Ben Knight & David Faul

"The Apple Hill Sessions"

 

 

 

      Over the course of November and December of 2013 Ben Knight, from Ben Knight and the Welldiggers, and David Faul (formerly of Terminal Union and now with Josh Eagle and the Harvest City along with doing his own thing), got together and to work on some Travis style picking arrangements and songs. As the sessions were going well they decided to record a couple of these songs at David Faul's Apple Hill studio.

 

 

      Six songs made it onto this lovely EP. That however you listen to music, whether it be in your car just driving around or at home while lounging, resurrects a style that has been hidden in the underground. With Travis picking not being very much in the forefront, or in popular realms of music nowadays, these two gentlemen decided to pay homage to a style very much a part of them. And, for a moment introduce their fans and supporters to something a little different.

 

 

    With "Cannonbal Rag" as the opener to this EP, a song by Kennedy Jones, they lay the groundwork for the listener. The picking can take your mind back to a time that seems lost in this day and age. Hopping the rail with no penny to your name and seeing where this train will take you. "Homebody Blues" a song written by Ben Knight pretty much sums up how most people can feel sometimes. Just wanting to stay in and lounge around. "Deep River Blues" (Delmore Brothers), and "I'll See You In My Dreams" (Isham Jones) two songs that envoke a style that both Ben and Dave enjoy and wanted to share. "Apple Seed" closes out this fifteen minutes of chemisty between tow of the best songwriter's this city has to offer.  A Ben Knight and David Faul original. Won't say much else to this than if you see them pick up a copy for yourself. If you can't see them message David Faul at davidfaul@gmail.com for any orders.

 

 

    They came together out of a jam session and respect and love for each other, and at David Faul's Apple Hill Studio's messed around and layed some tracks down. Through that session of getting together realized they needed to get this EP out quick as Christmas was coming up. Luck for us they "clicked" and put this little gem together. The similarities of influence and style are right here within these fifteen minutes. Hopefully, in the future they would be kind enough to do something a little longer, but until then check out this EP. Go take a listen to Ben Knight and the Welldiggers at any of the numerous shows they have around town. As well as head on over to The Crow's Nest for David Faul's artist in residence there for the month of February. These two songwriter's and friends wanted to share the connection that music can bring, and here it is waiting to be heard.

 

 

 

 



 



chicago farmer: a mid west troubador

Chicago Farmer: A Mid West troubadour

A review/bio by: Moose Gronholm

 

 

                Chicago Farmer comes from a small town in Illinois and brings his folk songs via the interstate and state roads that he drives on to each and every show. These roads he travels have become a main source of inspiration and have taken him back to a young age, where at 17 Cody Diekhoff, better known as Chicago Farmer, got a guitar that his dad bought for him his first “real guitar” and gave his poetry a voice.   I’m reminded of something a folk singer from Chicago once said “there’s great poetry in this stuff,” that guy was Fred Holstein, and, this guy Chicago Farmer definitely has a way with words.

                Whether it is storytelling, spoken word, or just a good old sing-a-long Chicago Farmer brings his poetry from being an “outlet of emotion and creativity” too putting it in song. There is no shortage of tunes to choose from either. Over the course of about seven or eight years Cody has put out numerous recordings some six tracks long some fifteen tracks long. All encompassing  where he has come from, the small town or the big city, and “with great big stars in my eyes” from a song called Gunshots on Tuesday he embodies the travelling folk singer.  This song that I just mentioned also gives a good look into where he has come from and where he went and to a certain extent where he is now. Although a few years older now than when the song was written and recorded, but the feeling can still be the same.

                From a recent conversation I had with Cody I asked him what the songwriting process was like for him and he said “It definitely varies, sometimes they come raging through my head like a flood. Sometimes there’s definitely a drought. When that happens (the drought), I usually put the notebook away and just go for a long walk or drive and live life for a few days. When I get back, I usually have a lot of material. Sometimes the words come first, sometimes the melody and music. The other day I wrote a song in five minutes,  and now I’m trying to finish a song I started a few years ago.” Through this writing process you can hear the wheels on pavement or boots on the ground. Cody brings you along for the ride that he has been on since he was seventeen, and again there is no shortage of tunes choose from.

                Being a one man show makes for a great experience at a live show, and as the attendee you brought into the world of this singer songwriter from a small town in Southern Illinois. As one man show he feels it’s important for him to be unique and stand out from the other “guys with guitars.” He certainly does with his own material, a harmonica, a stomping foot, storytelling, spoken word, and sing-a-longs. You won’t see any “smoke or mirrors, props or effects” at a Chicago Farmer show, although from that recent conversation I had with him he did say “I do occasionally enjoy a good fog machine at my one man folks shows.” 

                For Cody (Chicago Farmer) the support of family has made the road easier to travel. From graduating high school and his mom and grandpa turning an old room in their basement into a music room , too his dad buying that first “real guitar,” but most importantly the support of his wife as well. “She travels to almost every show, makes the wheels go round, and encourages my dreams,” a quote from our recent conversation. If not for this support system Cody would probably still be in southern Illinois “breaking things with nothing better to do,” he told me.

                This mid west troubadour will be playing all over you can check him out at chicagofarmer.com, facebook, or pick up his new album “Backenforth, Il” on itunes. Cincinnati we are graced with him coming to our small town and playing the southgate house revival this Friday the 8^th along with Whiskey Bent Valley Boys and Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle. With Chicago Farmer’s “one man show” he will bring you on the road with him if just for an hour or so. Through the foot stomping and sing-a-longs  songs from a time once forgotten but still alive and going strong.

those darlins

By: Moose Gronholm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHR1PcfVGSc

Blur the Line: Those Darlins gut Rock N Roll and Make it New Again.

Those Darlins are hitting the road with the release of their third album! Those Darlins formed in Nashville in a college town just outside of their hometown, Murfreesboro, TN. Their hometown had a pretty good music scene and through that scene they were able to meet, find similar interests and started playing together. Jessi had wanted to become a Veterinarian or a homeopathic healer, each great professions to get into, but lucky for us she found the guitar and these fine folks. In a way Those Darlins are healers as music can be therapeutic. Blur the Line is certainly proof of that.

Blur the Line melds the different styles that encapsulate them. Those Darlins are; Jessi on guitar and vocals, Nikki on guitar and vocals, Linwood on drums, and a newly added bassist Adrian Barrera who they met on tour a couple years ago. They bring their punk rock, soul, and straight up rock and roll influence to the forefront on this masterful album. They do not “blur the lines” they take the inside reaction from outside influences, which Jessi was kind of enough to tell me in a recent interview, and slap it on this thirteen song album.

This first track “Oh God” kicks it all off with a slow build into a rock and roll ending. Asking “Oh God what I have done?” As the album progresses they keep the punk and rock influence on this record driving, with songs such as “Optimist” and “Drive.” Towards the end of the album “Western Sky” has just an easy driving melody with the chant of “I don’t want to hear another civilized war, let’s make our own noise.” That could sum it all up, but as the album comes to a close with the last track “Ain’t Afraid”, the vocals get gritty and the wall of sound bleeds through the straight up rock n’ roll that has driven the album.

For these folks this album isn’t a coming of age, rather, this album brings the listener to where they are right now in their musical lives. Sure, growing up with Appalachian songs is at their core, but they have found their sound and they are running with it. The record was wrote over the course of two years and according to Jessi, “The goal was to write a new album, because we are musicians, and that is our job. We wanted to represent ourselves and where we were at as people. It’s kind of like therapy ya know? We’re all crazy people we need music to make something positive out of it.” This album definitely conveys that emotion and feeling. With the help of Roger Moutenot of Haptown Studios in Nashville, the producer of the album, who helped them pick out 14 tracks to focus on the album keeping that feeling alive and present. No looking back just moving and living in the moment.

On the wings of this third album, produced by Roger Moutenot and created by Those Darlins, hopefully the sky is merely the beginning. They will be taking this record and their live show across the US, and hopefully around the world. Those Darlins did something with this album Blur the Line... they hit the refresh button on rock n roll, they gutted it and made it new again. It was a refreshing listen to my ears. Cincinnati we have the honor of welcoming them back on Sunday October 20^th  at the Northside Tavern. I’d get your tickets soon!

Enter to win tics to the show HERE!

Those Darlins

w/ Gambles

Northside Tavern

Sunday October 20^th

9p Doors / 10p Show

Mutts

Mutts

By: Moose

                Mutts are a band based out of Chicago. They bring a style of blues, jazz, and rock through Mike Maimone tickling the keys, Bob Buckstaff on the doghouse (or Upright Bass), and Chris Pagnani on the skins or drums. These three fellas have come together to create not only music but art. A wall of sound to describe these guys can’t really do them justice. Mike’s gravely and sometimes growling vocals shape the stories and round out this distinct sound.

                These guys met through the big city of Chicago. Where music is plentiful and great shows happening all around town. Through an introduction from a recording engineer Jon Alvin Bob and Mike met. They played together in a band called Company of Thieves Bob was already in the band and Mike came along and was an instant fit. They were then on tour full time and at the first gig Bob ever played with Mike in Burbank a few days later while the band did interviews him and Mike went out for smokes. They walked and talked and got back to the hotel with a bottle of Johnny Walker Red, and Mutts was being born.

                They started the band as a side project on tour breaks, and had three EP’s within the first year all recorded by Jon Alvin who introduced them.  Soon after a longtime acquaintance of Bob’s Chris Pagnani had found himself without a band and fortunately enough Bob and Mike were looking for a drummer. From Bob’s own words “Dude was in. Dude was good.” Chris had nailed all the songs and within six months they had two full lengths recorded. Again from Bob “We got lucky. I got lucky.” Luck clearly sometimes plays a factor.

                Music for these guys is something that is in their blood. It ain’t all wine and roses life on the road can be hard, but the one factor the one thing that keeps them going is the music. The shared experience between the other players and the listener. Sure these guys could have quit music all together or not done it all, Mike was an auditor for an accounting firm which he went to college for and Chris could have just as easily picked a job and done the whole 9-5 to thing. Mike at the age of 24 though had a near-collision with a semi while coming home from work and thought, “I’m not gonna die and accountant.” Chris, not having that same experience but the sort of same thought, expressed to me that he is much happier having found music instead of picking a job and going through those motions. Not to say that is bad, but when you have a dream or a goal and in this case these fellas have their music how could they not go after it? The resounding feeling is we have to. They love what they do, and through their music you hear it. The release of sharing song and their art has paid them more than any job could.

                Mutts currently have a new album out called Object Permanence and they are out there doing what they love to do. Check em out on any of the social media networks or an even better justice to yourself go catch their live show. I’ll leave it up to them to explain the rest because my words are merely that, their music will sum it all up. 

Whispering Beard Folk Festival 2013

Whispering Beard Folk Festival 2013

By: Moose

                The drive from the West side of Cincinnati down Route 50 west to Friendship, Indiana (located between Versailles and Dillsboro, Indiana) was much needed this year. As I began to get closer to this sleepy little town nestled in a valley the sun’s rays peeked through overcast clouds and seemed to light up this place that would be home for the next five days. A smile came across my face as I knew that this year would again be better than the last.

                This gathering of bearded and non-bearded people for three days has the feeling of the coming of a New Year. It brings people together from different walks of the earth. Some known and some that are coming for the first time. They come for the music and the relaxation and from their own words: “this is a festival unlike any other.” It is kid friendly as well as you take a walk over to Vendor’s Row where all sorts of trinkets, clothing, and walking food are sold you come to an area named “Val’s Pals” or the “Lil’ Beardo Village.” Where you can have your kids face painted with a beard and where they keep busy with craft making. And for the first time this year the kids were graced with a little music adventure called “The Macaroni & Joe Show,” which the kids loved. Stop by and say hi to Val who puts a lot of effort into helping with the lil’ beardos get their “good vibes.”

                The “good vibes only” is sent through the grounds of the festival. The attendees keep smiles on their faces that don’t leave until it is time for them to go, and hopefully stay with them until the coming of next year’s festival. The music is the source of these “good vibes.” The music is what brings them together in relative peace and harmony. While the headliner may leave the stage the music does not stop. It will go until the early hours of the next morning. Whether it is at Zippy’s Edge or at just some person’s campsite the music truly does not stop.

                From day one as the venue area and campground are empty the feeling of this coming together begins to take shape. Whether in physical form with stages and signs or just the emotional feeling of being in the presence with good people with good hearts. The directors of the festival “Big” Dan Williams, Matt “Buffalo” Wabnitz, Matt “Katfish” Williams, Patrick Gronholm, and Adam “Mulekick Murray” O’neil bring this to us each year with hard work and their due diligence to make sure that this festival goes as smoothly as can be. The help of friends coming to the festival a couple days prior to the opening up of the festival has been present since the festival first started back in 2008 in Buffalo’s backyard. A few friends came down helped build a stage in a barn, or in Kentucky putting up perimeter and making signs and then doing the same thing in Friendship, but with each year making these little nuances better and more appealing to the eye.

                The director’s make it a point to not take too much credit. As they believe this is for the people that come every year, or new people that have never been. To make sure that you can get within what seems like an arm’s reach of the artists performing on the stage. This is for the people that come, not us is a sentiment echoed by the director’s. A community has arose from this that are aptly named “Beardos.” Their presence at the festival is apparent the moment you get to your campsite and are welcomed with a smile either at Zippy’s Edge, The Tye Dye Crew, The Dill Pickle Gang, or The Crow’s Nest West. This is for them, and everyone who attends, it is a chance to let your hair down for a few days and enjoy the music of our generation and generations past.

                The festival is more than just music for a few days. This isn’t other festivals where the bands simply play and then go on to the next show. No, this festival is about bringing the artists to the fans on stage and off. As Friday opens up, the first day of the festival, artists come rolling in along with the campers, vendors, and people that were planning to stay just for the day but soon decide “nah we have to stay the weekend.” The musicians as they file in, load in their gear, and then go to soak in the festival and see what is going on with the people and then soon find themselves among a community of Beardo’s that truly love music. I think, in my humblest of opinions, this is what “they” love about the festival. The chance to not only be a fan but also meet their fans or gain new ones and hang out with them and among them all weekend long. They will play by the bonfire till the wee hours of the morning for anyone who is listening and for anyone that wants to join in.

                The festival has been graced with the likes of Peter Rowan, Guy Clark, Todd Snider, Langhorne Slim, Pokey LaFarge, Jason Isbell, and last year Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Who hung around on Sunday well after his set was over and said he had never played a festival where he was able to hang out with the people that put it on. For a couple of hours I think everyone sitting around that picnic table couldn’t keep their mouths closed in disbelief that this man a folk legend was hanging out with us. Then there is this year where a lesser known fella Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton took that “hanging out” term to a whole new level. He showed up on Thursday evening and didn’t leave till Tuesday morning. When he got to the festival on Thursday he simply said I want to go wherever the music is, and aside from sleeping he searched out the music all weekend long.

                Something comes over people when they attend for the first time this sense of community takes charge I believe. That everyone in this place is all here for the music and to be good to each other. Music is the driving force of that. Music is a powerful thing when it is done right. It brings people together, and for a few days in Friendship, Indiana it can truly be a universal language. Some people that came this year might not have known anything about a lot of the artists that played, but then you take a look over at the “Murch Booth” and their albums are being bought. Or you take a look at the crowd and see how much they are truly feeling what is happening on stage, music is electric and it is universal.

                “Our” festival is about bringing people together for a few hours or a couple days to just sit down under and oak tree and smile away the hours as different bands play their style of folk music. The lineup that is created by Matt “Buffalo” Wabnitz is quite interesting. As he seems to find bands and acts that go well with each other. From Friday to Sunday it is almost like a mix tape, burned cd, or a playlist. And, don’t get up because in between bands it is only a five minute break a quick sound check and then we are off and running again. Through the music that sometimes feels from years ago but present. I like that dichotomy.

                “Our” festival through the five years that it has been happening has grown and keeps growing. The word of mouth seems to get louder. The people keep coming and keep supporting it. That is a testament to the directors whom once the festival is over and the vendors, campers, and artist have all left next year’s festival planning and brainstorming begins. While there may be no corporate sponsorship that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t welcome a partnership that still remains true to the heart of the festival. Word of mouth, radio ads, pre-shows, and write ups in the local area newspapers are what drive this festival and the people that come.

                The Whispering Beard Folk Festival is an experience one has to have. The good vibes, the community, and especially just being in a town called Friendship where you are welcomed as a friend at the general store and at the tavern is a place one needs to experience if only for a few days. Go say hi to the Stutler’s Judy and Scott who own and operate the General Store and see for yourself why this is the perfect setting to have a festival.

The festival happens at the same time every year the last weekend in August or the weekend before Labor Day, but the planning and brainstorming begin the day after. Check out whisperingbeard.com for more info about the festival, pick up a t-shirt, and register to become a beardo which is free. They are also on the facebook and you can follow them on the twitter-verse. Do yourself a favor and check out one of the best festival’s around. 

Whiskey Bent Valley Boys

Whiskey Bent Valley Boys

By: Moose

From PeWee Valley, Kentucky (and plenty of downed bottles of whiskey and dancin’) these four fellers bring their old-timey bluegrass music. Pewee Valley, located in the rolling hills of Kentucky is home to them, and where it all began.

Whiskey Bent is JR on the fiddle, Robert “Mason” Dixon picking the guitar, Leroy Duane Jones on upright bass, and Chance Wagner rounding it all off with his old-timey banjo flailin’. With this brand of roots music, they take you through the hollers to a style that has been lying in wait. Where at a young age Mason traveled with his parents in their bluegrass band, and soon met JR through JR’s older brother a childhood friend of Mason’s, and his best friend. Mason taught both JR and Leroy and soon these three found the makin’s of what is now known as the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys. Soon after by “chance” they met Chance Wagner, after his band had met a crossroads, and rounded it all off for these boys.  

They bring their style of old-timey bluegrass up from under the ground and onto your plate, in the hopes that for a little while you can dance, sing, and enjoy the sounds of music that has been passed down to them from grandmas, grandads, moms, and dads. They bring it from out of the garage, and from up off the porch for you all to get whiskey bent with them.

As family goes with these boys, there is no shortage of that. Mason’s parents are their biggest supporters. Whether it is driving them around the country in the RV, filling their bellies, or just showing some good ol’, southern hospitality, they are a driving force behind the band, both literally and figuratively. Family is what makes this all the more pleasurable for them.

There are no frills with these guys, just a good old, down-home, foot-stomping fun time. The smile never leaves JR’s face as that fiddle wails and sings along with songs from generations passed. They sit in their half circle and bring to you songs that come straight out of the Appalachian Mountains. With that, make no mistake about it, they can hold their own, and will gladly lend a tune for anyone who has an ear. Their new release, “Peter Tracks” is now available on their website, and you can check ‘em out on any of the obligatory social media sites, Facebook, Twitter, and listen on Reverbnation.

Come see them this Thursday,September 5th at Washington Park for your own trip to PeWee Valley, Ky via Cincinnati.

the latest installment is a bio on Ben Knight and the Well Digger's

Ben Knight and the Well Digger's 

A bio by: Moose

                In January of 2012 Ben Knight moved up to Cincinnati and decided that when he got here after being in school that it was just not for him right now. By pure chance he went to Molly Malone's in Covington, Kentucky where The Tillers were playing. Ben hung around for a little bit and began talking to Sean Geil of The Tillers. Sean told him about an open mic on Tuesday nights in which he hosted at The Crow's Nest in Cincinnati. Ben went, "religiously" as he told me, and from there was able to start doing small gigs in and around town. Then at Stanley's Pub on the "eastside" of town he met Elia Burkhart of Elia Goat and the Natural Horns. Ben approached Elia about making some music together and soon after they were gigging around town. They figured out a name had some gigs and as they were gigging they came to a conclusion that they wanted another man to come along. Again they reached out to a friend James Funk of Red Beard's Revenge who got them in touch with Jeremy Smart of Josh Eagle and the Harvest City. Four months later, after Jeremy decided it was time to move on from his friends (and still good friends) Josh Eagle and the Harvest City, he joined up with Ben and Elia which is now Ben Knight and the Well Diggers.

                With Ben Knight on acoustic guitar or banjo, which he handmade, Elia Burkhart on upright bass, and Jeremy Smart on lead guitar they bring a brand of country folk music that is unique and fresh. Ben has a unique ability to bring different characters into different places and or situations into his songwriting. His picking of the banjo or guitar wraps those stories around upbeat and get ya thinkin' kind of melodies. Elia brings his accomplished bass playing with not only thumping the strings but seemingly putting some percussion behind it as well. Almost like cross sticking a snare drum as he pops and plays. And too round it all out Jeremy adds a lead guitar that has the blues and soul that isn't loud or boisterous, but just right for these Well Diggers.

                I had a recent conversation with Ben and Jeremy in which I asked them both "why music?" Ben said "Music, because I'm a thrill seeker. Music, because I am romanced by what a good song can do to or for the listener and songwriter." That feeling is portrayed through his music. Jeremy said something that I have heard previously and feel myself he said "Music is a universal language. It's a cliché, but music chooses you. I couldn't stop playing (even) if I wanted to. It's in my blood. And it's a damn fine way to make a living if you can make it work. I love touring and meeting folks all over the country. Good work if you can get it." Through his lead guitar and background vocals the passion bleeds from that guitar.

                These three gentleman have a chemistry through their songs. They have only been together for about a year, but through the songs and live shows you would think they had been together much longer. They evoke the blues, through Jeremy's leads, jazz through Elia's upright bass, and folk and bluegrass through Ben's acoustic and banjo. They come to us via different ways of getting there through a move, chance meetings, and different bands and through these chance encounters we get Ben Knight and the Well Digger's.

                They will be touring very soon and will have their first album set to release, aptly titled “Diving Rod” on September 13th. You can check them out at benknightandthewelldiggers.com or on facebook. This brand of country, folk, and blues this Well Diggers music is pure and raw. Check them out they are sure to be a good time.