Top Baltimore Albums of 2011

2011 has come and almost gone, and with it came another hearty selection of music releases from Baltimore. While we lost some historic bands this year (Double Dagger, Ponytail, Thank You), 2011 continued Baltimore's outpour of quality records.

Narrowing this down to a list was difficult - taking into account vinyl wear and tear, digital play counts, love, and the release's meaning to a continually thriving scene.

There is one release from a Swedish band. This gets a pass because the record features a lineup with lead vocals from Daniel Higgs. It also gets a pass because it's amazing. Also, there are a handful of records on here that I helped release via Friends Records.

Here are my top 25 music albums from Baltimore, Maryland in 2011.

25. Daytime - Daytime's Serendipity
24. Each Others - Lately Now
23. Roomrunner - Roomrunner
22. Holy Ghost Party - Holy Ghost Party
21. Vlonde - The Grief of O
20. Romantic States - Still Petals
19. Inflatable Mattress - Pumped Up
18. Arbouretum - The Gathering
17. Dog Leather - Greezy Man and Stinky Man Meets Smutty Ranks On Tarantula Hill
16. Ken Seeno - Invisible Surfer On An Invisible Wave
15. Witch Hat - Brown in a Dog
14. Adventure - Lesser Known
13. Skull Defekts - Peer Amid
12. Moss of Aura - Wading
11. Run DMT - Dreaming


10. Zomes - Earth Grid


9. Thank You - Golden Worry


8. White Life - White Life


7. Co La - Dial Tone Earth


6. Ponytail - Do Whatever You Want All The Time


5. Microkingdom - Three Compositions of No Jazz


4. Dope Body - Nupping


3. Wye Oak - Civilian


2. Future Islands - On The Water


1. Celebration - Electric Tarot: Hello Paradise

Victory Lap: Future Islands

It's been made pretty clear that these dudes have put out one of the finest albums of the year in On The Water, and today they hit the road with Ed Schrader's Music Beat.




Tonight Future Islands play Black Cat's main stage down in D.C. with Javelin on support for the first leg of their massive tour. William Cashion, Sam Herring, and Gerrit Welmers celebrated the release of their new record last week at the intimate confines of The Depot, and Valerie was there to capture all the action.









Tour dates are right here, and more photos after the jump.

New: Ed Schrader Show

The Ed Schrader Show was back in action a few weeks ago, and the glorious new episode just went live on the interwebs last night compliments of Guy Werner and probably a million other awesome people. This episode featured Ellie Beziat (Sick Weapons, RIP), director Matt Porterfield, and a performance by Future Islands.

Watch it below and after the jump, and steer clear of the cat with herpes in its eye.

Go: Future Islands & Celebration

On Saturday in Baltimore you can go see two bands that will likely be responsible for the best two records to come out of town this year - Celebration and Future Islands.



Next week marks the release of On The Water, the third long player from Future Islands. Words can only begin to describe the magnitude of this record, churning feelings and evoking a sense of consciousness that's found between the perfect balance of sheer joy and utter despair. Throw in a guest appearance by Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner, Denny Bowen laying down live drums, and beyond-perfect production by Chester Endersby Gwazda, and dudes have created a masterpiece. Future Islands play their only in-store performance of their massive upcoming North American tour tomorrow at 5 PM at Sound Garden.



Celebration relinquished their first LP in a number of years earlier in 2011, a nine song affair titled Hello Paradise. Not only was each song perfect in just about every way, but the statement made in the story behind the record highlights just about everything wrong with today's music industry. Celebration are putting on an intimate performance at The Metro Gallery on Saturday night with Lands and Peoples before they head out on the road for a southern tour with Arbouretum later this month.

View tour dates for both Future Islands and Celebration after the jump.

Moss of Aura - Wading + Release Show

It's no secret that Baltimore's perennial art-pop force Future Islands and all of its components are complete obsessions of ours, and we are beyond stoked to be bringing the first proper Moss of Aura LP to life on vinyl, cassette, and digitally very soon.



The new LP is titled Wading, and above is the first heard single dubbed "Titan". Moss of Aura is the solo synthscapes of Gerrit Welmers, the entity behind all of the keys and beats found within Future Islands' work.

Moss of Aura is used as an outlet for decompression and reflection between life on the road, and Wading was composed and recorded while Welmers was home in Baltimore in between some extensive Future Islands tours. Though Wading is open for interpretation, it will transport you somewhere. Choose your own vacation, if you will.



The release party for Wading is Wednesday, August 31 at Floristree in Baltimore with White Life, Breeze and Schwarz. There will be 50 exclusive test pressing copies of Wading on vinyl available for the first time at this event, so be sure and snag one. Wading also includes a set of five postcards, one of which is personalized for the record.

Order your copy of Moss of Aura's Wading right here from Friends Records.

Videos: Future Islands, Dr. Unk, Rapdragons

Videos are stockpiling - here's new shorts from Future Islands, Dr. Unk, and Rapdragons.


Today Pitchfork premiered the Abe Sanders directed short for Future Islands' "Before the Bridge", the lead single off their almost sold-out forthcoming 7" on Thrill Jockey.


I did a bit of a mega-post on Neal Reinalda's DJ project Dr. Unk back in May, and now here's the first video. The song is a Dr. Unk remix of Britney Spears' "Till The World Ends", and it was shot over at Open Space a few weeks ago. It was directed by Neil Sanzgiri of Soft Cat, and features a whole mess of friendly faces causing a ruckus that includes smashing chairs, bikinis, and Brendan Sullivan on a skateboard beer-in-hand.


Greg from Rapdragons recently passed along a new short shot Matt Casey and edited by Finn Wake for their Neon Indian-sampling "Got a Light". Get the new EP here.

Future Islands - "Before The Bridge"

Bmore Musically Informed has been on hiatus for about a month now, but I can no longer hold in all the good musical things that are coming out of this town. I still need employment, but I was offered some paid freelance work recently, so this will have to suffice enough for me to start blogging again. Thanks for all the kind words, help, and encouragement in regard to my search for work - it really means a lot.

One of the best things that happened while I stepped back from the blogosphere was a fresh track from one of my favorite bands in the world right now - Future Islands.



You can read more about "Before The Bridge" over at my post on Impose, but here's the basics. It's the A-side of a new 7" out on Thrill Jockey on July 19, which is limited to just 750 copies. It's the first new song to be heard since "The Ink Well", and it's drenched in promise of more amazing things to come from this Baltimore trio.

Pre-order the new 7" from Thrill Jockey Records right here, and peep some live footage of Future Islands playing the 2640 Space for Celebration's LP release show below.

Video: Dope Body - "100 Mile"

The first video from Dope Body's fantastic new Nupping LP has surfaced, and comes in the form of a short for "100 Mile" directed by Theo Anthony. Take a gander above.

The video entails an old man's birthday that takes an interesting twist after he's presented with the cake. The party quickly turns into a wilderness adventure complete with pyrotechnics, blood, and some sort of creepy rabbit/wolf creatures. The style of the film reminds us of watching music videos on MTV after school in 1995, much like some of the sounds that emanate from the rest of Dope Body's new record out now on Hoss.

Theo's last video was also Baltimore-based, a short for Future Islands' "The Ink Well".

Tonight: Pantha Du Prince, Moss of Aura , The Sight Below

Tonight the Ottobar will host a rare performance by German electronic musician Pantha Du Prince. Joining this electronic import will be Moss of Aura and The Sight Below.




Pantha Du Prince released Black Noise last year via Rough Trade to much acclaim, an LP that sported the track above which features Panda Bear. Moss of Aura (Gerrit Welmers of Future Islands) is currently finishing up his forthcoming LP, more details are TBA.

The show starts at 8 PM, will cost you twelve dollars, and you can RSVP right here.

Clusterfuck: Future Islands, Wye Oak, Weekends, Run DMT, Lands and Peoples, Dope Body, Adventure, Ed Schrader, more

Today I present you with the first Clusterfuck post in awhile, as Saturday boasts an insane amount of quality music events in Baltimore. Here's what you should do tomorrow.



Tomorrow at Hopkins' Spring Fair, the Levering Quad offers a lineup lifted straight from our Soundcloud playlist as Future Islands, Dope Body, Weekends, Lands and Peoples, Adventure, and Raindeer all take the stage outside. Word is that the stage is covered, so this is probably rain or shine. Also, it's definitely free. The schedule is right here.



Immediately after the Spring Fair you'll need to coast down St. Paul to the 2640 Space where Wye Oak hosts a release party with their touring friends Callers. Get tickets for that here, and take a gander at their new video for "Fish" here. Also, it's Jenn's birthday.




After you leave the 2640 Space you'll need to head downtown to Floristree where you'll find and all-star cast of Weekends, Winks, White Fang, Run DMT, and Rapdragons.

And if that wasn't enough, the Talking Head has the Fan Death Records showcase with Ed Schrader's Music Beat, Locrian, Pleasure Leftists, Broken Water, and Heroin Sucks.

Show: Future Islands, Weekends, Dope Body, more

If you've been outside today, you are aware that spring time is here. To celebrate this year, Hopkins' Spring Fair has teamed up with the "Baltimore Curators" for an event.



On Saturday, April 16 both are proud to present an outdoor bill on the Levering Quad that's free to the public. The lineup reads like a week of post titles on this here blog, so naturally we're stoked. Bands include Future Islands, Weekends, Dope Body, Lands and Peoples, and Raindeer. Did we mention that this was free? Because it is.

The show runs from 4:45 until 10 PM, and the full schedule is below. RSVP right here.

4:45 - RAINDEER
5:30 - LANDS & PEOPLES
6:15 - WEEKENDS
7:00 - DOPE BODY
8:00 - ADVENTURE
9:00 - FUTURE ISLANDS

Giveaway: Celebration & TV on The Radio+ photos from Celebration's release show @ 2640

Photos of Celebration's recent album release show from our own Valerie Paulsgrove got lost in the SXSW shuffle last week, but today I've got those and more good stuff to share.



Celebration have just announced a string of new tour dates, as they'll be supporting their friends TV on The Radio in a few weeks. It's a weekend tour that hits Philadelphia, Charlottesville, and Baltimore. The Philly date is Friday, April 8 at the Electric Factory, the stop in Charlottesville is Saturday, April 9 at the Jefferson Theatre, and Sunday, April 10 Celebration play a hometown show at Rams Head with TV on The Radio.

I've got a pair of VIP passes to give away to someone for the Baltimore show. To enter, singer Katrina Ford has devised a contest. Email a photo you took of something you consider "MAGICAL" to bmoremusicallyinformed@gmail.com. It doesn't need to be fancy, a camera phone photo is preferred, and please keep the file sizes small.



A few weeks ago Friends Records hosted Celebration's release show at the 2640 Space with Future Islands and Arbouretum. The old church was transformed into our own Hello Paradise, and a cosmic evening of some of our favorite Baltimore bands ensued.

Photos: Future Islands at the Creative Alliance

Two weeks ago Future Islands played the first of their first two Baltimore shows of 2011, with an acoustic and electric set at the Creative Alliance over on the east side of town.



The electric set featured some of the first offerings of new songs, as the band is currently amidst recording their next release. Even more were played the following week, last weekend at the 2640 Space for Celebration's release show. The new songs show off an even darker side of the band, but you wouldn't be able to tell based off the balloons, smiles, and roses seen in Valerie's photographs of the event at the Creative Alliance.

Celebration LP Release with Future Islands & Arbouretum

Tickets are going quick, so we advise you to order them in advance right here.

Tomorrow night, Saturday, March 5th, join us at the 2640 Space to help commemorate Celebration's first proper LP in over three years. Opening will be some of Baltimore's finest in Arbouretum and Future Islands. All three acts have new music to be played.

Future Islands are amidst recording their next release, and will be playing a handful of freshly written new songs. Arbouretum have just relinquished The Gathering via Thrill Jockey, which very well might end up being the band's best LP. Celebration have been brewing Hello Paradise over the past three years, a record deeply rooted here in Baltimore. The results are now available to the world digitally and physically.

Hello Paradise consists of nine songs, all of which are a part of the first installment of the Electric Tarot. Each song will be given away for free online, and accompanied by a video. Below is each current song, its meaning in the tarot, and all available videos.

"What's This Magical" // The Shaman

Consciousness, ego, a sense of self, the animus, focused attention,magical powers harnessing the energy of nature, seeing beyond the physical, in communion with spirit, mage soothsayer seer and seeker. Learning to harness the power of manifestation.

"Junky" // The Hermit


Rest, retreat, meditation, withdraw, silence, solitude, vision quest, guru, guide, introspection, time management, journey within, leaving the physical behind, letting go.

"Honeysuckle Blue" // Alchemy

COMBINING RESOURCES IN NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS, CONSOLIDATION, MIXING HARMONIOUSLY, BLENDING, BEING HEALED, FINDING THE CURE, MODERATION,CHANNELING OPPOSITE ENERGIES AND FINDING WHAT WORKS.

"I Will Not Fall" // The Fool

Beginning anew, Embarking on a journey, A leap of faith, Free spitirted, Acting on impulse, Trust in the universe, Vagabonding, Choises you make appear foolish, Being guided from above, Blind faith.

"Great Pyramid" // The Emperor


The boss, The king, Male influence and authority, Planning, Building, Construction, Seeking stability, Ambition and confidence, Practicality, Control and discipline, Leadership, Tradition, Order, Structure, Status quo.

"Open Your Heart" // Judgement

Judging or being judged, Accepting past mistakes, Guilt and forgiveness, Rebirth, Resurrection, New life, A second chance, Responsibility, Apology, Repentance, Hope, Reconciliation, Salvation, Sins forgiven, Release, On the road to healing.

"Shelter" // The Lovers

Recognition of duality, Thinking about your relationship, Love, Desire, Sexuality, Bonding , A choice, Romance, Hearts exchange, Wanting to merge with other, Divine union, Partnership.

"Battles" // Strength


TO BEGIN AGAIN, LUST FOR LIFE, AWARENESS OF PHYSICAL NEEDS, DATUN INNER WARRIOR, SAMURAI, JEDI, LOVE IS THE SOURCE, DAN TIEN, SEAT OF POWER, COMPASSION AND PATIENCE, DISCIPLINE, KINDNESS.

"Kilamanjaro" // The Moon


Self deception, Illusion,Waxing and waning of emotion, Dreams, Memories, Subconscious, Facing you fears, Nightmares, Different sides of you crying out, A karmic relationship, Loosing touch with reality.

Photos: The Snails at the Copycat Theatre

The Snails crawl on to a Baltimore stage about once a year. "Baltimore's answer to the California Raisins" consists of members of Future Islands, Lower Dens, Small Sur, and Nuclear Power Pants. Last week saw their 2011 debut at the Copycat Theatre.

Valerie was there to capture all the action, some of the more colorful shots you'll likely see on here. Sam Herring and William Cashion of Future Islands make up a chunk of the Snails, and you can catch those dudes at one of their biggest local shows ever this Saturday at the 2640 Space for Celebration's LP release show with Arbouretum too.