THE LOW END

RELEASE DATE: Feb 11 @ Auntie Maes

2011-12-30T00:08:00.002-06:00

Non-sequential track listing:

Fake Natives

Settler

Chief Among Them

Antelope

Age of the Jaguwar

Navajo Rug

West is Best

Geronimo

Not Mad, Nomad

Indiana

Not India

Arrah & the Ferns // The Low End @ DBH on Nov 12th

2011-11-06T14:18:00.005-06:00

Arrah & the Ferns were one of the first bands to play at the Dead Birdhouse. High-school legends to Dan in Muncie, we were stoked to get them in our house and to share their music. Though the sound pumping from our 70s P.A. wasn't ideal, Arrah and her band of bearded gentlemen took it as an opportunity to turn up and deliver a fun, solo-filled set. It felt good to have a band that good in Manhattan.

15 shows and 6 noise complaints, the Dead Birdhouse, the DIY show-space, may be coming to an end, but we are really happy to finish it off with one of the nicest, coolest bands we have met in the last couple of years. If you didn't see them last time, make sure to check out the video below. They bring some nice vibes.

Music will start sometime from 8-9 pm, so get there early. The Low End will be playing a short opening set of 6-7 songs. All of them will be new ones from our upcoming album, "Fake Natives."

#32 Arrah and the Ferns: All the Bad In One Place from Love Drunk on Vimeo.

Disintegration Day (free download)

2011-11-02T22:36:00.005-05:00

We did a live recording of a song that never found its way onto one of our releases. It's called "Disintegration Day." I think it turned out pretty well considering we did the majority of tracking all at once in a tiny basement room. It has Dan's first legit TLE guitar solo too. Hope you like it. You can download it for free from the side of the soundclould player. (That little down pointing arrow.)

Disintegration Day by thelowendmusic

'Fake Natives'

2011-10-09T11:54:00.003-05:00

Hello friends,

Lately we've been busy practicing and recording. Last night we began tracking drums for the Fake Natives album, and this coming Saturday we have our first show since our summer tour. Our new set has seven new songs, and we're excited to perform them live.

Below is a link to a band I've been listening to often lately, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282. Enjoy.

Peace,

Dan/ the low end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy3kQZTwwr0

The Heat Index @ Aggiefest

2011-09-20T21:44:00.003-05:00

Our friends, The Heat Index, will be playing two shows Friday for Manhattan's annual music festival, "Aggiefest."

They are playing at 6 pm in Triangle Park, and at 10 pm in the Dusty Bookshelf.

Check out their music here: http://www.last.fm/music/The+Heat+Index

(Also, Dan wrote a review for their latest EP here: http://blog.thehypeweekly.com/2011/09/01/the-vasty-deep-new-songs-by-the-heat-index/)

Song Obession: LCD Soundsystem -- All My Friends

2011-09-18T22:37:00.004-05:00

Never gave this song much of a chance when I first started listening to Sound of Silver but it's definitely a gem. Love it. -- Plus, I found this sweet shot-for-shot lego video.

Indian Uprising -- Navajo Rug

2011-09-08T17:31:00.001-05:00

Shit's been getting real in the DBH basement.

We've got two more songs to add to the Fake Natives songlist -- "Indian Uprising" and "Navajo Rug"

Getting really excited about the project. Recording starts pretty soon.

Here's a random old demo for you --

Hills Like White Elephants (Sketch/Demo) by thelowendmusic

"Fake Natives" -- working on it

2011-08-23T22:18:00.005-05:00

We've been working on arranging and layering the 10 songs that'll be on our upcoming release, "Fake Natives." It's been a tough couple of weeks as far as getting these songs to live-show-quality, but the last few practices have been going well. We've outlined the skeletons (guitar, bass, drums) of 5 out of the 10 songs. The sounds are fairly different from the "¡Rerevolution!" EP, but I think we're going to have a more cohesive feel to this one. You can expect more of a layered, psychedelic sound combined with catchy, poppy hooks. The songs are predominately about Native American culture and history, but they also discuss some more general topics, too. Here's the track listing (not in order):

Geronimo!

Fake Natives

Coyote Jane

Settlers

Antelope

Not India

Chief Among Them

Not Mad, Nomad

White Wipe Out

Age of the Jaguwar

We'll be playing some of these songs at our shows this fall, and we are going to get in the studio once we are happy with their arrangements. We're playing to have this project finished by the end of October. Here is one of our early sketches from this group of songs:

(Things will definitely change in this song ... more parts, more verses, different beats, but you can get a feel for what we are going for.)

Settler (Sketch/Demo) by thelowendmusic

P.S. -- We're playing The Little Apple Oktoberfest this year. It's scheduled for October 15th outside of Manhattan on Highway 24. There's going to be a ton of Tallgrass brew for you to drink. Get "early bird" tickets here:

http://www.littleappleoktoberfest.com/

(more shows to come)

'supdate.

2011-07-13T21:03:00.003-05:00

yo, doods.

tle won't be doing to much giggin in the next couple months, but we're gonna try to get a short release to y'all before the cool weather comes.

we will also be hosting a myriad of shows at the dead birdhouse in august and september. check the dbh tab soon for more info on those!

best coast doin' some beach boys. enjoy your summer!

Day 15: Tulsafied, and it is finished

2011-06-30T08:47:00.006-05:00

Ryan and I were tied. Going into the last match, we both leaned over the controllers, hoping to annihilate each other on the screen before us. The Soundpony was fitted with many classic arcade games, Streetfighter II chief among them. As we began the last bout, Kristin came over and told us it was time to play. We sadly called it a draw and worked our way to the front of the bar.

Aside from the video games, the Soundpony, in Tulsa, is covered in bike paraphernalia. Handlebars function as the footrests at the bar. Full bicycles hang from the ceiling. Repurposed seats, complete with chains and pedals, function as barstools. Prior to playing, I had sat there and read the last of Midnight's Children while Mark frantically searched for a place to shower (his girlfriend would be there later that night). The bartender kindly gave me a few free beers while I read. When Mark came, sadly unshowered, the bartender charged him for his beer, which made me snicker.

We set up to play in front of a lit-up aluminum volcano left over from a dancey-pop group a few nights before. Given our days of rest, our set was a little rusty, but we had fun regardless. Some family and friends from Kansas kindly drove out to the show. Afterwards, a young couple asked to have their picture taken with me, which was puzzlingly sweet. Slothpop, a band from Indianapolis who had previously graced the Dead Birdhouse, joined us on the bill for the night, playing pop more worthy of a jaguar or a falcon than a sloth (and by that I mean they are wonderful). Dan Snodgrass (see "Indian Apple Us") was accompanying them on the road, playing some acoustic sets scattered throughout the U.S. (but most certainly not functioning as their "merch-boy," he joked to me).

Packing our gear into the car, some of us were tired, looking forward to getting some sleep and heading home. As for me, I would have been fine doing it all again. If I had my druthers, we would head out west, maybe to Denver and a few other cities, before reaching California. Maybe next tour we will do just that.

We waited around to be paid out by the bartenders, who claimed they were pleasantly surprised by our performances. After talking with the Slothpoppers for a while, we set off, van and station wagon, northward to Kansas.

Dan/ the low end

Final P.S.

Thanks to everyone who made touring possible, from bands and venues to friends and hosts. I had the time of my life, and I am intensely grateful.

Days 12-14: NOLAxing

2011-06-30T08:13:00.012-05:00

After our first night in New Orleans, we remained in the city for a few days. Ryan, on the night of the show at the All-Ways, flew back to Kansas to support his girlfriend through a family crisis. While we wound up canceling our two Texas dates, we stayed in New Orleans for a total three days, hanging out with our friend Nick Istas and exploring the town.

Here are the highlights:

Dancing to the Stooges, a brass band, at the Hi-Ho. Also, hearing a more traditional jazz band the night before (John spotted an actor from Treme and the Wire at the gig).
Nick sharing his account of working as an extra in the upcoming Twilight film, as well as his double work for Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Singing with some of Nick's cousin's friends in the apartment where we stayed.
Making breakfast. John and Kristin are gastronomic victors.
Seeing some sweet street art. (See Figure 1.)
Dining like a family at a restaurant whose tag-line stated, "Ladies invited." (See Figure 2.)

Figure 1

Figure 2

Peace,

Dan/ the low end

P.S.

Thanks to Nick, Nathan, and Becca for allowing us to crash on their living room floor. Also, we send our love to the Flynn family.

Day 11: NOLA Haiku

2011-06-24T13:18:00.000-05:00

New Orleans is sweet.

Toast Beards and Jonesbirds rock hard.

Bounce with Nick Istas?

Day 10: Memphisted

2011-06-24T11:40:00.013-05:00

Our Memphis Show at the Hi-Tone Lounge could have been awful. Spending time in the southern heat (or at our un-air-conditioned venue) meant your tight (rockstar) jeans would fuse to the lower half of your body, we weren't exactly sure whose floor we'd be able to stay on that night, and I, personally, didn't know how an audience used to world-class blues, country, and classic rock would take our songs referencing rollerblading in short-shorts and Fidel Castro. However, after arriving at the venue, the Tour Gods sent down four consecutive positive signs:

1) Dick Dale, surf-guitar legend, was listed just below us on the marquee.

2) Free PBR for band members

3) An in-house meal for band members (which ended up being delicious veggie pizza)

4) Memphis Zoo located across the street from the venue

Having some extra leisure time before we had to sound check, we walked through the park that bordered the zoo. The rad poster of a polar bear giving a small child a high five only made us more excited. However, upon arriving we found out that it was 15 minutes past closing time. Not allowing this to stop them from getting their exotic animal fix, Dan and Ryan smoothly walked through the zoo's exit gate as a paying, Southern family left. Being too timid to slide through the gates as families exited, Kristin, Mark, and I were left behind to inspect the zoo's pseudo-Egyptian animal sculptures, which turned out to be pretty fun to climb on despite the disclaimer not to do so. After 30 minutes, the two delinquents came back bragging of Komodo Dragons, Pumas (not the shoes), and the famed Memphis Ligers. Ryan and Dan confirmed that Liger's lazer shooting capabilities were a myth, but they said that the animals presence gave them a really powerful and positive feeling. It was going to be a quality show.

Local folk-rock act, The Sultana, started the music off with some tight arrangements that included multiple people on percussion, a banjo, and a cello. I particularly liked one of their songs that had a fun spaghetti-western style to it. The growing crowd seemed really receptive.

We played second without many hitches. Accustomed to DIY shows where we have to set everything up ourselves, it was nice having monitors and a sound engineer to help mix and get good-sounding levels throughout the show.

Star & Micey, a band we hosted earlier this year at the Dead Birdhouse, closed out the night. They hadn't played as a full band for over 6 months and did a really nice job of channelling their excitement throughout their set. Their accordion player had some great moves and took off his shirt halfway through the set. Most of the people at the Hi-Tone including one of the band's biggest fans, a jovial southern gentleman named Pappy O'Daniels, were stomping, clapping, and having drunken, good time by the end of their set. Success.

Other highlights from the night included:

1) having bawdy conversations about the logistics of peeing in your own mouth

2) getting a CD purchase out of a woman, who was making eyes at Mark

3) a homeless saying to me: "You look like Ronald McDonald, no a McChicken…no wait…a quarter pounder with cheese."

4) an outrageously drunk representative for Sirius Satellite Radio who jokingly insisted that we were awful and then later said that we weren't actually "too bad."

Mad thanks to Nick for putting us up for the night!

John // The Low End

Day 9: Murfreesboro

2011-06-22T16:53:00.006-05:00

Five things we did in Murphreesboro, TN:

bought gas at $3.23/galloon
played at House Pride, a venue/collective in town
held an adorable calico kitten while grilling hotdogs in the driveway of the aforementioned house
learned of the best place to get quick tacos in Nashville, TN (San Antonio's Taco Company, which we confirmed the following day)
received a donation of a complete set of state quarters and additional change (totaling at $35) while selling over $1oo in merch to seven people

Note:

While we prepared to play, Ryan received word of a crisis in his girlfriend's family. I want to send our love and thoughts to Kaitlyn and the Flynn family.

Day 8: Balloonington

2011-06-22T15:03:00.012-05:00

The girl in the coffee-shop painted two large fronds on John's cheeks. Ryan received the marks of a Maori warrior. Kristin's face became covered in whimsical swirls. I took some dreamlike spirals to the chin and forehead. Ryan painted Mike (I mean, Mark) later.

We were waiting around at Rachel's café in Bloomington, Indiana, where we would be playing. While each of us received our markings, a lionlike young man started dancing around us, sometimes pretending to fight, sometimes attempting to massage our shoulders. "Is he drunk? High? Mentally deranged?" Ryan asked me. I shrugged.

Davy Long and David James (of Calumet Reel) arrived as we started unloading our gear. Davy and his crew (which I call the Mysterions) played a toned-down set. We played afterwards, followed by Ed Tom and Tuba. The facepainter and the crazy man danced vigorously throughout all three sets.

Later, David arranged for us to play an impromptu house show in town, making for the second gig of the day. Oddly enough, the party was themed around cowboys and Indians. Since we had our faces freshly painted and had a new song titled "Fake Natives" practiced for the tour, we were more than prepared to play there. (John and Kristin wore Cowboy Indian Bear shirts as well, making for more overwhelming coincidence.)

The porch to the house was covered with a mix of hip young folk and bros (reminiscent of Lawrence, Kansas peoples) dressed as either cowpersons or Native Americans. We loaded in through the basement after mingling. A garage-punk band, dressed in suits and ties, played before us. By the time we began our set, much of the crowd was trashed, and therefore receptive to anything loud. As we played, many of them began underdressing and rubbing their bodies together. When the last hip hop act performed, they were ready to procreate in our midst.

Later, on the porch, I spoke with a Kurt Vile lookalike. When I asked him what he had been listening to, he responded, "Kurt Vile, and this band War on Drugs, which Kurt Vile plays guitar in." He then showed me pictures of his Triumph motorcycle and clips from his videoblog/show (quite good).

After we left the party around 3:00, David played us some of his demos of the upcoming Calumet Reel album (impressive songs, recorded almost entirely live, sounding like a mix of the Band and Fleet Foxes). We proceeded to pass out on his couches.

Peace,

Dan/the low end

P.S.

Thanks to David James for the couches and gin & tonics. Also, thanks to my grandparents for the meal and the haircut.

Day 7: Cincinnati (Golden Hound and a Tommy Gun)

2011-06-22T14:18:00.011-05:00

A gold dog stepped by my head as I woke up. We stayed the night in the house of Maggie Gard (the badass pipes of the Bears the of Blue River). She and her roommate made us breakfast while we played with Charlie (the previously-mentioned golden hound) and fired squirt guns into their garden.

Shortly after breakfast, we drove to the Indianapolis Art Museum. After making our way through a European modern exhibit, I wandered through imperial Chinese art displays. Later, I walked around the contemporary art with John and Kristin, who provided some interesting insights, especially concerning Denmark and design.

Cincinnati and Newport were only a short drive from Indianapolis. At my Uncle Dan's house in Kentucky, we dined with some of my immediate and extended family. Around the corner loomed the Southgate House, where we would be playing later.

The Southgate House was the birthplace of the inventor of the tommygun. On any given night, the place hosts up to three shows. With the help of my kid brother and his friend (of the Varner family who kindly made the trip from Muncie to see the show), we loaded our gear up the steep steps to play in the parlor. While we waited for the other bands, John and I chatted with the legendary Steve Varner (whose mustache puts mine to absolute shame) about a blues venue in Indiana funded by lottery winnings. I later learned that, while we were talking, Kristin, Ryan, and Mark were a few blocks away, watching a street magician who took a ten-dollar bill from Ryan and pulled it from a lime.

Toboggan Race started things off with an energized set of Oh Sees-esque garage tunes (with sweet licks, I might add). We played shortly thereafter. Both my mother and my father were raised in Cincinnati; roughly 30 or 40 of my relatives, ranging from cousins to great-aunts and uncles, came out to the show. We played to a mix of family and some of the other bands' fans. I was touched by the turnout, and we had a blast playing in the crowded parlor. Animal Circles followed with some wild surf rock tunes. After the Animal Circles' set, I spoke with my cousin Kevin about music for a little while (he used to be involved in the Cinti music scene; he gave me burned copies of O.K. Computer, Jeff Buckley, Jellyfish, and XTC albums to listen to for the first time when I was twelve).

After re-loading, we retreated to my Aunt Kate's apartment, where we stayed up until four engaged in a semantic debate.

Peace,

Dan/the low end

P.S.

Thanks to all the friends and family who came out to the SGH show. Also, thanks to Maggie Gard, Uncle Dan, and Aunt Kate for their wonderful hospitalities. Much love to all the friends and family who came to the show; I really appreciate the support.

Day 6: Indian Apple Us

2011-06-22T14:15:00.013-05:00

"Yeah, this is more expensive than we thought, so we're just gonna leave," John told the waiter of the Turkish restaurant as he brought us our waters. He looked disappointed as we walked away.

We found a taqueria named “TEX-MEX” and stepped inside. The building was half-convenience store, half restaurant. John, Ryan and I ate our tacos while watching a telenovela and staring at soccer posters. I paid out of a Hello Kitty lunchbox full of change which my girlfriend gave to me prior to our departure.

We pulled back into the parking lot of the Indy Jukebox. Two hours before, we had arrived after a long drive from Chicago. We met Dan Snodgrass (of the Bonesetters) and looked around the basement-bar, which was covered in posterized Rolling Stone magazine covers featuring Van Halen and Nirvana. While John, Kristin, and I made conversation, Ryan and Mark scaled the upper and outer wall of the building and snuck in an open window to check out the interior. They said it was awesome.

Songwriter Ryan P(R)uett started things off. We played between Davy Long and the Bonesetters, who both put on great shows beneath Saturday-Night-Fever disco lights. I was surpised to see friends from high school and grade school who made the trip from Muncie to Indianapolis.

Between songs of the Bonesetters' set, I made conversation with a guy I vaguely recognized. As we chatted, I remembered him from Muncie. He had played in a few bands I had known including the Bonesetters. We actually went to the same Catholic grade school back in the day.

Afterwards, we loaded our gear near the van. Mark, who had the keys, was nowhere to be found. We discovered his bag lying by the bushes. Twenty minutes later, he emerged again from the building. I can only guess what he was doing.

Peace,

Dan/ the low end

Much love to the Bonesetters, Ryan Puett, and Davy Long for playing. Also, thanks to Courtland, Jill, Logan, Danner, Rachel, and Brianna for making the trip to the Jukebox.

Day 5: Chicagoing, Pt 2

2011-06-18T13:52:00.018-05:00

Day two of Chicago, I headed downtown to attend a design conference called NeoCon. The website explains it as:

"NeoCon will furnish your mind with the power of design - three days of pure energy, new thinking, new resources, and bursting with new products. Discover thousands of innovative products and resources for corporate, hospitality, healthcare, retail, government, institutional and residential interiors from more than 700 showrooms and exhibitors."

I met a few classmates of mine there who had driven up from Kansas just for the conference. They had already attended the previous two days of festivities, so they were well-traveled in the 11 floors of exhibitions. We saw a variety of exhibits, got sufficient amounts of free totes, literature and food, and after four hours decided to make our way outside for some cupcakes.

I made my way to meet the rest of The Low End at Shannon's for a lasagna feast. Afterwards we trekked on to the venue, The Whistler. After setting up, sound checking and trying the "band cocktail" we made our way to the back patio where I made a bet with Mark that he couldn't go 24 hours without smoking a cigarette.

We played our set and mingled with the crowd afterwards while The Minneapolis Henrys played. Later we made our way to our temporary beds and finished out our last day in Chicago.

Thanks to the people at the Whistler for letting us play, and Shannon Wilson and Nick Ryan for hosting us!

Kristin // The Low End

Day 4: Chicagoing, pt. 1

2011-06-15T17:31:00.009-05:00

We were 30 minutes late to the Double Door. Mark pulled the van into the loading area in the back while the rest of us checked into the venue and loaded our gear.

With our gear loaded in, a Double Door employee came to check IDs. While no one checked mine, Ryan, our only member under 21, was sniped by the door lady. He was ordered to stay in the area specifically designated for bands and underage folk. His hands were marked with bold "X"s. They made him wear bright orange wristbands on both hands and told him that he had to be escorted to the latrines.

After we checked our sound, the rest of the band stretched their legs in Wicker Park while I stayed behind, sipped a beer, and looked around. I saw a poster that advertised that the Rolling Stones had played there in 1997. A flier for an upcoming show promoted a joined performance from Ray Davies (of the Kinks) and Ron Wood (of the Faces and the Stones). Very cool.

We were scheduled first on a bill of locals and played to a crowd larger than I expected given the venue's size. Gavin and Brian of the Bears of Blue River kindly stopped by to listen. After us, some jam bands from the Chicago suburbs played. "They sound like a Rob Thomas cover band," Ryan remarked before we departed.

I left with Gavin and his comrades to get a few drinks. His friend Jason, who also works at the Double Door, got his hands on a Four Loco for the first time (which tasted like cough syrup). We sat around with a large black lab/pit bull mix before I returned to the band, who had found reportedly delicious tacos in my absence.

Peace,

Dan/ the low end

Thanks to Nick Ryan and Shannon Wilson for letting us crash at their places. Pic courtesy of Gavin Wilkinson.

Day 3: Fairfield

2011-06-15T17:25:00.012-05:00

Fairfield, Iowa was amazing and bizarre. The pictures can convey what happened better than anything I can type. However, I will summarize it in bullet-points:

-trying on clothes at the Wal-Mart in Oskaloosa, Iowa (which shares a name with Kristin's hometown in Kansas)
-visiting the house that was featured in "American Gothic" by Grant Wood
-cooking hobo-style hotdogs in a trashcan lid
-playing at the Beauty Shop
-hearing civic theater performers sing a cappella tunes from Jesus Christ Superstar in a hokey bar
-John and Mark making out in a crazy rap video

Day 2: Fun and gAmes

2011-06-13T16:49:00.008-05:00

I awoke to find a Moses-like man grabbing a bundle of floor tiles beside the couch where I was sleeping. We had crashed at the house of our friend Michael Hackerott in Blair, Nebraska. Once everyone was awake, Michael's parents kindly served us breakfast. We were nearly full after pancakes and eggs were brought out; then, we were served polish sausage (which Hackerott's dad really dug), followed by a heaping plate of steaks. I sipped from a Spock glass when Hackerott's uncle, the bearded man seen earlier, joined us at the table.

"Are you related to anyone famous?" Ryan asked him randomly.
Uncle Dan proceeded to explain at length how his family was distantly related to Benjamin Franklin. We left shortly thereafter.

***

Ames was deserted when we arrived. We found a coffee shop that had fascistly bolted shut all of their outlets to prevent lingering. Inside, we spotted a ground squirrel edging along the wall, apparently searching for outlets. Ryan chased him out while we ordered coffees and found seats.

After looking for a place to buy some beer while Ryan pooped at the conspicuously named "Kum and Go" quick-shop, we headed to "The Space." We were booked to play between sections of an open-mic night. For a Sunday night, an open mic at least guaranteed a crowd on what could otherwise be a dead night.

A young man in a Blink 182 shirt let us in the building, where we unloaded while other acts and listeners arrived. Nate, the guy who booked us for the night, arrived a little later to set up sound. Once the mics and PA were ready, he started things off with a beautiful song that we later learned he wrote himself.

After we played, Kristin joined Nate (who also plays trumpet), a drummer, and a bearded man operating a synth setup, and played a dynamic, improvised jam without any particular key. Nate leapt around the stage like a wilder/cooler Peter Pan, alternatively blasting his trumpet, banging a drum, or slapping some wind-chimes.

When I stepped out to load in the last of our gear, a large man with John Lennon spectacles and a tie-dye shirt approached me. He bought two CDs and we made conversation.

"We're part of the burgeoning Pagan folk seen. I'm also in a sci-fi band that plays exclusively at comic book conventions. I would have stepped inside to hear y'all, but my ears ring. I had to listen from the doorway."

Ryan and I went on a brief walk before returning to hear a guitarist shred over funky beats and loops.

We left with the young man in the Blink 182 shirt and crashed at his apartment, where we lied in a row on his floor in near Lincoln-log style.

Dan/ the low end

P.S.
Thanks to both David and the Hackerotts for housing us. Also, thanks to Nate of the Ames Progressive for letting us play.

Day 1: Omahaha

2011-06-12T17:49:00.018-05:00

"You want to shoot me?" the man asked Kristin while she, Mark, and I waited outside of the café in Omaha where Ryan and John were buying coffee.

"With a gun?" she asked innocently.

"No, with that camera."

"Okay, sure." She took a photo of the man, whose shirt read "I'm too sexy for my hair, that's how come it isn't there." He proceeded to cross the street, walking through oncoming traffic, to flag down a city bus.

We had just arrived in Omaha for the first date of the tour. Last time we played in Omaha, we received a hate letter from a would-be music critic who analyzed my banter, deeming us irrelevant to the human condition. This time we were scheduled to play with Ted Stevens, formerly of Cursive, and Gus and Call, formerly of Bear Country, at Barley Street Tavern.

After witnessing the man that was too sexy for his hair nearly die, we stopped by a store called Grampy's Curious Goods to curiously inspect some goods. They were unfortunately closed, leaving us to gawk at exotic shoe-horns in the window display. Walking back, we came upon a handwritten sign advertising a sale two blocks down that included "man stuff." We left that side of the city and stopped by a downtown arts fair, where Mark lost ten bucks but gained a hat at the lottery tent while the rest of us watched Native-American-progressive-rock-band performance.

The show went smoothly. After we played our set, Gus and Call wowed the full bar with some tight arrangements and harmonies, as well as a two-song finale with the leader of McCarthy Trenching. Their take of Bob Dylan's "Tonight I'll Be Standing Here With You" had the crowd clapping along.

As Ryan and I approached the van out back to pack up the rest of our gear, we saw a girl urinating behind the building. When she saw us, she nonchalantly waved and said "Hey," before returning to her business against the cinderblock and remaining there to rest while we turned our heads and waited for directions.

Whether or not we are still irrelevant to the human condition is still open to debate but we had a great time, without hate-mail. We probably should have checked out that man-stuff, though.

Dan/the low end

P.S.

Thanks to Gus and Call for setting up a show for us (and Ted Stevens for playing as well).

Also, thanks to the Hackerott family for their hospitality.

Pics by Kristin:

The Low End Gets High

2011-06-05T14:46:00.031-05:00

Each member of the band stepped off of the forklift and onto the platform. From there, we could see over the 20 ft. fence and look down at the artificial waterfall, the saltwater swimming pool, and the Ellsworth-county crowd below. We turned on our amps and PA and waited to play the first of what we thought would be two sets that night.

When Ryan (talldrums), John (bassbeard), and I arrived earlier to unload our gear, our host, an inventor who had designed and developed the premier cattle-run gate on the market (so I was told by at least five concert-goers), led us to the twin scissor-lifts that would hold us during the three sets we would play later that night. I gawked. Ryan grinned. John giggled slightly.

The sun-burned inventor walked us around the platform, which at this point only stood about eight feet off the ground. He explained the design. His crew had strategically tack-welded the platform to be taken down immediately after the set and turned into cattle-gates. We were not as assured by this as he expected, but he continued.

"So, when we get this thing started," the inventor told us, "you'll crouch down as the platform is slowly raised flush with the fence. Then, you'll start playing." We exchanged glances while he reached into his pocket, removing a koozie. I looked at the foam beer-can cover. Five stick figures hovered above the image of a fence. Two played guitars; one held a trumpet. The stick figure playing drums looked suspiciously like Ryan. While the doodle at the microphone had no mustache, I could only assume it was supposed to be me. The caption read, "On the wrong side of the fence." Beneath the fence was our band's name in a blazing race-car font.

Mark (guitarpumas), Kristin (trumpetechture), and our friend Meagan pulled up. I watched their faces (mild terror mixed with amusement) as they realized what the platform was for.

We unloaded our gear onto a forklift, then climbed a ladder and set up our PA, drums, and amps. The top was stable enough to support the hundreds of pounds of gear, but the sheet metal worked like a weak trampoline: a few steps in the middle sent the mics and speakers shivering at the corners. We set up regardless, realizing that if our amps were to break due to a technical difficulty, this was the place to do it.

After the gear was fixed (almost) firmly in place, the inventor gave us a tour while his family and various employees set up large cases of beer and bowls of snacks for the party. Last year, our host's family donated funds for our tour on our Kickstarter fund, where we promised a house show for donations of over $100. This concert would be a gesture in gratitude for his help. He had invited over 50 of his friends to listen to a dangerously-elevated band and hang out at the pool.

As we followed our host, I overheard a song presumably titled, "John Wayne, Johnny Cash, John Deere," projected through a set of acoustically optimal speakers positioned around the pool. Given our stylistic differences from the music being played, I was a little nervous about how we would go over.

A television screen played through a television screen-sized window into the garage. A counter sat lined with Crown Royal Reserve and Whoopee pies. We passed a table covered in large sandwiches and a 40 x 60 poster of our band taken from a facebook photo from last year's tour.

While we waited for the party to start, I grabbed a beer from a burly, tattooed man in a gazebo. He finished a push-up before asking for my ID and granting me one of his secured Bud Lights. If I had less self-respect, I would have pointed to the stick figure on the koozie.

I sipped my beer, talked to my girlfriend Amy, and met some of the early arrivals. Ryan, John, and Mark (guitar/pumas) were all conceived, born, and raised in Ellsworth County; many of their family friends came to the show. One kindly man told me that there would be at least ten millionaires there, and that they probably wouldn't look like millionaires. I nodded and thanked him for the information. I later learned that he was a millionaire.

We prepared to play and were introduced to our tech assistants. Blaze, the inventor's congenial son, Billy Ray (a large man from Detroit obviously named after the timeless country/pop icon), and Gustavo (a Brazilian cowboy) were to manage our rise and fall. We discussed hand signals, set length, use of the fog machine, and the management of the forty-foot light structure positioned on the other side of the house. After a few minutes of conversation, we were told to play. The band gathered on the forklift and gave Billy Ray the signal.

***

Our plan was to vamp a chord as the platform was raised and then start our first song once we were level with the fence. Ryan clicked us in, and we vamped. After inching a few feet skyward, the platform halted halfway through its ascent, leaving us only halfway above the fence. We played the first song anyway and without issue, given the altitude and bounce of the stage.

After the first song, we were told to step off. Our combined weight, with that of all our gear and the platform itself, was too much for the scissor-lifts. We walked onto the forklift and waited. They planned to lower the platform and re-raise it. Gustavo and Blaze each pulled a lever.

The reverb tanks in the guitar amps and the Bronze Age mixer made an otherworldly noise as the entirety of our gear ended a sudden three-foot drop. The band gave a collective sigh. Gustavo, Blaze, and Billy Ray tried again and smoothly raised the platform to its desired height.

We played the rest of our set without incident (and with significantly less movement on stage than usual). We had practiced for a few long sessions earlier in the week which helped us cope with the altitude lateral movement of our performance space. The crowd below, however, was sedate, not knowing what to make of the band playing 20 feet above them.

In the second set we reached our groove, and, at our host's request, later played a third set of less-practiced material for our increasingly intoxicated crowd. Being an increasingly intoxicated band aided this. During our second song of this last set, Amy bravely leapt into the pool. Blaze shortly followed (though I thought he was operating the lift), and subsequently ushered in hours of pool-partying. During this song, a dozen more partygoers cannonballed and corkscrewed into the water.

At this point, the crowd was loose and began partying in earnest. The pool filled as we closed our set. John's dad leapt into the pool with all of his clothes on. A young couple slow danced near the back of the deck. Some old-timers swayed on the slower numbers. A very drunk man with a handlebar mustache and a mandolin strummed along on the deck below.

We came down from the forklift and joined in the pool party. The Ellsworth faction of the band seemed happy with the performance. As I paddled around the pool, I was given high-fives from some of the younger folk who complimented the music as well as my mustache. I felt I was either in high school or a Jimmy Buffet music video as friends and strangers dunked each other around me. We left our gear waiting on the platform above as we swam and floated across the pool.

-Dan/the low end

P.S.

We give our gratitude to the Mollhagen family for their support. Also, many thanks to the Manes family for hosting us during our stay in Ellsworth County (Clay, I'm sorry I didn't take you up on the leg-wrestling). Pics courtesy of Amy Cain.

Also, our tour shall be launched this Friday, beginning with a show at Auntie Mae's with Paleo. The new EP and shirts will be available. We want some of your love.

TOUR! THYME!

2011-05-25T20:27:00.002-05:00

Friday // June 10
Auntie Maes in Manhattan, KS
w/ Paleo

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=214184031947835

Saturday // June 11
Barley Street Tavern in Omaha, NE
w/ Gus & Call and Ted Stevens

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148177928588731

Sunday // June 12
Ames Progressive in Ames, IA

Monday // June 13
The Beauty Shop in Fairfield, IA
w/ TBA

Tuesday // June 14
The Double Door in Chicago, IL
w/ Burrows 4, The Raj, and Groove or Die

Wednesday // June 15
The Whistler in Chicago, IL
w/ The Minneapolis Henrys

Thursday // June 16
Indy's Jukebox in Indianapolis, IN
w/ The Bonesetters, Davy Long, and Ryan Pruett

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=219997154684718

Friday // June 17
Southgate House in Newport, KY
w/ Animal Circles and Toboggan Race

Satuday // June 18
House Show in Bloomington, IN
w/ The Bonesetters and Davy Long

Sunday // June 19
House Pride in Murfreesboro, TN
w/ Davy Long and TBA

Monday // June 20
The Hi-Tone in Memphis, TN
w/ Star & Micey and Sultana

Tuesday // June 21
The All-Ways Lounge in New Orleans, LA
w/ Toast Beards and TBA

Thursday // June 23
Stafford Main Street in Bryan, TX
w/ The Ex-Optimists and TBA

Friday // June 24
House Show in Dentont, TX
w/ TBA

Satuday // June 25
Soundpony in Tulsa, OK
w/ Slothpop

¡Rerevolution! EP

2011-05-24T19:38:00.006-05:00

We've been working on some songs. Here's a track entitled "Child of the '90s" from our upcoming ¡Rerevolution! EP. Hope you dig. We'll be selling physical copies on our upcoming tour which begins on June 10th at Auntie Mae's in Manhattan.

Child of the '90s by thelowendmusic

Covers

2011-05-08T18:09:00.009-05:00

Last Friday afternoon, I sat on the grass outside of the Beach Art Museum, listening to the band that was scheduled to play before us at a benefit show. After a Weezer cover with a rather interpretative djimbe part, one of their four rhythm guitarists stepped up to the mic. She wore a tiara, which she adjusted before singing the radio-edit of Ceelo Green's “Fuck You,” complete with censored “shhhts” and “forget-yous.” Upon hearing the song for the first time, I remember sincerely wishing that a Caucasian female would provide a more child-friendly version. At last, I was satisfied.

The Low End is not keen on covers. That is not to say that we dislike them. I am always up for a great Dylan classic, or a reinterpretation of some electronic jam. I've heard some good ones. Personal Dead-Birdhouse picks include The Bears of Blue River's take on “Dead Skunk” by Loudon Wainwright III, and Dastardly's “The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan. Local act Shaq Panther also does a wonderful version of “Cut Your Hair.” However, I do not possess Jeff Buckley's voice or Duane Allman's chops. The Low End leaves the covers to others.

And there were plenty of others. The band, who was playing their first show, played “Margaritaville,” complete with shout-outs to Kim and Kevin (“Wastin' away down in Aggieville.../some people say that Kevin is to blame/ but I know/ it's Kimberly's fault”), who I presume were in the audience. But that is understandable for a band starting out, I guess.

I sat with a kid from the local high school who was wearing our band's shirt. He surprised me with his knowledge of bands; he mentioned that he had been listening to the new tUnE-YaRdS album and one-upped me on his appreciation of R.E.M.'s “Murmur” and “Reckoning.” I quickly realized that this guy was a lot cooler than me when I was in high school (which, in retrospect, isn't saying much; see “Bleached Hair w/ Leisure Suit”). He was not pleased with the four synched-up rhythm guitars, nor with the covers.

We had long backlined our gear at this point. The band playing after us shared their ample speakers and monitors, which saved a lot of work on our part. They treated us pretty well and even recorded our live set, which was incredibly friendly. The gear and sound quality were great; we were a little phased by the awkwardness of filling more than ten square feet (our usual setup) and being visible in daylight (which we typically avoid, as a rule). Nevertheless, we had fun and played for some folk who don't regularly visit the dank DBH.

But for those who thirsted for songs they actually knew, respite would soon come. The band after us offered a variety of canonical tunes, including some Eve 6 (ah, middle school), Third Eye Blind (classic?) and the ubiquitous “Friday” by Rebecca Black (oh). Sorority girls swooned at the sight of the singer's white pants. I waited to snatch the last of our gear off stage and thank the band for letting us use their PA.

By the end of the night, after the rest of the band, my girlfriend, and her Doberman puppy (Santiago) had long abandoned me, a kid who had won a portrait of a clown approached me. "Give me one second," he told me before chasing his friend around my van with the framed painting. “You want this?” he asked unnecessarily.

I obviously took it home.

Dan/The Low End

P.S.

Here are some more pics from the show:

Courthouse Blues

2011-05-06T22:39:00.006-05:00

Earlier this week, John (the one who still has a beard, but does not look as much like an Aryan Jesus anymore) and I found ourselves in court. We arrived at 8:00 in the morning, edging our way towards the front of the line outside of the Manhattan courthouse. Once inside, we showed the notaries our yellow slips at the front desk and were directed into the courtroom.

A few months ago, a neighbor wrote us a letter. He said, “Among the litany of strangeness—including gunshots, drug busts, and fistfights on the front lawn—perhaps no tenants have shown as much disrespect as The Low End.” He continues with brilliant insights into our music, which he could hear clearly through the foot-thick stone walls. “Your music possesses a sort of derivative boredom and lack of inspiration that indicate a lack of creativity. I don't mean to be a bitter old man, I am just trying to be helpful.” Very helpful. He continues, “I know this won't change anything; I just thought I'd let you know.” He signs it with a name that can't be found in the phone book or on Google (not that we tried...). He unwittingly wrote us our first piece of U.S.-postal-service-delivered hate mail. Gratzi.

In the past few months we have received a ridiculous number of complaints from an anonymous caller (The hate mailer? An agoraphobic fan of Engelbert Humperdinck? Sean Connery/Forester?). This caller happened to get phone-happy during a practice for last week's show (see the previous entry). The cops, who realized after the second-dozenth noise complaint that this was not a one-time offense, wrote us up. "Great music, though. We couldn't tell if it was the stereo or a band." Most stereos don't stop to debate the inclusion of maraca in their mixes, but we took the half-assed complement and the court slips. "Now, you'll have to talk to a judge, and he'll figure out a fine or something. Might even let you off." He made it sound like a friendly conversation, maybe over a couple glasses of Arnold Palmer and Nilla wafers.

So, ten days later John and I waited in the courtroom. The man two rows in front of us wore enormous jeans with dragons sewn into them. A tattoo on the back of his neck read "Nora" in exquisite cursive. I must proudly add that his mustache was a few weeks behind mine. Seeing Nora-neck and looking down at the slacks I nervously picked out the night before, I realized that I might have overdressed. John had it right, wearing a flannel shirt and tennis shoes. Together, we eyed the court procedure form. "So, I guess we have to admit guilt, right?" John asked. "Ok, then I guess we tell the judge the 'mitigating circumstances.' Cool." No Arnold Palmers. We were hoping we could pull a Leadbelly and sing a song that would wipe our records clean of iniquity. The form had no such clause.

We sat through the earlier charges. A morbidly obese, red-haired woman was charged with trespassing and driving without a license. A frat boy had a lawyer and negotiated his way out of an underage drinking offense. Nora-neck was facing a jail sentence for driving with a suspended license for the third time. The judge, an elderly man with a combover, was actually pretty friendly. He convinced the trespasser to get a court-appointed lawyer to help her case, rather than plead nolo contendere. He humored some of the less-offensive offenders.

Then, the judge called my name. Now, The Low End knows we are noisy, and we've taken some effort to reduce this. If you've been to any Dead Birdhouse shows in the past few months, you might have notice the bunker-esque window coverings we have installed. You might also have noticed the mattress we shove against the soundhole above the wurlitzer. I summarized our efforts and included our most recent move to the basement (where the original dead bird lived). "I'm glad to hear you've been making adjustments. I'm giving you the $25 standard fine." Thanks, judgie. He wisely assumed that John's charges were under similar circumstances since they were given on the same night; he issued him an equal fine.

We signed some forms and paid our fees at the notary desk. The fine was fine by us. But the court fees made for another $80 each, more than three times the expense of the offense. As we walked out, John waived his yellow court-order form. "Rock 'n' Roll souvenir," he stated triumphantly. We had become midwestern Keith Richards. Outlaws. Rebels. Neighborhood toughs.

Hooray!?

The Low, Low End Seeks Enlightenment

2011-04-23T10:01:00.007-05:00

[Yesterday we played a benefit show in the Union for Safe Zone, a program that fosters counseling for students who have been subjected to homophobia or hate crimes.]

First, John (beard, bass) and I load up 750 lbs of gear into the minivan we've repurposed. We meet a little early to make sure we can set up and play at the Union at 5:00. We have been told that there would be a PA, which means we don't have to lug an additional van-load of cumbersome speakers. When I call Ryan (pretty drummer) to see if he can help, he says he's on his way. When he shows up 40 minutes later, he says, "Oh, I was pooping when you called." Cool. He helps us load the remaining gear and we are "on our way" (but not in the way Ryan uses the phrase, apparently).

We arrive at the Union, park in the bike lane, and hit the hazard lights. When we step down to the courtyard, there is a teeny stage and one lone speaker about the size of a throw-pillow. Needing a bit more volume if anyone wants to hear us, John hunts down the Union sound-guy. John finds him dozing the main office and asks if they have anything else we can use. "It's Friday," he explains. We're not sure if that means the other speakers are in use, or if he means, "It's Friday. You can't expect me to do anything." John tells him we need more volume if anyone in the band (let alone anyone else) is going to be able to hear the vocals. "But it's Friday," he says again, unsure if we understood him the first time. Thanks Rebecca Black.

Soundguy manages to scrounge another speaker. The members of the bands with futures (ie, Mark and Kristin) show up, taking a little time off work and studio to play the show. We plug in the amps, pull out the instruments from their cases, and set up the drums. There are now probably ten people sitting around the courtyard. It is 5:00.

While we begin tuning and checking levels, two men come from the door to the room behind us. One is wearing a red Chiefs T-shirt. The other sports a shirt with a Nehru collar. "Is there an event here?" they ask me. "Yeah, there's a concert," I tell them sheepishly, hoping they could figure that out from the five people with guitars, a keyboard, a full drum kit, bass, four mic-stands, and a glockenspiel. "Well, we have a mediation session going on in the next room," red shirt explains.

It's already 5:20. We let them take their concerns to the event organizer while we stand around feeling like assholes. We learn that they had reserved the adjacent room for group meditation from 5-6, exactly the time we were scheduled to play. Kristin (architecture, trumpet) tells us that when she stepped outside earlier to warm up her instrument, the same two men found her and asked her politely to stop. While the organizers debate, the man in the Nehru collar winces dramatically every time we strike a note or tune a sting. After a few minutes of deliberation, we are told to play anyway. The group nearby will try to "meditate through it," we're told. Good thing we sound like Enya.

We play regardless and have fun. Some kids gather on the second floor of the Union and smile down at us. The crowd is small, but friendly and receptive. We have a good time, despite the irreparable damage to our karma.

We are always baited. We like to think that offered shows are really going to proceed without incident. They say, "Play in Aggieville on an enormous stage, with fireworks! 5,000 people will be there!" We play, 20 of our friends show up, and our guitarist gets accosted by the police for stealing his own equipment. So it goes. It takes some zen.

So, if you happen to have been meditating in the Union yesterday, and you were disturbed by some punk kids' amplified music, I offer my apologies. I will undoubtedly be reincarnated as a stick-bug, or maybe a hamster.

Peace,

Dan/The Low End

P.S.

Thanks to all that came to the Gus & Call/ Star & Micey show last night. Also, thanks to the organizers of Safezone.

GUS & CALL // WALKING OCEANS // STAR & MICEY

2011-04-20T20:49:00.003-05:00

DEAD BIRDHOUSE SHOW WITH

GUS & CALL ...WALKING OCEANS ... STAR & MICEY

COME EARLY! SHOW STARTS AT 8:30 PM!

SAFEZZZZZONE SSSSSHOW!

2011-04-18T16:02:00.002-05:00

SafeZone is a network of faculty and students at K-State, who are trained to help foster a safe and helpful environment for all students. They are trained in how to safely and effectively deal with acts of homophobia, sexual violence, and harassment as well as other hateful or distressing situations.

In honor of this great organization, The Low End will playing some music! Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy some spring weather and have an all-around goooood time!

We'll be playing music from 5-6 pm @ the Leadership Studies Amphitheater, which is just north of the Leadership Studies building.

THINKIN BOUT BRINGING SOME KOOLaid

Playin' with Cowboy Indian Bear @ The Dead Birdhouse on Thursday!

2011-03-27T23:00:00.006-05:00

Friday Night Live @ Transistor

2011-03-14T10:09:00.002-05:00

http://transistorsound.bandcamp.com/

Transistor (a wonderful record store, venue, art gallery, etc in Chicago) released a compilation of artists who played at their space in 2010. You can get "Lower 48" and many other songs by quality artists and bands on the bandcamp site above.

Hope things are goin' well,

TLE

Paleo Show + The Heat Index vs Roark

2011-03-08T14:09:00.005-06:00

Our show w/ Paleo is on Thursday at 8 pm. Y'all should come out to the Dead Birdhouse early. We're trying to get the music started as soon as possible ... I've been listening to this number a lot lately. I like that it is based off such a simple repeating phrase. Some good truth in this:

ALSO -- Our good friends The Heat Index will be creating a lot of good noise in Aggieville on Saturday (3/12) afternoon along with the band Roark in honor of Fake Patty's Day. This is gonna be at our locally owned record store, Sister's of Sound, at 12 noon. (facebook event)

See you soon.

TLE

Dig It: New Kurt Vile Record Streaming on NPR, Paleo, Cowboy Indian Bear

2011-03-04T11:04:00.005-06:00

Hello comrades,

Been listening to Kurt Vile a lot lately. You can get caught in the stream of his album on good ol' NPR:

kurt-vile-smoke-ring-for-my-halo

Come to the Paleo show next Thursday. We will be playing a batch of new songs, and we've soundproofed the Red Room (as to avoid the po-po).

As for other news, Lawrence-gem Cowboy Indian Bear is playing at our place on March 31st. I really enjoy this band. Come out and give them some mandatory love.

www.cowboyindianbear.com

Peace, understanding, stamina, etc.,
Dan/TLE

PALEO + THE LOW END @ THE DEAD BIRDHOUSE

2011-02-27T14:19:00.012-06:00

Hey Hey Hey Howdy Howdy Hey Hey Hey

The Paleo show is next week // Thursday, March 10th. It's gonna start around 8 pm, and we'll play a short opening set.

We're gonna have 3 brand new songs for you: Stone Honey, Hills Like White Elephants, and Flightless Wings

Facebook event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137484849651362

Hope to see you there.

Postmortem: The Replay & Auntie Mae's; & Things to Come

2011-02-13T15:51:00.006-06:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to our shows this weekend at the Replay Lounge and Auntie Mae's. 'Twas our first show at the Replay, and we had a swell time. Our next show isn't until March, when Paleo will be paying us a visit. If you're not familiar with his tunes, investigate here:

paleo

Nowadays, the band is giddily planning our summer tour. We will be spending roughly two weeks on the road this June, and we already have holds for a few scattered dates. If you know anyone in the Middle West who might want to throw together a house show, shoot us an email at thelowendmusic@gmail.com.

This week we will begin recording the Hemingway LP. Yesterday, we bought a glockenspiel at a pawn shop after a solid meal of Mexican food. Both the Mexican cuisine and the glock will serve us well in the recording process....

Peace & love,

Dan/TLE

P.S.

I've been listening to this Sparklehorse song a lot lately. Might as well share it with you:

PALEO at the DEAD BIRDHOUSE

2011-02-10T00:28:00.008-06:00

Hey y'all,

We are proud to announce that Paleo, singer-songwriter based in Iowa City, will be stopping by the Dead Birdhouse on March 10 as he makes his way to SXSW. He's almost always on tour and is always making great new music. Check him out.

More info on this show coming soon!

http://www.paleo.ws/

http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/paleo-let-the-examination-begin-it-could-take-a-year-or-a-life-concert/20030062-110465.html

http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/07/sxsw-2010-paleo/

THE BONESETTERS.

2011-02-08T11:12:00.004-06:00

Hope your great week hasn't been stymied by the snow.

I've been lovin' this band from Muncie, Indiana. The Bonesetters.

Y'all should check them out.

https://www.noisetrade.com/bonesetters

http://www.musicalfamilytree.com/band/bonesetters_the

"Now, Jesus came and he saved the poor / Oh, Jesus came and he saved a whore for me--Oh, Sweet Magdalene."

February Gig Posters

2011-02-05T13:13:00.003-06:00

2011-02-01T22:55:00.004-06:00

We're playin' at the Replay Lounge in Lawrence on the 11th of February w/ Quiet Corral and Heartscape Landbreak.

We're working on getting a couple new songs ready for the show. "Flightless Wings" & "Asymptote"

Things will get started around 10 pm.

Bright Eyes - "The People's Key" -- streamin' on NPR

2011-01-31T22:04:00.004-06:00

Yes, we still like Bright Eyes.

You can hear their new album on NPR now. It comes out for real on Feb 15.

I've given it a couple listens already. The music is tinged with some of the electronic elements on "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn," but retains some of the folk/rock instrumentation. Oberst's lyrics seem more balanced and universal with less angst and blame.

Take a listen if you're interested. It's a good way to spend 45 minutes of your time during the icy/snowy weather.

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/31/133278431/first-listen-bright-eyes-the-peoples-key

The Ghost Parlor w/ Cowboy Indian Bear and Dropjaw -- TONIGHT!

2011-01-27T15:41:00.003-06:00

We're so excited to play with this band! http://cowboyindianbear.virb.com/

DEAD BIRDHOUSE SHOW!

2011-01-26T19:29:00.002-06:00

STATESIDE (SINGLE)

2011-01-19T23:50:00.008-06:00

Lower 48.mp3

Two Moons.mp3

Hey, here are a few new ones from our Stateside Single...

Give 'em a listen.

--TLE

P.S. We're playing at the Granada today at 9 pm (Thursday, 1/21) w/ a few bands from Lawrence. You can buy tickets at the door.

Two Moons (pics courtesy of Wes Landis)

2011-01-07T17:56:00.002-06:00

Show at the Granada in Lawrence

2011-01-05T01:03:00.004-06:00

We've got a show coming up in Lawrence with two really great bands--Quiet Corral and Hidden Pictures. It's at the Granada. It's on Thursday, January 20th. We're not sure of the line-up yet, but we're likely to go first. The doors open at 8 pm. The music will start at 9 pm.

Check out the other bands...

Quiet Corral: http://www.myspace.com/quietcorral

Hidden Pictures: http://www.hiddenpicturesmusic.com/

Get tickets here: http://www.thegranada.com/event/1370/Quiet-Coral/

Thanks.

John / The Low End

NYE in Aggieville

2010-12-28T01:41:00.005-06:00

Hola. The Low End is opening up for "The Ultimate Fakebook" on New Year's Eve in Aggieville (Manhattan, KS). We'll be playing on a stage underneath the Varney's Marquee on Moro Street around 10 pm. Hope to see you all there. We can watch the apple drop together. -- Couple Dead Bird House Shows in January. Check out the "shows" tab.

-- The Low End

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=46952404353&notes_tab=app_2347471856

Talking Mountain Show this Saturday

2010-12-06T10:44:00.003-06:00

This Saturday, Talking Mountain (Omaha, Nebrasky) will be joining us for a Dead Birdhouse show. The Low End will be playin' around nine and should have a new single available (featuring "Lower 48" and "Two Moons"). This will be the last DB show of 2010... come!

Thanks again to all those who came out for the show at the Beach last weekend. We hope to see you soon.

Much obliged,
Dan/TLE

http://www.myspace.com/talkingmountain

Beach Bash!

2010-11-30T15:32:00.002-06:00

BEACH (ART MUSEUM) BASH

on K-STATE CAMPUS

7:30 pm on Friday, Dec 3rd

museum tours, new LED exhibit, free food and drink

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145101248871800

2010-11-24T17:12:00.005-06:00

TALKING MOUNTAIN

W/ THE LOW END

@ the dead birdhouse

(418 N 5th)

dec 11 . 9 pm

suggested donation of $3

[our new single, Lower 48, should be available by this date!]

Inmate Blues

2010-11-15T14:52:00.002-06:00

Here's a video of Inmate Blues that we did with K-State TV live in their studio. Hope you enjoy it!

Single, Etc.

2010-11-14T19:57:00.001-06:00

So, we've pretty much finished recording our A-Side/B-Side single with Lower 48 and Two Moons. The songs should be available for sale within the month. It's getting a little chilly here and tomorrow is my last exam for awhile. Heading to Lawrence tomorrow evening to catch Delta Spirit at the Jackpot with John and Dan. Should be really great for some inspiration not to mention some awesome music. Also, thanks to everyone who came to Auntie Mae's last night to support Dan Valentine and his family. It nice to see things like that in hard times. We're lining up some more shows around the area so keep your ear to the ground.

-Ryan/TLE

Also, check out this version of Bushwick Blues by Delta Spirit. And if you don't own Ode to Sunshine, you should get it.

Wilcat Watch

2010-11-09T19:57:00.003-06:00

Hey - We did a lil' video with K-State TV this past week. It'll be airing on Friday, November 12th at 8 pm on Manhattan Cable Channel 8. It'll play at various other times throughout the next week on the same channel.

See you on Saturday at Auntie Maes? I sure hope so.

2010-10-27T23:48:00.004-05:00

Worked out a couple of new songs that will be going on the upcoming release...

They'll probably be played at our upcoming show at Auntie Mae's on November 13th.

It's a benefit for Dan Valentine. I really hope to see you there. All proceeds will be going towards his daughters education. Things will get going around 5 PM. The bands (The Low End / THE HEAT INDEX!) will be going on around 10 PM.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160334630663470 (FACEBOOK EVENT)

--We might have a couple new recordings for y'all by then too.

peace,

John / The Low End

(listenin' to -->)

photos from the Kathouse (10/13/2010) courtesy of A. Cain:

2010-10-15T13:53:00.008-05:00

Kathouse Show/Scoop

2010-10-12T11:30:00.003-05:00

Salutations,

Thanks to all those who came to our show at City Park on Saturday. We have our last show for over a month this Wednesday at 9:30 in the Kathouse with Eventide and Antennas Up. We've been told they are handing out Kid Cudi tickets there, so come on by.

The Scoop, a new web site dedicated to events in our hometown, just spat some kind words about us:

http://thescoopmanhattan.com/featured/the-low-end-a-few-true-sentences/

Dan/ THE LOW END

2010-10-07T10:30:00.004-05:00

Hey folks,

Recording has been going well. We hope to have a single done in a few weeks and move onto recording our LP.

We'll be playing MoMorial at City Park on Saturday (Oct 9th) at 6:30. Entry is $5 or a bit more for a t-shirt.

Check out the details by following the link below...

www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161699197180928

By the way, Delta Spirit, one of our favorite contemporary bands, is playing at the Jackpot on November 15. Go see em.

http://events.myspace.com/Event/7451825/Delta-Spirit

THE LOW END

New songs coming....

2010-10-04T09:57:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

Thanks to everyone who came out and gave us some love at our show on Saturday at the Dusty Bookshelf.

Tonight is the Bears of Blue River show. I am stoked to witness the Bears in action.... we will try to keep all mauling to a minimum.

Also, this weekend we began working for an upcoming single release of Lower 48/Two Moons. We should have somethin' soon...

Dan/THE LOW END

AGGIEFEST ON SATURDAY

2010-09-30T12:11:00.004-05:00

Hey folks - Manhattan's very own music festival kicks off on Friday night. There'll be a lot of really great bands playing this year. Check it out.

We play on Saturday at 8 PM at the Dusty Bookshelf. Another song from the our upcoming release will be debuted...

Our good friends, The Heat Index, will also performing on Saturday. They'll be at The Loft at 6 PM!

P.S. Don't forget the show on Monday too! The Bears of Blue River are amazing!! 8 PM!

John / The Low End

The Bears Are Coming!

2010-09-28T11:13:00.003-05:00

The Bears of Blue River will be stopping by the Dead Birdhouse this Monday. Come on by for some great music and a little dancin'. We will be playin' around 8:00, and the bears will start around 9:00.

Check 'em out if you haven't:
http://www.myspace.com/thebearsofblueriver

...and download their Daytrotter session:
http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/the-bears-of-blue-river-concert/20031163-3738303.html

2010-09-22T09:12:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out the show Monday night. We had a wonderful time singin' and dancin' along to Arrah and The Ferns. I first heard them when I was sixteen in Muncie, IN, and it meant a lot to me to have them play at our house. If you haven't listened to them yet, do it:
http://www.myspace.com/arrahandtheferns

Peace,
Dan/ THE LOW END

Pictures from the Ghost Parlor, 9/19/2010 by Andy Glaser

2010-09-22T09:07:00.002-05:00

2010-09-18T13:55:00.002-05:00

Our friend Chad Miller drew this up last night in a fit of drunken inspiration. Pretty sweet...

2010-09-08T20:45:00.004-05:00

Howdy -

We've got a herd of shows for y'all coming up.

First of all, we'll be playing at the annual Opus Band Competition that is put on by K-State's UPC and held in the old stadium. We'll only be playing a 15 minute set, but it should be a fun one. We'll start at 6:30 PM.

You'll also have two more chances to hear us within the next couple of weeks. Here's a lil' list...

THE GHOST PARLOR

SEPT 19 at 9PM

w/ WORLD HISTORY

AND NATHAN K

THE DEAD BIRDHOUSE

SEPT 20 at 8PM

w/ ARRAH AND THE FERNS

M0MORIAL

OCT 9 at 5:30PM

w/ CHASE HORSEMAN,

AARON BELL, AND THELMA

AND THEODORE

--OH YEAH, be on the look out for new recordings TOO!!

THE LOW END

SANS-ELECTRICITY.

2010-09-03T00:05:00.003-05:00

We are playing a show at the Dusty Bookshelf on Monday, September 6th w/ Golden Shoulders. The show starts at 8 PM.

Yes, it will be un-electrified, "acoustic," whatevs...We've been rearranging some songs to better fit this type of set. I hope you'll like it.

http://www.goldenshoulders.com/

SHOW UPDATE

2010-08-19T11:08:00.003-05:00

Hola amigos.

We've booked a few shows, and the dates are approaching soon. Hope to see you there. We're trying to add new songs every show we play.

We'll be opening for "The Dead Girls" (Lawrence) and "Kristie Stremel and the 159ers" (KC) at the K-State Student Union on Sunday, August 29th. We're going on around 7 PM. www.myspace.com/deadgirlsruineverything ... 159ers.com/

We're also playing an un-electrified set at the Dusty Bookshelf on Monday, September 6th w/ "Golden Shoulders" (Nevada City, CA). The show should start around 8 PM. www.goldenshoulders.com/

Lastly!!!! Arrah and the Ferns (PA) and World History (WA) are stopping by the Dead Birdhouse on Sunday, September 19th to play a show with us. Everyone is welcome to come! The soirée will start around 8. www.arrahandtheferns.com/ ... worldhistoryband.com/

********************

updates on recording and other shows on their way sooooooon

tle

INAUGURAL DEAD BIRDHOUSE SHOW

2010-08-11T00:42:00.004-05:00

Howdy,

Oh my gosh. I had SUCH an amazing time last night. All the bands/musicians played great sets. The attendees showcased their aux percussion and their funky dance moves. Damn, that was fun. A HUGE thanks to Amo Joy and Davy Long for coming all the way from Indiana.

I danced harder than I have for a long, long time.

Check out all these artists if you haven't yet. It was a pleasure sharing the stage and our house with them.

CHASE HORSEMAN - (FOLK / SINGER SONGWRITER FROM LANCING, KS)

http://www.myspace.com/chaseemusic

THE HEAT INDEX - (MATH ROCK / PROG ROCK FROM MANHATTAN, KS)

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Heat+Index/DEMOS

DAVY LONG - (FOLK ROCK / PSYCH AWESOME FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IN)

http://www.myspace.com/driveallovertown

AMO JOY - (PSYCH POP FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IN)

http://amojoy.com/

THANKS and keep checking the websites for show updates....

THE LOW END

Amo Joy!

2010-07-29T10:41:00.002-05:00

Amo Joy! (from Indianapolis) is stopping by our house on their way to the west coast. Davy Long (also from Indy) will also be playing, along with us, locals Heat Index, and Chase Horseman. Come by and have a good time at the first show at the Dead Birdhouse, which is perched at 418 North 5th Street.

7/30 Show (this Friday)

2010-07-26T13:04:00.001-05:00

"Bulls" Live in STL

2010-07-23T12:25:00.003-05:00

'ello friends,

Below is a video of "Bulls," filmed by the arch in St. Louis during our summer tour:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPuvnnNPX9g

Enjoy,

Dan/ the low end

2010-07-20T14:42:00.002-05:00

new youtube video up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYGreBQX4SI

...its a demo version of "Bulls" we did back in England

TOUR PHOTOS by april wilson

2010-07-15T14:10:00.006-05:00

End of Tour / Rest of Summertime

2010-07-15T12:18:00.004-05:00

Hey peeps,

The rest of the tour went really well. I'm totally excited to get back out on the road soon and play some more out of state shows. The Low End will be playing a few more shows this summer around Manhattan though. Here is a list of our new dates.

The Dusty Bookshelf on July 30th with Eventide

Radina's on July 31st for a Photography Exhibition by Wes Landis

The Dead Birdhouse on August 9th w/ Amo Joy (btw, this is our new location in manhattan...418 N 5th St)

Ghost Parlor w/ World History on Sept 19

We'll also be getting some new songs into the set. Hope you like em and hope to see you at the shows.

--the low end

DAY 6

2010-07-01T18:05:00.007-05:00

We played at an awesome bar in Indianapolis last night. The Vollrath. It's been around since the 20's when it was a speakeasy and hangout of John Dillinger. Played with some really great acts too; Thousand Arrows, Davy Long, and Beat Debris.

Can't wait to come back and play there again.

Day Two

2010-06-28T11:20:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we woke in Omaha to the sight of a cat licking Ryan's face in a friend's apartment. After wandering around a vacant lot and an abandoned building (which Ryan and Mark scaled to the roof), we dropped by a pawn shop where we failed to close a deal on a glockenspiel. From Omaha, we headed back to Kansas to play in Wichita.

Last night we played at the Riverside Perk Cafe with Brian Foster (aka Orpheus). One couple asked me for discs after the show. I remembered that they had only come in for the pseudo bossa nova break after a new song called 'Bulls.' The woman explained that her husband listened to 'that kind of music,' except exclusively in Spanish. I think they'll be disappointed in the discs... we enjoyed ourselves regardless, and the crowd was encouraging.

After packing up and enjoying some free drinks outside of the cafe, we drove into Kristin's hometown of Oskaloosa to stay at her family's house. En route, we spotted some deer, coyote, and the elusive deer-coyote.

Tonight we play in KC....

Tour Day 1

2010-06-27T18:36:00.005-05:00

Our small tour has begun. At noon yesterday, we packed up the van and headed to Omaha, Nebraska. After eating a picnic dinner in a park and checking out a downtown art show, we went to Oleaver's Pub, on Saddle Creek Rd. First Adam Robert Haug (http://www.myspace.com/adamroberthaug) performed an acoustic set (which I really enjoyed), then we played. From what we gathered both during and after our set,the crowd seemed lively and receptive. Afterward, Cat Island took the stage with a Moldy-Peaches-like set. Later, we gathered at the apartment of a friend of the band with some friends that had traveled from Manhattan to see the show. While sitting on the coffee table, Cat Island's aged bassist (sporting a pink mo hawk) explained the innumerable uses of hemp and hemp oil to Mark for an hour and a half. Today, we spent most of our time driving back to Kansas, where we're we're playing tonight at the Riverside Perk in Wichita with a one-man-band called Orpheus. We head to the Riot Room in KC tomorrow.

Peace,
Dan/the low end

Soon...

2010-06-23T23:24:00.002-05:00

With only a few days until the tour, we've been busy honing our set and preparing to hit the road.

New shirts, buttons, and copies of our Housefire EP are now available. Thanks again to everyone who has supported our kickstarter fund. The rewards will be comin' your way soon.

Peace,
Dan/ the low end

2010-06-18T17:50:00.002-05:00

ONE WEEK TILL TOUR.

6/25 Manhattan, KS at The Ghost Parlor

6/26 Omaha, NE at O'Leavers Pub

6/28 Kansas City, MO at The Riot Room

6/29 St Louis, MO at Urban Studio Cafe (Benefit for Shelf Help)

6/30 Indianapolis, IN at The Vollrath

7/1 Muncie, IN at The Heorot

7/2 Chicago, IL at Transistor

LOVE YA,

da low end

A few tour posters!

2010-05-16T12:03:00.002-05:00

(designed by the low end)

(designed by anna mcclane)

Omaha Show

2010-05-15T17:22:00.003-05:00

Hello friends,

We've just added a new stop on the summer tour. We're headed to Oleavers in Omaha, NE on June 26th. You can check out the venue here: http://www.oleavers.com/

Posters and shirts are being made, and we are excited to hit the road.

Peace,
Dan

Bienvenidos, Velkomen, Welcome

2010-05-08T20:27:00.011-05:00

...to THE LOW END's new place on the internet...

You will now be able to

-find the latest news (shows, updates, links to new music/videos)
-stream music through the player on the site
-find links to our various social networking homes
-and post your own comments or concerns

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

By the way, we're super stoked for our summer tour! Dan and I get back from England in early June, and we're excited to get our new songs into touring shape. Been throwing around some tunes concerning the life and work of Hemingway and some others that border on surf rock. We're excited for you guys to hear them...

John

http://tiny.cc/c8dc6