We're excited to play with Bloodshot Records artist, Ha Ha Tonka.  The show will be at the Vollrath Tavern in Indianapolis on Friday, February 19.  Also performing that evening will be local artist Jascha.  Should be a fantastic show.

RSVP for the show on Facebook at the event page.

Here is some press about Ha Ha Tonka.

"Ha Ha Tonka should be your new favorite band" —Courier-Journal

"Think Wilco, just not as extrapolated, or maybe even early REM. The band delivers its message, hook, groove, and sinker in tight little episodes and anthemic opuses." —Rochester City Paper

Here's the poster for the show.  If you'd like a copy of this poster please email us at NightjarMusic@comcast.net.

It was one helluva year for music for the band. We played some great shows including opening the Broad Ripple Music Fest and sharing the stage with Indy legends Johnny Socko. Personally, the Radio Radio show with my old boys from Chuckanut Drive coming through town was probably the pinnacle and very much looking forward to hitting that stage again with other Seattle pal Anna Coogan coming through Indy. As it moves to 2010, we are almost done tracking Nightjar’s first record and it has given me a lot of time to think about what records really moved me over the last year. This is by no means an exhaustive list (I don’t in any way claim to have broad taste!) and some will think I am crazy for leaving records out (I have heard great things about Phoenix, Animal Collective and several others) but this is what I dug in the last year. 

10. Potato Hole – Booker T and the Drive-by Truckers

Look, my favorite instrument is the Hammond organ, Booker T is one of my heroes. Even though I think they have suffered from the departure of Jason Isbell, the Truckers are still one of my favorite bands. Put them together and add in a Tom Waits cover and I am a happy man.

9. Outer South – Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

Oberst has always had his moments, but I often find myself growing weary of him before the end of a record. Here he seems more relaxed, letting other members of his band take the lead on about half of the tracks. I actually enjoyed this more than the “Monsters of Folk” record.

8. Animals in the Dark – William Elliot Whitmore

Discovered at a listening station in Luna Music, I was blown away to find out that Whitmore was a skinny white guy. Generally very sparse instrumentation serves to emphasize the gravely soul in the man’s voice. Take a listen to “Hard Times,” you won’t be sorry.

7. Glitter and Doom (Live) – Tom Waits

My friend Kasey Anderson said that this album is further proof that if Tom Waits plays anywhere within 500 miles of your location, you need to be there. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

6. Middle Cyclone – Neko Case

Great stuff again from Neko and Kelly Hogan’s harmonies are divine as usual. I even love the 30 minutes of frogs at the end, but then I am a biologist.

5. Message to Garcia – Visqueen

I have always had a crush on Rachel Flotard and she has outdone herself here. Great rock record with some nice touches (even some pedal steel) and her voice is as enchanting as ever. These tunes were penned after losing her father to a long fight with cancer. Maybe I relate to it a little more after going through some of the same issues with my beloved hound dog, but you can tell she is laying it all on the line.

4. I and Love and You – Avett Brothers

I know it’s a change of pace for them, the banjo all but disappears and the songwriting seems to touch on the same themes, but there is still a ton to love here. I still like Emotionalism better contending they are at their best when things are a bit rawer. Really curious to see if they still bring it live as much as they used to.

3. Wilco – Wilco

Keep chugging along Jeff Tweedy. It looks like you have finally surrounded yourself with people that you enjoy playing with. Yeah a lot of it seems comfortable and less edgy than YHF, but then Jeff goes and throws “Bull Black Nova” at you – devastating.

2. Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is! – Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

Channels James Brown and Otis Redding, this record is funky as all hell and dripping with soul. Lewis meshes garage rock with some ripping keyboards and an awesome horn section. Listen to “Get Yo Shit” and try not to giggle while shaking your ass.

1. 1372 Overton Park – Lucero

Yes, Ben Nichols mostly seems to sing about women in high heels and whiskey, but I sure do love it. Rick Steff is a monster on keys and I love what the horns do for this record. Sure Nichols is no future American Idol winner, but he and his band sure are rock and roll badasses.

Posted by Chris Hess

I'm looking forward to the show in January at the Vollrath Tavern.  We haven't played this venue yet but have been hearing some great buzz about the place and the acts they've been booking.

There are some other great bands on the bill that night.  We've shared the stage with the boys from Waldemere Revival (great band) but this will be our first time playing alongside Slithering Beast and Saints & Strangers.  Should be a helluva Friday night rock fest.

Here's the poster I created for the event.