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.
Don’t forget to catch Ripple Green headline a show on the rooftop of The Velvet Monkey Salon at Live on the Plaza this Friday. Tallows, Wuwus and Jabee will be playing too. Don’t miss it.
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.
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.
Oklahoma Cloud Factory is difficult band to pin down.
Before the fivesome hopped into the van, their sunny disposition was contagious and welcomed. However, their track “Harvest Season” forecasted a darker mood hinted with loneliness and mistrust. It plays out like a folk tinged break up song.
But like all Oklahoma weather, the song doesn’t stay the same for too long and twists in a new direction. We really enjoyed OCF’s original song and its take on Sugar Ray is legendary. LEGENDARY we say.
We can’t wait to hear more from them.
Here’s a brand new track from Norman singer/songwriter John Calvin. He didn’t fly solo though. We were lucky enough to welcome Camille Harp and VDub alumni Jordan Herrera.
Don’t forget you can catch John playing an acoustic set at Norman Music Festival 6. It’s inside Opolis at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. See you there.
Honesty is her best policy.
Seconds after Ali Harter finished playing a new song in the Spy Wagon, she blurted, “I fucked it up, but I don’t care.”
That’s enough to make Honest Abe blush. Shortly after, she went on to say that she knows the song will eventually get better.
And we believe her.
Harter is an Okie musician that’s been crafting her acoustic ballads for several years.
Her songs have taken her around the world and landed her on prime-time television.
Lucky for Oklahoma, the new mother hasn’t slowed down her musical prowess and continues to make the rounds in local venues.
Take a couple minutes to get to know Harter because she’s the kind of artist that won’t stick around forever.
That’s the honest truth.
Change doesn’t happen by itself.
Lucky for Oklahoma City, we have Kristen Vails working her tail off. She’s spent the better part of four years promoting and revitalizing the district.
Vails is the executive director of the Plaza District. If you haven’t noticed, the Spy Van makes a special trip to every Live on the Plaza event to not only have fun but also to film interviews with Okie artists.
You can thank Vails for setting up these interviews.
For some reason, we’ve waited this long to chat with Vails about her artwork. A lot of her work is based on Vails’ favorite hoofed animal.
Take a minute to learn about an Okie that’s all about artwork.
Check out some stills after the jump.
After Ben Kilgore finished his set at the Mustache Bash on Wednesday night, a women in the crowd asked me who had just performed.
(I get this question a lot because of how my jeans fit and because I’m holding a camera at every concert ever.)
When I answered with the name Ben Kilgore, the new fan paused and said, “As soon as I heard his voice, I had to sit down and listen.”
I’m sure this had everything to do with the Tulsa-based singer’s commanding voice.
It’s unreal.
But I was most surprised by Kilgore’s thoughtfulness.
I approached him about performing a quick song in the Spy Wagon, and it seemed like his world stopped for a minute.
He got quiet, as if the songs he knew were battling for position in his head and heart.
I’m glad he picked Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine.”
Not only was it a highlight of his set, but also Kanye West/Jay-Z’s track “Otis” is fresh in my mind.
Oddly enough, you can hear one of Kanye’s earliest songs playing in the background near the end of this song.
No matter who’s covering Redding, you’re in for a treat.
During the final day of Norman Music Festival 4, the Spy Wagon was parked on the corner of Main and Peters.
We invited locals musicians and headliners for interviews and performances.
Penny Hill, who performed her song Olympia inside the van last year, is up first.
Check back every day for new NMF4 videos.
P.S.
THE VDUB SESSIONS 