helped announce the über-eclectic lineup for Bonnaroo 2011 — watch the video below — and you may have noticed that the music of was used to introduce the gargantuan line-up. PL won’t be alone in the sweltering Manchester sun in Tennessee; He’ll be alongside fellow Colorado connections, , and Richie Furay (who will play in the reunited Buffalo Springfield).
Flashlights and Force Publique ready their cassette
is one of those bands that have done more than scratch the surface in its short existence. The duo are an active force on the scene and are ready to sample what the road has to offer. Flashlights has teamed up with for a split cassette release, and Reverb caught up with the band’s Ethan Converse to talk about the goods.
It seems like you guys are opening up for everybody right now. What has been your favorite show thus far?
“To date, our favorite shows have been the first two we played: last spring (’10) up in the mountains outside Boulder. We played with and in the basement of my freezing mountain house up Fourmile Canyon. I think the first show was actually in the middle of a snowstorm. We were actually playing with a drummer at that point.
The favorite recent show would probably be with Millionyoung and Sunglasses at the Hi-Dive in December. We had been listening to Millionyoung since before we were a band, so it was really nice to meet Mike (Diaz) and play a show with those guys.”
What prompted the split EP with Force Publique?
“Good timing actually. Tim Weilert of Buckingham Pie Group mentioned the idea of doing a split cassette on his label when we met him at the Meadowlark back in January. Tim asked us if we had any ideas as to a second band for the split, and right around that time Force Publique had messaged us to see about playing a show together. We are really into their music, and after watching them play live, we knew they would be a great fit for the split.”
Any plans of touring nationally this year?
“Absolutely. We are probably going to hit the road come August if all goes according to plan! The goal is to see the ocean again.”
What’s the word on the full-length right now?
“Well, we just finished production on a five-song EP (three of the songs are featured on the cassette), so that should be released within the next month or so. A couple of the tracks on it are available for free download, and the rest are streaming on our website – www.flashlightsband.blogspot.com.”
Any thoughts of adding more members?
“We had a drummer for the first couple shows, and since then its just been us two. Who knows, we may eventually use a live drummer again.”
House concerts get Fuel in the Springs
Heather Browne is , the music blog that is a must read. Instead of waiting for shows to come to her, Ms. Browne is throwing house parties for some of her favorite acts on tour. Think of it as a rad house party when your parents split for the weekend. Reverb had a chance to catch up with Heather to talk about what she has in the hopper. (Photo via )
What made you decide to get into the house show business?
“My forays into house shows have been very organic, and continue to just kind of happen when it feels right. The Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives house show was the first one I did, back in November, and came about because I fell in love with this band from Portland, and they were looking for a few Colorado dates. While I was working to recommend them to venue bookers I know in Denver, they mentioned they were ‘open to house shows,’ which got me thinking. I’ve long been frustrated with the lack of amenable venues here in the Springs that consistently draw the kind of music I like to hear. We occasionally get some great bands coming through the handful of venues we do have, but it felt right to be proactive and open my home to bands I believe in, rather than waiting for someone else to pull them to town. I’d been to a house show up in Boulder through the folks, and that just blew my mind. I saw the inherent power of connecting with an audience through a house show that really excited me. There are fewer boundaries between performer and audience, and scads more of the incandescent connections that bring me to seek out live music in the first place.”
How do you decide what bands you want to use?
“The second show was also organic, The Head and The Heart were in Denver playing a sold-out show at Moe’s, and through a conversation I had with Josiah, one of the lead guys, the idea just came up for their trip back through Colorado the following week, after heading to Lawrence, that they come play for us in the Springs. I threw out the idea and it grew and ended up being this pretty legendary night of music from a band that is growing very quickly right now. They’re coming back next month with a few other Seattle bands, and we all can’t wait for another terrific night of music.”
What acts do you have on the horizon?
“Right now, in addition to the March show with The Head and The Heart, Kelli Schaefer, The Moondoggies, and Ravenna Woods (all bands from the Pacific Northwest), I also have a David Bazan house show on March 23rd (frontman of the now-defunct Pedro The Lion), and I just confirmed super-talented songwriter Joe Pug w/ Strand of Oaks for May 7th. I have feelers out to a few other bands that I would simply love to have play in a house setting, but nothing confirmed yet. When I create new shows, I advertise the details through the Fuel/Friends Facebook page and mention them on my site.”
As the winter months turn to spring/summer, any chance of having these shows outdoors?
“I’m not sure how this will grow, but I love the idea of continuing to do these shows. I’d absolutely love to have some outdoor shows this summer – that is an excellent idea. I may have to start actively nourishing my friendships with those folks I know who have awesomely huge backyards and a gratuitous supply of twinkly white Christmas lights.”
The Apples are invited to Jeff Mangum’s big Party
I always pictured as a night where all the cool kids got together for a sleepover. For this year’s ATP, Jeff Mangum (of fame) has invited all of those cool kids along — and Denver’s got an invite to play. For those interested in making the trek to the U.K. this December, head over for ticket info.
