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TODAY

Thursday, March 28

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Concert Thu Apr 12 2007

F.O.S. (Friends Of Sufjan) - Denison Witmer/Rosie Thomas At Beat Kitchen

You know that expression "I went to a boxing match and a hockey game broke out" (is that right?), well there is now an indie rock equivelent. If you go see Rosie Thomas and Denison Witmer at The Beat Kitchen on Sunday night you may leave saying "I went to an indie rock concert and a comedy show broke out". That's because the opening band is Sheila Saputo (aka Rosie Thomas in disguise). Sheila's a nerdy, out-of-place, painfully awkward, young girl who loves to partake in awful karaoke, tennis lessons and play with chickens. Think Andy Kaufman in a dress. It's an odd turn for the often quite serious Rosie Thomas, it's almost like a split personality.

As the title of this posts hints at, both Rosie Thomas and Denison Witmer have collaborated with Sufjan Stevens. In fact for a brief time it was rumored (on Pitchfork, no less) that Rosie was carrying Sufjan's child, but that turned out to be a hoax created by Rosie (or was it Sheila?). Here's Sufjan's letter to the editor in response:

"First of all, I would like to thank everyone who called or sent notes of congratulations about the news of my baby. I am so proud.

Secondly, the baby is a hoax. I had nothing to do with the baby hoax. I was as shocked as everyone else about the baby. Matthew's story was so convincing I almost believed it myself.

Thirdly, something you need to know about Rosie is that she's really weird and she's really funny. So it's no surprise that she could pull this off, this imaginary baby. But the fact is, Rosie is not carrying my baby. As far as I know, we spent quality time in the studio, not in bed. If Rosie's pregnant, it's not my baby. Maybe it's Denison's baby. Maybe it's an alien baby. I don't know. All I know is that the baby is probably going to grow up to be a clown, or a mime, or a bassoon player or something funny like that. Most babies come out crying, but Rosie's baby is going to be born laughing its butt off."

Besides all the wackiness that may be in store, Denison and Rosie should put on a great show of indie folk. They're touring in support of Rosie Thomas' These Friends Of Mine which was recorded in NYC with Sufjan and Denison and released March 13 on Rosie's own imprint. Both will probably appear solo and together, accompanied only by acoustic guitar, which should let their songwriting prowess shine through. Here's a song from each and bizarre little You Tube video of Rosie's alter ego Sheila Saputo.

See all three (or is it two?) this Sunday night at an early show at Beat Kitchen, should start around 6pm.

[mp3]: Denison Witmer Are You Lonely

[mp3]: Rosie Thomas Much Farther To Go

Sheila Saputo "Sheila's phrases to live by"

 
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Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

Our Final Transmission Days

By The Gapers Block Transmission Staff

Transmission staffers share their most cherished memories and moments while writing for Gapers Block.

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