Something you should know about

Monday, September 14, 2009

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - There’s no denying the buzz around town about a dip in music offerings this summer. Not local bands per se, but well-established acts that Teton County used to host on a semi-regular basis—Derek Trucks, Galactic, Medeski Martin & Wood, as well as the occasional treats like Buddy Guy, John Prine, Maceo Parker, Little Feat, and Dr. John.

Whether music connoisseurs noticed or not, there’s actually been a strong influx of fresh music to town in the up-and-coming realm—The Lonesome Heroes, Leo Rondeau, Holden Young Trio, Andy Irvine, Wisebird, Benyaro, Elephant Revival, Pretty Lights, The Gourds, Reverend Payton’s Big Damn Band and The Honey Dewdrops.

If you didn’t catch any of these shows and are still complaining, you’re missing the boat. And that’s not even including the Center for the Arts, Music on Main, Grand Targhee Festivals and local band shows. 

But there are still more bands than venues. There are also more local musicians than ever before, many of whom are also feeling the shortage of performance opportunities. This triggers a memory of Jackson before there were numerous stages around—part of the “scene” is underground, word-of-mouth.  If you want to find out where the music is, just hang around long enough, ask questions, and you shall score.

Local bassist Matt Donovan (Random Canyon Growlers, Screen Door Porch) and housemate Neil Albert (Event Coordinator for KHOL) have hand-built their own underground concert series, born from a healthy supply of bands combined with local venue frustration. Now people are asking, “When is the next show at ‘The Bait Shop’”?

“Venues are hesitant during the off-season, and some are reluctant all together,” Donovan said. “So we decided to experiment with having a concert at our house and after the first one thought, ‘Why didn’t we do this before?’ We’re bring live music to a community where it has come in waves.”

Donovan and Albert live at The Bait Shop—a house that sits back from the road, located near the corner of Millward and Gill streets, next door to Circumerro, and ornamented with a giant trout fixture on the roof.

Formerly the home of fishing guide Joe “Boots” Allen, the house is full of character and local folklore. Decades ago, Allen ran a self-serve bait store out of the house on the honor system. A family picture still adorns the living room wall.

The acoustic-style setting combined with low volume, a roomy front yard, hip bands and youthful energy have enabled the quasi-spontaneous concerts to thrive. Until now, the concerts have been promoted only through texts, word-of-mouth and Facebook.

Shows have been free, and a pass-the-hat arrangement      encourages one and all, with a mindset that donations will keep the houses’ residents and the bands interested in making it a tradition. Donovan has done his research too—networking with other promoters, quizzing locals about the bands that they’d like to hear, and respecting neighbors by keeping them informed.

“I tell the bands that I cannot give them a proper venue, but I can provide an audience and a place to stay,” Donovan said. “These musicians are excited to play Jackson for the first time, and they usually sell a lot of merchandise. It’s all about bringing new music to the community, and getting a local act to support.”
Denver’s psycho-grass swing band The Dovekins, Laura Goldhamer and The Silvernail and Benyaro performed three weeks ago.

Makeshift microphone stands were made from broomsticks and oars, Christmas lights created the ambience, and dogs wandered in and out of legs. The crowd’s keen attentiveness is not something you often see in Jackson.  Was I even in Jackson?

The next round will feature Maryland-based Cotton Jones, a duo driving straight from Monolith Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which featured 50 bands on seven stages including M. Ward, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Of Montreal.

The duo’s casual psychedelic folk bears resemblance to Yo La Tengo or Mazzy Star, even The Doors, with vocals drenched in reverb and delay. Formerly operating under the moniker Cotton Jones Basket Ride, the band was born when Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw, of folk-pop unit Page France, got the urge to roam. They also performed as a septet at Bonnaroo this summer. JHW

With a respectful approach to a now-exposed underground yard concert, check out Cotton Jones, 9 p.m., Monday at The Bait Shop. Local Americana Screen Door Porch will open the show as a trio.  Feel free to donate, and help keep the area clean.

More music: The Goods
• Bruce Hauser founded Jackson’s famed Saw Mill Creek Band in 1973 and released six albums before their split in 1990. The band toured nationally, opening for acts like Sawyer Brown, Neil Young, Tanya Tucker, and Asleep at the Wheel. The guitar slinger and banjo picker is back in town, performing with Tommy Van Zant on keys at 9 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday (free), and with the full band at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday ($5), all at the Virginian Saloon. – AD

•  Jon Chandler and the Wichitones, the songs and antics of Sourdough Slim, and Minnesota cowgirl poet Diane Tribitt are the featured performers for the 8th Annual Jackson Hole Cowboy Jubilee’s Music and Poetry Roundup. Showtime is 7 p.m. on Monday and tickets are $28, available by calling 733-4900 or at JHCenterForTheArts.org. For more details, surf to JacksonHoleCowboyJubilee.org. –

• Local musicians will talk about their craft, their influences and their vices at an “in-the-round,” evening whereupon musicians play a song influenced by the one before it. Guitar Pull Plus will feature Lynn Cassell, Bill Briggs, John Kuzloski and Aaron Davis for $6 at 7 p.m., Thursday, at Old Wilson Schoolhouse. Tickets at Hungry Jacks and Global Treasures.  – Matthew Irwin

Photo courtesy Bait Shop


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Something you should know about | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

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