Tonight: Zomes, Witch Hat, Weekends, Beyond Say

Witch Hat - "Blood People"

This article and song originally premiered earlier today on Impose Magazine.

Witch Hat  is the rising Baltimore punk trio of Chris Day, Noel Freibert, and Conor Stechschulte. Connor and Noel have been creating blunt and physical horror tunes together since 2006, while Chris (Vlonde, Bear & Pieces) joined in 2008. Brown in a Dog is to be the band's first proper full length, after nearly ten self-released cassettes and CDRs. The vinyl is out in a few weeks, but here is the first taste.



Believe it or not this six minute stomper is the edited version, with the album's proper cut clocking in at over nine gruesome minutes. "Blood People" is a tale of very close friends physically conforming to one another to escape the drowning sorrows of day-to-day life. It drives the album's relentless tone deep into your skull, a journey full of both material despair and "hard-nosed tom-foolery."

The starkly grotesque Brown in a Dog was produced in a body shop paint booth by Baltimore's Craig Bowen. It was mastered by Charlie Pilzer, whose eclectic career includes a Grammy for mastering and restoring the Anthology of American Folk Music.

With the arrival of Brown in a Dog will also come the release of a split 7-inch that includes exclusive cuts from Zomes (Asa Osborne of Lungfish) and Witch Hat. Both the the new 12-inch and the 7-inch are available in a few weeks on Friends Records.

Pre-order Witch Hat's Brown in a Dog LP right here.

Tonight: Lichens, Soft Circle, Zomes, Eachothers

Mixtape: Baltimore: Spring 2011

  art by Caleb Moore

This morning I posted a new seasonal mixtape on Impose, titled Baltimore: Spring 2011.


DOWNLOAD: [SIDE A] Baltimore: Spring 2011
1. Zomes - "Openings"
2. Weekends - "Home Alone (acoustic)"
3. Ken Seeno - "Cedilla in My Monogram"
4. Lands & Peoples - "Sexting"
5. White Life - "Real Things"
6. Eachothers - "Wild Yonder"
7. Microkingdom - "Aire Metal (Chopped and Screwed)"
8. Ponytail - "Honey Touches"
9. Adventure - "Feels Like Heaven"
10. Daytime - "Life / Afterlife (edit)"
11. Ecstatic Sunshine - "Hello Money"


DOWNLOAD: [SIDE B] Baltimore: Spring 2011
1. Celebration - "Only The Wicked (acoustic)"
2. Zu Shapes - "Olivia"
3. Moss of Aura - "Charter"
4. Winks - "Slap Me Choke Me Cum On You"
5. Dope Body - "The Shape of Grunge To Come"
6. Inflatable Mattress - "Green Tea Girlfriend"
7. Thank You - "Pathetic Magic (Dan Deacon remix)"
8. Avocado Happy Hour - "Daytime Television"
9. Gem Vision - "Untitled 1"

Video: Skull Defekts with Daniel Higgs and Zomes

Last night in Philadelphia at Danger Danger Gallery, Zomes joined Daniel Higgs and the Skull Defekts for a song. Video comes via Occult Vibrations. Floristree tonight.

Show: Skull Defekts w/ Daniel Higgs, Zomes, Microkingdom

Tomorrow night Floristree hosts an epic event that features half of Lungfish. Need I even say more? Probably not, but here's some more details for those who require them.



Daniel Higgs' most recent work has been with the Swedish band known as The Skull Defekts. Higgs took over as front man for their new LP dubbed Peer Amid, and has been touring with them over the past month. The LP is out now on Thrill Jockey, and sports eight tracks drenched in psychedelic punk not often seen in 2011. Highly recommended.



Support includes Zomes (Asa Osborne of Lungfish), who has a new LP called Earth Grid due out soon. Microkingdom will be channeling their inner no-jazz for this affair as well, fresh off the release of their first proper LP via Friends Recs.

This show starts at 9 PM, will cost you $7, and you can RSVP right here.

Zomes - "Openings"

Asa Osborne is certainly more than just an iconic figure of Baltimore's scene, guitarist of Lungfish, and purveyor of Zomes. Osborne continues to instill output far beyond this universe, and it's the more intimate and deeply personal sounds of Zomes that allow you to see what this Baltimore mainstay really represents.



"Openings" is appropriately the first track of the forthcoming Zomes record, which will be his second full length under his solo moniker. The new album is called Earth Grid and comes via the good folks at Thrill Jockey. I've had a chance to spend a bit of time with the new LP, and am pleased to report that it's more of the same personal and reflective meditations achieved via fuzzy tones and hypnotizing melodies.

Zomes records synths and simple drum beats straight to tape, producing just the right amount of hiss and distortion to create textures that are totally unique to this project. While the melodies and beats might be simple and repetitive, the subtle variations and deep textures are what make these songs what they are -- total meditative bliss.

Look out for some more good news on Zomes from us in the very near future.

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.

Barn Aid is now Monday @ Golden West (and is cheaper!)

Major changes to Barn Aid were just announced, here are the new plans...

Springfield Farms is a lovely establishment up in Sparks, Maryland that supplies The Golden West and other Baltimore kitchens with local food. Unfortunately, the farm is currently undergoing a costly legal battle involving barn zoning.



Supporters of the culinary and musical variety have joined forced to put together Barn Aid, which will take place Monday, September 20th at The Golden West. Performing will be Wye Oak, Birdland (Sean and Katrina of Celebration), and DJ Jason Willett.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the farm, and tickets are on a sliding scale of 10-15 dollars. The event starts at 9 PM this Monday at the Golden West.

Daniel Higgs - Say God

Baltimore legend Daniel Higgs is likely one of the more intriguing musical spirits to grace your ears. If his current outlet of spoken word and ambient folk hasn't yet hypnotically captivated you at one of his more recent live sets, it's more than likely his pipes that fronted Lungfish have once inspired you.

Daniel Higgs recently released a brand new full length called Say God, which came out about a month ago on Thrill Jockey. I have been spending a lot of time with this double LP, which the vinyl came beautifully packaged in a gate-fold jacket.

The recordings do a magnificent job of capturing his current live sets, entrancing you with Higgs' words and sounds that are head-deep in mystical transcendence. When watching Daniel perform, I have always felt as if you're being given the opportunity to gaze inside the mind of Mr. Higgs, and Say God feels no different. Take a listen.


Daniel Higgs - "Say God" [via]

The production is more than certainly worth noting, with textures that have the feel of field recordings, rooms filled with wood floors, and tapes from live sets. "Say God", the third track on the album, uses a live recording of Zomes performing a show in North Carolina last year. The album was produced by the always wonderful David Sitek (TV on the Radio, Celebration), with help from Higgs also.

The ambient gospel of Say God will likely be one of the more important releases to come out of our city this year. I highly recommend snatching this one on wax, and plan to begin indulging with your mind as open as can be.

After the jump you'll find some nice footage of a performance from 12/9/09.

Photos: Warpaint, Secret Mountains, & Lands and Peoples at the Ottobar

Better late than never, here is Valerie's photo set from last Tuesday night's Ottobar show. Warpaint, Lands and Peoples, and Secret Mountains all provided lush soundscapes for those who attended.

Warpaint were an extremely talented closer, a female foursome hailing from Los Angeles. These ladies have heralded a ton of praise as of late, and last week they showed Baltimore why. Their stage presence was endearing, and their pop touched with psych was hazily beautiful. I highly reccomend their debut EP, Exquisite Corpse.

Lands and Peoples were a band to keep an eye on last year, and have sure enough began to come into their own in 2010. Their sound has expanded, along with their lineup as they've added a bassist. Last Tuesday offered a taste of some of the new things they've been working on, as they recently spent a week in Chris Freeland's studio recording a new album. However, the highlight of the set had to be their closing cover of Zomes' "Sentient Beings", of which the original is streaming below.



Get the rest of last Tuesday's photo set after the click.

Warpaint






Lands and Peoples






Secret Mountains







Photos by Valerie

Live MP3s: Deacon of Animal Collective at the Ottobar (+ photos w/ Dan Higgs, Jason Urick, Zomes, Moss of Aura)

Deacon, or Joshua "Deakin" Dibb of Animal Collective, played his first ever solo show on the first night of the new decade here in Baltimore, Maryland. This show was a precursor to his trip to Africa, where he was invited to play the Festival au Desert in Mali.

This was the unveiling of his solo material, and part of an amazing evening at the Ottobar that included Jason Urick, Daniel Higgs, Zomes, and Moss of Aura.

Below are the MP3s of Deacon's set, and photos from the entire night.


Deacon played five new songs, all of which he's decided to exist unnamed for the time being. Josh said he'd update me with track names once he had reached Germany from Africa and had a better internet connection. Here's the audio, but please link to this post when sharing it with others:

MP3s: Deacon live at the Ottobar - January 1, 2010

Taper: Charlie Hughes
Soundboard: Rob Girardi
Ottobar 1/1/10 Baltimore, MD

Chrissy Abbott was able to shoot the whole night, and the full photo set is in the flash gallery at the bottom. Deacon is currently in Africa, and plans to write a book and put out a new album in 2010. Look for real nice things to come.

Normally I'd share my thoughts on new material, especially for those that have inspired us in so many ways. However, for this night I just want the content to be out there, and the show to be remembered.


Daniel Higgs


Jason Urick


Moss of Aura (Gerritt Welmers of Future Islands)


Zomes


Photos by Chrissy

Hello, 2010.

Deacon of Animal Collective's First Solo Show this Friday!

In case you missed out on the well-deserved media blitz that was Merriweather Post Pavillion this year, Animal Collective was a trio for their latest releases. Deakin (now spelled Deacon), the original fourth member who helped shape the majority of their catalog has been on hiatus, taking a step away.

Deacon has just announced his first ever solo show, and it will be here in Baltimore this Friday January 1, 2010. It will be at the Ottobar with the legendary Dan Higgs, innovative Jason Urick, and promising Moss of Aura (solo Future Islands project).

Read on for the full details, and to enter a giveaway for free passes to this one.

Very little output has derived from Deakin as of late, besides a smattering of remixes here and there throughout the year. With good reason, folks will be stoked for this show, as this will be the first taste of his new material. Come see him play before he heads to Africa, where he'll be performing at Festival Au Desert and touring with Panda Bear.

Local icon Daniel Higgs opened for Animal Collective at the Ottobar this year, the first show of a massive MPP tour. His recent performances have been a must-see, a man responsible for some of the most important artistic output Baltimore has had to offer.

Jason Urick, whose Husbands was one of our favorite albums of 2009, will be opening along with Moss of Aura. Moss of Aura is Future Islands synth master Gerritt Welmers' fantastic solo project. This show is all ages, and will start at 8:30 PM.

Email bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail with DEACON SHOW in the subject line, and let us know you'd like a pair of free passes to this one. I'll pick a winner the morning of the show, whenever I wake up from the prior evening's activities.

Check out the video for Moss of Aura's "Hope" below.

Jason Urick: Husbands

I am extremely excited to present you with our first piece from James MacMillan. Jimmy is a friend, musical mentor, and record junky that has inspired me aurally in many ways. If he's not working at Soundgarden gushing over a hundred different records you must buy, he's at home tending to his ridiculous collection of vinyl. His first review is about a local icon's recent solo affair, and is one that hit him very close to home. You can catch Jason Urick at the Hexagon tonight, with Zomes, Dustin Wong, and Vows. (photo by Josh Sisk)

Husbands, which hits us via Thrill Jockey, is the debut solo LP from former WZT Hearts wizard Jason Urick. Consisting of four tracks that break the 44 minute marker, one thing is very clear early on in this record: this is not a WZT Hearts record. Gone is the overwhelming confusion and disorienting chaos. What remains is a masterful piece that moves gracefully from beginning to end. Urick operates with such precision and grace you would think that the album was an effortless creation. You would be wrong. Intricate and highly detailed, the textures on this record shine with various elements that all culminate in what could be one of the best records of the year.

Album opener "Strides" is a slow builder that sets the tone for the whole record. Gently rolling back and forth while an ever present and foreboding tone builds from underneath until it is bubbling over the top by the end of the song. The song evokes intimate images and quickly transforms the listener to the dream like state that they will remain in until the end of the album.

"Let There Be Love" drifts along with the promise of something bigger for all of its 10 minutes. Being the only track to feature some sort of a vocal melody it feels like it is constantly building up to become a huge, bright and stunning anthem of a song. However the song ends as competently as it begins. Leaving "what could be" to the imagination of the listener may be where this album succeeds the most.

The epic "National Treasure" is the highlight of the record for me. For over 17 minutes this track hypnotically reveals itself, twisting along through multiple rhythms, it never really settles in one particular landscape. After many many listens, I still get something unique and fresh out of this song every time i hear it.

Closer "The Eternal Return" opens up the floodgates and Jason Urick finally seems to make good on the promises that the album seem to make with each of its previous songs. It opens with a collection of samples featuring children speaking. About a minute into this a fuzzed-out buzz saw of a tone seems to cut through the whole thing with deliberate attack and the song has begun. Just as delicately timed in the swaying tempo of the previous 3 tracks, this one veers off course and suddenly the safe dreamscape is gone. It is loud and obtrusive and it demands your attention.

Urick has made one of my favorite records of the year and it will find its way onto my turntable for a long time to come. He seems to have everything exactly where he wants it and it is dispatched exactly when he wants. However, "Husbands" is the kind of album that I would never trust a review of. The whole record is left up to the interpretation of the listener. This collection of songs inspires heavy doses of imagery, those mental pictures are often very personal and up to the individual listening to the record. If you are in a happy place this album will often sound shiny and promising with each new sound. If you are in the midst of a dark point, the album can seem very gloomy and apocalyptic.

This is the kind of album that should not be read about, it should just be listened to and experienced for what it is worth. Nobody should give you any expectations about what you should feel when you listen to this record, as it is a very personal and intimate experience for both you and Jason Urick. Be sure to pick up a copy of this vinyl only release as it is limited to just 800 copies.

Thank You: Pathetic Magic

Currently off touring Europe, Baltimore's Thank You have a new release dropping September 29th. Pathetic Magic comes at us via Thrill Jockey, a label home to many other fine acts from the city of charm.

If Terrible Two resembled the raw aggression of Haloti Ngata storming the middle, Pathetic Magic is more like Ed Reed precisely calculating each and every next step. I loved Terrible Two, a record drenched in fierce energy and tons of force. But the new EP packs two new tracks, both driven by carefully places melodies, smooth noise, and yet again some killer drumming.

Aggressive percussions are again the focus, with "Pathetic Magic" opening the record. A sprawling affair with slicing guitars, heavy lows, splintered riffs, and some stellar bass chops. "Strange All" steadies down the pace, with tribal chants leading the charge. The noised out rhythms of the center break way to a melodic anthem of sorts, leaving behind a fantastic aftertaste. These could easily be their two best songs to date.

Side B is backed with three remixes, all found within the comforts of 695. Dan Deacon lends a hand, adding his signature digs, an electronically induced symphony of building euphoria. Asa Osborne, of Zomes and Lungfish fame, also graces the record's presence. Jason Urick contributes to a track as well, on the heels of his own Thrill Jockey release dubbed Husbands. I'll have more on Husbands soon, but for now start salivating at this upcoming limited release and just be confused by this ridiculous cover art.

Thank You are now in Europe, but look for some shows when they get back in November.