January 4th, 2013

Show: Unsystematic Notation

From the desk of Will Redman:

From January 9 to February 27, 2013, The Windup Space and Friends Records present Show: Unsystematic Notation, a solo exhibition of graphic scores (handmade graphically intense sheet music) by Will Redman, and a series of chamber music concerts featuring Microkingdom, X|i|O, David Smooke, Umbilicus, and Talk Show. Redman works in black ink and collage, creating scores that challenge the interpreters to invent meanings for his unsystematic notation. The exhibition will include scores such as Book (2006), a 98 page composition using radical extensions of conventional music notation; and Scroll (2010), an eight foot long page of music using invented notation; and Deck (2012), a set of 52 card size modular compositions. Friends Records will mark the occasion with a tape of Redman’s work and limited edition prints of Book.

Four concerts in January and February will focus on Baltimore-based composers performing their own compositions. Each concert will feature interpretations of Redman’s scores by his band Microkingdom, as well as performances by special guests. The first concert and opening of the exhibition on January 9 will feature X|i|O, the duo of Liz Meredith (viola, violin, electronics) and MIck Ricereto (clarinet). X|i|O will play their own fascinating graphic scores. All concerts are 7-9pm at The Windup Space.

More info on Show. Look out for Book and Tape via Friends.

December 20th, 2012

Best Baltimore Songs of 2012

Generally, I’ve always hated cover songs. Maybe I’m an asshole, or maybe it’s the assumption that no one can ever do it better than the creator. Either way, the songs coming out of Baltimore in 2012 have clearly turned me.

Roughly one-third of the following tracks are cover songs, ranging from new renditions of the Eagles to Ed Schrader’s Music Beat to Bruce Springsteen. The Springsteen take is particularly memorable, as I’m still convinced that Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands was actually set on fire during the recording with Microkingdom.

2012 was also the year of Jenn Wasner. Jenn appears on this list three times with three different projects: Wye Oak, Flock of Dimes and her latest endeavor, Dungeonesse.

1. Dungeonesse, “Drive You Crazy”

2. Microkingdom ft. Samuel T. Herring, “I‘m On Fire”

3. Lower Dens, “Brains”

4. Novo Line, “Roll of Ramses”

5. Future Islands, “Tomorrow”

6. Height with Friends, “I Can’t Stop Eating Sugar”

7. Dan Deacon, “True Thrush”

8. Wye Oak, “Spiral”

9. Chiffon, “Dru Hill”

10. Soft Cat, “All I Can See (demo)”

11. Co La, “See in the Dark”

12. Flock of Dimes, “I Can’t Tell You Why (screwed mix)”

13. Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, “Rats (Schwarz Rap Remix) ft. Issue”

14. Chester Endersby Gwazda, “Changing Your Life”

15. Secret Mountains, “Make Love Stay”

Check out the list on Impose here.

December 18th, 2012

Best Baltimore Albums of 2012

I took this photo of Dan Deacon with my phone on the side of Sleater-Kinney Road while joining him on tour. We promised that we’d write the band a letter letting them know that their road really fucking sucks.

You know what doesn’t suck? His first LP for Domino. A lot of other music from Baltimore this year didn’t suck either, and here’s a list of proof. Just as in the past, included are a few albums that I’ve helped release with Friends. The following is based on vinyl wear and tear, cassette tape flips, love, sweat and overall awesomeness. Take it as you will, all of these records rule.

Read the full list here, or on Impose here.

December 4th, 2012

Dan Deacon, Wish Book Volume 1

Dan Deacon has shared a mix he assembled while out on the America tour, full of the year’s offerings of blissful pop junk. Hello, sugar-coma.

The free mixtape that Dan posted to his Soundcloud account offers tracks like “Gangrimes Style” and “Virgin Uncle Salt” which utilize excerpts by:

grimes+psy+beach house+skrillex+diplo+nicky da b+dirty projectors+lil wayne+nicki minaj+oneohtrix point never+tune yards+animal collective+rod stewart+the strokes+wiz khalifa+beyoncé+lcd sound system+death grips+ludacris+rihanna+the beatles+roy orbison+silver apples+katy perry+69 boyz+gary glitter+james brown+lmafo+black dice+the ronettes+r. kelly+black eyed peas+lenny kravitz+the misfits+2 chains+daftpunk+led zeppelin+the notorious b.i.g.+devo+lightning bolt+unknown artist recorded in jaipur, india+marvin gaye+radiohead+rage against the machine+salt n peppa+brian eno+madonna

More info on Wish Book Volume 1 is here

November 30th, 2012

Dungeonesse, “Drive You Crazy

Introducing Dungeonesse, a new pop force from Jenn Wasner and Jon Ehrens. Secretly Canadian has announced the debut single, detailed  exuberantly in this video directed by Matthew Yake.

Yes, this is what happens when you combine the R&B-obsessed shredder and voice of Wye Oak and Flock of Dimes with the AM radio songwriting wunderkind of projects like White Life and The Art Department. Wasner eludes to “reclaiming pop music,” while Ehrens claims that even if they tried to make a radio hit, it would “come out sounding a little different.”

More info on the new 12" is over on Impose.

November 29th, 2012

Oxes split 7" ft. Will Oldham and Sam Herring

Side A of a forthcoming Oxes / Microkingdom split 7" with art by Chris Day features Nat Fowler, Chris Freeland and Marc Miller of Oxes collaborating with Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) and Bob Weston (Shellac, Mission of Burma) for a cover of Sheryl Crow’s “Strong Enough”. Recorded by Bob Weston, the uncovered track has been hidden deep in the vaults.

image

Side B of the split 7" includes Marc Miller, Will Redman and John Dierker of Microkingdom enlisting Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands on vocals and Liz Meredith on viola for a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire”. Friends Records assures listeners that no musicians were set on fire during the recording of the slow-burning epic, teased below.

FR0018 is limited to 500 copies, and available here.

November 20th, 2012

unbooking:

Witch Hat/ Beasty/ Drunk Monk 11.30 poster by Chris Day

Don’t miss Witch Hat, who just released their first official video, with Beasty and Drunk Monk on November 30 at the Golden West in Baltimore. “Your Dog Ate Rat Poison” was directed and edited by Molly Colleen O'Connell.

More info on the show is here.

Reblogged from Unregistered Nurse
November 18th, 2012
Come out to Golden West a week from today to see one of the east coast’s dreamiest, most underrated pop protagonists: Twin Sister.
Lands & Peoples and Soft Cat round out what will surely be a night to remember. Click through to RSVP and for ticket...

Come out to Golden West a week from today to see one of the east coast’s dreamiest, most underrated pop protagonists: Twin Sister.

Lands & Peoples and Soft Cat round out what will surely be a night to remember. Click through to RSVP and for ticket information.

Reblogged from pplz
November 12th, 2012
Show: Secret Mountains, Wing Dam, more
Don’t miss Secret Mountains, Saskatchewan, Wing Dam and Smoke Bellow at the Metro Gallery this Saturday, November 17 in Baltimore.
Show starts at 8 pm, more info is here.

Show: Secret Mountains, Wing Dam, more

Don’t miss Secret Mountains, Saskatchewan, Wing Dam and Smoke Bellow at the Metro Gallery this Saturday, November 17 in Baltimore.

Show starts at 8 pm, more info is here.

November 7th, 2012

Unregistered Nurse Fest and Sick Weapons’ Debut Album

unbooking:

U+Nfest DAY 1, SICK WEAPONS RECORD RELEASE PARTY!!!

FLIER BY NOLEN STRALS, CLICK TO RSVP

For reasons I can’t really explain, I’ve missed the shit out of Baltimore’s once-punk force, Sick Weapons. However in a recent turn of events, it seems gay rights isn’t the only amazing thing happening in Maryland.

Sick Weapons will finally be releasing their debut album on vinyl, and will be headlining night one of Unregistered Nurse Fest at the Metro Gallery. The event will be the ONLY place you can purchase the LP, via McCarthyism Records, but you can pre-order it to pick up November 9th here. The LP features colored vinyl, and is limited to 300 copies.

Unregistered Nurse, one of Baltimore’s finest promoters, is throwing quite the festival this weekend. In addition to the aforementioned news, the second night of the fest will be headlined by a reunited Moss Icon. Saturday, November 10 also features Purling Hiss, Pure Junk, Grass Widow and more.

More information on Unregistered Nurse Fest is here.

Reblogged from Unregistered Nurse
October 29th, 2012
Danny Brown - Grown Up (Moss Of Aura Remix)
Future Islands’ Gerrit Welmers shared a few new Moss of Aura works, including a remix of Danny Brown’s “Grown Up”. Others include takes on Dan Friel and Royal Bangs, in addition to a few tracks from...

Danny Brown - Grown Up (Moss Of Aura Remix)

Future Islands’ Gerrit Welmers shared a few new Moss of Aura works, including a remix of Danny Brown’s “Grown Up”. Others include takes on Dan Friel and Royal Bangs, in addition to a few tracks from 2007.

Check out Moss of Aura’s discography here.

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