Alacartoona Week!

Posted by Brett Hooton May 29, 2006

Legend has it that in the spring of 2002, Alacartoona was shattered, strung out, poor and hungry, sleeping on the haunted streets of that "Paris of the Plains," Kansas City, Missouri. With this once-stunning beauty knocking on Death's door, salvation stepped out of the shadows and smiled through his blood red lips.

This was Providence Forge, a.k.a. The Berlin Bomber, a Renaissance man of dank German cafes, and himself a former street urchin. He dragged Alacartoona's nearly lifeless body home and nursed her back to health.

Through Forge, she would come to meet the sexy Ruby Falls, a hellish vixen with a heavenly voice, the stylish Archibald Drexel, a man who loves to tickle the ivories (so much so that he carries a set with him), and the inscrutable Bachelor Calwood, who...well, all we know is that he likes to pound on things.

Alacartoona is not simply a band, but rather a living, breathing entity, a spirit of good and hope and light to be summoned during times of darkness. And together, these four sexy, shady individuals tap into this spirit of cursing the future and living solely for the moment.

At least, that is part of the mythology behind one of the most exciting to bands to come out of the Midwest in years.

I was so impressed with all aspects of Alacartoona's music-their albums, their live performances, their sparkling interview dispositions, and of course, their fine taste in alcohol and evening wear-that I have decided to make this week (drum roll, please, Mr. Calwood...) ALACARTOONA WEEK! at Folk101.

Every day this week, a new article about this fantastic "modern cabaret" group will appear. First, there will be a short profile of the band. Next, there will be a three-part interview. And finally, the week will wrap up with a review of Alacartoona's soon-to-be-released live album, Live on the Air: KKFI Radio.

So please check back early and often. Tell your friends. And be prepared to get a little dirty...

NOTE: All of the photographs of Alacartoona come from three very talent, Kansas City photographers: Matt Mayfield, Brian Collins, and Mark Pietruszewski.

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