Sri Aurobindo

Tomorrow's Aural States Fest is not only blessed with proven talent with the likes of Arbouretem and Wye Oak. Sri Aurobindo are one of the up and coming acts that are sure to impress folks abound.

Imagine if the Doors and Amon Duul II were frozen in the 60's, and recently melted only to play in their mom's garage together. If that combo gets you all giddy, then Sri Aurobindo just might be for you.

Aural States is hosting a free MP3 of the first track off their upcoming album, have at it. They are first up on the club stage at 9 pm (via AS). Again, tix are just $10.

*Edit (1/30): Sri Aurobindo's extremely limited debut is now available. Soundgarden had copies yesterday but I'm unsure if any are left. There will only be 199 copies of this ridiculously fantastic album, so grabbing one tonight might be your only chance.

Interview: Brian Adam Ant

Brian Adam Ant is back in action in these here parts. His new group Deekee Zjevotneya sports members from other local projects, and unveils their new-found sound Saturday at the Talking Head.

The show is a CD release party for Northermost, with Caestles and Old Man Family Band also filling the bill. 5 bucks gets you a ticket and a CD.

Mr. Ant of Dirty Marmaduke Flude Squad, Evolve, and other varying fame, recently spoke with me about what to expect from the new project and their local debut:

Pronunciation? Dee-Kee Sha-vot-nia. It's Russian for "wild animals".

Band Members? Origins? Charlie Hughes, guitar/vox and also played in Nice Zombies and SciFi and the Sunflowers. Andy Thomas, who used to be the drummer for Wailsounds. And bass player, Jake the Snakemaster. Origin currently unknown.

Genre? A rock band that plays 3 1/2 minute songs that are catchy, not vapid.

Influences? We all share love for the Beatles, Pixies, & Kinks.

Choice of peaunut butter? Chunky! Chunky chunky chunky superchunky.

Recording? In process right now at our house off Falls Road.

Expect gigantic things to come from Deekee Zjevotneya, start by seeing them Saturday.

Aural States Fest

The Aural States Fest is this weekend. Friday night @ Sonar feautures some of Baltimore's finest: Arbouretem, Wye Oak, and Small Sur. The 2 staged event also boasts Caverns, Imperial China, Lo Moda, Hollywood, Pleasant Livers, Andy Abelow, and Cannot Be Stopped. Hot damn.

All for only 10 bucks, its a pretty ridiuclous and diverse bill all around. Get there early enough on Friday and you might get a free goodie bag with CDs, MP3s, and merch. The fun continues Saturday night at the Whole Gallery with CEX and Craig Sopo.

Click here for free MP3's of the bands.

My Girls Video

Pikesville's biggest band ever, Animal Collective's closest gig to their hometown will be May 11th at the 930 club. Will MPP be played @ MPP this summer?

Progress Report: Kenny G

Recently discussing the all time best grocery store jams, good 'ol Kenny G naturally came to my mind. King of the bread aisle, you likely wonder what Kenny has been up to every time you're deciding between white or rye.

I decided to handle this corporate mega blog style and give you an update on Mr. G's whereabouts. I'd say Kenny's Guinness record breaking 45 minute long saxophone note was a high point back in 1997, but it seems mop top is still saxin' it up.

More recently, Kenny got nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2008 (but did not win), and guest starred on an ABC television show called Dirty Sexy Money. He is also a partial owner of Starbuck’s, and is allergic to shellfish (via wiki).

This perpetuated one of the most boring and disturbing youtube searches in the history of the internet. Not sure if this one originally debuted on The Grind, but the video for 1994’s Grammy award-winning “Forever in Love” sports half naked children in a field touching each other.

Kenny creepily shows face in an all black pitched screen, his standard video backdrop for soprano sax solos. The following may or may not be NSFW, but I do guarantee it will waste your time in a pretty uncomfortable way.

Sony BMG opted to disable the embedding option on this video, hmm.

The Golden Filter, Future Islands, & Smart Growth

You can pretty much plan to spend the entirety of next weekend at the Sonar/Talking Head space with 3 shows worth your attention. More on the other two later, Thursday the 29th welcomes The Golden Filter.

The mysterious disco groove entity makes its way down from NYC to headline the Taxlo endorsed bill. Future Islands will be performing their brand of synth rock, another chance for those who have not yet picked up the Wave Like Home full length to get their act together and do so. Opening will be Smart Growth, completing the evening's solid lineup.

Hope

Reptilian's Physical Presence is Extinct

Longtime local record slinger Reptilian Records is shutting down shop January 18th. With the new location never quite taking off, the record shop is forced focus efforts digitally.

In a recent press release, Chris X claims "Major changes, tectonic shifts, secret machinations, and evolution revolution are taking place!" The record label and book publisher will be still be in tact, while the online store is beefed up so the kids can download songs to those new-fangled iPod thingamajigs.

Hit the store up for a blowout sale January 18 that will be capped off by a show at the Ottobar that boasts Sick Weapons and Hollywood.

Sawhorse

Post-rockin sextet Sawhorse are making more noise as of late in these here parts. The Bmore based group just released Cover it With Asphalt last month on Blackjaw Records.

The album is a monster in itself, beginning with some rootsy acappella action that transforms into guitar drones that seamlessly fade in and out throughout the entire journey. Not for the faint at heart, think Explosions in the Sky but heavier and paired with noisy but refined instrumentation not limited to violin and some upright bass.

Order a copy of Cover it With Asphalt from their myspace, or grab one at Soundgarden.

New Dan Deacon

Here's the first taste off Dan Deacon's second full length, Bromst. "Get Older" is no huge departure from the heavy building electro freak-outs of Dan's prior work, but does offer doses of live instrumentation as promised. Bromst drops March 24th on Carpark, preceded by his split 12 inch with Adventure to be released January 27th. 

Stream "Get Older" below folks.

Sore Eros

From a field in Connecticut, enter Sore Eros. The debut LP Second Chants spins turntables February 14th, delivering soulful dream folk to pondering minds abound.

Assuming Animal Collective's MPP is as ridiculous as anticpated, this might be the next best thing emerging out of 2009 so far. Via SHDWPLY RECORDS, the album conveys hazy hopefulness reverbed with gleeful experimentation from start to finish.

Second Chants is limited to 500 copies, check shdwply's site for pre-order info in the coming weeks. Sample some choice tracks from the record below.

Peace 2008.

With a chance to finally catch my breath, figured I'd let the world know I'm still kickin. Rejoicing the completion of my collegiate career, last Thursday and Friday nights were packed with keyboards, booze, dancing, guitars, and visualistic stimuli at Round Robin.

Eyes Night sported a look into what to expect from some of Bmore's best for next year, with Beach House, Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez, and Jana Hunter all playing some new tunes. Santa Dads were beat boxing bluegrass at its best and Teeth Mountain created sounds that must be the envy of hippy drum cirlces worldwide.

Feet Night was a spastic affair that offered congo lines, spilled drinks, and some of Baltimore's most fun acts. Future Islands exhibited why they are a taste best served live, and were the evening's high point with a bill that boasted Dan Deacon, Deathset, Adventure, and Double Dagger.

Brimming with politcial hope and economic demise, 2008 also featured some pretty incredible music. I can already predict entries for my local top 10 of 2009, with Animal Collective's confusingly named Merriweather Post Pavillion LP being released January 6th and Dan Deacon's Bromst seeing daylight in March.

Look forward to new features on the site next year, including dual air bags, Oregon Trail graphics, and even a hot tub. Also expect exclusive premieres from The Humblebees and Brian Adam Ant's new ensemble.

Tonight: Boris & Growing

Japanese mega trio Boris grace Baltimore with their presence this evening, headlining the Ottobar. The band has evolved over the years from hardcore to stoner rock to the psychedelic drone metal outfit that they are today, still in tact with all of the above elements.

Fresh of a jaunt with NIN, dude's are now touring with Clouds and Growing. The latter, are an impressive and noisey ambient instrumental duo from Brooklyn that have been putting out countless recordings since early 2001.

Easily the must see show of the week.

Top 10 Bmore Albums of 2008

From folk to electro-punk to tribal drum jams, 2008 was another solidly diverse year for local releases. With other mediums bound to be sharing their favorite LPs of the year, thought I would focus on just what Baltimore had to offer.

70% of the list just so happens to be Round Robining at the event pictured to the left. December 18 and 19 at Sonar. Check my list below...

10. Yukon - Medallion EP

9. Teeth Mountain - Self Titled

8. Arbouretem (split 12" with Pontiak) - Kale

7. The Deathset - Worldwide

6. Adventure - Self Titled

5. Wilderness - (k)no(w)here

Originally an accompaniment score to an art exhbit, this is by far the bands most cohesive release yet. Slow-core moans paired with monstrous drums give way to unexpected quiet moments of pure sonic bliss.

4. Future Islands - Wave Like Home

In addition to one of my favorite album covers of the year, the highly anticipated debut full length delivers on sound as well. All in all, it's poppy new wave punk at its best while still leaving room to improve.

3. Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez - Why is Bear Billowing?

I've already compared Lesser to the likes of Nick Drake and early Devandra Banhart, which in my opinion is some pretty high praise. His debut trickles along with simple sounds that elude to complex ideas. An under-the -radar artist that deserves far more of your attention.

2. Ponytail - Ice Cream Spiritual

Themes of pixie stix and finger painting combine with mind-numbing rock and roll riffs to make the band's second LP something unlike anything else. This is an album that needs to be heard in it entirety, which I'm sure is typically not an issue for most who give it a go.

1. Beach House - Devotion

Beach House are epic. Paving the way for even more spacey dream pop gems that were released this year (Fight Bite, Grouper), the duo seems to be making lives more beautiful all over the world. After another tour heading into 2009, Victoria and Alex have hopes to record the third LP this winter.

The King Kahn & BBQ Show

Looking for an alternative to your typical small-talk filled evening at the local watering hole? King Kahn and BBQ Show are gracing Sonar with their presence tonight, bringing that always welcome garage-soul sound to Bmore.

Instead of backing band, The Shrines, Mark Sultan will be backing King Kahn. However expect similar sounds, antics and attire, just minus the horns. Support comes via Jacuzzi Boys and Sick Sick Birds.