musings from boston

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Category: Boston Bands Page 8 of 20

The Motion Sick’s 3-year reunion

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On July 12, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Poster by Nicole Anguish

Poster by Nicole Anguish

Ok, so it’s not like Boston’s own The Motion Sick has been gone for 20 years, and they’re coming back “Rip Van Winkle-like” into a different time. But it has been a little while (three years, in fact) since their last show, so they’re celebrating with a 4-song EP and an opening band line-up where each one features one of their members. So have a listen below and if you like what you here, go celebrate with them the The Brighton Music Hall tomorrow night (Saturday 7/13).


Brighton Music Hall – Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
18+ | $12 | Facebook Event | ::: TICKETS :::
11:00 The Motion Sick
10:15 Parks (feat. Matthew Girard)
9:30 The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library (feat. MJE)
8:45 This Blue Heaven (feat. Travis Richter)
8:00 Wash Pool (feat. Patrick Mussari)

The Motion Sick: web | facebook | twitter | bandcamp – listen to all their music!

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Outside The Box in Boston! (starts Saturday 6/13 – 9 days of FREE performances)

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On July 10, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Indie Music, Puppets, Show Previews

I wanted to commemorate a beautiful event that’s happening here in Boston starting on Saturday. Called Outside The Box, it’s a 9-day performing arts festival that will feature over 200 events throughout Boston Common and City Hall Plaza (and other places). Designed to bring together various neighborhoods, residents and artistic communities from the Boston area, this amazing festival is completely FREE. With theater, dance, performance art, puppets and music performances of all shapes and colors, there will be absolutely something for everybody. Here’s a few of the notable musical happenings that caught my eye. We’ll start with the first 3 days, and stay tuned for more.
::: MAP OF EVENTS :::

Saturday July 13

Alejandro Escovedo ~ 1-1:45pm ~ Boston Common: The Beacon
His new album Big Station (Fantasy/Concord) is out now.

web | facebook | twitter

Tallahassee ~ 7-8pm ~ Boston Common: The Commonwealth Stage
Their newest album is Old Ways
web | facebook | twitter

Sunday July 14

Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band ~ 4:30-6pm ~ Boston Common: The Commonwealth Stage
Boston’s favorite HONK!ers.
web | facebook | twitter

Monday July 15

Air Traffic Controller ~ 2-3pm ~ Boston Common: The Beacon
web | facebook | twitter

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/56285016″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Outside The Box: web | facebook | twitter

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A cool convergence ~ Krief, The Grownup Noise, Modern Miracles of Science @ Cafe 939

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On July 8, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

GrownupNoiseCafe939Poster

Here’s a quick mention of some cool musicians who happen to be converging for a performance at Cafe 939 Saturday night. From Boston, it’s The Grownup Noise, who are busy at work on a new album and because of that, this will be their ONLY show this summer. So be sure to catch ’em. Opening that evening (8 pm) is a Montreal musician with a Boston connection, Krief (Patrick Krief, guitarist of The Dears). His show this evening is part of his summer tour to showcase his new album, “Hundred Thousand Pieces.” He’s worked quite a bit with well-known Boston band The Wandas, having recorded/produced a few of their albums, and playing shows with them as part of The Dears.


Rounding out the bill is New Jersey-based Miracles of Modern Science, and any band that involves a mandolin, cello, upright bass and fiddle and does a Daft Punk cover automatically gets blessings bestowed here. This looks to be a good one, folks.
Saturday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. ::: facebook event ::: tickets :::

Krief

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96743870″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Miracles of Modern Science

The Grownup Noise

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Endation, Schooltree, and The Burners @ Precinct 7/6

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On July 3, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

If one night of getting drunk and blowing shit up isn’t enough for you, Schooltree and friends invite you to continue the theme two days later this Saturday, July 6, at Precinct in Union Square, Somerville.

I can personally recommend Schooltree, and especially for those who miss the 1970s and the classic rock opera. They’re art rock cabaret and campy delight but absolutely heartfelt and genuine. This is a Broadway musical for the off-kilter and slightly deranged.

The Burners, hailing from Portland, Maine, will be bringing their fine gypsy Americana, which is a great way to celebrate American musical tradition. These guys seriously jam on guitar, violin, bass, harmonica and accordion. It’s serious “kick up your heels” music.

Headlining will be Endation, who describe themselves as “stripped down and raw, heavy with bombastic rhythms, a fusion of complex and simple while also melodic, serene and emotional.” Um… “melodic, serene and emotional”?? Seriously?? Ok, so maybe there’s a place in the cacophony where you will enter unexpectedly into a peaceful, trance-like state, but I probably wouldn’t recommend this band to someone looking for a tranquil string quartet. You’ve been warned.

Set times: The Burners – 9ish; Schooltree – 10ish; Endation – 11ish | Facebook event. Be careful out there, kids! And happy holiday weekend.

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Introducing… Son Gulien

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On July 1, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music

So everyone, meet your next superstar, right here. Son Gulien. French refugee who now lives in Boston (god help him). He brings to our city a dose of quirky electro with a deliciously deviant “who the f*ck cares” punk irreverence and everything that was campy and wonderful about the 1980s. In this video directed by Son Gulien & Face B, the Frenchman takes us on an all-encompassing tour of the greater Boston area. Hang on, is that Revere Beach? You gotta be kidding me. He just released his “Black Russian EP,” which is available as a free download. Sorry, I can’t help it, I like this guy. Anyone who makes me instantly think of Yello’s “I Know” automatically earns their place in ‘musings.’ And perhaps their place in music history as well.


Son Gulien – Black Russian by SonGulien

web | soundcloud | bandcamp

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Lucas Biespiel and his Dangerous Gentlemen ~ “Preacher”

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On June 29, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music

Here’s a nice wind-down from your crazy week. Lucas Biespiel and his Dangerous Gentlemen have just released the first single titled “Preacher” from their debut album, Stories of Your Sorrows, which is due out October 1. The upcoming EP is described as “a series of monologues by different characters in a play. Each song acts as a soap box for each character to tell you their story.” Their music is bluesy and soulful with earthy, ageless vocals and tasty guitar licks that slide down like honey. It’s nicely crafted with percussive flourishes (rather than just “drumming”) and closely-knit vocal harmonies. This is good… really good.

Lucas, originally from Portland, Oregon, is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and violinist, formerly the lead singer of the Backyard Blues Boys. He moved to Boston to attend Berklee, and met up with the other members of his current band, Dangerous Gentlemen (that would be Sean Oliver on bass, Sam Small on electric and lap steel guitars and Griffin Davis on drums). He also runs his own label Blue Brick Records. You can learn more about his history, his thoughts about creating music and his future plans on Rose Rundown. For now, have a listen.

facebook | twitter | bandcamp | Blue Brick Records

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Thick Shakes’ new single “Polyommatus Blues”

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On June 13, 2013

In Boston Bands, Gigs, Indie Music

Into the garage we go for the new single from Boston’s own Thick Shakes, “Polyommatus Blues.” Gritty. Noisy. I like it. They’re playing Saturday night (6/15) at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston with Flavor Packets, The Little Richards and Cutting Room Floor (queer feminist punk from Ohio) (that’s their description, not mine). This is their only summer show, so get on it. Oh, and here’s the Facebook event. Peace out.


facebook | bandcamp | twitter

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Introducing… American Authors

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On June 8, 2013

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

AmericanAuthors_tour2013

Here’s a band that at first listen was maybe a little “mainstream alternative” for my tastes, but damn, this is pretty contagious stuff. I was about to write that American Authors was “Brooklyn-based,” and indeed they are now, but apparently they are actually Boston escapees, having met while all the members were students at Berklee. Ok, so I won’t hold that against them [that’s a JOKE, Bostonians…]. Previously known as The Blue Pages, they went through a name change in 2010.


They signed with Mercury Records in January and released their debut single, “Believer,” in March and another single called “Best Day of My Life” was used in a Lowe’s ad. Nice start, guys. Album forthcoming. They’re on tour; click on the photo above for dates.

web | facebook | twitter

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Boston Calling Music Festival 9/7 & 9/8: Tickets On Sale Now

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On June 7, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Show Previews

Tickets have just gone on sale TODAY for the Boston Calling Music Festival which takes place September 7 and 8 at City Hall Plaza, so I thought I would commemorate the occasion by having a brief look at the Boston bands that will be opening up the festivities on each day. Over the weeks leading up to it, I’ll be doing little profiles about some of the “non-headliners” performing, since that’s how I am here, and it’s actually a pretty diverse and interesting line-up.

I’ll begin by profiling the two Boston bands who open things up on each day. I’ve heard some people comment that it’s a little odd not to have the Boston music scene more strongly represented at a festival that calls itself “Boston Calling.” While I tend to agree, this is also the first festival we’ve had here in Boston, right downtown no less, and there’s always a future (one hopes) to grow and improve. The first festival had two local bands, this one has three (yay Passion Pit!). Maybe the line-up can be expanded, extended into before and after-parties, whatever. Better not to boycott, but to engage in discussion. Off soapbox, on to the music.

You Won’t :: Saturday ::

I’m really happy to see the Boston-based duo of Josh Arnoudse and Raky Sastri a.k.a. the totally charming and really great indie folk outfit You Won’t opening things up on Saturday. The band came into existence in 2011 and released their debut album Skeptic Goodbye (Old Flame Records) in February 2012. This was followed by a U.S. & Canadian tour, a bunch of glowing reports in places like NPR and The New York Times, and more touring this year supporting the likes of The Lumineers, The Joy Formidable and Josh Ritter. Nice to see they’ll get some more high profile exposure with this festival.

Upcoming shows: 6/17 Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT (w/The Joy Formidable) | 6/18 Port City Music Hall, Portland, ME (w/The Joy Formidable) | 6/20 House of Blues, Boston, MA (w/The Joy Formidable) | 7/31 Downsview Park, Toronto, Canada (Edgefest)

Bearstronaut :: Sunday ::

There really isn’t a more perfect band to kick off Sunday’s dance party than Boston’s own Bearstronaut. Polished and well-produced synth-pop with hints of electro, R&B, Britpop, the 1980s… basically a bouncy, happy affair. They released their debut EP in 2009 and were the inspiration for a homegrown record label, Vanya Records, founded by Michael Marotta (the pill, WFNX). Their Moniker single was released on vinyl by Vanya, as was last year’s EP Paradice. Bearstronaut have perform with Passion Pit, fun., Bad Rabbits, St. Lucia, Surfer Blood and others. And in September, they’ll get to kick off quite an inspired Sunday line-up for dance music, hip-hop, R&B, electro and synth-pop aficionados.

Boston Calling: web | facebook | twitter

You Won’t: web | facebook | twitter | bandcamp | soundcloud

Bearstonaut: web | facebook | twitter | bandcamp | tumblr | soundcloud

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Boston Calling ~ May 25 & 26 ~ welcome to the city’s first rock festival!

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On May 17, 2013

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Music News, Show Previews

Boston Calling
City Hall Plaza, Boston
May 25 & 26, 2013
::: buy tickets :::
(VIP tix only)

Saturday, May 25

Fun. ~ The Shins ~ Marina and the Diamonds ~ Matt and Kim ~ Portugal. The Man ~ Cults ~ Ms Mr ~ Bad Rabbits ~ St. Lucia

Sunday, May 26

The National ~ Of Monsters and Men ~ Young the Giant ~ Andrew Bird ~ Dirty Projectors ~ Ra Ra Riot ~ The Walkmen ~ Youth Lagoon ~ Caspian

So I would be remiss in not acknowledging and commemorating the City of Boston’s very first music festival. Boston Calling is a 2-day extravaganza being held May 25 & 26 at City Hall Plaza, right in the center of Boston. For anyone who attended WFNX’s ‘Best Music Poll’ show back in 2009, this is a really cool location for live music. They also happen to have a pretty stellar line-up, no doubt due to the involvement of the National’s Aaron Dessner, who helped to curate. There are two local bands on the bill as well (which doesn’t always happen at these sorts of things — instrumental group Caspian (from Beverly) and Bad Rabbits (from Boston).

Unfortunately, after I’ve just hyped it like that, regular tickets and passes are completely sold out. However, if you’re well-heeled and enjoy the ‘Rock Star Treatment,’ you can still get single day or weekend VIP passes, which include your own entrance, VIP lounge access, food and a private bar, private restrooms and some festival swag. See the line-up below and check out a few of the featured artists performing. Happy Festival, Boston!

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