Jim Cherewick and I often get metaphorical whenever we chat. We also make a fair share of references to The Simpsons. In fact, we’re almost in a hurry to get to that part of the conversation, which is why if we’re in a circle of friends, the others typically break away until we’re done with our tangential applications of relating life, itself, to having your hands stuck in two different vending machines…
But we also talk about kites. We talk about guitar solos and we talk about mastering your quirk. We talk about not ever reeling it in, even if you’ve got it controlled on a string…
Jim Cherewick is a solo singer/songwriter, he plays in three bands, Congress, Best Exes and Piner, and he’s a talented illustrator with bizarrely-charming/charmingly-bizarre vision. Jim’s been busier than ever these last 18 months and he seems to be taking it all in stride. In fact, I admire the confidence in his quirk. And when he tells me how much more comfortable he’s getting shredding out solos in front of crowds (Best Exes just went on a tour and will probably be heading out again soon…), I tell him about the kite metaphor, about letting that psychedelic slither, that wobbly no-wave noodling, fill the space like a big crazy kite caught in the wind…. Yeah, he says, you just gotta bring it back by the time the third chorus comes around…
This really doesn’t have much to do with anything. Other than Jim’s charismatic type of trip-pop is becoming more and more refined, and that if you haven’t checked out Best Exes, Congress, or Piner, than get on it. Also, that I have a working theory Jim may be a muse of some kind, a lanky, uniquely-voiced warbler who emanates some undetectable encouragement to relax and embrace your own quirk kite and let it flutter and fly…. Quirk kite? Freak flag? Where was I going with this?
Oh, right… Jim’s playing a special Monday evening show (July 11) at the Corner Brewery with Matt Jones (…of Matt Jones & The Reconstruction notoriety, and/or …of Matt Jones & The River Street Anthology notoriety… He also drums for Loose Teeth and The Big Beautiful… And ya know? He’s actually been strangely adamant in petitioning me to give him a negative review… That might come up later. This post has been tangential enough, and parenthetical enough…as it is).
Jim Cherewick and Matt Jones
Monday, July 11
Arbor Brewing Company
720 Norris, Ypsilanti
Further recommendations…
Check out the newest music video from The Landmarks
The Landmarks join Nina & The Buffalo Riders and Liquid Monk for a zesty lineup over in Ferndale on Saturday (July 9). Nina & The Buffalo Riders and Liquid Monk will combine their respectively eclectic bands to form a veritable sonic Voltron of blues, jazz and psychedelic-rock for a late night jam at the end of the night. MORE INFO
Also…
There’s a “Fun In The Sun” festival happening all weekend… brought to you by the same gent who generates the YpsiArboroo extravaganza. This one’s a bit more low-key than that, but still packed with local talents performing outside in the summer splendor.
You’ll find live music commencing on Friday July 8th in The Gazebo & Good Vibes Glass, Saturday July 9th in Island Park & The Farmhouse, on Sunday July 10th at Bandemer Park & Club Above, and then on Monday July 11th, back at Frog Island Park & in Corner Brewery. More info on the fest and the lineup HERE.
Jeff covers music for Current, posting weekly show previews and highlighting new bands in the area.
