There’s something royal about Litany’s Last Call, a brand new Louisville band that includes a couple prominent visual artists and professionally trained musicians. Maybe that’s why I think of kings and queens, because these people are deeply talented and original by nature. Maybe not; I’m not sure. There’s not much material to judge by yet, but what I’ve heard is pure gold.
The band calls itself RBG: rhythms ‘n bluegrass, which is no misnomer. At its base are acoustic instruments, including guitar, cello, violin, bass, harmonica and drums. Having played less than a handful of shows in Louisville, it’s a safe bet people aren’t sick of ’em yet. That’s good.
You can see them this Saturday at the Jazz Factory’s new Late Night Salon, a show series that takes the “kid-friendly” out of the place without dropping the “friendly.”
LEO: If you were Mayor, what would you do to help promote people like you in this city?
Brett Holsclaw: If I were mayor, I’d encourage more busking on street corners downtown when all the suits are roaming at lunchtime. In NYC subways, there’s all kinds of busking, from dusk until dawn, and the city auditions these people. Maybe, those with talent and something to say should just start playing on street corners and not worry about an audition or acquiring a busker’s license. As mayor, I wouldn’t worry about who has a busker’s license. I’d probably have more pressing issues to deal with, like making public transportation better. Besides, being a politician has got to be stressful. If I were mayor and I wanted to take a break from City Hall … I’d enjoy walking down to that little park at Fifth and Jefferson and listening to some live music. Hell, as mayor, I’d probably have enough money to spare a dollar for a good street musician.
Marisa Barnes: Sponsor some venues that aren’t bars instead of focusing on commercial things like Fourth Street Live.
James Vaughn: Sponsor and help organize the construction of an art/gallery theater/Japanese garden venue that serves lemonade in the summer and hot chocolate in the winter.
Thomas Brown: During the gentrification of downtown, I would make sure that all of the artists were not kicked out of their spaces. And set up living grants for artists.
LEO: Which Louisville musician needs to get more attention?
BH: Bootsie Ann! She’s an amazing ukelele player who plays around town wherever she can. Her songs are simple and usually tell some kind of profound story. There should be more storytelling in songs and she’s got that gift.
MB: My dad, Bill Barnes trio.
JV: Todd Hildreth.
TB: Anyone who plays a mean piano!
LEO: If music were food, what kind would yours be?
BH: Anything from the Vietnam Kitchen!
MB: Apples and oranges … as in they don’t compare.
JV: Green chicken curry.
TB: Garlic ice cream.
LEO: Tell me about one of your favorite works of art aside from your medium.
BH: I think Letitia Quesenberry is an amazing artist. How does she get such amazing detail with wood as her canvas? I’ll never know. Her paintings should sell for thousands of dollars! No one should try to barter with such great talent. Come on, people! Haven’t you’ll heard the term “starving artist”?
MB: The movie “The Red Shoes.” It has beautiful cinematography and gorgeous ballet sequences.
JV: Any Hayao Miyazaki films and Mother Earth.
TB: Yeah, what Brett said!
LEO: What do you want to say that you know you shouldn’t?
BH: Punk rock is dead! Get over it! Long live DISCO!
MB: This is a dumb question. Why does our society focus so much on censorship?
JV: Money doesn’t matter!
BH: Let’s all go back to the barter system!
JV: The Universe doesn’t care! Love your brother and sister and all will be fair!
TB: What’s disco?
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