Archives for posts with tag: OK

Sometimes the van doesn’t start.

Luckily, a talent like Erin O’Dowd delivers without hesitation. Alongside longtime Okie players Susan Herndon and Nadia Thomas, the Tulsa songwriter played a lively rendition of “Trick Pony.” Dig it!

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We loved having BJ Barham jump into the van after soundchecking with his well-seasoned American Aquarium bandmates. We figured he’d play something new but not this new.

“I Gave Up The Drinking (Before She Gave Up On Me)” was merely two days old when this video was filmed. That might be a record for youngest song to make it in the van.

We loved hanging out with Sabrina Ellis and Andrew Cashen so much that we couldn’t wait to have them back in the van. You saw them last in our Sweet Spirit episode but now they’re back with A Giant Dog’s harder rock edge.

Loved hearing a brand new song (above) and another (below) off of the band’s Merge Records debut.

Sherman “WoRm” Johnson might be easiest to find at a computer. The OKC-based hip-hop engineer and producer is a natural behind the board but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own hunger to perform.

He was joined by Darrell Jones, Ashlee Watkins, Taylor Johnson and Jeff Kraetzer (DJ Chips).

Rain put a damper on Norman Music Festival’s afternoon performances so we decided to throw a concert celebration with Austin’s biggest party band. Sweet Spirit thrilled us with two songs before the rain subsided, and they rocked the festival’s main stage.

Party on.

Lauren Barth thought she was just visiting Tulsa but ended up being one of its most talented new residents. The songwriter has a debut album ready called “Forager” and invited the record’s producer Jesse Aycock to join her in the van.

What a pair.

Tallows has issues.

It’s nothing the quartet can’t handle though. For their VDub Session, the band wanted to use a drum machine. It was much too quiet for the rattle of the van. Solution? Drummer Jay Sullivan duct taped his leg with bells. Richard Lindsey wanted to play xylophone. Sadly, mallets are expensive. Diagnosis? Spoons work just as well.

It’s with sincerity that we present this recently developed Okie band. Tallows’ inginuity, sense of humor and humility are going to go a long way.

We always have our ears open to new bands, and it’s always a treat when they exceed our expectations.

Keep your eyes on this group.

It’s an issue your ears will appreciate.

Check out some stills after the jump…

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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.

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When it comes to art, Dusty and Tanner know their shirt.

If you’ve been to a Thunder game or have any Oklahomacentric friends then you’ve probably seen designs from Tree and Leaf Clothing.

Dusty has been running the apparel store for about six years.

Design is in his blood. His grandfather’s claim to fame is drawing Pistol Pete, a symbol famous throughout the country. Dusty still has his grandfather’s old design notebooks and its influence doesn’t seem to be fading any time soon.

Dusty and Tanner had quite a big challange facing them last month. They had to create enough artwork for a Live on the Plaza gallery showing in two weeks time. The two tirelessly collaborated and ended up with plenty of quality work.

Except plenty more good stuff from the duo in the future.

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Here’s the Vimeo link if you are all fancy.