TERRE HAUTE —
His recording studio is an 11-by-11-foot den in an apartment on the north side of Indianapolis. Squeezed into the space is everything needed to record and edit music — a keyboard, a Mac, recording software, compressors, electric guitars, a futon and even a plump orange cat lounging on a bench beside a bottle of merlot. On the walls are inspirations — photos of Tori Amos and Fiona Apple, among fliers and backstage passes from Terre Haute-native Jason Reed Milner’s days in various electronic bands — memories of concerts staged before he chose to embrace his background as a classically trained pianist.
“I want to put up more posters,” says Milner, “one of Sarah McLachlan and one of Elton John from the 1970s wearing that silver jumpsuit while doing one of his signature piano handstands. How cool would that be?”
Warming up on his keyboard with chords he dubs “Amos-esque” or in the “key of Apple,” Milner plays everything he knows by ear, almost effortlessly. Before rehearsing live songs off their debut album, “Closer to Home,” released in March 2010, Milner and singer-songwriter Leslie Benson toy with their original songs, replacing their poetic lyrics with adult humor to break up hours of rehearsal time. It’s this juxtaposition between playful banter and serious songwriting that keep the two musically compatible.
“I remember listening to my favorite artists as a kid, finding solace in their songs — a rare connection with the world,” Benson says. “It’s time for us to give back.”
“Closer to Home” is the first album of original material Benson has written since 2002’s “The Campfire” EP by her former band, Burning Veda, of Dayton, Ohio. Now living and writing full-time in Indianapolis, she has returned to the music scene as half of the new alternative blues/pop project Irene & Reed, backed by music veteran Milner. The duo shared recording duties with Jason’s bass and drum-wielding brother Brad, who also grew up in Terre Haute, and who worked as a sound engineer for Sony Tree Studios in Nashville, Tenn., during the creation of their album.
“‘Closer to Home’ feels honest, organic and tangible,” Milner says. “It’s a totally different writing style and a fresh, much-needed change.”
Irene & Reed launched their Midwest tour with new bandmates Eddie Venable on drums and Scott Carroll on bass in December, while working on their sophomore album. They’ll perform their Terre Haute debut on Jan. 21 at The Verve, 677 Wabash Ave., with Chicago’s Ornery Little Darlings (www.reverbnation.com/ornerylittledarlings), the self-proclaimed “love-child between Billie Holiday and Lou Reed,” and Terre Haute natives A Thieves Parade (www.reverbnation.com/athievesparade), who’ll play groovy experimental rock. The show starts at 9 p.m., admission is $5, must be 21 or older. For more information, go to www.thevervenightclub.com or call (812) 234-9536.
Entertainment
TH musician releases album, pays homage to hometown
- Entertainment
-
-
Kick off summer with Banks of Wabash Festival tonight
The 29th Annual Banks of the Wabash Festival will run from tonight through June 2 at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute. The festival offers bingo, crafters, food, nightly music, a merchandise mart and will feature Luehrs’ Rides and Midway Games.
Admission and parking are free. -
Concerts: May 24, 2012
Concerts: May 24, 2012
-
Karaoke: May 24, 2012
Karaoke: May 24, 2012
-
Popular act The Van-Dells to play Boot City Opry
Rock ’n’ roll review band The Van-Dells have been called “The Three Stooges set to music.” The group has been entertaining audiences of all ages with its unique blend of comedy, costume changes, choreography and tight harmonies for close to four decades.
-
Nightlife: May 24, 2012
Nightlife: May 24, 2012
-
‘Parent’s night Out’ with well-known author to be offered at Showplace 12
Finally, kids do come with instructions. America’s favorite pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, is taking his groundbreaking parenting solutions to the big screen for the first time ever.
-
Register for summer camps
Register for summer camps
-
Rockville Cruise-In Street Dance set is June 2
Main Street Rockville will offer its Cruise-In Street Dance, combined once again this year with a motorcycle, scooter and bike show, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. June 2 on the courthouse square in Rockville.
-
'Planes, trains and automobiles' at Rosedale Strawberry Fest
Big kids’ toys will be prominently featured at the 2012 Strawberry Festival in Rosedale.
-
2012 Special Olympics Indiana seeks volunteers
About 1,000 volunteers are needed for the 2012 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games at Indiana State University from June 1-3.
-
Valley Art Guild announces winners in Spring Show
The Wabash Valley Art Guild 35th Annual Spring Art Show took place on May 18-20 at Honey Creek Mall in the former Fred Myers Jewelry Store space.
-
Scott Webster Band takes stage Saturday
A busy group of musicians will take the stage in Saturday night’s slot at the Banks of the Wabash Festival in Fairbanks Park.
-
Dance lessons: May 24, 2012
Dance lessons: May 24, 2012
-
Masons plan Old-Fashioned BBQ fundraiser in Oblong on June 9
On June 9 in Illinois, following a five-year tradition, area Masons from Newton, Flat Rock, Oblong, Palestine and other local lodges will host an outdoor BBQ for the community as a benefit for the Oblong Children’s Christian Home.
-
Covered Bridge Art Gallery to offer Art Camps for Kids
The Covered Bridge Art Gallery in Rockville will offer Art Camps for Kids this summer.
-
Illinois College celebrates high school artists
Lincoln Trail College celebrated art May 14 with a presentation by area artist David Dooley and then an awards ceremony for high school artists.
-
See ISU grad’s ‘I’m Too Young For This @#!%’ exhibit
John D. Shearer, photographer and Indiana State University graduate, will display his multi-media exhibit “I’m Too Young For This @#!%” during June at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center in Bloomington.
-
Indy Symphonic Band plans free concert
The Indianapolis Symphonic Band will perform another outdoor concert at Fort Harrison State Park at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the park sledding hill.
-
Authors Fiorda, Brady plan speaking event, signing at Rockville Library
Authors Dom Fiorda and Kendra newlin Brady will host a book talk/signing at 6:30 p.m. June 19 at Rockville Public Library. The title of their book is “Spirit Time: The Adventures of Ernest Spirit.”
- Museums/Exhibitions: May 24, 2012
-
Carlisle children’s book author in Linton
Carlisle children’s book author Larry Graham will be available to sign copies of his book, “Miracle Under the Appletree” from noon to 2 p.m. June 2 at Linton Public Library 95 First St. SE in Linton.
-
Gaslight Art Colony exhibits art work of Allen, Payne
Gaslight Art Colony is currently filled with the artwork of both Bill Allen and Scott Payne. The show will be open during regular gallery hours through June 16.
-
Theater/film: May 24, 2012
Theater/film: May 24, 2012
-
Actor to portray Ernie Pyle in one-man drama
Noted actor Rick Plummer and the Crosley Radio Players will team up to celebrate the life and times of renowned World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle in a special presentation Saturday at South Vermillion High School Auditorium in Clinton.
-
Top-10 Christian group Sidewalk Prophets in Terre Haute
Sidewalk Prophets will be coming to Terre Haute on Saturday for their “Live Like That” tour. Lead singer David Frey, a graduate from Terre Haute South Vigo High School, will be performing the first concert at his home church, Maryland Community Church.
-
Halcyon Gallery showcases art of Evalyn James during May
Evalyn Gertrude James settled in Terre Haute the first time in 1928.
-
Author to sign book about Farrington’s Grove
What do the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola bottle have in common?
-
Bloomfield Art Festival seeks vendors
The 2012 Bloomfield Art Festival will take place June 9 in the Bloomfield Town Park and will feature live entertainment, food, and art exhibitions/competitions throughout the day.
-
Annual Paint Illinois Juried Exhibition at Bicentennial Art Center
A reception will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at the Bicentennial Art Center in Paris, Ill., for the public and exhibitors in the 16th annual Paint Illinois Juried Exhibition.
-
Art Guild features watercolor artist at library during May
Artist Roger King, a recent addition to the Wabash Valley Art Guild, is now featured at the Vigo County Public Library as “Artist of the Month.”
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
Beryl Threatens Rain, Winds on Southeast Coast
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Astronauts Enter World's 1st Private Supply Ship
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Today in History
Shell Readies Arctic Drill Ship
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Native Americans' Olympic Medals Displayed in DC
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Beer Here!: An Historic Exhibit
Raw Video: Man Rescued From River in China
Beyonce Entertains the First Family
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Alleged Lego Thief Faces Felony Charges
Has Snooki Named Her Baby?
Heat Wave Warms Holiday Weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
