Rob Nichols

Roots/Rock Notes: BoDeans, Otis Gibbs, Will Hoge

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First, let’s share a quick photo:Indiana’s Otis Gibbs was at the Grand Ole Opry, and snuck backstage while Ricky Skaggs and Deirks Bentley were on stage to snap a stealth photo.
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Some new music news from two longtime bands that Indianapolis roots-rock fans have supported as well as any city has:
Will Hoge’s new single “When I Get My Wings” was unveiled this week, from his upcoming record Number Seven. That album will be available on September 27th. The single, a soulful, Stax-rific piece of Hoge soul, hit radio August 1st.
Will Hoge – “When I Get My Wings” by Rykodisc
“The song was inspired by a story I read in the Tennessean obituaries about a lady who had passed away and left her husband behind,” Hoge told American Songwriter. “They were married for like 60 years or something. I just started thinking about what the husband must have gone through, trying to make sense of living life without her.”
“The original version was a bluegrass song that came together in probably an hour or so,” remembers Hoge. “The story and lyrics remained the same, but the final version was re-written and re-recorded the final day of tracking. So, in some ways I guess it took an hour to start and a year to finish.”
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The BoDeans (Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann) co-wrote all 13 songs on their new release Indigo Dreams. Michael Ramos (keyboards), Bukka Allen (accordion), Kenny Aronoff and Noah Levy (drums) also play on the record. Similar in style to their three most recent studio albums, Resolution, Still and Mr. Sad Clown.
BoDeans – “Blowin’ My Mind” (from KINK Radio in Portland, OR)[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/UABYMxmHyCI?]

Indiana Music: John Hiatt – Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns

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John Hiatt is from Indiana. Lived in Broad Ripple, in the heart of Indianapolis. He ran off to Nashville, then to LA for a brief period, before settling back in Nashville many years ago. That Hoosier/Midwest/heartland vibe has always slithered through his music, especially from 1987’s Bring the Family forward. His new album is no different; it is Hiatt stories, ringing electric guitars, some swampy blues undercurrents, and a raspy familiarity that is well-earned.
Hiatt’s new album (it came out August 2) Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns was recorded in Nashville and was produced by Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Black Crowes). He hooked up with Shirley, whom he’d met in the ’90s, after the producer sent word through Hiatt’s manager.
Video: “Damn This Town”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMF658rThog]
 “He called my manager, Ken Levitan, and said, ‘Tell John I’ve been listening to what he’s doing, I know where he’s trying to go and I think I can help him get there,'” Hiatt told teh LA Times. “I’d never heard that before in my life. I was so intrigued I said, ‘Hell, yeah.'”
VIDEO: Making of the album
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R03Nlw9ZzhM&]

VIDEO: Keith Urban/Jake Owen – "Jack and Diane" in Fort Wayne

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In Indiana for a show in Fort Wayne, Keith Urban and his band (with opener Jake Owen) crash through a ragged but spirited version of Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane”.  Gotta give Urban credit for diving into the tune, and then having an understanding where to let the audience pick up the vocals.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4c4DTF-Xbo]

Indiana Music: catching up with Gene Deer

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For nine straight years, from 1995-2003, Gene Deer was voted the Best Local Blues Band by readers of NUVO. He’s still gigging across Indiana and has a new deal with a local production company. He has plans for a pair of new records, with Paul Mahern producing. Not one to spend a lot of time talking about himself and his local legend status in Indianapolis, we did get Deer to share a bit about his upcoming plans.
ROB: What’s new that we should know?
GENE DEER: I have just signed with Daddy Real entertainment, a high profile production company. I am going to release two CD’s through them and Paul Mahern will be producing. He also produced my first CD Soul Tender. Looking forward to all that for sure.
ROB: What shows coming the rest of the summer that you are looking forward to?
GD: We will headline the Bean Blossom Blues Fest this year on August 26th, and at my solo shows I have been having a very talented fiddle player name Allison Ervine play with me. I would like to say thanks to all who have shown interest in me and or my music. The people of Indy have given me the blessing of music in my life and nothing is taken for granted. I thank God every day for my family, my friends and loved ones and all of the awesome fans that have given me so much love and joy.
ROB: How’s life on the road?
GD: I’m not too concerned with going out on the road much since gas hit the fan a few years back. Instead, it is plenty of gigs close to home. Indianapolis and Indiana have always been very good to me. I have always given my all back every time I play to try and keep up my end of the deal.
ROB: What have you been listening to recently? Any music that excites you?
GD: Wolfmother