Old 97's Roll into Wauwatosa!

Original artwork by Steve Vorass

Gosh how time flies. I have not blogged since 2023, but I think with the upcoming Tosa Tonight season, it might be a good time to dust off the blog and publish a few thoughts about the free and family-friendly music series of which I have been a part for the past 8 years. 

As I author this, we are two days away from our 25th Anniversary season's kickoff opening with local boys Ladybird and starring alt-country pioneers Old 97's. 

I'm quite sure I speak on behalf of the entire Tosa Tonight entertainment committee when I say that we are thrilled to bring Old 97's to the Firefly City. 

Many have asked me how we were able to pull this off. The short answer is with lots of hard work (and not much of it by me, aside for my enthusiasm). The slightly longer version is that, one of our committee members knows the band and their management. We were made aware that Old 97's were on a break, but kicking off their next tour at Fitzgerald's in Chicago on June 21st. That day, they are playing two shows: one in the afternoon outdoors and a second in the evening indoors (both sold-out). It dawned upon us that — with Wauwatosa's relative proximity to Chicago — maybe we could get them to kick off their tour here. With lots of texts and emails in between, we finally were able to come to an agreement and, lo and behold, the Old 97's are coming to Wauwatosa!

Before we had a signed contract (but high hopes that this was going to happen), we went to work determining the opener. In the past few years, I've become a fan and regular at Milwaukee band Ladybird's shows. Their debut album "Amy Come on Home" has earned regular rotation in my listening spaces. It's obvious that, whether the band is aware or not, many of Ladybird's songs are clearly inspired by the Old 97's' sound. Upon convincing the committee that Ladybird would make an appropriate opener for Old 97's, I set about reaching out to the band. 

I reached out to Pete of Ladybird asking if the band was available on June 18th. I think a few days passed before he confirmed that it was and we exchanged texts confirming their opening slot for the headliner of the night. I explained to Pete I cannot let him know the headliner until we have the contract signed. We could not risk any word or promotion of the show until it was solid. 

Pete begged me, "Can you please give me a clue?"

I thought I'd give him a clue that would be so vague that he could never guess it. It's actually two clues, and I didn't take much time thinking about the exact wording. I texted something like, "Country-rock band formed in 1992."

It wasn't 20 seconds until Pete texted back "OLD 97's!!!!"

I did not respond. Nothing. I wasn't going to show my cards. 

Two weeks later, the deal was done and I texted Pete. "Pete, you ready to know who you're opening for?" and I confirmed to him that his guess was correct. 

Now it was my turn to get the silent treatment. Pete wrote nothing back. I waited patiently but decided not to push. He'd let me know his/their thoughts in due time. (I was rather surprised by the delay.) Finally, Pete admitted, he did not reply because he and his bandmates were freaking out. My assumptions of Old 97's-inspired sounds in Ladybird's music was spot-on. The band was completely stoked to open for their alt-country heroes. 

Back to Old 97's... 

These guys have been favorites of mine since 1997. The time that I became a fan is a clear memory: July 5, 1997 at Summerfest. At the time, I didn't know who Old 97's were. But what came quick to me is that the few hundred people who were watching them were all singing along. I remember like I said it yesterday, "Who are these guys and how is it possible that all of these people know their songs so well?" 

We joined the crowd and, while we were not able to sing along, we quickly became fans. In 1997, their album "Too Far to Care" would have been just released. I am sure that is the album I purchased first and to this day, that album remains a classic with hits like Timebomb, Barrier Reef, and Big Brown Eyes.

A monster hit song has eluded Old 97's, but their catalog of lasting singles can go toe-to-toe with nearly any band's. 

One song you may have heard without realizing who was behind it is Question. Question was played for years at sporting events when a televised wedding proposal was about to take place. I have attended numerous Brewers games where, in between innings, Question would start playing and the Jumbotron would switch to a couple in the seats. Suddenly, the fellow would kneel down in aisle and ask his Question. I don't recall the answer ever being no, so the audience's response was lots of "Awws."

So here we are, only two days away from presentation of one of my favorite bands to my favorite city: Wauwatosa. Rain is definitely in the forecast and has us very nervous, but I'm taking some comfort in that the rain looks certain, but spotty. It doesn't appear that we will have a day-long deluge. 

I'm also excited to be on television Wednesday morning with members of Black Shoe Hospitality. We will be on with Molly and Tiffany on The Morning Blend, and then later with just Tiffany on What's Brewing Wisconsin. We have tried to see if we could get members of Old 97's to appear with us, but being a travel day, the odds are low.

The weather will be a major player in the success of this once-in-a-lifetime Wauwatosa event, but if our production team can get set up and anything short of a deluge is possible, I think we are going to have our biggest turnout ever. With perfect weather, my estimate is 2500 to 3000. Let's keep our fingers crossed and rain, rain, stay away!!

TOSA TONIGHT RETURNS!

Am I ever excited. Tosa Tonight is set to make a triumphant return after a 2020 season that never happened. 

For those that don't know, I have been volunteering for our city's great Summer concert series for the last four or five years (depending on when you count my first day). I started out as a photographer and marketing team member and then migrated to the Entertainment committee. My talented wife, Kay, joined me as a co-photographer. 

I have loved this music series for a decade and often could be found standing near the stage when no other non-performing adult was near. I always felt the music better standing near and as I slowly became a photography enthusiast, the combination of the hunt to capture the energy of a performer with an image while enjoying live music became an irrepressible hobby. For me, taking the perfect picture of a singer singing or a drummer drumming became an idyllic quest. Not too different than the hunter searching for a big buck, except in my case, no creature gets hurt. 

We started discussing the 2021 season days after Wisconsin hit the peak number of COVID cases (peak: mid-November 2020). Our conversations were like many in 2020: over the Internet. Planning a series then seemed like a pipe dream, but I felt strongly that, if we were to begin planning, we should plan a hyper-local season that showcased the many fine performers that lived nearby. Not only was this decision altruistic, but also practical. I mean, who knew who would be touring the country come June 16th? 

We turned the year texting, calling, or emailing some of our favorite local artists asking them to "Hold the date" and explaining the impending COVID clause that in non-legalese that says, "We really don't know what's going to happen and we might have to cancel. We'll just wait and see." Those artists eagerly replied, "Yes. We'll hold the date!!" (Well, one exception was the Tosa guy who plays bass in Alanis Morrisette's band... "Um. It looks like I'll be touring with Alanis that day. Think we could be moved up in the schedule?" Of course, Alanis' bass player. For you, we can do that.)

While we were keeping our artist selections local, one of our committee members suggested this guitar-slinging R&B artist out of Madison: Raine Stern. I gave her a listen and approved. "Yeah. She's good." Days later, Raine was a contestant on The Voice. Nick Jonas heard her and said, "Yeah. She's good," too. Soon Raine was blowing minds as part of Team Nick as she advanced a couple of rounds before falling short. Who knew when we asked her to save-the-date that THAT would happen??

[Side bar: when we first contacted Raine, it was to be an opener. However, due to the unavailability of another artist, we moved her to the headliner. The opener for Raine on July 14th will be our friend Ben Mulwana. Ben's so good. Tosa Tonight artists saved dates on their calendar, I suggest YOU save July 14th on yours!]

Wednesday, June 16th, the season kicks off with two groups that have both rocked my socks off. Opening will be Peter Thomas, a cellist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Steve Vorass, drummer extraordinaire and seemingly in a hundred bands. Veteran Milwaukee music fans will immediately recognize the band in which these two collaborated: I Am Not a Pilot. Together, they present familiar songs in a very unfamiliar way — a swirling mix of virtuosic strings phonetically punctuated by impeccably fluent staccato rhythms backed by a constant and steady bass drum beat.

Okay, maybe I overly wrote that. In short, they sound good.

Following them is a southeastern Wisconsin favorite: The Belle Weather. The Belle Weather forsakes percussion and replaces it with a multi-stringed sonic attack. Bass, cello, and violin join forces with an energetically strummed rhythm guitar. Combined, they create a cacophony of unique but accessible form of rockin' chamber-pop music. 

I had the pleasure of seeing The Belle Weather numerous times. Most recently, they rocked the dust off of the rafters at West Bend’s The Bend Theater. They knocked not only the dust off those rafters, but they knocked it off my year-long, COVID-confined, live-music-loving soul. It was a splendid performance and I’m sure all who were presented would agree. And, if you were not present, please enjoy The Belle Weather’s searing cover of Eleanor Rigby. 

So get ready, Wauwatosa. Tosa Tonight is back and I can feel that it is going to a GREAT season!

Don't Be 'You're Not There' -- Tosa Tonight's Final Show of 2019!

It's the last Tosa Tonight of the 2019 season. *sad face*

It's the first time Paper Holland and Scott Mulvahill will perform on Wauwatosa's Rotary Performance Pavilion stage. *happy face*

The Tosa Tonight team has brought many great musical artists to our little park. This year was no different. Five of the eight headliners were nationally touring original music talent, and with the exception of Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts (who are playing Tosa Fest, by the way -- and I know they're looking forward to making up for the rain-out -- I've talked to Miles myself!), all have played under stellar weather. 

As great as all of these performers have been, there's one that's got something a little different on his resume: the only Tosa Tonight artist to have appeared on his own NPR Tiny Desk Concert. That person is Scott Mulvahill -- Tosa Tonight's final headliner of the 2019 season. 

Some of you might say, "What's an NPR Tiny Desk Concert?" Fair question. To me, an original music lover, it's been one of the best uses of the Internet ever. NPR brings renowned performers into a small setting and lets them play in front of an intimate gathering of spectators. I have loved the series for years because it so rawly presents the talent of the artist. There's no hiding. No effects. No lip-syncing. They're just there, baby, and lovin' every minute of it. 

I can't tell you how many times I've melted into my chair streaming the series from YouTube onto my TV. Not only does it allow one to see their favorites playing a stripped-down set, but it also does a wonderful job of introducing new artists. Ones you should hear. Like Mr. Mulvahill, a member of Ricky Skaggs' Grammy-winning band. 

Debuting only five months ago, the YouTube version has already been watched more than 358,000 times. Watch it here. See if we can make it 359,000 by tomorrow night. 

Doubly exciting is Milwaukee's own Paper Holland gracing the stage. I've seen this band once, and it was too long ago. I know they've continued their sonic growth, and this should be great.

Need a description? As much as I like to write, I'm going to steal a line from their bandcamp site: "Drawing from the pop sensibility of acts like Death Cab For Cutie, the sparkling guitars of The Cure and the mild experimentalism of Tame Impala, Paper Holland create rhythmic and driving music with elegant horn arrangements, memorable hooks and skillful musicianship."

There. They said it best themselves. And keeping in the Tiny Desk Concert vibe, here's Paper Holland's excellent song, "You're Not There." When they launch into it Wednesday night, I might lose it. I really dig this track. 

So don't be 'You're Not There.' Be there. Winter's coming soon enough and you'll be dreaming for warm days in the Summer grass in Wauwatosa. This is your last chance. 

See ya there, fireflies!

Wauwatosa's About To Be Invaded... By Scotsmen!

For the 2019 Tosa Tonight season, I have challenged myself to write a short post about the upcoming performers. Not only is it a good exercise for me, but with any luck, someone might read it and actually be motivated to attend Wauwatosa’s wonderful Summer concert series.

I also hope, too, to introduce the artists’ work, if not already well-known.

With that said, this might be the shortest Tosa Tonight blog post ever, because the 7th show of 2019 season needs little introduction: Scotland’s own, Red Hot Chilli Pipers! Known as “The Most Famous Bagpipe Band on the Planet,” these fellows will be kicking off their Milwaukee Irish Fest weekend - where they will play for tens of thousands - in quaint little ol’ Wauwatosa.

Are we ready for this, tosa? Because based on the number of RSVP’s and social media impressions, we might have to relocate to a larger venue. Say, Alpine Valley.

Just kidding. We’ll be ready, but make sure you arrive early and find a good spot. Plus, you won’t want to miss the opener: Irish guitar virtuoso, Shane Hennessy. To be honest, I’m looking forward to fireworks off of Shane’s fretboard just as much as the bombastic pyrotechnics that RHCP are sure to include in their show.

This one’s going to be huge, folks. Don’t miss it!

(Psst. A little secret, too: this is their A-Team. The RHCP have a few traveling incarnations to allow the entire world to see their fun show, but that group that's coming to Milwaukee is their top tier. The best.)

Alternative Lyric: Are You Tosans with Some Beers?

If you thought Chicago Rewired filled Wauwatosa's Rotary Performance Pavilion stage, just wait until you see Steely Dane. Fifteen members! These are dozen-plus of Dane County’s finest musicians coming together to pay tribute to one of their favorite influences: Steely Dan.

You know Steely Dan. The 1970’s American rock band that was founded by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. They fused jazz, R&B, rock, and pop to become what Rolling Stone called “the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies.”

Really, when you think back to the Seventies, doesn’t disco first come to mind? Steely Dan’s music was definitely on the outskirts of the mainstream.

Admittedly, Steely Dan is somewhat of an acquired taste. One that I haven’t totally developed, however, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate their talents. And I always admire good musicianship. Based on their large and advocative base, Steely Dane fans, too, are champions of Steely Dane’s perfect renditions of Steely Dan’s complex and progressive 70's sounds.

One song, though, that I always like, is 'Reeling in the Years'. Check out Steely Dan’s 1970’s Midnight Special version first, and then give Steely Dane’s a spin. Particularly pay attention to the guy who screams “Yeeeaaaahhhhh!!” at first note of Dane’s version. That might be the sound I make when they launch into this song at Tosa Tonight.





The featured act for Steely Dane is Bonifas Electric Band. I will be clear here: the only thing I know about them is that they play jazz and, like the 15 fellows from the Madison area, they are impeccable and talented musicians.



The weather is supposed to be perfect. So it will be a fine night to spread out a blankie, unbox your picnic spread from Metcalf’s Sentry (Did you know that you can pre-order a picnic basket from them and pick it up right before the show? Easy and too cool. [see below for details), enjoy our favorite adult beverage and relax the evening away. After Steely Dane, there will only be two Tosa Tonights left! *sad face*

See ya there, fireflies.

Let's Go for a Ride, Fireflies

As soon as Tosa Tonight announced their 2019 schedule, I circled July 24th as a can’t miss. Starring Milwaukee’s Brett Newski and Nashville’s The Foxies, this was a going to be a night of musical performance that was right up my alley.

My alley is folk-punk and pop-rock. And glitter. I also like glitter.

First, Brett. Man, this guy is tireless. I’ve been following him on the socials and his touring schedule is exhausting. I wouldn’t doubt if he’s playing Perth, Australia in the morning and Tosa Tonight in the evening.

A stretch, you say? Not entirely. At Summerfest, Brett opened for Australia’s own folk-punk/dork rock hit-maker: Courtney Barnett.

So it could happen.

Brett, too, makes the funniest and most poignant videos. As he galavants around the globe, his dance moves on ‘Ride’ crack me up. Just be careful to not make this the last thing you watch before bed or else the next day -- all day -- your brain is going to be singing, “I wanna take you for a ride. Ah, ah, ah, ahh. I wanna take you for a ride.”

Trust me. I did this.



Plus, you’ve heard of free-range chickens, right? Brett’s been known to be a free-range Newski. Untethered form a cord, Brett often strolls, dances, cajoles and high-fives his audience. Will we see a free-range Newski on Wednesday? My Magic 8 Ball says, “Signs point to yes.”

I’ll be straight, though, I did not know of The Foxies until Tosa Tonight announced them, but after listening to their two EP’s, Battery and Oblivion, about 20 times each, I knew they were going to bring something special to the Rotary Performance Pavilion like they did at the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage at Summerfest earlier this Summer.

Listening to The Foxies, I can’t quite put my finger on who they remind me of. At times, I hear just a squeak of Gwen Stefani -- Gwen's good squeak -- and then I hear the wall-of-sound backdrop of 80's New Wave greats like Berlin and Missing Persons. Others claim a Tegan and Sara, Rilo Kiley, and The Veronicas vibe while I'll claim at least two songs remind me of Milwaukee's Reyna.

As far as I can tell, there are four members of The Foxies (their press pictures prove it). But when you look at their pics, it’s clear that one member stands out: Gary, the fiddle player.

No, no, no. There is no fiddle player in The Foxies. There is Jake, Rob, Kyle, and Julia. You guess who grabs the attention. I’ll leave the picture below as a hint.

No doubt. This is going to be one of the sparkliest, power-folk-pop-punk Tosa Tonights ever produced. Plus, the weather forecast is PERFECT. I’ll be taking pictures as always, but if you ever considered bringing your “good” camera to a Tosa Tonight, this will be the one. Put your battery in the charger in the morning.

See ya there, Fireflies!

Wauwatosa, You Ready for This?

The next Tosa Tonight is one of the most anticipated of the season with Milwaukee’s own incomparable Lex Allen opening for the energetic JC Brooks Band. Not only is this double-billing phenomenal, but it promises to be one of the most unforgettable Tosa Tonights.

I stand by that statement.

Fist, Lex. I mentioned that he is without compare. In a crowded field of other incomparable and fantastic Milwaukee musicians, Lex stands apart. His blend of pop-soul is smooth, funky, catchy, and danceable. Lex, too, knows how to entertain, and his style is unlike any others on the Milwaukee music scene.

As a volunteer photographer, me and my camera can not wait for Lex Allen.

How does Tosa Tonight follow up with such after such a dynamic and eclectic artist as Lex? With Chicago’s sizzling JC Brooks Band, of course.

JC Brooks is a well-known name to Milwaukee-area Wilco fans (of which I am one). 88NINE RadioMilwaukee was a frequent spinner of JC Brooks’ reconstructed versions of one of Wilco’s most deconstructed songs: I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.

Man, if you’re going to cover a song, do it like this. Who would have thought that Wilco’s spatial, cacophonic, and almost dystopian lead track could be remade into a danceable number? That’s genius.



So, get ready to shake what your mama gave ya, ‘cause JC Brooks band is going to rock you harder than a bumpy shuttle ride to a Brewers game.

Can’t wait.

Great one, Tosa Tonight!

----------------------------------------

Struck Gold by Lex Allen was previewed in front of every movie of the Milwaukee Film Fest in 2018.



7th Hour.... goosebumps



Rouse Yourself will rouse you...

Thur-urs-day, In the Park... Chicago Rewired w/ Radio Radio!

Perhaps you missed Chicago® June 29th at the BMO Harris Pavilion. Or maybe you really like Chicago® and just didn’t get enough. Well, fear not, friends, the world’s premier Chicago® tribute band, Chicago Rewired, is appearing for one night and one night only at Wauwatosa’s Rotary Performance Pavilion on Thursday night, July 4th. Our local big stage is going to be filled to its edges with all eight members of this Charlotte, North Carolina band. 

Playing all your Chicago® favorites like 25 or 6 to 4, Feelin’ Stronger, Hard to Say I'm Sorry, or Saturday in the Park (will they change the words to Thursday? It is the 4th of July after all), I am told that watching Chicago Rewired will make one think they’re seeing Chicago®. 

And while Chicago Rewired may be Tosa Tonight’s headliner, the band that I am really looking forward to celebrating the 4th with is Milwaukee’s own Radio Radio. Radio Radio, if you’re unfamiliar, impeccably plays everyone’s favorite New Wave hits. The Psychedelic Furs, Missing Persons, The Cure, Berlin, Talking Heads, and many more. Radio Radio guitarist extraordinaire, Don Moore, shares my respect and admiration for the unheralded guitar greatness of The Cars’ Elliot Easton. I’m hoping for a Cars hit or two on Radio Radio’s playlist to see Don’s recreation of one of Elliot’s masterful yet melodically fitting solos. (I’ll bring a mirror and watch -- Elliot’s a lefty, Don’s a righty -- for the most true-to-form recreation.)

The weather people say that it’s going to be in the 80’s Thursday night. Dress appropriately, hydrate well, and bring your dancin’ shoes. It’s going to be a hot time in firefly city. 

Tosa Tonight Welcomes Nashville's Roanoke

If the Holy Trinity of Cajun and Creole cooking is onion, celery, and bell pepper, the triumvirate of acoustic guitar, mandolin, and harmonized vocals must be Americana music’s version of divinity. Throw in a pinch of fiddle, a pluck of banjo, a dash of stand-up bass, and steady percussion on, well, just about any ol’ thing, and you’ve got yerself a kettle of some tasty Americana folk music.

Ah, but the secret ingredient any great chef will tell you is… love. No, not love. The real secret ingredient is talent! (Though that probably does come from love, I suppose.)

A band that expertly blends all those savory ingredients into a flavorful booyah is Nashville’s own Roanoke.

After fans of Tosa Tonight were generously hosed out of a great show by Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts because of torrential rain, I am thrilled that the forecast for the second show of the 2019 series looks sunny and warm.

It will be a perfect evening to welcome Roanoke to the Rotary Performance Pavilion.

I recommend a blanket, a picnic basket, bare feet, overalls, a straw hat, and a brown jug of your favorite spirit (filled with product, of course, purchased from one of the series' generous sponsors) for the most authentic Roanoke experience. I would add a corn cob pipe to the list, but smoking is not
allowed in the park.

Roanoke’s sparkling self-titled debut album came out in 2016. Since then, the band has toured abundantly and further honed their craft. I have yet to see them live, but everyone who does exclaims that Roanoke puts on a great show. So this is definitely one to anticipate.

If you've got Spotify,  the entire album is available for download and streaming. One track that instantly captivated me from this album is 'Without You'. In no way does it sound like U2's With Or Without You, but I would be hard-pressed to believe U2's song did not inspire Roanoke's tune. It starts slowly with a repeating rhythm, and finishes with a flurry -- drum fills rumbling and tumbling like and metal rubbish can falling down the stairs. Fingers crossed that they perform this one live. You might see some air-drumming out of me if they do.

'The Light' and 'Jordan' are Roanoke's runaway hits on Spotify, garnering 564,000 and 543,000 spins, respectively.

The Light


Jordan (recorded May 2019)


Tennessee Stone (2018 Single)


Keep wishing for the promised sun and warmth for Wednesday evening. I'll see ya there. Yeehaw!!

Shake Off Winter's Rust -- Tosa Tonight Returns!

Well I am tickled pink. Summer finally descended upon southeastern Wisconsin. More than other years, this Winter-spring seemed to last for-ev-er. Today, as I write this, there is not a cloud in the sky and the temperature is hovering in the high 70’s. Perfect, if you ask me. Any warmer and I get a bit cranky.

Moderate temperatures aren’t the only reason I am resonating a reddish hue. I am thrilled because festival season, too, is upon us, and along with our annual three-month-long Summer celebration comes my favorite local concert series: Tosa Tonight!

Unless work travel forces me away, I never miss a Tosa Tonight. This free music concert series started in 2000 and 10 years ago (June 24, 2009), found a permanent home at Wauwatosa’s Rotary Performance Pavilion. Save the occasional train that screams past the verdant amphitheater, it’s a near perfect place to enjoy a Summer’s evening with some of the finest local and touring artists that the series' generous sponsors can afford.

And let me tell you this… it seems to get better every year. 2019 promises to be one of the best yet.

This year, within a week before each Tosa Tonight concert, I am going to post my musings on the upcoming performers. Live music is my jam and Tosa Tonight has offered us (me and my wife, Kay) the privilege to capture pics of each edition. So long before the week of any given show, I’ve already familiarized myself with the bands. Hopefully, each blog can serve as a little quick-start guide for each concert.

With that said, the first Tosa Tonight concert of 2019 is a doozie: Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts with guest Kelly Steward. This is Miles’ second Tosa Tonight show, as he helped me ring in my birthday from the same stage on July 27, 2016.

Welcome back, Miles & Co.

For those unaware, Miles is (sort of) a local. He hails from Rockford, Illinois. Another popular Wisconsin band also hails from Rockford: Cheap Trick. So, not-too-coincidentally, Miles’ pop is none other than Rock and Roll Hall of Farmer, Rick Nielsen, the checkered and bespectacled guitarist for the band who wants you to want them. No wonder Miles can rock the guitar! Imagine, having all of those awesome guitars at one's disposal. (Rick, besides being a famed rocker, is also a noted guitar collector. I’m sure he’s lost count of his collection, but I read an old article that said he trimmed his collection down to 450 or so. Yowza!)

I bet having a famous family member can be both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because, why not? Use your lineage to break down doors and get heard -- take every advantage. I wouldn't blame ya. Your business is tough. But perhaps it's a curse because some might think that the acclaim is not rightfully earned. (I'm looking at you, Miley.)

Anybody who would think the latter in Miles’ case would be wrong. Dead wrong. Miles’ music sounds nothing like his father’s and he’s proven his chops and has ground it out on the road and in small clubs and theaters as much as anybody in the business. In fact, I’d say greater fame and acclaim has eluded him and his band mates for too long. This is a group that is making music that matters. It’s poignant, rocks, sincere, and loaded with powerful hooks. (Listen to the goosebumps-inducing song 'Cold War.')

I grabbed a preview of Miles’ show Memorial Day weekend at Blueberry Jam Festival in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. The band was tight and Miles seemed to be in mid-Summer form. The band was even joined for a few numbers by Miles’ wife, Kelly Steward. Yes, the same Kelly Steward that is the guest performer at Tosa Tonight’s opening night show (June 12th). Kelly pairs her angelic voice with warm acoustic rhythms and melodies that will provide the perfect intro to the evening and the musical season that follows.

 

Together, this kick-off to the 2019 Tosa Tonight season is one of my most anticipated. I can't wait, and I hope to see you all there.

To get you ready, below are a few of my favorite Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts tracks.

Enjoy!








Heavy Metal


Kentucky


Strangers


Cold War


Surrender, a Unique Cheap Trick Cover with Kelly Steward


Wish You Away by Kelly Steward

Another Open Letter to My Friend, Bruce

Bruce,

Recently I sent you 30 things to do/tips for getting the maximum enjoyment out of Appleton's Mile of Music. My first tip you might remember was "Download the app, start listening and discovering new artists now." I did this last year and made a list of the bands that I considered must-sees. One of those bands was a group of talented musicians out of Cincinnati: Motherfolk.

Motherfolk at Mile 4

I caught their performance at Houdini Plaza and it was a delight. These guys (guys and one girl, actually) put on a raucous and energetic show. It was super and I felt like I was watching, potentially, the next big thing (which coincides with tip #3). Motherfolk's written some great tunes, too, somewhat in alignment with the great songs by The Lumineers, The Head and The Heart, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes, or The Avett Brothers. I've never seen the first three live, but I've seen The Avetts at least seven times; Motherfolk's performance energy nearly matches the Brothers' -- and that's not an easy feat. (Watch below for a taste.)



Fast forward to May of 2017, when the Tosa Tonight Summer Concert Series schedule came out. You can imagine how elated I was to see that the crew that signs band for the summer schedule pulled an amazing coup and signed Motherfolk to perform at Rotary Performance Pavilion on Wednesday, July 26th! I've been going to the series -- my favorite Summer concert series in the 414 -- for a decade, but I've never seen such a contemporary, up-and-coming band signed to play here. This is quite amazing. Even more so considering the last band that performed prior to Motherfolk was none other than 80's rock radio stalwart The Motels! Someone's doing something right over at Tosa Tonight.

Anyway, Bruce, I hope that I'll see you at Mile of Music, but even if you don't make it, I hope you won't pass up the easy opportunity to see one of the great acts that will be performing in Appleton: Motherfolk. If you go, don't worry about texting or calling me, I'll be easy to find. I'll be right up front, stage-center, singing loudly along to the songs I know. In fact, I mean even ignite the "Motherfolk sucks! Motherfolk sucks!" chant that seems popular to yell before Motherfolk takes the stage (even though they don't suck at all).

Alright, Bruce. Good writing to you. I hope to see ya on the 26th in Tosa. Perhaps you can shop for a home while you're here. You know it's calling; it's where all the cool people live. ;)

Cheers,

Mike

P.S. - I love this tune...