Local Artist A Hit At The Annex
His songs are punk through and through, with simple chord progressions and humorous wordplays that were at times political...Heibutzki was very talkative, conversing with crowd members often, and even made up some songs on the spot with lyrics about people in the audience. He elicited a laugh from the crowd when he made fun of a leaving concertgoer's Slipknot jacket.
Acts To Play At Annex On Memorial Day Weekend
For Memorial Day weekend, the road to the Hillsdale Annex is heading back to country, and a little bit of left-field folk. Jason And The Wanted will bring their distinctive country stylings for their first appearance at the Annex. They'll be supported by singer-guitarist Chairman Ralph, of Hillsdale.
As anyone who's seen the Chairman knows, no two shows are alike, and this one won't be an exception. Look for Ralph to pull out everything from country instrumentals, to offbeat covers (the Clash and the Kinks are always on the rehearsal menu), and his own humorous originals (like "Where's The Crowd?", which deals with every musician's worst nightmare -- the empty room).
As anyone who's seen the Chairman knows, no two shows are alike, and this one won't be an exception. Look for Ralph to pull out everything from country instrumentals, to offbeat covers (the Clash and the Kinks are always on the rehearsal menu), and his own humorous originals (like "Where's The Crowd?", which deals with every musician's worst nightmare -- the empty room).
Folk Music To Fill The Hillsdale Annex This Saturday
Exploring new territory isn't a problem for Chairman Ralph of Hillsdale. It's been his priority for nearly a year now, with sets ranging from countrified originals to improvised medleys, and his own versions of '60s Britbeat classics, like the Kinks' "You Do Something To Me." As always, look for Ralph's guitar to do its own talking on instrumentals like the dreamy, laidback "Big Bang (For Shiny Green Grasshopper)."
Recent Exhibit Is A Feather In The Cap For A Bird-Themed Artist
Six works from Lisa Quinlan's show, "Budgie's Nest," now hang on other people's walls -- instead of her own -- and she couldn't be more pleased with the results.
"I enjoyed it very much, having the opportunity to show off my artwork, as well as the variety (of styles)," Quinlan said. "I look forward to other opportunities like this one."
The show closed on Oct. 20 with "Unraveled," a multi-media party that featured refreshments, and live music from local guitarist Chairman Ralph (Heibutzki). (For a sampling of the highlights, and works sold, see the accompanying photos.)
"I enjoyed it very much, having the opportunity to show off my artwork, as well as the variety (of styles)," Quinlan said. "I look forward to other opportunities like this one."
The show closed on Oct. 20 with "Unraveled," a multi-media party that featured refreshments, and live music from local guitarist Chairman Ralph (Heibutzki). (For a sampling of the highlights, and works sold, see the accompanying photos.)
Chairman Ralph Takes The Stage
His music is mostly drawn from real-life observations, Heibutzki said. "I was living in Chicago when 'I Fired The Dog' was written," he went on. "I was visiting a friend who had gotten a dog and was making her husband walk it. Eventually they got rid of the dog because it was too much work. I made the joke that they had fired the dog, which led to the song. It's a social commentary."
Singer Mixes Folk, Punk For Concert At Eagle Street
For two years, the Chairman's been sharpening his guitar style, which he calls "untamed folk, with a twist of Americana, and roots punk."
"Good music takes you somewhere that you haven't already been," Ralph states. "That seems like an afterthought nowadays, but not to me. It's all up for grabs."
"Good music takes you somewhere that you haven't already been," Ralph states. "That seems like an afterthought nowadays, but not to me. It's all up for grabs."