MOUSE POCKET

Mouse Pocket is a jazzy pop rock quintet from La Crosse, WI. The band is led by dueling front-men Alex Toast (on guitar & vocals) and Dan Collins (keyboard & vocals). Their music sounds like a jazzy blend of Dave Matthews and Ben Folds. I shot the video below during the band's RecessionFest performance at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds on September 24th. They will be performing again at Acadia Cafe for a Driftless Music Showcase on December 17th.

I should also mention that Toast is a tightly wound ball of positive energy; balancing a ladder on one hand and running amongst the crowd during RecessionFest. Click here to listen to my lively chat with him on the Driftless Music Radio Podcast about the band's roots and his own personal Medical Marijuana Advocacy.

RYAN FLANNERY & THE NIGHTOWLS TO PLAY (IN) LACROSSE

On September 17th, Ryan Flannery & The Nightowls played the Driftless Music Showcase for the 2nd time this year at Acadia Cafe. After their June performance, I wrote in a post that the trio's "jazzy sound is led by vocalist/pianist Ryan Flannery's soulful falsetto; fused within jangly surf-blues guitar, creative aquatic-like arrangements, and energetic piano-rock freak-outs, their music evokes the lounge version of Incubus, the earnestness of Ben Folds' more serious material, and the chaotic instrumental interludes of The Bad Plus."

Well don't miss your chance to hear the band's unique sound here in the Driftless when they'll be performing at the Root Note in La Crosse, WI on Friday November 19th. Preview their improvisational splendor by viewing the video below from their last Acadia show.

THOSE BAD, BAD PASSENGERS

Michelle and her backing band, The Bad Passengers, have developed excellent chemistry over the past 6 months or so. They performed a pair of full band shows with Rearview Mirror in September. Below are videos of the trio performing compelling renditions of Feedback and Old Soul Syndrome.

Due to the blessing of fatherhood, Drummer Matt Olson is now only performing with with Michelle at select La Crosse-area gigs. Although Ptacek still regularly shares the stage with Michelle; trading in his electric bass for an acoustic one. Michelle just dropped her fourth album, Sundial Tree, and has been playing CD release shows all over the area. I'll be chatting with Michelle about her new album on an upcoming episode of the Driftless Music Radio Podcast, in advance of her performance at the Irish Shanti in Gunder, IA on November 27th.