Giveaway: Animal Collective at Merriweather Post Pavilion

If you read this, or you know me personally, you might know that I grew up in the outskirts of Baltimore in the suburban wonderland that is Columbia, Maryland. I have been attending concerts in Symphony Woods ever since my parents brought me to Merriweather see the The Beach Boys as a child.



In 11th or 12th grade my friend introduced me to Animal Collective, and told me it was the craziest band he ever heard. It blew my mind, and I found myself digging up as much as I could about a band that was from my own home state. It was a welcome departure from the rest of the music being shoved down my impressionable throat, and little did I know it would soon be shoved down others' throats by the masses.



Years later Animal Collective released an album titled Merriweather Post Pavilion, a record that catapulted them into alternative culture stardom. Since the record was released, fans residing in the Mid-Atlantic region have been asking one thing - When are Animal Collective going to play at Merriweather Post Pavilion???



Our question is now answered, and July 9, 2011 is the date. Animal Collective will headline Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 9th, and opening will be the deconstructed noise that is Black Dice. I've got a pair of tickets to give away for this event. Send an email to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com with ANIMAL COLLECTIVE in the subject line. In the body describe what this show might mean to you, if anything at all. We'll pick a winner a few days before the show. Tickets are also available right here.

Tonight: Kría Brekkan / Jason Urick / Eric Copeland / Dj Dogdick @ Floristree

Floristree is jam-packed with some stellar talent tonight. Madeline Maulding, a local musician and recently introduced Bmore Musically Informed contributor, is particularly excited about an avant folk artist on the bill. Iceland's Kría Brekkan will grace the H&H's presence, and here's Madeline Maulding's take on her:

Tonight at the Floristree space, Kría Brekkan brings her avant-electro-folk music to Baltimore, along with Blak Dice's Eric Copeland, DJ Dogdick, and resident ambient drone master Jason Urick.

Born Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir and once a driving force behind Iceland's Múm, Brekkan began her solo career in 2006, collaborating notably with her husband David Portner--otherwise known as Avey Tare of Animal Collective.

Last year's brief but magical Apotropaíosong Armor has some qualities about it which are reminiscent of some of the artists on the Fonal lable, particularly Islaja and Lau Nau. (Is it a Nordic faux pas to compare Icelandic folks with Finish folks? Hopefully not.)

I say this not only because Kría Brekkan's album is less concerned with discernable songs and more concerned with displaying multi-instrumental capabilities and tonal prowess, but because all of these ladies suffuse their music with a deceptively-childlike female energy which is simultaneously unsettling and alluring.

Apotropaíosong Armor contains a menagerie of animal-like sounds, haunting woodland sprites calling through vaulted sylvan archways of delay and tremolo. On "Armor," recorders whistle, a stringed instrument bellows warm pizzicato notes. A Piano--the instrument upon which Brekkan considers herself the most skillful--drops in here and there, most beautifully on "Biboni." Periodically, soft voices loop in and out of the mix in hushed, innocent tones . . . the whole album a wonderful lullaby to nascent sirens.

This music is new to me and I am excited to see how it translates in a live performance. The Floristree is the perfect space, and she will be in good company this evening.

Show Review: Dan Deacon at Sonar

Special guest reviewer and contest winner Matt Weinschenk was there to take in all the action Saturday night. Here's his take on the multi-faceted event:

On Saturday, Sonar hosted Taxlo’s Summer Blowout with a fully loaded line-up including Dan Deacon, Black Dice, Thieves Like Us, Martyn, Scottie B, Get ‘Em Mamis, Booman, DAT Politics and more.

Michigan-based Awesome Color opened. With driving drums that never took a breath (in a good way), they sounded like The Stooges with some experimental effects thrown on top. The only downside was that they only had time for four songs.

Next was DAT Politics and were, for me, the pleasant surprise of the night. Their synth and vocodor-rich Euro-dance energy got the crowd moving with a set long enough for front woman Claude Pailliot to induce a healthy case of woman-rocking-on-stage-syndrome in most men in the crowd. A great deal of fun all around.

After that, it was Black Dice. They were too loud. I know that sounds ridiculous, but someone cranked it up about 5 notches after DAT Politics left and went for a drink. At any point, half the crowd was holding their ears. A healthy stream of people headed out and I actually saw 2 friends arguing over the one set of earplugs they had. It’s a shame, because it was too loud to listen to the subtleties of Black Dice’s electric experimental noise punk. So before you rag on me for being too old, ask someone who was there.

Finally, Dan Deacon took the stage, or at least the floor in front of the stage as usual. His recent Bromst tour featured a full 14-piece live band. Now he’s solo and played a few Bromst tracks on his traditional equipment, meaning we won’t be deprived of Bromst in future shows. Deacon had a few problems with crowd control, including "Crystal Cat" cut short by a crowd member jostling his electronics.

Hopefully his rising popularity won’t force him to switch to a traditional performance too soon. Dan Deacon certainly didn’t disappoint, with a high-energy set and a group interpretative dance to top it off.

My only regret is missing the Get ‘Em Mamis. My friend may have accidentally bought them a round of Patron shots. (It was definitely G.E.M., but who paid for the shots is still unclear.) Either way, they were having enough fun in the crowd that their show makes the “can’t miss” list for next time.

Don't forget to check out Chrissy's fantastic photo set of the event right here.

Photos: Dan Deacon / Black Dice / DAT Politics

Photos by Chrissy

Peep the ridiculous visuals from Dan Deacon's show last night, and check back for some words on the affair later. Also included in the set are Black Dice and DAT Politics.

Ticket Giveaway: Dan Deacon at Sonar

I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away for Dan Deacon's show at Sonar on Saturday June 13. This is Taxlo's big summer blowout, so expect a bit of dancing, sweating, and fun.

Dan Deacon has been unleashing the brilliance that is his ensemble tour for Bromst all over the country, and is bringing it over to Europe in a few weeks. I wonder if they'll be rocking a vegatable oil fueled jet across the Atlantic.

Bromst's seemingly endless symphony of pure joy has been one of the best releases of the year, and most are aware Dan Deacon's live show is on a whole other level. Not yet aware? Head on over to NPR to stream his show last Sunday in DC in its entirety.

Black Dice and a whole slew of other acts will be weighing in on the evening's festivities as well. If you're interested in a pair of tickets, email some love to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com. I'll pick 2 lucky winners the week before the madness. Don't dilly dally on this one too long, as it should be one of the more lively parties of the summer.

Edit: One pair will be given away to whoever wants to review the show. Let me know why you should do it in the email. I'm still giving the other pair away at random!

Panda Bear's People Party

For their "One Week Only" feature, P4K is now offering live footage of Panda Bear's 2007 summer tour. While the DIY video of Panda Bear, WZT Hearts, Eric Copeland, and Tickley Feather performing live is pretty great, this tour documentary has already been made available for free.

Mike, of EatTapes, originally created the documentary with full intention of giving it away as a free DVD. While complications got in the way of allowing it to be a physical release, Mike hi-jacked the power of the "internet" to implement his original intentions.

Go here, for several ways in which to download this free DVD of Panda Bear and friends playing live. The highlight of the film is Panda Bear's 2007 homecoming show at the Ottobar. Next time you can catch him there is May 10th, as he will be performing with the full collective of animals. Tickets are all kinds of gone for this one though.