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“They went and called the movie ‘The Devil and Daniel Johnston.’ Now how am I ever going to be free?!”
Such were the thoughts of an artists whose demons are almost more famous than he is. It’s not too wild to bet that Daniel Johnston’s image will never truly be liberated from the conflicted, eccentric man portrayed in the aforementioned award-winning documentary about his life. Surely, many of the audience members at his Wednesday night concert were drawn there in anticipation of the “grand spectacle” of Daniel Johnston rather than the sole attraction to his music.
Update: Show has been moved to Annex, more details here.
That’s right, blog readers are getting a second chance to win a free pair of tickets to one of this summer’s absolutely-can’t-miss shows. Cult icon and subject of a wildly popular and fascinating documentary, Daniel Johnston is coming to town this Wednesday. (Not ringing a bell? We first introduced him to those unfamiliar with his body of work here. Click to find out more about this eccentric, brilliant musician.) Along with WORT FM and The Decider, True Endeavors is extremely proud to present Daniel Johnston to Madison audiences. Read on to find out how you can win tickets to his show and become the envy of anyone with good taste.
“Hi, how are you?” Great, and feeling better all the time knowing your show’s coming up, Daniel!
It’s not often that we have the opportunity to see a genuine cult icon perform in our fair city, but we’ll have that chance next week when Daniel Johnston takes the stage at The Barrymore Theatre. The fragile vulnerability of his unique musical work has been championed by everyone from Kurt Cobain to Yo La Tengo, and it’s not hard to hear why. There’s beauty in his shaking, nervous hands forced onstage by sheer courage and conviction and in the warbling, almost whispering, voice that invites you into his soul. Read on to learn more about this beloved artist and find out how you could win tickets to his sure-to-be unforgettable show.
This week’s handful of shows cover everything from metal to blues to experimental indie pop, making this a great time to step outside your comfort zone and have your ears try a new genre on for size. Be sure to check out our ticket giveaways for the chance to see these amazing True Endeavors artists on us!
Friday, November 21
PELICAN
“When Tortoise and their contemporaries ushered in a new wave of instrumental music over a decade ago from the Windy City, it was a pastiche of genre-defying sound, simultaneously cohesive and expansive in influence. Similarly, Pelican’s songs touch on so much from the canon of rock music. Yet they have refined their own sound over the course of their career-perhaps nowhere as progressively and courageously as on their third full-length, City of Echoes.” –FastFude.com
Genre: Metal, Instrumental, Rock
Similar to: Jesu, Mouth of the Architect, Party of Helicopters
with special guests SUICIDE NOTE and HEAD OF SKULLS
9:30 pm High Noon Saloon 608.268.1122 $10 adv $12 dos — 18+
Three of Pelican’s four members also play in a band that shares a name with a Fleetwood Mac album. Be the first to comment with the band’s name and your name will be on the guest list for the show +1!
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Saturday, November 22
SUSAN TEDESCHI
“Back to the River‘s 11 songs encompass a broad musical and emotional palette, and showcase Tedeschi’s multiple talents as a deeply expressive singer, a soulful and melodic guitarist and a distinctive, evolving songwriter.”
–susantedeschi.com
Genre: Electric Blues, Rock
Similar to: Bonnie Raitt, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal
with special guest JAMES HUNTER
8:00pm Barrymore Theatre 608.241.8864
General admission $37.50 – all ages
“I have no idea what you’re trying to do, and that’s either really good or really bad, I’m not sure.” — Jello Biafra on Grampall Jookabox
Genre: Experimental, Indie, Pop
Similar to: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Animal Collective, Daniel Johnston
with Marty Finkel
9:30pm Cafe Montmartre 608.255.5900 $7 at the door – 21+
If your grandpa had a rockin’ jukebox of his own, what three albums would you be sure to sneak into the rotation? Be the first to comment with your answer and you’ll be on the guest list for the show +1!
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(If you’d like to comment on this, or any other blog, just click on the title of the entry and scroll down.)
Watch out Madison music fans, lots of shows to check out this week highlighting talent in smaller rooms. Catch them before they are too big to get cozy with!
Today Friday April 25
SPLIT LIP RAYFIELD
Genre: Bluegrass
“Slap your knee to these guys and you’ll be sore the next day.” – New York Press
Split Lip Rayfield- Truth and Lies
With THE JAVELINAS Friday 9:30 pm @ High Noon Saloon 268-1122 $12 adv – 21+ BUY TICKETS NOW!
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Sunday April 27
THE ACORN
Genre: Indie/ Folk Rock
“..a melodic hodgepodge of brass, rumbling drums, intricately plucked guitars, and Klausener’s plangent vocal melody do more than their parts to propel a charming, inspirational lyric.Elsewhere, the group avoids generic world-music traps, using dynamic shifts and evocative instrumentation to forward the narrative…” -Pitchfork
The Acorn- The Flood Pt.1
With special guests JOHN CRAIGIE + MARTY FINKEL Sunday 8:00 pm @ Café Montmartre 255-5900 $8 BUY TICKETS NOW!
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Monday April 28
LIONS
Genre: Rock
Lions create a blend of retro riffage, artful noise, melodic interludes, and revolutionary attitude with a live show that has been described as “furious” with “a full- frontal assault” that will leave you “half-deaf and disoriented.”
Lions- Metal Heavy Lady featured on the Guitar Hero 3 game
With DROIDS ATTACK and UNITED SONS OF TOIL Monday 8:30 pm @ The Annex 256-7750 $7 – 18+ BUY TICKETS NOW!
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Tuesday April 29
FOALS
Genre: Pop
“The British band takes cues from recent dance-rock and post-punk revivalism as much as the early-’80s stuff that inspired the revival in the first place” -Onion AV Club
With special guests SINGLE FILE and THE WHITE TIE AFFAIR Tuesday 6:30 pm (doors open 6:00 pm) @ Orpheum Stage Door 255-8755 $8 / $10 dos – all ages BUY TICKETS NOW ! Tickets also available at Strictly Discs
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Thursday May 1
CHRIS PUREKA
Genre: Americana/ Indie/ Acoustic
One stark, solo acoustic guitar builds into layered swan songs and raspy serenades that resonate with unassuming depth and candor.
Chris Pureka- Interview and Song Momentary Thief
Plus MARTHA BERNER special early start time Thursday 6:30 pm @ High Noon Saloon 268-1122 $10- 18+ BUY TICKETS NOW!
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PETE FRANCIS (of DISPATCH) + MATT POND PA
SORRY EVERYBODY- THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED BY THE ARTISTS. WE WILL FILL YOU IN IF WE LEARN MORE- REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE!
Genre: Folk Rock/ Indie/ Pop
“Pete Francis (of Dispatch) presents a style combination of Funk, jazz, reggae, folk with musical influences of Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Tom Waits, Pink Floyd and Miles Davis, which culminates into a sound that takes you on an amazing ride.” -CD Baby
Pete Francis- Shooting Star and the Ambulance
“Employing handclaps, sing-along choruses, and guitar solos with equal measure, the more intricate musical arrangements punctuate and add layers to Pond’s slow-burning guitar melodies.” -The Boston Globe
Matt Pond PA- Sunlight
With special guest DICK PRALL Thursday 9:00 pm @ High Noon Saloon 268-1122 $15 adv and dos – 18+ BUY TICKETS NOW !
