Giveaway: Animal Collective at Merriweather Post Pavilion

If you read this, or you know me personally, you might know that I grew up in the outskirts of Baltimore in the suburban wonderland that is Columbia, Maryland. I have been attending concerts in Symphony Woods ever since my parents brought me to Merriweather see the The Beach Boys as a child.



In 11th or 12th grade my friend introduced me to Animal Collective, and told me it was the craziest band he ever heard. It blew my mind, and I found myself digging up as much as I could about a band that was from my own home state. It was a welcome departure from the rest of the music being shoved down my impressionable throat, and little did I know it would soon be shoved down others' throats by the masses.



Years later Animal Collective released an album titled Merriweather Post Pavilion, a record that catapulted them into alternative culture stardom. Since the record was released, fans residing in the Mid-Atlantic region have been asking one thing - When are Animal Collective going to play at Merriweather Post Pavilion???



Our question is now answered, and July 9, 2011 is the date. Animal Collective will headline Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 9th, and opening will be the deconstructed noise that is Black Dice. I've got a pair of tickets to give away for this event. Send an email to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com with ANIMAL COLLECTIVE in the subject line. In the body describe what this show might mean to you, if anything at all. We'll pick a winner a few days before the show. Tickets are also available right here.

Animal Collective to play Merriweather Post Pavilion

Animal Collective is set to play in Columbia, Maryland on July 9 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. This is the first time they will play the venue titled the same as their last LP.



Tickets go on sale April 22 right here, more information TBA (via Citypaper).

Video: Avey Tare - "Lucky 1"

This week Paw Tracks dropped the first taste from Avey Tare's new solo album, and today we see the video for the Animal Collective member's song, "Lucky 1".



Abby Portner's visual interpretation capitalizes on the swamp-themed album, adding psychedelics fit for any late-night wetland experimentation.  The former Maryland resident's new album has been boasted to feature murky underwater sounds, and was recorded by Josh Dibb AKA Deakin. Alligators are also pointed out to have played a major role in the new record, one of David Portner's favorite animals.

Avery Tare's Down There hits shelves October 26 via Paw Tracks.

Interview: Deakin // Josh Dibb

In 2010 Josh Dibb began performing live under the solo moniker Deakin, also "Deacon", with his first show here in Baltimore at the Ottobar on January 1st. Taking a step back from Animal Collective for a little while, Josh has been brewing some sounds of his own.

Earlier this year we posted the audio from his Ottbar set back in January, and I recently had a chance to catch up with Josh. We talked about his amazing trip to Africa, ODDSAC, and Dan Deacon's polite request to change his name back to Deakin from Deacon...

Brett: Seems as if it’s been a crazy year for you so far, how the heck are ya?

Josh Dibb: It has been a crazy year. In a really good way. For me the decision to go to africa was sort of a moment of psychological cliff jumping that i had been shying away from for a few years. I've really been pushing myself to take on tasks and challenges that have seemed beyond my spiritual means if that makes any sense. Aside from my solo shows in africa, europe and the u.s., I have been putting a lot of time into touring with ODDSAC which is a movie that we made with Danny Perez over the last few year. In february I spent much of the month working on music and getting ready for an installation piece that we did at the Guggenheim in March. Since then I have been either on tour for ODDSAC or working on music and recently i have been helping other people record and mix their records. It's been incredibly busy and doesn't seem to be slowing down. I'm happy for that. I feel that i don't really have enough time to do it all. I prefer that feeling over feeling like i have more time than i know what to do with.

It’s been a couple months since your first solo show in Baltimore, were you happy with how that night turned out?

Absolutely. my expectations were low in many. Not in a bad way. I just never have played by myself before and all I really wanted out of the night was to get through my set. It was great to play with all the people who played that night. and it was an auspicious place and date to play that show. So i was really happy about that.

Do you have names yet for any of the songs played that night?

I don't have names yet. I am still treating the songs that i am playing as rough idea or outlines and i don't necessarily see them as completed enough ideas to give them names. I want to keep them in a bit of an amorphous state so that i can find whatever comes out of them more naturally.

Dan Higgs is clearly an inspiration for a lot of us, what does his music mean to you?

Well... to be totally honest, my knowledge of Dan overall is pretty limited. I'm not actually very familiar with lungfish and I've really only seen Dan play live a handful of times in the past few years. To me he represents an idea of how to play music which celebrates the humility of the process. I've had some good conversations with him about the idea of being a conduit. not a new idea to art by any stretch, but watching him and listening I have found that that idea is transmitted pretty directly. not even in the music specifically, but in the energy that he brings to it. I have found for myself that the more rigid i get about how exactly what i do is supposed to happen the less i find true joy in the process and the more... rigid i feel the music becomes. I revere both the idea of mastery in the sense of knowing how to construct and compose a song as well being the selfless and thoughtless conduit. I try and search for the balance between those two. I have been excited at dan's shows because they really open up that second door for me. remind of something pure about music.

What else has guided you through your own music process as of late? How have these influences changed since recording with Animal Collective?

It's a very personal journey and one that i don't necessarily feel equipped to explain in this format. but i think that generally it just has to do with trying to make sense of my own sense of self and the way that that interacts with my interpersonal life. I have always spent a lot of my mental and emotional energy trying to make sense of my relationships and the relationships of people around me. I was forced for a number of reasons in the last 5 years or so to really take a hard look at the behavior of my own mind. there are so many things that i found myself doing unconsciously that were in many ways working against the goals i have. So i think my music comes either from the place of trying to figure these things out and also is in and of itself a way to experiment with my own will to achieve. hmmm.... these are difficult things for me to describe. I don't feel i am the most eloquent at saying some of these things. I find that i am more inspired or driven to create from this world i am speaking about though than i am from direct musical or artistic influences. though of course... there are many of those too.

After the Ottobar show you headed out on quite the journey, tell us about it.

I traveled to Mali to play at the Festival Au Desert in Tombuctou. It was an incredible experience. I had never been to africa before and only briefly spent time in any developing country. It was an incredibly moving experience to see that part of the world. the standard of living there is very different from our own and to see that firsthand is overwhelming at times. it felt very strange and uncomfortable at times to see in the eyes of the people that woudl approach me what i represented. what it meant for me to be there. the resources that it took to make it happen. I am incredibly happy that i had the guidance to put so much energy into using my trip as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the area that i was travelling too. it certainly felt more balanced than if i had not. I found an organization in Mali called TEMEDT that does work to raise awareness about class inequality and slavery in Mali as well as very hands on and direct work with newly freed slaves. i felt that in the end, my trip to Mali was far less about the music i played there than it was about the education i was getting about the reality of things i had only read about. but in the end.... I was in Africa for only nine days. I flew in and of Bamako. I drove in a caravan on a two day journey from Bamako to Tombuctou. I spent three days at the festival and then drove back. I saw some amazing music. My favorites being Khaira Arby, Super Khomeissa, Koudede, Terakraft.

How was the festival in Mali?

It was both way more like any festival i have been to in europe or the US than i was prepared for and also nothing like it all. It took place in Saharan dunes just outside of Tombuctou. There was one stage. maybe about 8000 people, the majority of whom were from Mali. It was very organized considering, but that still meant a level of chaos that is difficult to describe. the music ranged from the tight and professional bands like Tinariwen, Amadou and Miriam, Bessekou Kouyate to some really raw and incredible local bands. We lived in tents on the sand for three days and saw a lot of amazing music.

How has your set evolved over the last few months?

well.... to be honest... I don't know. I have "written" a few more songs. I have changed parts of the old ones. I have gotten tighter and also learned how to be looser. I think my voice is improving in the sense that it is more reliable to do things i imagine. I still feel very shaky about it though. the first month or so of shows i played, I felt very locked into certain things because i felt that my setup and the way i wanted things to go meant i needed to follow certain specific rules as i played or it would all fall apart. but i am beginning to feel the space in the things. I feel more comfortable guiding the chaos that i have setup. I would like to be playing more than i have been, but I have been incredibly busy with AC related things like ODDSAC and the Guggenheim project and the recording that i have been doing for other people. I am feeling that this summer is the time to really make some headway on evolution.

You changed your name back to Deakin, any particular reason?

My name has been "Deacon" "Deakin" "Deaken" depending on which release you reference. I had gone with Deacon initially when i was setting up these shows and whatnot only because it was the original spelling. But Dan Deacon got in touch with me and said that he felt that it would cause some confusion. he politely asked if i would spell it another way. so I went with Deakin.

What are you working on now?

The last month or so i have been helping some Paw Tracks bands record and mix. I just finished a remix for Pantha Du Prince. Now i have a little bit of time to start working more in my own music for the coming few month. I have plans to help a few other people record during that time and will probably have to do some more traveling for ODDSAC. I am going to begin working on a book and record that is related to my trip to Africa. the idea has evolved considerably since i first proposed in on Kickstarte in December. My new plans will involve a lot of work but I am pretty psyched about that too. it looks to be a busy 2010 through and through. thank god.

When can we expect to see/hear more of your work?

I couldn't say. Soon?

Live MP3s: Deacon of Animal Collective at the Ottobar (+ photos w/ Dan Higgs, Jason Urick, Zomes, Moss of Aura)

Deacon, or Joshua "Deakin" Dibb of Animal Collective, played his first ever solo show on the first night of the new decade here in Baltimore, Maryland. This show was a precursor to his trip to Africa, where he was invited to play the Festival au Desert in Mali.

This was the unveiling of his solo material, and part of an amazing evening at the Ottobar that included Jason Urick, Daniel Higgs, Zomes, and Moss of Aura.

Below are the MP3s of Deacon's set, and photos from the entire night.


Deacon played five new songs, all of which he's decided to exist unnamed for the time being. Josh said he'd update me with track names once he had reached Germany from Africa and had a better internet connection. Here's the audio, but please link to this post when sharing it with others:

MP3s: Deacon live at the Ottobar - January 1, 2010

Taper: Charlie Hughes
Soundboard: Rob Girardi
Ottobar 1/1/10 Baltimore, MD

Chrissy Abbott was able to shoot the whole night, and the full photo set is in the flash gallery at the bottom. Deacon is currently in Africa, and plans to write a book and put out a new album in 2010. Look for real nice things to come.

Normally I'd share my thoughts on new material, especially for those that have inspired us in so many ways. However, for this night I just want the content to be out there, and the show to be remembered.


Daniel Higgs


Jason Urick


Moss of Aura (Gerritt Welmers of Future Islands)


Zomes


Photos by Chrissy

Hello, 2010.

Deacon of Animal Collective's First Solo Show this Friday!

In case you missed out on the well-deserved media blitz that was Merriweather Post Pavillion this year, Animal Collective was a trio for their latest releases. Deakin (now spelled Deacon), the original fourth member who helped shape the majority of their catalog has been on hiatus, taking a step away.

Deacon has just announced his first ever solo show, and it will be here in Baltimore this Friday January 1, 2010. It will be at the Ottobar with the legendary Dan Higgs, innovative Jason Urick, and promising Moss of Aura (solo Future Islands project).

Read on for the full details, and to enter a giveaway for free passes to this one.

Very little output has derived from Deakin as of late, besides a smattering of remixes here and there throughout the year. With good reason, folks will be stoked for this show, as this will be the first taste of his new material. Come see him play before he heads to Africa, where he'll be performing at Festival Au Desert and touring with Panda Bear.

Local icon Daniel Higgs opened for Animal Collective at the Ottobar this year, the first show of a massive MPP tour. His recent performances have been a must-see, a man responsible for some of the most important artistic output Baltimore has had to offer.

Jason Urick, whose Husbands was one of our favorite albums of 2009, will be opening along with Moss of Aura. Moss of Aura is Future Islands synth master Gerritt Welmers' fantastic solo project. This show is all ages, and will start at 8:30 PM.

Email bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail with DEACON SHOW in the subject line, and let us know you'd like a pair of free passes to this one. I'll pick a winner the morning of the show, whenever I wake up from the prior evening's activities.

Check out the video for Moss of Aura's "Hope" below.

Favorite Baltimore Shows of 2009

We went to a lot of shows in 2009, covering as much live music as humanly possible. I decided to list 10 sets that stand out in my mind, only qualifier being that it had to have been covered on bmoremusic.net.

This left out a few sets that would have surely made it, but I still think this is a solid representation of how much fun I had in Baltimore this year. I didn't rank these, because well... who cares. They were all fantastic, and here's to many more.

Extra Golden at Floristree

Floristree was nice and sticky that night, as this collaboration of musicians from both DC and Kenya took it by storm. I believe the singer's feet in this photo never actually touched the ground throughout the entire set, tons of energy.

Animal Collective at the Ottobar

Animal Collective were once just a couple dudes that went to The Park School of Baltimore. In 2009 Merriweather Post Pavilion jump-started their voyage of world domination, and this was their first night of a massive tour. This was easily one of the biggest shows at the Ottobar this year.

Sick Weapons at Hampdenfest

While this may not have even been Sick Weapon's best set I saw this year, this set was priceless. Seeing toddlers dance around to Sick Weapons was pretty much the coolest thing I saw all year, and Ellie honking the horn instead of cursing appeared to be an epic test of will on her part.

No Deachunter at Sonar

When Dan Deacon, Deerhunter, and No Age all started playing a unified song at once from different ends of the room at Sonar to start this show, it pretty much sealed the deal of making it to this post. This Round Robin style show was a whole mess of fun.

Celebration at Load of Fun

This was the "Earth" show for their element series, a string of shows here in Baltimore that took place throughout the year and included some great ones. You can still download the full set audio right here.

The Jesus Lizard at Sonar

A kick ass performance by a legendary band, enough said.

Sri Aurobindo at the Metro Gallery

This was the album release party for Return into Earth, an epic 30 minute journey of a track. This set captured what that release was all about, and was easily one of the best improvs I witnessed all year.

Ponytail at the Ottobar

Another mind blowing set from Baltimore's favorite pixie dust-infused rock band. New material was played, and showed sure signs of the next album being just as good as Ice Cream Spiritual.

Future Islands at Floristree

This was quite possibly my favorite Future Islands set ever. The energy was fierce, the sound was booming, and the trio was tighter than ever. Look for gigantic things to come from these guys in 2010.

Dan Deacon w/Ensemble at Whartscape

This set managed to embody all that is right with music here in Baltimore, and package it in a one hour chunk of music and fun. This was one of the many highlights of Whartscape 2009, a festival that truly represents how it feels to be a part of community like Baltimore. Every single person in that North Avenue parking lot that night left the show smiling, and with good reason.

Photo Review: Animal Collective at the 930 Club

Photos by John

Disclaimer: After this post, I vow to not talk about Animal Collective for awhile.

Animal Collective played a sold out show at the 930 Club for the second stop on their current US tour last night. The crowd was in similar high spirits, as the club was bursting at the seams with those that knew what to expect, and some that had no idea what they were in for.

Grouper's Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill was a fantastic ambient folk album released last year. While her sound is ideal to comfortably warm up a crowd, I'm not sure it was best suited for such a large venue. Many conversations in the crowd continued, but she proceeded with her pleasant looping bedroom tunes that did manage to garner a decent chunk of attention. Props to the Baltimore crowd the night before that kept nice and quiet for Daniel Higgs.

Animal Collective again began their set with "Chocolate Girls", reworked from Panda Bear and Avey Tare's 2000 debut Spirit They've Gone, Spirit They've Vanished. Otherwise the set was similar but mixed around quite a abit. Before the crowd favorite "My Girls", Avey and the Geologist helped out with Panda Bear's "Comfy in Nautica", the first track off of his already epic solo album Person Pitch. Other highlights included "Banshee Beat" and a promising new song titled "Bleed". This show was yet again aurally stimulating, but it was tough for it to live up to the Ottobar's vibes the night before.

NPR podcasted the entire set, and has it available as a free stream right here.

Photo Review: Animal Collective at the Ottobar

Photos by Chrissy

When I first heard Sung Tungs five or so years ago, I would have never dreamed of Animal Collective being where they are at today. As the experimental folk noise of Here Comes the Indian has evolved into the sonic pop bliss of Merriweather Post Pavillion, Animal Collective are poised to take over the world.

Last night the band played a rare hometown show in Baltimore at the cozy Ottobar. Tickets were only obtained by those with sheer luck or quick determination, and those select few were handsomely rewarded. Avey Tare, Panda Bear, and the Geologist all took the stage a little after 9 PM to a very warm reception.

Only stopping once or twice to thank and share their love for the intimate setting, the trio twisted and twirled its way through a ridiculously stellar set. Avey and Panda crooned and shrieked as the Geologist laid the groundwork for the beats and noise which seemed to build and build as the set wore on. "Fireworks" was fantastic, but you can't mess with the warped version of "Who Could Win a Rabbit" that faded into "Summetime Clothes". The encore closed with "My Girls", as the entire crowed pleaded for four walls and adobe slacks for their girls.

The set was very heavy in MPP material, but I sure as hell didn't see anyone complaining. Gawk at Chrissy's incredible photo set above, and check back for coverage of tonight's show at the 930 Club.

Animal Collective at the Ottobar, and more!

Another weekend chock full of shows here in the city that reads. If you were one of the lucky ones that scored tickets to see Animal Collective at the Ottobar on Sunday, I'd suggest doing the right thing and bringing your mom. Old people sure do dig Animal Collective.

If you're not one of the 400 or so who got tickets, check back here for detailed coverage and drown your sorrows in some dusty folk acts Saturday evening. San Francisco's Papercuts will be headlining the Metro Gallery, with local support deriving from the always endearing Jana Hunter.

Papercuts were fantastic opening up for Beach House at their release show for Devotion last year, and are now armed with a new record. Fans of Beach House and Cass McCombs will likely gravitate towards the new LP, which has a much fuller feel than their last record. I will always recommend Jana Hunter, whose There's No Home finds its way into my late night playlist time and time again.

Like more country served with your folk? Try the Golden West tonight where John McCauley of Deer Tick and Caleb Stine serendade Hampden. Deer Tick have been riding the glory of their fantastic War Elephant for some time, but have a new LP dropping June 23rd called Born on Flag Day. Based off the first single released, the new one sounds just as promising.

Sample some goods of all that is going on this weekend...

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti / Vivian Girls

With a ridiculous amount of adventures to choose this weekend, this show looks to be a good read to success. The lo-fi soul jams of Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti and the megahyped harmonies of Vivian Girls will be permeating the Ottobar Saturday night.

Weathered cassette tape sounds, steezy rhythms, and tons of weird have made Ariel Pink a favorite of mine for some time now. Dude started his career in 2003, when he gave his demo to Animal Collective at a show. AC made him the first artist to sign with their label Paw Tracks.

Ariel Pink's most recent single "Can't Hear My Eyes" (stream below) took a new turn, cleaning up the production quite a bit. The track features smooth vibes eerily similar to the Lite FM radio tracks that bumped from your mom's 1986 Ford Taurus.

New Jersey's Vivian Girls also front the bill, seeming to be all the rage these days. The trio put out a stellar LP that's soaked in tons of reverb, but oddly still makes you want to get all cuddly with it. The Flying Eyes, Deep Sleep, and Head Home round out the bill.

Stream a mix of the headliners below, and look out next week for our photo set.

Panda Bear's People Party

For their "One Week Only" feature, P4K is now offering live footage of Panda Bear's 2007 summer tour. While the DIY video of Panda Bear, WZT Hearts, Eric Copeland, and Tickley Feather performing live is pretty great, this tour documentary has already been made available for free.

Mike, of EatTapes, originally created the documentary with full intention of giving it away as a free DVD. While complications got in the way of allowing it to be a physical release, Mike hi-jacked the power of the "internet" to implement his original intentions.

Go here, for several ways in which to download this free DVD of Panda Bear and friends playing live. The highlight of the film is Panda Bear's 2007 homecoming show at the Ottobar. Next time you can catch him there is May 10th, as he will be performing with the full collective of animals. Tickets are all kinds of gone for this one though.

Animal Collective 3LP Box Set!

Animal Crack Box is Catsup Plate's 3LP box set of early Animal Collective material. Consisting of early hard-to-find gems like Campfire Songs and Danse Manatee, to say that this box set will be in demand is a glaring understatement.

The set will be limited to 1000 pressings, and will be available exclusively via Fusetron.

You can also auction for the set right here, which benefits Doctors Without Borders.

Animal Collective will be in their native land of Baltimore May 10th, and in DC May 11th. Both are ridiculously sold out so start searching here if you wish to attend. (via TMT)

Old People Eat Animal Collective for Breakfast

Surprise! Animal Collective @ The Ottobar

A hometown show has just been added to Animal Collective's tour with Grouper. Bmore's biggest experimental pop folk band will grace the Ottobar's presence on May 10th. Details on how to get tickets, straight from the source, are below. Godspeed.

2 TICKET LIMIT!
NO RESERVED TICKETS
CASH ONLY!
Tickets will ONLY be available AT OTTOBAR
WED MARCH 4th- 9pm-midnight
THURS MARCH 5th- 6-9pm
FRI MARCH 6th- 6-9pm
WED MARCH 11-13th- 6-9pm
WED-FRI THEREAFTER, 6-9pm

Leonard Cohen @ Merriweather Post Pavilion

The legend that is Leonard Cohen will be playing at Merriweather Post Pavilion on May 11th.

Tickets go on sale to the public this Friday the 27th.

However, the presale is tomorrow from 10 AM to 10 PM. Go here for that, the password is "takethiswaltz".

Do not miss your chance to see a musical icon in the friendly confines of an amphitheater residing in the capital of soccer moms, otherwise known as Columbia.

No word yet if Animal Collective is opening. But, I noticed Grouper just got added to AC's bill May 11th in DC. Nice.

Animal Collective / NHL Hockey

Brightest Young Things posted a pretty awesome interview with Geoligist of Animal Collective yesterday. The interview takes place at a Caps game, as Geologist is a pretty big NHL fan. Unfortunately, dude's a Flyers fan.

Instead of your typical questions, hockey trivia is thrown at famed noise folker Brian Weitz. He does pretty well, scoring an 11 out of 15 on the quiz while even consuming alcoholic beverages.

Next time Animal Collective are in the area will be at the 930 Club on May 11th. Tickets are extremely sold out. Expect detailed coverage on bmoremusic, but it looks like you better start scanning here if you want to actually go.

New Spank Rock Mix

Fresh new mix from Devlin of Spank Rock hit the interwebs yesterday. Grab the Bicicleta Mix over on the Fully Fitted blog.

The mix was recorded by Devlin live in his living room, making full use of the echo pedal. Pretty quality stuff with a full range of artistic diversity. 

The mix features acts spanning from Animal Collective to Selda to Willie Hutch. There's even some Neil Diamond thrown in for good measure.

Click here to go scoop the MP3 for free with much thanks to FF.

My Girls Video

Pikesville's biggest band ever, Animal Collective's closest gig to their hometown will be May 11th at the 930 club. Will MPP be played @ MPP this summer?

Sore Eros

From a field in Connecticut, enter Sore Eros. The debut LP Second Chants spins turntables February 14th, delivering soulful dream folk to pondering minds abound.

Assuming Animal Collective's MPP is as ridiculous as anticpated, this might be the next best thing emerging out of 2009 so far. Via SHDWPLY RECORDS, the album conveys hazy hopefulness reverbed with gleeful experimentation from start to finish.

Second Chants is limited to 500 copies, check shdwply's site for pre-order info in the coming weeks. Sample some choice tracks from the record below.