R.I.P. Rachel Blanton.

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
-- Plato

My acquaintance with Rachel Blanton was only casual, although we were connected by dozens of mutual friends. As an observer, I can attest to the depth of her influence, because Rachel's presence in the local musical scene was ubiquitous to the point of otherworldly, and not only for her many listeners. Rachel was a teacher, organizer and leader, and consequently, her legacy will not soon wane.

At WUOL Classical 90.5, Michael Hill and John Austin Clark provide a compelling remembrance.

Remembering Rachel Blanton

 ... Rachel’s contributions are many and will live on in those that enjoyed performing and collaborating with her as well as those that simply enjoyed listening. The list of musicians and bands she has played with is almost as countless as the lives she has touched with her music. Many musicians are revisiting their work with Rachel and commenting on the beauty of her playing and her sweet nature, and how much that contributed to their music. It is this joy of music and spirit of collaboration and peace that she brought with her to every task that perhaps can best celebrate to her lasting memory.

Houndmouth IN Europe, ON Conan.

There was no "apparently" to it, because Houndmouth assuredly "killed it" at the Iroquois Amphitheater in April. I ran into the band members downtown yesterday, and noticed someone was missing a beard. Soon the paparazzi will be taking note of all such wardrobe changes, eh?

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Set your TiVo now: Houndmouth to play ‘Conan’ in June

By MELISSA CHIPMAN | Published: MAY 13, 2013

Houndmouth recording at Sun Studios in Memphis (from their website)

You might want to share your favorite jet lag remedy with New Albany band Houndmouth.

They leave this week for a European tour that bounces from the UK to France and back again, then to Belgium, then France again, then back to the UK on June 3.

June 4 is their record release day for “From the Hills Below the City.”

But likely they’ll be spending most of that day on a plane from London to lovely Burbank, California.

Because on June 5, the band appears on Conan. The show airs at 11 p.m. on TBS.

Musical addendum: Lots of local and regional music in 2012.

During the course of my year-end musical surveys, I've had very little to say about local and regional music and musicians, and yet it is clear that in 2012, I heard far more local music than usual close-up and live. It was an edifying experience, and I hope the keep the momentum rolling during 2013.

In fact, it may have been my most fallow year ever for attending shows held by nationally known acts: Adam Cohen/Rufus Wainwright at the Iroquois Amphitheater and Noel Gallagher/Snow Patrol at the Palace, and that was all.

What about Ben Sollee, nationally known instrumentalist and singer, live at the Carnegie Center in December? He may be getting bigger, but the venue was about as intimate as it gets, so he can count as local.

In May, there was RiverRoots in Madison, with many local and regional acts playing alongside the better known headliners like Bands of Heathens and Hayes Carll.

In July, there was our own NABC 25th anniversary "Beer & Loathing" party on the riverfront, with a great lineup of purely local talent: Roz Tate, Ben Traughber, Five Foot Fish, Beeler Attic, Jed and the NoiseMakers, Porch Possums, Dust Radio, Whiskey Riders and Toledo Bend.

In October, many of these same artists also played NABC's Fringe Fest in October, in addition to Artificially Flavored, Broke Bandit, Squeezebot, Temple of the Golden Dawn, Thunder Wrane and She Might Bite.

Also in October, and perhaps the most memorable sets I witnessed during the year, was the Heritage Festival in Cannelton, with the Troubadours of Divine Bliss and local favorite Jeremy Luecke, the latter a ridiculously skilled singer and songwriter.

There was a nostalgic get-together by Digby at the Indie Fest in September, and the many bands that played throughout the summer during the mayor's Live @ Five concert series. Andy "Thunder Wrane" Hunter played several times at Bank Street Brewhouse, and old friend John Woodard and the Rashers performed a wonderful evening set of Celtic music at Mt. St. Francis in August at a lakeside benefit for the Mary Anderson Center.

I'll close this recitation with a few links to Houndmouth, the front half of which I believe once was known as St. James Hotel (Fringe Fest 2011). Bluegill wrote about Houndmouth (and Toledo Bend) one year ago, on January 1, 2012.

"Get over it. Get used to it."

Given the overly familiar, often overbearing cast of characters, it's no surprise that some of the folks involved with the Bicentennial Commission are struggling when it comes to making traditional forms relevant in a modern world. Thankfully, a younger, more knowledgeable set is doing it just fine with an urgency and grace long missing from their better-known elders. It's theirs and similar names that will ultimately matter as we move into the post-historic now.

Paying attention to them? The sooner the better.

I've sent the year heeding Bluegill's advice. Here are the links.

"Penitentiary" music video.

"Houston Train" live video from SXSW.

"Krampus" at the Irish Exit.

Where are "the purveyors of local and regional music"?

The obvious question: Where in Southern Indiana?

Looking for Local Music, by Sean Bailey (The Paper)

... As luck would have it, there are still a multitude of local shops that currently carry Louisville music. Some have increased their presence as purveyors of local and regional music, while others have only recently decided to venture into this sometimes tedious yet indispensable form of community advocacy, sharing the torch and carrying it on.