The Buddha Den Presents: Jordan Hull/Perkasie @ South Park Tavern 8.17.09

...for the second time in less than a month, we at The Buddha Den have had the bittersweet opportunity to send off some of Dayton's finest young talent to other cities. While earlier in August we said goodbye to Hospital Garden [off to Chicago], last evening at South Park Tavern we said goodbye to Jordan Hull, who is heading off to find his fortunes in Nashville. With his departure close at hand, there was no shortage of souls eager to come out and see him perform in his hometown one last time. Combing through his brilliant catalog, Hull juxtaposed newer material ["My Better Judgment"] against his most popular material ["On to Me", "Rusty Bones"] and even his earliest fan favorites {the all-to-poignant closer, "Home"}. While Hull will likely return from time to time, not having him on the home team is certainly a loss that will be felt for some time. We certainly wish him well...



...arriving through countless construction delays on the byways of America, Philadelphia's Perkasie channeled whatever their collective traveling miseries into a set that the fortunate Daytonians in attendance will not soon forget. From the word go, Perkasie commanded the room in a way seldom seen in the Gem City, as the iconic Kate Foust veered between the posturing of Karen O and the flair of a traditional flamenco dance routine. Even better, Perkasie delivered songs of undeniable substance filled with impeccable musicianship [when was the last time you saw mandolin and washboard on-stage with an indie band?] and an unbridled passion for playing these songs together, recalling Arcade Fire on the cusp of their buzz. While many eyes certainly focused on Foust, pianist Alex Walsh and guitarist Ben Roth both delivered several tunes with equal conviction, and the way in which the whole lot chimed in on the singalong harmonies demonstrated the powerful connection that these seven musicians possess. Certainly, no one in attendance was left anything short of stunned at such a display on a Monday night in Dayton, Ohio...



For more photos from the evening, go here.

The Buddha Den Presents: Jordan Hull/Perkasie-Tonight @ South Park Tavern

...while there typically aren't too many Monday night shows, we figured we'd take a chance and throw this one anyway. Tonight at South Park Tavern, one of Dayton's finest young talents, Jordan Hull will make his final Dayton appearance before heading off the music city of Nashville this week. It's an honor for us to throw him a proper farewell party. We've also got the Dayton debut of Philadelphia's Perkasie this evening, who are currently in the midst of an extended Midwestern jaunt. This inventive septet conjures a playful side of Americana fueled by splashes of indie pop that are likely to incite repeated spins, mental or otherwise, well after they've gone. We'll see you there...

MP3: Jordan Hull "How Dare He"
MP3: Perkasie "Ginger Sobs"
MP3: Perkasie "Barstowe Station"

The Buddha Den NTRO/XPO Presents: The Turkish Delights April Residency

...as we kick off our 8th month of The Buddha Den NTRO/XPO at Oregon Express, we've decided to mix things up a bit. First, the open mic will no longer be part of the event. Also, we've decided to give a band the chance to stretch out over the course of the whole month and play every Wednesday with one other band. We've invited one of our favorite new locals, The Turkish Delights to play every Wednesday in April and we're kicking it off tonight. We would HIGHLY encourage you to come out every week in April as the band will be mixing things up all month long with lots of different material, including a night of all covers at some point during the month...

...kicking things off tonight, The Turkish Delights will be playing along with another of our favorites, Jordan Hull. First act on at 10 pm, the second at 11 pm, and, as always, this event is totally FREE...

MP3: The Turkish Delights "I've Been North"
MP3: Jordan Hull "How Dare He"

The Buddha Den Presents: Towhee [CD Release]/Jordan Hull @ South Park Tavern 3.7.09

...as we suspected might happen, the improving weather seemed to bring everyone out of the woodwork last night for a great musical occasion. The cozy South Park Tavern played host to one of the most fun shows in recent memory...

...kicking off the evening, Jordan Hull ran through much of his self-titled debut and even without the aid of a backing band, still delivered the songs with a conviction and a confidence that held the audience rapt for the duration of his set...




...by the time Towhee came on, the room was at capacity and people were ready to celebrate the release of What We've Done. With the elaborate hand-crafted discs arriving just before the band hit the stage, the disc's watercolor paint book made this an amazing package to go along with a great new album. From the start, Towhee lit up the room as the audience danced and sang along. The band seemed more relaxed and confident than we'd ever seen them, accentuating the sweeping dynamics and intensifying the band's dance undertones. By the end of the night, the affirmation and joy found in Towhee's music left everyone smiling a little more as they headed back out into the Dayton night...




For more photos from the evening, go here.

The Buddha Den Presents: Towhee [CD Release]/Jordan Hull-Tonight @ South Park Tavern

...The Buddha Den is very excited to be a part of the release of the new Towhee album, What We've Done, which we previewed earlier this week. We'll be celebrating the release tonight at South Park Tavern. Opening the evening you've got Jordan Hull, who we highly recommend checking out as well. You know this is gonna be a fun night. We'll see you there...

MP3: Towhee "Submarine"
MP3: Jordan Hull "How Dare He"

New Towhee: What We've Done

...one of our favorite Dayton bands, Towhee, are self-releasing their new album What We've Done. We'll be helping the band celebrate the release this Saturday at South Park Tavern along with Jordan Hull. Filled with the band's trademarks-intertwining guitars; airy, introspective vocals; intricate-yet-danceable rhythm section- What We've Done could very well be the perfect soundtrack to the imminent onset of spring in Dayton...

MP3: Towhee "Calm Down"
MP3: Towhee "Submarine"

Turkish Engine

...hey kids, you've got a pair of great shows to get out to tonight. Here's the details...


...over at Canal Street Tavern tonight the brothers Remnant celebrate the release of their split 7" from Southeast Engine and Jesse Remnant. Although older brother Adam Remnant's Southeast Engine is sporting a leaner lineup these days, their delivery is still potent. Jesse Remnant will be getting backing from members of Shrug. Opening the evening will be youngster Jordan Hull...


...you could also swing over to Oregon Express to catch a solid bill of garage/punk goodness. Between Thee Pistol Whips, Mountain Screamer, Hospital Garden, and newcomers Turkish Delights, you've got plenty of good rockin' tonight. We'll see you out...

Rebel Mountain Minutes

...if you're headed out tonight, you've got more options than you can possibly engage. Alas, you have some tough choices to make...


...over at Jimmie's Cornerstone you've got a chocked bill full of Dayton faves: The Northwest Ordinance, Electric Banana, and Mountain Screamer are poised to dish out an excellent show...


...over at Oregon Express, local rockabilly underdogs The Rebel Set host a bill that also includes Drexel, Akillis Green, and the return of one of our favorites, Jordan Hull...

...if you swing by Blind Bob's tonight, you can catch new locals Minutes, along with Gentlemen, and Brandon Hawk...

...well kids, you've got it all laid out for you. Head on out and support whatever sounds like fun tonight...

The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: Jordan Hull @ South Park Tavern 8.23.08

...with the sweltering heat bearing down on the Gem City last evening, the South Park Tavern filled to capacity to witness Jordan Hull perform for his CD release show. With an incredibly gifted rhythm section backing him up on this night, Hull's material transcended the subtle restraint present on his debut disc into an impassioned delivery that had the audience enraptured all evening. Hull displayed the full range of his myriad talents on this night, ranging from articulate fingerpicked guitar numbers to a tune done on ukulele to an off-the-cuff rendition of the Velvet Underground classic "White Light/White Heat" (which included verses of "That's Alright, Mama" and "Maggie's Farm") that sent the audience into a frenzy. By the end of the evening, it was apparent to all in attendance that young Jordan Hull is one of the finest talents to come out of Dayton in quite some time...




For more photos from the evening, go here.

The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: Jordan Hull-Tonight @ South Park Tavern

...we at The Buddha Den are very pleased to bring you another installment of our monthly Showcase series at South Park Tavern. This month we are extremely excited to host Jordan Hull, who will be celebrating the release of his self-titled debut CD. Our sources tell us that Hull has put together an all-star band to back him up for this evening, so you don't want to miss this one....

...as always, this event is FREE and ALL AGES. Music starts PROMPTLY at 9 PM, with a second set starting around 10:30. If you wanna find out what we've been talking about, come on down tonight and see for yourself. Besides, South Park Tavern just opened up their new patio....

Jordan Hull on WYSO

...in case you've wondering what all the buzz is about over young troubadour Jordan Hull, tune today to WYSO 91.3 FM or online to catch an in-studio performance/interview with Hull. Don't forget about this on Saturday, brought to you by The Buddha Den Showcase...

REVIEW: Jordan Hull-s/t

...sure, it's all too easy to make the obvious references to the earliest phases of a certain harmonica/guitar-playing-singer/songwriter. It's also incredibly easy to get caught up on the fact that he's only 18. The fact remains, however, that young Jordan Hull has issued an incredible debut album.

Working in the Nashville studio of Dayton ex-patriate Patrick Himes and accompanied by Dayton mainstays Brian Lakatos on bass (from Shrug) and Brian Hoeflich on drums (from Flyaway Minion/Brian Hoeflich & the All-Nighters), the nine tracks found on this disc display a command of songcraft that many of Hull's elders have yet to attain. The Sun Records-flavored "On to Me" is an instant classic, with it's singalong chorus that belies the song's strained sentimentality. The incredibly powerful simplicity of "Better Than You" may be the album's finest moment. With its hypnotic sway and pleading confessions, the song most clearly indicates the depth of Hull's writing. Album closer "How Dare He" closes the case with its winding verses echoing some of Dylan's finest moments from his earliest work and also from his post-Time Out of Mind era successes. Rather than be mired in the weight of the master's early socio-political work, Hull draws more from the romantic introspection perfected on Blood on the Tracks.

This is not to say that Hull is merely a Dylan knock-off. Sure, the comparisons are easy to make. However, Hull's other apparent affinity for the earliest strains of country-western, most notably those found through Hank Williams, infuse the album with a much-needed counterpoint. While the tracks that most readily evidence this (mid-album tracks like "Rusty Bones" and "Cause I Know") are some of the weaker moments on the album, by their mere presence they indicate that Hull possesses the depth to transcend whatever similarities his work may have with Dylan and eventually come into his own. Keep in mind, Hull is not yet even in his twenties.

Perhaps more than anyone in Dayton at the moment, Jordan Hull is poised to make a name for himself outside of the Gem City. On the strength of his timeless songwriting, his masterful guitar and harmonica work, and a voice that is at once youthful and wise, Hull may soon catch the attention of audiences that will no more easily accept the unmistakable talent before them.

For a short time, Hull has made a track available as a free download at his website. Head over now and grab the free track, as well a samples of all the tracks...

Grizzzzy Bear/The Sailing/Toads and Mice/Romance of the Young Tigers @ Nite Owl 3.14.08

...as night fell on the Oregon District, waves of people moved throughout the district as gallery openings and art events dotted the area. Outside of the Nite Owl, music lovers gathered in support of Squids Eye Records' celebration of their first year. With lines pouring out the door, this was one of the biggest events of the season. Before things got under way over there, we stopped in to Jasper Wall Cafe to catch the young Jordan Hull, performing as part of the Echos Dayton for March...



...opening the evening over at the Nite Owl, the ambient/noise outfit Romance of the Young Tigers perplexed most audients, but left us with a sense that perhaps in more inviting environs they could become a truly captivating experience...




...next up was our favorite set of the evening, Toads and Mice. While the set got off to a rather slow start, by mid-set the band had hit its stride and in front of a capacity audience proceeded to demonstrate why they are truly one of the best bands in Dayton today...




...with their debut disc coming out later this spring on Squids Eye Records, The Sailing delivered an inspired set of hair-flailing anthemic rock. With their prog tendencies in full display, their high-energy set impressed us, although we felt they could have made a stronger impact with a slightly shorter set. Regardless, we are very much looking forward to their debut disc...




...closing out the evening, Grizzzzy Bear whipped the audience into a frenzy as the throng charged toward the stage. As we endure the band's stylistic shift into a prog/metal stance, we were left somewhat bemused as much of the band's strongest material off their debut disc was left off the setlist. Clearly, Grizzzy Bear continues to find its footing with the new lineup, but with so much obvious talent we are more than willing to follow them down the rabbit hole...




we'd like to thank Tony Gilbert and everyone at Squids Eye Records for an amazing night and for proving that Dayton music is still, very much, alive and well. For more photos from the show, head over here....

down on the street....

...tonight's a big night for music in Dayton, so we hope we see everyone out there. Here's the lowdown...


...we're starting early tonight over at Jasper Wall Cafe with one of our favorite monthlies, Echos Dayton. This month their musical guests will be Jordan Hull, who everyone really needs to check out, and indie/folk duo Umbrella Men. Featured poets this month are Fred Kirchner, Matthew Estvanic, and Cherokee. This gets under way early at 8 pm, it's free, and it's all ages. Go grab a coffee, catch some culture, and get ready for the main event...


...one of the most highly-anticipated musical events of the season, tonight at the Nite Owl the ubiquitous Squids Eye Records celebrates its first year with a showcase of monumental proportions. Four of the labels finest are on tap for the evening: Grizzzzy Bear, Toads and Mice, The Sailing, and Romance of the Young Tigers. In addition, Squids Eye will be handing out a complimentary sampler CD to everyone in attendance. With four of Dayton's most promising young bands and the most ambitious record label in town putting this on for you, you owe it to yourself not to miss this one...

Better With You

I apologize, dear readers, in the lack of posts in the previous days. Rest assured, we here at the Buddha Den are still here for you and will continue to bring you coverage on the Dayton music scene....

To that end, we found ourselves at the Nite Owl last eve and caught what can only be described as the second coming...of Bob Dylan. Yes, that Bob Dylan. Surely, you will scoff at this and decry our assessment as hasty. Now, go check out the young Jordan Hull and ask anyone there last night for their assessment. It was universal. In addition to this most obvious stylistic comparison, Hull is writing incredibly complex lyrics and his melodies and song-structures are absolutely classic without being cliche. Catch it now and get board, as he will be releasing his debut disc in the coming months...