Most bands would kill for exposure in a major motion picture. Chicago’s Drovers, though, take their high-profile appearance in the thriller “Blink,” starring Madeleine Stowe and Aidan Quinn, in stride.
“Doing the film was fun, but in and of itself it doesn’t really mean anything right now,” said Sean Cleland, violinist in the Irish-tinged rock band that also includes guitarist Mike Kirkpatrick, bassist David Callahan and drummer Doug Evans. “We’re a lot more excited about our new album coming out. If it helps get the attention of a major record label, fine. But we did just fine with our last album (`World of Monsters,’ released on the band’s own Tantrum label), which sold nearly 10,000 copies.”
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The Drovers will headline a record release party for their four-song “Kill Mice Elf” EP Saturday at Metro. Also appearing is Big Hat, and Daniel McGuiness. Several guest musicians (including some former band members) will augment the Drovers’ four-piece lineup at the show.
While they may play it down, the “Blink” connection can’t help but benefit the five-year-old band, which has garnered critical raves nationwide for their mixture of folk, rock and world musical styles over traditional Irish rhythms. In the film, Stowe, the key witness to a murder, is the fiddler in a Chicago Irish rock band called, yes, the Drovers. Stowe’s scenes performing with the band were shot last March at such local venues as Metro and FitzGerald’s. The band’s music is featured prominently throughout the film, and four of their songs appear on the soundtrack album.
This is the Drovers’ second film appearance, having also been in “Backdraft.”
“(`Blink’ producer) David Blocker heard about the band and came to one of our shows in Chicago,” said Cleland, who also served as Stowe’s offscreen violin tutor. “He bought us a bunch of shots of whiskey, and the next thing you know we’re standing on stage next to Madeleine Stowe being filmed.
“It’s funny, because I remember seeing her in `Stakeout’ long before I knew who she was and I was really taken with her. I mean, I thought about her for weeks afterward. Then she shows up for rehearsals and I go, `Hey, it’s that girl from “Stakeout!” ‘ “
A listen to “Kill Mice Elf” will serve as an eye-opener for anyone who still has the misconception that the Drovers play traditional Irish music. The material ranges from moody ballads (the title song) to acoustic folk (“Thanks For the Ring”) and neo-psychedelic (“Spilled”). The biggest departure, though, is “She’s As Pretty as Brian Jones Was,” whose droning eastern melody and vocals recall George Harrison’s raga-rock experiments with the Beatles.
“We never actually were a real Irish band that played traditional Irish music,” said Kirkpatrick, who along with Callahan writes most of the band’s material. “We were never interested in just rocking up traditional Irish songs, and we’ve always been more interested in writing our own material. But just about everything we do is still based on that Irish jig or hornpipe rhythm. A lot of our tunes still have traditional Irish-sounding melodies, though the arrangements allow us plenty of room to change things around from night to night.”
The self-managed band runs their record label, management offices and rehearsal space out of a former department store just north of the Music Box Theatre on the North Side. So far, their “Do It Yourself” philosophy has paid off nicely, as has their constant touring schedule.
“We’re not dependent on record companies and booking agencies,” said Cleland. “If we want to make a record, we make a record. If we want to play, we go and play. We don’t need to sell two million albums to be successful. We’re also lucky enough to be doing something that allows us to perform around the country and try to connect with people. And especially these days, people connecting with each other is kind of a rare thing.”
The Drovers Saturday at Metro with Big Hat, and Daniel McGuiness.
Other concerts of note
Friday
Altan at Abbey Pub: If you’re looking for something more traditionally Irish, you can’t go wrong with this sextet appearing in two shows. Altan is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed traditional acts, and it’s easy to see why. On their Green Linnet album “Island Angel,” the mixture of Mairead Ni Mhaonaig’s pure, soaring vocals and the group’s instrumental firepower is truly magical. This is acoustic music played with real heart and soul.
John Hammond and the Duke Robillard Band at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn: At first glance this blues double bill seems like an odd pairing. After all, for more than 30 years Hammond has been one of the foremost exponents of the acoustic Delta blues style, while former Roomful of Blues and Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarist Robillard’s specialty is jazzed-up blues a la T-Bone Walker. Blues is common denominator music, though, which is why after separate sets, Hammond will strap on an electric guitar and join forces with Robillard and his band in a joint third set.
Kodo, Friday at Centre East in Skokie, Saturday and Sunday at the College of Du Page Arts Center in Glen Ellyn: This week’s top “And Now for Something Completely Different” selection features the 14-member Japanese percussion and dance troupe Kodo. Kodo translates as “children of the drum,” and their traditional style dates back to ancient Japan. Among the instruments in their percussion arsenal are traditional taiko drums as well as an 880-pound drum. We’d hate to be one of their roadies.
“The Earth Club Live” at the Chicago Cultural Center: Stuart Rosenberg’s freewheeling “The Earth Club” may have been canceled recently by WBEZ, but the spirit of the eclectic show lives on in this terrific free 2-5 p.m. concert at the Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall featuring 14 local acts. They include the West African dance band Ghanatta; percussionists Michael Zarang and Hamid Drake; harmonica and piano whiz Howard Levy; the bizarre Maestro Subgum and the Whole; folk singers Art Thieme, Michael Smith and Jim Post; the accordion and violin duo of Willy Schwarz and Miriam Sturm; Music of the Baroque singer Patrice Michels-Bedi; former Drovers flautist Kathleen Keane, Irish singers Jamie O’Reilly and Peter Swenson; Raices del Andes; jazz violinist Johnny Frigo; and the Golden Fleas.
Sunday
James at the Vic: While it might not be their strongest effort to date, James’ current release “Laid” appears to be the one that will finally break these U.K. stars bigtime in the U.S. Fresh from a recent Northwestern University gig opening for Duran Duran, James has quickly sold out this show.
Celine Dion at the Park West: Call pop diva Dion the French-Canadian answer to Gloria Estefan. Her single “The Power of Love” is a current Top 5 hit, resulting in the quick sell-out of this show.
Thursday
Bob Mould at Metro: Former Husker Du member and Sugar leader turned solo artist Bob Mould bares his tortured soul in a sold-out solo acoustic show. Opening is Vic Chestnutt.
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Rod Stewart at the Rosemont Horizon: At his Poplar Creek show this past summer Stewart breezed through a greatest hits show with the somewhat bored look of one who has sung “Maggie Mae” a few hundred too many times. Vocally the Mod One was in fine shape, though, backed as he will be at the Horizon by his fine band and a full orchestra.