Eric Appleby - Toy Piano, Tap Shoes, Bass, etc. Jane Carver - Keys, Vocals, etc. Matt Hart - Lead Vocals, Guitar, etc. Matt "J" Reynolds - Saxes, Flute, Melodica, etc. Christian Schmit - Drums, Percussion, etc.
Influences
Kurt Schwitters, Elvis, Harry Partch, William Carlos Williams, &c.
The 50 Shoes" is a project that began in the mid-90s and is finally returning with a new lineup after a three-year hiatus. A "Shoe" is a short poem set to music. A "50 Shoes" performance entails the reading and performing of these brief pieces in rapid succession, though all 50 have never been performed at once. "The 50 Shoes" is also the troupe of intrepid performers who perform these pieces at places like the Contemporary Arts Center, the Art Academy of Cincinnati, InkTank, VOLK, and the Playhouse in the Park.
Founding members Eric Appleby and Matt Hart are also the co-Editors of literary journal Forklift, Ohio: A Journal of Poetry, Cooking, and Light Industrial Safety, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2005. Hart is a widely-published poet and an instructor at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Appleby is an obscure composer by night and an Electronic Marketing Director by day. The pair are also behind a series of bands, including Clifford Nevernew, Travel, Seven Speed Vortex, and The National Trust.
Hart sings, whispers, speaks and shouts the words he wrote while Appleby accompanies on toy piano, bass guitar, and tap shoes. Multi-intrumentalist Matt Reynolds (Freekbass, 8-Track Allstars) plays saxophones, flute, and clarinet. Christian Schmit (nee Uncle Glockenspeil) provides percussion and all manner of sound effects. Jane Carver (And How, Best Pedestrian) contributes keyboards and vocals, while Forrest Griffen (former 97X WOXY DJ and current WNKU personality) narrates The 50 Shoes. Sculptor Mary Anne Cowgill decorates the actual shoes that surround the stage.
The 50 Shoes are fun for all ages. Some are tuneful, some noisy, others poignant, but all are brief.
hello just wanted to drop in and see how you are doing since i haven't heard from you in awhile. i hope everything is going well with you. everything is going good for me. get back to me and let me know how how things have been. oh, damn, i almost forgot to tell you!! i got this Macys shoppin card in the mail the other day, i didn't think when i submitted my email that it would actually work, but it did!! just thought i would let you know so you can get one before they are all gone.
