Category: Show Previews Page 7 of 20

Cure for Pain:
The Mark Sandman Story
Brattle Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge
Friday, June 22 – Sunday, July 1

Showtimes:
(Fri) (3:30, matinee), 5:30, 7:30 (w/producer Jeff Broadway), 10:00 PM
(Sat, Sun) (1:30 and 3:30, matinees), 5:30, 7:30 (w/special guest TBA), 10:00 PM
Local Theatrical Premiere!
::: buy tickets :::

Opening tonight and running through July 1 is the local premiere of Cure Fore Pain: The Mark Sandman Story, an in-depth look at the beloved singer-songwriter and enigmatic frontman of one of Boston’s most celebrated bands, Morphine.

Directed by filmmakers Robert G. Bralver and David Ferino, it includes archival footage and interviews with Dana Colley, Billy Conway, Chris Ballew, Dicky Barrett, Ben Harper, Mark’s family, and Mark himself. A few of these showings will include Q&As with people associated with the film, such as producer Jeff Broadway. See the Brattle’s site for more information and show times. If you can’t make it to the Brattle, Gatling Films will be releasing the documentary on DVD; it will be available July 3. To commemorate this event, a little story follows.

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Caveman Joins Indie Legends Built To Spill @ the Paradise tomorrow night!

By julie

On June 21, 2012

In Indie Music, Show Previews

Alas, I see this show is sold out, so if you don’t already have tickets, sorry. And if you do, have a great time. As I inadvertently never reviewed Caveman’s excellent debut album when it first came out last year on their own Magic Man! Records (it’s since been re-released on Fat Possum), I’ll let this serve as a little reminder to check them out…

Caveman’s percussion may sound tribal and primitive (in all the best ways), but when the guitar and synth kicks in on their debut album CoCo Beware, they can suddenly sound like a transmission from outer space. The four-part harmonies provide a heavenly counterpoint to the thickly applied rhythm and lush moodiness – sort of a ‘pop ritualism.’ “A Country’s King of Dreams and “Vampirer” are especially mystical. They’ll be bringing this curious and intriguing dichotomy to the Paradise in Boston Friday night, when they open up for one of our favorite indie rock bands from Boise, Built To Spill. And oh yes, one of their songs, “My Time,” was used for an “I Love NY” TV ad. How cool is that?

My Time by Caveman NYC

Upcoming Caveman Shows
6/22 — Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club (w/ Built To Spill) – SOLD OUT
6/23 — Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer (w/ Built To Spill)
8/10 — San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
10/14 — Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Festival

web | facebook | twitter

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Introducing Jeff Beam (solo) – “Be Your Own Mirror” & East Coast Tour

By julie

On June 19, 2012

In Band Profiles, Indie Music, Show Previews

Jeff Beam

Jeff Beam, bassist for Lady Lamb the Beekeeper’s musical comrades, The Milkman’s Union, and 1/3 of The Stereo Flys, has released his debut solo album, on which he adeptly plays the role of one-man-band, inviting us into his magical electronic-acoustic forest. Madly veering from a mildly psychedelic whispered daydream (“Part One”) to full-on space prog (“Congratulations on your Latest Achievement,” it’s a pretty, mind-melting journey. Accompanying the spacey sounds are some equally spacey thoughts. “Destroy All Solutions,” apart from its Zen riddle of a title, has these cryptic words – “Just before the planets realign / Fix yourself a faulty new design / One that’s interested in all our fears / One we can appreciate in 40 years.” The vocals are stretched out near the end into something that feels like aural silly putty. And that is how we are left. Curious, drifting, and wondering where he went off to.

Formerly of the cultural enclave of Allston but now based in Portland, Maine, Jeff will be playing some shows around the East Coast, starting with NYC’s The Knitting Factory and stopping off at Church, where he’ll be joined by the US/UK duo of Soft Bullets, The Radium Girls, and The Sour Doo-Dahs. Jeff’s on first, at 8pm, so get there early!
::: facebook event :::

<a href="http://jeffbeam.bandcamp.com/album/be-your-own-mirror">Be Your Own Mirror by Jeff Beam</a>

East Coast Tour
6/19 @ the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY w/ Soft Bullets & Wintersleep
6/20 @ the Barley Pub in Dover, NH – FREE SHOW w/ Soft Bullets & Tan Vampires
6/21 @ Church in Boston, MA w/ Soft Bullets
6/22 @ The Firehouse in Worcester, MA w/ Soft Bullets, Sexy Neighbors, Broadcaster, & Graywolf
6/23 @ Empire in Portland, ME w/ Soft Bullets & Sea Level

Jeff Beam: web | facebook | twitter
Soft Bullets | The Radium Girls | The Sour Doo-Dahs

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Wintersleep with Magic Magic and Slowdim at Great Scott TONIGHT!

By julie

On June 18, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Wintersleep, photo by Scott Munn

CQ Presents: Wintersleep with Magic Magic and Slowdim at Great Scott
9pm | 18+ | $9 | :::: BUY TICKETS :::

Canadian band Wintersleep, who just released Hello Hum (Roll Call Records) last week, are at Great Scott tonight, along with Boston’s own Magic Magic and Slowdim. Magic Magic’s last release was the Thank You EP, in May of last year. Slowdim released their first single, “Money” back in February, which will by on their upcoming debut album.

Listen to a special acoustic version of “Nothing Is Anything,” included as a bonus track on the new Wintersleep album. Check out the latest from Magic Magic. And if you’re in the neighborhood, go see them.

Nothing is Anything (stripped down) by rollcallrecords

<a href="http://magicmagic.bandcamp.com/album/thank-you">thank you by magic magic.</a>

Upcoming Wintersleep Shows

Mon 6/18 – Great Scott, Allston MA – TONIGHT
Tues 6/19 – Knitting Factory, NYC (will be broadcast live on Livestream) (also playing: Soft Bullets, Jeff Beam – what a coincidence; I’m profiling him next)
Wed 6/20 – North Star Bar, Philadelphia PA
Fri 6/29 – Charlottetown Summerfest @ Confederation Landing Park (Canada)

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An Evening of Aural Adventure with Balkan Beat Box, Wave Sleep Wave & Mighty Tiny!

By julie

On June 11, 2012

In Indie Music, Show Previews

Jerry Adler and Yuval Lion of Wave Sleep Wave

Balkan Beat Box, Wave Sleep Wave, Mighty Tiny
The Paradise Rock Club
Thursday, June 14
8pm doors | 18+ | $16.50 advance | ::: buy tickets :::

I was instantly intrigued by the sounds of this debut album from Wave Sleep Wave, which features NYC-based Jerry Adler (The Blam and Flugente) on vocals and guitar, and Yuval Lion on drums. It’s a fantastic swirl of psychedelia, new wave, a bit of Pixies, and kind of taunting, theatrical glam vocals from Adler. Yes, please.

To see that they’re playing with the serious groove of Balkan Beat Box would be enough… and then I see that Mighty Tiny’s raucous carnival is also on the bill. Lordy. If ever there was an aerobic workout for your auditory nerves, this is most definitely it.

Wave Sleep Wave – Wave Sleep Wave by CurbCutRecords

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The Music and Magic of Theresa Andersson – a new album, video, and tour

By julie

On June 9, 2012

In Indie Music, Show Previews

Theresa Andersson (9:45pm) with Megan Reilly (8pm)
Sunday, June 17 at T.T. the Bear’s Place
7:30pm doors | 18+ | $12 – ::: purchase tickets :::

I was first mesmerized by Theresa Andersson’s vocal prowess and dexterous musicianship in December 2009. Besides being an amazing live performer with her ‘one woman band,’ she also has a stunning voice, is an accomplished musician on several different instruments, and is a wonderful storyteller. Theresa now has a new album out, Street Parade (on Basin Street Records), which pays loving tribute to her ‘adopted hometown’ of New Orleans (she’s originally from Sweden).

She’s just released a beautifully haunting new video for the title track that was filmed on location in the upper 9th ward/Bywater neighborhood and at Dithyrambalina in New Orleans.

East Coast Shows
(see official site for complete schedule)
6/14: Brookyn, NY @ The Bell House (w/ Lucius)
6/15: Philadelphia, PA @ Tin Angel (w/ Lucius)
6/16: Washington, DC @ The Hamilton (w/ Lucius)
6/17: Cambridge, MA @ TT the Bear’s

web | facebook | twitter

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Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes in town tomorrow night!

By julie

On May 11, 2012

In Indie Music, Show Previews

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros performed their new album for the first time at KCRW’s ‘Berkeley Street Sessions.’

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
at the Orpheum Theatre — Saturday, May 12 @ 7:30pm
::: buy tickets :::

The celebratory happy hippie love fest that is Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (and I say that in the most complimentary way) is gearing up to release the follow up to their highly-acclaimed debut album, Up From Below, which spawned the alternative rock station anthem, “Home.” Their new album, Here, will be released on May 29 on Community Music, with a companion album (part two) following close on its heels by the end of the year.

Man On Fire by Edward Sharpe Mag Zeros

You can preorder the new album with limited edition merch or preorder on iTunes. They’ve also set up an ‘interactive website experience’, which is counting down to the album’s release, and where apparently things happen at 5:29pm daily. Not quite sure about that, but check it out! I’ll be reviewing the new album soon on Ryan’s Smashing Life.

For now, they’re in town Saturday night at the Orpheum Theatre. Tickets are still available, but you should jump on them soon, as shows in Toronto, Washington DC, and Chicago have already sold out. Be a part of the upbeat, positive vibes with some really fine music at a venue befitting this classy outfit.

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Diasporic Dance Music with a Powerful Message: Zili Misik and Kina Zoré Return to Jamaica Plain

By julie

On May 10, 2012

In Boston Bands, Show Previews

Kina Zore

Zili Misik and Kina Zoré
The Milky Way Lounge at The Brewery Complex, 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9 p.m.
21+ | $7 cover

Here’s a special evening of music happening at the Milky Way Lounge tomorrow night. Boston-based Kina Zoré is a 7-member Afro-pop dance collective made up of Berklee and NEC graduates who perform the music of Helder Tsinine, a singer and guitarist from Mozambique. Raised in a musical family in Maputo, Mozambique and brought up during a 15-year civil war in his homeland, his music is celebratory, upbeat, joyous and highly danceable, though lyrically he addresses topics like war, poverty, the challenges of his native country, and the idea of social justice. Kina Zoré have been performing around Boston for about a year and a half, and will be releasing their debut album this summer (you can preorder on Paypal). They’re also very involved with social issues, with the focus on action and compassion. Listen to their music on Kina Zoré’s official site. Beautiful, and bound to be amazing in an intimate live setting. Treat yourself to Mozambican dance party!

Kina Zoré will be joined by the all-female, African band Zili Misik.

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Warm Weather Comes To Boston! (the band, but the other will too)

By julie

On May 7, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Warm Weather with The Cultured, Fort! The Band, and Friendly People
@ The Middle East Upstairs
Monday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m.
18+ | $10 advance/ @ door
facebook event

So I wrote about these three guys from L.A., Warm Weather, back in March, and now they’re here on their virgin East Coast tour! Their first show is Wednesday night in Philly, stopping off at the Middle East Upstairs next Monday. They have a lovely and upbeat sound, with kaleidoscopic 3-part harmonies that are ridiculously uplifting almost to the point of spiritual.

Musically they’re just as cheery, with accompaniment that is sometimes folky, sometimes with rocking guitar riffs; driving rhythms and melodies. Wildly tuneful and sophisticated, this is happy music without the shame.

Also on the bill at the Middle East show – funky Boston trio The Cultured, Allston’s wacky and punky Fort! The Band, and also from Boston, folk-tinged indie rockers Friendly People. Nice line-up! Get out there and show these Los Angeles kids some love on their first foray to the Eastern wilds. And appropriately, it looks like they’ll be bringing warm weather along with them; looks like it’s going to be getting up into the 70s when they get into town. Thanks, guys!

<a href="http://warmweather.bandcamp.com/album/dances">dances by warm weather</a>

Warm Weather Debut East Coast Tour!

5/9 Philadelphia, PA — Kung Fu Necktie
5/11 New York, NY — Pianos NYC
5/12 Lewiston, ME — Bates College
5/14 Boston, MA — The Middle East Upstairs
5/15 Montreal, QC — L’Absynthe
5/16 Burlington, VT (at 6PM) — Radio Bean Cafe
5/16 Winooski, VT (at 10 PM) — The Monkey House
5/17 Hamden, CT — The Space
5/18 Hanover, NH — Dartmouth College, Phi Delt Block Party

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

By julie

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>

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screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Category: Show Previews Page 7 of 20

“Cure For Pain: The Mark Sandman Story” begins its one-week run at Brattle Theatre

Caveman Joins Indie Legends Built To Spill @ the Paradise tomorrow night!

Introducing Jeff Beam (solo) – “Be Your Own Mirror” & East Coast Tour

Wintersleep with Magic Magic and Slowdim at Great Scott TONIGHT!

Upcoming Wintersleep Shows

An Evening of Aural Adventure with Balkan Beat Box, Wave Sleep Wave & Mighty Tiny!

The Music and Magic of Theresa Andersson – a new album, video, and tour

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes in town tomorrow night!

Diasporic Dance Music with a Powerful Message: Zili Misik and Kina Zoré Return to Jamaica Plain

Warm Weather Comes To Boston! (the band, but the other will too)

Warm Weather Debut East Coast Tour!

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