Clusterfuck: Scapescape, Dope Body, Autograph Playhouse, Death Set, more

With the recent closure of the Hexagon, and the close call at Sonar, Baltimore should revel in any announcement of a new space for art to inhabit. The Showtime Theatre on 25th street is re-opening as the Autograph Playhouse this weekend.

The same B.R.O.S. that presented us with Grundlehammer are back with two new rock operas scheduled for the next three weekends, titled Amphion and The Terrible Secret of Lunastus. More details are here, and tickets are here.



Dope Body celebrates the release of Nupping Friday night at Floristree with a Baltimore heavy sound dream team that includes Double Dagger, Ed Schrader's Music Beat, and an all-too-rare appearance by Butt Stomach (Dan Deacon and Kevin O'Meara's noise outfit).




The big event this weekend is Scapescape, a festival that goes down all day Sunday at the G Spot and Ruintown. Festival organizer Dave Underhill was originally asked to have his band play the G Spot for what could be a final farewell to the space, but he ended up booking over 20 other bands to play as well. The result is a wide offering of some of Baltimore's best sounds with Dan Deacon, Celebration, Arbouretum, and Microkingdom all headlining the affair. RSVP and get more details right here.


And if all that weren't already enough, Approximate Infinite Daydream begins this Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art. This show includes Comeback Ranch, Jared Paolini, and Vlond. The event is free and takes places during regular hours at the museum.


Lastly, the Death Set is back in town for the first time since dropping their new record. They play the Windup Space on Saturday night with Win Win and Future People.

Giveaway: Celebration & TV on The Radio+ photos from Celebration's release show @ 2640

Photos of Celebration's recent album release show from our own Valerie Paulsgrove got lost in the SXSW shuffle last week, but today I've got those and more good stuff to share.



Celebration have just announced a string of new tour dates, as they'll be supporting their friends TV on The Radio in a few weeks. It's a weekend tour that hits Philadelphia, Charlottesville, and Baltimore. The Philly date is Friday, April 8 at the Electric Factory, the stop in Charlottesville is Saturday, April 9 at the Jefferson Theatre, and Sunday, April 10 Celebration play a hometown show at Rams Head with TV on The Radio.

I've got a pair of VIP passes to give away to someone for the Baltimore show. To enter, singer Katrina Ford has devised a contest. Email a photo you took of something you consider "MAGICAL" to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com. It doesn't need to be fancy, a camera phone photo is preferred, and please keep the file sizes small.



A few weeks ago Friends Records hosted Celebration's release show at the 2640 Space with Future Islands and Arbouretum. The old church was transformed into our own Hello Paradise, and a cosmic evening of some of our favorite Baltimore bands ensued.

Celebration LP Release with Future Islands & Arbouretum

Tickets are going quick, so we advise you to order them in advance right here.

Tomorrow night, Saturday, March 5th, join us at the 2640 Space to help commemorate Celebration's first proper LP in over three years. Opening will be some of Baltimore's finest in Arbouretum and Future Islands. All three acts have new music to be played.

Future Islands are amidst recording their next release, and will be playing a handful of freshly written new songs. Arbouretum have just relinquished The Gathering via Thrill Jockey, which very well might end up being the band's best LP. Celebration have been brewing Hello Paradise over the past three years, a record deeply rooted here in Baltimore. The results are now available to the world digitally and physically.

Hello Paradise consists of nine songs, all of which are a part of the first installment of the Electric Tarot. Each song will be given away for free online, and accompanied by a video. Below is each current song, its meaning in the tarot, and all available videos.

"What's This Magical" // The Shaman

Consciousness, ego, a sense of self, the animus, focused attention,magical powers harnessing the energy of nature, seeing beyond the physical, in communion with spirit, mage soothsayer seer and seeker. Learning to harness the power of manifestation.

"Junky" // The Hermit


Rest, retreat, meditation, withdraw, silence, solitude, vision quest, guru, guide, introspection, time management, journey within, leaving the physical behind, letting go.

"Honeysuckle Blue" // Alchemy

COMBINING RESOURCES IN NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS, CONSOLIDATION, MIXING HARMONIOUSLY, BLENDING, BEING HEALED, FINDING THE CURE, MODERATION,CHANNELING OPPOSITE ENERGIES AND FINDING WHAT WORKS.

"I Will Not Fall" // The Fool

Beginning anew, Embarking on a journey, A leap of faith, Free spitirted, Acting on impulse, Trust in the universe, Vagabonding, Choises you make appear foolish, Being guided from above, Blind faith.

"Great Pyramid" // The Emperor


The boss, The king, Male influence and authority, Planning, Building, Construction, Seeking stability, Ambition and confidence, Practicality, Control and discipline, Leadership, Tradition, Order, Structure, Status quo.

"Open Your Heart" // Judgement

Judging or being judged, Accepting past mistakes, Guilt and forgiveness, Rebirth, Resurrection, New life, A second chance, Responsibility, Apology, Repentance, Hope, Reconciliation, Salvation, Sins forgiven, Release, On the road to healing.

"Shelter" // The Lovers

Recognition of duality, Thinking about your relationship, Love, Desire, Sexuality, Bonding , A choice, Romance, Hearts exchange, Wanting to merge with other, Divine union, Partnership.

"Battles" // Strength


TO BEGIN AGAIN, LUST FOR LIFE, AWARENESS OF PHYSICAL NEEDS, DATUN INNER WARRIOR, SAMURAI, JEDI, LOVE IS THE SOURCE, DAN TIEN, SEAT OF POWER, COMPASSION AND PATIENCE, DISCIPLINE, KINDNESS.

"Kilamanjaro" // The Moon


Self deception, Illusion,Waxing and waning of emotion, Dreams, Memories, Subconscious, Facing you fears, Nightmares, Different sides of you crying out, A karmic relationship, Loosing touch with reality.

Clusterfuck: Shark Tank, Weekends, Moss Of Aura, Winks, Arbouretum, Raindeer, Secret Mountains, Holy Ghost Party

 flyer by Patrick Byrd

I haven't done a Clusterfuck post in a while, but this weekend's abundance of shows is calling for it. I've already highlighted the majority of these shows, so we'll keep it short and sweet as a friendly reminder of what you can treat your ears to this weekend.



Tonight the Windup Space is where you should be, as Shark Tank will be rocking their record release show with Ed Schrader and Moss of Aura. More info right here.



Tomorrow night sports a bill curated in full by yours truly, as Weekends, Raindeer, Winks, and Holy Ghost Party take over the Golden West. These are some of my absolute favorite new bands from Baltimore, and I'm stoked to bring them all together for one bill. This one's just $5, more info on the affair can be found right here.





And last but not least, Sunday night's got a killer show as well, as everyone's favorite doom-folk outfit will be celebrating their new record upstairs at the Ottobar. For their record release show, Arbouretum will be joined by Secret Mountains, making this more than worth not paying for. Yup, this one's free, and it starts at 9 PM.

Show: Celebration, Future Islands, Arbouretum Hello Paradise Album Release at the 2640 Space

original painting by Katrina Ford

GET TICKETS HERE RIGHT NOW, OR AT RED EMMAS STARTING JANUARY 6.

Celebration have been working on the follow up to 2007's The Modern Tribe for three years here in Baltimore, an LP that is to be the first installment in their Electric Tarot.



The first set of nine songs is called Hello Paradise, and it will be released on vinyl via Friends Records in January of 2011. The band will celebrate their new record release at the 2640 Space in Baltimore on Saturday March 5 at 8 PM. Celebration's psychedelic soul enforcers will be joined the post-wave synth cries of Future Islands and the storytelling doom-folk of Arbouretum. Three of Baltimore's best on a massive PA at the Church.





Tickets for $10 are available online right here, and will be made available at Red Emmas in Mt. Vernon on Monday, January 3. More details on this and Hello Paradise to come...

Arbouretum - "Destroying To Save"

Baltimore's finest purveyors of dark and grandiose folk rock, Arbouretum, are set to drop a new album this February on Thrill Jockey called The Gathering. The first taste is below.



"Destroying to Save" is to be the third track on the forthcoming LP. The song is a doom-filled romp through lost battlefields and forgotten conquests. It's a perfect example of how this band is able to enforce heavy gloom while at the same time fanning a swift breeze of melody and entrancement. In fact, The Gathering looks to be one of the most melodic works to date by Arbouretum, likely due to new help on keys by Matthew Pierce.

Thrill Jockey writes that The Gathering is inspired by The Red Book written by Carl Jung, and points out Jung’s "pursuit of the inner images that led to the book’s writing." Dave Heumann depicts journeys that were once lost but now grasping for direction, while his arsenal of sound-smiths inflict a force of aural redemption that can be felt miles away.

The Gathering is to be released via Thrill Jockey Records on February 15, 2011.

Shows: Wye Oak, Double Dagger, Roky Erickson, Thank You, Arbouretum, Zomes, Height, more

The upcoming weekend supplies a killer event to attend each day, starting tomorrow. Wye Oak headlines the Ottobar, backed by The Art Department and Height with Friends.





If you read this space, your familiar with our love for Height with Friends, particularly Bed of Seeds. The Art Department released their first proper LP with GenPop this summer, and Wye Oak continue to blow up worldwide. Andy and Jenn are also on the heels of a new album, and word on the street is to expect that next spring(ish).





On Saturday, the good folks who hosted the majority of this years Whartscape are having a fundraiser. The lineup at Current Space is pretty awesome, and includes what will likely be the last local Double Dagger show of 2010. Performances from Thank You, Mickey Free, Zomes, Brendan Sullivan, and more can also be expected at this all day affair.



Arguably the godfather of psychedelic rock and roll comes to the Ottobar on Sunday. Roky Erickson headlines, proprietor of all things psych/garage and founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators. Roky will be supported by the doom-folkers Arbouretum. Arbouretum's lineup will also be joined by David Bergander and Walker Teret of Celebration. Video of Dave Heumann singing a new song in a grassy knoll is below.

Tonight: Arbouretum, Pilgrim, Caltrop

Tonight the Metro Gallery hosts our favorite purveyors of guitar-driven doom folk, Arbouretum. They'll be supported by Baltimore's Pilgrim and North Carolina's Caltrop.



Arbouretum just finished recording their new full length, the follow up to Song Of The Pearl. The new record was recorded at Vacation Island in Brooklyn, and features the lineup of Dave Heumann, Corey Allender, Matthew Pierce, and Buck Carey. A new dimension of sound was added, with Matthew Pierce's keyboard coming into play throughout the recording process, which allowed room for more exploration of melody.

Thrill Jockey promises the new LP to blow some minds, and says to expect some new sounds to be heard soon. The show tonight starts at 8 PM, and costs eight dollars.

Hampdenfest 2010: Double Dagger, Arbouretum, Sick Weapons, Witch Hat, Mickey Free, and more

This year's Hampdenfest goes down next Saturday, September 11. The festivities take place from 10 AM to 7 PM on the avenue, with three stages for music.



Expect sets from Double Dagger, Arbouretum, Sick Weapons, Mickey Free, Witch Hat, Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez, Surroundings, Rapdragons, and plenty more. The event is totally free, and this year also includes a "Toilet Race" and the "Charm City Beard & Mustache Championship". Better start grooming those 'staches now.



Get the full schedule for Hampdenfest 2010 after the jump.

ATOMIC BOOKS STAGE (36th & Falls Rd)
11AM - The Stents
12PM - Yeveto
1PM - Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez
2PM - The Snowmen
3PM - Witch Hat
4PM - Red Weasel
5PM - Sick Weapons
6PM- Double Dagger

MONSTER STAGE (36th & Chestnut Ave)
11AM - The Matrimonials
11:50 - The Slow Jerks
12:40 - The Convocation
1:30 - Dead Mechanical
2:30 - Deep Sleep
3:10 - Surroundings
4:00 - The Pilgrim
4:50 - Desert Boys
5:50 - Arbouretum
6:30 - Mickey FreePARTY STAGE (36th & Elm Ave.)
11AM - ex-Replicas
11:30 - Sister Ex
12PM -The Remingtones
12:30 - June Star
1PM - Sal Bando
1:30 - Bad Liquor Pond
2PM - Garage Sale
2:30 - The Mill Billies
3PM - The Go-Pills
3:30 - The Jennifers
4PM - 5PM - The Charm City Beard & Mustache Championships
5:15 - Rapdragons
6PM - Landspeedrecord
6:30PM - Slow Jets

DJ TENT (36th & Roland Ave.)
11 - Ryan Nation & Patrick Brander
1 - Dan Wylie
2 - King Gilbert
3 - Djeneral Mayhem
4 - Craig Sopo
5 - DJ Exclaime & DJ Fleg

Rapdragons - Featuring Baltimore

From the first time I met Nick Often and Greg Ward of Rapdragons last year, the two Baltimore rappers were enticing me with a local-oriented project they had in the works. The project is titled Featuring Baltimore, and it will be officially released for free tomorrow via their very own LTD Comp.

Featuring Baltimore is a full length mixtape, where in which each song samples from a different Baltimore artist. The result of Nick and Greg's superior taste in local music and knack for beat-cooking is 16 tracks of hip hop ready for any summer party. Hear a taste below.



"Dragon's Heart" samples "A Dog's Dick" by Lower Dens, one of the standout tracks on the new Lower Dens LP that drops later this summer. The Rapdragons take on the jam capitalizes on the killer bass line found in the original, and of course adds on top verses of Nick and Greg's party rap that Bmore has come to know and love.

The full release can be downloaded for free on LTD Comp tomorrow, and features samples deriving from The Agrarians, Beach House, Double Dagger, Future Islands, Ponytail, Weekends, Baby Venom, Dope Body, Arbouretum, Secret Mountains, Mr. Moccasin, The Art Department, Lo Moda, and more. Peep the full track listing below.


Rapdragons - Featuring Baltimore (LTD Comp.)

01 Early for Work (samples Late for School by Ponytail)

02 Come Harvest (samples Growing Season by Secret Mountains)

03 Plot Twist (samples Shakescene by The Agrarians)

04 Trivial Prey feat. Rebel Conscious (samples Grave Hunter by Mr. Moccasin)

05 Camp Everywhere (samples Camp Nowhere by Weekends)

06 Real Summer (samples False Spring by Arbouretum)

07 Memory (samples Vision by Dope Body)

08 Manifest (samples Camouflage by Double Dagger)

09 Bury (samples Dig by Blood Baby)

10 Rap'n'Roll feat. AK & Hanna Badalova (samples Rock'n'Roll by The Art Department)

11 Slick Rick (samples Eyepatch by Baby Venom)

12 I Went to Her feat. Seven (samples You Came to Me by Beach House)

13 Constant Metropolis (samples Istanbul by Lo Moda)

14 Dragon's Heart (samples A Dog's Dick by Lower Dens)

15 Big Dreamers (samples Little Dreamer by Future Islands)

16 Gotta Go feat. Hemlock Ernst (samples Cannot Move by Existencils)

Arbouretum - Couldn't Hit It Sideways

A new Arbouretum release snuck up on the interwebs a few weeks ago, compliments of our blog neighbors/friends Aural States. The release comes via Aural Slates, the blog's digital label that also has a new Small Sur EP in the works.

This is the label's second release, and the first of the live-recorded variety. It's only one track long, but that track clocks in at over 50 minutes. The recording is taken from a live Arbouretum set that went down last month at Granfaloon here in Baltimore.

The release is titled Couldn't Hit It Sideways, and you can snag the digital copy from Aural Slates right here. Its a pretty heavy improv, one that's of the style that we've come to know and love from Arbouretum. The release was recorded and mastered by David Carter, an excellent newish taper that's based here in Baltimore.


Speaking of Arbouretum, don't sleep on the recording we posted of their set at our first curated show back in January at the G Spot. Grab that here.

Video: Pontiak - "Second Sun / Beach"

Pontiak dropped a new LP on Thrill Jockey this week, dubbed Living. I just picked up a vinyl copy of the record earlier this week, and from the first couple of spins I am already convinced this might be their best yet. From the super heavy low-end, to the haunting psychedelic soundscapes, to the blissful acoustic sonics that bridge it all together... this record is brilliantly dense in all the right ways.


While I'm still digesting Living, the band just released a video of two of the tracks, "Second Sun" and "Beaches". The cloudy ambient guitars of "Second Sun" is pictured with roads and greenery, while the psych folk of "Beaches" is played while the sun sets.

Pontiak are now finishing up a tour with Arbouretum, here's the itinerary.

May 20 2010 9:00P	Hideout with Arbouretum & Bitchin Bajas (CAVE)	Chicago, Illinois, US
May 21 2010 9:00P	Bourbon Street with Arbouretum	Columbus, Ohio, US
May 22 2010 8:00P	Secret Art Space with Arbouretum	Bethlehem, Pennsylvan, US
May 23 2010 9:00P	Great Scott with Arbouretum & High Aura’d	Boston, Massachuse, US
May 24 2010 9:00P	Santos Party House with Arbouretum & CoConuts	New York, New York, US

Clusterf*ck: Thursday Night Edition

Oh hey, it's Thursday in Baltimore. There's a lot to do tonight, so let's get to it. I'll start with the band that I can't even seem to go a week without mentioning, Weekends.

Mobtown Studios invited Adam and Brendan to come in and participate in their Microshow series, and you can catch this one tonight at 7:30 in Charles Village. The show is free, but you'll need to RSVP here as spots are very limited. Last I checked in, spots were filling up real quick.

Floristree's got a super massive one tonight, as Pontiak comes back around these parts and is joined by Arbouretum, Jason Urick, and Human Host.

Pontiak just dropped yet another LP on Thrill Jockey, titled Living. Arbouretum just released a digital live nugget over on Aural Slate this week. Couldn't Hit It Sideways is a live recording from Granfalloon from a set last month. Throw in Jason Urick and Human Host, and you've got yourself an epic.

The Penthouse Gallery is also sporting a fine one this evening, with New Yoga, Hounds of Hate, and Post Coast (Zach Utz from Dope Body). This one starts at 9 PM.

Tonight: Scout Niblett @ the Golden West and Washed Out / Small Black @ Floristree

FEEL IT ALL AROUND from Northern Lights on Vimeo.

There are two fantastic shows tonight in Baltimore, both at the Golden West and down at Floristree. Each should provide sounds and vibes to suit any mood.

At Floristree, catch Washed Out with Small Black, Pictureplane, and Moss of Aura. Washed Out and Small Black are on their way to SXSW for some hotly anticipated performances, spreading haze-wave vibes to ears abound. Washed Out has a tour CDR that you can grab tonight, but check out track seven off of it here. Next time you'll be able to catch Washed Out in Baltimore is May 8 at the 2640 Space with Beach House.

Read on for all the details on tonight's stacked Golden West lineup.



I've been pretty stoked for Scout Niblett to come to town, and of course I'd recommend a bill that's got two of the bands from our G Spot show back in January playing it. Arbouretum's closing set that night was killer, and tonight's show will provide a first look at a newly shuffled lineup for the doom folk crew. The lineup is now Dave and Corey with Buck Carey and Matthew Pierce.



Another reason why I'm blatantly partial to tonight's Golden West bill - Sri Aurobindo are opening. Friends Records (debuting soon) is releasing their debut LP, Cave Paintings in a couple months. This is being sent off to get pressed this week, and you'll soon be able to hear some tracks via the interwebs. For now you can settle for a live recording of "Soul Vibrations of Man" below, but better yet get to this show around 10 tonight.



Scout Niblett has released six full lengths since 2001, the most recent, The Calcination of Scout Niblett, just dropping on Drag City. Expect minimalist guitar music with a lot of soul, coming from a women that has indulged in her fair share of Mudhoney and Nirvana. Grunge-folk? Yes please. Up top is a video for a song she did with Bonnie Prince Billy.

Live MP3s: Arbouretum @ the G Spot 1/29/10

With much thanks to Charlie Hughes, all five sets of Bmore Musically Informed's first curated show were recorded in full. I'll be posting as much audio as I can over the next week or so, but today I have the evening's closers, Arbouretum.

This was a pretty amazing set, as they pumped out tracks from nearly every release of their catalog. The fact that this is likely the last set to ever be played at the G Spot, which has been in Baltimore for ten years, makes it all the more special. This will also be the last time they play with drummer Daniel Franz for awhile, as they've updated their lineup while he's off touring with Beach House.



Opening with "Flood of Floods" off of Kale (their split record with Pontiak) was a treat, but you simply can't top the way this set was closed out. Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak joined the band on stage to play Neil Young's "When You Dance I Can Really Love". Stream that above, and download the entire set below.

Download MP3s: Arbouretum Live @ the G Spot 1/29/10

Read on for the set list and details.


Arbouretum
1/29/10 @ the G Spot
Recorded by Charlie Hughes
Sound by Adam Cooke

Setlist
Flood of Floods
Another Hiding Place
Mohammed's Hex and Bounty
Signposts and Instruments
Down by the Fall Line
False Spring
Underneath the Arches
When You Dance I Can Really Love*

*Neil Young cover, with Wye Oak

Photos: Arbouretum, Wye Oak, Sri Aurobindo, Weekends, The Violet Hour at the G Spot

Our first curated show could not have gone any better. A huge thanks to everyone who came out (and sorry to those who got turned away!), the folks who own the G Spot, and of course to the bands who ensured that this night would be one to remember.

In the coming week or so I'll be posting some audio from the night as it becomes available, but for now, take a look at the full photo set put together by Valerie.

The Violet Hour




Weekends




Sri Aurobindo




Wye Oak




Arbouretum




Arboutetum with Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner





Photos by Valerie

Bmore Musically Informed Presents: Arbouretum, Wye Oak, Sri Aurobindo, Weekends, Violet Hour @ the G Spot January 29, 2010

Bmore Musically Informed Presents:
Arbouretum
Wye Oak
Sri Aurobindo
Weekends
The Violet Hour
January 29th, 2010. The G Spot. 2980 Falls Road.

Music from each band, and details on tickets and "Blogtimore PWNS" Weekend below.



Arbouretum - False Spring

One of the headliners for the evening will be Arbouretum, a band that needs little introduction to those here in Baltimore. I couldn't think of a more perfect act to help close this G Spot show, and we at Bmore Musically Informed are ecstatic to be able to be a part of this.



Wye Oak - Take It In

Wye Oak will also be headlining, rounding out what could easily be one of the best pair of local headliners you'd see here in Baltimore. Andy and Jenn's performances in 2009 were nothing short of legendary, and I know I'm stoked to hear their noise bounce off the walls of the old textile mill.



Sri Aurobindo - Nobody's Child

Baltimore's finest new psych rock band, Sri Aurobindo, will top the support for the evening. These guys dropped two fantastic releases this year and are on the heels of releasing their potential opus in 2010, via our yet-to-be-debuted label, Friends Records.



Weekends - Raingirls

Weekends are one of the best newer duos you'll find in these here parts, blasting countless ears with their garaged-out surf rock at shows in 2009. I've described them as possessing guitar riffs of pure joy before, riffs that will be a more than stellar addition to this lineup. Weekends are also due for a full length LP on Friends Records in 2010.



The Violet Hour - XXXVI

The Violet Hour are the blissfully hypnotic duo of Beth Varden and Andriana Pateris. They will be performing their sonically dense and transcendent form of folk music, providing sounds that ears will most certainly welcome.

Get tickets here.

This show will take place on Friday, January 29th, 2010. It will be in conjunction with Aural States Fest II, part of a weekend series put on by Aural States and I called "Blogtimore PWNS". His monster of a show will be the following night on January 30th, and it will be at Sonar.

Bmore Musically Informed's first night on the 29th will be $10 in advance, and $12 the day of. Advanced tickets will be available at Missiontix on Friday December 18. Aural States and I are also allowing a limited number of passes that will grant you access to both events. These tickets will be just $20, but there are only 50 available through both Missiontix and Sonar.

Doors at the G Spot will open at 7 PM, and the show will start promptly at 8 PM. The event is ages 18 and older only. This will be a truly special evening filled with rock and roll, beer, and an ode to one of the better venues in town.