You can’t have a bubbly, fun performance without an actual bubble machine.
At least that’s what we think the Sugar Free Allstars moto is. Oklahoma City’s favorite kindie rock band hopped into the Spy Van and performed its original track “Gotta Get Up” right in time for the Wiggle Out Loud music festival. The free family oriented concert is this Sunday afternoon and you better believe it’ll be as silly as R2-D2 in the backseat. By the way, that’s extremely silly.
This session with Cowboy Indian Bear fell through the cracks of our blitzkrieg shooting schedule in March. However, what happens in the Spy Van always will ultimately get shared outside of the Spy Van.
You can hear the Lawrence, Kansas band’s new track “Let It Down” off of its 2013 album “Live Old, Die Young.” It came out in April and it sounds fresher than the van’s new muffler (mind you that’s very fresh). We love being able to show off Oklahoma City to bands from out of town. Don’t be strangers now, Cowboy Indian Bear. Hope to see y’all real soon.
Whether it’s the Yukon-based band’s incredible live show or simply playing in a moving VW bus. They bring it.
Even when it’s 100 degrees during sunset.
The band decided to debut a new track called “Swiftly” in the Spy Van. You’ll be able to hear that track on an upcoming EP. Paperscissor frontman Evan Crowley is self-recording the album at his studio. Here are a couple of B-Sides to hold you over for the new album.
We are well aware that drinking and driving is against all the rules.
However, there isn’t anything in the rule book about performing drinking songs in a car.
Enter Tyler Hopkins. The Oklahoma City-based singer/songwriter wowed us with the title track off of his debut album, “Somebody Like You.”
The impressive recordings revolve around bar room balladry and sound like the result of at least a few hangovers. Or five. Or six. Or a dozen.
We won’t hold it against Tyler because we don’t play by all the rules either. The stories are just better that way.
Cheers.
Oh, and don’t forget that Tyler his releasing his new album this Saturday at The Blue Note. It’s only $5 at the door, and the line up is packed with more awesomeness than aloe vera on a sunburned beer belly.
In the midst of an aggressive tour schedule, Mississippi duo Water Liars made a stop at The Spy studio. They shared a soulful, fragile tune called “Linens.” It’s off of their latest album “Wyoming,” which was released by Big Legal Mess and Fat Possum Records. It’s the dudes’ second album in less than a year, and we hope to see them again in Oklahoma just as quickly.
It was obvious Ripple Green wanted to go big with their VDub Session. Literally. The trio tried to fit a rain stick into the van but there wasn’t enough room. Who would of thought that we could fit a cello but not a rain stick?
Nonetheless, the Oklahoma City rockers performed a melodic and smooth rendition of “The Mother.” We couldn’t help but hear/enjoy hints of Red Hot Chili Peppers in Joel Parks’ vocals, and obviously we can’t wait to hear what else the three has up their sleeves.
Shivering Timbers made it a family affair as the husband + wife duo brought their daughter along for the ride of a lifetime. Along with their drummer, the Ohio-based band played a soulful, folky tune named “Evening Prayer.” It’s off of their debut album “We All Started In The Same Place,” which was produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. Expect more great things from the uplifting, joyous sounds of Shivering Timbers. Your ears won’t be sorry they did.
We are super excited for NMF6 and are expecting an even bigger, baddasser festival. In order to relieve some of the stress when it comes to creating a schedule, we made a few suggestions for the three days of fun.
Thursday // Tallows @ Brewhouse (midnight)
These Okie music scene newcomers put on a loud, uplifting and exceptionally energetic live set. This set marks the band’s one year anniversary. We’ll bring the white cake and plastic silverware.
Friday // TJ Mayes @ Guestroom Stage (7:30 p.m.)
Rockabilly revivalist TJ Mayes wowed is the Spy Van earlier this year. We can only imagine what he’ll do with a microphone, his brilliant backing band and a couple amplifiers. Should be a fun, powerful set.
Saturday // JD McPherson @ The Sailor Jerry Stage (8:15 p.m.)
JD is easily one of the biggest breakout Oklahoma musician in recent years. Do not miss a free opportunity to see him and his finely tuned band put on a show that’s straight up rock and roll.
Saturday // Broncho @ Blackwatch Stage (11 p.m.)
It’s widely known Broncho shows tend to get rowdy. Two years ago the punk quartet single-handedly exploded NMF with raw, raucous punk energy. Let’s just hope no one throws a TV off of a building this time. Or maybe we don’t.
Seattle’s weirdest punk trio made its way through Oklahoma City shortly before a tour with the reunited Zombies tour. One half Black Lips and the other Black Angels, Night Beats made themselves at home in the Spy Van. The band’s psychedelic noise machine is by far one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen. With the touch of a button it spouted out some funky tones and Night Beats was good to go.
If you’re in Texas this weekend then make sure to catch them at Austin Psych Fest.
THE VDUB SESSIONS 