It's been made pretty clear that these dudes have put out one of the finest albums of the year in On The Water, and today they hit the road with Ed Schrader's Music Beat.
Tonight Future Islands play Black Cat's main stage down in D.C. with Javelin on support for the first leg of their massive tour. William Cashion, Sam Herring, and Gerrit Welmers celebrated the release of their new record last week at the intimate confines of The Depot, and Valerie was there to capture all the action.
Tour dates are right here, and more photos after the jump.
Operating under the moniker Ed Schrader's Music Beat, Ed Schrader has a new band. Joining Schrader over the past year has been Devlin Rice, who was added to play bass with Ed when "he was asked to play a rave in Baltimore." It's been working out rather well since, as Ed continues to enforce his drum and vocal performance but now with the added bonus of Devlin's bass. Here's their first proper recording.
"Rats" is the first single, due out on a 7" via Load Records this week. It is a fine example of the pulsing simplicity that E.S.M.B. does best, driving a point home with insanely raw power. The song gets off to a quick start as Schrader's lyrics start with the rats themselves, questioning why they "wanna go and kill our haircut." When the beat slows down, and Devlin's bass becomes more anthemic, Ed recites a more grandiose verse:
"From the musk to the man to the guillotine, from the musk to the man to the satellites of death."
You begin to get the picture that Ed might not be talking about actual rats, though being from Baltimore, it's still a strong possibility. "Rats" boasts a stellar production team, as it was recorded by Twig Harper and mixed by Chester Endersby Gwazda. The 7" is due out soon, but the full length called Jazzmind is slated to drop on Load Records this fall. Ed Schrader's Music Beat hits the road tomorrow, dates are after the jump.
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 NuppingFriday 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.
Child Bite are always a good time when they come around these parts, and paired with Ed Schrader's new band with Devlin Rice, this one's a no brainer. Ed Schrader's Music Beat has a new LP due out on Load Records, details of which are currently TBA.
This show at Golden West starts at 10 PM, costs five dollars, and you can RSVP here.
This weekend there's a few things worth noting, including Open Space's second annual Publication & Multiples Fair. The event takes places on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 PM, and features offerings from some of the best creative outlets in town.
Tonight, the Hexagon has you covered with a performance by Ed Schrader's Music Beat. Amongst other's joining that bill tonight, Creepoid will be gracing Baltimore with their presence. Spawned from Philly's The G, who I interviewed a few years ago, folks are fresh off the release of a rad new LP. Peep the first video below.
Tonight's show at the Hexagon starts at 10 PM and you can RSVP here.
Two rad shows tonight more than worth mentioning, as Lower Dens, Dope Body, and Ed Schrader's Music Beat all play shows this evening. Lower Dens headlines the Ottobar with Magik Markers, and Dope Body and Ed Schrader's Music Beat host some touring bands at the Bell Foundry. Ottobar is $8 and starts at nine, Bell Foundry is $5 and starts at ten.
