Category: Boston Bands Page 10 of 20

SLEeVES’ New EP, Arcadia

On September 2, 2012

There’s some very beautiful, adventurous new music from Boston’s experimental folk purveyors, SLEeVES. Gathered into a 7-track EP by the name of Arcadia, it’s a gauzy, hypnotic daydream. Sometimes it takes the form of smooth aural silk that slides over you. At other times, it’s a like a series of half-heard conversations looped over each other, merging and colliding, cresting and receding like ocean waves. ‘Arcadia’ speaks of “a natural paradise; a forgotten utopia.”

Arcadia is the follow-up to their lovely Sky Ghost I album, released back in March. It is available for a ‘pay-what-you-want’ price, and they’ve collaborated with multimedia artist Neon Glittery to create 20 limited edition t-shirts based on the EP’s imagery. Have a listen to “1994,” “a song about the uncertainty of the future and a dullness occasionally associated with the present.”

They’re currently planning a North American tour. Stay tuned!

1994 by SLEEVES by Analog Candle

web-bandcamp | facebook | soundcloud | analog candle

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We Want The Airwaves: The Death and Resurrection of WFNX

By julie

On June 29, 2012

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Show Previews

We Want The Airwaves: A WFNX Tribute
featuring O Positive, Orbit, Garvy J, Parlour Bells and other special guests. WFNX DJ sets by Anngelle Wood & Angie C., Boy Troy, Duane Bruce, Bruce McDonald, Mike “X-Night” Gioscia. Also, a sneek peek of the film “We Want The Airwaves: The WFNX Story”

Proceeds to benefit The Progeria Research Foundation
Saturday, June 30
The Paradise Rock Club
7pm doors | 18+ | $20 + TM fees
facebook event | ::: buy tickets :::

This article was to be something of a eulogy, after hearing of the sale of WFNX 101.7 fm to the evil empire of Clear Channel Communications. Happily, Boston.com came to their rescue, and the station will be continuing on as an online entity at WFNX.com. But I’d still like say a few words as this radio station that has meant so much to so many begins its new phase of life. Like a phoenix risen from the ashes (pun intended).

At the Paradise tomorrow night, it’ll be a special evening of remembrances from DJs throughout WFNX’s history, with some fine Boston bands – old and new – performing, and a sneak preview of the new documentary “We Want The Airwaves: The WFNX Story.”

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“Cure For Pain: The Mark Sandman Story” begins its one-week run at Brattle Theatre

By julie

On June 22, 2012

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

Cure for Pain:
The Mark Sandman Story
Brattle Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge
Friday, June 22 – Sunday, July 1

Showtimes:
(Fri) (3:30, matinee), 5:30, 7:30 (w/producer Jeff Broadway), 10:00 PM
(Sat, Sun) (1:30 and 3:30, matinees), 5:30, 7:30 (w/special guest TBA), 10:00 PM
Local Theatrical Premiere!
::: buy tickets :::

Opening tonight and running through July 1 is the local premiere of Cure Fore Pain: The Mark Sandman Story, an in-depth look at the beloved singer-songwriter and enigmatic frontman of one of Boston’s most celebrated bands, Morphine.

Directed by filmmakers Robert G. Bralver and David Ferino, it includes archival footage and interviews with Dana Colley, Billy Conway, Chris Ballew, Dicky Barrett, Ben Harper, Mark’s family, and Mark himself. A few of these showings will include Q&As with people associated with the film, such as producer Jeff Broadway. See the Brattle’s site for more information and show times. If you can’t make it to the Brattle, Gatling Films will be releasing the documentary on DVD; it will be available July 3. To commemorate this event, a little story follows.

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Wintersleep with Magic Magic and Slowdim at Great Scott TONIGHT!

By julie

On June 18, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Wintersleep, photo by Scott Munn

CQ Presents: Wintersleep with Magic Magic and Slowdim at Great Scott
9pm | 18+ | $9 | :::: BUY TICKETS :::

Canadian band Wintersleep, who just released Hello Hum (Roll Call Records) last week, are at Great Scott tonight, along with Boston’s own Magic Magic and Slowdim. Magic Magic’s last release was the Thank You EP, in May of last year. Slowdim released their first single, “Money” back in February, which will by on their upcoming debut album.

Listen to a special acoustic version of “Nothing Is Anything,” included as a bonus track on the new Wintersleep album. Check out the latest from Magic Magic. And if you’re in the neighborhood, go see them.

Nothing is Anything (stripped down) by rollcallrecords

<a href="http://magicmagic.bandcamp.com/album/thank-you">thank you by magic magic.</a>

Upcoming Wintersleep Shows

Mon 6/18 – Great Scott, Allston MA – TONIGHT
Tues 6/19 – Knitting Factory, NYC (will be broadcast live on Livestream) (also playing: Soft Bullets, Jeff Beam – what a coincidence; I’m profiling him next)
Wed 6/20 – North Star Bar, Philadelphia PA
Fri 6/29 – Charlottetown Summerfest @ Confederation Landing Park (Canada)

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Amy Correia – Free 3-song sampler and Independent Music Award Winner!

By julie

On June 2, 2012

In Band Profiles, Boston Bands

photo by Jeff Fasano

Lakeville, Massachusetts native Amy Correia, whose latest album, the sultry and sassy You Go Your Way, recently scored an award for Best Folk Singer-Songwriter Album at the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards. The competition is judged by such music luminaries as Suzanne Vega, Ozzy Osbourne and Tom Waits.

<a href="http://amycorreia.bandcamp.com/album/3-song-sampler">3-Song Sampler by Amy Correia</a>

Amy spent some time on New York City’s Lower East Side, performing alongside songwriters Jesse Harris, Jeff Buckley and jazz singer Rebecca Martin. She’s recently moved back to Massachusetts to take part in the vibrant Boston music scene. Boston’s Session Americana recorded her song “Love Changes Everything,” and she’s made guest appearances on Rose Polenzani’s and John Powhida International Airport’s new albums. She refers to Massachusetts as her “spiritual home base.”

To celebrate her award win, she’s sharing a 3-song sampler with her fans and friends, free of charge. It features “Love Changes Everything” and “Powder Blue Trans Am” (from her latest album You Go Your Way), and the title track from “Lakeville.”

Amy will be performing at the NightCat in Easton, Maryland on Friday, June 15.

web | facebook | bandcamp | twitter

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Diasporic Dance Music with a Powerful Message: Zili Misik and Kina Zoré Return to Jamaica Plain

By julie

On May 10, 2012

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

Kina Zore

Zili Misik and Kina Zoré
The Milky Way Lounge at The Brewery Complex, 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9 p.m.
21+ | $7 cover

Here’s a special evening of music happening at the Milky Way Lounge tomorrow night. Boston-based Kina Zoré is a 7-member Afro-pop dance collective made up of Berklee and NEC graduates who perform the music of Helder Tsinine, a singer and guitarist from Mozambique. Raised in a musical family in Maputo, Mozambique and brought up during a 15-year civil war in his homeland, his music is celebratory, upbeat, joyous and highly danceable, though lyrically he addresses topics like war, poverty, the challenges of his native country, and the idea of social justice. Kina Zoré have been performing around Boston for about a year and a half, and will be releasing their debut album this summer (you can preorder on Paypal). They’re also very involved with social issues, with the focus on action and compassion. Listen to their music on Kina Zoré’s official site. Beautiful, and bound to be amazing in an intimate live setting. Treat yourself to Mozambican dance party!

Kina Zoré will be joined by the all-female, African band Zili Misik.

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Warm Weather Comes To Boston! (the band, but the other will too)

By julie

On May 7, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Warm Weather with The Cultured, Fort! The Band, and Friendly People
@ The Middle East Upstairs
Monday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m.
18+ | $10 advance/ @ door
facebook event

So I wrote about these three guys from L.A., Warm Weather, back in March, and now they’re here on their virgin East Coast tour! Their first show is Wednesday night in Philly, stopping off at the Middle East Upstairs next Monday. They have a lovely and upbeat sound, with kaleidoscopic 3-part harmonies that are ridiculously uplifting almost to the point of spiritual.

Musically they’re just as cheery, with accompaniment that is sometimes folky, sometimes with rocking guitar riffs; driving rhythms and melodies. Wildly tuneful and sophisticated, this is happy music without the shame.

Also on the bill at the Middle East show – funky Boston trio The Cultured, Allston’s wacky and punky Fort! The Band, and also from Boston, folk-tinged indie rockers Friendly People. Nice line-up! Get out there and show these Los Angeles kids some love on their first foray to the Eastern wilds. And appropriately, it looks like they’ll be bringing warm weather along with them; looks like it’s going to be getting up into the 70s when they get into town. Thanks, guys!

<a href="http://warmweather.bandcamp.com/album/dances">dances by warm weather</a>

Warm Weather Debut East Coast Tour!

5/9 Philadelphia, PA — Kung Fu Necktie
5/11 New York, NY — Pianos NYC
5/12 Lewiston, ME — Bates College
5/14 Boston, MA — The Middle East Upstairs
5/15 Montreal, QC — L’Absynthe
5/16 Burlington, VT (at 6PM) — Radio Bean Cafe
5/16 Winooski, VT (at 10 PM) — The Monkey House
5/17 Hamden, CT — The Space
5/18 Hanover, NH — Dartmouth College, Phi Delt Block Party

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Christopher Paul Stelling at Precinct Bar Friday night (as part of Hear Now Live Presents’ stellar line-up)

By julie

On April 18, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

photo by Clarence K. Photography

Hear Now Live Presents: Dead Cats Dead Rats, Shoney Lamar & The Equal Rights, Division Tree, Subpar Co-star, and Christopher Paul Stelling (from Brooklyn) with
Friday, April 20
Precinct Bar, Union Square, Somerville
21+ | 7pm

Hear Now Live will be presenting a big 5-band bill Friday night at Precinct with a few Boston notables – Dead Cats Dead Rats and Shoney Lamar & The Equal Rights – and two other Boston-area bands. But the one I’m really here to talk about is Brooklyn-based Christopher Paul Stelling. His debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn (Mecca Lecca Recording Co), was released back in February, and it’s quite wonderful.

I’ve written about Mr. Stelling’s very impressive acoustic finger-picked guitar; smooth, soulful and occasionally hellfire-explosive southern gospel vocals; and personal storytelling a few times now on ‘musings.’ The album is stunning, with minimal accompaniment in the form of gorgeous gypsy violin courtesy of Cheyenne Marie Mize and additional vocals from Julia Christgau. Last time he was also at Precinct, and I see now with Shoney Lamar as well, and for some reason I wasn’t able to get there. I’ll do my best not to make the same mistake twice. I’ve heard his live performances are quite powerful and compelling. Have a listen below, and put this on your calendar (get there early, as it seems he’s on first).

<a href="http://christopherpaulstelling.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-praise-and-scorn">Songs of Praise and Scorn by Christopher Paul Stelling</a>

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It’s About Time

By julie

On April 15, 2012

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

Has it really been two weeks since I’ve posted anything? Sorry about that. Coming up soon in musings from boston, a few ‘shows of note’ coming up next weekend (Org: Intoxication @ Oberon, Christopher Paul Stelling @ Precinct), and profiles of bands that caught my ear over the past several weeks. Stay tuned. For now, check out coverage from Night #5 of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble preliminaries over at Ryan’s Smashing Life. More about the ensuing battles will be turning up there in the coming days, and don’t forget the finale at T.T.’s with Bow Thayer and Perfect Trainwreck, Garvey J (and the Secret Pockets of Hope and Resistance) and ?? (wildcard, tbd) on Friday!

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Introducing SLEeVES, and their new album The Sky Ghost: Pt. 1

By julie

On March 13, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music

Here’s something incredibly beautiful for you. How’s that for an introduction? Ethereal, spacey, trippy, experimental, folky, quirky, and delightfully strange New York/Boston band (or perhaps I should say art project, because “band” doesn’t quite seem to cut it for these guys)… have a listen to SLEeVES conjuring some serious magic on their new album The Sky Ghost: Pt. 1. Acoustic guitar, piano, violin, percussion, harmonica, other unidentifiable sounds, and a flowing cacophony of vocals, each its own exotic instrument. So weird, and so pretty. Incredibly hypnotic, with surprising emotional heft. On the new album, the quartet of Justice Roman Hill, Callum Plews, Kim Schulke and Tabitha Wertheim is joined by several friends for this exquisite musical oddyssey. Highly – and I mean highly – recommended.

<a href="http://theskyghost.com/album/the-sky-ghost-pt-i">The Sky Ghost: Pt. I by SLEeVES</a>

The band also runs Analog Candle, a music production company and collective of like-minded souls, working with various musicians in the Boston area and over the ‘nets. They have a small studio and record/produce non-collective musicians for a very reasonable rate, so check them out.

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