Teaadora Nikolova Sampler Night

Sunday January 10 2010 initiated the first of a proposed series of sampler shows of mostly central Illinois based artists. The event occurred somewhere behind the Beer Nuts factory. A Facebook invitation labeled the even as being on McClun but use of both Google Maps and Mapquest claimed no such address existed. However, there inevitably was a McClun and there was a show there.

The event was organized by Teaadora Nikolva a mysterious Russian (Bulgarian?) refugee/transient.



Teeadora has been moving around the country as of late, he does live in Boston and New York from time to time (possibly), when he does not reside in BloNo. I’ve been acquainted with him for a few years now and it is always quite the delight to see him.

After bracing myself against the below zero weather, my frail body was still deeply conquered by the cold. After some struggle to find the house on McClun, it was found. After knocking on the door and ringing the bell, we entered. After entering the house it was noted that there was no heating. After asking someone if the show was there we passed by typical transgressive art probably made by someone that lived in the rundown duplex or by some Illinois State art student.

I still envied such works of art and the hipster chic appearance of the place. Eventually, a fine fellow directed me to a small upstairs room where the show occurred. Teaadora opened the show uncharacteristically with an electric guitar. He only played one song, the event was a “sampler” after all, which was a shame. I’ve witnessed the spectacle that is Teaadora maybe five or so times now and each is more thrilling than the last. I think he played the “What’s with this Conversation” song; I’ve never known the titles so that is the best I can do. Most of Teaadora’s work is developed so it flows into each other. This song was no different and started to segue into something else before he quit to let someone else play. I enjoyed seeing him play again but this was nothing if not a cock tease. My hope is that he will play a full show whilst still in Bloomington.

Torey Kaufman and band followed. This consisted of female vocals, bassist with death metal bass, guitarist, drummer, and keyboardist. Apparently Torey used to play keyboards live but that practice was given up in favor of her sashaying to her songs. She was fairly attractive. Songs were of a country rock variety. Guitarist was pretty good. The decision to have a five piece band play in a very small room was perhaps unwise. Last song Torey proclaimed to the seated audience that they should dance. No one did.

The order is a bit hazy to me. I apologize.

Kyle Riley, sporting a nice beard, was initially very nonchalant. He produced wave after wave of hypnotic post-rock guitar riffs. He proceeded to loop these riffs into something monolithic. He then crouched down. I eagerly rose up, anxious to see what his next move would be. Kyle began to sing into the mic. The whole thing was chillwave/ glo fiesque but taken to an epic new level. The emotion he poured out was apparent. The muscles in his neck appeared they would burst at any second. They, fortunately, did not. Very good. Usually watching people make loops is incredibly boring (that’s right Bradford Cox) but this was fantastic.

Adam Pressley, of Ohtis fame, made some sarcastic comment about Kyle Riley’s fantastic performance. I did not appreciate. There was some white hair in his beard. I wonder how old he is. Ohtis’s brand of Nerd Folk/Americana is all the rage in Central Illinois right now. I tend to prefer the album Ohtis made when they were in high school rather than the newer one. Anyway he played a few songs that were enjoyable and in that similar style. Of note he began to play Gold Soundz and then segued into Range Life at the chorus. I found this particularly inspired.

After came Morgan Orion, from Chambana, who pretty much plays in that same Nerd Folk/ Americana style though he did seem a bit more earnest than Adam Pressley and took things more seriously. He did seem fairly awkward. His songs were what you would expect: cute and charming. When he managed to get the crowd involved, the group sing along in the tiny room was magical. Morgan had brought up a keytar but did not use it. This was yet another cock tease. He alluded to using Casio beats in some new songs but was just a tease. Evidenced by other groups like Seaby and the Rules, there seems to be a new breed of Post-Nerd Folk/Americana evolving that uses shitty Casio beats and keyboards found at garage sales. I support this wholeheartedly.




Lynn O’Brien played a ukulele. I do not support this.

There were two other acts. One was some blues act. I enjoyed the swampy feel of the accordion but it dragged on forever. There was some other guy that could not sing nor play his guitar. Despues de these two acts, there might have been some other guy too, Adam Pressley came back and played some Bob Dylan covers with Morgan Orion. The bearded hipsters I traveled with had grown cold and lonely and we left. The concert could still be going on for all I know.