Music News & Notes

Hallelujah, The Knitting Factory is opening their doors January 1, 2010 with a ridiculously sick christening, featuring The Roots.   As a talent booker for Sean Healy Presents, I attended dozens of unforgettable shows at the franchise’s venerable Hollywood Blvd. location—notably, P.U.T.S., Ugly Duckling, Busdriver and many more.  Known for their commitment to all ages shows and support of developing artists, The Knitting Factory will have a game changing influence on local event production in its new Reno location, inside the old Rocky’s Sports Bar adjacent to Harrah’s and Ichiban Restaurant downtown.  Let’s hope they fire up their once legendary Tuesday indie nights here in the Biggest Little City.  Watch for our extended feature on The Knitting Factory by Jenny PezDeSpencer and photographer Jamie Kingham in the January issue of RTT.

Local Top 40 & Hip Hop DJ Brandt Bustamente is doin’ work.  The likeable local selecta has thrown down wicked mixes at the ENVY Couture Fashion show last spring and recent standing room only events downtown. The DJ of choice for West Street Market’s dopest shows, Bustamente is fast becoming a DJ to watch.  

Jonie Blinman and Red Car Slow’s EP Point A is an A+! I was particularly struck by the maturity and confidence of this recording. Strong production dynamics, sonic balance, compelling lyrical narratives and A&R ready song craft are rarely exhibited by unsigned indie artists of any ilk, region, or genre. Blinman’s extraordinary talent for storytelling is evident on standout tracks “She Goes” and “I Believed.” The singer songwriter’s emotional connectedness and conveyance is remarkable—especially on the tear jerker “Why Anything.”  Jeff Nicholson and Ford Corl are an understated rhythm section, contrasting Kristin Pitman’s moody cello and violin sustains, against guitarist Blinman and pianist Ryan James’ melodic accents and interplay.

Jonie Blinman and Red Car Slow play The Wine Cellar on December 4, 8pm.  www.myspace.com/jonieblinman

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Project Coordinator and fundraising dynamo Kristian Darling knows the devastating affects of Juvenile Diabetes first hand. Her daughter has the life threatening disease, making her dependent on insulin injections for life to avoid debilitating complications and death.  Darling and Producer/Audio Engineer Tom Gordon have released a charity album, Hope For The Holidays: Rockin Christmas For A Cure, to raise money and awareness of the disease—and find a cure. The album features twists on holiday classics performed by a stellar mix of industry legends and local artists including: Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Creedence, Jon Anderson of Yes, Weezer, David Coverdale, Collective Soul, Lisa McCuiston, Kate Cotter, Grace Hutchison, Eric Andersen and the 2nd Baptist Gospel Church of Reno.  Says Darling, “The record is doing awesome and over 2,500 stations nationwide are committed to playing our album.”  The CD’s opening track “Closing of the Year," will be the finale for the Reno Philharmonic's Spirit of the Season show December 5^th and 6^th.  JDRF’s Hope For The Holidays is available at retailers everywhere, but shop local at Sundance Bookstore – 1155 W 4^th St @ Keystone.

Oliver X

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