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- 10 Plays
KID EXP New Single PRTY CRSHR off the album Star Destroyer
KID EXP
Going to school at Maryland Institutes College of Art with a major in Motion Graphics and animation, and preparing for a summer internship with MTV no one would blame KID EXP (Who, wants to be knows as KID EXP by the way) for letting his music slide. Instead the kid has his own project, as well as two side projects. Dead Ponies- is an experimental dance project in the vein of KDXP and Ghost Gun-a punk/pop/electronic venture.
When asked his influences, KID EXP gets excited to tell us about those that have paved the way for him. Justice, Boys Noize, Diplo, Vitalic, Crystal Castles to name a few he rattles off name after name. His excitement is what gives the first clue that while his career in motion graphics is falling into place music is in his heart.
KID EXP was the artist that brought the crowd on this particular night. His transitions were smooth and he definitely kept the crowd moving. His beats were infectious and even the stodgiest of patrons were bobbing their heads as he concentrated on his craft.
As his set progressed his fans encircled him. Moving tighter and tighter around him as his beats kept them dancing. As I watched this scene several different things came to my mind. The first was the 20:1 Female to male ratio of his fans and how techno is where its at. As I looked across the crowd of mostly female faces I noticed how few had a beverage in their hands and thought of Ada back at the empty bar. While KID EXP brought the crowd, the venue wasn’t seeing the benefit from many of his adoring fans. Finally, as I watched the set I remembered the underground raves I attended several decades ago. I remember the 2 or 3 creepy old men that stood on the peripheral of the rave and I suddenly felt self conscious. In all these years the scene has not changed much the only difference is I had become the creepy guy.
In all, KID EXP had the tightest set of the night. He brought fans, he kept them moving, and he looked the part. Whether in music or animation, or motion graphics you got the feeling that this was a kid that could write his own ticket.
KID EXP’s new album can be downloaded free here
And he can be followed on facebook
Charm City Music looks forward to saying we knew him when…..
The Depot 5/6/10
Nestled in the heart of Mount Vernon, The Depot is in the cultural heart of artistic Baltimore. Three doors down from a private club with a sign that can be paraphrased “we reserve the right to deny you entry and we probably will” and two doors from the famed Club Charles, we expected The Depot to have the same ‘cooler than you are’ ethos as the rest of Mount Vernon.
The club has an unassuming décor equal in its understated retro-chic feel to its more famous neighbor. Painted in a chipping red paint, the walls are decorated with works of art from local artists. The club is small, similar to many of the row house bars that populate the city. The first hint that is different than its neighbors is the Nintendo Game Cube set up at the end of the bar, Mario Kart loaded and waiting for patrons to use.
The bartender/operator of the establishment, Ada treats patrons as family as soon as they walk in the door. Happy and chipper yet with an edge that would appeal to the grungiest of indie rockers Ada took time from pouring libations to give a rundown of the history of the establishment and its music scene (and did so without knowing we were there to write this review).
The prices at The Depot are as refreshing as the clientele, from $2 Natty Boh to $4 Pilsner Urquell, but the real value is in their top shelf. For the same price as rail at most Baltimore clubs the $6 top shelf was an unexpected treat especially when served in full glasses as opposed to the shameful small cups of other clubs. Finally, with 25 different types of Vodka, there’s a brand for all Palates. The $16 tab I was presented with when it was time to go was reason enough to make it a regular stop.
Come for the cheap booze, stay for the music. While much smaller than other dedicated live music clubs, the 30’X20’ dance floor was more than enough to make for an intimate live experience. The sound was great for the size of the club. Loud enough to feel the music in your chest and yet crisp and tight as well. The sound system is a dream for talented musicians who want every note to be heard. Likewise, the lighting was also far beyond what one usually expects from a club that can equally pass as a pub and added to the presence of the live acts as opposed to distracting from it as is so often the case.
I have a theory that one can tell a lot about the live music scene from the state of the bathrooms. The more f’d up the bathrooms the more kick ass the show. It seems a rite of passage for up and coming acts or fans of those acts to leave their mark in the bathrooms. The restrooms at The Depot while haphazardly coated in a fresh coat of red paint still bear the scars of some kick ass evenings, and hint at more carnage to come.
It is at places like The Depot that underground music has the potential to come alive. Small enough to keep it local and allow an intimacy with the bands that one will not find at places like Sonar or Ram’s Head Live. It is venue’s like The Depot that we imagined when reading about our heroes starting out at local clubs all across the country. The Depot’s support of local music just may be the best in the area. Not only will they give all bands who contact them a live show, but they will also give 100% of the cover charge to the bands! The Depot offers live music every Thursday and Friday with additional dates possible based on demand. Finally, if you need a place to crash after your set, Ada has a couch for you upstairs (first come first serve).
Introducing Charm City Music
Famed Baltimore Jazz musician Eubie Blake (Feb 7, 1883(7)-Feb 12 1983) was once quoted as saying “Blues in Baltimore? Baltimore is the Blues!”.
This city was once a center for musical innovation. Baltimore can lay claim to legendary jazz musicians such as Eubie Blake, Cab and Blanche Calloway, Chick Webb and many more. While born in New York City, even Tupac Shakur spent his formative years in Baltimore. In its heyday, Baltimore hosted a who’s who of touring jazz musicians at its popular night spots. Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Billie Holiday to name a few couldn’t tour the country without making stops in clubs like the Tijuana, or Pennsylvania Ave, or Fremont Ave or theatre houses like the Royal Theatre. Current jazz clubs like Caton Castle and New Haven Lounge languish in a scene that is as underground as it comes.
While always a red-headed step-child to the D.C. hardcore scene, Baltimore had its share of local legends in the Hardcore/Screamo/Emo scene. Bands like OTR, Fear of God, Bollocks, Reptile House, Grey March and Slot Racer screamed their way into the collective psyche of Baltimore in bars like the Marble Bar and Terminal 406.
While venue’s like Jule’s Loft are long gone, the scene has not died. Rather it has gone even more underground…..deep, deep underground. It is the goal of Charm City Music to bring the underground to your doorstep. To find the best in local talent and shine a light, even a dim one such as this, to give exposure to all those that love music.
Baltimore musical talent is as vibrant as it ever was. The scene is as relevant as it has ever been. Scores of local musicians are grinding every day to sharpen their craft and Charm City Music shall be but one forum in which those voices can be heard.
Stay tuned as we seek out and review the bands, venue’s and scene’s that truely make up the Baltimore musical underground. So until our next review, we’ll see you in the pit.
