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June 11, 2009 1:36 PM   Subscribe

Twangfest 13 is underway in St. Louis. A multi-day festival of Americana music, past editions have featured artists such as the Bottle Rockets, Neko Case, and Jason Ringenberg. Several of this year's featured artists will be playing live on KDHX during the festival, live streaming audio available.
posted by ArgentineBlonde (13 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
I used to live in St. Louis and I worked for KDHX(Double Helix) for a while. I wholeheartedly endorse this festival. The music scene around St. Louis is much richer than you might think.
posted by DaddyNewt at 1:48 PM on June 11, 2009


I love that there's a dad-rock band named "Daddy".*

*I like this band and have many fond memories of beer-fuelled Will and the Bushmen shows. And I could, in fact, be your daddy.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:51 PM on June 11, 2009


Twangfest 13 Goes Smoke Free!!

Let's just take the whiskey away too while were at it. Oh and those Telecasters? Too loud. Please turn them down.


Agreed on the St. Loius scene. One of my favorite indies is from there; Celia. Awesome, awesome, awesome!
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 2:04 PM on June 11, 2009


I saw Neko Case at Twangfest a few years back. I have no idea how many bands came before her, so I waited. I would not say "endured," though I imagine my appreciation was helped along by the alcohol cheerfully provided by the Pageant staff, though not to the level where I bought any CDs.

I knew I was in for something before she even started; they kept bringing guitars, and more guitars, and things that looked like guitars, out on stage. One could indeed expect twang. And then she came on and did her thing, and it was all worth it. Case stands out as one of those musicians who helps keep the rather broad genre of "country" from being regarded entirely as a joke populated by cowboys whose closest approach to cattle might be at the dinner table.

I would not mind seeing Trailer Bride (well, The Moaners, now) at Twangfest or other stranger bands, like Woven Hand.
posted by adipocere at 2:12 PM on June 11, 2009


I've been living in St. Louis for about a year now. Didn't really intend to stay, but I just might. Or at least come back when I do settle. And the local music scene is a big reason why. So is Forest Park.

KDHX is one of the best indy radio stations in the country, I think it's fair to say.
posted by HotPants at 3:02 PM on June 11, 2009


The music scene around St. Louis is much richer than you might think.

Yeah, I used to cover music in St. Louis, and it's got some pretty rich veins to mine. Plus, if there's anything in the country that can compare to monthly concerts with Chuck Berry in a small room, I'd love to know about it.
posted by Bookhouse at 3:57 PM on June 11, 2009


When I think about St. Louis and music, I think about going to amazing shows in warehouses and clubs in the desolate areas of downtown, surrounded by shells of factories and Victorian houses with all the copper stolen out of them. When we left to head home it would be dark and silent all around us, and we'd drive West out of downtown with our ears ringing, our of cigarettes, the way people left shows everywhere back when you could smoke everywhere. When I've been back since I haven't gone out much, but a lot of what I remember as burnt-over seems to have been redeveloped or revived, with varying degrees of success. I'm sure the success -- as such -- is a good thing for the city as a whole, but it still makes me a little sad. (O poignance of lost youth! Whatever.)

In retrospect, looking at my years as a college radio dorkus in St. Louis, I can't believe some of the people I got to see, frequently for free. I don't know if KWUR (the Washington Univ. radio station -- 10 watts of unstoppable wattage) is still -- or ever was -- as awesome as I remember it being, but St. Louis was a great town to be into music in in the mid and late 90s.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 6:59 PM on June 11, 2009


Ahhh... KDHX.... St Louis music scene.... Beatle Bob... Yeah, I lived there in the early 90s. KDHX was quite a treasure, a model that puts West Coast radio to shame. That town really was a remarkable (inter)national crossroads for music. Glad to hear it still is.
posted by 2N2222 at 8:32 PM on June 11, 2009


The Urge at 1227, Sinister Dane at Miss' Nights, The Unconscious at my high school prom . . . St. Louis in the 90s.

Anyone know where I can find an Unconscious CD or mp3? I don't understand why they just don't release their stuff on myspace or sell it or something.
posted by Mid at 6:47 AM on June 12, 2009


I could wax nostalgic about music here in the 90's, but i'd rather say Beatle Bob is a klepto.
posted by Antidisestablishmentarianist at 8:29 AM on June 12, 2009


Certainly *I* endorse this festival!
posted by Twang at 11:18 AM on June 12, 2009


Adipocere, I got to see Neko Case last year at the Pageant. Her voice fills the entire space, and the audience was silent during Star Witness and A Widow's Toast. I highly recommend anyone that likes her, go see her. It's worth traveling. Definitely in my top 5 shows, if not the top.

As far as St. Louis, we've had a little trouble getting into the local music scene, but I think that's just our lack of effort more than anything. If anyone has suggestions of good sites that track shows, etc--please share!
posted by fyrebelley at 12:32 PM on June 12, 2009 [1 favorite]


Having just returned from my fourth Twangfest, I can certify that it is all kinds of awesome. I was a little surprised to discover that there are bands at this thing, though. I just go to St. Louis for the after-parties.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:06 PM on June 14, 2009


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