Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist host a CD release party tonight for the excellent new Over the Rhine album, The Trumpet Child, at Coney Island's Moonlite Gardens. See the CityBeat interview with Linford here, with additional conversation here.
Linford, articulate and thoughtful as ever, discusses OtR's decision to release the new CD on their own, ending their label deal with Virgin/Back Porch Records. Linford and Karin have always exhibited a personal touch with their music and their fans, and when he recalls "writing personal notes which we mailed out, inviting people to come to Cincinnati to hang out with us," you know he's being serious. Many of us still have old cigar boxes stashed somewhere that once contained a CD or a band T-shirt or a little book, presents from Linford.
Back in 2003, when Over the Rhine was inducted into the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards Hall of Fame, Karin and Linford talked about how they continue to use their adopted home town of Cincinnati as inspiration and a base of operation. Four years later they're still home, even as they get ready to hit the road for a tour that takes them to both coasts through November.
• Other recommended music events tonight include Cari Clara's own CD release party at the Madison Theater with 500 Miles to Memphis and Ellison (see preview here); the Swing/Jazz/Ragtime duo The Ditty Bops reroute their tour of farms to the Southgate House (see interview here); Blues singer/guitarist Jon Justice has an EP release party at Mansion Hill Tavern with guests II Juicy and Them Bones (see recent interview here); and a local band fund-raiser for mental health research at the Mad Hatter (see more here).
• Lots of recommended events today, from pro volleyball to art gallery openings (see more here) to comedian John Henton (see preview here).
• Who's having the better day today: early bird fans of Riverfest; homeowners stuck with subprime mortgages, who might get some help from the federal government; UC football fans; or Philadelphia Phillies fans (like me).
• Who's having the worst today today: U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who still isn't gay; 10 professional wrestlers suspended for violating a drug policy; David Beckham and American soccer fans; ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, now being investigated by his former colleagues at the Justice Department for possibly lying to Congress; or Princess Diana's family and friends on the 10th anniversary of her death.
Have a great Friday and enjoy the decent weather.
— John Fox