[Track Debut] Andrew Cohen (Silkworm/Bottomless Pit) & Light Coma’s “The Usual”
Posted on May 11, 2017 at 8:49 am | No Comments
Never underestimate the impact of a well-chosen analogy. Seems we owe the welcome return of songwriter/guitarist Andy Cohen to a timely turn of phrase from Light Coma drummer Jim MacGregor, who one night caught Cohen in the midst of an existential “should I keep making music or not?” crisis. After more than 25 years of playing with incomparable, incredible rock trio Silkworm and its worthy successor Bottomless Pit (both with co-songwriter/guitarist Tim Midyett), Cohen found himself with dwindling freetime and a side-man role in Midyett’s excellent Mint Mile project. On the verge of packing it in, as so many (and sometimes not enough) middle aged rockers do, it took one tempting offer from MacGregor to keep him in the game: “We could be your Crazy Horse“.
As recounted in the latest episode of the Crashing Your Planet podcast, that’s exactly what lead to the team up of Andrew Cohen & Light Coma, who will issue their debut LP, “Unreality”, on June 2nd through the esteemed Comedy Minus One record label. It’s a fitting home for the album, as CMO has become the defacto source of all things Silkworm-centric during the past decade, with several Bottomless Pit releases, SKWM reissues, and related projects scattered among other top-notch rock records.
As a longtime admirer of Andrew Cohen’s songwriting and guitar playing, it’s a massive honor to debut a track from “Unreality” here on the Almanac. “The Usual” is one of three acoustic songs from the record, laid down before he hooked up with Light Coma. Stream it here…
Comedy Minus One previously shared the track “Repack”…
“Despite my intention to retire, it didn’t let itself happen.” – Andy Cohen
Pre-order Andrew Cohen & Light Coma’s “Unreality” LP here, and if you want to celebrate its release in person, make your way to the Township in Chicago on May 28th for a special Comedy Minus One show with OUT, The Rutabega, Mint Mile, and of course, AC&LC. My Boston -> Chicago flight has already been booked.
[Tonight in Somerville!] Gold Muse, SAVAK, & Lake Ruth at the ONCE Lounge
Posted on March 25, 2017 at 8:37 am | No Comments
Lend me yer eyes and ears, Boston-centric people, and allow me to tell you about a pretty special show happening tonight in Somerville: A three-band bill at the ONCE Lounge on Highland Avenue, featuring the return of a local fave, the first-ever area appearance by two excellent NYC-based combos, and a pre-and-between set soundtrack spun by a certain DJ Bad Squirrel. (uh, that would be me)
Headlining is Boston’s own shoe-pop-dream-gaze quartet GOLD MUSE, who rose from the ashes of the much-beloved Soccer Mom in 2015, and haven’t played out since last September. The foursome spent the winter months hibernating in their practice-cave, fine-tuning a slightly new lineup that now includes ex-Soccer Mom drummer Justin Kehoe (last seen playing in the touring config of New Dog). So, yes, that means Gold Muse is officially 3 parts Soccer Mom and 1 part Deb Warfield (Swirlies/Shenzou 5/Broken River Prophet). Great things await.
In the center spot: The mighty SAVAK, whose debut LP was one of my favorite records of last year, and are finally making the drive north from NYC to share their songs with us. I’ll forego descriptors and give you their peerless pedigree: Ex-members of Obits, Holy Fuck, Nation of Ulysses, Edsel, and The Cops. If that ain’t to get you there, just check out the video for “Alive In Shadows” and stream the track “Reaction” below. That should do it.
Easing us into the evening will be NYC’s LAKE RUTH, also playing their first-ever Boston-area show. They made their recorded debut last year with a couple singles and June’s “Actual Entity” full-length, and have already released two new songs this year: The lead-off track from The Blog That Celebrates Itself‘s latest dreampop compilation, and the Broadcast-esque single “Pictures From Home“. Have a listen to both below…
I’ve been wanting to catch SAVAK on stage since I first heard ’em, so the fact that they’re playing a tonight in ONCE’s cozy upstairs lounge with one of Boston’s best, and bringing another great NYC band with them, is a true treat. To be able to fill the before-and-between set hang time with some of my favorite songs will be my pleasure. Advance tickets here, doors (and DJing) at 8pm, bands on at 9. Join us tomorrow night, won’t you?
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