My Page: Colin Hickey

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MVP Events

Mike Dillon is coming to Missoula and Jackson Hole. No not Mike Dillon the NASCAR driver or the Canadian Men’s Curling Champion. Mike Dillon the percussionist is coming to Missoula. Mike is touring with his band Mike Dillon’s Go-Go Jungle. So I know what you’re thinking who the hell is Mike Dillon? Well Mr. Dillon is a New Orleans musician who has his fingers in about a dozen pies. Some of his well known projects include Hairy Apes BMX, Billy Goat, Critters Buggin and of course the Go-Go Jungle. When Mike isn’t on stage with one of his bands you can find him doing percussion for Ani Difranco or Les Claypool. [more]

Guest Column: Making it in Missoula

When a friend invited me to a singles gathering a couple weeks ago, I quickly came up with a barrage of reasons of why I shouldn't, or couldn't, go. But then I decided I wasn't going to find a girlfriend playing video games, which is, frankly, a bit of a bummer. So, I thought I'd give the dreaded singles night a shot.

On the night of the event though, the decision didn't seem so easy or so definite. The gathering was going to start at seven and that posed me with my first problem: What time should I show up? I definitely don't want to be the first person there. I decide I will show up an hour late. Next problem is: Should I have a drink or two before I leave to loosen me up? I decide against this because the idea of me, drunk, at a singles party seemed to be a bad one.

So I clean the leftover grilled cheese sandwich out of my beard and start to head out. [more]

New West MVP Events

The first time I head Dr. Octagon (AKA Kool Keith) I was living in Laramie, Wyoming and going to the University of Wyoming. I had been invited to a party that night that a friend of a friend was putting on. I always hate those parties because you end up only knowing one person there and they usually leave early. So there I was sitting by the stereo like always shuffling through this random person’s CD collection. That’s where I found the Doctor. [more]

Missoula's MVP Events

The Ye Olde Brass Band is one Missoula band that stands out from all the others. In a scene that is crowded with emo bands and cover bands the brass band brings a breath of fresh air to the stage. I wanted to know a little bit more about the band so I sat down with them via the interweb and asked them some questions. Here's a taste. Click "more" below for the full 15 questions.

Q: How long has the band been around?
A: About two years

Q: Who is the leader of the band?
A: Kyle “floppy chops” Gillett says that he's the leader, but Brandon thinks that Cody is the leader. Andy wants Jarom to be the leader, and Neil thinks that he's going to be president someday.

Q: Is it true what they say about tuba players?
A: You’ll have to come to the show to find out. [more]

New West MVP Events

Of Montreal, the Athens, Georgia pop outfit, has a new album out which means a new tour. The album is called Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? and it hits stores on January 23rd. The band hits Albuquerque that same day at the Launchpad. Here's why I think they are one of the best bands ever:

When I start to describe Of Montreal's music it makes me think of what it was like to review the Beatles Sgt. Peppers album for the first time. Of Montreal's music is unlike anything I've ever heard. The band does get compared to the Beach Boys and Beatles a lot but that's just because there's nothing else out there that comes close. Over the years, Of Montreal's music has evolved into the monstrous pop-making machine that they are today. Even the sad songs on the album make me want to dance. If Of Montreal was playing at one of those awkward school dances of my youth I would have had no problem crossing the gym to dance with one of the girls that lined the wall. [more]

MVP Events

Chris Fairbanks is a stand-up comedian, artist, skateboarder, golfer, actor, designer…and the list goes on. Chris moved away from Missoula seven years ago in search of something bigger and he ended up in Austin. While in Austin he quickly made a name for himself as a force on the stand-up clubs in town. In 2003 Chris was voted the funniest person in Austin.

Chris will be performing at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Boise from Jan 17-21 and 24-28. Shows start at 8pm every night with second sets at 10 on Friday and Saturday. Here are some clips from some of Chris’s various performances.

Colin Hickey is the New West Event Editor. Check back for his "MVP Events" or pick your own here: www.boiseevents.net [more]

New West MVP Events

The Ottawa International Animation Festival got its start in 1976 and thirty years later it’s still running strong. The festival took place back in September but now the best of the festival is going on tour. Out of the handful of U.S. cities that the festival will be stopping at, Missoula got the nod to host this one-of-a-kind event. This is great for Missoula considering some of the other cities were New York, Austin and Cleveland. I don’t know how we do it, but we keep on getting the goods in this town. [more]

MVP Events

Everybody knows who Bob Marley is no matter what age you are. Bob’s backup, the Wailers, are going to be in Missoula on January 11th at the Wilma. Most people don’t know that Aston “Familyman” Barrett of the Wailers helped Bob Marley become the international superstar that he became.

Aston “Familyman” Barrett made his first bass guitar out of ply wood and an ashtray. Today he is recognized as one of the best bass players in the world. Aston and his brother Carlton joined the Wailers in the late 1960’s. Aston quickly became the leader of the Wailers. He is the only living musician who played with Bob Marley from his beginning to his tragic death of cancer in 1981.

This might be one of the last times you will be able to see this lineup on stage together. They will be playing all of your Marley favorites plus other reggae staples that they made famous. Tickets are $22.50 Adv and $25 at the door. [more]

Missoula Events

There are dozens of events in Missoula on New Years Eve with First Night and the local bar shows. The picking process can be a little daunting, so I did a little work for you. Here are few of the picks that jumped off the page for me.

And remember, you can make your own picks at our new interactive events calendar, www.missoulaevents.net [more]

Missoula Events

The holidays are here again, and if you want to enjoy a musical treat other than Christmas carols try one of these shows:

Thursday, Dec. 21st
Artini is throwing a Holiday Concert at the Missoula Art Museum. Bring the family down to the newly renovated museum and check out the cappella group Dolce Canto. The concert starts at 6pm.

Friday, Dec. 22nd
So you haven’t been to Missoula’s new wine bar at the 515 restaurant yet? Well come down this Friday and enjoy some free live music by the Discount Quartet while you enjoy some apps and a glass of your favorite red. Band starts at 6pm.

Missoula’s own John Floridis has a new Christmas CD out called December’s Quiet Joy. He'll be playing at The Loft, for free, starting around 7:30pm.

Saturday, Dec. 23rd
Eden Atwood teams up with Red Delicious for a night of smooth jazz music at the Union Club. Atwood has been blowing people a way from coast to coast with her singing for the last 10-plus years. This should be a great night of music and as always the show is free. The whole thing starts around 9pm.

Sunday, Dec. 24th
It’s Christmas Eve and you still aren’t feeling festive? Well come down to one of Missoula’s newest hot spots, The Loft, for a night of music with Rhanda Johnson. Johnson has been singing since the 70’s and she isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Stop being a scrooge get in the spirit and watch some great live music. Show starts at 9pm.

For the full lowdown on what's happening around Missoula, check out MissoulaEvents.Net.

See you at the shows!

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