The Ruckus

Feature Interview: Singing Along With Lucero

Lucero // May 29, 2009 // The Bluebird Theater // Denver, CO



Lucero tours a lot, so your chances of catching them in the U.S. or Canada are pretty good. At the very least, you've likely heard the name while scanning the local shows in your area. Over the last ten years, they've put out eight albums and the band's front man, Ben Nichols, released a solo album in January of this year. They have an incredibly dedicated fan base. While I spoke to Mr. Nichols outside The Bluebird Theater, he was approached more than once by loving fans, one to show him a Lucero tattoo. The show sold out shortly after I arrived, despite this tour featuring shows in Aspen and Boulder as well.



What genre would you consider your music to be?



It’s really just rock and roll, but I guess if you had to classify it, it’s kind of Southern Rock and Indie Rock combined. I think that’s a pretty good description.



What image do you think that your music conveys?



I think probably late drunken nights is what comes to most people’s mind. I’m not exactly sure what a late drunken night looks like, probably different for everybody. That and being heartbroken over a girl. That’s pretty much what it’s all about, so whatever that looks like.



Lucero has a very dedicated fan base.



They’ve been nice to us.



Why do you think that is?



I don’t know…I think the lyrics are pretty straightforward. Pretty simple stuff, stuff that’s pretty much happened to everybody. Things that everyone can relate to.



How does that make you feel?



Really good. There’s nothing better than having folks sing along with the songs. That’s a great feeling. It’s a nice compliment. You know that they’re actually paying attention. It’s real rewarding.



I’m glad to hear that because I like to sing along.



It’s part of what makes this a great job. It’s awesome.



What is your best band story?

Watch This: Julia Nunes and Greg Holden rock London

So, you already know that we really like Julia Nunes. What you may not know (or you may already know and certainly do know if you follow her on YouTube) is that she recently wrapped up a mini-tour in London, where she played several shows with Greg Holden, who is, incidentally, someone else we like a lot and will write more about soon.

Unsurprisingly, their voices blend beautifully (I'm kind of geeking out over here - it's a little bit like a Buffy / Angel crossover episode - I felt the same way watching Willow hang out with Fred, you know?). Anyway, check out the video that Greg and Julia made for those of us who were unlucky enough to have missed the London gigs.

Listen to the absolutely gorgeous harmony here, specifically at 3:30:

(As an aside: is it wrong that I totally want them to hook up and be a couple and tour the UK and the US like a modern day-halfsies version of The Mamas and The Papas? Yeah, I thought you'd agree.)

Feature Interview: Eric Hutchinson

Eric Hutchinson looks like the kind of guy you can trust – honest, approachable, somehow familiar. There’s just something about him that invites you to give up your innermost thoughts. And complete strangers don’t hesitate to do so, as he wryly details in “Oh!”

Riding the subway with the scent of her hair
She took out a toothbrush started using it there
She explained “I’m always sure today’s the day I will die
I wanna look good if I get to look God in the eye”
And I said “Oh!”

“Oh” is one of 10 keenly observed songs from Hutchinson’s self-released debut album, Sounds Like This. The CD, which showcases the young singer-songwriter’s unique brand of soul, bowed at #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart in September 2007. But “Oh!” was penned during a dismal period of his life. His deal with Maverick Records had fallen apart when the parent company shuttered the label. With the plug pulled on his nascent recording sessions, Eric hit the road again. “It was all about getting the exposure and the experience,” he says. After a relentless touring schedule, Hutchinson, who began writing songs as a child in the DC suburb of Takoma Park, MD, put everything he had into making his album."

That's Eric Hutchinson in a nutshell. He's a likable guy with a great personality and a whole lot of musical genius. He wants to make people happy, and it shows. You've probably heard his music on television (including the hit show So You Think You Can Dance, which gets a lot of love from a few of the AI bloggers), but if you get the chance to catch him live, go. He has a fantastic stage presence, a great rapport with his audience, and a lot of energy. We caught up with Eric before his May 19th gig at The Orpheum in Ybor City, (the most happening neighborhood in Tampa), and asked him a few questions about his album, the tour, and his favorite things:

etsy: a bit of whimsy for summer's start

Hello loves! We've used the random.org generator to pick a winner for the made by rachelm! bag giveaway contest! Our winner is Hester Thorpe!! Thank you everyone for such an incredible welcome and all of your amazing comments, I'm really looking forward to sharing my etsy loves and experiences. If you come across a seller that you think I need to see or showcase, then please forward me the information at rachel@whatstheruckus.net. I hope you find something special in this week's highlights or that these items lead you to something else just as inspiring!

sea glass ring by astash

love letter card by Bombus

i heart ohio by truche

green deer mirror by peppersprouts

soft cotton bracelet by easternsky

what's the word platter by MayLuk

banana salt and pepper shaker by MichikoShimada

...with sprouts in greens by vesselsandwares

happy etsy shopping!

People We Like: Amanda Palmer

Special Belated Birthday Edition

I’ve been planning to do this for some time and I definitely realize that this is getting close to being two months late. However, I still think this piece is valid. I adore Amanda Palmer. I love her music and read her blog and Twitter avidly. I think she is an amazing and amazingly talented person. She first won hearts as half of the groundbreaking (self described) Brechtian Punk Cabaret duo, The Dresden Dolls. Then in 2008, Ms. Palmer released a solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer. I was Blown. Away. Amanda brought over her individual style from The Dresden Dolls, but made something new and different. Who Killed Amanda Palmer is a masterpiece. Driven by piano and Palmer's unique vocals, the record is extremely powerful and I find myself listening over and over again.

In addition to the album, a book is being released on July 7th of photographs of Amanda Palmer "dead" with accompanying short stories by Neil Gaiman. From what we've seen of this book, it looks phenomenal. I've already pre-ordered mine (and you can pre-order yours here). There is also an amazing collection of videos available.

As we know from Amanda's incredibly candid blog, the record label encouraged her not to release the album and gave her no support. In fact, they even objected to Amanda's stomach appearing in her Leeds United video because it was "too fat". Her fans rebelled and sent hundreds of pictures of their bellies to the record label. The movement, termed "Rebellyon" moved into it's own website, which displays the photos and encourages healthy body images.

As I mentioned before, I'm a huge fan of Amanda's Twitter. She is my favorite celebrity Twitter to read. Not only is her Twitter used for the usual stuff (sharing her day to day life with fans, mentioning blog entries, etc...), but it is also used to give away tickets and to announce special get-togethers/shows. I have also seen Ms. Palmer answer questions and on a very special evening, included auctioning off items. On May 15th, Amanda began the Loser of Friday Night On Their Computers (LOFNOTC), a virtual hang out of people on Twitter. The LOFNOTC now has an official slogan (“DON’T STAND UP FOR WHAT’S RIGHT, STAY IN FOR WHAT’S WRONG”) and t-shirt.

Essentially, I could keep going for some time with things that I love about Amanda Palmer, but I'll get to the point. This year, for her birthday, Amanda Palmer made this request:

please take this moment in time and think about one person, any person, who you think might like my music and my art. someone who doesn’t know it. someone who does not have amanda fucking palmer in their life and might like her there. this does not have to be a peer. it could be a child, a mother, an ex, an uncle, an befriended enemy, a co-worker, a long-lost friend, a teacher, a whatever. ANYONE.

picture them in your mind. picture if their life might possibly be made better if you brought some afp into it.

So, what I would like to do is (hopefully) introduce you to Amanda Palmer with this entry. In addition, I would like to buy two lucky comments (who I will select at random) a copy of Who Killed Amanda Palmer. To enter, simply comment to this entry with your e-mail address. To get you started, here is the video for my favorite track, Ampersand:

"Who Killed Amanda Palmer" Video Series - Part 3: Ampersand from Amanda Palmer on Vimeo.

Feature Interview: Marcus Foster

The last time I saw Marcus Foster play was in London’s Shoreditch area, home of the super cool and fashionable crowd. Right by Hoxton square, in a small pub opposite an American Apparel, down in the basement there is a small performance space. Marcus was joking that he felt he should be wearing a dressing gown and smoking a pipe. This week we are in Highgate, surrounded by “old man pubs” much more suited to that pipe and slippers image.

He is here to play the first gig of a new live music night, and yet there is no real PA system. When I walk in it is to Marcus being worried he won’t be able to play properly. At one point he suggests that he and Sam Harley (who he works with frequently) might have to play an acoustic set round a table. I tell him that his fans would probably love this, and he laughs it off in his typical self-effacing manner.

After his quick sound check we go into the beer garden at the back of the pub for the interview. Surrounded by fairy lights and the resident cats we sit down for our chat, starting with some silly quick fire questions:

North or South London (for those non Londoners there is a big divide)

South

East End or West End?

I like them both.

Favourite Bond actor?

I quite like Daniel Craig in the new ones actually, but Sean Connery is great.

Favourite Film?

Stalker

Favourite alcoholic drink?

Whisky

Favourite restaurant, anywhere in the world?

There is this amazing place in Berlin that I went to which sells amazing black bean fajita things, and I’ve been thinking about that lately.

Favourite place you have visited?

Either New York or Berlin. They are where I can probably imagine myself living.

Favourite swear word?

People we like: Desireé Duvringe

So, it started with an email to Skins Music Supervisor Alex Hancock.

Desireé Duvringe was sure that he would turn down her offer of the song "Automation" for inclusion in an episode of Skins, but to her surprise, he didn't, and "Automation" was featured in "Pandora", one of the most pivotal episodes of Series 3. Generally, this is the part where I would start talking about how Skins is the best program on television today, and how the music in every episode is absolute perfection, proving that Alex Hancock is a genius. I might also start to wax dramatic over how bringing Skins to the US is a really, really bad idea. But I won't, because there is nothing that I can do about that (really terrible idea - seriously, we'll fuck it up), and after all, we're here to talk about Desireé Duvringe.

Dear Desireé,

You're only 20, and your music reflects the sort of serious contemplation of a girl who is feeling her feelings, but instead of seeming youthfully pretentious, it actually works for you. Maybe it's because you're adorable and Swedish and seem really well adjusted and because you like Skins (which really goes a long way with me), but I'm going with talent, instead. Potential, too - lots of it. We have the feeling that good things are in store for you, and we think that's awesome. In short, Desireé Duvringe; we like you, and we want to be your friend.

Love,
Us

(Her single should be available for download soon - I hope - there seems to be a bit of a delay - but until then, do enjoy her MySpace and YouTube channel. Lucky folks in the UK can also look for a small tour soon.)