Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
Every Tuesday night, the chalkboard outside of venerable Soulard bar The Shanti features the name of Kimmy V. Kim Hudgins Vrooman has been running the open mic here for essentially a decade, following stints at two other long-gone neighborhood establishments, Rio’s and Obie’s.
“We’re not allowed to dance on the bar here,” she laughs, jokingly comparing the free-spirited atmosphere to the even-nuttier vibe at the old Obie’s. “I’ve been here for two less years than The Shanti’s been open. I didn’t know it would be a decade-long career choice. Here, I feature more of my singer-songwriter material. It’s always guaranteed to have a good mix of people, with everyone welcome. By opening it up in that way, we get a few oddballs, but a lot of good talent.”
While her gig at The Shanti’s been a solid one, full of memorable evenings, it’s far from her only involvement in the local music scene. She’s part of the rock band EarthSol, which is releasing its second album, Testament, with a show at Cicero’s on November 23. She’s also the founder of the TOCO Family Festival, a kid-friendly music-and-camping outing whose proceeds benefit nonprofit Tapestry of Community Offerings, which provides year-round social services.
“With TOCO,” she says, “in 12 years, we’ve gone from one event that raised $80 to a full-blown organization. We took a big step in 2010, moving into an office from my dining-room table; that gave things a chance to grow a lot. The direct service component to it, allowing kids to experience workshops and music for free, is the same. Last year we had 30 kids at the festival; this year, I want 90… It’s not just having more people; it’s about growing at that level to do more in the community.”
With the festival just past, Vrooman’s now focused on EarthSol, especially Testament, which was nearly a decade in the making.
“I’d say it’s a rock ’n’ roll album, definitely,” she says. “It dips into country, a little bit of blues, a little bit of pop and psychedelia. We’re not a jam band; we’re a rock ’n’ roll band that jams. To give you an idea of it, or the themes: Some are more about love, about relationships; others are more about the political climate. Some are religious, or have spiritual underpinnings. I’m a recovering Catholic, which explains everything that I do.” She and guitarist Matt Scott, she says, collaborate heavily. “He might come to the table with a riff or the whole refrain, and I’ll do the same thing.”
In time, the songs come together for the Belleville, Ill.–based group, and, in a longer time, they get set down in a recording. The entire band’s got irons in plenty of other fires, and though EarthSol is an important project for all of them, it’s one that’s tucked alongside other pursuits. For Vrooman, that includes year-round work on TOCO, raising two children with her husband, Tony—himself a longtime presence on the regional music scene—and the weekly gig at The Shanti.
“I’m 42,” she says. “It’s not like I’m trying to ‘make it.’ I just enjoy playing with my musical family. The message here at The Shanti is the same as in my music, the same as in my nonprofit. In a nutshell, we’re all here to help each other and love each other. Society and, in a lot of different aspects, the world has gotten away from that. My mom raised me to believe that that’s what we’re here to do: to serve others and to take care of other. My songs are about that. My mission with TOCO is about that. I’ll get to my favorite word here: It’s a perfect mélange. A good mixture.”
That spirit, she says, is on full display every Tuesday night in a little bar in Soulard.
“The night was born out of other people’s open mics,” she says. “The old Molly’s, and Allen Avenue, and the Venice Café, back in the day…all artists are welcome. If you play, you can do three songs, or five, but never less than three. As an artist, one song is not representative of me. I want to give people more of a chance to show their art.”
EarthSol’s CD release party takes place Saturday, November 23, at Cicero’s (6691 Delmar). For more information, go to earthsol.com.
Now Hear This
Sleepy Kitty, Projection Room: By now, quite a bit’s been said of this ambitious sophomore album, which won’t enjoy an official release on Euclid Records’ label until January. But with KDHX-FM DJs continually spinning the tunes, listeners won’t be completely surprised by the release’s many, varied cuts, which run from the short-and-sweet to the sprawling. Few local records, from songs to packaging, have more clearly stated, “We’re about to break out.”
Bob Reuter’s Alley Ghost, Dana Dew/Brought Me to the Wire: With Reuter’s passing, the initial pressing of this Left South Records 45 sold out quickly, as fans captured a pair of cuts from the late musician. At press time, a reorder was planned. The clever and catchy lead track is the clear standout, Reuter’s voice surrounded by a hot young band that turned his songs into fearsome creatures, indeed.
The Blind Eyes, World Record: Like a number of local groups, the Blind Eyes believe that less can be more, allowing regular self-released EPs to replace the every-year-or-so pattern of full album releases. On this short burner, The Blind Eyes serve up five tracks of smart indie rock, paced by the short-player’s fine title track.
