New Noise – The Legendary Noise Floor

Photo courtesy of John Tulley.

Baton Rouge is now home to a new co-op music and arts space. Over the past few months, The Legendary Noise Floor has hosted small concerts and art shows as well as been a rehearsal and recording space for musicians such as Ryan Harris, Alex Abel and The Chambers and many more.

The space is located in the former home of Gallery Bohemia at 3774 Government St. and is a partnership between John Tulley, Ryan Farris, Jodi James, Drew Varnado and Ray Hudson. What started as a place for Farris and Tulley to record music became a bigger idea, according to local soundman and musician Tulley.

“Initially, [Farris and I] decided it would be a great spot to work, and [Varnado’s] projects could rehearse there,” he says. “But it evolved from there. We wanted to have art and extend on the idea of developing your craft. We’re not coming from this idea that we want to change Baton Rouge. We just think this is a cool spot where creation can happen.”

Interested artists and musicians can e-mail [email protected] for more information.

As a preview of what’s going on, The Legendary Noise Floor will host a music and arts party tonight at 8 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested. The event includes visual art from Joshua Hall, Kelly Floyd, Matt Tugwell and Jonathan Mayers as well as music from Matsy, Slomile Swift, nowiambecomedeath and GrimmBleak. RSVP and get more information.

In other news:
Lagniappe Records has moved into its new location at 705 St. Joseph St. and is hosting a soft opening today. Get more information on the local record shop at Lagniappe Records’ Facebook page.

Live picks
The Grammy-winning Zydeco and Cajun musician Wayne Toups performs at The Texas Club Saturday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Alternative rock band Listen, Earth performs with Modern Language and Down Up Speed at Spanish Moon Saturday. Doors open at 9 p.m. Cover is $7.

Song of the week
The New Pornographers’ “War on the East Coast”
Dan Bejar, a.k.a. Destroyer, continues to be this Canadian supergroup’s most powerful and most secret weapon. The New Pornographers’ Brill Bruisers is out Aug. 25.

Album of the week
Reigning Sound’s Shattered
Soulful garage rock that’s catchy and full of class, Reigning Sound’s latest album sounds like it was plucked from the golden oldies radio station your father jammed during road trips, and I love every minute of it.

From Justin McGowan
Despite having been way into old blues recordings for many years before I moved to the area, I had only heard of Smoky Babe two months ago. I was immediately taken by the conviction and urgency in his voice, which to me was instantly as expressive and visceral as any of the blues legends I listened to every day. I heard the jumping and driving boogie guitar rhythms of Lightnin’ Hopkins and a swagger and delivery which was reminiscent of a young Muddy Waters at his rawest.
Read Justin’s full post on Smoky Babe.