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2012 05 11

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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v09n10)

Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle

posted: May 11, 2012

danny flanigan + the rain chorus

Friday, May 18, 2012

Locals Only - 2449 E. 56th Street - 9:00 pm, 21+, $5.

Even though Danny Flanigan lives in Louisville, I feel like he belongs to Broad Ripple too. He played at least once a month from 1991 - 2001. And I was at a good deal of those shows. Danny is one of the first people to make me realize that I really loved and appreciated great songwriting and hearing music live.

Danny has a new record; Hope is a Word, his first in eight years. He has played a few solo shows in Indianapolis in the last year, but this will be the first in a long time with his band, The Rain Chorus. The members of the band are Cary Shields (drums), Tim Halcomb (bass), Philip Wakeman (mandolin), and Indianapolis' own John Byrne (guitar). I caught up with Danny recently to talk about music, Indy, and the band.

I asked Danny how his solo shows differ from a full band gig. "I'm fortunate to have excellent musicians that play to the music," Danny said. "Thanks to the presence of drums the tunes are more upbeat, energetic - electric folk Midwest rock type thing - the up-tempo songs are more aggressive, and there's more color thanks to the player's taste and talents."

Danny enjoys playing in Indianapolis because of the "authentic fans of music - not just mine - good intelligent community oriented peeps digging on some tunes. There have been so many great bands from Indianapolis over the years."

I asked Danny what has changed for him in the last ten years, "I got busy being a dad - and there wasn't a new record to share. Now the boys are old enough that they're glad dad gigs in the region again. 'get out of here dad, don't you have a gig in Indianapolis tonight?' And hopefully I'm a better songwriter. Songwriting is a craft, so by definition you have to do it to get better at it. I've never stopped writing songs, I never will. The band just stopped playing out as much. Hopefully people will come hear us playing the latest batch of tunes."

Locals Only is a great place to see music. The staff is friendly, the food is good, the beer selection is diverse, and there is plenty of room for everyone.

I know I will be there, and I hope to see you too.

localsonlyindy.com

www.dannyflanigan.com

Summertime in Broad Ripple

I love how outdoor music starts popping up all over Broad Ripple in May. Be sure to stop and give some love to the musicians at the Broad Ripple Farmers Market (Saturdays, 8:00 - noon, behind Broad Ripple High School). They are donating their time - and waking up much earlier than some of them are accustomed to.

The Broad Ripple Art Fair features four outdoor stages with dozens of bands playing over the two-day fair (May 19 and 20). The schedule was not available at press time, but the music is always top notch.

There are several venues in Broad Ripple that feature outdoor music. Part of the fun in following your ears!

Not-for-profit director by day, music writer by night, Nora Spitznogle reviews music that happened and previews music and events around Broad Ripple Village. Nora managed CATH Inc coffeehouse at 54th Street and College Avenue for seven years. During that time she hosted hundreds of local and touring musicians, both at the coffeehouse and her home. When CATH closed in 2004 and the music was no longer coming to her, she had to wander from her corner of Broad Ripple to see what is happening elsewhere. You can find her at Second Helpings during the work day, waitressing at the Red Key on Saturday nights and prowling Broad Ripple music venues the rest of the time. Visit Nora's Web site nora-leona.blogspot.com, send any questions, comments or suggestions to Nora@BroadRippleGazette.com

nora@broadripplegazette.com

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