Balkans. Getting tons of attention from Spin and Paste. Playing shows with Crystal Antlers. On tour with PS I Love You, off a couple days. What the hell. And much to my surprise, we got them. Now, you just all have to come see them on a Wednesday night. Rumor has it, they get pretty rowdy. I’m sure we can deal with that.
with TBA
Friday, October 7, 2011
Free show
I was going to explain how the last time Child Bite played the OT with Detroit friends Prussia, it absolutely blew my mind. I was going to go into great detail. I was gonna tell you how I fell in love with both Child Bite and Prussia that night. Instead, I’m just going to post this video below. If Scott Allen’s video for Bone/Sleep doesn’t make you want to see Child Bite, I’m not sure what will.
VIDEO: Bone/Sleep (Remix) by Child Bite
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with JWC & His Band
Friday, October 7, 2011
Free show
I honestly don’t know where to begin with this one. Two of my favorite albums of the year have been Chris Bathgate’s “Salt Year” and Desert Noises’ “Mountain Sea.” Two of my favorite shows this year have been Bathgate and his band on my porch for the OWE Festival and Desert Noises amazing midweek show where they had to hit the road for a 13 hour drive when they came off stage. Luck would have it they’re passing through town next time on the same night. I couldn’t pass it up.
To top it all off, I’ve been bugging Jesse Carlson (aka JWC) about his full band project since he mentioned it to me. I had unrealistic expectations for him. He told me he was gonna start playing with a full band and I wanted to hear it immediately. Like, right that second. I’m happy to know that on October 7th, my annoying impatience can be satisfied. I’m sure Jesse will be happy to have me leave him alone finally.
VIDEO: Oak Tree by Desert Noises
VIDEO: No Silver by Chris Bathgate
VIDEO: Across the Coals by JWC
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Well, it’s Friday. Since you’re still trying to figure out what to do tonight- here are a couple reminders of how much sweetness pours out of the PBR pitchers of the Ottawa Tavern. See you soon.
The wonderful results of our pumpkin carving carousing. With Halloween and the Zombie Bar Crawl right around the corner- what better way to celebrate. Tomorrow night The Very Knees will bring you to your own knees with Fangs Out, so don’t miss it.
And now, more pumpkin carving perfection.
Old Blade article from 91′ that affectionately gives a little history on our favorite drinking establishment- the OT- from it’s pre-Adams Street days.
This week is one of those weeks at the Ottawa Tavern when I have to wonder if we’ve booked too many outstanding bands. I know. It’s weird, but it happens. If we pack a week with amazing shit, sometimes you guys get tired of it.
I told myself that it was fine, that I wasn’t going to turn down amazing bands from all over the country just because there were other equally amazing bands already playing. I’ll just make Facebook events, invite everyone, and hope that people show up to everything and don’t get sick of our dumb mugs.
Well it turns out my little javascript cheat code that allows me to invite all of you in one fell swoop stopped working with a coding change on Facebook’s end. I know, boring, but it meant me spending 2 and 1/2 hours inviting people to one event. So, instead of clicking boxes for 12 hours this week, I thought I’d throw together one mega blog post about the sweet-shit extended weekend we’ve got planned.
Thursday, March 17th
Pomegranates, Great Uncle
Opening at Noon! $8 Jiggs Dinner
It’s always great when the nicest guys in the world make outstanding music.
Everybody Come Outside by Pomegranates at the Ottawa Tavern shot by Chris Graver
Pomegranates Website | Great Uncle MySpace | Facebook Event
Friday, March 18
Magic Magic, So So Radio, Words After
Sweet band overload, from all over the country: Boston, Madison, and Monroe come together.
Bat People by Magic Magic at SXSW shot by True East
Walls by So So Radio at the Turner Ballroom
The Edge of Space by Words After at the Ottawa Tavern by Chris Graver
Magic Magic on Bandcamp | So So Radio on Bandcamp | Words After on Bandcamp | Facebook Event
Saturday, March 18
The Saw Had Eyes That Sea, Homeville Circle, Timothy Monger State Park, Kyle Bliss
The Saw Had Eyes That Sea LP Release. Eff yes.
My Darling Virginia by The Saw Had Eyes That Sea at Culture Clash In-Store shot by redrunnin
The Homeville Circle at Frankie’s shot by redrunnin
The Classics by Timothy Monger State Park at Mittenfest 5 shot by pherek1
The Saw Had Eyes That Sea Myspace | The Homeville Circle Myspace | Timothy Monger State Park | Facebook Event
Sunday, March 19
Sleeping in the Aviary, Microdot
My Body is a Basement by Sleeping in the Aviary shot by lilgetlow
Sleeping in the Aviary | Facebook Event
