So long, Slice n’ Dice

All That Fuss

Knoxville-based record label Laboratory Standard Recordings recently picked up more positive press for their Mountains of Moss/New Madrid 7” release. The two local bands received big ups from small-batch limited release guru Byron Coley in British music mag The Wire, and Coley even refers to Madrid frontman Bill Warden’s former band as “the legendary Picks and Lighters.” The split single also got attention from super-cool Web Site Foxy Digitalis (sort of like the Pitchfork for the underground set).  With writer P. Somniferum stating, “LSR has quietly gone about issuing some of the finest music releases the last couple of years” in his review of the local label’s Double Muslims release, he goes on to offer (mostly) high praise for the MoM and New Madrid split single. This follows last month’s review in Dusted Magazine. You can hear what the big city folks are talking about by visiting www.laboratorystandard.com. (Eric Dawson)

So long, Slice n’ Dice

You’ve enjoyed her in-depth reporting and seen fewer copy editing mistakes in our paper because of her talents, but we must now bid a fond farewell to reporter Elisha Sauers. She’s moved on to Annapolis, Md., to write for its daily newspaper The Capital, and we wish her the best of luck in her new job and home.

Library Books Bands

The Blount County Public Library will host a band jam for teens July 27 as the finale to its Teen Summer Reading Program. Auditions and personal interviews are required, with demo submissions due July 7. Interested groups can find the rules and requirements by contacting the library at www.blountlibrary.org, or 865-273-1408. (E.D.)

Baby, You’re a Richman   

In Knoxville Symphony Orchestra news, Lucas Richman recently extended his contract to stay on as KSO music director for three more years, which will take the Maestro into the 2010-2011 season, the KSO’s 75th anniversary. Richman has been the symphony’s music director for the past five years. Richman was also in Hollywood last month, conducting Joseph Vitarelli’s score for Kit Kittredge: American Girl, the first feature film based on the popular series of children’s books. He has previously conducted the scores for As Good As it Gets, The Village, Se7en, Breakdown, Anastasia and Face/Off. The KSO will perform music from the movie at the Free Independence Day Concert at World’s Fair Park July 4. (E.D.)