Cloudhaus

Written by Josh Weiker

 You may not realize it, but the local arts group, CloudHaus, has declared war on your city. They are implementing an immense blitzkrieg of creativity which is enhancing various activities and neighborhoods throughout the greater Columbus area.

            ‘So what’s the big deal,’ you ask – Well, have you seen the mural outside of Kobo? How about the fancy yellow and black mosaic mural on the side of Hooligans? (when you’re going down Summit St. from Hudson); Did you go to Independent’s Day 2011? 

Well, these are just a few of the numerous things that CloudHaus has been involved in producing, … and that’s just the beginning.


 LISTEN NOW

 

Photos by Meghan Ralston

CLOUDHAUS  is a collection of local artists, dedicated to collaborating their ideas, time, and talent towards community betterment, through the vector of art and creative expression. They have three main focuses:

“Making Art Approachable and Fun for Everyone”

            One of CloudHaus’s specialties is creating painted murals in conjunction with live concerts. The best part (aside from the proceeds going to charity) is that they actually invite the bar patrons to partake in the painting process. 

Haven’t you ever said to yourself, ‘I should start painting,’ well the folks at CloudHaus agree, and encourage you to join them in their creative merry-mural-making – there are no mistakes, only happy little accidents. While the risks are huge – seeing that any (drunk) patron could come along and try to go Jackson Pollock all over the mural, that’s just the kind of chance the CloudHaus folks will take; all in the name of promoting creativity.

“Making Our Community A Better Place”

Aside from being amazing artists, the group is also tremendously giving. Funds raised from previous CloudHaus events have gone towards funding the Ohio Educational Council, Local Matters, and Pets Without Parents, just to name a few. Their last event – “The Greater Columbus Scavenger Hunt” – collected 100 lbs. of food, which was donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank (did I mention that they collected said 100 lbs of food in only 8 hours!).   

"We usually split our revenue 50/50 between ourselves and whichever charity we're supporting at the event."- Cloudhaus

“Having Fun”

  It’s hard to argue when someone, or better yet, a group of people is focused on ‘having fun,’ so I’m not going to. Instead, I’ll refer back to their latest creative conglomerate, “The Greater Columbus Scavenger Hunt” (presented by CloudHaus, don’t be fooled by imitators) – This was not your ordinary run-of-the-mill scavenger hunt [go to this place, find a clue that leads to the next place, etc]. 

  

Instead it was more like an ‘All-Over Columbus IronMan Challenge of Wits and Will,’ which was super fun. The goal of the event was primarily to collect items for charity, but also to discover the wacky world within our own backyard of Columbus. 

Team Anonymous Swag (L-R Anita Kwan & Angie Leonard)

It was truly brilliant: each item, task, or trivia question had a set point value, and your team has to complete/collect as many tasks/items as possible in 8 hours; the team with the most points wins. If you ever hear of another CloudHaus Scavenger Hunt – DO IT ! Get a solid team, of ambitious, adventure-seeking party goers, and have a ridiculous amount of fun trying to conquer their challenges.

Team Anonymous Swag on the prowl

Not to give too much away, but just so you can understand how creatively awesome, and unlike any other scavenger hunt this event is, here are a few examples from the last Hunt (not all items on the list are as hard/outlandish as these, but these were a few of my favorites):

           

Items to collect:

• Two different Religious Pamplets (extra points if they have illustrations)
• Life sized cut-out of James Franco
• A cassette of Will Smith’s Big Willie Style
• At least 4 Pogs
• A velvet painting of some sort of predatory animal, such as a lion, or a wolf          

            Trivia:

• What was the name of the now-demolished amusement park in Clintonville, which was at one time the largest amusement park in the world?
• Who had the longest term as Governor of Ohio? Here’s a hint: He might have the most boring statue in Columbus.

Tasks: (required photo or video proof)

Photo by Angie Leonard

• Find all three statues of Christopher Columbus in Downtown Columbus (One member must point toward India in each picture)
• Buy a homeless person a hot meal
• Shave only the top of your head simulating the likeness of George Costanza’s Bald spot.
• Someone on the team must get ‘Side Steps’ as a feature of their hair-doo. Ice, Ice, baby.
• Get a picture with Eric Clapton
• Write a nice note and leave it on a stranger’s window



Photo by Angie Leonard

• Carve a pumpkin. I don’t know why we’re giving you points for this. You should be doing this anyway. It’s almost Halloween.

             

Whether its holding down a gallery, hosting public demos, creating murals, funding local charities, or finding ingenious ways to blend live music with live art [See: Dance Floor mural paintings @ Independent’s Day 2011], CloudHaus is emerging as a creative locomotive that just keeps gaining speed. I implore you to get out and support these folks, their wonderful arts and events, and their charities. Who knows, maybe your neighborhood is next … ?

For more information on Cloudhaus, please check out cloudhaus.org/

Catch Cloudhaus on facebook & twitter

BusTown Arts & Community Special Report was hosted by DiePreye (DP) Krukrubo

Special Thanks to Jared Cloudhaus, Daniel Randle and all the amazing members of Cloudhaus for letting BusTown Music run amok on such an amazing event! 

Shouts out to...

Anita Kwan, Co host & founder of www.thisiscolumbus.com

Angie Lenard, Co-founder of The Preservation Project

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­Music Week Columbus

Written by Josh Weiker & Raad Shubaily

Music Week Columbus – Where do I begin? Honestly, that is the question I found most prevalent each night – where should I begin?

            Well, for starters, this event takes place over three nights, across three venues, and showcases some 42 bands. Ya, I know, right? Aside from the majority of local Columbus and surrounding Ohio bands, it also brings in new acts from Chicago, Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn. 

Most of the acts this year would fall in, or around the Indie Rock category, with a few heavier Metal bands sprinkled throughout the lineup.

Music Week Columbus (Mid-by-Midwest as some have cheekily referred to it) truly is an all out onslaught of live music. Taking place on the stages of the Ravari Room, Rumba Café, and Kobo, this is not your average, ‘I’m going to see (that band) kind of festival’ – this festival should be approached with a more ‘let’s go see what’s out there’ attitude.

            Since each venue hosts four or five bands each night it can be hard to know who’s where, when; and which place you’ll enjoy most. 

The way I see it, there are two options: 1) Do some research – try to find some of the featured bands on the internet, and then fairly judge them based on what little web content you can find (not a very successful route); or, 2) Just go, get the three day pass, and you have unlimited access to all three venues, all three nights. So if one venue isn’t striking your fancy, or you’re just really A.D.D. and like to change up your scene every 30 minutes, you can. 

            So who’s playing? Well, anyone that has been around the Indie music scene in Columbus over the past year should be familiar with at least seeing the names like: Town Monster, Way Yes,  the Dew Droppers, Wet Darlings, Karate Coyote, Maza Blaska, and of course, the Phantods.

            Having just gone to the event, I can tell you its much more fun discovering the new bands that are just beginning to rise, rather than just pensively waiting around for the ones you know. 

This year, I found a few new (or at least ‘new’ to me) amazing bands such as the Dirty Girls and Petit Mal; both rocked my socks, and I look forward to seeing each of them again, as soon as possible. It is always great to get a fresh reminder of just how well the local music scene is developing in Columbus. 

Deluka

Of the 15 non-native Columbus bands, I heard a lot of excitement among the crowds about seeing: 1, 2, 3 (from Pittsburgh), Milano (from Chicago), Megachurch (from Cleveland), Beast Make Bomb, and Deluka (both from Brooklyn [Deluka originally from the UK]) – I’ll just say the Music Week Columbus Scouting Department (with a little help from CD101) hit this one out of the park, Barry Bonds style.

Luckily, for this event, we had a few sets of eyes and ears to help take in everything this three-day-show had to offer. BusTown Writer, Raad Shubaily was kind enough to take a closer look at some of the bands featured from 2011’s Music Week Columbus, as well as offer his perspective on the festivities … enjoy …

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INDEPENDENT'S DAY FESTIVAL

Independent’s Day

Date: Saturday, September 17^th 2011

Location: East Gay Street – Columbus, Ohio

… from Noon ‘til Midnight …

 Independent’s Day is quickly becoming one of the premiere annual festivals in Columbus. While it may sound confusing in any simple conversation, let me assure you this extravaganza is completely unrelated to the 4^th of July. So what is Independent’s Day?  In short, it is an approximately twelve-hour, non-stop, live demonstration that aims to show off the immense presence of independent business, arts, and music that the city has to offer. 

 

 
Each year, in the middle of September, the city shuts down one of its usually hustling and bustling streets right in the heart of downtown, to host this amazing festival. 

On Gay Street, between High and 3^rd Street, (and the adjacent alleys of Pearl and Lynn Street) you can find eclectic local merchants selling a wide variety of goods, eccentric artists sprawled about like Easter eggs, food carts, beer carts, and of course, music.  The exponential growth of this event is probably most apparent when looking at the entertainment lineup. Beginning with a mere 2 stages in 2008, this year’s fest is scheduled to host 5 stages for its 30+ musical acts, and handful of live performances.

Music is almost always a good thing, but the most incredible part of this festival is the Art.



 The individual artists, as well as the mediums of art, seem to change from year to year – in 2009, there were mostly sidewalk chalk artists (which happens to be when I fell in love with this festival). 

All up and down Gay Street were just absolutely phenomenal portraits, landscapes, and abstracts – each with amazingly vibrant colors and definition. 
 I about peed my pants when I was invited to sit down and ‘doodle’ with one of the local artists on their allotted canvas of asphalt. Walking around a bit, I eventually got to do some painting on one of the live working murals – badass! – I am in no way an artist, but if and when given these opportunities in life, you should definitely enjoy them, right?

In 2010, I’m not sure if it was the festival, or just me, that took more interest in the musical and alcohol aspects than the art, but either way, that is what I ended up enjoying, and I still had a blast.

Independent’s Day 2011 is looking to be quite a spectacle with the local art collective supergroup, CloudHaus at the helms. With a flux of creativity and ridiculous amounts of talent, these folks have spent the past number of months plotting and scheming in order to make their outstandingly elaborate ideas into possibilities and realities. 




As if that weren’t enough, this year’s musical lineup is killer – any festival that opens with Enrique Infante and closes with roeVy is good in my book (for more info on the lineup, check out: http://thisisindependent.com/?page_id=80). Some of the additional acts I’m looking forward to seeing include (but are not limited to): Bum Wealthy, Trains Across the Sea, Wing & Tusk, Teen Fiction, Mount Carmel, and G. Finesse and the N.S.

            If you’ve never been to Independent’s Day, I implore you to come. Get out and enjoy this quickly growing festival before it too gets super-huge crowds like ComFest (don’t worry ComFest, I still love you). Come find some amazing art, and meet the incredible people behind it; grab a drink and some munchies then check out some of the great bands; spend the day downtown, surrounded by skyscrapers, you can even have a picnic in the middle of the road! Basically, get off your butt and out of that mindset that ‘nothing ever happens in Columbus,’ because the truth is: It is happening, you’re just missing it.

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WHAT KILLED THE TREEHOUSE?

Written by Josh Weiker

If you live in Columbus, and enjoy alcohol, music, and trees; then you surely know of the Treehouse (formerly known as “Andyman’s Treehouse”). This bar is infamous for a number of things: its hidden-back alley location, its absence of parking, the freakin’ tree growing in the middle of the building, and of course, the ever-present cluster of hipsters smoking out front.   Most of the time, I’d end up at this bar, already after a night of drinking; and  occasionally with the intentions of seeing some band play in the jam-packed back room. 

I never really liked the place as a venue, and was always reluctant to make the ‘far’ trip out to Grandview, but every time I went, I always found myself stumbling headfirst into a good time. Aside from feeling salty for not hitting up the Treehouse as often as I should have, I’m also bummed because this was one of those places that you can all but  guarantee that there is an amazing library of stories, inside jokes, and bar secrets that have happened under that Tree. Now, all of that history is gone.

      The Treehouse wasn’t an overly-stimulating place, but it always had a very unique vibe. I still remember how confused I was the first time I went there – falling down the step at the front entrance, walking a circle around the pool table, and realizing I had pretty much just taken a tour of the place. Despite the small rooms, the patrons were always comfy – tucked away in the corners on the couch, near the bar, or on the patio. It’s like it was almost impossible to be awkward in this bar, because the layout made socializing so awkward, that being awkward was the norm (that, or I’m just a huge nerd). Whatever it was that perplexed me about this bar, I do know that I will miss being able to pass up all of the glitzy, over-image inspired bars to creep away to this amazingly chill gem in Grandview.

            So that’s it?

            No –

            It can’t possibly just end there, can it?

            Would I truly be content, just letting this mystery take the rout of Pac and Biggie?

            There must be more …

      So, What killed the Treehouse? Well like most mysteries, there is a world of speculation as to what exactly was responsible for the bar’s demise. After much cross-referencing and fact-checking, here is a condensed list of some of the more plausible rumors as to what led to the closing of the Treehouse:

·         Environmental terrorists poisoned the Tree, thus leading the owner to close the bar.

·         CD101’s Ed Francis drank all of the booze in the bar

·         The bar was invaded and overrun by Crab People

·         The Greater Grandview Community Committee petitioned to have the place shut down due to “spontaneous hipster mobs.”

·         Some say, Kyle Sowash killed a girl in the backroom over a bottle of Sake.

·         Mayor Coleman had the bar closed so he could turn it into his own private underground diplomatic speakeasy and moustache trimming salon.

·         An ominous cloud appeared over the Treehouse and some reported seeing a mysterious flying object hovering above the building. Rumor has it, the staff was abducted; but it was all later dismissed and reported as just an abnormal accumulation of swamp gas.

·         Someone stole the cue ball from the pool table, thus evoking ‘the curse of the missing cue’ upon the bar and its patrons.

·         Michael Bay shot a scene for his next film in the Treehouse – unfortunately the interior couldn’t withstand the constant barrage of over-the-top pyrotechnics.

·         Secret got out that the Tree inside the Treehouse would actually eat one over-inebriated patron each night … Little Shop of Horrors style, for real.

·         It was that damn Sasquatch.

      Unfortunately, none of those rumors led to any culprits due to a consistent ‘lack of factual basis’ (whatever that means). Alas, the case did not close there – in hopes of tracking down the killer, BusTown enlisted the help of some of the greatest mystery-cracking minds that the world has ever known:

 Scoob & the Gang

… once again blamed the mystery on old man Jenkins (for trying to run out customers in hopes that he could finally mine for gold in the surrounding area). This theory was later dismissed due to age discrimination and repeated profiling.

The Hardy Boys

… liked to talk a bunch and used pretty big words for a 4^th grade reading level. All in all, we never got to the end of their theory, it was just too boring, and lacked the sex and/or humor appeal we so all yearned for.

Blues Clues

… while the fun colors and happy songs entertained the stoner crowd, after thirty minutes of following their ‘clues’ we just ended up making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a salt and pepper shaker – I suppose that’s what you get for letting a blue dog lead your investigation.

Sherlock Holmes and Watson (the Jeopardy computer)

… it turns out Sherlock Holmes has been dead for over 100 years; apparently he was smoking meth in that pipe of his; and unfortunately, Watson, the super computer, was ‘Temporarily Out of Order’ during our allotted time. 

Angela Lansbury (a.k.a. Murder, She Wrote)

… is also dead. – wait, what’s that? No, she’s not? Oh, … really? … hm, well, oops?

So it seems that all of these avenues are a bust. Luckily, there is hope – the back alley inside connections.

      So who done it? What killed the Treehouse? Well, it hasn’t been my place to call people out or talk badly of a place (so I’m going to leave out names and certain details), but the people have spoken, and they demand the truth. Two sources have told stories of absolute assurance and it goes a little something like this …

      There are two reasons, or primary factors that led to the closing of the Treehouse. The first and most prominent tone points to poor management of the bar’s budget. Some claim the bar was behind on rent payments, and in time of crisis the head rat deserted the ship. The other reason points to you – You killed the Treehouse. It’s said that the bar profits had been on the decline for the last year, and if you put two and two together, it’s not hard to create a picture of how this bar slipped into the red.

Whatever the reason, two things are for sure: 1) some shit went down, and 2) the Treehouse will be missed. Fortunately, there are some apparent talks about the House re-opening under new management. Only time will tell what truly happened, and what will come of the ominous bar known as the Treehouse.

For a more proper/accurate perspective about the Treehouse closing, check out Meghan Ralston’s (of the Hot 17) article …

http://www.thehot17.com/treehouse-dead-long-live-treehouse/

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MEGHAN RALSTON & THE HOT 17

Written by Josh Weiker

Some call it magic; others claim it comes from a possession of prophetic powers; whatever it is, Meghan Ralston has a gift for finding the most talented up-and-coming bands in Columbus.  Each year, Ms. Ralston and her crew publish an amazing book that contains sights and sounds of the city’s seventeen hottest bands.

 – The Hot 17 – not to be confused with the psychedelic phenethalamine, gets its name from the current statistic which puts Columbus as the 17^th most populated city in America.

            Statistics aside, Columbus is an amazing place to find great live music – Fact (its science); and this publication is just another testament to some of its greatness. The first edition of The Hot 17 debuted in 2010 (at ComFest, which is so awesome) and included some phenomenal local acts like Karate Coyote, Envelope, and the Phantods.

            This year’s list looks to be just as promising, but why take it from me when you can listen to the creator herself …

As mentioned in the interview, The Hot 17 Volume 2 release party took place at Kobo, and in true Hot 17 fashion, the night featured music from various genres:

                                                                                                   

Shane Sweeny (of Two Cow Garage – listed in The Hot 17 vol. one)

 … had a dirty, muddy kind of sound; much along the lines of Tom Waits, wish I could have caught more of his act, but we were doing most of our interviews during his set.

Trains Across the Sea

… with frontman Andy Gallagher at the helms, this group covers a tremendous spectrum of musical genres within a single set. Beginning with folksy Dylan-esque harmonica tunes and ending with dance-your-pants-off feel-good songs this group was one of my favorites of the evening.

L.E.S Crew

...wow, ridiculous funk! I don’t think anyone sat down this entire set. Two emcees, fantastically storytelling like poetic machine guns, and Miss Angelica Lee’s powerful vocals – oh my, if you haven’t heard the L.E.S. Crew, follow this shameless plug to BUSTOWN RADIO
 

… and enjoy

The Spruce Campbells           

 … a local indie band with a growingly noticeable reputation; their sound is reminiscent to that of the Pixies, with a slightly more modern twist.

The evening’s event was emceed by CD101’s own Rachael Gordon, who was nice enough to have a sit down chat with us …

The Hot 17 is without a doubt a tremendous contributor to the ever-developing Columbus music scene. By connecting local photographers, musicians, artists, and writers, this annual publication looks to serve as a pinnacle source for discovering the best local talent that the city of Columbus has to offer.

 Check out this year’s edition of The Hot 17 (http://www.thehot17.com)

Special Thanks:

Meghan Ralston – The Hot 17

Rachael Gordon – CD101 @ 102.5FM

Kobo

Shane Sweeny, Trains Across the Sea, The L.E.S. Crew, and The Spruce Campbells

BusTown Radio Co-Host and Lead Producer - Joey Gurwin

BusTown Music Manager DP Krukrubo

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BOOMHOUSE RECORDS

Written by Josh Weiker

Tucked away just north of Olde Town East, you can find the headquarters of BoomHouse Records. BoomHouse is a locally organized and operated recording space, who’s members seem to have an inert passion for writing, creating, and recording live music in Columbus. On this particular evening, the boys of BoomHouse have assembled a fantastic line-up of music for what they are calling their ‘Summer Shanty’ house party.

            Arriving to the house, a porch full of pleasantly inviting individuals has congregated on the porch – all admiring the slight release from the recent heat wave amidst a heavy rainfall. After a cigarette and a few first acquaintances, it’s time to check out the space. The house is amazing; fancifully adorned with multi-dimensional lighting and incredible artwork covering every inch of each wall. What’s this? – a glow-stick bracelet, a cup, and then being ushered to the kegs, the night has officially begun.

Alex Rupert

Joe Hengst

Garth Phillips

Just outside the back door awaits a surprise, three giant canvases being painted in front of your very eyes: the first, a bubbly abstract, the next, a true-to-life portrait, and the last, a hauntingly twisted ensemble of holiday characters – being able to watch colorful lines turn into objects, and then, essentially the work itself come to life, is always a truly fascinating sight.

Bobby Delarocco (A.K.A Bobby D)

            










Almost on cue, the music begins. First up is Bobby D – a one man wrecking crew. Surrounded by keyboards and microphones, Bobby gets the party started with a barrage of beats and synthesized sound. Using pre-made beats and adding highlights of notes, additional beats, and modified vocals, he got a number of heads nodding and party off on the right foot.

            




Next up is ‘I am Mute’ – a full live band with very catchy melodies and progressions. They kind of have a pop-y rock sound with elements of folk and driving percussion. This band seemed to be full of crowd-pleasing favorites, and had an ensemble of fans singing right back in their faces.

Alaska Awake

            The third band is ‘Alaska Awake’ – another hard-hitting rock band with lots of sound. Groovy bass, excellent guitar riffs, elaborate keys, sporadic percussion and somewhat inaudible vocals – as is the standard at most house parties. This band covers a wide spectrum of musical genres, but specializes in a psychedelic rock-jam extravaganza.

            




The fourth feature of the evening is ‘The Blight’ – three members of this hardcore metal quintet make up a majority of the BoomHouse Records posse (Patrick Hearn, Brandon MacLean, and Zach Newkirk – the last two are also members of Alaska Awake and Apples and Baskets [closing band]). While heavy, loud rock isn’t really my thing, it was indeed another demonstration of the musicians’ range of musical abilities and talents; not to mention the crowd was absolutely ruckus during their set.

Space Ghost

            The second-to-last band of the night is ‘SpaceGhost’ – headed by Parker Muntz’s smooth vocals and soul-penetrating guitar solos (also a member of BoomHouse Records), this band brings the funk. If you need proof, just look to the drum set and you’ll find none other than Mike Twice – a local master of all things fantastically funky. This group seamlessly blends blues, funk, and soul, which translates to me dancing.

  


Concluding the show is ‘Apples and Baskets’ – a three man set comprised of Brandon, Zach, and Parker. Keeping in tune with the rest of the evening, this band has a sound unlike the previous five. They begin with funky riffs, then transition into a heavier rock sound – just wait, they’re just getting started. The next song begins as a kind of haunting metal progression with elements of blues, which eventually becomes an all-out crazy melodic jam session. The music reminds me much of ‘Do Make Say Think’ due to its high levels of auditory stimulation.

            As the party winds down, it is easy to say the night has been a great success. There was a constant flow of music, people, and booze throughout the house – everything perfectly epitomizing exactly what the city of Columbus truly has to offer on any given night, in any given neighborhood: overflowing artistic talent, in a variety of styles; a diverse cast of party-goers, all sharing the same goal of having an amazing night of amusement; and of course, a little alcohol here and there. 

This is, in my opinion, one of the greatest characteristics of this city that never seems to fail. Columbus is a city full of potential and a willingness to collaborate; it only has two main rules: 1) Show Up; and 2) Have Fun. 

            Earlier, I said BoomHouse Records is a locally organized and operated recording company, that seems to be focused on writing, creating, and recording live music in Columbus – but after tonight, I can personally say they are also thoroughly dedicated to rocking, partying, and entertaining the masses. Well done gents, and I can’t wait for your next shindig (in October).

Special Thanks:

Patrick Hearn, Brandon MacLean, Zach Newkirk, and Parker Muntz

BoomHouse Records (check them out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/boomhouserecords)

Bands:

Bobby Dellarocco (Bobby D)

I am Mute

http://iammute.com/

Alaska Awake

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-Awake/137804389597378

The Blight

https://www.facebook.com/TheBlightMusic

SpaceGhost

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SpaceGhost/221524944554791

Apples and Baskets

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apples-Baskets/135601616475571

Artists:
Alex Rupert (green holiday creatures)
Garth Phillips (purple portrait)
Joe Hengst (peach canvas)

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