Photos: Oxes, Thank You, Witch Hat, Sri Aurobindo

Last weekend Friends Records hosted an epic lineup that included Thank You's final U.S. appearance and a rare (and powerful) set from Oxes. This all-Baltimore lineup also included the likes of Witch Hat and Sri Aurobindo, and Valerie was there to capture all the action. Don't sleep on Oxes' forthcoming 12". Also - thank you, Thank You.

Show: Oxes, Thank You, Witch Hat, Sri Aurobindo

poster by Chris Day

There have already been a handful of "show of the year" candidates, but this Saturday's G Spot bill is a hefty contender. As pointed out in Tuesday's piece that included a chat with band founder Jeff McGrath, this will be Thank You's last show in the United States of America before heading over to Europe for their final tour that concludes at ATP.



In addition, this will be the world's first chance at scoring the first U.S. Oxes release since 2005 - a new 12" called Bile Stbudy that will be limited to 650 copies.




Joining these two heavyweights Saturday evening will be Witch Hat and Sri Aurobindo, both fresh off new vinyl releases. Don't sleep on Brown in a Dog or Eyes, and definitely don't wait too long to grab tickets for this monster of a show.

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.

Sri Aurobindo - "No Coincidence"

Friends Records begins its takeover of the Windup Space tonight with Sri Aurobindo, Witch Hat, Birds of Avalon, and Happy Family. RSVP here, and to tomorrow's show here.

Sri Aurobindo's follow-up to their debut long player Cave Painting is near, and will be coming in the form of a double A-side 7" limited to 300 copies. The first taste was premiered yesterday on YVYNYL, an unmastered version of the track "No Coincidence".



"No Coincidence" is a raucous beast, but an offering that also shows off another side of these psychedelic warriors from Baltimore. From the depths of their garage comes this sonically-dense pop-laced scorcher, right in time for summer. A mastered version will appear on one side of this 7", while the other will house "Eyes" - another new track.

Both songs were produced at Chris Freelands's Beat Babies studio just outside of Baltimore. All artwork was designed by Will Pesta, who also did the flyer for tonight's show at the Windup with Sri Aurobindo, Witch Hat, Happy Family, and Birds of Avalon.



RSVP to tonight's show here, and pre-order the limited 7" from Friends Records here.

My Peak Is Too High

Went to the post office today and saw the biggest widow's peak I've ever seen.
Naturally, I rocked Sri Aurobindo's "My Peak is Too High" as soon as possible.



Sri Aurobindo play their first NYC show in a good while this weekend with Secret Mountains, Psychic Reality (ex Pocahaunted) and Quilt on Saturday, December 11 at Glasslands Gallery. Their new LP Cave Painting came out on wax this year.

Photos: Celebration, Sri Aurobindo, Microkingdom, Dustin Wong

Many thanks to those that came and experienced our show Friday, as Celebration, Sri Aurobindo, Microkingdom, and Dustin Wong made for an eclectic night of sounds.

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.

Tonight: Halloween @ The G Spot

Tonight is the Friends Records Halloween show at The G Spot in Baltimore. Performing will be Celebration, Sri Aurobindo, Microkingdom, and Dustin Wong. Tickets are here.

8:00 PM DOORS

8:30 - 9:00 DUSTIN WONG


9:10 - 9:45 MICROKINGDOM


9:55 - 10:40 SRI AUROBINDO


10:50 - 12:00 CELEBRATION

Tonight: Moon Duo and Sri Aurobindo at Golden West

The streak of psychedelics continues tonight at the Golden West with a heavy bill of Moon Duo (members of Wooden Shjips), Rangda, Sri Aurobindo, and Sweaty Aura.





This is a stacked bill more than worth getting there on time for, and starts at 10 PM. It will run ya seven bucks, and is all ages. Peep Moon Duo's video for "Killing Time" below.

Show: Celebration, Sri Aurobindo, Microkingdom, & Dustin Wong - 10/29 at The G Spot

Flyer by Chris Day. Really big, screen-printed copies at show for $5 each.

BUY TICKETS HERE.

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.

Friends Records Philly Showcase

Bmore's Friends Records presents its first out of town showcase. We're taking over a space called The Ox in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 18. Microkingdom, Height with Friends, Sri Aurobindo, Soft Cat, and more will be performing.



Flyer is by the always rad Chris Day and Neal Reinalda, both of Losts Ghosts and Open Space acclaim. Some of these bands will also be playing a show here in Baltimore the Friday night prior, details forthcoming...

Sri Aurobindo - Live at WTMD

Sri Aurobindo's new LP Cave Painting has been blasting the world with a psych rock force fit for scuzz-craved ears and low end fiends abound. The Baltimore band was recently invited into the studios at WTMD, and the results are below.



The recording above is for a show on WTMD called Baltimore Unsigned, which is hosted by the Baltimore Sun writer Sam Sessa. Much thanks to Sam and the producers at WTMD for letting us offer up the session for free download above.



The set features four songs, three off of Cave Painting, but also "Nobody's Child" off of their first album. It also gains a look inside the improvisational minds of the band members. Sri Aurobindo's next Baltimore show is September 15 at the Golden West with Moon Duo. The band will also be a part of a Friends Records showcase in Philadelphia on September 18 at the Ox with Microkingdom, Height with Friends, Soft Cat, and more.

Tonight: Real Estate, Kurt Vile, Sri Aurobindo, Lands and Peoples

poster by Beth Varden

Tonight the Ottobar's got one that I helped set up awhile back, and am very excited about. Real Estate and Kurt Vile come to town, and are preceded by two of my favorite bands in Baltimore.



If you caught my last post, you'll know that this will be the first time Sri Aurobindo's new LP will be available. We'll have a stack of Cave Painting on green translucent wax - all of which are accompanied by a screen printed insert by Chris Day and a CD copy of the full album. Listen to and download Cave Painting here.



Lands & Peoples are amidst putting together their debut full length, but are fresh off a split release with INEVERYROOM - of which there are just a few of those cassettes left. This is a band that is more than worth showing up on time for, so be sure to get to the Ottobar tonight by 9 PM when they'll go on first.

I likely don't need to tell you Kurt Vile and Real Estate both rule...



Video of the headliners, Real Estate after the jump.

Sri Aurobindo - Cave Painting

The second release in Friends Records vinyl catalog is available today, Sri Aurobindo's Cave Painting LP. This is the bands's first proper full length, after two EPs last year.



Friends Records is selling the vinyl here, which comes with a CD of the album for free. The album is currently streaming in full and being offered for download over on the label's bandcamp site, and will be available digitally at all major outlets in the coming weeks. Hear Cave Painting below.



The first 250 copies of FR002 are pressed to green translucent vinyl, and the latter half is on virgin black wax. Each comes with a screen printed insert by one of our most talented friends, Chris Day. We are very excited to help archive and spread this massive load of psychedelia, and hope to see those around Baltimore at the Ottobar this evening with Real Estate, Kurt Vile, Sri Aurobindo, and Lands & Peoples.

Sri Aurobindo
Cave Painting

2010 Friends Records
FR002
500 copies
140g colored vinyl

Side A
1. Cave Painting
2. Soul Vibrations Of Man
3. Towards The Sun
4. My Peak Is Too High
5. Find The Door

Side B
6. My Luv Is Stoned
7. Banyan Grove
8. Don’t Know
9. Rest My Mind

Sri Aurobindo - "My Luv Is Stoned"

Above is the back of the LP jacket for Sri Aurobindo's forthcoming record, Cave Painting. The photo was taken by member Mike Romano on top of their house in Charles Village. The vinyl will be available within the next few weeks, hopefully in time for the band's show with Real Estate, Kurt Vile, and Lands & Peoples at the Ottobar on July 12.



You Ain't No Picasso premiered the download for another new track, and Friends Records just put "My Luv Is Stoned" up for a free download available in all digital formats. Have at it above, and you'll likely be just as stoked as we've been for months about this release. "Soul Vibrations of Man" and the front cover art is after the jump.

Friends and Friends of Friends: Sri Aurobindo, Shields, Daytime

Friends and Friends of Friends was made available digitally for free this week, 60 minutes of new music somehow rooted in Baltimore by Friends Records.

Sri Aurobindo have been making psychedelic rock and roll in Baltimore for years, but just last year released their debut CD. They also dropped Return Into Earth later in 2009, and now the second LP of the Friends Records catalog will be Cave Painting. This is their first proper full length, and first vinyl release.

Cave Painting is almost exactly 20 minutes on each side, and embodies everything this band has been about since their inception - Garage rock psychedelics with a pop twist. "Don't Know" is one of the finer chunks of proof that these are properly uncovered sounds. The band dug deep to contribute a live on-air gem recorded at College Park's WMUC a couple years ago.



Greg over at Aural States also premiered the studio version of "Don't Know" a few weeks back. Hear new things from Shields and Daytime after the jump.


Mike Romano was once a member of Vincent Black Shadow, but for the past five years has been with Sri Aurobindo. All while creating the psych rock sounds, Mike's had a knack for building blissed out hip hop beats under the moniker Shields.

You'll find Shields beats littered over Height's Winterize the Game, and on some of Jones' record. Mike was also behind "Cold Crush" which will be on Bed of Seeds. Shields has a new LP in the works, and "Dangx2" is a brand new track from this beat-smith.




Neil Renalda is Daytime, best known for his artwork and dedication to Open Space. Neal also designed the mega fancy cover art for Strange Cultures. Daytime is an experimental ambient noise project, melodic sounds that paint beautiful imagery of with often very rough edges. I've already highly recommended Mirrored World, and he's got a handful of other fine sounds available over at Lost Ghosts Records.

Clusterf*ck: Shows in Baltimore this Weekend

There's a lot to do this weekend, so let' get to clusterf*cking. This one is a bit of a Friends Records edition, as bands from all three of our upcoming LPs are playing shows.



Tonight, the Hexagon is stacked so grab a six pack or flask of your favorite spirit and get ready for a pretty diverse bill. Baltimore's Weekends, Jones, and Talk to Animals, are paired with DC's BLDGS and Boston's Bone Zones... yes, the name's Bone Zone. This party will run ya six beans, and as always the Hexagon is BYOB. See you there.

Sonar is sporting a massive one tonight as well, with the biggest ambient soul project in all the land coming to town. Taxlo's got The XX, but unfortunately if this is the first you are hearing of it you're out of luck. This one's sold out, but there's an after party at Sonar with Jamie from The XX DJing that does not require a ticket to the show. The after party starts at 10 PM.



Saturday night you'll likely want to be in the Annex/Copycat corridor. Height with Friends and Nuclear Power Pants bring the veggie oil fueled bus back to Baltimore, playing a big 'ol homecoming show at The Good Son with AK Slaughter, Gavin Riley, and Drew Swineburne. Nuclear Power Pants will also be releasing their new cassette single for "Uh Oh Maxi". And, Height's new LP will be ready for your turntables in just a couple weeks.



Over at Pet Cemetary, there's another massive lineup with Weekends, True Womanhood, Ava Luna, Cop Magnet, and Silent Whys. A lot of these folks have releases with the Baltimore digital label Environmental Aesthetics, and also a lot of these folks are awesome. There is one more show in the vicinity, with Nothingberryplasma, Total Bolsheviks, Andrew Bernstein, and Comeback Ranch all playing over at The F401tress.



Oh and hey, you've got two more swell options Saturday night with Rapdragons playing their release party for Ten Stories Highjacked, and the Oranges Band playing their 10th anniversary show at the Ottobar.



If you survived Saturday night's ambush, then Sunday's got a stellar free show upstairs at the Ottobar. Sri Aurobindo and Jack Chick play El Suprimo's 7th birthday party. Get psyched.

Friends Records

Friends Records is a project by Brett Yale (me) and Jimmy MacMillan (the Sound Garden). We are launching today, and you can find us over at friendsrecordsbaltimore.com. Our first four releases are all set, here's what's to come:

FR001 WEEKENDS – Strange Cultures (Spring 2010)
FR002 SRI AUROBINDO – Cave Painting (Spring 2010)
FR003 FUTURE ISLANDS / LONNIE WALKER - split (August 2010)
FR004 HEIGHT WITH FRIENDS – Bed of Seeds (Spring 2010)

All will be on vinyl, with our first three Spring releases limited to 500 copies - of which are at pressing plants as we speak. The screen printed concept by Neal Reinalda for the new Weekends album is above, and here's the first premiere off of Strange Cultures.



This is the short version of "Raingirls", while the vinyl will feature an exclusive seven minute version. Strange Cultures was mixed and mastered by Rob Girardi. Check out art and brand new tracks from our other two Spring releases below.


Sri Aurobindo's Cave Painting will be pressed to green colored vinyl, and will be available in May. Above is the label sticker for side A of the vinyl, and the cover art will be ready very soon. Today we are premiering "Soul Vibrations of Man" (below), and look for another new track to surface over at Aural States later this week.




Height with Friends' Bed of Seeds will be available in early May, and sounds have already been readily flowing. The artwork for this one is finished, designed by Emily Slaughter with font/type set by Nolen Strales. Here's another new track, "Dreams Don't Always Come True".



While we here at Bmore Musically Informed promise to keep bringing you the same news and opinions on all things Baltimore music, expect the occasional updates on our Friends Records releases and artists. We've got a lot more planned with the label, so stay tuned for news on a compilation, a debut party, and much more.

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.

Clusterf*ck: Shows in Baltimore this Weekend

Clusterfuck is back on full force this weekend in Baltimore, with some options for your ears every night starting this evening. Tonight one great option is at Open Space, where you are invited to "stand in the cement room" and catch Swamp Tease, Witch Hat, Ancestral Diet, and Taboo. Choosing another path might find you at the Ottobar, where Turbo Fruits and Sal Bando play with our favorite local psych force Sri Aurobindo.

Friday evening offers the probable highlight of the weekend, as Celebration play a very special show at the Creative Alliance. The night begins with $6 chili and drink specials, but is capped off with an acoustic AND electric set by Celebration. While their Electric Tarot project might appear to be at a standstill online, the band had been hard at work recording some new tunes. You can still get a peek at some of these new jams from our audio of their last show at LOF.



Check out your three options for Saturday after the jump.

Saturday offers a killer variety of options, most likely a decision that's meant to be made on the fly depending on your mood. If you want to be a part of the likely destruction of the Golden West, head there to catch Drunkdriver. This is a rowdy and fantastic punk band from New York, and my thoughts and prayers are with the moose on the wall.

If destroying restaurants ain't your thing, you've got two more options. Everyone's favorite local free-punk jazzers Microkingdom are at the Penthouse Gallery with Daytime, Sky Way, and Not the Wind, Not the Sky. Daytime's Mirrored World still get's late night plays in my rotation, a disc I mentioned digging late last year.

Last but not least, the always polite Thank You headline the Zodiac. This one's supported by Silk Flowers, DJ John Eaton, and the uncomfortably entertaining Funny Clown. This one will run you just 3 dollars and starts at 10 PM.

Live MP3s: Sri Aurobindo @ the G Spot 1/29/10

This was Sri Aurobindo's first live show in awhile, as the band has spent the last several months focusing on putting together their next LP. It was apparent that these guys had an itching to play, blasting through a set heavy in new things.

The new tracks heard will be found on their next full length, which will be part of the inaugural round of new LPs on our soon-to-be-debuted Friends Records. The upcoming record was the result of a long amount of time spent in Chris Freeland's Beat Babies studio, and the final mastering touches were completed last week. The LP is to be dubbed Cave Paintings, and I can't tell you how excited I am to send it off to get pressed to vinyl in the coming week.



With much thanks to Charlie Hughes, their first live set of 2010 was captured in full. Stream one of my personal favorites, "Soul Vibrations of Man", above, and download the full set below.

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

They don't make music like this anymore folks, get details on the live recording below.


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

Setlist
Cave Painting
My Luv is Stoned
Soul Vibrations of Man
Vertical Electric
Nobody's Child
Find The Door