It's a mystery what happened to Rademacher, but I hope they ride into L.A. magically around Echo Park Rising time this month for a 'sekrit show'
What started with a small and serene handful of indie bands has become a busy army of multicolored, many-tentacled octopi. Yes, it’s time for the third installment in my four-part Eastside L.A. midyear band round-up. If you’re wondering what Pisces (Sarah Negahdari), Pretty Flowers, Princeton, Radar Brothers, Radars to the Sky, Rademacher, Robert Francis, Sara Radle, Seasons, Sea Wolf and Shadow Shadow Shade have been up to, read on.
Part II: Pisces (Sarah Negahdari) | Pretty Flowers | Princeton | Radar Brothers | Radars to the Sky | Rademacher | Robert Francis | Sara Radle | Seasons | Sea Wolf | Shadow Shadow Shade
Pisces
Pisces is The Happy Hollows’ Sarah Negahdari’s solo project. Due to her full time band’s activities (new Amethyst album, tour, etc. — see The Happy Hollows in my final installment), Pisces is on a temporary hiatus. According to Sarah, though, she’ll likely be back with another Pisces album in about a year or so.
tumblr | facebook | twitter | bandcamp
Pretty Flowers
Pretty Flowers is a new band fronted by Noah Green (former bassist with The Henry Clay People) with Eli Reyes (Rademacher, HCP) on drums and Matt Cowan on bass. They play their first show on August 20 at Boardners in Hollywood. For now, here’s a taste.
Princeton
The last release from Princeton was Remembrance of Things to Come, back in 2012. Thanks to someone who inquired on their Facebook page, I now know that Jesse Kivel has a project called Kisses (who just recently toured the East Coast), and Matt has a solo project that will be coming out on the Brooklyn label Olde English Spelling Bee.
web | tumblr | facebook | bandcamp | soundcloud | twitter
Radar Bros.
Radar Bros. released their last album Eight back in January and have been touring this year, doing some shows with Califone (including the San Francisco Noise Pop Fest), Silversun Pickups (in Aspen), and most recently a Western U.S. tour with Ola Podrida (as Brian Cleary explains, “the Austin-based brainchild of David Wingo, who just did the soundtrack for the Movie “Mud” – and in the past did “George Washington” and others). There will also be some West Coast dates with Overseas (featuring members of Pedro the Lion, Centromatic and Bedhead) in October.
Brian was also kind enough to make my head swim with various band updates. Instead of making a feeble attempt to unwind this tangled web, I will simply relate this to you here (thanks, Brian!). Brian also holds the distinct honor of being a Boston music scene refugee, having done his time with a stint at Boston College radio, WZBC.
“Paul Larson (former singer/songwriter of Strictly Ballroom (Sub Pop), The Minor Canon and sometimes-guitarist of DNTEL … and who has been playing with Strange Parade), also has a great new band called The Georgia Sand who played an incredible set at the Radar/Ola Podrida tour kickoff at the Satellite. Definitely a band to watch for in the coming year.”
“Geronimo Getty, featuring Aaron Kyle (former singer/songwriter of Le Switch) just finished recording their 2nd album as well. The band also features Seb Bailey (bassist of Strange Parade, formerly of Division Day).”
“Former Movies bassist Jessica Gelt and local songstress Emily Wilder have reformed Wet & Wreckless who are back terrorizing and tantalizing the east side scene again with their smart/sweet, Headcoatees-style garage pop jangle.”
web | facebook | twitter | Merge Records
Radars to the Sky
Radars to the Sky’s last release was Detritus in January of last year. They’re currently finishing up a new EP, which should be out imminently. I’ll also mention that Malcolm Sosa (College Kids, Rademacher) played a few shows with them locally, which is pretty darn cool.
Rademacher
I’m not really sure what’s up with Rademacher, and that makes me sad. I have yet to see this fine, fine band, so I’m hoping that if they really have split up, they’ll consider doing a one-off reunion in Los Angeles between 8/14 and 8/26. Just sayin’. As previously reported, College Kids are almost finished with their first EP and Malcolm Sosa is working on some new songs. For now, I’ll salve my wounds with this just discovered collection of demo songs from Rademacher’s brilliant Babyhawk album trilogy.
tumblr | facebook | twitter | bandcamp | soundcloud
Robert Francis
The latest release from Robert Francis was Strangers in the First Place (released June 2012). He did a show from his living room back in April (very cool), which can be seen at Stageit.com. There was recently a mention of “tracking from home” at that time. Is there possibly a new album in the works? Late breaking news: He’s doing a performance with The Night Tide, Ula Ruth and special guests at the The Marlin Room at Webster Hall in New York City on August 16, to benefit the Mauli Ola Foundation, a charity that teams up with pro surfers who take children with Cystic Fibrosis surfing to help their lungs and raise their spirits. You can buy tickets here.
Sara Radle
Formerly of The Rentals and currently of Walking Sleep (I say that, but I’m not sure they’re still around), Sara Radle last put out Same Sun Shines back in February of last year. She recently returned from a festival in Japan, but I’m not sure what’s going on now. Oh, here’s something: if you sign up for her email list, you can get new free unreleased songs once a month!
web | facebook | twitter | bandcamp
Seasons
Last release for Seasons was Autumn, which was in January of 2012 (odd though that seems). They will be performing at Echo Park Rising on August 18, for two sets apparently (the plot thickens; I hope EPR releases the schedule soon).
web | facebook | twitter | bandcamp
Sea Wolf
Sea Wolf’s last release was in September of last year, called Old World Romance (lovely, as always). They just finished a big tour and are off to make new music. Oh! Here’s a very lovely new video that was just released from the last album. Thank you, Dangerbird. [by the way, a profile for this wonderful L.A. indie label is forthcoming.]
web | facebook | twitter | soundcloud | Dangerbird Records
Shadow Shadow Shade
Sorry if I’m repeating myself here, but “I really have no clue whatsoever what happened to…” Shadow Shadow Shade (formerly Afternoons). It looks like the last show they played was the Make Music Pasadena Festival on June 16 of last year.
Stay tuned for the final installment, coming soon!
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