We make no secret of our love for Pezzettino here at OnMilwaukee, where we were among the first -- maybe THE first -- to champion her talents and write about her. We even included a "Parasite" -- a tune from her second CD, "Lion" -- on "OMCD3," our third CD "mixtape" of Milwaukee music.
This week Signora Stutt -- the maestra of the piano, the accordion and straight from the heart songwriting -- celebrates the release of her vinyl debut. "You Never Know" is a 7" travelogue of a Megabus ride from Milwaukee to Chicago, she says. For the often minimalist Pezzettino, the song -- with bass, drums, bells and more -- is a symphonic departure.
Pezzettino -- whose nom de musique means "little piece" in Italian -- is just back from an East Coast tour and is readying her third full-length, to be called "Lamb."
She releases the disc, Friday, Dec. 11 at Hot Pop, 213 N. Broadway, at 7 p.m. Admission is free. The performance will be a departure for Stutt.
"This will be the first time performing solo in Milwaukee, and I'm really excited to reveal a softer side," says Stutt, who usually performs here with a drummer. "With the old material, and with being a girl performer in a male-dominated scene, I felt like I had to flash my teeth to prove my worth. The material has changed and I'm gaining confidence as a solo performer doing my own thing, learning to let go and have fun. Shows on tour feel more like conversation or performance art instead of confrontation, and I'm looking forward to sharing that with my home crew."
According to Stutt, the "You Never Know" gig will have four three-song parts: Lion, Lamb, Shadow Screen and Glock. There will be breaks between each mini-set. DJ D Wood of No Request Sound will provide pre- and post-show music.
At the show local artist Dwellephant will hand paint original artwork on the sleeve of each 45 purchased. Although not a musician, it bears saying here that Dwellephant -- who prefers to keep his identity on the down-low -- is as active as the busiest of local bands.
On Thursday, he's part of a show at Moct and on Friday he rocks the visual art at Hot Pop with Pezzettino.
"I'm painting as many of the paper sleeves as possible that night, so these things will have some cover art," Dwellephant says. "I did the labels, too -- a first for me -- but both Margaret and I always think bigger than normal when it comes to actually doing what we love. Should be fun, challenging, terrifying. For me, anyway."
On Saturday, he "peddles his wares," as he says, at the Urban Garage Sale at Turner Hall. He also recently took part in the latest installment of Art Vs. Craft and Luckystar's "Future is Now" exhibition that was part of MAM's After Dark event.
Unsurprisingly, Dwellephant tells us, "I don't say 'no' a lot." Good on 'em. --Bobby Tanzilo
The Bay View Brew Haus, 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., is perhaps Milwaukee's newest music venue, but it sure didn't take long before it began booking some of the cities best shows -- local and national. This Friday, Dec. 11 it hosts a bit of both. Champaign, Ill., indie pop band Headlights, which features Decibully's own Nick Sanborn on bass, keyboards and accordion, had been making our ears happy since 2006's breakthrough Polyvinyl release "Kill Them With Kindness" and pretty much hasn't stopped since. Have you heard "Wildlife" (released Oct. 6)? If not, get to this show. Milwaukee's The Celebrated Workingman opens up the evening with what is always a riveting yet rocking set fronted by the charismatic MarkWaldoch. -- Julie Lawrence
And without forgetting:
Chicago rock violinist and all-around showwoman Emilie Autumn's first U.S. tour brings her to The Pabst Theater on Tuesday, Dec. 8. She'll bring along music, fire, trapeze and more.
Get bluesy at Shank Hall this week with the Chris Duarte Group Thursday and young guitar gunner Shannon Curfman on Saturday. Both shows start at 8 p.m. and each costs $15.
N'Orleans swamp boogie roots rockers The Subdudes play at Turner Hall on Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.
The Rave hosts Shinedown, Halestorm and Rev. Theory on Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. The following night the Decimination of the Nation Tour 2 rolls into the venue bringing Hatebreed, Cannibal Corpse, Unearth, Born of Osiris and Hate Eternal. The show lifts off at 6:45 p.m.
Milwaukee-based ex-pat Irish singer and songwriter Derek Byrne calls his music "Celtic bluegrass with a world beat." Describe it for yourself after seeing Byrne with dancer Michael Lund at Paddy's Pub on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.
