bradley's almanac - a boston music blog

boston area shows of note:

thursday, august 21st

yndi halda

caspian

irepress

@ tt the bears

friday, august 22nd

varsity drag

lump

charcoal lavage

jake and the jakes

@ o'briens

friday, august 22nd

obits (ex-hot snakes/rftc)

viva viva

dead cats dead rats

sunday morning music

@ the middle east

saturday, august 23rd

the soft drugs

higgins

the toothaches

drama queens

@ pa's lounge

saturday, august 23rd

amo joy!

franklin bruno

(from nothing painted blue)

one happy island (ep release!)

@ the lily pad

saturday, august 23rd

newbury comics / unnatural axe

30th anniversary bash

the meatmen, queers, nasties,

unnatural axe, sleazies

@ the middle east down

sunday, august 24th

don cabellero

ponytail

irepress

@ harper's ferry

tuesday, august 26th

the final installment of...

neil cleary's 'doozy'

a guest-packed august residency

@ the lizard lounge

wednesday, august 27th

liz phair performing

'exile in guyville'

@ the paradise

wednesday, august 27th

xiu xiu

prurient

@ the paradise

friday, august 29th

liz phair performs

'exile in guyville'

@ the paradise

monday, september 1st

the juan maclean

@ the middle east downstairs

wednesday, september 3rd

ryan's smashing life presents...

justice of the unicorns

tigers & monkeys

spanish armada

wild business

@ the middle east

friday, september 5th

silver jews

hallelujah the hills

who shot hollywood

@ the middle east downstairs

saturday, september 6th

my morning jacket

@ the bank of america pavilion

saturday, september 6th

matt pryor (get up kids)

kevin devine

mike fiore (faces on film)

@ harper's ferry

sunday, september 7th

ryan adams & the cardinals

@ the bank of america pavilion

tuesday, september 9th

paul weller

@ the berklee performance center

friday, september 12th

mission of burma

in-store performance

7pm @ newbury comics, newbury st.

friday, september 12th

buffalo tom

as part of the boston arts festival

@ christopher columbus park

saturday, september 13th

wfnx disorientation 2008

the kooks, flogging molly,

alkaline trio, rogue wave,

and more to be announced

@ bank of america pavilion

sunday, september 14th

lymbyc systym

this will destroy you

arms and sleepers

@ harper's ferry

monday, september 15th

lagwagon, mxpx,

only crime, & tat

@ harper's ferry

monday, september 15th

sunset rubdown

@ the middle east

monday, september 15th

james

@ the paradise

tuesday, september 16th

a place to bury strangers

@ the paradise

thursday, september 18th

the walkmen

@ the middle east downstairs

friday, september 19th

sigur ros

@ the bank of america pavilion

friday, september 19th to

sunday, september 21st

all tomorrow's parties

with my bloody valentine, low

built to spill, mogwai, shellac,

polvo, yo la tengo, lilys, autolux

dinosaur jr, mercury rev, & more

@ the catskills in nyc

saturday, september 20th

mike viola (solo)

(1st of 3 weekly residencies)

with guest blue and their

band, the major labels

@ the lizard lounge

saturday, september 20th

noah & the whale

@ toad

sunday, september 21st

the low lows

magic magic

ryan lee crosby

@ tt the bears

monday, september 22nd

the broken west

@ the middle east

monday, september 22nd

oxford collapse

love as laughter

takka takka

@ tt the bears

monday, september 22nd

mogwai

fuck buttons

@ the wilbur theatre

tuesday, september 23rd

writer dennis lehane

(release day for 'the given day')

@ the coolidge corner theatre

tuesday, september 23rd

weezer

angels & airwaves

tokyo police club

@ the tsongas arena

tuesday, september 23rd

cut copy

the presets

@ the paradise

wednesday, september 24th

joan as policewoman

@ the middle east

wednesday, september 24th

low

tulsa

@ the museum of fine arts boston

saturday, september 27th

mike viola (solo)

(2nd of 3 weekly residencies)

@ the lizard lounge

saturday, september 27th

built to spill

performing 'perfect from now on'

dinosaur jr.

meat puppets

@ the orpheum

sunday, september 28th

the bird and the bee

willoughby

@ great scott

sunday and monday

september 28th and 29th

ratatat

@ the paradise

thursday, september 30th

boston spaceships

(gbv's robert pollard)

big dipper

@ the paradise

thursday, september 30th

say hi

jukebox the ghost

@ the middle east

thursday & friday

october 2nd & 3rd

baltimore round robin

29 bands playing in a circle,

non-stop, one song at a time,

with you in the very center

with dan deacon, beach house,

creepers, the death set, adventure,

and everyone listed here

@ mass art

friday, october 3rd

death cab for cutie

@ agganis arena

friday, october 3rd

the fratellis

airborne toxic event

electric touch

@ the orpheum

saturday, october 4th

mike viola @ friends

(3rd of 3 weekly residencies)

@ the lizard lounge

sunday, october 5th

old 97s

@ the wilbur theatre

sunday, october 5th

pinback

@ the paradise

monday, october 6th

the wedding present

the jealous girlfriends

@ the middle east downstairs

monday, october 6th

fleet foxes

@ the somerville theatre

monday, october 6th

stereolab

monade

@ the paradise

tuesday, october 7th

liam finn

the veils

@ the paradise

wednesday, october 8th

wire

@ the middle east downstairs

thursday, october 9th

chuck ragan (of hot water music)

ben nichols (of lucero)

tim barry (of avail)

with guest jesse malin

@ the middle east

saturday, october 11th

the feelies

@ the roxy

sunday, october 12th

the residents

@ showcase live, foxboro

sunday, october 12th

the notwist

@ the roxy

sunday, october 12th

jamie lidell

@ the paradise

sunday, october 12th

against me!

ted leo & the pharmacists

the future of the left

@ the wilbur theatre

monday, october 13th

tv on the radio

the dirtbombs

@ the wilbur theatre

tuesday, october 14th

cold war kids

@ the paradise

thursday, october 16th

ben kweller

whitley

@ the paradise

thursday, october 16th

jonatha brooke

glen phillips

(from toad the wet sprocket)

@ the wilbur theatre

friday, october 17th

hallelujah the hills

wonderful spells

capstan shafts

@ tt the bears

friday, october 17th

jonathan richman

with drummer tommy larkin

@ the somerville theatre

saturday, october 18th

ra ra riot

walter meego

the morning benders

@ the middle east

sunday, october 19th

the spinto band

frightened rabbit

@ the middle east

monday, october 20th

magnetic morning

(adam swervedriver & sam interpol)

julie ocean

springhouse (w/jack rabid)

@ great scott

tuesday, october 21st

minus the bear

annuals

sylvie

@ the wilbur theatre

tuesday & wednesday

october 21st & 22nd

billy bragg

@ the somerville theatre

wednesday, october 22nd

yeasayer

@ the paradise

wednesday, october 22nd

lyle lovett & john hiatt

(acoustic, on stage together)

@ the orpheum

thursday, october 23rd

lykke li

@ the paradise

thursday, october 23rd

deerhoof

experimental dental school

@ the middle east down

friday, october 24th

fujiya & miyagi

@ the paradise

sunday, october 26th

broken social scene

land of talk

@ the wilbur theatre

monday, october 27th

matthew sweet

@ the paradise

wednesday, october 29th

legendary pink dots

@ the middle east down

thursday, october 30th

of montreal

@ the orpheum

friday, october 31st

the rumble strips

birdmonster

@ tt the bears

friday, october 31st

david byrne

performing the songs of byrne & eno

@ the wang center

saturday, november 1st

henry rollins (spoken word)

@ the orpheum

monday, november 3rd

coldplay

@ the td banknorth garden

sunday, november 9th

the hold steady

drive-by truckers

@ the orpheum

tuesday, november 11th

deerhunter

times new viking

the vivian girls

@ the paradise

wedneseday, november 12th

kings of leon

we are scientists

the whigs

@ the orpheum

tuesday, november 18th

m83

school of seven bells

@ the middle east down

thursday, november 20th

bishop allen

@ the middle east

saturday, december 13th

neil young

wilco

@ the dcu center, worcester

visit tourfilter for more shows

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Independent Film Fest of Boston: The Music

As regular attendees know, the Independent Film Festival of Boston has made no small effort to incorporate music-related aspects over the past few years, either with band-centric documentaries or films scored by excellent musicians. 2006 was a boon, as that year the fest gave us both the Pixies documentary "loudQUIETloud" and the Mission of Burma "Not A Photograph" doc, as well as "The Proposition", written and scored by Nick Cave. Last year served up two more strong documentaries in "Punk's Not Dead" and "Silver Jew". Worthwhile viewing all.

When the 2008 schedule was announced, I was very psyched to see that the IFFB has continued and expanded upon their inclusion of films for music-lovers. Here's a quick run down of what's in store for us this week...

Foremost on my mind is Grant Gee's Joy Division documentary, which screens at the Somerville Theatre on Thursday at 9:15 and midnight Friday at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. It should be the perfect companion piece to last year's "Control", the dramatization of the life and death of lead singer Ian Curtis. This was the only film I specifically wished would be showing at this year's IFFB, and my wishes were granted. Hit up the official UK site and view the trailer to prepare. Get your tickets here.

Another welcome artist documentary is Public Enemy: Welcome To The Terrordome, focusing on the only rap act that I've ever obsessed over. For me, P.E. was the be-all-end-all of politically-charged, socially-conscious hip-hop... no one did it better, and no one's done it better since. There's never been two frontmen who more perfectly complimented each other than Chuck D and Flavor Flav, and their wordplay, rhymes, and backing tracks were truly inventive. Featuring appearances by the Beastie Boys, Talib Kweli, Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, Henry Rollins, and Korn's Jonathan Davis, the doc was directed by Roxbury's own Robert Patton-Spruill, and he'll be at the one and only screening: 11 o'clock on Saturday night, April 26th at the Somerville Theatre. Here's the official site, trailer, and ticket link.

There are a couple different documentaries about relatively new genres of music, and one of them is "Nerdcore Rising". For those of you who like a dash of nerdery in your hip-hop, this film introduces you (or more familiarizes you with) MC Frontalot, aka Damian Hess, the so-called Godfather of a genre that the documentary even debates the existence of. Fans and bystanders offer up their input, including hip-hop artist/producer Prince Paul, Jello Biafra, comedian Brian Posehn, J. Live, Tycho & Gabe of Penny Arcade, and Weird Al. The film screens twice: A midnight showing on Friday, April 25th at the Somerville (tix), and again at 5pm on Sunday at the Brattle (tix). Here's the official site and trailer. Added bonus: MC Frontalot, in addition to appearing at the screening with director Negin Farsad, will be performing at Sunday night's IFFB Awards party along with Price Paul.

And what could be called Nerdcore's bookish brother, the even more specialized music genre of "Wizard Rock" gets the documentary treatment in We Are Wizards. Local duo Harry & the Potters features prominently in this exploration of JK Rowling-inspired bands, and they'll be performing twice this week: One is an acoustic set after the Coolidge "We Are Wizards" screening on Thursday the 24th at 7:30 (tix), and another is a full-on party joining three of the other bands from the film (Draco and the Malfoys, the Whomping Willows, and the Hungarian Horntails) on Saturday night (party tix). While the party does follow a Saturday afternoon screening and Q&A (with director Josh Koury, Harry & The Potters, and Brad Neely), you'll need to buy separate tickets if you want to see that screening. Here's the film's official site, MySpace page, and trailer.

Another documentary in which music obviously plays a huge role is "Life. Support. Music.", which tells the inspiring story of NYC (and now Cambridge-based) guitarist Jason Crigler, who suffered an on-stage brain hemorrhage in 2004. Norah Jones and Marshall Crenshaw play a part in his recovery, and director Eric Daniel Metzgar will be on hand at the screenings: Sunday, Apr 27th at 4:45 PM at the Coolidge (tix) and on Monday night at 5pm at the Somerville (tix). Have a look at the official site and the trailer.

Another tale of recovery is told through the tragic love story of "Song Sung Blue", a documentary about Milwaukee-based tribute band "Lightning & Thunder", a husband and wife team who sing the songs of Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline. The film won both the Slamdance 2008 Film Festival's Audience Award and Grand Jury Award, and somehow weaves in an appearance by Eddie Vedder. Have a look at the trailer and official site, and grab tickets to either the Saturday 9:45 PM screening here, or the Sunday 7:15pm screening here. Both take place at the Somerville Theatre.

Moving on to films that aren't necessarily about music, but instead feature the sounds of some damn good musicians: Harmony Korine's latest directorial effort is "Mister Lonely", and the film's soundtrack (released this week on Drag City Records) is composed by none other than Jason Pierce, aka J. Spaceman of Spiritualized and Spacemen 3, alongside instrumentals from Sun City Girls. The fictional film itself is about a misfit troop of celebrity impersonators (including Diego Luna as Michael Jackson and the wonderful Samantha Morton as Marilyn Monroe), and director Korine (who wrote "Kids", and helmed "Gummo") will be present for the Thursday night, April 24th screening at the Somerville Theatre (tix).

Here's a taste of what S.C.G. contributed...
Mp3: Sun City Girls - "Mr. Lonely Viola"
The Tracey Fragments is the latest film from Juno star Ellen Page (although it was filmed first), and was soundtracked by her fellow Canadians Broken Social Scene. Five of the collective's songs turn up on the soundtrack, which comes out next week, including a cover of Patti Smith's "Horses", which you can preview on this MySpace page. Another personal fave makes an aural appearance in the film: Rose Melberg (Softies/Tiger Trap) doing her solo song "Each New Day". Have a look at the film's official site, trailer, and for more details on the soundtrack, hit up The Playlist.

Finally, the film My Effortless Brilliance serves up a star turn (and a co-writing credit) for Harvey Danger frontman Sean Nelson. Gaze upon the film's official site, MySpace page, and trailer, and grab tickets to either of the two Somerville Theatre screenings: Thursday, April 24th at 7:45 PM (tix) or Saturday, April 26th at 2:45pm (tix).

The whole 2008 Independent Film Festival of Boston she-bang kicks off tomorrow night with a screening of Brad Anderson's "Transsiberrian", and along with the finely-named directory, Sir Ben Kingsley will be, as they say, in the house. Tickets will be gone by showtime, so head here to grab one of your own. And keep an eye on the IFFB 2008 Blog for updated info and film spotlights as tomorrow gets closer and the week rolls on.

posted by brad at 5:36 PM | direct link | rss (1 :2) | |

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