Category: Boston Bands Page 9 of 20

Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys & Jaggery are off to the Wild West

On April 11, 2013

In Boston Bands, Gigs, Indie Music, Road Trips

I can think of no better way to come out of semi-hibernation than to promote two of my favorite Boston bands as they hit the West Coast (and Texas, whatever one calls that) — and to indulge in some pony/bunny/unicorn madness. The fact that this uber-strange video (by the inimitable Walter Sickert) seems to fit my current frame of mind is worrying indeed.

So anyway, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys have a haunting new album out mere days from now called Soft Time Traveler. It was inspired by Walter’s chance magical encounter with a deer while in Block Island, while reading about the battle between natives and American Colonists. As one might imagine, the music is filled to the brim with beauty and angst. But then, isn’t that always the case with the Army of Toys? They’re heading off with the equally awe-inspiring Jaggery. Have a listen to a few songs from the new offering, which includes one of my live favorites, “Devil’s In The Details.” And let the trance-inducing pony video revert you back to an earlier life form. If you’re not familiar with the epic productions of these two stunning bands, do see them if you can.

Also, a full stream of the entire album is available for a limited time only on American Songwriter.

Musical tornado warning for the following areas:

4/13 Seattle, WA – The Royal Room
4/14 Portland, OR – The Hollywood Theatre
4/15 San Francisco, CA – Cafe Du Nord
4/16 San Diego, CA – Queen Bee
4/17 Scottsdale, AZ – Rogue Bar
4/19 Victoria, TX – JAM Fest
4/20 Austin, TX – Swan Dive

Note: Jaggery will be doing shows as a duo (Singer Mali & Tony Leva) on their way back; check the Jaggery site for more details.

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Schooltree revisits the ’70s with their rock opera “Rise” – record release party Friday night!

By julie

On March 13, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Schooltree Record Release
w/ Count Zero and WANTON REVELRY
Friday, March 15th @ the Lizard Lounge
8:30 doors, 9pm show | 21+, $10 cover
::: BUY TICKETS ::: | facebook event

This is going to be a very special event to celebrate the release of Rise, a modern take on the 1970s rock opera, very convincingly masterminded by the inimitable Lainey Schooltree Steamy Bohemians, Jerkus Circus, Bent Wit Cabaret).

I don’t think just anyone could have pulled this off. Lainey is the prog rock queen of modern times, with her Broadway musical vocals and theatrical cabaret presentation. You only have to know that she’s a fan of both Queen and Steven Sondheim to understand this completely.

On Rise, this musical journey is nothing short of epic and while strongly recalling the piano driven orchestral drama, screaming rock god guitar, vocal histrionics and sweeping harmonies of what was a proud art form of the time, it is also imbued with a contemporary feel. This isn’t just parody (though it did put a big smile on my face upon first hearing). No, it’s an honest depiction of present day struggles through the looking glass of the past, with a strong sense of reverence. As for the doom and gloom subject matter, the breakdown of society, feelings of alienation and loss, hope and salvation… well, all that’s eternal, isn’t it?

I’m unable to share anything off the new album with you (you’ll have to go to the Lizard Lounge on Friday night for that), but if you’re unfamiliar with Schooltree, have a listen below to a performance of “Everyman” from the Lizard Lounge back in February of last year.

This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill record release with any old backing bands either. “Wanton Revelry” isn’t the name of a new Allston punk band; it’s billed as “bombastic burlesque, sexy satyrs, olympian comedy, devastating elegance!” If you’ve been to any Schooltree performances in the past, especially Bent Wit Cabaret events, you will definitely recognize at least a few of these names… UnAmerika’s Sweetheart Karin Webb, Femme Bones, Lolli Hoops, Jade Sylvan, and there will be other special guests as well. Count Zero will close out the evening’s festivities, performing their first full show in almost a year. Definitely something you won’t want to miss.

web | facebook | bandcamp

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Beck’s Song Reader comes to life with 150 Performers this Thursday!

By julie

On February 25, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Beck’s Song Reader—featuring 150 performers in music, dance and performance art
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Somerville Theatre
facebook event | ::: tickets :::

Back in December, Beck released his album Song Reader the way music was traditionally released—as sheet music, to be interpreted by those inspired to do so. This custom songbook contains 20 songs and over 100 pages of original art. It’s both a vintage and revolutionary idea, and was eight years in the making. A web site was set up where musicians (and budding musicians) could upload their renditions.

Inspired by this creative effort, 150 local performers (yes, that’s one hundred and fifty) have joined together to present their versions of songs from this album, ina live performance at Somerville Theatre in Davis Square on Thursday night. As stated in their press release, “On Thursday, February 28th Boston’s finest musicians & dancers are collaborating to bring Beck Hansen’s album “Song Reader” to life with live music & original choreography at the historic Somerville Theatre. Months in the making, this evening will feature over 150 musicians, dancers, performance artists and a choir performing new material based of Beck’s latest work. Don’t miss this ONE NIGHT ONLY show!”

To give you an idea of the scope of this, some of those performers are Sarah Rabdau, Molly Zenobia, SchoolTree, Jade Sylvan, UnAmerika’s Sweetheart Karin Webb, Kristen Ford Band, Mary Bichner, Vessela Stoyanova w/Tony Leva and Singer Mali. The show is produced by Burns and Webb. You can get a little preview of what’s planned for Thursday night on YouTube.

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MojoSlim rocks out at Polcari’s in Saugus – Dec. 14, 2012

By julie

On January 14, 2013

In Boston Bands, Reviews

Who would have guessed there was a hot nightclub scene in Saugus? Hell, who would have guessed there was any sort of scene in Saugus. But when I skeptically ventured out and into Polcari’s on Route 1 to see R&B cover band extraordinaire MojoSlim, I stepped unwittingly into some kind of cosmic time warp back to a swinger lounge of the 1970s, with the vibe of a North Shore, Boston edition of Jersey Shore.

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Seeing Out The Year That Was: My 12 Favorite Shows of 2012

By julie

On January 1, 2013

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Reviews

A last minute addition: The Magnetic Fields at Symphony Hall for First Night (last night)

It’s a good thing I held off posting this, because I’ve just made it an even dozen in honor of the year that just flew by, 2012. The last one? A band I had the immense pleasure of seeing for the first time, on First Night just last night at the majestic Symphony Hall. [Why do they call it “First Night”? Shouldn’t it be “Last Night”?]

I saw a total of 24 shows this year. Not a whole lot for a music blogger, but I’ll tell you—nearly all of them were spectacular. That’s damn good odds. I’ve heard some people say that 2012 was an awful year. What I’ll say, from my personal perspective, is this: 2012 was a year of massive challenges and difficulties, but the rewards, if you were prepared to step up, and I mean step up in a major way, were equally impressive. It was most definitely not a year for lightweights. But it’s all moving forward, and it’s moving forward quickly. Hold on to something sturdy, because I have a feeling 2013 is going to be just as intense. Remember, with challenge comes opportunity. Happy New Year, everyone.

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How will you spend your Last Day On Earth?

By julie

On December 17, 2012

In Boston Bands, Musings, Ruminations, Show Previews

It seems like only yesterday I was wandering around Copley Square wearing my 2012 glasses, taking in a spontaneous Hare Krishna First Night celebration and eating strange little packaged treats handed out by devotees. At that time, the long-anticipated, mysterious Mayan Prophesy was this curious notion still comfortably off in the distance. I decided on that heady evening that I would spend 2012 as if the prophesy were in fact true—that everything would end on December 21. We’re often told that we should always live our lives as if each day were to be our last. So, facing what may have been the final year of my life, or at least the last stretch before some sort of cataclysmic event, did I spend each waking moment in the most meaningful way possible? Did I push myself to the outer limits? Did I reach for the stars in terms of productivity and my search for enlightenment? No, not exactly.

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Org: Literati, with Jaggery, Gem Club, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox & others at Club Oberon Tomorrow night!

By julie

On November 7, 2012

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

Org: Literati – a literature inspired performance
Thursday, November 8 at Club Oberon
2 Arrow Street (Harvard Square), Cambridge, MA
doors: 7:30pm, show at 8pm | 18+ | adv tickets: $20 seating, $15 standing / day of tickets: $20 standing, $25 seating | BUY TICKETS

It’s a special occasion tomorrow night at Club Oberon, as Singer Mali (of Jaggery) will be hosting a rare public Org. This time the theme is literature, and a fantastic line-up of performers in various disciplines—music, poetry and prose, dance, theatre, film—will be performing works inspired by writers “from Yeats to Genet to Dostoevsky.” Jaggery will also be celebrating the release of their EP Private Violence, which is inspired by Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. The evening will be hosted by former English professor Mika Cooper—a nice touch.

Featured performers: Gem Club, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?, Eileen Little, UnAmerika’s Sweetheart Karin Webb, Jennifer Hicks, Jaggery and live artist Kristilyn Stevenson.

It is suggested that you come dressed as your favorite literary character, and that you bring a copy of your favorite book that you’re willing to part with.

<a href="http://whattimeisitmrfox.bandcamp.com/album/and-other-stories">And Other Stories by What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?</a>

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Your Samhain/Halloween Plans: Walter Sickert’s SquidHouse of Horror

By julie

On October 30, 2012

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

Walter Sickert’s SquidHouse of Horror
with Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, Moe Pope, Darling Pet Munkee, XNY
Hosted by Johnny Blazes
Wednesday, October 31
Doors at 8 PM; Show at 9 PM; 18+ Show
Advance Box Office Price $15 | BUY TICKETS

There’s something about this show that makes perfect sense right now, with how positively loony life has been lately. It’s the combination, you know, of time exponentially speeding up, pent-up mass frustrations bursting at the seams and boiling over, crazy ranting lunatics running for public office, full moons, high tides, and bizarro ‘biblical end times’ weather. It all makes a person kinda nuts. Tell me, what kind of world are we all living in, at this very moment, than a Squidhouse of Horror? So it’s especially apropos that the master and mistress of that Victorian carnival funhouse of the apocalypse, Mr. Walter Sickert and Miss Edrie (along with the Bunny Collective, I presume), are hosting this ominous and not-to-be-missed event.

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Introducing Boston String Players (one string quartet x 3 = some really fine music)

By julie

On October 16, 2012

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

Boston String Player at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Remis Auditorium, 161
Friday, October 19, 2012 – 7:30-9:30 pm
$16 MFA members, seniors & students, $20 non-members
purchase tickets online or by phone at 1-800-440-6975 or in person at the MFA ticket desk.

Think of how lovely a top-notch string quartet sounds. Now multiply that by about three, and you’ll have Boston String Players, an artistic ensemble comprising current students and recent alumni of over a dozen music schools in the Boston area. Founded in 2007 by artistic director and conductor Motoki Tanaka, their performances combine traditional classical pieces with contemporary (and decidedly non-classical) works and original compositions.

They’ll be kicking off their sixth season at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, for a multimedia program that will premiere new choreography and an arrangement of BjÃ¶rk’s Unravel for strings, electronics and visuals.

The full program is as follows:
1. Johann Sebastian Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No.3
2. Benjamin Britten – Simple Symphony (From the film “Moonrise Kingdom” by Wes Anderson)
Featuring the premiere of a new choreography by Andrea Higgins
3. BÃ©la BartÃ³k – Divertimento for Strings
4. BjÃ¶rk – Unravel
Arranged for strings and electronics by Chad Gray
Featuring visual art by Christopher Saunders

These “kids” are really, really good. Have a look and listen below.

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If you’re so inclined, you can join the ensemble for a cocktail hour at Taste (a cafe and wine bar across from the auditorium) preceding the performance, for an informal ‘meet and greet.’ You can also check out the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art.

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Help! Our Bands Are On Fire! (to benefit victims of the 95 Columbia, Central Square Fire)

By julie

On September 9, 2012

In Boston Bands, Boston-area news, Indie Music, Music News, Worthy Causes & Activism

Benefit Festival going on TODAY & TONIGHT in Union Square!
(and how others not in the area can help)

Back a few weeks ago, there was a horrible house fire in Cambridge – a house that was home to many area musicians and artists. Despite heroic efforts from Cambridge firefighters and volunteers, these folks are still struggling to “regroup” after being unceremoniously tossed out of their homes. They haven’t even been able to go back in yet to see what’s salvageable (though fortunately everyone is ok). So today and tonight, going on right now, is a benefit ‘mini festival’ in Union Square at three venues – P.A.’s Lounge, Sally O’Brien’s and Precinct. Taking part are many of their fellow Boston-area bands – Molly Zenobia, Parlour Bells, Mighty Tiny, Streight Angular, Satellites Fall and many more. If you’re in the area, definitely check this out! | More Info & Set Times

If you’re not in the area, check out the work of some of these artists who lost much if not all of their belongings (and we’re not talking wealthy rock stars here…). If you can, help them out a little. Here some more info. And here’s some of their music!