Backwash

The Internet is a strange thing, indeed. Damien McCarron, lead Celt of the Indulgers, has noticed a significant increase in traffic to the Irish band's Web site (shamrocker.com) since posting an MP3 of its song "Brave New World" -- which first appeared on the band's debut, In Like Flynn, in March. The hits aren't coming from Web-savvy Aldous Huxley fans, either, but from Iron Maiden enthusiasts; apparently, the heavy-metal band released a CD, also named Brave New World, earlier this year. And while the idea of the Indulgers playing some Maiden fare is amusing -- maybe they should consider adding a fiddle-heavy cover called "The Trooper" to Tan and Black, another full-length slated for release in early 2001 -- we suspect McCarron will continue to guide his band down the Irish-rock road it traverses so well.

Some of those Maidenheads may be be similarly drawn to the Westword Music Showcase 1999/2000 compilation CD, which hit most area music retailers last week: "Brave New World" is among the sixteen songs offered on the release. The collection is an abbreviated survey of the bands that have won awards in various showcase categories during the past two years. So, while Backwash is painfully aware of how distasteful, shameless, self-promotional and downright scandalous this notice is, allow me to point out that all of the artists who appear on the disc are winners selected by you, the reader. And judging by the lineup, you've done a fine job: The CD includes songs from String Cheese Incident, Blister66, Kingdom, Dotsero, Opie Gone Bad, Brethren Fast, Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra, The Indulgers, Nina Storey, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Vitamin D, Rainbow Sugar, Hillbilly Hellcats, Wendy Woo, Hazel Miller and Yo, Flaco! It's a kooky, eclectic roster, all right -- where else will you find the String Cheese Incident's earthy "Got What He Wanted" next to Blister66's anatomically fixated "Booty Shake"? -- and one that nicely encapsulates the variety of sounds available to fans of local music.

Swallow Hill's concert director, Meredith Carson, has decided to leave the nest. After five years of booking some of the country's best acoustic and folk music for the grassroots music organization, Carson has decided to take some time off, "then decide what's next." Carson's replacement -- Oklahoma City-based promoter Everett Moran -- will be welcomed officially during the organization's annual holiday party and silent auction on Saturday, December 2, says the Hill's executive director, Jim Williams. Carson, meanwhile, will continue hosting Morning Sound Alternatives with Michael Schmidt on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m on KGNU. Fly, little birdie, fly.