Epiphany « Facing the Music

Tags: Epiphany

Thursday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: May 23, 2012

Categories: General

Tags: Bully Gang, Duke Stigall, Epiphany, J White, Moon Hooch, Rev Room, SeanFresh, Stickyz, Tomorrow Maybe

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Moon Hooch.

Giving you the music a day early:

This Brooklyn group Moon Hooch play something they call cave music, which is … well, Moon Hooch explains it as “like house, but it’s more wild, more jagged, more free, more natural to live in.” Well, what is it? The music of Wenzl McGowen and Mike Wilbur on saxophones (tenor and baritone) along with drummer James Muschler. The three New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music graduates also throw in dubstep, drum and bass, and jazz. It’s some wicked musical brew the trio brings to Stickyz. No word on the opening act, but the music starts at 9:30 p.m. with an $8 cover for the 18-and-up show.

It’s the night before Riverfest, but let’s get the party started a night early with Little Rock hip-hop star Epiphany coming to Rev Room along with backing band Tomorrow Maybe featuring Bijoux and Dee Dee Jones. Basically what you are in for is a night of hip-hop from Epiphany — for sure — being backed with a band that creates a fusion of R&B, soul, funk, rock and jazz. That’s not all though. There’s more local hip-hop from Bully Gang and Duke Stigall, and then there is J White, playing his saxophone, and it’s all hosted by SeanFresh. It’s The Chill. The 21-and-up show starts at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover.

Here are Moon Hooch doing their thing:

Moon Hooch

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: May 10, 2012

Categories: General

Tags: belair., Cornerstone Pub, Downtown Music, Epiphany, Joe Nichols, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Shooter's Sports Bar & Grill, The OD, Thick Syrup Records, White Water Tavern

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Joe Nichols.

Giving you the music a day early:

Here’s what country musician Joe Nichols says about his new work It’s All Good, his sixth studio album released in November: “Yes, this is about commercial success, but if you want to make something that lasts, it’s about art, too. I want to bring a traditional sound into 2011 and 2012, to keep it faithful and make sure we’re still connecting with today’s listener.” Nichols connects with listeners on No. 1 country hits such as “Gimmie That Girl” and “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.” It’s all those new and old tunes Nichols brings to Shooter’s Sports Bar & Grill. The music starts at 10:30 p.m. with tickets $25 in advance and $30 day of for the 21-and-up show.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus got back to what they are good at with their last record, the August 2011 release Am I the Enemy. And by what they are good at we mean some raging post-hardcore music. Not that there isn’t room for a little emo or polished pop punk in their sound, because there is. The band, with some new members since their last visit, come to Downtown Music. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the music starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Opening the show is Magnolia-based, faith-inspired alternative rockers belair.

Speaking of a local artist who has been on the road touring (and I was yesterday with Audrey Dean Kelley), Little Rock hip-hop all-star Epiphany has been out and around the region, including playing a St. Patrick’s Day show in Oklahoma City. And he is off to Tulsa, Okla., next weekend, promoting his great, new hip-hop album Such Is Life. But a The OD show finds him back at Cornerstone Pub where he’ll be part of a night of real rap and some of the best hip-hop around. The music gets going at 9 p.m.

Little Rock’s own Thick Syrup Records is turning 6 and throwing a two-night party Friday and Saturday at White Water Tavern to celebrate. (A Thursday night show is also being held at Maxine’s in Hot Springs.) The music starts at White Water at 9 p.m. each night and will include appearances by The See, The Alpha Ray, Browningham, Androids of Ex-Lovers and more. All the shows are being filmed for an upcoming documentary.

Here’s Joe Nichols with his “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”:

Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: May 3, 2012

Categories: General

Tags: Bubba Sparxxx, Ca$h Out, Collin vs. Adam, DJ and VJ Doc Roc, Downtown Music, Epiphany, Ginsu Wives, Juanita's, Lacuna Coil, Peabody Rivertop Party, Rev Room, The Southern Swagg 2012, Toad Suck Daze, Tre' Day, Whale Fire, White Water Tavern

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DJ and VJ Doc Roc.

Giving you the music a day early:

After a long, hard, not-too-cold winter, the good times and warm temperatures are here and to celebrate it how about visiting the Peabody Rivertop Party at Peabody Little Rock? Each Friday night through the spring and early summer the rooftop of the downtown Little Rock hotel will be party central. Up first? The Florida-based DJ and VJ Doc Roc, a man known for his video and music mixing. And Doc Roc will be joined at the 2012 series kickoff by Little Rock’s own Tre’ Day and Epiphany. Plus, it’s somebody’s fifth birthday. The party starts at 9 p.m. with a $8 cover at the door.

Ca$h Out without that dollar sign and with a “S” doesn’t mean the same thing on the Internet, unless you want to know what cash-out refinancing is. (It’s a financial term for taking out a loan on property already owned.) But in the case of Ca$h 0ut coming to Rev Room, we’re not concerned with financial terms but with the 21-year-old Fulton County, Ga., native and rapper named John Gibson and who goes by Ca$h Out. Why Ca$h Out? It’s a term the young hip-hop artist came up with for “spending money without discretion.” “Cashin’ Out” is the single you should know. General admission tickets are $15 and VIP tickets are $35 for the 21-and-up show with the music starting at 10 p.m. Tickets are available at Rock City Kicks, Ugly Mike’s Record Shop and Sophisticated Urban.

Juanita’s welcomes Lacuna Coil, the Italian gothic metal band that is in the U.S. for its Dark Legacy Tour 2012. The band’s latest is the early 2012 release Dark Adrenaline, which includes more of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro’s vocals on 12 tracks, including a cover of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion.” No word on any supporting acts for Lacuna Coil’s Little Rock stop. The doors open at 9 p.m. with the music starting at 10 p.m. with tickets $15 in advance and $18 day of show.

Street Swagg presents … well, what else? The Southern Swagg 2012 at Downtown Music featuring some of the hottest rappers around. Like who? How about Bubba Sparxxx, the Southern rapper known for his hits “Ms. New Booty” and “Ugly.” Sparxxx will be joined by other rappers such as North Little Rock’s J Bo Cracker Swagger, Atlanta rapper Yard Call, Dees, Illinois rapper Scotty “Steez” Styles, Little Rock gangsta rapper J.U.G. and North Little Rock hip-hop duo North Rock. The doors open at 7 p.m. with the music starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and VIP tickets are $100.

White Water Tavern is the home of local music this Friday with a trio of bands: Whale Fire, Collin vs. Adam and Ginsu Wives. The music starts at 9:30 p.m. with a $5 cover. North Little Rock’s Whale Fire is the foursome of Clay Grubbs and John Steel on guitars and vocals along with Matthew Steel on bass and vocals, and Will Vick on drums who play hard-charging, guitar-powered indie rock that is loaded with catchy pop melodies and vocal harmonies. Collin vs. Adam is the experimental rock duo of Collin Buchanan on guitar, bass and effects, and Adam Hogg on vocals, keyboards and beats; and Ginsu Wives is a Little Rock experimental, electronic rock group.

Get down to downtown Conway for three days of family fun, food, sporting events, arts and crafts, magicians and more, including three days and nights of free, live music as Toad Suck Daze returns. Friday night, the music kicks off at 5 p.m. and includes R&B singer Kristen Nicole and En Vogue, the R&B vocal group known for their hits “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” “Don’t Let Go (Love)” and about a dozen more R&B hits. Saturday’s music kicks off at 11:30 a.m. and includes a lineup of local — Luke Williams and Ryan Couron — and national country acts, including Randy Houser at 8:15 p.m. and Jamey Johnson at 9:30 p.m. Sunday’s music kicks off at noon and includes Magnolia, faith-inspired alternative rockers belair. at 1:15 p.m., and inspirational singers Jonny Diaz and Todd Agnew. And a reminder: The music is totally free.

And here’s Ca$h Out with his “Cashin’ Out”:

Cashin’ Out

Thursday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: February 22, 2012

Categories: General

Tags: Buddy Flett, Epiphany, James McMurtry, Jim Mize, Jonny Burke, Rev Room, Stickyz, White Water Tavern

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James McMurtry.

Giving you the music a day early:

It has been almost seven years since Texas singer/songwriter James McMurtry released “We Can’t Make It Here,” an indictment of the Bush years, but the tune still rings true today. (Think about the opening line: “Vietnam vet with a cardboard sign/Sitting there by the left turn line.”) McMurtry is a good-old-fashioned Americana artist, known for his gruff vocals, no-frills rock and workingman tunes, but also a fan of literary tunes. (Check out “Choctaw Bingo.”) After all, he is the son of literary giant Larry McMurtry. And James McMurtry is bringing his literary tunes to Stickyz. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of show with the music starting at 8:30 p.m. with Jonny Burke, a fellow Texas singer/songwriter who goes from gently beautiful folk gallops on “El Paso” to barn-burning bar rock on “Lost in the Forest.” It’s an 18-and-up night.

Epiphany at Rev Room — consider this the second CD release party (there was a listening party earlier this month) for the Little Rock hip-hop artist’s “second” debut album, Such Is Life, a rock-solid collection of hip-hop with beats from Kwestion and others, and special guests such as Gina Gee. But even though he held a listening party for the album earlier, Piph at Rev Room will be the first time the hip-hop artist has performed tunes from Such Is Life, and he will do so with a live band. It’s a 21-and-up show with the doors opening at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover. Ladies get in for $5 before 10:30 p.m. Such Is Life is available through Epiphany’s website bigpiph.com.

The great Jim Mize is an artist who describes his music in his own words, calling his genre of music “Rural Grinder Sausage.” That’s not exactly a literal explanation so for people unfamiliar with the great, Conway-based singer/songwriter a better description of Mize’s music is tunes that channel rock ‘n’ roll, country honky tonk and dirty Delta blues into must-hear roots rock. Now, fans of Mize’s work are still patiently waiting on a follow-up to Release It to the Sky, but until then, fans will just have to enjoy the masterful songwriter’s regular visits to Little Rock, this time at White Water Tavern. The music starts at 9 p.m. with the blues rock of Louisiana singer/songwriter Buddy Flett.

Here’s James McMurtry with his “Choctaw Bingo”:

Choctaw Bingo

Thursday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: November 16, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Anne Cochran, Bijoux, Epiphany, Gina Gee, Jim Brickman, Josh Gracin, Kwestion, One Night Stand, Robinson Center Music Hall, Stickyz

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Jim Brickman.

Giving you the music a day early:

So who is Jim Brickman and why is he worth a $60 ticket? Well, Brickman is a solo piano performer who also sells a ton of albums, and is a huge act on the adult contemporary circuit. He’s also a Grammy nominee and an artist who has worked with people such as Michael W. Smith, Martina McBride and Lady Antebellum, and has a number of adult contemporary hits stretching back to 1996. And Brickman is bringing that all to Robinson Center Music Hall with a 7:30 p.m. start time. Tickets are $60.30 from Ticketmaster with all those nasty little surcharges included. The opening acts are country singer and American Idol alum Josh Gracin and adult contemporary pop singer Anne Cochran.

This Stickyz show was supposed to be a double-release party for two local hip-hop artists: Epiphany and Kwestion. Well, Epiphany is finishing his new album Such Is Life so wait on the soul-and-funk infused sound of it, but go and download Kwestion’s debut album Greater Than Great, a collection of hard-hitting beats and steady rhymes. The music still start at 9:30 p.m. with Kwestion backed by a live band. Also on the bill are soul singer Bijoux and Epiphany featuring Gina Gee and with One Night Stand will close out the night as they wrap up their Such Is Life Tour with a hometown show. It’s a 21-and-up event with a $10 cover. Females get in before 10:30 p.m. for $5.

Here’s Jim Brickman with “You” with a special guest:

You

Saturday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: October 28, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: A Halloween Extravaganza, Big Gigantic, Boo Bash Halloween Party, Brandon Peck, DJ Witnesse, Epiphany, Halloween Cover Up, Pretty Lights, The Peabody Little Rock, Tyler Durden, Verizon Arena, White Water Tavern

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Pretty Lights.

Giving you the music a day early:

Colorado electronic music artist Derek Vincent Smith brings his electro-hip hop-soul musical mixture Pretty Lights to North Little Rock for A Halloween Extravaganza of dance music and stunning visuals at Verizon Arena. Don’t know who Pretty Lights is? Check out Pretty Lights vs. Led Zeppelin, a remix collection combining samples of seven individual Led Zeppelin tunes with hip-hop, classic rock, down tempo and dubstep cuts. Tickets are $30 and $33. All seats are general admission, and there are no seats on the floor. The doors open at 7 p.m. with the music at 8 p.m. with the Colorado electronic act Big Gigantic also on the bill along with fellow electronica artists Tyler Durden and DJ Witnesse.

The Peabody Little Rock turns into a party overlooking the Arkansas River complete with more than $5,000 in cash and prizes for a Halloween costume contest judged by local celebrities with its fourth annual Boo Bash Halloween Party. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. and goes on until after midnight. There’s a $10 cover at the door for the 21-and-up show. The best five costumes will walk away with the prizes, and the music will be provided by Brandon Peck as DJ 1-Up spinning all the best hip hop and old-school jams until 1 a.m. The emcee will be none other than the Peabody Rivertop Party emcee Epiphany.

In years past, the Halloween Cover Up shows at White Water Tavern have included a literal who’s who of Little Rock and Arkansas bands performing as some of the greatest bands of all time, including The Jam, Fleetwood Mac, R.E.M., Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Clash and more. This year is no different as White Water Tavern throws its annual Halloween music party with a number of bands performing the music of The Band, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, The Strokes and David Bowie. No word on the cover, but expect the music about 9 p.m.

Here’s Pretty Lights with a taste of his “Pretty Lights vs. Led Zeppelin”:

Pretty Lights vs. Led Zeppelin

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: July 21, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Cajun's Wharf, Cody Ives Band, Denney and The Jets, Epiphany, Good Time Ramblers, Juanita's, Peabody Rivertop Party, Poptart Monkeys, Spero Vanhoose Quin & Dodson, Stickyz, Those Darlins, Trey Hawkins Band, Wes Jeans

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Those Darlins.

Giving you the music a day early:

Middle Tennessee act Those Darlins started off as a punk meets alt country act, at least on their 2009 debut album. But with the spring 2011 release Screws Get Loose, the Darlins have embraced their live show, where the quartet turns the amps up and create pure rock ‘n’ roll with traces of garage, punk, country and ’60s girl pop. Those Darlins come to Stickyz with tickets $8 in advance and $10 at the door for the 21-and-up show. Local rock ‘n’ roll act Spero, Vanhoose, Quin & Dodson is on the bill along with Nashville, Tenn., rock group Denney and The Jets. The music starts at 9 p.m.

It’s not the kind of show one usually finds at Cajun’s Wharf, but the high-octane country and rock ‘n’ roll of Good Time Ramblers will be heard up and down the Arkansas River as the band takes the stage. The band creates music that would make Johnny, Waylon and Willie smile: a rollicking and rambunctious, high lonesome and fatigued collection of music about hard living, being drunk, living in the jailhouse, broken hearts, God and cowboy dreams. The music starts at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover after 8:30 p.m.

Texas blues guitarist Wes Jeans makes a return to Little Rock with a show at Juanita’s, delivering what he likes to call a “soul-drenched mix of high voltage, rockin’ Texas blues.” The music starts at 9:05 p.m. with the doors opening at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door. The opening acts are Trey Hawkins Band, a southeast Arkansas band known for their rowdy and ready country rock, and Cody Ives Band, a Little Rock alt country and Southern rock-flavored sextet.

And so it ends. But at least this summer’s Peabody Rivertop Party series ends with a bang with an appearance by Poptart Monkeys, one of the country’s top party rock bands. It’s only four guys, but Poptart Monkeys know how to party and host a party, with their crazy live show and high-energy modern rock sound with a touch of comedy. As with every Peabody Rivertop Party this year, the night will be hosted by Epiphany as he emcees the night and spins as well. The party starts at 8 p.m. with a $5 cover for the 21-and-up show that goes until after midnight.

Here’s Those Darlins with their “Be Your Bro”:

Be Your Bro

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: July 14, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Epiphany, Hip Kitty, Peabody Rivertop Party, Randy Rogers Band, Rev Room, Super Happy Fun Land, Zoo

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Randy Rogers Band.

Giving you the music a day early:

Fans of Red Dirt music — a crossing of Texas country and rock rhythms powering storytelling tunes and party anthems — will be present at Rev Room as the River Market venue welcomes the return of Randy Rogers Band for one of their biannual local shows. (Or is it triannual? Does it really matter because local crowds never tire of the rowdy Texas five piece?) The band fronted by its namesake continues to tour behind their August 2010 release Burning the Day, which hit No. 2 on both the iTunes chart and Billboard‘s Country Albums chart. The opening act is to be announced, but expect the music at 9 p.m. with tickets for the 18-and-up show $20.

This summer’s Peabody Rivertop Party series is slowly coming to an end, but not before an appearance by Hip Kitty, a Nashville, Tenn., rock band that plays the rooftop overlooking the Arkansas River. Expect a night of energetic rock created by a quartet led by lead singer Jen Halverson as Hip Kitty unleashes their self-described “all-American, sexy-ass rock.” As with every Peabody Rivertop Party this year, the night will be hosted by Epiphany as he emcees the night and spins as well. The party starts at 8 p.m. with a $5 cover for the 21-and-up show that goes until after midnight.

Super Happy Fun Land is not some magical land filled with unicorns, rainbows and leprechaun’s serving pints of ice-cold beer. No, that’s some other magical place that we really hope does exist. What Super Happy Fun Land actually is is a new art gallery/music venue at 608 Main St. in downtown Little Rock. So that space is no longer the ACAC. Anyway, for a Saturday night show, Super Happy Fun Land welcomes San Francisco folk/punk/experimental/rock band Zoo. No word on time or cover.

Here’s Randy Rogers Band with their “Buy Myself a Chance”:

Buy Myself a Chance

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: July 7, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Bear Colony, belair., Catskill Kids, Charles Woods, Epiphany, Glittercore, Matt Anders, Peabody Rivertop Party, Stickyz, Subdue, The Afterthought, The Year of the Tiger, This Holy House, Voodoo Sauce, White Water Tavern

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Bear Colony.

Giving you the music a day early:

The central Arkansas indie rock collective known as Bear Colony returns to the stage for the first time in way too long, appearing at Stickyz for a night of local music. For a May show in Fayetteville, the band played new songs from a long-promised follow-up to their debut We Came Here To Die, an album that included such greatness as the swirling electronica landscape of “Hospital Rooms Aren’t For Lovers.” Joining the electronica-flavored indie rock band will be the indie folk rock band out of Conway by the name of This Holy House, Magnolia pop punkers belair. and Arkansas-bred indie pop/rock from the Catskill Kids. The music starts at 9 p.m. with cover $7 for the 21-and-up show.

Charles Woods will kick off a double-billed show at The Afterthought, running through a collection of classic soul, R&B and blues tunes such as “Rainy Night In Georgia.” Born into the church, Woods’ sound is a rich, gospel-flavored voice influenced by greats such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Johnny Taylor. What follows Woods is the three-man, swamp blues of Voodoo Sauce, a band consisting of ex-Cate Brother and Michael Burks’ bassist John Davies; ex-Windy Austin drummer David McKnight on suitcase bass drum, harp, vocals and electric bull horn; and Bluesboy Jag on cigar box guitar and vocals. The music starts at 9 p.m. with a $7 cover.

The summer is still in full swing, and that means another Friday night with the Peabody Rivertop Party, this week featuring the rock cover songs of Donaldson’s Subdue. Formed in 2004, the band has released two albums of original music influenced by bands such as Metallica, 3 Doors Down and several classic rock bands, and will include in their energetic live set a collection of ’80s rock, classic rock, alternative rock and modern rock. It’s the band’s first appearance at the Rivertop so it should be a memorable time. As with every Peabody Rivertop Party this year, the night will be hosted by Epiphany as he emcees the night and spins as well. The party starts at 8 p.m. with a $5 cover for the 21-and-up show that goes until after midnight.

Glittercore, the Little Rock indie rock of Tim Anthony, Paul Bowling, India Carter and Shayne Gray, make their return to a Little Rock stage at White Water Tavern with their music that shrieks melodically. The music starts around 9 p.m. with a $5 cover and appearances by fellow acts Matt Anders, who opens as a solo appearance, then Glittercore and then the roaring indie rock sound of The Year of the Tiger.

Here’s Bear Colony with their “Hospital Rooms”:

Hospital Rooms

Friday’s Music

by sstewart

Published on: June 30, 2011

Categories: General

Tags: Balance Music, Bobby Rainmaker, Downtown Music, Epiphany, Ewell, Frankie Vega, Freedom, Gold Diggin' Mothers, Joseph Holmes, Nevertrain, Peabody Rivertop Party, Stickyz

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Frankie Vega.

Giving you the music a day early:

The Kings of Leon fifth album Come Around Sundown didn’t quite spawn the rock hits that their previous album Only by the Night did. But that probably doesn’t matter too much to KOL tribute band Gold Diggin’ Mothers. The band will still recreate the garage-flavored American rock blasts of brothers Nathan Followill, Caleb Followill and Jared Followill, and cousin Matthew Followill with their Southern rock choruses and big alternative rock riffs when the tribute band visits Stickyz. They’ll more than likely play the hits — “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody” — and the deep tracks. There is no opening act, just a couple of hours of Kings of Leon tunes. The music starts at 9 p.m. with a cover to be announced for the 21-and-up show.

DJ Frankie Vega has a mission: Spreading the electronica greatness that is the Chicago house scene. He’ll do so in Little Rock for the first time, as he headlines Freedom, an event presented by Balance Music at Downtown Music, spinning his wicked collection of Chicago house, minimal, deep techno and acid. Local support will come from Bobby Rainmaker, Ewell and Joseph Holmes. Sponsored by School of Dub Digital, Nocturnal and Alpha Dog Radio, tickets for the all-ages event are $8 in advance, $10 before 10 p.m. day of show and $12 after 10 p.m. day of show. A portion of the proceeds as well as donations at the show will go to the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.

NeverTrain is the headliner for this week’s Peabody Rivertop Party. Consisting of two former members of two of Little Rock’s premier party music bands in Matt Joyce (former frontman of the Gettys) and Luke Tibbett (former bass player of Tragikly White), NeverTrain is a modern rock band that sprinkles its shows with original bluesy rock tunes and covers from artists such as Queen, Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones and Smashing Pumpkins. As with every Peabody Rivertop Party this year, the night will be hosted by Epiphany as he emcees the night and spins as well. The party starts at 8 p.m. with a $5 cover for the 21-and-up show that goes until after midnight.

Here’s Frankie Vega doing his thing:

watch?v=87wPPvP2Ofw

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