Seth Johnson
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sethvthem.bsky.social
Seth Johnson
@sethvthem.bsky.social
Communications manager for the Indiana Blind Children's Foundation /// Freelance journalist for NUVO, Mirror Indy & more reporting on Indy culture.
It hasn’t taken long for Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin of Magdalena Bay to prove they’re a force to be reckoned with in the genre of alternative pop.

Head over to NUVO for my review of the duo's sold-out show at the Egyptian Room, complete with photos from Indy photography legend Ted Somerville.
Review: Magdalena Bay bring art-pop ecstasy to Egyptian Room
A year after releasing their breakthrough album, ‘Imaginal Disk,’ the alternative pop duo played to a sold-out crowd in Indianapolis.
www.nuvo.net
October 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Following last night’s 116-101 preseason win over the Thunder, I asked recent Pacers addition Jay Huff what it’s been like joining a team who made a Finals run last season.
October 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
It’s fair to say Durand Jones and the Indications have come a long way since playing in Bloomington basements.

Head over to NUVO for my review of the soul band's recent sold-out show at the Hi-Fi Annex.
Review: Durand Jones and the Indications return to Indy for a triumphant homecoming
The Bloomington-born soul band played to a sold-out crowd at the Hi-Fi Annex on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
www.nuvo.net
October 8, 2025 at 8:33 PM
More than seven years after headlining The Vogue, Franz Ferdinand returned to the same Broad Ripple venue for a night of 2000s nostalgia and irresistible energy.

Head over to NUVO for my full review of the show!
Review: Franz Ferdinand brings good vibes to the Vogue
More than seven years after headlining the Broad Ripple venue, the Scottish rock band returned for a night of 2000s nostalgia and irresistible energy.
www.nuvo.net
October 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM
It’s always impressive when an artist lights up a room on a Monday night, and on Monday, Sept. 29, Tune-Yards did just that.

Head over to NUVO for my full review of the show and also be sure to check out Doug Fellegy's photo slideshow while you're at it!
Review: Tune-Yards electrify at Hi-Fi
The Oakland-based indie rock project came to Indianapolis in support of 2025 album ‘Better Dreaming.’
www.nuvo.net
October 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Seth Johnson
Great event to kick off Week Without Driving with @mrwildstyle.bsky.social and @sethvthem.bsky.social at Upland tonight!

CC: @thewaroncars.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 1:20 AM
I caught up with John Pelant of Night Moves ahead of the band's show at the Hi-Fi tomorrow, discussing their latest album, "Double Life," and more.

Head over to NUvO to give our interview a read!
A quick chat with John Pelant of Night Moves
The Minneapolis indie rock band headlines the Hi-Fi on Saturday, Sept. 27.
www.nuvo.net
September 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
It’s been an especially great week to be a music lover who lives down the street from HI-FI and Hi-Fi Annex.

Head over to NUVO for my thoughts on a trio of shows I saw at the pair of venues on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with headliners Momma, Mdou Moctar and Sharon Van Etten.
Looking Back on an Epic Week of Shows at the Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi Annex
Writer Seth Johnson reflects on a weeklong stretch where he saw Momma, Mdou Moctar and Sharon Van Etten headline the pair of Fountain Square venues.
www.nuvo.net
September 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
There’s never a dull moment when Mark Hoppus, Tom Del,onge and Travis Barker are up on stage together.

Head over to NUVO for my full review of Wednesday's Blink-182 show at Ruoff Music Center.
Review: Blink-182 brings pop-punk revelry to Ruoff Music Center
The iconic California rockers headlined the Noblesville venue as part of their ‘Missionary Impossible’ tour.
www.nuvo.net
September 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I caught up with Bloomington-bred/Chicago-based band Six Foot Blonde ahead of their show at the Hi-Fi Annex on Saturday, discussing their Indiana roots and much more.

Head over to NUVO to give it a read!
Six Foot Blonde reflects on Indiana roots
The rock band-on-the-rise will headline Indy’s Hi-Fi Annex on Sept. 13.
www.nuvo.net
September 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I had a chill chat with Joe Pera ahead of his visit to Let's Fest in Indy this Sunday, discussing his earliest stand-up experience, outlook on the Buffalo Bills upcoming season, and more.

Read it over at NUVO!
A chill chat with comedian Joe Pera
The stand-up comic will perform at the Fountain Square Theatre on Sunday, Aug. 31 as part of this year’s Let’s Fest.
www.nuvo.net
August 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It was a pristine evening of blues rock, that's for sure.

Head over to NUVO for my review of last night's The Black Keys/Gary Clark Jr. show at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park and also be sure to check out Tony Vasquez's excellent photo slideshow as well.
Review: The Black Keys and Gary Clark Jr. bring blues rock ecstasy to Everwise Amphitheater
The pair of longtime blues rockers made their way to Indianapolis on Sunday, Aug. 24.
www.nuvo.net
August 25, 2025 at 11:37 PM
It's been a real treat getting to see 4200 Kory blossom as an artist in recent years. Head over to Mirror Indy and read my latest story on the Far Eastside rapper and his forthcoming album, "Cobra Son."
Rapper 4200Kory is doing it for the Far Eastside
The Indy artist-on-the-rise will release a debut full-length ode to “Naptown USA” on Aug. 20.
mirrorindy.org
August 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I had a great time with Grammy-nominated soul group The War and Treaty on Wednesday at HI-FI. Head over to NUVO for my review complete with photos from the always excellent Doug Fellegy.
Review: The War and Treaty take Hi-Fi Annex to church
The Grammy-nominated soul band made their way to Indy on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
www.nuvo.net
August 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I had a great time chatting with Charity from The Head and The Heart ahead of their show at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park next week. We mostly discussed the band's latest album "Aperture," but I did sneak in a q about Bloomington legend Tim Smiley as well.

Read it via NUVO!
A quick chat with Charity Rose Thielen of The Head and The Heart
The indie-folk band will visit the Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park on Aug. 6.
www.nuvo.net
August 1, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Being a lover of comedy, I'm quite excited for the latest installment of Let's Fest coming to Fountain Square from Aug. 28-31. To get the full scoop on what you can expect. head over to the Visit Indy website, where I wrote a short blog post hashing out all the details.
Let’s Fest Bringing the Laughs to Fountain Square | Visit Indy
From Aug. 28-31, longtime comedy production company Let’s Comedy will present the latest installment of Let’s Fest — a comedy festival in Fountain Square
www.visitindy.com
July 31, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I caught up with AJR frontman Jack Met ahead of the band's upcoming performance at Ruoff Music Center, discussing the band's fruitful relationship with Indianapolis and much more.

Head over to NUVO and give it a read!
A quick chat with Jack Met of AJR
The multi-platinum alt-pop band will headline Ruoff Music Center on July 31 as part of their ‘Somewhere in the Sky’ tour.
www.nuvo.net
July 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
"This album feels like it grows wild like ivy on brick."

I caught up with the 81355 crew to discuss their sophomore album, which is due out on Friday. Head over to Mirror Indy
and give the story a read!
‘Bad Dogs’ by 81355 (‘bless’) is all about Naptown
The new album comes out July 11, but you can listen to their new single now.
mirrorindy.org
July 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I caught up with comedian Maddy Smith ahead of her shows at the White Rabbit Cabaret this weekend, discussing her roasting roots, what being a cast member on Wild 'N Out has been like, and more

Head over to NUVO and give it a read!
A quick chat with comedian Maddy Smith
From July 5-6, stand-up comedian Maddy Smith will visit the White Rabbit Cabaret for three shows across two nights.
www.nuvo.net
July 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Like many of you, I'm sad to hear of today's news.

Myles is a real one, and I'll always appreciate the countless times we got to chat over the years. Best of luck with the next chapter, man.
July 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Ahead of his show at the Vogue on Friday, I caught up with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Brent Cobb for an interview, discussing all things rock 'n' roll including his forthcoming album "Ain't Rocked in a While."

Head over to NUVO and give it a read!
Brent Cobb’s latest chapter is all about rock ’n’ roll
The singer-songwriter will visit the Vogue on June 27.
www.nuvo.net
June 25, 2025 at 7:49 PM
“We’ve got one game. Nothing that’s happened before matters, and nothing that’s going to happen after matters. It’s all about that one game.”

Head over to NUVO and read my story on the Pacers advancing to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Pacers force Game 7 with Thunder in NBA Finals
The two teams will face off one final time on Sunday, June 22.
www.nuvo.net
June 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Praying to the basketball gods that Ty's calf can stop Halihurtin' enough for us to have a great Game 6 tonight. #NBAFinals
June 19, 2025 at 12:43 PM
One day after having his performance rained out at the 2025 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Asheville singer-songwriter MJ Lenderman paid a visit to Indianapolis with his band the Wind.

Head over to NUVO for my full review of the show.
Review: MJ Lenderman showcases sharp songcraft at the Egyptian Room
The Asheville singer-songwriter made his way to Indianapolis on Saturday, June 14.
www.nuvo.net
June 16, 2025 at 9:43 PM
"We’ve gotta be ready to go down there and fight for 48 minutes."

Head over to NUVO for my story on the Pacers' Game 4 loss to the Thunder in the NBA Finals, with reflections on adjustments that need to be made looking ahead to Game 5.
Pacers head to Oklahoma City with NBA Finals series tied at 2-2
Indiana fell to the Thunder at home in Game 4 by a final score of 111-104.
www.nuvo.net
June 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM