| Jan 4, 2013 | Spoken Word Open Mic w/ Ani Lautenbach | Short fiction, poetry and other spoken forms welcome. Sign up starts at 7:30 and the show starts at 8pm.
Free. | | Jan 20, 2013 | Art reception! | Come meet January's featured artist.
7 - 9 pm.
Free and open to the public.
More info - Blessings. by Fu Dawg | | Jan 12, 2013 | High Window - $5 | High Window is a local folk trio that blends orchestral elements into a traditional songwriter’s pallet. Its spirit animal is "Percy", the drummer's dog, and they strive to exude a similar blend of endearing shagginess onstage. Featuring guitar, cello, vibraphone, and voice, they spin yarns both redemptive and dark, disheveled and refined. | | Jan 19, 2013 | Echelon String Quartet - $6 | The Echelon String Quartet is equally comfortable performing with classical chamber ensembles as they are sharing the stage with rock bands. A large part of their repertoire includes their own arrangements of everything from rock music to jazz standards and audiences are entertained by their fun interpretations of contemporary classical music.
All Wisconsin natives, the four musicians met while pursuing degrees in music from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. During their time at UW-Whitewater, the group received a National Undergraduate Research Grant to commission and perform a piece of music by a living composer. The result of the grant was "Seven Sultry Gothic Love Songs", a seven-movement work for string quartet and percussion by New York-based composer Eric Schwartz. Other recent performances include participation as the resident string quartet in the Branson, Missouri Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, the Broom Street Theater Sessions and the Wurst Times Music Festival. | | Feb 22, 2013 | "An Evening of Roots Music and Improvisation" | Andy Ewen, Frankie Lee, Doug DeRosa and Tim Haub | | Mar 15, 2013 | Hal Rammel and Matt Turner | Hal Rammel (amplified palette) and Matt Turner (cello) present an evening of improvisations to celebrate their new recording, Fractures and Phantoms (Penumbra).
Hal Rammel designs and builds musical instruments for the recording and performance of original compositions and improvisations. He has released recordings on Atavistic, Crouton, Soutrane, and Penumbra Music. His most recent recording is titled Agog and features a variety of solo percussion pieces using tabletop arrangements of amplified palettes.
Cellist Matt Turner performs in myriad of styles and has performed in Canada, Europe and Asia. He appears on over 100 recordings on Sketch/Harmonia Mundi, Nato /Hope Street, Ayler, Clean Feed, Illusions, Music and Arts, Accurate, Polyvinyl, Cadence Jazz and others and currently performs and records with Bill Carrothers, Randy Sabien and the Jean-Marc Foltz Trio. | | Jan 25, 2013 | Yid Vicious - $6 | Join Yid Vicious as they celebrate the 17th anniversary of their first public performance at Mother Fool's. The Klezmer will fly fast and furious as the band welcomes alumni and special guests galore to swell its ranks to untold numbers!
Yid Vicious was formed in 1995 in Madison, WI in order to ameliorate the woeful dearth of klezmer in America's otherwise pleasant heartland. Klezmer is Yiddish folk music, music for dancing and celebrating, and no band has caused more dancing and celebrating than Yid Vicious. Except Kool and the Gang, when they had that hit single about celebrating good times, come on; that caused lots of celebrating. But Yid Vicious is next, right after Kool and the Gang. | | Feb 2, 2013 | All Good Things w/ Stephanie Rearick, Jr. - $6 | Folk by definition, All Good Things exemplifies an adherence to tradition. Twisting and bending the faithful genre as he see's see fit, John Petty puts a unique spin on the time-honored Americana sound, through a fresh batch of influences including alt rock, indie, folk, and pop.
Stephanie Rearick has worked as a part-time musician since 1993 and has released six full-length solo albums and three albums with bands she's fronted, including Your Mom SRO and The Coma Savants. Her work is sometimes dark, often political, piano-based classical/cabaret/pop. For this performance she plays as Stephanie Rearick Jr. on casio, trumpet, voice and loops. Beatier, bouncier Rearick. | | Jan 18, 2013 | Daylight in the Swamp w/ Above The Town - $6 | Daylight in the Swamp is a contemporary bluegrass band based out of Madison, Wisconsin, and is a relatively new band to hit the area music scene, having formed less than two years ago. The band's mission is to preserve the hard-driving traditional bluegrass sound, while including some material from other musical styles. Their work can best be described as "Music with a Bluegrass Accent."
Ben Wright, banjo player for nationally recognized bluegrass band The Henhouse Prowlers, had this to say about Daylight in the Swamp: "We had a great time playing with these guys in Madison! This band has tight arrangements, solid harmonies and that guitar player's voice is like butter!”
Above the Townis a contemporary bluegrass ensemble, blending a mixture of traditional bluegrass sounds with Celtic influences, jazz, and swing. The band provides a mix of the old with the new, performing music by the masters of bluegrass as well as original material. In 2005, Above the Town was nominated for the Wisconsin Area Music Industry's (WAMI) Bluegrass Band of the Year. In 2006, Above the Town was privileged to be one of thirteen bands selected to showcase at the International Bluegrass Music Association Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee. | | Jan 26, 2013 | Open mic w/ host, Rev. Andrew Mazur | The event is a musical open mic, with magicians and comedians welcome as well. Free and open to all styles of music, with performers allowed up to three songs.
Sign up begins at 7:30pm. | | Mar 2, 2013 | Thistle Inventory - $6 | Gregory Taylor, electronics; Tom Hamer, percussion; Geoffrey Brady, vibraphone/theremin
Thistle Inventory began several years ago as a duo with Gregory Taylor playing electronic sounds on his lap-topped computer machine and Tom Hamer playing acoustic percussion. And also with Greg altering Tom’s percussion sounds to create a compelling, electro-acoustic mélange. Then, Geoffrey Brady horned in on their action, making it a trio and adding vibraphone and theremin to the mix. Things got even more mélange-ey. But STOP THE PHONES, ALICE, THERE’S MORE!!!
For this upcoming Mother Fool’s performance the trio will be joined by extra-super-special guest Kia Karlen on accordion and Frenched horn. The ensemble’s size will have doubled and the power that Thistle Inventory wields will be a source of awe and wonderment. Or amusement. But certainly not apathy. And THAT’S the Thistle Inventory guarantee! | | Feb 8, 2013 | Garryowen - $6 | Celtic. Lots of three part harmony ballads, rippin' dance tunes, and a few ancient airs.
Sheila Shigley (vocals, bouzouki, fiddle)
Mark Hutchins (vox, flute, whistle, bodhran)
Tom Blain (vox, guitars)
Jess Lex (fiddle - of Madison County fame)
| | Feb 9, 2013 | Spoken Word Open Mic w/ Ani Lautenbach | Short fiction, poetry and other spoken forms welcome. Sign up starts at 7:30 and the show starts at 8pm.
Free. | | Feb 15, 2013 | The Geoff and Kia Show - $6 | This Valentine's Recovery edition of The Geoff and Kia Show features a special acoustic Yammer set, with musical tales of love, minivans, and palindromes; plus the eagerly anticipated encore performance of the Sockrates' Sock Puppet Carnival of Morals and Logic production of Dostoevsky's "The Devils". This, PLUS all of the improvised chaos and witty married-people banter you've come to expect from The Geoff and Kia Show.
So come on down to Mother Fool's Coffee House for delicious beverages and pastries served up with a side of vibraphone, horn, accordion, theremin, scrap metal, plastic bags, and sock puppet thespianry.
$6, all ages (puppet show rated R for violence and language).
And, as always: No Refunds. | | Mar 16, 2013 | At the end of the Rainbow IV: An open Mic Fundraiser for Proud Theater | Musicians and spoken word artists are invited to share their craft at our Proud Theater Open Mic. The focus is LGBTQ but everyone is welcome! Sign up starts at 7 and the event starts at 8. | | Mar 3, 2013 | Art show reception. | Come meet the artists. March's art show is by Mother Fool's staff. 6 - 8 pm. Free and open to the public. | | Mar 8, 2013 | Red Tail Ring - $6 | Red Tail Ring is the musical brainchild of two old-time-minded Michiganders – Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo. The collaboration blends the loving attention of revivalist fervor with the playful creativity of starting from scratch. Whether rendering a traditional tune or one of their many original compositions, the duo infuses each song with musical imagination, haunting harmonies and instrumental artistry. "We love pushing the boundaries of what a traditional song can be," says Beauchamp. "It informs how we write our original songs. There's a real energy exchange between the old and the new." | | Mar 9, 2013 | The Sweetness of Gone w/ Boob Dylan - $6 | The Sweetness of Gone is a trio of singer-songwriters based in Madison, WI, whose music explores the subtle complexities found in the human experience. With a focus on thoughtful lyrics, they blend strong vocal harmonies with the distinct sounds of guitar, banjo, autoharp, Appalachian dulcimer, and a variety of percussive elements. Their self-titled EP--recorded in the shadow of the smokestacks off of South Livingston Street--reveals those intangible elements that set them apart, as well as what each individual brings to the group. grey e.m. doolin weaves evocative guitar work in with her lyrics, d. allen's banjo playing is the perfect accompaniment to her unique voice, and Stacie M. Wieland's harmonies are as sweet as her instrumental versatility.Boob Dylan is a meeting of musical minds, melding inspirations, making merry, and being booby.
Just some Madison neighbors networking to make noisy noises in a free moment here or there between school, research, and work. Boob Dylan will play you a varied spread of folksy tunes with hints of bluegrass, alt-country, pop sensibility, and a heaping tablespoon of whimsy.
Boob Dylan's passion is driven by Lauren, Ginny, and Allison's love of music and having a good time. They hope ya'll can join us in the making of merry at the next show! | | Mar 23, 2013 | Paul Geremia - $10 | Called "one of the finest blues artists" by Rolling Stone, acoustic blues master Paul Geremia plays a concert, celebrating the release of Love My Stuff, his first new album in seven years. The most expansive live collection of his 40-year career, it features three decades of rare and classic live performances that were recorded at theaters and clubs from California to New York.
This special remastered collection of recordings was culled from an ever-growing pile of live tapes made at Paul's gigs since the early 1980’s. It features fan favorite's, including ten tracks that he has never recorded before, such as the traditional tunes "See See Rider" and "Crawlin' King Snake Blues."
"For the most part, the songs consist of early country blues, early jazz and pop tunes, along with a few of my own as well," Paul says. Some of the standout originals include "Cocaine Princess" and his poignant "Where Did I Lose Your Love," originally written for the piano but performed here on guitar and harmonica. Whether playing his own material or covering classics by Lead Belly or Blind Lemon Jefferson, Paul puts his own unique stamp on every song he performs.
From the swaggering country blues of "Lovin' Sam (The Sheik of Alabam')" to Rev. Gary Davis' haunting tune "Death Don’t Have No Mercy," the songs show Paul performing with his signature style, loose and authentic. Rarely playing from set lists, Paul's spontanaity comes through with lively performances, as in his cover of "Dr. Jazz," written by New Orleans cornetist King Oliver and his hilarious introduction to "My Money Never Runs Out." The title track "Love My Stuff" shows Paul's incredible virtuosity with his unique take on the Charlie Patton tune, doing it in a Spanish tuning and incorporating a few verses from Patton’s song "Bird Nest Bound."
A true blues lover's delight, Love My Stuff shows why the late great Dave Van Ronk called Paul Geremia one of "the best white blues players alive." | | Apr 6, 2013 | The Jokes w/ Centime - $6 | Coming from Nowheresville, Wisconsin, The Jokes are clearly going for a Lou Reed or Rolling Stones type sound. This, in my opinion, is normally a disaster waiting to happen. Bands like The Black Crowes or The Strokes (and especially Wilco) always leave us feeling let down because we know that there is too much nostalgia and not enough originality to eclipse the memory of earlier and greater music. Somehow, however, The Jokes manage to avoid cliche (most of the time) while achieving a classic rock sound. How we do this I do not know ( happen to be the lead singer and main songwriter for The Jokes). Anyways, what I do know is that our live shows are volatile and unpredictable (and sometimes even very bad). In an age of cupcakes and gimmicks The Jokes are completely lacking in the customary irony that enshrines the "underground" music scene of today. We are also lacking in the overdone authenticity of the alt-country roots music scene. Anything but authentic! Listen, we all know that deep down we want real Rock and Roll--not the sex and drugs cliche--but a truly dangerous music filled with mystery and the dare of courage. The Jokes may be the last chance we have to get it.
Centime is a band from Madison, Wisconsin.
Michael Brenneis (drums, vocals)
Sean Michael Dargan (bass, guitar, vocals)
Danny Hicks (guitar)
Annelies Howell (guitar, bass, vocals)
All four members of Centime are veterans of the Madison music scene. Danny Hicks has played with a number of country and rockabilly outfits, including Danny Paris and the Shiners and The Back 40’s. Annelies plays with new wave weirdos, The German Art Students. Michael Brenneis can be found behind the drums with The New Breed Quintet, Chick Singer Band, Steely Dane, and many others. Sean Michael Dargan fronts his own band...the Sean Michael Dargan band. | | Apr 19, 2013 | Kelley McRae Duo w/ Sarah Pray - $6 | Out of Brooklyn, the Kelley McRae duo has been on a never ending tour in their VW van since February, 2011. Kelley's music has garnered a 4 star review in Paste Magazine, and she was named one of WNYC Soundcheck’s ‘Performances of the Year’.
The new album, “Brighter Than the Blues”, delivers 11 stripped down tracks of heartfelt Americana in the vein of Patty Griffin and Lucinda Williams.
Madison native Sarah Pray released her second album "A May Morning" in 2012. "The songs drift and sway carrying Pray’s smoky burr of a voice on the breeze." - Popdose. During the last 4 years Sarah has toured all over the county playing folk music with Wisconsin songwriter Thomas Kivi. | | Apr 5, 2013 | Ritt Deitz w/ Boo Bradley | Ritt Deitz comes from the Ohio River valley, and writes songs about rivers, creeks, water, family. He's got a great voice and the music is straight-a-head honest and you may as well be hanging out on his porch.
"[Deitz] works the same side of the street as Greg Brown and Bruce Cockburn, with songs that are concurrently earthy, ethereal, and intelligent" - The Onion
Boo Bradley is Madison's amazing one-human jugband medicine show featuring Scott "Boo" Kiker pumping out deep ragtime blues on a unique ensemble of old car horns, bells, a beat up guitar made of steel, kazoo, high-hat, an old parade drum and a tamborine...all at once! As the Onion A.V. puts it, "During the warmer months, Boo's performances are a favorite on State Street and at the Dane County Farmers' Market. Thanks to his feel for the sonic quirks of the National Resophonic steel guitar, Boo Bradley is as warm and fun as bluesy acts come these days". | | Apr 13, 2013 | Spoken Word Open Mic w/ Ani Lautenbach | Short fiction, poetry and other spoken forms welcome. Sign up starts at 7:30 and the show starts at 8pm.
Free.
(here's a nice write up about the event from project famous mazagine.) | | May 5, 2013 | Reception for Photography by Sarah Rose Smiley | Come meet May's artist. 5 - 7 pm. Free and open to the public. | | Apr 14, 2013 | Paradox Candy Product Launch / Sampling | Come sample Paradox Candies and meet their creator.
We've been selling these amazing little treats for a couple of weeks and are excited to now "launch" the product. Please join us to try all three flavors: Peanut Butter & Jelly, “Chocolate” Mint and Coconut Cream.
How they’re made: The Paradox candies are made by hand at Daddy’s Kitchen, a rental kitchen, on Williamson Street. The ingredients are pressed into mini muffin holders and refrigerated until they set. There’s no baking in the process.
*Sugar Free
*Gluten Free
*Vegan
*Appetite Control
*High Fiber
*Protein
Ingredients: Almond meal flour, coconut oil, flax, carob, shredded coconut, diced walnuts, raw pumpkin seeds, cherries, blueberries, vanilla extract and Stevia.
More info at 77 Square. | | May 3, 2013 | Le Gran Fromage w/ Boo Bradley - $6 | Laying heavily on the traditional recipe of accordion, fiddle and rhythm, Le Gran Fromage purvey a simple unvarnished version of the Cajun dance canon. The trio are Prairie Bayou's Katie Ping on fiddle; lead fiddler for the Cajun Strangers, Brian O'Donnell on accordion and fiddle; and Southwest Louisiana native (and Cajun Stranger himself) Scott Kiker on guitar and vocals. Come sit by the front porch at Mother Fool's to be warmed by the bayou music of Southwest Louisiana...without all the mosquitos and alligators!
Boo Bradley is Madison's amazing one-human jugband medicine show featuring Scott "Boo" Kiker pumping out deep ragtime blues on a unique ensemble of old car horns, bells, a beat up guitar made of steel, kazoo, high-hat, an old parade drum and a tamborine...all at once! As the Onion A.V. puts it, "During the warmer months, Boo's performances are a favorite on State Street and at the Dane County Farmers' Market. Thanks to his feel for the sonic quirks of the National Resophonic steel guitar, Boo Bradley is as warm and fun as bluesy acts come these days". | | May 17, 2013 | Spoken Word Open Mic w/ Ani Lautenbach | Short fiction, poetry and other spoken forms welcome. Sign up starts at 7:30 and the show starts at 8pm.
Free. | | May 24, 2013 | Open mic w/ host, Rev. Andrew Mazur | The event is a musical open mic, with magicians and comedians welcome as well. Free and open to all styles of music, with performers allowed up to three songs.
Sign up begins at 7:30pm, show starts at 8. | | May 17, 2013 | Rep. Chris Taylor - Office Hours | State Representative Chris Taylor will be holding office hours from 9:30 - 11 am this Friday.
This is a great opportunity for constituents of the new 76th Assembly District, to meet Chris and tell her what issues matter. And what better way to do this than over coffee and pastries? |
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