bradley's almanac - a boston-based music blog

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thursday, september 2nd

lou barlow + the missingmen

wye oak

the unfamiliars

@ the middle east upstairs

saturday, september 4th

mg lederman (ex-victory at sea)

cd release show with

the wrong reasons

the beat awfuls

brant deatley

@ the plough & stars

sunday, september 5th

sweet apple

(w/j mascis on drums)

black helicopter

zombie radio

@ the middle east downstairs

sunday, september 5th

the milling gowns

what time is it, mr. fox?

faux ox

jaggery

@ harper's ferry

monday, september 6th

wallcreeper

@ charlie's kitchen

monday, september 6th

shellac

helen money

@ the middle east downstairs

tuesday, september 7th

tortoise

greg davis

ben vidas

@ the paradise

tuesday, september 7th

someone still loves you boris yeltsin

telekinesis

golden bloom

@ tt the bears

tuesday, september 7th

kele (from bloc party)

does it offend you, yeah?

@ the royale boston

wednesday, september 8th

hot hot heat

22-20s

hey rosetta!

@ the middle east downstairs

wednesday, september 8th

airborne toxic event (acoustic)

with the calder string quartet

@ the somerville theatre

thursday, september 9th

apple betty

this blue heaven

the backup factor

apollo run

@ tt the bears

friday, september 10th

i, pistol

black fortress of opium

the crushing low

@ precinct

friday, september 10th

the charlatans uk

sherlock's daughter

@ the royale boston

saturday, september 11th

school of seven bells

active child

@ the middle east downstairs

saturday, september 11th

neutral uke hotel (nmh covers on ukelele)

the michael j. epstein memorial library

@ cafe 939, berklee

saturday, september 11th

28 degrees taurus

magic shoppe (record release!)

@ the rosebud

saturday, september 11th

jamie lidell

@ the royale boston

friday + saturday

september 11th + 12th

the life is good festival

lots of bands, raising money for kids

over 2 days in canton, ma

sunday, september 12th

jarrod gorbel

(of the honorary title)

air traffic controller

@ great scott

sunday, september 12th

blondie

@ the house of blues

sunday, september 12th

vampire weekend

beach house

dum dum girls

@ the boa pavilion

monday, september 13th

dirty projectors

owen pallett (final fantasy)

@ the wilbur theatre

monday, september 13th

isobel campbell

mark lanegan

willy mason

@ the middle east downstairs

tuesday, september 14th

rush

@ the td garden

wednesday, september 15th

laura veirs + the hall of flames

the watson twins

led to sea

@ tt the bears

thursday, september 16th

of montreal

janelle monae

@ the house of blues boston

friday, september 17th

one happy island

kevin dunn

cotton candy

7:30pm @ the lily pad, cambridge

friday, september 17th

broken social scene

@ the house of blues

friday & saturday

september 17th & 18th

the 5th annual

viva la vinal festival!

with live performances from

audrey ryan, kingsley flood,

this blue heaven, bridget + the squares,

the international string trio, & justin shorey

6-10pm on friday + 12-9 on saturday

@ somerville community growing center

on vinal ave. in somerville's union square

saturday, september 18th

pavement

jenny (lewis) + johnny (rice)

@ agganis arena

saturday, september 18th

wavves

@ brandeis university, waltham

sunday, september 19th

thee oh sees

the human tail

thick shakes

@ the magic room gallery, brighton

sunday, september 19th

caribou

holy fuck

emeralds

@ the paradise

monday, september 20th

girlfriends

carnivores

weekend dads

@ o'brien's

tuesday, september 21st

superchunk

versus

@ royale boston

tuesday, september 21st

basia bulat

the acorn

john shade

@ tt the bears

tuesday, september 21st

sea wolf (alex acoustic)

sera cahoone

patrick park

@ the middle east upstairs

wednesday, september 22nd

phantogram

railbird

@ the paradise

wednesday, september 22nd

david bazan

the mynabirds

@ tt the bears

wednesday, september 22nd

field music

@ great scott

thursday, september 23rd

aloud (album release party!)

st. claire

old jack

with special emcee

poet/author james caroline

@ church of boston

thursday, september 23rd

stars

wild nothing

@ the house of blues

thursday, september 23rd

!!! (chk chk chk)

fol chen

@ the royale boston

thursday, september 23rd

bettie serveert

meandjoancollins

the painted lights

@ tt the bears

friday, september 24th

eels

@ the royale boston

saturday, september 25th

teenage fanclub

@ the royale boston

saturday, september 25th

james

ed harcourt

@ the paradise

sunday, september 26th

come (reunited!)

wussy

@ tt the bears

sunday, september 26th

mr. sister (debut album release!)

coyote kolb

tallahassee

@ great scott

sunday, september 26th

mates of state

@ the paradise

monday, september 27th

rogue wave

midlake

peter wolf crier

@ royale boston

tuesday, september 28th

lcd soundsystem

sleigh bells

@ the orpheum

tuesday, september 28th

best coast

male bonding

@ the middle east downstairs

wednesday, september 29th

quilt

paper castles

toothache

@ the lilypad

wednesday, september 29th

foals

esben + the witch

@ the paradise

thursday, september 30th

mc frontalot

@ tt the bears

thursday, september 30th

menomena

suckers

@ the royale boston

thursday + friday

sept 30th + oct 1st

built to spill

revolt revolt

pretty & nice

@ the paradise

friday, october 1st

the tallest man on earth

s. carey (of bon iver's band)

@ the somerville theatre

friday, october 1st

ra ra riot

chikita violenta

we barbarians

@ the royale boston

saturday, october 2nd

gayngs

(with bon iver's justin vernon)

glasser

@ the paradise

saturday, october 2nd

film school

the depreciation guild

static of the gods

night fruit

@ tt the bears

sunday, october 3rd

the xx

@ the orpheum

sunday, october 3rd

tom tom club

caravan of thieves

tony castles

@ the paradise

sunday, october 3rd

lost in the trees

@ tt the bears

tuesday, october 5th

the vaselines

jeffrey lewis

@ the paradise

tuesday, october 5th

chapterhouse

ulrich schnauss

@ the middle east downstairs

tuesday, october 5th

ratatat

dom

@ the house of blues boston

wednesday, october 6th

gorillaz

@ agganis arena

wednesday, october 6th

the hold steady

wintersleep

@ the royale boston

thursday, october 7th

the walkmen

a.a. bondy

blood feathers

@ the royale boston

friday, october 8th

death

@ the middle east downstairs

friday, october 8th

fountains of wayne

marshall crenshaw (solo)

@ the paradise

friday, october 8th

bell x1 (acoustic)

@ the brattle theatre

saturday, october 9th

paul f. tompkins

@ the brattle theatre

sunday, october 10th

deerhoof

xiu xiu

father murphy

first show @ the paramount!

sunday, october 10th

miike snow

@ the house of blues

sunday, october 10th

primus

mucca pazza

@ the orpheum

tuesday, october 12th

ingrid michaelson

@ the house of blues

wednesday, october 13th

dead kennedys

@ the paradise

thursday, october 14th

the thermals

cymbals eat guitars

@ the paradise

thursday, october 14th

the morning after girls

the lovetones

the december sound

ghost box orchestra

@ tt the bears

friday, october 15th

nick lowe + his band

graham parker (solo acoustic)

@ the somerville theatre

friday, october 15th

jimmy eat world

@ the house of blues

friday, october 15th

bowerbirds

death vessel

@ tt the bears

friday, october 15th

belle + sebastian

@ the wang theatre / citi center

saturday, october 16th

deerhunter

real estate

casino vs. japan

@ royale boston

sunday, october 17th

the henry clay people

the dig

@ tt the bears

monday, october 18th

greg dulli

(afghan whigs/twilight singers)

first-ever solo tour

with opener craig wedren

(of shudder to think)

@ the brattle theatre

monday, october 18th

bad religion

the bouncing souls

@ the house of blues

monday, october 18th

the drums

the hairs

@ the paradise

monday, october 18th

phoenix

two door cinema club

wavves

@ agganis arena

tuesday, october 19th

massive attack

thievery corporation

@ the orpheum

wednesday, october 20th

the pains of being pure at heart

yuck

eternal summers

@ the paradise

wednesday, october 20th

helmet

@ the middle east downstairs

sunday, october 22nd

gary numan

rasputina

playing 'the pleasure principle'

@ the paradise

saturday, october 23rd

local natives

the ruby suns

union line

@ the house of blues

sunday, october 24th

woven bones

frankie rose & the outs

@ tt the bears

monday, october 25th

the corin tucker band

hungry ghost

darren hanlon

@ the paradise

wednesday, october 27th

a sunny day in glasgow

candy claws

@ great scott

wednesday, october 27th

black prairie

(members of the decemberists)

sarah jarosz

@ the middle east upstairs

thursday, october 28th

the tt's halloween bash

with members of mean creek + campaign

for real time (as talking heads)

john powhida (as todd rundgren)

preacher roe (as guided by voices)

@ tt the bears

friday, october 29th

frightened rabbit

plants and animals

the phantom band

@ the paradise

saturday, october 30th

hallelujah the hills

magic magic

boy without god

@ great scott

sunday, october 31st

florence and the machine

the smith westerns

@ the house of blues

monday, november 1st

blonde redhead

pantha du prince

@ the paradise

monday, november 1st

social distortion

lucero

frank turner

@ the house of blues boston

tuesday, november 2nd

junip (jose gonzales)

sharon van etten

@ the royale boston

tuesday, november 2nd

black mountain

the black angels

@ the paradise

wednesday, november 3rd

the dandy warhols

blue giant

@ tt the bears

wednesday, november 3rd

land of talk

suuns

little scream

@ tt the bears

thursday, november 4th

through sunday, november 7th

the international pop overthrow

4 nights @ pa's lounge

thursday, november 4th

matt + kim

javelin

@ the house of blues

thursday, november 4th

blitzen trapper

@ the paradise

friday, november 5th

guided by voices

blitzen trapper

@ the paradise

sunday, november 7th

drivin 'n cryin

@ tt the bears

monday, november 8th

clinic

the fresh & onlys

@ the paradise

tuesday, november 9th

the morning benders

@ the paradise

thursday + friday

november 11th + 12th

sufjan stevens

@ the orpheum

thursday, november 11th

shearwater

horse feathers

damien jurado

anais mitchell

@ the house of blues

thursday, november 11th

deer tick

@ the royale boston

thursday, november 11th

mumford & sons

cadillac sky

king charles

@ the house of blues

friday, november 12th

bottomless pit

black helicopter

chris brokaw

@ the middle east downstairs

saturday, november 13th

roky erickson

@ the royale boston

saturday, november 13th

grinderman

(nick cave, warren ellis, + more)

@ the house of blues

sunday, november 14th

elizabeth mitchell (of ida)

and friends

(a children's show!)

4:30pm @ club passim

sunday, november 14th

man or astro-man?

@ the middle east downstairs

monday, november 15th

la roux

@ the house of blues

tuesday, november 16th

a night of springsteen covers

with chris keene (mean creek),

corin ashley, dave aaronoff,

brendan little, hilken mancini,

the dirty truckers, drew o'doherty,

and more to be announced

marking the release of the new

6-disk 'darkness on the edge of town'

box set @ tt the bears

tuesday, november 16th

the posies

brendan benson

aqueduct

@ the royale boston

wednesday, november 17th

cornershop

@ the middle east downstairs

thursday, november 18th

kate nash

@ the paradise

thursday, november 18th

bear in heaven

@ the middle east downstairs

friday, november 19th

township

the lights out

the organ beats

@ tt the bears

saturday, november 20th

delorean

lemonade

@ the middle east downstairs

wednesday, november 24th

idlewild

happy hollows

@ the middle east downstairs

thursday, december 2nd

director/actor kevin smith

@ the house of blues

saturday, december 4th

peter hook + the light

play joy division's "unknown pleasures"

@ the royale boston

saturday, december 4th

killing joke

@ the paradise

visit tourfilter for more shows

Soooo... how 'bout that New England weather? I felt the novelty wear off after about the 40th straight hour of snowfall. Yeesh.

I titled this a 'fiver', but it's gonna end up much longer. Hey, no complaints outta you.

File under EPIC: Kristin Hersh's rumble-rock power-trio 50 Foot Wave has just unleashed a massive new recording entitled "Power + Light", streaming in all its glory on their CASHmusic site. It's an awe-inspiring, 26-minute, prog-punk epic in multiple movements, and it simply kills. Kills even harder with headphones.

A bit of backstory, something I didn't ever share on the 'Nac as there weren't proper words, and it took quite awhile to sink in -- my own 2008 began with one of the most unique musical experiences I could imagine: I was invited to hang out in a studio with a couple other Throwing Muses / Kristin Hersh fans while Kristin not only worked on some new songs (including the now-released "Morning Birds" and "Around Dusk"), but reworked some Muses classics with drummer David Narcizo. It was an invitation that I actually hesitated to accept, knowing how stressful studio time can be, not wanting to intrude on a situation that could be inherently uncomfortable. But my name was drawn randomly from hundreds of fans who had put any amount of money in Kristin's listener-supported tip jar, and having met both her and her husband-slash-manager Billy a bunch of times over the years, I trusted that the potential for awkwardness was minimal. How could I possibly say no to such luck, to hanging out with a couple of my musical heroes, to watching a guy play drums who was one of the very reasons I started playing my own in the first place? So my hesitation was fleeting.

It was a beautiful January day, a relatively short drive down to Stable Sound Studio in Portsmouth Rhode Island, and ended up being a simultaneously surreal and totally comfortable experience. Our hosts (including owner/engineer Steve Rizzo) were more than gracious, the environment perfectly relaxing (with comfy couches and a window view of the adjoining, horse-filled stable), and the music made within was magical. Steve entertained with details of what had long ago gone down in that space, including the recording of some early Throwing Muses work. Unsurprisingly, hearing some old Muses faves (like "America (She Can't Say No)", "The Letter", "And A She-Wolf After The War") stripped down and reinterpreted (to provide backing for Kristin's one-woman-show "Paradoxical Undressing") produced chills, but my mind was most blown by a special preview of a just-finished number: 50 Foot Wave's "Power + Light". I stood there for nearly a half-hour in total amazement, asking questions afterwards about the recording (yes, it was all in one take), and dying to know when/how it was going to be released. Billy said plans weren't finalized, but he hoped to do something unique, and it's been a long year waiting to see those plans revealed.

So far, aside from the now-available stream, the only facts are these: In a matter of days it should be available for download, and additionally, there will be a way to pre-order four different editions of colored vinyl (black, magenta, yellow and cyan). I'll be eagerly awaiting further info, which should appear shortly on the new forum at KristinHersh.com.

In addition to that hearty dose of 50'~, there's some other great news for Kristin followers: The return of Throwing Muses. A trio since Tanya Donelly bowed out in 1992, the band (including drummer David and bassist Bernard Georges) will embark on their first live dates in awhile next year, including a stop at All Tomorrow's Parties in the UK in May (invited by curators The Breeders), and more relevantly for yours truly, a Boston area show at the Middle East in Cambridge on Saturday, March 14th (the location leaves open the possibility of a Tanya cameo... just sayin'). Tickets will be available via Ticketb@st@rd and the Middle East box office (no fees!) starting next Friday morning, December 26th. And get this: openers include 50 Foot Wave, with K and Bernard pulling double duty that night. Wonder if they'll dare to run through "Power + Light" for us? Now that'd be something.

And just in case you haven't been paying attention: Kristin Hersh has released a full album's worth of fantastic solo material via her own CASHmusic site over the past year, one song for free download each month, all to be gathered on an eventual CD release. Like I said, it's all free, although donations are highly encouraged (and that's exactly how I got randomly selected to hang in the studio last January).

Mary Timony, who's long been releasing solo material since Helium's disbandment, is back with a new combo called Pow Wow, and they make their debut tonight in DC at Comet Ping Pong, with The Felt Letters opening. If you're down there, and end up going (um, you should), they're on first at 9pm. Mary's on guitar and vocals, Jonah Takagi (Garland of Hours) is also on guitar, Winston Yu (a name that should sound familiar to Bostonians) has keyboard duty, and the drummer is Darren Zentek. Looks like they've got another DC show on January 10th at the Black Cat, so I'm hoping a northeast trek will happen at some point. Can't wait to hear what they sound like.

Daytrotter has been on fire over the past few months with excellent live sessions. Check out some stellar performances from Crooked Fingers, Film School, The Broken West, and Wye Oak.

An annual tradition: Jordan Jeffares of Atlanta quartet Snowden has made the 2004 holiday-themed "Licorice EP" available for free download once again. Never officially released, it's got three Christmas songs and an acoustic original titled "China Light". Grab it over on their MySpace page.

Some other Snowden goodness: Their appearance at SxSW last May was documented on video by the crew at Switchburn, and you can check out the multi-camera footage here. All three camera angles are show simultaneously as the band runs through "Anti-Anti", "Like Bullets", "Black Eyes", "Between the Rent and Me", "Candy For Everyone", "Keep Quiet", "So Red", "Innocent Heathens", and "Filler Is Wasted" at Stubb's last May 29th in Austin. So good. Has me hankering for their follow-up to 2006's "Anti-Anti", and odds are high that we'll see it in 2009. The evidence? Snowden in-studio footage shared in August. Teases.

It's official: Live music returns to Lansdowne Street in February 2009 when the new House of Blues Boston opens its doors. The space (which gutted the Avalon, Axis, and more) will fit a sell-out crowd of 2400, and also throws in a restaurant, merch store, and a "VIP Club", whatever that entails. Along with, I'm assuming, some fairly pricey beverage selections and a generous supply of blacklights.

The first batch of shows went on sale yesterday, and includes: Gipsy Kings (2/20), BB King & Buddy Guy (2/22), Jimmy Eat World (2/26), The Disco Biscuits (2/28), Flogging Molly (3/10), The Pogues (3/21), Cut Copy (3/22), John Brown’s Body (4/25), and a 5-night stand from the Dropkick Murphys (3/13-3/17). For more info, check the venue's new site, or their Live Nation location. Already grabbed myself a ticket to that Jimmy Eat World "Clarity" tour... something I'm surprised I found myself doing. Haven't been into the band in a very long time, but I hold that album dear, so I'll be there celebrating its 10th anniversary when the bands runs through it all. Good excuse to check out the HoB's new digs.

If you look at the calendar for Allston venue Great Scott, you'll see that last night, tonight, and tomorrow look like your above-average string of solid local lineups on the cheap (just $5 a night). But what the site doesn't say is that they all take place for a common goal: A three-night celebration marking the 40th birthday of my neighbor and friend, Steve, aka ssg. Maker of chocolate, husband to Weth, and probably the most committed fan of Boston-made music I know. The guy goes to more local shows than anyone who's not paid to do so (i.e. soundmen, bartenders), and I envy both his energy and enthusiasm. So it's unsurprising that so many great local bands are taking part in his extended birthday party.

(poster via quadceratops)

Last night saw Helms, Harris, Faces on Film, and Hangman's Alphabet kick things off. Tonight brings Hallelujah the Hills, Aloud, Nassy, and Ad Frank & Sarah Rabdau. And tomorrow (Monday night), when Steve officially hits the big 4-oh, will feature Tristan da Cunha, Tom Fitzgerril, and the mighty Neptune. Steve is clearly a man of taste. Happy Birthday to ya, neighbor.

Speaking of Hallelujah the Hills, frontman Ryan Walsh sat down to record a little Christmas cover last week for fans, and ended up with... an Innocence Mission cover? Hey, we'll take it...

Mp3: Ryan Walsh/HtH - "Bright As Yellow"
(The Innocence Mission)

And lastly, the Wedding Present have just released a digital Christmas single entitled "Holly Jolly Hollywood" (keeping up the LA theme of their "El Rey" album), and it's available via both Amazon, eMusic (both DRM free), and iTunes (blech). Three tracks, two songs: The title cut (a duet with Simone White), an acoustic version with Weddoes bass player Terry de Castro handling the female vocals, and a gentle take on the classic "White Christmas". A video for "Holly Jolly Holywood with Gedge and Ms. White can be viewed here. And its sunny setting makes all this winter white stuff outside that much heavier. But not heavy enough to keep me from Great Scott tonight.

posted by brad at 6:22 PM | direct link |