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Local Boy in the Second City
Life is more than just a little bit hectic these days for Knoxville expatriate Justin Sinkovich, the musician most known ‘round these parts for his work with Thumbnail and Atombombpocketknife. Thumbnail’s long since gone the way of the dinosaurs, but Sinkovich is still keeping the APK flame alive, as well as running a website, working on a solo project and running a record label.
Now located in Chicago, Justin is a one-man cottage industry. His website, BetterPropaganda.com, is a whirlwind of activity, featuring interviews and reviews, as well as over 500 free MP3s.
“We just built the site, and it’s kind of taken on a life of its own,” says Sinkovich. “It’s very specific to cutting-edge rock, electronica, experimental music and hip-hop.”
The site is constantly updated and chock full of challenging and innovative music—a great place to while away a few hours if you’re a web-savvy music gourmand. And of course there’s the commerce angle: after discovering new music via MP3s, you’re just a few clicks away from completing online purchases.
Sinkovich has also manned the helm of File 13 Records, the longstanding music collective that boasts more than 40 releases to its credit. “About two years ago we worked it out where I could take over the label, and it’s going really well,” says Sinkovich. “It’s a really creative environment, and we have a lot of exciting new releases coming out soon.” File 13’s artist roster includes Martin Rev of New York’s pivotal electro-punks, Suicide, The Silent League, TRS80, Need New Bodies, the Red Eyed Legends and Atombombpocketknife (natch), whose recent release, Lack & Pattern has garnered rave reviews in the indie rock world.
“Atombombpocketknife is kind of on a hiatus right now,” says Sinkovich. “So I’m working on a solo project called The Poison Arrows. It’s kind of noisy electronics matched with a rock sound. It’s my project, but I’m collaborating with a lot of people (including Martin Rev), and I’m releasing the record this fall.”
APK played the most high profile show of its career earlier this year, appearing at the prestigious All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in the U.K.
“It was pretty much the most fun time I’ve ever had. The weekend we played also had Mogwai, Tortoise and Shellac. We’re friends with all of those guys, and it was a really exciting thing: playing music, watching other bands and dancing all night long.”
As for the immediate future, Sinkovich plans to expand the website. “Better Propaganda will be my principal focus. We’re trying to tie in File 13 with the website bring more exposure to it that way.” Sinkovich also has penciled in plans for a Poison Arrows show at the Pilot Light this fall.
Drinking and Jamming
For the past seven years, the Brewers’ Jam (which benefits Community Shares—a sort of a hip, progressive version of the United Way) has been one of Knoxville’s most popular festivals. For $20 (or $25 at the door), people get to sample beers from a number of regional micro-brewers. This year the music at the festival is significantly better. Scheduled are Billy Joe Shaver and John Cowan Band, as well as two local outfits, Robinella and the CCstringband and Garage Deluxe, a band that includes former members of Left Foot Down. The festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 16, from 3 to 9 p.m. in the World’s Fair Park.
Go.
Thursday: Poetry, story telling and music for a buck? How can you beat that? At the Laurel Theatre with Minton Sparks and John Jackson.
Friday: We’re not likely to see the weirdness of Weird Al Yankovic again. At the Civic Auditorium.
Saturday: Deaf country, burned city, the bonfire calls us, in these times there will be no happy ending. Fairbanks is featuring the area’s “best dark” DJs—Dark Side of the Beat, Chili, Jack and Caustic.
Sunday: Take a lazy bike ride along the river with your lover, if you should be so lucky to have one.
Monday: So pour me a drink from a broken bottle, fill my glass with the dirty water, what I’ve lost is gone, what I’ve gained has no name, and I’ll take my leave once more.
Tuesday: Call mom.
Wednesday: Drive-By Truckers might just be the best American band of the moment. They’re playing at Blue Cats—perhaps your last chance to see them in a Knoxville club? Their shows rock.
—John Sewell, Joe Tarr
September 2, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 36
© 2004 Metro Pulse
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