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Wednesday Jul 30

Vandoliers

$20 - $25
HI-FI
Indianapolis, IN
Jul 30
Wednesday
7:00 PM
Doors Open
All AgesBuy Tickets

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ARTIST PROFILE | Vandoliers

Americana/FolkCountryRock

"Most personal album yet" is a well-worn cliché within the cliché-addled world of music promotion. But Life Behind Bars, the fifth studio album from beloved Texas country-punk ensemble Vandoliers, brings new meaning to that phrase. This album marks a series of firsts for the band, it's their first release with upstart Break Maiden Records and distributed by storied indie Thirty Tigers, their first with Grammy-winning producer Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly, Lucero), and their first recorded at the sprawling Sonic Ranch studios in West Texas. Most importantly, though, this collection of songs offers a window into frontwoman Jenni Rose's journey through addiction and gender dysphoria — a journey that has culminated in her decision to come out as a trans woman while working in the macho worlds of Texas country and punk rock, at a moment when the rights of trans people are more intensely threatened by the day.

"It's heavier than our other stuff," says Rose. "Why is this country punk band that's usually a source of positive energy so melancholy? It's because I was dealing with accepting my gender dysphoria, while also trying to get sober."

For the uninitiated, even the most melancholy Vandoliers song has a degree of exuberance and verve, full of an irrepressible energy that has led the band to tour with everyone from Flogging Molly to the Turnpike Troubadours to fellow Dallas-Fort Worth natives the Toadies and the Old 97s. Songs like pandemic anthem (only Vandoliers could make those two words fit together) "Every Saturday Night," "Cigarettes in the Rain," "Sixteen Years" and their irresistible take on the Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" have helped the band find a devoted following across the world, fans who pack out shows that are always life-affirming and usually end with some Vandoliers hopping around onstage shirtless.

It was onstage that Rose fully realized who she was for the first time. In early 2023, she was barely six months sober and fighting to stay that way while touring with some of the most raucous bands around; she was also trying to write a new collection of Vandoliers songs responding to the first feedback she'd gotten from Hutt. "Your songs are superficial," he told Rose. "There's a barrier between what you're actually writing and your deeper self."

In the middle of that, Vandoliers happened to be playing a show in Maryville, Tennessee the same day that the state's governor, Bill Lee, had signed what was generally understood as a "drag ban." Cory Graves, who sings and plays keyboard and trumpet in the band, suggested they all wear dresses for their show that night in protest. "I was like, 'Hell yeah, I would love to do that' — like, how harmless is this?" says Rose. Photos from the show went viral, and were covered by Rolling Stone, among many other outlets. Rachel Maddow did a segment on the band on MSNBC. "That was the first time I had ever worn a dress in public, but not the first time I had worn a dress — and then the entire planet saw it. The wall that I had keeping this side of me invisible was completely shattered. I wrote down in my journal, 'Fuck, I think I'm trans.'"

Rose spent months grappling with that realization, pushing back against it and reflecting on it all the while putting together the songs for this album and continuing the band's dizzying touring schedule. At that point, the band thought they would have to release their next albumindependently. To fund a session with Hutt at the Sonic Ranch — the band's dream producer and recording studio — they turned to their fans, releasing the rebellious call-to-action imaginable, "Together We Will Sink Or Swim," as the prompt for a very early album presale.

The fundraising worked, and at the Sonic Ranch, Rose was once again compelled — in large part by Hutt, and his meticulous editing of the 40 demos the band brought in down to the 10 carefully honed tracks on the album — to be completely vulnerable. "Before the session, I was like, 'I can still do this. I can still be Josh,'" Rose says. "But day one of the studio, I was like, 'Ah, fuck. I think my life is going to get a lot different very quickly.'"

Hutt kept choosing songs, like album opener "Dead Canary" and "Evergreen," that were Rose's most raw and confessional — until she and the Vandoliers reached the studio, she didn't fully realize that she'd actually written them about the experience of dysphoria, about the searching and pain and struggle that she was feeling: "I was running from my shadow/tried to hide it, but it followed," are the first lyrics Life Behind Bars listeners will hear. While both songs — and in fact, most of the album — are upbeat and sing-a-long-ready in classic Vandoliers fashion, they're a little more stripped-down and intimate than the band's typical raucous fare.

The plaintive title track, co-written by Rose, Graves, Joshua Ray Walker and John Pedigo, also has multiple meanings. "The first thought was the double entendre of working behind a bar and prison," says Rose. "Then it kind of turned into, 'Life in a band versus prison.' The way that I hear it now is just like, 'Oh, this girl is in prison.'" It has all the sharp observations and catchy melodies of Vandoliers' best work, but with the added context and depth of Rose's path to self-discovery.

"You Can't Party With The Lights On" is a textbook honky-tonk tune that's sure to become a live staple for the band, and features Walker and Taylor Hunnicutt as guest vocalists. It too, though, includes a melancholy subtext — making it a "cry at the bar while everybody's dancing" song, as Rose puts it. The timeless title and hook also, to her, meant, "I can't know myself like this and keep going on like I've been going on."

The album has more explicitly political tracks as well: "Bible Belt," which Rose wrote about the fear and pain of feeling like an outsider deep in the Fort Worth suburbs, and "Thoughts and Prayers," a darkly funny composition written and sung by Graves about the epidemic of gun violence in America written in the aftermath of the Route 91 festival shooting in Las Vegas, but inspired by just how normal it's become — and the fact that Graves himself witnessed a shooting at a mall food court in Irving, Texas when he was just six years old.

These are the songs of a band that is fearless and fun, hellbent on spreading joy wherever they go, and who has made a career of pushing boundaries and taking all-comers — of making a bigger, brighter, bolder tent in a musical space that is still too often hidebound by tradition.

"We've been breaking rules in country for 10 years," says Rose. "'You play too fast.' 'You're too loud.' 'You sing too high.' 'You're more of a punk band.' All that matters, though, is that peoplehear our songs and they help them in any way — that's all we can hope for. I'm struggling so much on this record, but I hope that another trans girl listens to it and finds something in it for themselves."

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Supporting Acts

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About HI-FI | Indianapolis, IN

HI-FI is located inside the historic Murphy Arts Center in the heart of Fountain Square.  HI-FI shows virtually every night of the week and is known for finding new artists on the rise. The venue is acoustically one of the best sounding venues in the Midwest. The entrance is located at the front of the building on Virginia Ave and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

 

Box Office: 317-986-7101
Main: 317-986-9701

Getting Around the Venue

1043 Virginia Ave #4,
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 10 am to 6 pm
Doors: 1 hour before doors

Frequently Asked Questions About HI-FI | Indianapolis, IN

What are the age restrictions at this venue?

Most of our gigs are open to those 18 years and older, though there are a few exceptions. We’re also rolling out more all-ages shows to accommodate younger fans, but double-check our website for specific age requirements before getting your tickets. We’ve made it super easy to spot the age restrictions on each event listing.

If you are going to indulge in a seating upgrade in our VIP area, all guests must be 21 years of age or older.

HI-FI requires a valid ID for admission. For guests who will be consuming alcoholic beverages, a valid state or government issues ID is required. Everyone will be carded during check-in. Expired and temporary ID’s are not accepted.

Can I upgrade my to VIP seating?

HI-FI proudly offers our VIP Deck, situated at the rear of the venue. This elevated section features table seating and provides convenient access to the bar. Please be advised that all guests in this area must be 21 years of age or older. For seating upgrade inquiries, please contact the box office at boxoffice@hifiindy.com

What items are permitted or prohibited at this venue?

At our venues, we strive to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests. While specific rules may vary slightly depending on the event location, the following list generally applies across all venues.

Any illegal items found will be confiscated immediately. Guests discovered with prohibited items inside the venue may face ejection, and those attempting to enter with such items may be denied entry.

We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during our events.

Permitted Items Include:

  • All bags and possessions are subject to search and may be subject to metal detection. No backpacks are permitted at any of our venues.
  • Clear tote or bag made from plastic, vinyl or PVC that does not exceed 14” x 14” in size.
  • Personal purse, fanny pack or handbag so long as it does not exceed 14” x 14” in size
  • A warm heart and smiles

Prohibited items include:

  • Weapons of any kind: Firearms (with or without permit), knives (any size), multi-tools
  • Pepper Spray or Mace
  • Flares or Fireworks
  • Oversized bags (Bag larger than 12” x 12”, including all backpacks, briefcases, luggage, or duffle bags)
  • Illegal Substances
  • Outside Beverages
  • Laser Pointers
  • Removable lens cameras or flash photography, tripods, monopods, selfie-sticks (unless pre-approved by Event Manager)
  • Audio or Video recording devices (unless pre-approved by Event Manager)
  • Signs larger than 11” x 17” or any sign attached to a stick or pole
  • Skateboards, hoverboards, rollerblades, scooters, or bicycles
  • Hula hoops, spray paint, silly string
  • Noise Making devices (i.e. Air Horns, drums, whistles)
  • Coolers or Ice Chests
  • Animals/Pets (Except Service Animals)

HI-FI reserves the right to prohibit any item, including items not listed above, from entering the premises if deemed hazardous or disruptive to the event.

Can I bring a bag into the show?

Yes! You’re welcome to bring personal purse, fanny pack or handbag so long as it does not exceed 14” x 14” in size. No backpacks are permitted at any time.

What’s the parking situation like?

Depending on the day and time, finding a spot can be tricky. On busy show days we advise arriving early to ensure you get a good spot.

Parking is free on all of the surrounding streets in Fountain Square and most parking lots.

The LAZ pay lot directly across from the Murphy Arts Building (on Prospect St) offers paid parking by the hour and is the closest public parking to the venue.

We advise against traveling down St. Patrick St on show days, as it can become congested one-way with traffic coming from both directions.

Bike parking is available at any of the bike racks on Virginia Ave in front of HI-FI.

What is the camera/photo policy for this venue?

Our photo policy varies for each event and is at the discretion of the artist performing that night. This policy can change from night to night.

As a general guideline, we typically do not permit professional photography unless it has been pre-approved by either HI-FI or the Artist Management.

For approved photographers, you’re welcome to snap photos during the first three songs of the performance. However, please refrain from using flash.

Media personnel and professional photographers interested in covering our events can reach out to us at marketing@hifiindy.com to request media credentials.

Is there food and drink at this venue?

Absolutely! We’ve got you covered for some tasty bites to fuel your night.

Our very own Easy Rider Diner is your go-to spot on most show nights, serving up mouthwatering dishes right next door to HI-FI. With a convenient connection door open for most shows, you can easily hop back and forth without missing a beat. We highly recommend making a reservation in advance, as show nights tend to get busy. Please note that Easy Rider is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but fear not – you can still grab some chips, candy, or snacks at HI-FI’s bar.

View seating maps for this venue

Check your show listing for information on the show’s seating configuration. The majority of HI-FI shows are general admission, standing-room-only. Depending on the show, there are a handful of tables available to those who arrive early. There is a limited amount of seating upgrades available on the VIP deck. Contact the box office to secure a seating upgrade for your show at boxoffice@hifiindy.com. Shows that are reserved or partially reserved seating configurations will have information or purchase options directly on the event listing.

Can I leave and re-enter the venue?

Re-entry is allowed for HI-FI shows once you’ve been stamped or wristbanded by a member of our staff.

Do you offer ADA, handicap or special needs options?

There are 2 handicapped parking spots in the lot located across Prospect St. closest to El Arado Mexican Grill. The box office handles any special needs or ADA seating requests at boxoffice@hifiindy.com.

Where is the box office located?

Getting tickets to our shows is super easy! You have a few options, depending on how you like to roll:

Online: Grab your tickets in advance from our official websites, hifiindy.com and mokbpresents.com, or through our trusted ticketing partners tixr.com and seetickets.us.

In Person: Swing by one of our convenient box office locations around the Murphy Arts Center building and grab tickets with no service fees:

Main Box Office at Virginia Ave Mercantile: Located at 1043 Virginia Ave Suite 2 (between Easy Rider and La Margarita). Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm.

HI-FI Box Office: Found at 1043 Virginia Ave Suite 4 (at the main entrance to HI-FI). Open only on show nights, starting 1 hour before published show times until 10 pm.

I lost something at the show. Who do I contact?

Have you misplaced something during one of our events? Don’t worry, we’re here to help reunite you with your belongings! While we can’t take responsibility for lost or stolen items, we’re committed to assisting you in any way we can.

Found items are securely stored at our Virginia Ave Mercantile & Box Office until they’re claimed. Please note that items lost during late-night events might take until the next morning to reach our lost and found. We know you might be eager to retrieve your belongings (like that phone you’re pinging outside our door at 6 am), but our team typically wraps up late-night events and may not be available until later in the morning.

For lost items, please follow the outlined process rather than popping into Easy Rider in the early hours. They’re open early, but our restaurant team is busy during weekends and can’t assist with lost items during busy service hours.

To inquire about lost items, shoot us an email at boxoffice@hifiindy.com. Mercantile hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm.

Let’s work together to get your goods back to you as quickly as possible!

What is your refund policy?

What’s Your Refund Policy for Postponed Shows?

If a show gets postponed, don’t sweat it! We’ll shoot you an email to let you know about the change, and if you’re cool with the new date, no further action is needed on your part.We’ll be working diligently to find a new date for the show, and we’ll keep you updated every step of the way. But if you can’t make it to the rescheduled gig, we’ve got your back. You’ll have a generous 30-day window following the announcement of the new date to request a refund.

For those who paid with cash at our box office, just drop us a line at boxoffice@hifiindy.com for further instructions on processing your refund.

Please bear with us as we explore rescheduling options with the tour. Your patience is much appreciated as we work to present the best possible show experience for you.

What’s the Refund Policy for Canceled Shows?

In the unfortunate event of a canceled show, don’t fret! If you purchased your tickets online, your refund will be processed automatically. Just sit tight and allow 3-5 business days for the refund to appear in your bank account.
No need to lift a finger! However, there are a few scenarios where you might need to reach out to our box office:

  • If you paid cash at our box office.
  • If you’ve received a new or different card since your original purchase.
  • If you haven’t seen the refund in your account after 5 business days.

What Happens if a Show Gets Rescheduled?

No worries! If a show you’ve already grabbed tickets for gets rescheduled, your tickets will still be valid for the new date. We’ll shoot you an email to let you know about the change, and if you’re good to go for the new date, no further action is needed on your part.

However, if you can’t make it to the rescheduled gig, we’ve got you covered. You’ll have a generous 30 days from the announcement of the new date to request a refund. Just reach out directly to our box office to kickstart the process.

Beware of counterfeit tickets. How do I tell if my ticket is valid?

It’s crucial for all buyers to exercise caution when purchasing tickets from unauthorized sites and ticket resellers. Tixr and SeeTickets are the only two ticket vendors supported at our venues. Unfortunately, this is a widespread issue affecting venues nationwide, and true fans often find themselves at a loss. Regrettably, there’s little we can do in such situations. Since the original transaction didn’t occur through our authorized ticketing partners, we lack the necessary information to assist. It’s disheartening to witness fans being taken advantage of, especially on platforms like Craigslist, Facebook, StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek, and others. We are only obligated to honor valid tickets purchased through our approved channels.

Can I purchase tickets in person without fees?

Yes. HI-FI box office is located at the main entrance off of Virginia Avenue. The box office is open 1 hour prior to the published door time. Additionally, our new and primary box office is located two doors down from HI-FI in Suite 2. This box office is open Monday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm for fee-free ticket purchases. HI-FI accepts cash as well as all major credit cards for ticket purchases.

Do you have free WI-FI?

Yes. HI-FI offers free WI-FI during all shows. Simply select the HI-FI Free WI-FI network and you are all set!

All Ages
Jul 30

Vandoliers

HI-FI
$20 - $25
Presented By: MOKB Presents
Doors: 7:00 PM
Start Time: 8:00 pm

Learn More About This Show

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ARTIST PROFILE | Vandoliers

Americana/FolkCountryRock

"Most personal album yet" is a well-worn cliché within the cliché-addled world of music promotion. But Life Behind Bars, the fifth studio album from beloved Texas country-punk ensemble Vandoliers, brings new meaning to that phrase. This album marks a series of firsts for the band, it's their first release with upstart Break Maiden Records and distributed by storied indie Thirty Tigers, their first with Grammy-winning producer Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly, Lucero), and their first recorded at the sprawling Sonic Ranch studios in West Texas. Most importantly, though, this collection of songs offers a window into frontwoman Jenni Rose's journey through addiction and gender dysphoria — a journey that has culminated in her decision to come out as a trans woman while working in the macho worlds of Texas country and punk rock, at a moment when the rights of trans people are more intensely threatened by the day.

"It's heavier than our other stuff," says Rose. "Why is this country punk band that's usually a source of positive energy so melancholy? It's because I was dealing with accepting my gender dysphoria, while also trying to get sober."

For the uninitiated, even the most melancholy Vandoliers song has a degree of exuberance and verve, full of an irrepressible energy that has led the band to tour with everyone from Flogging Molly to the Turnpike Troubadours to fellow Dallas-Fort Worth natives the Toadies and the Old 97s. Songs like pandemic anthem (only Vandoliers could make those two words fit together) "Every Saturday Night," "Cigarettes in the Rain," "Sixteen Years" and their irresistible take on the Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" have helped the band find a devoted following across the world, fans who pack out shows that are always life-affirming and usually end with some Vandoliers hopping around onstage shirtless.

It was onstage that Rose fully realized who she was for the first time. In early 2023, she was barely six months sober and fighting to stay that way while touring with some of the most raucous bands around; she was also trying to write a new collection of Vandoliers songs responding to the first feedback she'd gotten from Hutt. "Your songs are superficial," he told Rose. "There's a barrier between what you're actually writing and your deeper self."

In the middle of that, Vandoliers happened to be playing a show in Maryville, Tennessee the same day that the state's governor, Bill Lee, had signed what was generally understood as a "drag ban." Cory Graves, who sings and plays keyboard and trumpet in the band, suggested they all wear dresses for their show that night in protest. "I was like, 'Hell yeah, I would love to do that' — like, how harmless is this?" says Rose. Photos from the show went viral, and were covered by Rolling Stone, among many other outlets. Rachel Maddow did a segment on the band on MSNBC. "That was the first time I had ever worn a dress in public, but not the first time I had worn a dress — and then the entire planet saw it. The wall that I had keeping this side of me invisible was completely shattered. I wrote down in my journal, 'Fuck, I think I'm trans.'"

Rose spent months grappling with that realization, pushing back against it and reflecting on it all the while putting together the songs for this album and continuing the band's dizzying touring schedule. At that point, the band thought they would have to release their next albumindependently. To fund a session with Hutt at the Sonic Ranch — the band's dream producer and recording studio — they turned to their fans, releasing the rebellious call-to-action imaginable, "Together We Will Sink Or Swim," as the prompt for a very early album presale.

The fundraising worked, and at the Sonic Ranch, Rose was once again compelled — in large part by Hutt, and his meticulous editing of the 40 demos the band brought in down to the 10 carefully honed tracks on the album — to be completely vulnerable. "Before the session, I was like, 'I can still do this. I can still be Josh,'" Rose says. "But day one of the studio, I was like, 'Ah, fuck. I think my life is going to get a lot different very quickly.'"

Hutt kept choosing songs, like album opener "Dead Canary" and "Evergreen," that were Rose's most raw and confessional — until she and the Vandoliers reached the studio, she didn't fully realize that she'd actually written them about the experience of dysphoria, about the searching and pain and struggle that she was feeling: "I was running from my shadow/tried to hide it, but it followed," are the first lyrics Life Behind Bars listeners will hear. While both songs — and in fact, most of the album — are upbeat and sing-a-long-ready in classic Vandoliers fashion, they're a little more stripped-down and intimate than the band's typical raucous fare.

The plaintive title track, co-written by Rose, Graves, Joshua Ray Walker and John Pedigo, also has multiple meanings. "The first thought was the double entendre of working behind a bar and prison," says Rose. "Then it kind of turned into, 'Life in a band versus prison.' The way that I hear it now is just like, 'Oh, this girl is in prison.'" It has all the sharp observations and catchy melodies of Vandoliers' best work, but with the added context and depth of Rose's path to self-discovery.

"You Can't Party With The Lights On" is a textbook honky-tonk tune that's sure to become a live staple for the band, and features Walker and Taylor Hunnicutt as guest vocalists. It too, though, includes a melancholy subtext — making it a "cry at the bar while everybody's dancing" song, as Rose puts it. The timeless title and hook also, to her, meant, "I can't know myself like this and keep going on like I've been going on."

The album has more explicitly political tracks as well: "Bible Belt," which Rose wrote about the fear and pain of feeling like an outsider deep in the Fort Worth suburbs, and "Thoughts and Prayers," a darkly funny composition written and sung by Graves about the epidemic of gun violence in America written in the aftermath of the Route 91 festival shooting in Las Vegas, but inspired by just how normal it's become — and the fact that Graves himself witnessed a shooting at a mall food court in Irving, Texas when he was just six years old.

These are the songs of a band that is fearless and fun, hellbent on spreading joy wherever they go, and who has made a career of pushing boundaries and taking all-comers — of making a bigger, brighter, bolder tent in a musical space that is still too often hidebound by tradition.

"We've been breaking rules in country for 10 years," says Rose. "'You play too fast.' 'You're too loud.' 'You sing too high.' 'You're more of a punk band.' All that matters, though, is that peoplehear our songs and they help them in any way — that's all we can hope for. I'm struggling so much on this record, but I hope that another trans girl listens to it and finds something in it for themselves."

READ MORE >>READ LESS >>
CONNECT:

Supporting Acts

About the Venue

HI-FI is located inside the historic Murphy Arts Center in the heart of Fountain Square.  HI-FI shows virtually every night of the week and is known for finding new artists on the rise. The venue is acoustically one of the best sounding venues in the Midwest. The entrance is located at the front of the building on Virginia Ave and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

 
Amenities: Live Music, Premium Sound, Full Bar, 24 Draft Beers On Tap, VIP Seating, Street-Level Box Office

Upgrades: A limited amount of VIP seating upgrades (21+) are available for select shows.  Contact the box office to purchase or check availability: boxoffice@hifiindy.com.

Ticket Support: Box Office opens 1 hour before published door time. For ticket related questions please email boxoffice@hifiindy.com.

Parking: Street Parking, Bike Parking
Refund Policy: All tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable unless the show is canceled.  Shows affected by Covid-19 pandemic will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact the box office with any questions: boxoffice@hifiindy.com.
1043 Virginia Ave #4 Indianapolis, IN 46203

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