Free Album: Curtain Rod Character

Enter Curtain Rod Character. Armed with a fresh new album, witty and sarcastic commentary, and an admiration for noisey rock music, dude is pretty stacked.

Curtain Rod Character is a Baltimore-based noise hop project that just dropped Schizophrenic Trooper Escorts Witness via the interwebs. The album can be downloaded free right here. Take notice of the album's fine artwork too, compliments of the musician's graphic design background.

The album drones along at a curiously infectious pace, with the most obvious influence being Oakland's masters of amalgamation, Why?. There are also smatterings of Sonic Youth and even some Yo La Tengo present in the aftertastes, helping to emphasize that this is not your typical hip hop record. Or, is it even a hip hop record? Your call.

While your ears may be confused upon first listen, you will undoubtedly find yourself rockin' it again. Go scoop the free download of this one, or at least sample it here.

Tonight: Danny Greenwald @ The Velvet Lounge

We all probably need more folk-gaze tunes in our lives, and Danny Greenwald aims to provide us with the goods. The Bmore/College Park artist is crooning the folks down in DC this evening, and I'd recommend getting in on the action.

Danny recently graced the presence of Splice's traditional folk song compilation that included the likes of Wye Oak, Caleb Stine, and Dave Heuman.

But more importantly, he just dropped his debut EP, the one in which I gabbed about a few weeks ago titled If You Cry Wolf. If you haven't heard this one yet, please do yourself a favor and sample a few of the tracks here.

Ari Shenk of Wax and Wane is also performing tonight at the Velvet Lounge, and is responsible for the brilliant engineering behind If Your Cry Wolf. Dude has some pretty solid tunes himself, and is certainly worth showing up early for. Mobius Strip, Reversal, and Nary the Flounder all head the bill. Show starts at 9.

Chain and the Gang / The Hive Dwellers / Mahjongg

Ian Svenonius has orchestrated a handful of projects to date, most of which have been worth your attention. His newest affair is no slouch either, as Chain and the Gang brings early soul bass lines, cries for freedom from society, and his typical heated antics.

This latest project of Ian's comes via K Records, whose founder can also be found at the Talking Head this evening. Calvin Johnson and his new band The Hive Dwellers will be teaming support with Mahjongg, another K Recs imprint based in Chicago. Mahjongg sport a punkish and funky electronic sound, and help round out an already stellar bill.

The show tonight at the Talking Head starts around 8 and will run ya' 10 beans.

Photos: Pontiak / Sri Aurobindo / Spectrum

Photos by Chrissy

Pontiak, Sri Aurobindo, and Spectrum all blasted ears last Friday at Sonar. An aurally stimulating show all around, locals Sri Aurobindo and semi-locals Pontiak crunched away at fantastic sets that left ear drums a ringin'. With Pontiak's albums generally recorded in one fell swoop, playing live seemed to come off more than natural for the trio as they jammed ridiculously tight. Gawk at Chrissy's pics of the evening above, and be sure to check and of these guys out next go around.

Show Review: Ponytail and Imperial China @ DC9

I made the trek down to DC9 last night to catch the stellar combo that was Imperial China and Ponytail. A show that I was amped for, both local bands delivered on all fronts.

This was my 3rd time catching Imperial China, and the first I was able to witness their set in its entirety. Listening to their Methods EP is also something I'd highly reccomend doing as a whole. The trio blasted through some new jams and some familiar ones, all of which made standing still pretty impossible. The usual instrument switching was in full effect, and boy can I not wait for their debut full length.

Ponytail headlined the gig, and proved once again why they have garnered so much national press. The drums were otherwordly, both guitarists were epic, and Molly Siegal's ninja shrieks were as energizing as ever. The band rocked at least one new tune, that was a sure sign that this foursome has plenty left in the tank.

Ponytail are embarking on a national tour that ends in their hometown with a show at the Ottobar May 25th. Imperial China just finished recording their debut long player and have another gig in DC on May 9th.

Tonight: Pontiak / Sri Aurobindo / Spectrum

Killer lineup at Sonar tonight that features Sri Aurobindo, Pontiak, and Spectrum who sport Sonic Boom of Spaceman 3 fame. Faces might melt, amps could be blown, and crunchy psychadelic rock tunes will be bountiful.

Sri Aurobindo are one of Baltimore's best new bands, and if you didn't catch them here or at any of their other recent gigs, please do so tonight. Their debut EP was beyond fantastic, and features a handful of mildly noisey and heavily nostalgic jams that won't disappoint. It was limited to only 199 copies, and my guess is they are long gone by now.

I've allready splurged my love for Pontiak's new record, and look forward to seeing how the new tunes translate live. My only hope is that at least 2 amps are sacrificed, just as they were in the recording process of the new LP. If you haven't heard Maker yet, do yourself a favor and come grab a doom folk soaked copy tonight.

The fact that Spectrum will be performing some Spaceman 3 songs leaves me little else I need to say to convince you how great this one will be. I admittedly haven't heard any of their new tunes, but can't fathom how they could be too terrible. Show starts at 8.

Tonight: Jeremy Jay @ The Talking Head

This evening the Talking Head features Jeremy Jay, with the Art Department supporting the affair. Jeremy Jay just dropped his second full length on K Records, and it is quite the stroll in the park.

Slow Dance is an electronic pop album that always puts the singer-songwriter mentality first and foremost. As with any of Jeremy Jay's releases, common themes of love and humanity are prominent throughout. These themes and thoughts are described as only an artist who lives in both L.A. and Paris could execute, and always in a manner that keeps ears glued.

My personal favorite off the album, "In this Lonely Town", can be streamed over at the top of my green playlist. Another release of Mr. Jay's I'd recommend is the single prior to the newest LP, titled "Love Everlasting". This jam floats along infectiously, and will more than likely have you heading to the Talking Head tonight.

Along with the Art Department, support also derives from Snowmen and Backyard Betties. This solid lineup will cost you 8 bucks and similarly starts around 8 o'clock.

Ear Pwr Prepare for Tour and Album

Baltimore by way of North Carolina duo Ear Pwr are readying their formal introduction. The group drops their debut LP on Carpark May 19th.

Titled, Super Animal Brothers III, the disc promises thumping disco chants that are plenty heavy in the synth department. Ear Pwr's Devin recently completed his music technology studies at UNC-Asheville in a program founded by Bob Moog, allowing for maximun synth knowledge.

The duo hits the road with their brand of electro twee pop in May, a national tour that includes two dates at the Zodiac with Adventure on May 17 and June 30.

I haven't heard the whole album yet, but here's a taste for your downloading pleasure:

MP3: Ear Pwr "Future Eyes" [via Carpark]

Rye Rye / Blaqstarr Mixtape & New Major Lazer

Fresh off Diplo and Switch's upcoming LP under the Major Lazer moniker, "Hold the Line" is the first taste off this highly anticipated record. Mad Decent has the MP3 download for you folks, and describes it as a "surf rock ragga thingamajig". I describe it the same, with a heavy dose of club funk rock reggae awesomeness.

In other anticipated release news, Rye Rye and Blaqstarr just dropped their Blaqout mixtape.

You can check out the tracklist and download the whole jam right here compliments of Baltimore Club. The tape provides more sneak peaks into Rye Rye's debut album, but is mostly a club-soaked Blaqstarr affair with some remixes worth checking out.

Show Review: Torche / From Monument to Masses

Bmore Music is pleased to present special guest writer Jeff, of Lean Horse Marathon, for this review. I spent the weekend in the woods of Allegany County with bears, smores, and unruly forest rangers, so I had asked my contest winner if he'd like to share his thoughts. He passed along those duties to a friend and local artist that I've previously mentioned. Small world. Jeff had never heard either of these bands, enjoy:

From Monument to Masses opened up Saturday night's show at Sonar and I was impressed with their performance. A very cool instrumental group that had some complicated song structures to pull off live. Samples were used almost in every song and the samples worked well with their sound. They played a handful of songs that I enjoyed, ranging from shoe-gazey/experimental to electronic/indie.

Torche was bad ass and definitely my favorite band that night. There was moshing, headbanging, and screaming, all in typical metal fashion. The trio were banging, strumming, and beating on their instruments. I'll always remember this performance, for some random guy picked me up and before I knew it, I was crowd surfing.

The drummer passed out on his drumset at the end of the set, and the band put on a final wall of sound. Then out of no where, the drummer jumps up, kicks over his drum set, and jumps into the crowd. What a hardass.

Photos: The Faint & Ladytron @ Sonar

Photos by Valerie

Last week WTMD sponsored a triple bill at Sonar that sported The Faint, Ladytron, and Crocodiles. Special guest photographer Valerie was there to represent Bmore Music, and to capture The Faint in all their glory. Her love for the band shines through on the awesome photo set above, and a special thanks to her for helping out.

Vampire Hands: Me & You Cherry Red 2xEP

I recently caught Vampire Hands open up for Wavves at Zodiac, and was thoroughly intrigued. I claimed I’d get my non-vampire hands on their release ASAP, and I kept true to my word.

Modern Radio recently reissued the Twin City crew’s original sold out EP titled Me & You Cherry Red and coupled it up with another EP called Cuz It’s a Beach Funeral. The result is pretty much a full album of psych-infused post punkish rock and roll, with an obvious knack for the unique.

In a live setting they were loud, unapologetic, and displayed grooves of every variety. Some might think the LP is a little more toned down, which would be fair, but it runs a wide array of varying styles that keeps any listener's ears glued.

The vintage riffs and killer bass lines of “Safe Word” make it an instantly repeatable number. Stream it on my green playlist or download it for free right here:

MP3: Vampire Hands "Safe Word" [via Modern Radio]

Speaking of quality band's from Minneapolis, Daughter's of the Sun have a new LP due out April 25th. Kind of a neo-sludge rock band warped with some hints of psychedelia, these dudes are cohorts of Vampire Hands and deserve your ears as well. Peep a track off their upcoming LP, Sun, below:

MP3: Daughters of the Sun "Gong the Divider" [via Modern Radio]

Free MP3: New Wye Oak "Take It In"

Merge just released the first taste off of Wye Oak's second LP to be titled, The Knot. Recorded out in Cumberland, The Knot hits shelves July 21st.

To say that excitement is building for this release in these here parts is clearly an understatement. Holding out until the end of July might prove tough, but the duo has blessed us with a free track off the album which is available below.

Right click, save, and wonder how awesome this LP will be: MP3: Wye Oak "Take It In"

Ticket Giveaway: Torche / Dredg

I have a free pair of tickets to giveaway for Saturday night's club stage lineup at Sonar. The bill features Dredg, From Monument to Masses, and psychedelic metal masters Torche.

The metallic stoner drudge trio put out their second full length last year, and Meanderthal failed to disappoint. The LP blasts at you straight from the start at a hundred miles a second, but at the same time is steeped in massive doses of heavy rock and roll drudgery.

To win the free tickets, email bmoremusicallyinformed [at] gmail.com sometime before tomorrow afternoon, and you'll be in the runnings. Godspeed.

Photo Review: Of Montreal @ Sonar

Photos by Chrissy

Last night the mega show that is Of Montreal made a tour stop in Baltimore. Chrissy's photo set pretty much speaks for itself, as plenty of costumes, animations, and ridiculous antics were involved.

The band sounded pretty much as on point as they ever do, voyaging through an intense set that involved old favorites and new songs as well. Sonar was packed to the brim with excited patrons, as Of Montreal seem to have quite the following. Tiger masks, make-up by the gallon and all, the show was by all means entertaining.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the opening acts. My policy for this blog has always been if somethings sucks, don't write about it. We all know there's enough good stuff out there to focus on, why highlight the bad.

However, Fire Zuave and Inkwell made me completely regret getting to the show 2 hours before the headliner. At one point, I imagined a magical soundproof booth appearing before my eyes. You know, the ones that money flies around everywhere and you get to grab it. At another point, we saw some kids dancing next to us. At which, Annie turned to me and asked, "Do you think the band paid them to dance?"

The singer of Inkwell looked just like the dude from Smashmouth, and based on their sound I wouldn't be shocked if it actually was. My apologies to those involved, but they were just not my cup of tea I guess. Lesson: Don't show up to Of Montreal early again.