Louisville Magazine

JUL 2017

Louisville Magazine is Louisville's city magazine, covering Louisville people, lifestyles, politics, sports, restaurants, entertainment and homes. Includes a monthly calendar of events.

Issue link: https://loumag.epubxp.com/i/842307

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 95 of 108

LOUISVILLE MAGAZINE 7.17 93 WINDOW SHOPPING In Surface Noise's storefront window, telephone poles jacketed in torn and weathered concert posters flank an old TV playing a Devo video. Wires swoop down near a record-shaped sign that reads, "Yes, we have 33 RPM records." The only thing preventing the scene from blending into the street is the windowpane. Neil Young's "Words" is playing as I walk inside. Incense fills the air. Owners Brett Ralph and Bill Barriger are hanging at the back of the small shop, behind rows of their combined record collections. "I tell people we couldn't move the telephone poles, so we built the store around them," Barriger says with a laugh. "It's amazing that some people actually believe me. That's how authentic they look." They commissioned local visual artist and musician Catherine Irwin to replicate the poles she made for a 2015 exhibition at KMAC that featured Louisville punk fliers from 1978 to 1994. The owners know that period well: Ralph was the vocalist for Malignant Growth, Louisville's first hardcore band, and Barriger promoted, by his estimate, some 4,000 shows that came through the city during that time frame. Oddly, the pair didn't meet until a few years ago, when they were both selling records at the Flea Off Market. "Our job," Ralph says, "is to wade through the shit for you." Records by Louisville music greats fill Surface Noise's shelves. The store recently bought albums from songwriter Greg Maddux and carries vinyl from the collection of late Crain bassist Jon Cook. Surface Noise also has a listening station dedicated to Rodan/Rachel's musician Jason Noble, who died of cancer in 2012. It features Noble's favorite pair of headphones. "I like keeping alive memories of people from the scene. I don't know, it feels good," Ralph says. — KM Surface Noise 600 Baxter Ave. PLAYLIST "Call to Arms," Sturgill Simpson "A twangy barnburner with a horn section!" — Josh Moss, editor "All My Friends," LCD Soundsystem "It was the first song on a wonderful mixtape my husband gave me for our anniversary re- cently." — Anne Marshall, senior writer "Anything by Giraffage. My friend tells me Giraffage hardly ever tours in the U.S. One of the only electronic artists I can listen to." — Thomas Elmallakh, editorial intern "Meridian," Odesza "This is the kind of song that will sound amaz- ing out on the lawn. I feel like I'm in the Lion King when I listen to it." — Mary Chellis Austin, managing editor "Whatever I Want," Classixx "Classixx's track featuring T-Pain — stay with me — is such a happy summertime song it rec- tifies any Auto-Tuning. I can't wait to hear it at the Ocean Stage under the overpass — the only time I'm grateful we never 86'd I-64." — MCA We asked staffers for a song they're excited to hear at Forecastle (July 14-16 at Waterfront Park). IF THIS THEN THAT Not sure who some of the bands are on the Forecastle lineup? Start with these locals. Cat Power or Beach House Twin Limb (3 p.m. Friday, Mast Stage) The trio's mix of accordion, vocals, psychedelic guitar and drums is best live. If you like Check out Deer Tick or the National Quiet Hollers (4:15 p.m. Friday, Port Stage) We're big fans of the violin in this alt-country/rock band. Johnny Cash or the Black Keys Jaye Jayle (5:45 p.m. Friday, Port Stage) Blues meets the sinister desert. Surprises, virtuosos and local gems Teddy Abrams and Friends (9 p.m. Friday, Port Stage). If the set is anything like last year's, expect Louisville Orchestra conductor Teddy Abrams to pull the likes of Joan Shelley, Wax Fang, Houndmouth, blues singers, rappers and string geniuses out of his musically gifted hat.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Louisville Magazine - JUL 2017