photo: Dani Mac Photography (http://www.danimacphotography.com/)
Following my nod to the new Rademacher music is the recently-released Strange Confessor, from Fay Wrays, who sound nothing whatsoever like Rademacher but who are also from Fresno and who happen to share a drummer, Eli Reyes. Eli and Ben McEntee (vocals, guitar, bass) started the band in 2006 after their previous band, The Soma Holidays, called it quits. Fay Wrays are rambunctious, hardcore punkish and noisy, though with some melodic guitar and spacy moments, as in “Painting Dollar Bills” and “A Harmony Whose Equal Was Never Heard In Hell”. Though perhaps they’re at their most fun during shriekfests like “When We Storm The Gates We Sing This Song” and “She Gave Me A Compass”. On Strange Confessor, they’re joined by various friends: Whitney Freeman (Achievement House), Eric Peters (Sleepover Disaster, and who recorded the album), Steve Loveless (The Rhoda Penmarks) and Luke Giffen (Quiet Americans).
Here’s some seriously great news which I’m finally getting around to posting. For all you Rademacher fans out there (and if not, why not?), the long-awaited follow-up to the 2007 release Stunts is just a few weeks away. Baby Hawk (Park I of III) is available for pre-order on bandcamp and will be released Tuesday, July 5th. The album will be available via itunes and emusic on July 12th. Have a listen to the complete song below, or go to their soundcloud page to listen to each instrument separately. Cool. For those uninitiated: poignant and raw, deceptively simple lyrics that cut to the bone, set against slick, interesting pop music (with more sophistication and sonic magic of late). Dive in.
“All the best songs / are love songs / I don’t think that you can argue / no, I don’t think you can argue that… convenient explanations for the way things are… who really cares? / who really knows? / who’s responsibility is this?”
They’ll also be on the road starting July 1, though for the time being, just in Cali. However… somewhat reliable sources tell me there are plans to come East in the fall. Hopefully this time they’ll make it past Chicago. (more…)
In addition to being greatly impressed with the musical prowess of Alela Diane and her band Wild Divine, I was also greatly impressed with her fans. Going out to a club to see a singer-songwriter, folk band, or similarly delicate and nuanced music can be a dicey proposition. That it was The Parson Red Heads‘ first ever Boston appearance gave me even more anxiety. I wanted it to be special. I wanted to be able to actually hear them. To my surprise and great pleasure, the crowd was quiet and attentive during the Parsons’ set, despite the fact that few had ever heard of them. They repaid the favor by treating us to a beautiful, heartfelt set of songs with strong focus on their upcoming album. (more…)
On tomorrow morning’s Expanding Awareness show, Victor and his guest will be discussing sea vegetables – properties, health benefits, effects of pollution… Tune in at 10am to 90.3FM in the Boston area, or this show can be heard on the WZBC Archive (all of ‘ZBC’s shows are online for two weeks). (more…)
The sweet and lovely L.A. country band (yes, you read that correctly),
Leslie Stevens and The Badgers, have been busy recording a new album. They’re taking a little time out for a tour with Elizabeth Cook, though they’ll be doing their own headlining shows at Mercury Lounge in NYC (June 19) and at Club Passim in Cambridge, MA (June 20).
A few months ago, I talked about Walking Sleep’s trio of FREE EPs called The Tarp Sessions. The third final one was released last month on bandcamp, where you can also scoop up the other two. Go grab ‘em while they’re hot.
Two new local releases: Hot Molasses: Frankly EP and No Evil Star: Beach Reading
In my effort to catch up with music sent to me months ago, I offer to you four cool bands with new releases. And by new, I mean “this year”. Big EastStranded, Hot MolassesFrankly, WALLcreeperSecond Sight, and No Evil StarBeach Reading. Come on in and have a listen. (more…)
Parson Red Heads and Alela Diane (photo by Chloe Aftel)
If you’re looking to kick back with the gentle sounds of psych-folk and alt-country, honest storytelling and sweet harmonies, look no further than Brighton Music Hall on Thursday for an evening with Alela Diane and The Parson Red Heads. I’m really enjoying my first listen to Alela and her band, Wild Divine, and I can personally attest to the life-affirming qualities of The Parson Red Heads. You’ll definitely not want to miss what I believe is their first visit to our city. (more…)
