Tonight: Noble Lake / Virgin Forest

Tonight the mostly local trio, Noble Lake, croon the crowd at the Talking Head. Opening will be Virgin Forest, a Brooklyn group who feature members of Phosphorescent.

Half of Noble Lake comprise of Andy Stack and Jen Wasner, who make up the entirety of Wye Oak. Andy plays mostly upright bass for Noble Lake, and Jen is known to rock either the banjo, guitar, or harmonium. As Andy's freakish multi-instrumentalist talents are evident in Wye Oak, same goes to show for the musicians of Noble Lake. James Sarsgaard makes up 1/4 of the outfit, and is the band's singer and songwriter.

The sound is a bit different from the lush and beautiful noise of Wye Oak , as Sarsgaard's country twang and rootsy Americana take the forefront. The trio released its first full length titled Heyday via Creative Capitalism last summer. And in related release news, word on the street is that Andy and Jen are currently working on their next Wye Oak LP for Merge.

The show tonight at the Talking Head starts around 8 and is similarly priced at 8 dollars. Young Sir Jim is also opening the affair. Expect beards, lots of them.

Danny Greenwald's If You Cry Wolf

A welcome addition to Baltimore's extensive gazey scene, Danny Greenwald is formally introducing himself to the world today. In a less expansive introduction, I first mentioned Danny a few weeks ago when he appeared on a free compilation of traditional covers. Among the likes of Wye Oak, members of Arbouretum, Deer Tick, Phosphorecent and Caleb Stine, he was a more than hopeful addition to the mix.

Danny Greenwald is releasing his freshly pressed EP today, with an album release party on College Park's WMUC to be broadcast tonight. Credit the local folk-gaze enthusiast for the EP's wide array of instrumentation. But much appreciation is also due to Wax and Wane's Ari Schenck, the engineer behind the EP's brilliant mixing and mastering.

Having previewed the album over the weekend, If You Cry Wolf provided me with a plethora of comfortable sounds and thoughts far too familiar to most of us. It is an inspiringly overcast affair that your ears will most certainly thank you for. The album implicates much to come from Danny, with some local shows already in the works.

I highly recommend tuning into WMUC's Teenage Riot at 8 pm this evening, as it can be streamed live right here. Below are 2 exclusive sample's off the EP, "For the Both of Us" and the introspective "Reigns on 95". Enjoy, and tune in tonight.

The Old Lonesome Sound

Splice Today clearly had an itchin for some good ol' fashioned country jams. The site recently put together a highly recommended free mp3 mixtape of traditional folk songs interpreted by tons of high caliber musicians.

A hefty bulk of the compilation is filled with Baltimore artists. Wye Oak's rendition of "Black is the Color of..." is eerily brilliant and freshly added to my yellow playlist. Other locals include Caleb Stine, Dave Heumann & Stephen Strohmeir, Danny Greenwald, Noble Lake, Walker and Jay, Tommy Tucker, and Payola Reserve. Notable artists from more distant lands include Deer Tick, Phosphorescent, and Headlights.

The mix is solid throughout, but one lesser known artist deserves your attention. Danny Greenwald is hoping to have his debut ready within the month. And if the demos I've heard are any indication, prepare your ears for a feast.

Mr. Greenwald was kind enough to let me stream a sample from the upcoming album. As for the release, College Park's WMUC is broadcasting a live CD Release show of Danny on March 9th at 8 PM. Stay tuned for more details.

Exclusively stream "Thats Not Very Nice of You" below.