Uvu-News

The Midwesterners


Jon Hain - Catalog

What do you think of when you think of the Midwest, Wisconsin in particular. Cheese? Frozen tundra? Cornfields? The heartland? Small towns? All these everyday elements go into the songs of The Midwesterners. From the honky tonk story in Dark Tavern Blues, to the resurgence of hope in The Winter of 96', to the joy of rock and roll in Unsafe At Any Speed and Guitar Problem. Everyday life, salt of the earth characters, journeyman musicianship, and a pinch of humor are the elements for "Midwestern rock and roll."

The Midwesterners is the... [read more]

Bitches and Machines


Jon Hain - Catalog

There's huge lots mucho good to say about "Bitches and Machines," the dynamite sophomore effort from Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Pablo. Pegged by some as a "Folk artist with a post-punk sensibility," I prefer to describe Pablo as "Some guy with a guitar who, lyrically and experimentally, makes the rest of the CD's currently in my CD player sound like shit. And I don't listen to shit." This CD grabbed my attention right from the start, when the ending to the initial track, "Rebecca," made me laugh out loud with surprise at Pablo's... [read more]

Pretty Little Town


Jon Hain - Catalog

"Pretty Little Town" is the second CD by The Midwesterners on Darlingtone Records.

Located in the 'frozen tundra' of Madison, Wisconsin, and spearheaded by Richard Wiegel, who plays guitar and writes the songs, the CD runs the gamut from rock to twang to rockabilly and all points in between.

Comprised of guitar, standup bass, drums and steel guitar, the CD reflects stellar production values and journeyman musicianship.

Recorded and mixed at Coney Island and Smart Studios, (home of Garbage), in Madison, by Mark Haines,... [read more]

Royal Jelly


Jon Hain - Catalog

The first studio release by this eclectic and odd rock/cabaret ensemble. Loose and shambly with a feel similar to the Velvet Underground, Stephanie Rearick and friends conjure up a wild ride.

August


Jon Hain - Catalog

Polenzani calls this CD, "A collection of intimate, misfit home recordings."

In fact, it is her strongest work to date.

Her voice is front and center where it belongs. The instrumentation always complements the song, as opposed to becoming it. Her writing is dead-on in both economy and mysticism. She manages to always sound like she is imparting knowledge.. perhaps she is. From quiet, meditative and introspective (Blue Angel, And These Hands) to hard edged rock (Expain it to me) to unbelievably catchy (Married Man) this CD... [read more]

Sharp Steel Pinafore


Jon Hain - Catalog

"Sharp Steel Pinafore is an unbridled joy - proof that she is among this city's best and most unappreciated musical treasures." - Isthmus

"she can sing sweet and soft or crank it out, the tunes ranging in style from folky ballads to indie flavoured rockers... she is attracting a real following of devoted fans... she has got a great band and people are starting to notice." - Ricks Cafe

Weedstock, Volume 2


Jon Hain - Catalog

Recorded at Weedstock 1998.

Features a humurous exchange between Ben Masel and a police officer.

Weedstock, Vol 1


Jon Hain - Catalog

Recorded at Weedstock 1997.