Local rockers People Noise release their record Ordinary Ghosts at Headliners Music Hall (1386 Lexington Road, 584-8088) Saturday night. The record is a “rite of passage,” vocalist and songwriter Zeke Buck said, and reflects “a greater depth and reality than
The teamwork benefits the band, bringing greater feeling to the music.
“While it’s not as warm as the way some other bands write songs, I feel like it helps us and reflects the reality of the group,” Buck said.
Most of People Noise “come from jazz backgrounds,” he said, so the music making is generally a fluid affair. Buck writes the vocals and melody lines, and Matt Johnson drives the drums and percussion section.
The record represents “a long process, but a fun one,” according to Buck, who has characterized his transition from VHS or Beta to People Noise as “daunting” and “a nightmare.”
Still, he admits there was a cathartic effect making the record, and that — at least from his own perspective — there is a sense of coming out on the other side. He is proud that the new record demonstrates what can be done “if you’re stubborn and hard-nosed and determined to get things done.” Showtime is 8 p.m., and admission is $7.
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Friday-Saturday, June 29-30
The well-honed blues of the King Bees holds the stage at Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar (230 E. Main St., 582-9945) this Friday and Saturday night.
“Stevie Ray’s is like home to us,” said vocalist and songwriter Rick Cain. “We’ve played some regional blues festivals and things like that, but this is always a good stop for us. We’ve developed a pretty big crowd that follows us there, so it’s always a fun show.”
This acclaimed local band is well known for its passionate approach to the blues, honed to a fine edge through years of performing, and the Louisville engagement promises to be quite a treat.
The sextet is performing to drum up support for an album the band hopes to release this fall. “We think we’ve got some really strong songs,” Cain said. “Hopefully we can throw this record out there and see what happens. I’d like to handle it professionally, and maybe it will get a little radio play.”
Cain describes the music as blues inspired, though he hints other genres influence the work.
Like many bands, Cain acts as the songwriter, but he leaves the arrangements and subtleties to the rest of the group.
“They’re all really talented musicians, and the collaborations work pretty well for us,” he said. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and admission is $5.
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Saturday, June 30
If bluegrass is more your thing, make time to visit with Greensky Bluegrass at Intermezzo Café at Actors Theatre (316 W. Main St., 561-3344). The Kalamazoo quartet won the 2006 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition — that’s big — and Greensky promises to deliver a stirring, music-as-theater show in Louisville.
The self-described “hardest working band in Kalamazoo County, Mich.” aims to offer “unique viewpoints” and fresh arrangements on traditional bluegrass standards. Greensky will record a live album this summer at Bell’s Brewery in Michigan. Sound will be handled by Mike Partridge of RRE fame, as well as Ian Gorman.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Cover is $10.
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Thursday-Saturday, June 28-30
If you’re looking for something a little jazzier, stop in at the Jazz Factory (815. W Market St., 992-3242) Thursday through Saturday and check out the Aebersold All Stars lineup. The performances, part of the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Clinic — which runs till July 13 — kick off a strong summer season and should appeal to jazz connoisseurs.
On Thursday, Bill Overton performs on saxophone, guitar, bass and vocals, with help from keyboardist Todd Hildreth, bassist Tyrone Wheeler and drummer Johnathan Higgins.
On Friday and Saturday, saxophone man Jim Snidero is accompanied by pianist Steve Allee, bassist Lynn Seaton and drummer Steve Davis. Sets start at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., and $10 covers both performances.
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