Fun Facts: State Tree: tulip poplar, State Song: “My Old Kentucky Home,” State Flower: goldenrod
Home of: The Kentucky Derby, The Judds, Montgomery Gentry, George Clooney, Cage The Elephant, Will Oldham (aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy), Billy Ray Cyrus
The Venues:
Back in 1814, Newport, KY’s Southgate House served as the residence of lawyer, senator and silk merchant Richard Southgate and his family. The building has housed some interesting visitors and residents over the years, including President Abraham Lincoln and John Tariaferro Thompson — the inventor of the “Tommy Gun.” Along with national artists like Fiery Furnaces and Hawthorne Heights, Southgate also books a healthy amount of local and up-and-coming bands. Southgate House comes highly recommended by OurStage’s Kathrynoh.
At Headliner’s Music Hall in Louisville, you can see artists as diverse as RJD2, Attack Attack! and Dr. Dog. Independently-owned and operated, Headliners has been bringing a wide variety of national caliber artists to music fans since 1998.
If you prefer your country music with a side of paranormal activity, check out Bob Mackey’s Music World in Wilder, KY. The club’s Web site claims that it is “The Most Haunted Nightclub In The USA,” and has been featured on numerous television shows, such as Hard Copy, Real Ghosts and Jerry Springer.
The Music:
The Deloreans – The Deloreans sound is a combination of 60s pop, fuzzed-out garage rock and 70s punk attitude. They have appeared on both the 2009 and 2010 installments of the Louisville Is For Lovers compilation CDs, which featured the band aside local luminaries like Bonnie “Prince” Billy and My Morning Jacket. Check out “Let’s Get Together” from their debut album, 2009′s Love Outrageous!
Glen Yoder - Glen Yoder distills the strong spirits of the folk music of the Kentucky hills where he grew up and the indie rock of the big city into something just as potent, yet entirely different. This sound is best illustrated by “Hollywood,” which— in Yoder’s words— is about “…That place (or person) we’ve all longed for and then, unfortunately, gotten.” Yoder recently finished the pre-production for his untitled upcoming EP due in Spring 2010.
Atomic Solace - What started in 2006 as a group of friends goofing around has become one of Kentucky’s best pop/rock bands. Atomic Solace aims to combine the classic rock songcraft of the Beatles with the swagger and soul of more modern bands like Maroon 5. They manage to succeed with “Hold On,” from their 2008 debut Left To Lead, an elegant pop song with soulful vocals and a modern edge.
A Mourning Rain - Louisville’s A Mourning Rain are a young band in every sense of the word. Formed in 2008, band members range in age from 18 – 21. Their youthful exuberance is evident in their eclectic indie folk sound, which features toy piano, didgeridoo, banjo, trumpet, handclaps, harmonies and gang vocals. Fans of Sufjan Stevens should take a listen to the quirky “Filthy Rags.”
Check out these acts and other great Kentucky artists in the playlist below! Who are your favorite Ourstage Kentuckians? Where do you like to see music in Kentucky? Let us know in the comments!
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| Let's Get Together | by: | The Deloreans |
| Hollywood | by: | Glen Yoder |
| Hold On | by: | Atomic Solace |
| Filthy Rags | by: | A Mourning Rain |
| No Excuses | by: | Our Velocity |
| Kiss | by: | Amanda Lucas |
| Again | by: | Deanna Brown |
