Month: April 2012

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

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>

Org: Intoxication (under the influence) @ Club Oberon, Friday night!

By julie

On April 18, 2012

In Indie Music, Show Previews

Image: Stian Berg Larsen

Org: Intoxication (under the influence)
featuring music: cirkestra, shana falana (brooklyn), molly zenobia; dance: shri rajuli with honey circuit, the wondertwins; magic: dezrah the strange; and musically MC’d by: singer mali (of Jaggery) with raky sastri (of You Won’t)
Friday, April 20 at 8pm
Club Oberon, 2 Arrow Street (Harvard Square), Cambridge MA
18+ | $20 seating, $15 standing
::: buy tickets here ::: (or at the Oberon box office)

Anyone who has been to one of Singer Mali’s infamous Orgs knows this is not to be missed. This one is open to the public, and is the 3rd such extravaganza at the wonderful Oberon in Harvard Square (think: gothic supper club). The theme this time is “Intoxication (under the influence,” and its mission statement: “to exhilarate and stupefy as if by liquor.” I have no doubt this wonderful line up of artists and oddities will do just that.F For those uninitiated, Orgs are multimedia spectaculars; avantgarde, gothic variety shows. Very special. Here’s a taste of what’s in store.

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!