A. Graham - This Tyrant Is Free! (solo show)

1221 Union Avenue,Kansas City MO 64101

09 December, 2021

Description

A. Graham's first ever solo performance of his seminal album, "This Tyrant is Free". These 14 songs haven't been played live since 2004. Andy Graham is proud of the many songs he’s written over the years, but none more than those recorded in 2003 with a host of talented friends known as A. Graham and the Moment Band on their album “This Tyrant is Free.” First released as a 12-song album, then re-released with two additional songs, Andy will perform them all at the Ship on December 9th—solo, and perhaps with some guest appearances from those who participated in the album’s free-reeling and festive recording sessions. He now focuses most of his time performing new songs with the band Worlds of Fun, who will play at the Ship Jan. 8 with Dan Jones and The Squids. So, come see A. Graham perform “This Tyrant is Free” on December 9th at the Ship. It’s an early 7pm show; we hope you can make it. About “This Tyrant is Free” A. Graham showed up in KC with a bagful of songs in Spring 2002. After sharing with a few old friends and getting to know some of the town’s many other talented musicians, a dozen or so of these tunes were put to tape by Chad Meise in the summer of 2013. The free-flowing and festive nature of these sessions were such that the only logical band name for the project was A. Graham and The Moment Band. As in, in addition to the key band members, whoever was there at the moment found themselves adding on tape. We got the town’s premiere honky tonk guitarist to contribute key parts; somehow landed one of the world’s greatest pedal steel players to elevate two tracks to places previously unimagined; some energetic horn players surprised us with majestic blasts on some songs; and a drunken late night bar invitation brought a host of the town’s most colorful creatures to the studio one Sunday morning for the pièce de resistance—a rousing, hungover choir that turned lead-off song “Glorious” from an otherwise average indie-pop tune into something people still fondly recall today. Surely, sure those in attendance that day (still living) won’t forget the joy and camaraderie which instantly defined the scrappy, ramshackle vibe and character that carried through the entire album—often overshadowing the singer’s bad notes and shaky double-tracked vocals, and the core band’s performance, which often felt like it could implode at any “moment.” Somehow, the first pressing of “This Tyrant is Free,” consisting of 12 songs was self-released in December 2003 and quickly sold out. It was a great time in Kansas City. The local print publications enthusiastically covered local music via Tim Finn at the Star; Jason Harper, Gina Kaufmann and other writers at the Pitch (when it was weekly). Robert Moore did an ace job of showcasing local bands on his Saturday afternoon Sonic Spectrum radio show on KCUR. People flocked to free in-store shows at Recycled Sounds. A small record label put out a re-mastered version of “This Tyrant is Free,” with two additional tracks to an international audience in 2004. Despite some touring, and an overlooked SXSW performance featuring many of those songs and some new ones in 2005, the re-release did not sell many copies. The last time all songs from “Tyrant” were performed live in their entirety was spring 2004 “This Tyrant is Free” is still a fond memory for a handful of those who were around KC during that era. And, surprisingly, younger fans of sloppy, poppy indie rock still pop up and profess their enjoyment of the music here and there, often requesting copies of the many CDs that take up considerable space in A. Graham’s basement. Out of great pride for the work, he always gladly obliges, sending packages all over the place whenever he can. Classic Cocktail Lounge and Casual Dining in the heart of the West Bottoms