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stage presence // SAM BILLEN local musicians. feel free to swoon.
Sam Billen's new album may shock some of his long-time fans with its new sounds, but he hopes listeners can approach his music in the same way he does: with an open mind.
A jack of all musical trades since age 7, Billen dabbles in many different musical instruments — including guitar, harmonica and mandolin — and genres — such as Americana, pop and soul.
"I like to challenge myself by trying new genres that I don't think I'd be good at," Billen says. "And, honestly, sometimes I'm not good at it at all. But it's fun."
Formetly a member of The Billions, who played their final performance in April, Billen recorded his first album — a tribute to his mother called Death of a Saint — in 2000 and followed it with Miracles in 2004. Now with Kansas City label The Record Machine, Billen recently recorded a group of songs called "The Tokyo Sessions" while on vacation in Japan with his family and has also been working on soundtracks for local documentaries.
Billen plays all of the instruments on his latest endeavor, Headphones and Cellphones, which he has been recording for the past year at his home in Lawrence. He describes the sound as somewhere
between The Postal Service and The Republic Tigers, with some electronic influences and some banjo and analog sounds as well. "But not techno," he assures fans.
Headphones and Cellphones will be released in October. Fans can keep up with his many different directions by following him on Facebook.
// SARAH BLUVAS
Playing it eclectic: Local singer/songwriter Sam Bitten has haddibled in guitar, harmonica and mandolin, composed for documentaries and has an album coming out next month.
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stage presence // COWBOY INDIAN BEAR local musicians. feel free to swoon.
Even though Cowboy Indian Bear exchanged the right to their name for a six-pack of beer and the name is derived from a rock, paper, scissors-type game, the music is all business with this Lawrence trio. The band had meetings and practiced their sound for more than six months before playing their first show to ensure they nailed down the direction they wanted to take the band.
Cowboy Indian Bear uses their passion for music to help create some of the surreal pop beats that have Lawrence music lovers talking.
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Cowboy Indian Bear (from left to right): CJ. Cah,
Beau Brun, Beau Marty Hillard are making a splash in the Lawrence music scene. You can hear it online at myspace.com/cowboyindianbear
"We really feel passionate about not only our band but about Lawrence music and being part of something that has historically been a good place for music," Marty Hillard, band member, says.
Ambition alone is not enough for a band to be successful, but Cowboy Indian Bear generally cares enough about the music to make the music good, something that has been elusive in the pop scene lately.
"I'd rather be broke and have 2,000 enjoy my music live than have a lot of money and sit at home at night," Beau Bruns, band member, says.
Cowboy Indian Bear recently got a chance to play their largest show as they opened up for Swedish indie band Peter, Bjorn and John. They will also have the chance this month to open up for some other popular local bands including The Republic Tigers and The Appleseed Cast.
Cowboy Indian Bear will be playing live tomorrow at Liberty Hall, Sept. 25 at the Beaumont Club in Kansas City, Mo., and Oct. 2 at the Kansas Union.
// ZACH GETZ
this weekend // TURNPIKE MUSIC SHOWCASE because those CSI marathons are getting old.
Ever hear about this amazing local music scene but don't really know what people are talking about? Find out what people are raving about tomorrow at the Turnpike Music Showcase at Liberty Hall. For a mere $7 you will be able to see such bands as Appleseed Cast, Cowboy Indian Bear and Muscle Worship. Appleseed Cast have been playing their indie sounds since 1997, while the other two bands have formed relatively recently but are growing in popularity.
This will mark the first time Turnpike, a local television program that showcases area musical performances, has had full control over the concert and marks Turnpike's hope to prove itself as a concert promoter, says Brendan Costello, producer of the show.
The show will allow some local bands to be able to get on television and allow them to get on a bigger stage that they normally wouldn't be able play on, Costello says.
Liberty Hall tends to cater only to the national touring acts, so it's good to be able to get some local acts up on the stage. Costello says.
Scroutune up some loose change or bum a few bucks from your friends and check out the Turnpike Music Showcase at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
// ZACH GETZ
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Catch the 'Cast: Established local act The Appleseed Cast headlines The Tumpike's first music showcase at Liberty Hall tomorrow.
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