One of these years, local music scene bloggers will simply have this week off, as every single band in the country will be in Austin, TX for SXSW. Lucky for y’all, that day hasn’t come yet and we still get to enjoy live music in Iowa City. I kind of want to dub this weekend “Mid by Midwest,” but I’ll spare you from my poor wit and just say happy St. Patrick’s Day. There is no shortage of St. Patty’s Day parties downtown this Saturday, which are preceded and succeeded by some psych rock and hip hop shows.
THURSDAY
Sadistik w./ Johndope, Baby Jayne, Irenic // Yacht Club // 9:00 PM // $5
Seattle is both beautiful and gloomy, and Sadistik writes emotionally heavy hip hop songs that perhaps reflect the weather patterns of the region. His lyrical content is often on the dark side, but his flow is fast and smart. Sadistik has worked alongside producer, Emancipator and collaborated with Chicago’s Kid Called Computer and fellow Seattle rap duo, Blue Sky Black Death. Snagged from his website’s bio page: “From his work with such talented multi-instrumentalist producers, Sadistik has created a signature of unpredictable and complex song structures draped with densely layered combinations of intricate sample work and live instruments.” Opening the show will be local acts, Johndope, Baby Jayne and Irenic.
FRIDAY
Techno-Lincoln & the Technicolor Union w./ Knights of the Turntable, Black Forest Ham // Yacht Club // 9.30 PM // $5
Local weird rockers, Techno-Lincoln & the Technicolor Union are back at it with their colorful, over-the-top theatrical performance. The eccentric team consists of a loose cast of maybe 10 members, each only publicly identifiable by respective nicknames like, “John Waltz Solar Booth, the reformed bassassin”, “Raspukin” and “Paisley Todd Metal Lincoln.” Expect operatic rock music with costumes, makeup, lights, fights and FOON. Kights of the Turntable and Black Forest Ham open.
SATURDAY
St. Patrick’s Day Massacre // Yacht Club & Gabe’s // 4:00 PM // $5
Yacht Club and Gabe’s are hosting yet another massive two venue party. In the past these events were set up in such a way that attendees were faced with many decisions as there were bands playing at both venues simultaneously. This Saturday’s “massacre” divides the evening up between the two venues. This way no one has to miss anything and everyone gets a change of scenery. The celebration begins at Gabe’s at noon with the show starting at 4:00PM, and moves on to Yacht Club at around 9:00PM to finish out the night. Here’s what’s on the menu:
Gabe’s:
Item 9 & the Mad Hatters
Gone South
Thunderfoot
Lick it Ticket
Todd Day Wait
Toe Tappingly Tragic
Unnamed Acoustic
Yacht Club:
Synergy
Dr. Z’s Experiment
Matt Skinner
Five bones gets you into both shows. Green beer. Duh.
Mill St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke // The Mill // 9:00 PM // FREE
The Mill will be serving St. Patty’s Day drinks all day, but karaoke begins at 9:00PM. Pick out your song and put your name in fast because these slots tend to fill up quickly. The Mill might just have the best karaoke nights in town. Here’s what happened last time:
SUNDAY
Toki Wright w./ Old Man’s War // Blue Moose // 9:00 PM // $8
Hip hip item number two comes to us straight off the heels of a performance at SXSW. Toki Wright is a Minneapolis native, and as you might guess, is on Rhymesayers (Atmosphere, Doomtree, Brother Ali, P.O.S., et al), one of the hottest hip hop labels in the country right now. Wright’s brand of hip hop blends the oddly distinct mid-western flow with a teaspoon of reggae influence. Opening the show is some loud local hip hop, Old Man’s War, who just won my heart by sampling a soundbite from my favorite TV show, Lost.
Erin go bragh!
~LV
Do you have an event that you want to see here? Email dates and details to Weekender@LittleVillageMag.com
The best part of the Mill karaoke in the video is that that was the “Staff” song, meaning almost everyone on stage actually WORKS at the Mill. It’s also hosted by the Mill’s delivery manager, Joel, who works part time for Gemini Karaoke.