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Molly Lenz is great at building. A carpenter of sorts in the sense that she is able to build community through her house concerts. These concerts are well known in the Chicago area and attract musicians from across the country.
But you may ask, "what goes into making a successful house concert?" This is where Lenz comes in. Starting back in New Jersey, she created a concert series that brought talent into direct contact with "stalwarts" or avid music listeners. These are people who are not into live music for the alcohol, a big arena spectacle or hearing the latest hit, but people who are desiring of the deep "electric" connection that develops during a concert in which a musician is presenting music that is instantly and purely being absorbed. The result is something much more akin to a spiritual experience or the sort of catharsis that arises from meditation or yoga--it is a group energy cycle that takes place. As highfalutin' as that may sound, that is what people experienced on a regular basis prior to amplification. The mind's eye was the light show, the guitar and voice, all the amplification and the expectation was to listen intently and give back attention. The whole experience an intertwined, uplifting and energizing.
Taking that into account, there is something very trusting in opening ones home to strangers. That we live in a time of lack of trust and fear only exacerbates that. However, Lenz points out that there are few risks involved in hosting a house concert. No one is in it to make a lot of money---in fact, "labor of love" is the term frequently used to describe both the host, audience and artist. But the point is that in turning away from commercial music events and focusing on one-on-one musical experiences, we return to a form of community and communication that is closer to our ancestor's way of perceiving our world and each other. The need for more of these opportunities is real and, in a world, where media, algorithms and AI are starting to infiltrate the mysterious and magic of music, more important than ever. Check out her website at https://www.mollyshouseconcerts.com/

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Molly Lenz grew up in Rogers Park, Chicago and from early on, her ambition was to be involved in music. That passion resulted in a career as a DJ for a station in New Jersey, where she met her husband, who had of all things, a record store. Molly was able to curate her own tunes there at the station, bringing listeners unheard of musicians who were not mainstream. The record store literally a gathering place of new artists and the occasional live performance. After her husband's passing, Molly channeled her grief by having a concert in her New Jersey home. The community that developed, along with the amazing shows made her understand that it was presenting concerts that best represented her ability to promote bands she loved, while giving those bands an audience that trusted her musical tastes. Lenz decided to return back to Illinois and brought along her house concert, Molly's House Concerts to Lincolnwood, a few miles down the road from her old Chicago stomping grounds. There she refined her talent for finding independent audiences and matching them with an audience intent on listening and being part of the evening and not just observers. That was key in the success of her concerts, which has led to an amazing 18 major shows a year. It also highlights the importance to the independent music community of having a venue like Molly's---a place that was free of the control that bigger venues exert on musicians, and a place where an audience could pay for energetic music, given up close and with intention. House Concerts, like Molly's are the "keystone" of the independent music scene. No one is there to get rich, except in Joy and celebration of live, independent music. It is no wonder that such venues are often in the crosshairs of the music industry, looking for ways to extract money from independent artists and independent audiences. This is the first of a two part series in which the community can learn from Molly's experiences in running a house concert and how to create independent concert venues for the benefit of player and audience alike. Her website is www.mollyshouseconcerts.com

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We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

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James Weigel is a journeyman musician. He devotes much of his time working at the local music shop, Flatts and Sharpe, teaching students on a variety of instruments. He then also spends a great deal of time performing for various venues throughout Chicago. These venues range from the local watering hole to more listening friendly rooms. Those lucky enough to be able to listen to Weigel's songs will be struck by the thorough work he puts into each word he chooses for a lyrical phrase. Not trying to be clever, but done with a sincere outlook on his path in life and his own observations of the world he lives in. Inspired by other great songwriters, like Willie Nelson and Woody Guthrie, Weigel's songs have that beautiful weight of words in every line. Those words are straightforward and simple, but in total create a song that can pack an emotional and thought-provoking punch. Like many independent singer-songwriters, Weigel has almost an aversion to the notion of pursuing fame and notoriety. He instead seeks out playing for those willing to listen to his words and songcraft. In this interview, Weigel touches on how he goes about creating songs and how his melodies can be first or last depending on the situation. Great insight and advice from someone who is naturally a performer and, lucky enough for students in Chicago, naturally a teacher.
His websites are:
https://www.ensembleschools.com/flatts-and-sharpe/staff/james-weigel/
https://www.facebook.com/JamesWeigelUnderTheFloorboardsMusic/

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When James Weigel left his home in Metamora, Illinois for Chicago, he brought along his central Illinois, no-nonsense rural outlook on life and choosing a musical path. Central Illinois is rich in great musical traditions--from REO Speedwagon to Alison Krauss to the late Dan Fogelberg. Weigel draws from that tradition and has made a home for himself up north, while keeping that downstate sense of steadfast determination to make his music work for him. An avid player of many stringed instruments, Weigel by day can be found at the northside musical temple of Flatts and Sharpe (where Martin bought his first bass guitar) providing lessons, participating in occasional sessions and having a finger on the pulse of the local performing venues. His network of venues varies from the local watering holes to listening rooms. Weigel's songs are also varied for the occasion, fitting easily into the neighborhood setting without compromising any of his integrity. The result is a man who can travel but chooses to make his neighborhood his castle keep for his musical ambitions. Excellent song crafting and musicianship guarantees that this farm boy from Metamora is not casting his musical pearls to any swine any time soon.
Learn more about James by visiting:
https://www.ensembleschools.com/flatts-and-sharpe/staff/james-weigel/
https://www.facebook.com/JamesWeigelUnderTheFloorboardsMusic/

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Justin Gillam is a member of the Chicago area-based Americana band, the Mudflapps. He also studied literature and is an avid painter. He is also a brilliant solo artist and lyricist. Gillam's lyrics are about the human condition--the idea that to build something beautiful and worthwhile also requires a willingness to destroy what is there. In other words, creativity is not just about creating, but destruction of that which inhibits growth and expression. Gillam's own personal life serves as a model. His songs have a lot to do with vulnerability, lost loves, death of loves. But he is not a morose human being. Far from it. He surveys life with a cautious, but whimsical eye. His story of spending $90 to see Kris Christopherson and Merle Haggard perform for 45 minutes is both funny, but insightful. He may have been cheated on the show, but he was able to ingest the depth and songwriting sincerity of both of his idols during that brief concert. Gillam is a damn fine songwriter in the way he brings honesty and uniqueness to his songs. He is an excellent model to study and many more temples are out there to build and destroy.
His website is www.justingillam.com.
https://www.themudflapps.com/

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We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

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Every so often, one comes across a person who is "the real thing" living an authentic life, with little regard to fame, fortune, family or even food for that matter. Enter Justin Gillam, a person who lives for his passion, creating music that is raw, honest and blunt. There is no clever wording, no symbolism hidden behind a word. Gillam writes from his heart, from his experience of loves won and lost, alcohol, being in a band and being a loner. He represents the far outlier of Americana music, the real musical frontiersman, creating songs with no expectation other than to get the song off his chest. A refreshing lyricist and no-frills deliveryman of sound on a duct-taped guitar, Gillam is the real deal. www.justingillam.com.

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We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
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Barrett Tasky is one of those rare gems you discover right in your back yard. Tasky has an amazing broad base of music, recording and performance that culminates in his latest project, Barrett's Hidden Agenda. The man literally plays a multitude of instruments. His studio has everything from a standup bass to a Hammond B3. He is adept at mandolin, guitar, saxophone---the list goes on. Tasky writes songs in the Americana vein of songwriting. His style is personal and inspirational. In this episode Tasky lifts the curtain on his writing routine. We get to discover how he creates through the use of self-imposed deadlines. Even a wonderful idea surrounding the creation of a song in celebration of his birthday. Thoughtful, funny and inspirational, Barrett Tasky is a good person for any aspiring songwriter to study and also reach out to for advice.

https://www.barrettshiddenagenda.com/
https://thebarbandbarrettshow.com/
https://superheroaudio.com/

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
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MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

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Barrett Tasky is one of those rare gems you discover right in your back yard. This episode title (based on a comment of Barrett's) is accurate in that, like a pyramid of Egypt, Tasky has an amazing broad base of music, recording and performance that culminates in his latest project, Barrett's Hidden Agenda. The man literally plays a multitude of instruments. His studio has everything from a standup bass to a Hammond B3. He is adept at mandolin, guitar, saxophone---the list goes on. Tasky writes songs in the American vein of songwriting. His style is personal and inspirational. "When you are looking down, that's when you know you are flying" is just one of the great lyrics people will be able to delight to when listening to this interview. He is a true craftsman in more than one way. Not only performing music in various groups, including a duo with his wife Barb, but keeping "an ace in the pocket" with running a woodworking business (http://thewoodwizzard.com) handed down to him by his father. Creative and challenging work for anyone who has had a beloved piece of furniture refinished or reupholstered. You want the right sort of artist in charge. Tasky takes that tradition and applies it to all of his musical endeavors, including working with the founders of the Steel Bridge musical group in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Like a pyramid, Tasky has a lot of secret chambers, hidden halls and is a great artist to discover. And just like Howard Carter looking in on Tutankhamen's tomb for the first time, you are going to be treated to some "wondrous things!"
https://www.barrettshiddenagenda.com/
https://thebarbandbarrettshow.com/
https://superheroaudio.com/

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK

MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

MARTIN'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Martin McCormack - YouTube

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