Earl Burrows may be one of Nashville’s most under-the-radar supergroups. Founded by Mark Watrous as a vehicle for the songs he had been banking while working as a touring member for acts including The Shins, Racounteurs, Karen Elson and Brendan Benson. Backing him is a crew of musicians with similarly impressive resumes: guitarist Carson Medders is a member of The Non-Comissioned Officers The Medders and Fox Bear Snake, drummer James Freshwater played for Lovedrug, and brother/bassist Joel Watrous played for DC’s Dance Imperative and Mu Meson. Together they perform what the band describes as "music for thinkers by thinkers;" ie: impeccably executed compositions with decidedly left-of-center origins. They’re sharp and intelligent, but don’t let their wit get in front of the 70’s-flavored pop fun or ability to spin a yarn. True to their dark horse nature, Earl Burrows has been appearing as a supporting act on consistently great bills for the past year they’ve been together, and are building up to an early 2015 release of their debut full-length album. For the interim, check them out live at The Basement on October 2nd, and dig into their available music online here. -Terra James-Jura
Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: The Project H
Video Release: Sound & Shape, “Venus”
Eight years is just drop of pig’s blood in the bucket, and this September is prom night for Sound and Shape. The band’s fourth album, “Bad Actors” will be released the 23rd of this month, and signifies a band weathering several years to hit their stride. They’ve teamed up with accomplished prodcers Matthew MCauley and Casey Wood to create something with such abnormally high levels of prog that it would be a disaster in less accomplished hands. Luckily the band’s tendency to temper some of the heavier thrashing with a sense of urgency and a very rock’n’roll bird-flip to tradition makes it very easy to listen through an album and reach for the next. There’s little doubt that "Bad Actors" will be more of the same. Artistdirect premiered their video for single “Venus” this Tuesday, and while we would have loved to see vocalist Ryan Caudle’s vision for a “three-part space opera” executed, watching the misadventures of a fallen angel was still pretty entertaining. The Sound & Shape’s next Nashville show will be at The End Sept. 26th. -Terra James-Jura
Stream: Girlpool, “Jane”
Minimalist garage duo Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad have a cautionary tale for all of us through the vague, yet felt message lying within their cryptic track "Jane". The vocals are as clear as they can be and with good reason – these two have a story to share and they want you to hear every single word, built around a steady guitar line and a slinky bass throb that keeps the tension high as they hone in on their message: "girls and boys if you are listening/if you feel imprisoned/feeling like your mouth is glued tight shut/you were born for a reason/share all your feelings". The screeching cries that accentuate each verse seem to imply some sinister wrongdoing, which makes it all the more effective. Girlpool are officially releasing their self-titled debut EP on November 18th through Wichita Recordings. And make sure to catch their hometown residency at the Echo this coming December.
The New Tarot unveils video for “Make Up” + plays The Deli’s CMJ show
Earlier this summer we blogged about the young alt/art rock band The New Tarot, a group founded and led by sisters Monica and Karen Walker (pictured). The quintet has been getting some attention love recently after releasing this intriguing video for single "Make Up." We are excited to announce that the band will be playing one of our official CMJ shows at this year Music Marathon in October.
Small House Song
Small House Songs is the production work of Steven Serra and on their first two singles the beautiful and soulful vocals of Vanessa Norman. The group is slightly mysterious at this point, including the odd hardwood floor image they use, but the sound speaks for itself.
DC Area Deli presents: 2 Great Songwriters. 2 Great Guitar Duos. 9/22 @ Galaxy Hut
In one week, the DC Area Deli Magazine is proud to present an intimate show at Galaxy Hut, featuring 2 of the areas best songwriters, each presenting their material in a guitar duo.
First up will be Baltimore’s The Andy Bopps, featuring power-pop and alt-country savant Andy Bopp (Love Nut, Myracle Brah, Bleaker Street Cowboys, The Modern Ruins) accompanied by his son, Andrew Bopp III. Andy has been writing and self-recording perfect guitar-pop for two decades, earning a celebrated status among power-pop diehards and the many musicians across the country who have had the pleasure to work with him. In anticipation of five new releases in the coming months (a solo rockabilly EP, a long anticipated EP and full-length as Myracle Brah, and two new EPs from The Bleaker Street Cowboys), Andy has set out with his son to perform songs old and new with an intimate and soulful sound, focusing on his bright voice and inventive guitar arrangements.
Closing the night will be DC’s Mike Reina with the incredible Anthony Pirog. After taking a break from their full band project, The Jackfields, to record and tour with Skysaw (featuring drummer Jimmy Chamberlain of The Smashing Pumpkins), Mike and Anthony have reformed The Jackfields as a vehicle for Mike’s gorgeous songwriting and production. On this night, Mike and Anthony will appear as a duo, highlighting Mike’s song-writing and Anthony’s virtuoso guitar talent and sonic palette.
Please join us for a night of superb songcraft and focused talent that draws inspiration from the greatest in the history of pop, psychedelic and guitar music. It will prove to be rewarding for both the casual music fan, the nerd, those who want to jiggle and dance, and those who want to marvel at the depth of truly great musicians. Galaxy Hut, 9/22, 9PM, $5.
Krust Toons: “Insta-cram” by Teddy Hazard
Krust Toons: "Insta-cram" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations HERE.
From the NYC Submissions: Controller, live at Mercury Lounge on 09.30
NYC quintet Controller may put on a tough front, but despite their lyrical aggression, they’ve really got a grasp on instrumental technicality. With a sound somewhere between post punk and pop – similar sonic coordinates inspiring what seems to be their biggest influence, i.e. early U2 – the band surely masters the art of anthemic choruses. Listen to their self-titled debut EP here, and – if you dig – catch them live at Mercury Lounge on September 30. – Jillian Dooley
This band submitted their music for coverage here.
Spooky Company
The Glen Ellyn based Pysch-rock band Spooky Company is the new project from Morgan Samson (Atlas Murphy). Last week the trio released their debut EP "Bully" and you can stream it below.
New Track: “Pink Rabbits” (The National Cover) – Strand of Oaks
Strand of Oaks, a.k.a. Timothy Showalter, just shared his meaningful cover of The National’s "Pink Rabbits." The track, which is found on 2013’s Trouble Will Find Me, became the soundtrack to some recent rocky times for the local area singer-songwriter. You can read about his connection with the song from a post via Magnet (when he guest edited online in July) and stream it below. Strand of Oaks will be performing at The Boot & Saddle this weekend for two sold-out shows.
"The most important song for me in recent memory. A lot of music is great but not important. Listening to “Pink Rabbits” became mandatory for me. I would associate this song with my lost month or months last fall. I unfortunately discovered that drinking potato vodka alone with the only the National to keep you company can be dangerous. I would find myself talking with angels and other crazy shit when this song was on repeat. Then I realized I don’t have to get fucked up to love this record. This song saved me and destroyed me simultaneously."
Michael Chorvat
The new album, The Light, from former Treaty of Paris frontman Michael Chorvat is powerful sonically and spiritually. The album follows Michael through his spiritual journey and through each of the Chakras. You can stream the album today on Michael’s soundcloud, but recommend you pick it up at Schubas and become a little more enlightened.
You can catch Michael Chorvat (Treaty of Paris, Ryan Powers and The Secret Weapons) and help him celebrate the release of his new album The Light at Schubas on Sept 16th with Model Stranger and Mama Jimi.