We’re back: a new adventure for SxSE

Whether you religiously pay attention to SxSE or not, you’ve noticed that we’ve been remiss, to say the least.

I’ve been a bit busy. And lazy. And loving both, if that’s possible. I’ve moved across the country, and across a whole world, it seems. I’m landlocked with no water here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, unless you count the limestone-infused groundwater that makes the bourbon go down fast and the thoroughbreds run even faster.

The good news is, I haven’t left the South. What would AjZig and I do without a hefty dose of hospitality and that twang? (Sidenote: AjZig wants to be southern more than anyone I know.)

“Y’all” and “fixin’ to” are respectable turns of phrase here, so we’re holding it down.

Speaking of AjZig, SxSE has had another major development: cohabitation.  No need to say more about that.

Back to the task at hand. The IndieBelle has arrived in Lexington, KY, where bevies of blonde beauties bleed blue and University of Kentucky basketball is a way of life, not a pastime. John Wall is a legend at 19, and John Calipari is on every billboard, radio announcement and TV ad that crosses my path. I’m not complaining, though. It’s a prime time to be a Wildcat.!

I do miss the Holy City. It’s been a little over four weeks now, and I have no one to text or call on Friday nights, except for my mother; and AjZig is still learning to put the seat down. But I’m quickly becoming charmed by the Thoroughbred City, with its compassionate residents and eccentric style. We have beer, broads and bands of all kinds in this surprisingly progressive community.!

With Cincy to the north, Louisville to the south and Indy to the west, we’re also in critically important territory for most major tours…or within driving distance, at least.  And we’ve got Three Floyd’s out of Indianapolis, not to mention a multitude of bourbon barrel-brewed delicacies available locally.

For this next installation of SxSE, I’m going to bring you little color from the “Athens of the West,” while Vima keeps you up-to-date on Charleston’s coast. I’ll vicariously ride the waves at Folly, as Vima and crew become privy to hot browns and mint juleps. Yes. These are all land-loving, Kentucky traditions.

So stayed tuned, SxSE-ers, we’re going abroad. Someday we’ll make it to that hallowed Austin music and cultural festival our blog is named in honor of, but for now, we’re keeping it amateur. Keeping it South by Southeast.

An adventure for the ages. : ) I’ll report back sooner, rather than later. – iBelle

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Original welcome

When in the course of human events, one sees a culinary, musical, or other cultural dearth one’s city, one needs to take action. This is my response to a cultural rift that I see. This is my action.

After discussions with fellow Charlestonians and friends, I decided that our fair city needed an independent blog. This blog is not associated with any of our daily or weekly newspapers or magazines, but I will use their schedules as they are meant to be used, with due and proper reference given.

This was my quandary: Charleston boasts four and five star restaurants and hotels that rival many in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Judging by the 2nd annual Fashion Week, we’re quickly becoming a mainstream fashion destination as well.

I have been a Charleston resident for seven years and have appreciated its growth economically and culturally, but I’ve been bothered as of late by a lack of independent music and until recently, the lack of craft beer available in the area. (Columbia’s eminent legislative keg stand, which now permits beer with more than 6 percent alcohol by volume, has helped to temper that issue.)

With the closure of the Map Room in West Ashley and Cumberland’s downtown, many fans of indie music have been hung out to dry, which is a tough statement to make in the humidity-soaked Lowcountry.

Why do so many bands skip Charleston on their way from Charlotte to Atlanta? Is it the lack of performance venues?  Are there truly no fans of indie music in the area?

I choose to disagree that Charleston doesn’t have the space or fan base. I think that if music fans come together and support these artists on tour and in their own backyard, they’ll stop and play for us.  If bands know that they will draw a crowd, then they’ll come. Many of them will play without that promise.

The opening of the Tin Roof in West Ashley is slowly but surely attracting those same Map Room bands.  I’m hoping that this blog will mobilize more of you in support

I promise to do my best to keep you up-to-date on independent and local music around the Charleston area, as well as reviewing the shows that my faithful friend and roommate, Katie Canavan (known hereafter as Candyvan) are able to attend.

We’re going to try to make it as easy as possible for you to decide what to do with your Saturday night– or Tuesday night, for that matter.

And – we like beer, and we live around the corner from the famed Charleston Beer Exchange, so we’ll slip in a hops review or two as well amidst the music.

Bands, beers and broads. Hello and welcome to South by Southeast.!

-          the IndieBelle