With a new year will come a new Bmore Music. Re-imaged and re-purposed for 2012, look to be musically informed about artists from Baltimore in different fashion.
The new site will house four categories of content- Bmore Music, Impose, Friends, and a fourth TBA soon. Bmore Music will provide the site's original intent, Impose will be feature articles written for Impose Magazine, and Friends is the record label. We'll be moving over from Blogger to Tumblr, so expect more coverage and new contributors.
Look out for the launch soon with a feature show, tour announcements, and more.
As previously mentioned, Wildfire Wildfire's Last Waltz is this Friday night, May 6th. Matthew Papich sent over the above promotional video this morning, for a lineup that includes Co La, Jason Willett, Thank You, Dustin Wong, and Daytime. When asking Matt the meaning of "Paranoid Summer", the video's title, this is what he had to say:
"Ever throw away a cigarette? Do you style your smile? Get suspicious and slip out of your shorts, Paranoid Summer is beginning. Puzzling evidence suggests it's time for a new game in town. Swiss Bank Reggae. Bill Murray Eventide Time Factor. Will the youth know the taste of hash in Stockholm, or will they stay at home?"
Wildfire Wilfire's Last Waltz is Friday night at Floristree.
One of the best parts about Baltimore's music scene is the abundance of variety and creativity when it comes to different genres and sounds. Contemporary ambient music is a genre that's been particularly bountiful as of late around town, and Approximate Infinite Daydream is a new series that aims to highlight this burgeoning realm.
Created by Matthew Papich (Co La, Ecstatic Sunshine) and Neal Reinalda (Daytime), the concept is not your typical concert series. All of the performers will be solo acts, and all of which are of the more ambient and experimental variety. Also important to note - these shows will not take place in typical concert venues, but rather in more common spaces not generally used for shows. Current planned sites include Fox Court at the BMA (The Echo Spot), Gottlund Verlag HQ in rural Kutztown PA, the Soft House, and more.
As for the music and the specific concept behind this series, Reinalda states "Many of the practitioners of this new music are interested in creating music for specific contexts, often domestic. This tendency follows a certain tradition related to Ambient Music, and more specifically, to Eric Satie’s “Furniture” or “Furnishing” music. As dictated by Satie, this music is intended to function in a space as background, unobtrusive yet distinct. The sound is constructed to play a role in, and transform its’ surroundings, sometimes even evoking a specific mood or feeling. Our goal is to explore the role context plays in relationship to this music, specifically the role of domestic space and time and its relationship to various forms of visual and aural works."
Artists involved include Eachothers, Bear & Pieces, Comeback Ranch, Jared Paolini, Narc, Dead Drums, Co La, Daytime, Dustin Wong, Ken Seeno, and Gem Vision, and more. The series starts with a book release/primer on April 28, and you can RSVP right here.
I don't typically mention shows this far in advance, but next month a show will mark an end of an era. This particular era has been extremely important to Baltimore's music scene. While a functioning entity that represents this time might be calling it quits, it's influence and legacy will remain here in Baltimore in new and similar shapes and forms.
Wildfire Wildfire is a record label from Baltimore headed by Devon Deimler and Matthew Papich, but consisted of many other amazing individuals that helped shape it's success. I sat down with Matthew this past weekend to discuss a few things, amongst which he told me about how Wildfire Wildfire would be coming to an end soon.
The label is throwing one last show, which will be held at Floristree on May 6. The lineup currently includes Jason Willett, Co La, Thank You, Dustin Wong. More TBA soon.
This might also be your last chance to grip some Wildfire Wildfire vinyl, as the label is getting rid of it's entire stock. Anything left over will be given to the artists, though. Stayed tuned for more details on this big big show, and more news involving some of the artists included on their roster. "Celebrate the end of an era. What, me worry?"
"Easy Peasy" is the opening track of the forthcoming Ponytail LP, a record that will likely make a lot of noise in a bit of a quiet period for the local spazz-induced art rock force.
Ken Seeno, who has recently spawned a wealth of radical new solo sounds, kindly passed along the new Ponytail LP to me a few weeks ago. It hasn't stray far from my ears, as Do Whatever You Want All The Time appears to be a stellar follow-up to Ice Cream Spiritual.
While similar hyperactive passages and exploratory guitar noise are implemented, the new work seems to find the band honing in on a much more focused mission. Their goal again is to spread an incredibly positive feeling in the form of textured guitar wizardry, percussive vocals, and mind-numbing drum beats. However, this time that objective is complimented with a plethora of softer and more melodic moments.
A more diverse pallet is certainly drawn from on this record, but "Easy Peasy" proves that the same sugar-coated and lovable sound is what still drives this Baltimore band. The new LP is out next month on We Are Free, and don't sleep on the teaser video.
Last week we presented a radical lineup at the Golden West that included Ducktails, Woods, and Dustin Wong. Valerie Paulsgrove was there to capture all the action.
Even though Ponytail have currently disbanded, they have a new LP coming soon. Recored prior to their break-up, Do Whatever You Want All The Time is due this spring.
Above is a teaser video for the record created by Dustin Wong, a spastic collage of sights and sounds that are meant to embody the new LP. While this video may not make much sense to me in a few days, it makes perfect sense to me now as I am currently fading in and out of delirium with a nasty case of the flu. Plus, any video with Brian Billick blowing kisses is ace in my book. Hat tip to Altered Zones for the preview video.
Do Whatever You Want All The Time is out April 12 via We Are Free.
Over the past several years some Orioles have been heading up north to play at Shea Stadium. And much to our excitement to find out, the venue has been documenting these along with many other outings that they've hosted. The space serves as both a recording studio and show venue, an ideal arrangement for this sort of thing. I recently stumbled upon live recordings from some Baltimore residents including sets from Double Dagger, Dustin Wong, Future Islands, Run DMT, Teeth Mountain, and Weekends.
I've posted a handful of live Dustin Wong recordings over the past year, but here's the first from out of town. Dustin hit this one straight up into the cosmos as usual.
A pretty full set from Double Dagger -- from last September so this one's a playoff game. Nolen, Bruce, and Denny were clearly all batting well over .400 for this one.
Future Islands were hosted after the All-Star break, and we certainly pushing their way to a pennant in 2010 when they played this one. Hear the full set for this right here.
Run DMT knocked three jams out of the park in a psychedelic whirlwind last October.
Weekends have stepped up to the plate a whole lot of times at Shea Stadium, but here's the venues favorite pitch of their hit "Raingirls", knocked home of course.
Check out Shea Stadium's entire archive right here.
Pleased to announce a show at the Golden West in Baltimore on February 8 with Ducktails and Woods coming to town, to be joined by one of our local favorites, Dustin Wong.
Ducktails is Matt Mondanile from Real Estate, a side project from Mondanile that's released a generous offering of tapes, 7"s, and records on labels that include Not Not Fun, Olde English Spelling Bee, and SHDWLPY. The new record is due out this month on Woodsist, and is called Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics.
"Hamilton Road" is the single for the new record, and highlights the bright and airy psychedelic pop that the project has recently leaned towards - a more structured method as to the looping ambient melodies found on his self-titled LP on NNF and Landscapes.
Woods includes Jeremy Earl (Fuck It Tapes dude) and Jarvis Taveniere (Meneguar, Wooden Wand), and has released a couple fine LPs via Woodsist. The above track is the lead on 2009's Songs of Shame, which was being supported last time they came around these parts (back in 2009 at Ottobar with Dungen). Since then they've released At Echo Lake, another batch of well-constructed psychedelic pop excursions that reminisce gems from Wowee Zowee-era Pavement and some other crunchier counterparts.
Throw in one of the more mind-boggling guitar wizards we've ever encountered, and you've got yourself a show. Dustin Wong's Infinite Love was one of our favorite LPs to come out of Baltimore last year, and if you've seen him live you know it's no slouch either. Watch videos from all three after the jump, get tickets in advance right here.
Below is a list of my favorite records released by artists from Baltimore in 2010. Before I began to ponder these albums, I had to decide whether or not to include work released through a local label that got started up this year, Friends Records.
I've never considered Bmore Musically Informed a proper form of journalism, but I still feel uneasy about endorsing records on this list that I have personally been involved with releasing (re: Height, Sri Aurobindo, Weekends, Celebration, and other friends). While I have chosen to leave them off this list, my affection for them is already pretty clear.
Again this year there was a long list of amazing releases to come out of Baltimore, churning in all kinds of diversity to invade your ear-space. Hear for yourself...
Also, apologies to those that got turned away, as a capacity crowd filled the confines of the G Spot. Moldy old slides created spooky psychedelic imagery that was projected on all of the walls of the space, including the stage. Dry ice fell from the rafters, but most importantly... each band played their heart out to an eager crowd.
Our favorite photographer Valerie was there to capture it all, full set after the jump.
Dustin Wong plays this Friday night at the G Spot in Baltimore for our Hallowen show along with Celebration, Sri Aurobindo, and Microkingdom. Tickets can be found here.
With much thanks to David Carter, I'm pleased to offer a recording of Dustin Wong's performance this past Saturday at the Metro Gallery as part of the Iraqui Student Project's benefit show. This was the first of two shows Dustin played that night, and provides excellent documentation of just how magical his performances can be. Stream the set in full below (available to stream for a limited time).
While I can't say I witnessed this set, I saw him close out Soft Fest later that evening. More on that amazing event to come, as we'll be featuring some coverage in the near future. The recording of his Metro Gallery set earlier that night finds Dustin in top notch form, blasting through a jam rich in familiar sounds from Infinite Love. It's been amazing to watch his live show grow and transform over the past year, transcending the mind-melting melodies and aura of past projects like Ecstatic Sunshine and Ponytail. One can only expect more great things to come from this guitar mastermind.
This weekend there's a few solid options for musical endeavors to partake in here in Baltimore. Tonight you can head to the Golden West to hop on board the chill wave of Small Black, who just put out a full length on Jagjaguwar. Backing him will be Class Actress and the always awesome Talk To Animals.
Tomorrow night you've got more options starting with an excellent benefit at the Metro Gallery put on by Iraqi Student Project Baltimore. Headlining will be our friends INEVERYROOM, and also playing will be Romantic States, Dustin Wong, and Yeveto. Go support a good cause with some equally excellent tunes.
Also Saturday night, our favorite party rappers and our favorite punk rockers Rapdragons and Sick Weapons will be playing for the masses at Rams Head Live. They'll be opening for the pop-punk breakouts Matt & Kim.
Dustin Wong's Infinite Love is out on Thrill Jockey next week, and is up for pre order now. A select number of folks who order the album will have a "golden ticket" within the record's packaging that will grant access to a special one-on-one concert with Dustin via video chat to be called Infi-NET Love.
Dustin Wong and Thrill Jockey were kind enough to give us a golden ticket to give away. Send an email to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com with INFI-NET LOVE in the subject line telling us why you should get the ticket, and we'll pick a winner.
I recently had the pleasure of asking Dustin about the concept of his new solo album, psychedelic experiences, the LP's accompanying DVD, bands, and more...
BMI: Infinite Love is two tracks that both start and end in the same place, but each take their own course in getting there. Tell us about the ideas behind this concept?
DW: There is definitely an idea of fate and choice, but I'm also interested in the idea of conditioning. Ideally I'm hoping that when one switches from a version to the other an effect similar to a malfunctioned escalator would occur. If you've ever gone down or up a stopped escalator its so strange and its kind of a shock, the stairs looks like its actually moving and you end up stumbling. It happens to almost everybody. I want that shift in the listening ear.
With this new double LP the listener is meant to choose their own course, what advice would you give listeners when they make these choices?
My advice is not to alternate the 2 versions at first, I would get situated with one version. Stay with it for a while and if you feel like you got a lot out of it switch to the 2nd version. I think that shift will happen once you change.
The name of the album, Infinite Love, is a reference to a psychedelic experience of yours. Would you care to tell us about that experience?
I ate a good amount of mushrooms on my birthday last year. It started fine and fun but after a while the trip started get really dark and heavy. Me and my partner started to chant and sway around, Then I decided that I had to lye down. I think I said something like, "I'm going to give birth". So I was on my bed pushing like a pregnant mom would, flexing, then it was just peace, and I felt the love. I kept on repeatedly saying, "infinite love, infinite love... ". It felt like I could do anything, it was amazing. I experimented with salvia for a month or two this year and that has been really insightful as well, very interesting stuff.
Tonight the Soft House is in action, hosting a show that's sure to stimulate the ears and massage the brain. The lineup boasts Dustin Wong, Ami Dang, Greg Davis and Ben Vida, Michael Forbes, Andrew Scott Young and Weasel Walter.
This show's got a rather melodic range of sounds including ambient sitar, cosmic synths, free jazz, and guitar loop wizardry. Amanda from the Soft House also writes that there will be unique vegetarian sushi combinations available. The "spicy garden bagel roll" and "guacamole international" both sound well worth coming out for.
We are proud to present a Halloween show on Friday, October 29 that will feature Celebration, Sri Aurobindo, Microkingdom, and Dustin Wong. The event will take place at The G Spot, an ideal Baltimore space for channeling your inner-spook.
This will be Celebration's first non-festival Baltimore show since February, and the first since announcing plans to release Hello Paradise later this Winter on Friends Records. Expect to hear some new sounds from the band preceding this show.
Sri Aurobindo will blast yours ears backward, Microkingdom will boggle your mind sideways, and Dustin Wong will drop your jaws from the get-go. Microkingdom are tentatively scheduled to debut as a six-piece for this event, and will also be on the heals of releasing Three Compositions of No Jazz. Also, Dustin Wong will have just relinquished his highly anticipated new LP,Infinite Love.
MOLDY PROJECTIONS THAT WILL SHINE LIKE THE COSMOS.
