pushin on with MORE giveaways!!!

07 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by last bit of sanity in Ha Ha Tonka, Music, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

We are just rolling with the ticket giveaways!!! And we are not stopping yet! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this next giveaway! We are so lucky to have Ha Ha Tonka joining us in Louisville again!! They were here over the summer for one of WFPK’s Waterfront Wednesdays and that is where I really became a fan. My fan-dom only grew when they graciously let me interview them (you remember…the interview where I had to hide in the garage so the foursome wouldn’t bother me?!)  And it keeps on growing, because not only do I have (2) tickets to giveaway to their show on Feb 3, 2012 at Uncle Slayton’s, but I also have 3 Ha Ha Tonka cds to giveaway!!


Now, here is the deal! Uncle Slayton’s is an intimate setting and can hold a little less than 150. Ha Ha Tonka has developed quite the following in Louisville and this show is only one of a few that they are headlining this winter. So, if you MUST go to this show, you might want to go ahead and get tickets just to make sure you do get them! And if you win the contest, then you will still get the CDs! If you are risk taker, then you can wait…but just so you know, I already have my tickets in hand!

You know the drill….go to the Last Bit Of Sanity facebook page, like it and tell me that you want to win the Ha Ha Tonka tickets and CDs! The contest ends on January 26th at 5pm and a winner will be announced shortly after that.  Good luck! Here they are rockin in a van…you can just imagine how they will rock Uncle Slayton’s!! This song contains some of my favorite lyrics, “if you don’t change where you’re going, you’re gonna end up right where you’re headed”.

Ha Ha Tonka – “Made Example Of” from Jam in the Van on Vimeo.

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escaping to the garage with Ha Ha Tonka

21 Sep 2011 3 Comments

by last bit of sanity in Ha Ha Tonka, Music, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

As I prepared for my first official artist interview, I realized that I had no place where I could conduct the interview without the constant threat of the interrupting foursome.  You know how it is–everyone is totally settled and content, but the moment you pick up the phone, there is something that needs your attention.  And it is always something of the life or death nature….”I can’t find my water!” “Mommy-he won’t stop smiling at me.” Really?

I was started to get seriously worried about it when the interview-saving idea hit me – I could hideout in the garage! Hence the name of my interview series (I’m being optimistic that there we will be more this one!!): escaping to the garage with….

Ha Ha Tonka comes from the hills of the Ozarks and got their name from the Missouri state park by the same name.  Their sound is unique and fresh, yet comforting and familiar at the same time.  There is a strong sense of classic Southern Rock, yet with an edge of newness.  The result is music that is foot-stomping good which will entice you to sing and dance along!

So, I sat in a folding chair, praying the foursome hadn’t perfected their hide & seek skillz (don’t worry–there was actually another adult in the house with them at all times!!).  When Brian Roberts, lead singer and guitar player for Ha Ha Tonka called, my surrounding were quickly forgotten.  If you couldn’t make it to the last Waterfront Wednesday (I tried to convince you to go!!), then you missed out on seeing his amazing smile the entire time he was performing.  And I could hear that same charismatic smile making its way through the phone.  Brian says that one of his biggest pet peeves is cynicism and I can tell why – it seems to be the opposite of  his outlook on life! Even as he describes the harsh reality of life on the road – averaging maybe 8 hours per city, often having to drive a few hours after a show to ensure they make it to the next city – he emphatically declared that he was not complaining and he felt immensely fortunate that they are able to make music for a living.

It is a long way from where Brian started.  He is from a small, rural town in Missouri where music was a constant in his life from an early age.  His parents were both musicians and he was raised in the Church of Christ, where all church music is a capella.  And that is how Brian started his singing career.  He joked that it wasn’t very good singing on his part.  I say he has gotten pretty far on ‘poor singing’!! If only we could all be so lucky with our poor singing.  He said he was about 15 or 16 before he picked up the guitar, even though his Mom really wanted Brian and his brother to try the piano.  Brian and his brother ‘won’ that battle, yet now he says (with that smile in his voice) he totally missed out because playing the piano is the sure way to get the girls. 😉  However, he was serious when talking about the regret of not learning the piano.  This next part was music to my ears…parents listen up!! Brian claims that his parents were his biggest musical influences.  They both played and encouraged Brian and his brother to follow suit. Yay…score one for parents!!

It is always fascinating to me to hear about who bands are listening to.  Brian said Arcade Fire has been on heavy rotation.  But then he got very animated when talking about J.Roddy Walston.  Both Ha Ha Tonka and J. Roddy Walston & The Business played at the Austin City Limits Festival last weekend.  Brian could not stop talking about how talented J. Roddy Walston is and how they were the ‘best unknown’ group out there. And so lucky for us, J.Roddy Walston & The Business are playing at Waterfront Wednesday tonight with the talented local group, The Deloreans, and highly recognizable, They Might Be Giants.

Brian said Ha Ha Tonka hopes to make it back to Louisville in early 2012.  I will keep you updated as I hear more because this is a genuine group that plays amazing music and you don’t want to miss them!

a soft criticism

01 Sep 2011 1 Comment

by last bit of sanity in Ha Ha Tonka, Sarah Jaffe Tags: , , , , ,

Ah sweet concert remorse, you have shown yourself again! The first time on May 19, 2007 when Ryan Adams headlined a special WFPK show at The Brown Theatre.  I was pumped…his Gold album was on heavy (and loud) rotation at my house (well, okay…car).  The theatre went dark – seriously, lights turned way down – and someone, who we all assumed was Ryan Adams, came out with a skull cap pulled down so low, it could have been your brother and you wouldn’t have known it.  He played a few songs and vanished. Gone. Lights on, game over.  I’ve heard a few explanations from a skateboarding induced injury to a later- diagnosed (serious) illness. Whatever.  Still love him and looking forward to his new release (due out in October).  But, I could do without that empty feeling of performance disappointment.  You walk in, excited and filled with anticipation for a great night ahead. And it is just a cruel reality when your expectations weren’t met – not even close.

Well, last night at Waterfront Wednesday, I should have done myself a favor and left at 8:30pm, just as Ha Ha Tonka was ending their AMAZING set (more to come on them!!).  When Sarah Jaffe walked onto the stage at 9pm the mood suddenly and drastically changed. The exact same thing happened in April at Headliners.  I had pushed her last performance in Louisville out of my head, because how could someone who has such an amazing voice, strong lyrics and a group of talented musicians backing her fail so miserably at live music?

Note-as a Mom, I have a hard time tearing someone apart unless they do something inexcusable – like take the last donut at the bakery when my kiddos were already salivating over their treat 😉 – and then watch out because Mama bear will come out!  These days, there are so many musician who don’t succeed at live music because their voices have to be re-re-mastered on the cd.  This was absolutely NOT the issue with Sarah.  It seems as though she just needs a little help with the show. The two times I have seen her live, she has slowed her songs down so much that it was hard to recognize  when they started. I am all for the nature of the live show and how songs can develop from that.  However, usually it goes the other way–artist add energy and enthusiasm to a set and songs start to take on a personality of their own.  There was little personality last night.  The audience quickly picked up on the collective energy suck during Sarah’s set and just as quickly started peeling out.

Will I continue to have Sarah’s Suburban Nature on heavy rotation?! No doubt! It is incredible and one of my favorite finds from the past year. Do I encourage you to find a copy? Of course!! You will love her voice and songs.  Will I see her live again? Umm….maybe if it is another free show, but then again maybe not.  All was not lost last night with my new infatuation with Ha Ha Tonka after they killed it! Over all, it was a  great Waterfront Wednesday and we are so lucky to have these concerts in our community! And who knows, maybe Sarah’s performance will grow and I will be happily surprised the next time I see her!

Ha Ha Tonka…it’s a band, not a toy

31 Aug 2011 3 Comments

by last bit of sanity in Ha Ha Tonka, Music Tags: , , , , , ,

Don’t you just love it when you are doing something and something happens to make it extraordinarily better?  Like the time we were having a family dinner on vacation in Charleston, SC and as we were leaving the restaurant I nearly bumped into my friend from when we lived in Cleveland, OH (a mere 7 years ago and 722 miles from Charleston)! Talk about random! Or the time we were living out of town and I had to take our newborn to the eye doctor because he had some infection…talk about worried and stressed…and I walked into the waiting room to see a Julius Friedman poster hanging up.  You see, growing up Julius lived at the end of our street and he was just a friendly neighbor and it wasn’t until we were older that we realized how accomplished he is. But, that moment of seeing his poster brought me so much happiness and comfort.

Recently, I was watching a favorite show of ours, No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain, and a song came on that I immediately recognized.  He was in the Ozarks in MO and he was sharing a meal and some good tunes with the band Ha Ha Tonka.  You may know their song “Usual Suspects” as it has been getting some decent air time on WFPK for good reason…it just gets in your head and they just happen to be playing Waterfront Wednesday with Sarah Jaffe tonight.  Funny how all that works out! 😉  I am also kinda of digging that the lead singer, Brian Roberts, has curly, reddish hair.  Reminds me of my little rocker, L.  Plus, Brian is a cancer survivor…what’s not to like?! I bet you will find yourself stomping your foot…its hard to hold back with this song!

 

Now when I am listening to music, I prefer to ‘get away’ and not be reminded of the daily humdrum of being a stay at home mom. Clearly, the band didn’t get that memo nor consult me on their choice of name.  How can I think of anything else besides those little yellow trucks that have invaded my house over the past 9 years and 3 boys when I hear their name.  I will work on getting past that issue, because I think they are worth it.  Side note…their name came from Ha Ha Tonka State Park in MO (that state park name is almost as good as Big Bone Lick State Park in KY!).

So, just another great reason to get out of the house and head to the river tonight!!  See ya there!!

I wish I was a little more delicate…

30 Aug 2011 2 Comments

by last bit of sanity in Music, Sarah Jaffe, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

Sarah Jaffe (rhymes with taffy) came into my world in December 2010, like an early Christmas gift from 91.9 WFPK.  Oh, WFPK, how could I ever repay you? What’s that? You say a yearly membership would be more than enough repayment? Done!! (Suppot your local station–contribute here.) 😉

Back to that wintery day when I was introduced to Sarah Jaffe as WFPK played “Clementine” from her newest release, Suburban Nature.  I was hooked immediately-her smooth, strong voice with striking lyrics and the right mix of instruments to back her up–it was too much to resist!

“Clementine”, official video

Sarah was slotted to play the first Waterfront Wednesday of the year on April 27, 2011, but foul weather and flooding moved the event to Headliners.  (Walk The Moon also played that show.)  Headliners was packed and I think Sarah was overwhelmed at the response of the crowd.  She even gushed about her love for Louisville on her facebook page that night after the show!

Sarah has been named as an up and coming artist by numerous music reviewers and she is on many lists as one not to miss at the infamous SXSW 2011 fest.  She was also featured on the NPR Daytrotter Session.  She is getting recognized for a good reason! “Clementine” isn’t the only good song on the CD-it’s all good, baby!!

“Vulnerable”, aka Sleeping Beauty, is a favorite at our house.  If you have a daughter or have spent any time around young girls, then you understand this.  Usually, I just grin and bear it whenever princesses are involved.  Seriously–why can’t my daughter be enthralled with a character that can stand on her own and doesn’t need to be rescued?! This infatuation shall pass…right?!?!

Anyway, I can’t complain about A loving “Vulnerable”…I love it, too!

Since this Denton, TX singer/songwriter doesn’t make it to Louisville often (although we have gotten her twice in 4 months!), make plans to attend Waterfront Wednesday tomorrow (Aug 31, 2011).  NOW!!  And if you can’t make it, look for her new release on Sept.27th.