Category: Show Previews Page 9 of 20

photo by Kyle Reinford

Yellow Ostrich, who I first talked about back in October of last year, are back in Boston (Allston actually, at Great Scott on Saturday night, March 3) to celebrate the release of their new album, Strange Land, out 3/6 on Barsuk Records.

I spoke of how eclectic and experimental they were on their earlier recordings. They’re even more so now, at least based on one of the singles, “The Shakedown,” which surprisingly (or at least to me) is a pretty straightforward guitar rocker! You can download it from them, but have a listen to another single from the imminent album, “Marathon Runner,” which is more to my personal tastes, but that’s just me. It’ll be interesting to hear the rest of the album, and it’s refreshing to discover another band not beholden to any particular genre.

Also on the bill Sat. night is the duo of Nicolas Snyder and Joshua Sickels, known as 1,2,3 and Old Abram Brown. This stop in Allston is the opening night of Yellow Ostrich’s national tour which takes in SXSW, lands at the Bootleg Theatre in L.A. with Niki and the Dove, and circles back to the Mercury Lounge in NYC on April 12. They’re also playing at Sasquatch in May.

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Introducing SeñoritAwesome – Recording & Editing Workshop at the Apple Store (w/ acoustic performance) – tomorrow

By julie

On February 21, 2012

In Indie Music, Music News, Show Previews

photo by Evol Graphics, Atlanta

Lauren Fareira (a.k.a. SeñoritAwesome)
Workshop: Recording and Editing on a Mac (& acoustic performance)
the Apple Store, 815 Boylston Street, Boston, Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 7:00 pm

Atlanta artist Lauren Fareira’s stage name, SeñoritAwesome, suggests something showy and gimmicky, though truth be told, she’s anything but. As soon as her music begins, you’re immediately taken in by her warm, soulful jazzy pop vocals, intelligent lyrics, plucky ukelele and intimate acoustic guitar. There’s also some fine instrumentation that includes strings, flute, piano, percussion, though the focus is squarely on Lauren’s compelling storytelling.

[audio:http://www.bostonsurvivalguide.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ImaginaryLoveSong.mp3|titles=”Imaginary Love Song” (album edit)]

Her debut album, I Sing, I Play, I Write… was released back in March of last year, and true to the DIY spirit, she recorded and edited her demo album using GarageBand, Logic and Pro Tools (and iMovie to create her promo videos). She’ll be conducting a workshop on using these important tools at the Apple Store on Boylston Street, Boston, Wednesday February 22, 2012 at 7pm. The presentation will also include a short acoustic set from her album, and she’ll discuss how she uses Apple software to run her music career. This sounds like a very interesting evening for musicians just starting out, and for music fans who’d like to check out a natural talent. Awesome indeed.

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Help Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys Sow 28 Seeds

By julie

On February 17, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Ok, so what the heck is/are 28 Seeds?? It’s an “apocalyptic, sci-fi, steampunk collaboration” between experimental theater company Liars & Believers and the steamCRUNK band Walter Sickert & the ARmy of BRoken TOys. According to the ~~Merry Pranksters~~ Broken Toys, 28 Seeds “tells the story of how greed and ignorance destroyed the world. This is HP Lovecraft meets rock music and 1000 channels of cable TV; it’s government conspiracy, burlesque, ray guns, and tentacles; it blends a live rock show, science fiction, dance, theatre, video and sound into an immersive performance experience.”

The show premieres April 19, 2012 at the Boston Center for the Arts, with over 25 Boston artists and performers taking part in the extravaganza. They promise innovative theatre, musicians, actors, dancers, video artists, sound artists, graphic artists and more.

Here’s where you come in. They NEED HELP to put on this wildly ambitious project, so they have a Kickstarter campaign to raise the cash – and there’s just 13 days left for them to meet their goal! Some of the goodies available for your donations include a digital download of the soundtrack, poster, a wicked cool-looking comic book designed by Mr. Sickert himself, pins, VIP tickets, meet and greets with the band… and even those paupers among us who can only afford a $10 donation can get a limited edition signed ‘art card’ from Walter. Anyone not familiar with his bizarre and delightful artwork should have a look right now. So get crackin’!

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UK folk pop tonight at T.T. the Bears with Slow Club

By julie

On February 17, 2012

In Indie Music, Show Previews

Rebecca Taylor and Charles Watson of Slow Club

Slow Club 11:30pm, Air Waves 10:30pm, and Ryan Lee Crosby 9:30pm
Friday, February 17 @ T.T. the Bear’s Place (Central Square, Cambridge)
$9 adv / $10 @ door

What looks to be a nice evening of folksy pop, rock and country, and fine singer-songwriting tradition will be going down at T.T.’s tonight. From the UK there’s Slow Club, whose latest release back in September was Paradise (Moshi Moshi Records). Joining them are Air Waves, with a blend of folk, rock and country, and singer-songwriter Ryan Lee Crosby. Put on by CQ Presents.

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Black Taxi pulls up to Tommy Doyle’s tonight

By julie

On January 20, 2012

In Indie Music, Show Previews

Black Taxi at Tommy Doyle’s, 96 Winthrop Street, Cambridge (Harvard Square)
TONIGHT (Friday, January 20)
21+ / 8pm / $5 or FREE before 9:30pm

Late notice on this one, but infectiously poppy and danceable Black Taxi, hailing from Brooklyn, New York, are at Tommy Doyle’s tonight. They just released their second album, We Don’t Know Any Better. Check out their video below.

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Introducing The Dirty Hit and their EP “Noisemaker”

By julie

On January 20, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

On their debut EP Noisemaker (released Dec 13 of last year), Boston band The Dirty Hit give a very nice sampling of their eclectic and far-reaching sound. There’s the noisy garage fun of “Romero” and “Back To You” (though both have melodic elements), the folky social commentary of “All Seeing Eye,” and some really nice psychedelic ambiance of “Days End” and “Bring Light,” which have little experimental touches including a a slight aroma of reggae rhythm. “Renovator,” which closes the EP, is just a nice, tight pop song. There’s something about the writing (I’m a lyrics girl, remember), the tasteful guitar licks and the delightful harmonies that makes these guys stand out. It’ll be cool to see what they do next – there’s plans for a full-length this year.

<a href="http://thedirtyhit.com/album/noisemaker">Noisemaker by The Dirty Hit</a>

For now, you can check them out in the flesh at the Church of Boston Friday, February 3. They’ll be playing along with The Dukes of Funk, Sidecar Radio, Among Criminals and Last Call.

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An Amazing Show at the Lizard Lounge Saturday Night!

By julie

On January 14, 2012

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Three of the four amazing bands to be gracing the 'stage' (such as it is) at the Lizard Lounge tonight - Black Fortress of Opium, Marc Pinansky, and The Fatal Flaw.

Black Fortress of Opium with St. Helena, The Fatal Flaw,
and Marc Pinansky (of Township) at the Lizard Lounge
Saturday, January 14, 2012
$8 | 18+ | doors at 8pm | facebook event

Here’s an absolutely ridiculous line-up of bands at the cozy little Lizard Lounge tomorrow night (or rather *tonight*, but the time I get this posted..). And speaking of my tardiness, apologies for this ‘quick and dirty’ preview, but this is seriously worthy of a mention, despite its hastiness. This may well sell out, so get there early. See you there.

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BOSTON HASSLE Playbutton Release Party – TONIGHT at Great Scott!

By julie

On December 11, 2011

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

The BOSTON HASSLE Playbutton

BOSTON HASSLE Underground Music Compilation Playbutton Release Party
featuring: Debo Band, Fat History Month, Creaturos, The Needy Visions, Saralee, Ming Ming, Exusamwa, and Kid Romance
Great Scott – Sunday, December 11 (tonight)
9pm | 18+ | $5 – $10 sliding scale

If you’re sitting there thinking, “how can I be so much cooler than everyone else around me, so that my Boston music scene street cred is forever secured?” , you need to know about this awesome new music compilation. It is in honor of the Boston underground music scene, fearlessly supported by the folks at Body Of Water (B.O.W.) and Boston Compass, who regularly promote shows within a wide range of ‘outside the mainstream’ genres in alternative venues. For this unusual new release, they’ve partnered with The Boston Hassle, a music blog and events guide that specializes in “Psych, punk, weird, pop, electronic, experimental, and awesome music… high and low brow smashed to pieces and forever mixed together.” Attention hipsters: you can now (quite literally) wear your love of underground music on your sleeve.

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Introducing Ryan Stapler a.k.a. The Lowbred Watts (at McGann’s tomorrow night)

By julie

On December 9, 2011

In Boston Bands, Indie Music, Show Previews

Torn Shorts (11:30pm), Frost Heaves (10:40-11:25pm), The Lowbred Watts (9:50-10:25pm), Phil Ayoub (9-9:40pm), and Jon Menard (8-8:45pm) at McGann’s Pub, 197 Portland Street, Boston
Saturday 12/10, 7:30pm doors | 21+ | $10 at the door; $5 in advance

The Lowbred Watts is the homespun project of Ryan Stapler, who recorded his debut EP, Get Home, on a trusty cassette Portastudio in his basement. But have no fear… it’s really good! His folk & country blues tunes have a warm, front-porch charm. Accompanying himself on acoustic and electric guitars, slide and foot drums, the lo-fi vibe works beautifully with his Dylanesque vocals.

Have a listen, and then download the 5-track EP from his website.

<a href="http://thelowbredwatts.bandcamp.com/album/get-home-ep">Get Home EP by The Lowbred Watts</a>

The Lowbred Watts will be performing at McGann’s Pub tomorrow night, during a fine evening of folk, Americana and country-blues (see set times above). It seems like a well-thought-out lineup of kindred spirits, presented by F Nice Records, who handle all of the live music at McGann’s, and who regularly offer discounted tickets for these shows on their site. F Nice is an indie music company that offers merchandising, show bookings and promotion, rehearsal space, production and distribution, in service to local musicians. “F Nice is here to reclaim the local music scene from those who let it down.” Amen.

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Introducing Night Fruit: 7″ debut single release party tomorrow night at Great Scott

By julie

On December 8, 2011

In Show Previews

the pill
at Great Scott,
with DJs Ken & Michael V.
and live guests
Night Fruit (Record Release)
Friday, December 9
10pm | 21+ | $5.00

Welcome to the melodic, super pretty dream pop of Night Fruit. They’re releasing their debut single “Dark Horse” with a party at Great Scott (the Pill) Friday night, December 9. From the chiming guitars to Amanda Dellevigne’s harmonizing vocals and gently driving rhythm, these guys have a lovely sound.

[audio:http://www.bostonsurvivalguide.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/02-Paper-Thin.mp3|titles=Night Fruit: “Paper Thin”]

The band began this year with their “Triangles” 4-track demo on bandcamp. The Boston Phoenix voted them as one of 11 bands to ‘look out for’ in 2011. Dellevigne toured with Vanity Theft for the first half of the year; Night Fruit regrouped in June to begin working on the new release, which was mixed and mastered by drummer Luke Sullivan. They’ve toured with Marnie Stern (Kill Rock Stars), No Joy (Mexican Summer), Joan of Arc (Polyvinyl Records), Farewell Continental, Film School, The Depreciation Guild, and Asteroid 4.

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screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Category: Show Previews Page 9 of 20

Yellow Ostrich Roosts at Great Scott Saturday Night; Hatches New Album

Introducing SeñoritAwesome – Recording & Editing Workshop at the Apple Store (w/ acoustic performance) – tomorrow

Help Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys Sow 28 Seeds

UK folk pop tonight at T.T. the Bears with Slow Club

Black Taxi pulls up to Tommy Doyle’s tonight

Introducing The Dirty Hit and their EP “Noisemaker”

An Amazing Show at the Lizard Lounge Saturday Night!

BOSTON HASSLE Playbutton Release Party – TONIGHT at Great Scott!

Introducing Ryan Stapler a.k.a. The Lowbred Watts (at McGann’s tomorrow night)

Introducing Night Fruit: 7″ debut single release party tomorrow night at Great Scott