And here we are folks. I had told you nearly 3 months ago to go ahead and grab your early bird tickets. Today, at 10:00 am, you can probably see why. North Carolina’s Hopscotch Music Festivalhas announced their 2013 lineup, which will feature, among D.I.’sfavorites, Spirtualized, Kurt Vile and The Violators, and The Rosebuds. Heck, on a personal note, I am extremely excited to see Earl Sweatshirt live for the first time.
Regardless, I’d highly suggest taking a look at the lineup for yourself and hell, try to snag a ticket as soon as possible. Prices will only go up and it’s definitely worth your while to see a particularly unique, city wide music festival experience which just recently got affirmation, once again, from Pitchfork. See ya in Raleigh, North Carolina this Septemberand, of course, see ya next Saturday, May 4th for our joint show with Noise Level Magazine featuring Slow Animal, Wellboys, Canada, & Hairyman(the surprise final act) over at Race Manor. Oh, and get the hell outside: it’s beautiful.
In case ya didn’t read my original article, let me just go ahead and summarize, though I imagine you can probably guess where this is going since I am, in fact, setting time aside to specifically write on this again. Yes, I thorough enjoyed Daphne Lee Martin‘s Moxie, the first of twin records: Frost& Moxie. Produced by Bill Readey at Fuzzy Rainbow Production, the album even includes John Panos of Mates of State along with her full band, “Raise the Rent“. Yet these are matters I have already discussed (again, just read the original article already if you’re curious).
The real reason for this article is that Dissociative Identity Productions & WKDU Philadelphia, 91.7 fm are proud and excited to host Daphne Lee Martin at the studio, around 6:30 pm EST (assuming the dreaded ‘punk time’ does not strike) to have an interview as well as an overall Moxiealbum radio special. This means an hour of tracks off the album, interview and the odd assortment of conversations which come with that territory, as well as some tracks of which have proven influential to the group as a whole. Yeah, it should make for quite an interesting hour so be sure to tune in either at 91.7 fm or simply by streaming through the WKDU site (top right hand corner). See ya then and just to get ya excited, not only is the full album streaming above but we’ve even got an official video for the single “Belly” below. Check it out and thanks for tuning in.
Hours by a computer screen: it kinda makes you go insane at times. The internal interconnectedness of contemporary society creates both empathy and ambivalence of individuals and society as a whole. Yet with this split personality comes an appreciation of both the calm and frantic, the stable and fragile, the known within the unknown. I’m probably getting way ahead of myself already with this description (perhaps because I’m a little rusty) despite to say that it is with a sincere enthusiasm that I recommend the likes of Rounds for all those sympathizing with my initial rant.
Roundsare a Britishtrio consisting of Robert Cooper (Vocals and Synths), Andrew Chapman (Guitar and Synths), and Ashley Kemp (Drums and Sampler). With a live set-up incorporating drums, synths and vocals along side a large array of digital instrumentation, their debut EP Escapist, came out on Austrianlabel Moun10in July 2012, receiving the Number 7 spot in XLR8R’s Top 20 Downloads of July. Now with their latest EP‘Falter’ off of Blind Colour they are able to shine in their full authenticity as well as allow others to basque in the creative destruction with the EP including a remix of the track “Falter” from Nottingham‘s Atlas(Coja/Symbols Recordings). To give you, the reader, a better appreciation of Rounds, the video for their single ‘Falter’, directed by Kimberly Jarrett and Greg Davenport, is available to watch below.
Overall feelings? The EP bounces from bubble popping ecstasy which brings to mind Aphex Twin to creepy yet blissful romps the likes of newer Liars meets Phantagram. So the short answer is yes: I will gladly pop this on whether alone or with guests. However it is definitely clear that the act is still young. I will wait to pour excitement their way until they begin to differentiate themselves a little further. However, considering Falter represents the 2nd EP: damn, not bad. Not bad at all. Take a listen and enjoy, I know I did.
In case ya didn’t gather by now, I live in Philadelphiabut I am originally from North Carolina. With that kind of knowledge, as well as experience reading the material I produce, you could probably guess then that I have attended the Independent‘s Hopscotchevery year since its inception in 2010. An affordable music festival with an amazing lineup of both the major acts as well as those niche groups, Hopscotchhas always been a pleasure to attend between the city plaza shows and the smaller, venue shows going rampant throughout Raleigh, NC.
It is with this thought that myself, as well as Dissociative Identity Productions as a whole, would like to invite, nay, encourage each and every one of you to buy your early bird tickets, available this Friday, February 1st. Clearly the early bird special will have a limited quantity so be sure to try and buy it earlier in the day rather than later in order to ensure an amazing deal.
Anyways, I know this article comes across as just a sales pitch. And frankly, I guess it kind of is. But let me assure you no: I am not being paid or reimbursed for shoving this sales pitch to you. Rather I have fallen in love with this music festival, and so should you. Get your ticket this Friday and see ya in NCfor another amazing Hopscotch Music Festival!
In case ya didn’t know, yeah: I am a massive Nativefan. We Delete; Erase was simply a masterpiece which gorgeously combined a midwestern noodle rock sound with a grundgy, emo-rock flare that often lost the listeners in bursts of post-rock glory. While We Delete; Erase is still my favorite of Native’s, Wrestling Moves, the sophomore release, did not disappoint. All of this brings me to the more exciting news: Northwest Indiana’sNativeis announcing a whole hell of North American live dates starting next month, most of which will be alongside post-rock instrumentalists Caspian. A full list of the schedule is available below.
In addition to this glorious news, however, it is also a delight to hear that Nativehas just recently finished recording their second full length album with Greg Norman (Russian Circles, Pelican) in Chicago, a release which will be provided by your friendly label folks over at Sargent Housethis summer. To start building up enthusiasm or if you are not familiar with Native, I would highly recommend checking out a video of the band playing one of their new songs,”Kissing Bridge” live in Paris(top of article). Furthermore, of course, I included a stream of Wrestling Moves for a quick preview.
As for now, well, be patient and stay tuned. Based just off the live video, I’d say we got a triumphant return in store for us. Till then.
Feb 25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
Feb 26 – Albuquerque, NM @ The Gas Works
Feb 27 – Tempe, AZ @ Tempe Women’s Club
CASPIAN & NATIVE 2013
Mar 01 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex also w/ Junius
Mar 02 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar And Lounge
Mar 03 – San Francisco, CA @ The Bottom of the Hill
Mar 05 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Mar 06 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Mar 07 – Boise, ID @ The Red Room
Mar 08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Mar 09 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
Mar 10 – Omaha, NE @ The West Wing (no Caspian)
Mar 11 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall
Mar 12 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 7th Street Entry
Mar 13 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Mar 14 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
Mar 15 – St Louis, MO @ The Firebird
Mar 16 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
Mar 18 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
Mar 19 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
Mar 20 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
Mar 21 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop
Mar 22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
Mar 23 – Buffalo, NY @ Big Orbit Soundlab
Mar 24 – Burlington, VT @ Signal Kitchen
NATIVE ONLY
Mar 25 – Montreal, QC @ L’escogriffe Cafe Bar
Mar 26 – Kitchener, ON @ Jesse’s Rehearsal
Mar 27 – Toledo, OH @ Mickey Finn’s
Bloomsbury Coalition is, well, “a badass collective of musicians and artists from the Delaware Valley.” Vintage Kicksand Scooba are, well, “surf-giants”. So what the hell is “COPYCATS“? COPYCATSis the first split by the two groups for Bloomsbury Coalition, featuring a newly written track by each. In addition, and what makes this a particularly memorable EP, is the fact that each group also performs and reinterprets an older track from the other group. Released on November 30, 2012, and recorded/mixed by Vintage Kicks‘Chris Penny, COPYCATSstands out as a release which not only highlights two amazing groups from the Delaware Valley, but also their unique perspectives when handed foreign material.
The album opens with Vintage Kicks, performing their brand new single, “Cherry“. A deceitfully innocent tab followed by a ride through late 80′s garage-pop makes the track easy to love and, well, dance to (if I were not at work, I would probably start skanking in my tiny corner). Furthermore, the vocals bear the loveable sound of the new era of emo-rock meets post-hardcore, an always welcoming sign in my mind. “I Wish I Was Owen Wilson” follows, playing out as a, “cheeky letter to Owen Wilson about his career path but ends in total appreciation of the man.” Written by Scoobaand reinterpreted by Vintage Kicks, “I Wish I Was Owen Wilson” actually does a damn good job. A recounting saga of success and failure, the hard hitting rhythm with the casually strolling percussion leads elegantly into a chorus of shouting, including a mid monologue which all but encompasses the message.
Scooba is up next with their new single, “Serious Lunch“. With a far heavier sound along with darker tinges, Scooba plays with “Serious Lunch” with a sound reminiscent to prog rock meeting post-hardcore. Odd, for sure, but certainly a frankly badass experience for any 90′s child to listen to. This message is best presented with their interpretation of Vintage Kicks‘ “Iron Fist“. With a “dark swirling atmosphere, reminiscent of Deerhunter or Joy Division” according toBloomsbury Coalition, “Iron Fist” does play well off of a sound that is both hauntingly simple with a sense of minimalism yet intensive echo/distortion to fill through the nooks.
Point being, not only is the concept of the EP a brilliant idea, but each artist is able to add a significant dose of themselves to make the release a remarkable representation of both groups. This kind of task is far easier said than done so, to get a full appreciation, I would suggest attending the fundraiser, to assist a friend with leukemia, over at Studio Luloo in Oaklyn, NJ this Friday, December 21. So do yourself a favor: take a listen, hell grab a download (it’s name your own price anyways), but for sure catch them live this Friday to learn a little more.It’s a time worth having.
It’s soulful without being pretentious. Heartfelt without being saturated. It’s in depth while remaining minimal. I first experienced Little Owl (Shana Isadora) over at Jollys, participating in a Tuesday night show case. Playing the same night as The Resonators, Little Owlcaught my eye, or I guess I should say my ear, with her sincerity. May as well go ahead and address the fact that yes, the female singer/song writer feels, particularly in popular culture, played out. But this is not one of those cases. With a tone and attitude remarkable to early Des Ark and an endearing simplicity with folky tinges sound that brings Bowerbirds to mind, Little Owlcarries you through a meandering floating journey from “Valley Below” to “Angel Knight“.
So now that I have raved on Little Owl, let me go ahead and get to the point.Dissociative Identity Productions and WKDU Philadelphia, 91.7 fm are proud to present a live instudio with the one and only Little Owl. To give ya a preview, in case you are unfamiliar, be sure to check out the bandcamp (which, by the way, is name your own price so it’s hard to go wrong… though come on, don’t be cheap) and hell, maybe at a local show near you.
Life can seem, oddly enough, boring. More often than not, there appears to be a growing white noise which overwhelms our mind and spirit. Relief from such violent turbulence is always a reward, and it is perhaps for this exact reason that I feel excited for this Wednesday. I hope you do too. Tune into WKDU Philadelphia, 91.7 fm this Wednesday, December 12th, from 6:30-7:30 pm for Little Owl. It’s an experience worth having.
With “Sins Like These“, who needs virtues? Ok, sorry, just me trying to be clever with the opening track title. Based out of Hudson Valley, NY, Lives of the Obscure are off of Glacial Records(with fellow label-mates Winterlong) and are attempting to warmly introduce themselves through their upcoming release, Deathfete 7″. It looks as though they have succeeded. Coming in at a little under 10 mins, Lives of the Obscure pack a remarkable amount of material into an EPbursting with nagging enthusiasm.
As stated, the EPopens with “Sins Like These“, which draws the listeners with it’s elegantly stumbling percussion and lyrical authenticity which begs the comparison of Medications. Taking a meandering pace, the song has a hauntingly charming feeling, bringing a sensation of deep, meaningless meditation. Although an odd statement, I would argue it is extremely important. Moving onto “Skin of the Sun“, Lives of the Obscureare able to pick up their pace into a rhythm almost demanded by “Sins Like These“. To me, it brings up a nostalgia towards Connor Obrest‘s the Desaparecidos, yet over all it is a nice, spanking new reboot of early 00′s post-hardcore.
Finally we move onto “Small Perspectives“, a perfectly fitting ending track to the EP. Complacent yet uplifting, apathetic yet emotional, “Small Perspectives” goes a long way to wrapping the album up with its over a min. instrumental, post-rock climax that will make your ears ring with a combination of blasting bass and humble yet proud hooks.
The release will be available via Glacial Records on vinyl and should be shipped out by November 24th, 2012 (God, I’m a sucker for vinyl). Do the smart thing, buy a copy and support a sick act. Who knows, maybe the purchase can ensure a North-East tour. One can only hope…
Vienna’s Die Eternias’second album is on it’s way (11/23/2012). Produced by Wolfgang Möstl (Killed by 9V Batteries, Mile Me Deaf) and recorded live in studio in Vienna and Graz in three days, Sould Out embodies a soul of rock ‘n’ roll with its seeming negligence of genres, often jumping through dashes of swing, cabaret, pop, and even reggae. Described as a “collection of tragic yet (gallows-)humorous short-stories, a day in the life of society’s outcasts, and an ode to Vienna’s most beautiful murderess”, Sould Out gives an amazing introduction for any new comers to Die Eternias, as well as providing a solid sophomore album for those devoted.
Singer and guitarist Voodoo Jürgensclaim claimed to originate from He-Man’s home planet Eternia in his childhood daydreams. By 2004, it appeared as though that claim may hold truth as Die Eterniaswas formed. Jump starting from a band-contest at Viennese club Flex, they released their first album on said club’s own label Flexschallplatten (released digitally on Seayou Records). Another 7” EP on Seayou shortly followed. While Die Eternias’ setup is conventional: guitar, bass, drums, an organ at live shows, the music is certainly not. Influences range from reggae to Kurt Weill, the songs are about the “repressed facets of Western society, the peripheral and marginalised individuals, the petty criminals, and the prostitutes.” Yikes, kind of heavy. Yet, as far as a sound, its pretty damn enlightening and outright fun, encouraging a break out dance session once in awhile.
In conclusion, yes, I do enjoy the album a bunch. Yet what seems to connect me to this album even more is the seeming relevance it holds, even when the artists originated hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. Sometimes, smirking at the encompassing destruction is all we can do. Sould Out, on the other hand, it not the kind of destruction we should fear: rather it is the creative destruction that we desperately need. So thank you and please, as you were.
As usual, Miller High Life’s are $1 all night with mixed drinks/shots half off from 9-11 pm (so come early to get the most for your money!) Furthermore, I will be sure to bring
out a deck of cards so if anyone’s trying to play a round or two of Texas Hold ‘em or Blackjack, I’m more than down.
Anyways, be sure to stop by and say hey to Tim and the New Angle Lounge before the Turkey season. Speaking of which, there will be a delightful key sesh this upcoming weekend so more details will be available soon. See you all soon and I look forward to more weird/grand times at the New Angle Lounge.
