Spring Break
Ladymoon plays at the Uptowner
Sarah Ruholl/Assistant Verge Editor
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: The Verge
Indianapolis-based jam band Ladymoon will play at 10 p.m Saturday at Mac's Uptowner.
Originally formed as a three-piece band in 2001, they went through a four-year hiatus from 2003 to 2007, and then lineup changes in 2008.
Original drummer Mark McKowen left the group in October for a more settled lifestyle.
Ladymoon plays about three shows a week around the Midwest. Saturday will be their first time in Charleston, but they have played in Champaign-Urbana, Peoria and Bloomington in the past.
"We're always excited about any opportunity to perform," said Ryan Brown, guitarist and vocalist for Ladymoon.
When McKowen left the band he was replaced with cousins George and Nick Mallers.
George Mallers provides keyboards, guitar and vocals.
Nick Mallers is the drummer and also a vocalist.
Kris Potts, bassist and vocalist, rounds out the band as the only other original member.
"Kris and I have been playing together a long time off and on," Brown said.
All four members have played in different bands throughout the years.
"Musically, I think its about as good as its ever been," Brown said. "I feel like I've finally got four people together on the same page, music and business wise."
The live show is energetic and is best with bigger crowds.
"It just takes a few people to start dancing, and it turns into a party," Brown said.
Their set is mostly original songs influenced by everything from Phish to Soundgarden to the Allman Brothers. They do some cover songs as well.
"We've tried to hone in on good song writing and make things tangible to everyone," Brown said.
Before, the band's songs were complex and only other musicians seemed to really get what they were doing, he said.
The band has since become more crowd-friendly.
"If you put us in front of a bunch of people, we can really perform," he said.
Ladymoon is working on a new, as-yet-untitled album. They hope to have it out by April.
Jam bands have not been in the limelight much in the last few years, but that is set to change soon.
"I think Phish coming back this summer is going to bring a lot of recognition back to the genre," Brown said.
Phish's reemergence comes at a time of change in the genre as a whole.
"A few of the bigger groups have faded out," he said. "There is going to be a lot of younger bands getting recognition."
Originally formed as a three-piece band in 2001, they went through a four-year hiatus from 2003 to 2007, and then lineup changes in 2008.
Original drummer Mark McKowen left the group in October for a more settled lifestyle.
Ladymoon plays about three shows a week around the Midwest. Saturday will be their first time in Charleston, but they have played in Champaign-Urbana, Peoria and Bloomington in the past.
"We're always excited about any opportunity to perform," said Ryan Brown, guitarist and vocalist for Ladymoon.
When McKowen left the band he was replaced with cousins George and Nick Mallers.
George Mallers provides keyboards, guitar and vocals.
Nick Mallers is the drummer and also a vocalist.
Kris Potts, bassist and vocalist, rounds out the band as the only other original member.
"Kris and I have been playing together a long time off and on," Brown said.
All four members have played in different bands throughout the years.
"Musically, I think its about as good as its ever been," Brown said. "I feel like I've finally got four people together on the same page, music and business wise."
The live show is energetic and is best with bigger crowds.
"It just takes a few people to start dancing, and it turns into a party," Brown said.
Their set is mostly original songs influenced by everything from Phish to Soundgarden to the Allman Brothers. They do some cover songs as well.
"We've tried to hone in on good song writing and make things tangible to everyone," Brown said.
Before, the band's songs were complex and only other musicians seemed to really get what they were doing, he said.
The band has since become more crowd-friendly.
"If you put us in front of a bunch of people, we can really perform," he said.
Ladymoon is working on a new, as-yet-untitled album. They hope to have it out by April.
Jam bands have not been in the limelight much in the last few years, but that is set to change soon.
"I think Phish coming back this summer is going to bring a lot of recognition back to the genre," Brown said.
Phish's reemergence comes at a time of change in the genre as a whole.
"A few of the bigger groups have faded out," he said. "There is going to be a lot of younger bands getting recognition."
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