Matt Arbogast of The Gunshy only needs the musical bare necessities.
Not only does he often play without a band, but he also does not even need a venue, just a fan's house or basement, which is where he'll be performing tonight.
House shows have the ability to be a non-elitist way to share and enjoy music, Arbogast said.
Plus you're supporting an artist directly
not the guy at the door or a sound guy that turns something on walks away and then gets drunk all night when the band puts everything they have into a show said the Chicago-based musician.
This Do-It-Yourself aesthetic of Arbogast's house shows fits with his indie music. Out of both nostalgia and necessity, Arbogast creates lucid indie ballads that are both raspy and wounded.
I have written records that were 'woe is me
' kind of records
and I wanted to write about something different
Arbogast said. And (2007) seemed like a good time to do it.
Previously releasing five other albums and EP's since 2002, Arbogast released There's No Love In This War in 2007, an album inspired by letters that Arbogast's grandfather wrote to his grandmother when he was away fighting in World War II.
(Making this record) was a good way to learn about someone I knew nothing about
it kind of fit into place
Arbogast said. It's not like I set out to make the ultimate concept record or protest record against the war; I just wanted to learn about this relative I had never met
but a lot of other people took a lot of stuff out of it
which is cool.
One person that gained an appreciation for his music was former ACRN promotions manager Brian Ostrander, who graduated from Ohio University in 2008. -
Arbogast said. It's a mutual relationship between manager and artist
