Jason Urick and Cex - Title King

Last week on my Impose column I posted about a new tape that has yet to leave my iTunes playlist, and now my tape deck thanks to Justin over at Watercolor Records.



It's a new dub edit cassette from Jason Urick and Cex, and it's out now. Above is the lead, and just a sample of what to expect from the following 45 minutes of tape. Some more info on this one is over at Impose, but be sure to grab the "8 tracks of Winterfresh Dub forged in a cavern under a ganja feild" to get your summer started right.

Title King is available on tape and as a free download via Watercolor.

Interview: Jason Urick + show w/ Deakin, Highlife, Weyes Blood

  photo by Josh Sisk        

For the past ten years Jason Urick has played a heavy hand in mixing the musical pot that is Baltimore. In addition to his stellar recent solo output and his former outfit WZT Hearts, Urick's reach is one that fully embodies what this town thrives on.

"...everybody here influences each other."

Jason Urick recently let folks in Baltimore know that he'd soon be relocating. I was able to reach out to Jason yesterday, who filled me on his current state of affairs and more...

Brett: I heard you'll be moving out of Baltimore soon, where are you headed?

Jason: The word is true... as far as final landing spots go it's pretty liquid right now, but i do know I'll be on the west coast of Oregon in December and Portland for a few months after that.  I'll send Baltimore a postcard when I know where my destination will end.

What are your plans while inhabiting these new digs? 

My only plans are to have no plans at all at this time!

Any new music on the horizon?

Yeah I have a good bit of stuff bubbling up... first a split tape on Wtr Clr with Rjyan Kidwell of reggae re-edits that I'm pretty amped on... working on rmixes for Oxes and Ami Dang, a possible collab with Maxmillion Dunbar and just started rough ideas for the next full length. Pretty much the entire month of December I will be holed up in Western Oregon churning out tunes.

Is there a moment or influence in particular that caused you to decide to leave Baltimore?

No, not really... it's either a combination of lots of little things or nothing at all... I'm not sure... i only know I've been here 10 1/2 years and the itch to move on had become unbearable to deny.

What has music/art here in Baltimore taught you?

I can say that the main thing I'll take away from my time here is that everybody here influences each other, and that is a pretty special situation!

What were some of your favorite shows you've been a part of here in town?

Wow that's a tough one... Some that stick out in my mind that I had no part in would be:

To Live & Shave in LA II @ the Ottobar
every Lungfish show ever
US Maple at the Ottobar
Trad Gras Och Stenar @ Talking Head Club

and my favorite moments setting up shows would have to be:

AMM @ Mt Vernon Place United Methodist Church
Smith N' Hack @ Sonar (once.twice.festival)
William Basinski @ JHU (once.twice:festival)
Animal Collective @ Payan's Rugs
Cluster and all @ Floristree

Current favorite new Baltimore sounds?

I've been very lucky to have copies of new albums by Ken Seeno, Thank You and Arbouretum in my hard drive and am loving all three.

On the younger end Gem Vision is currently one of my favorite things going on ANYWHERE. Also digging on all the Soft House/Wigflip  stuff still (eachothers, Do While, Run DMT...). Ecstatic Sunshine's new stuff, Dustin... so much as always.

Would you care to offer any advice to those who will remain here in Baltimore?

Not really, I think Baltimore is in a good place and still beyong needing much advice musically culturally. Maybe my only advice to people living here is DON"T WEAR HEDPHONES AT NIGHT!

Sound advice, Jason. You will surely be missed here.

************

This Friday night Jason Urick plays his last Baltimore show for awhile at Floristree. The bill also sports Deakin, Highlife, and Weyes Blood. Starts at 9 PM and probably costs $5.




"Fussing & Fighting" is from an EP Urick dropped on Thrill Jockey earlier this year, while "F Kenya RIP" is from Highlife's Best Bless EP which came recently via Social Registry.

Future Islands: "Tin Man" / "In Evening Air" Jason Urick Remix

Our friends Future Islands are about to finish up a massive European tour, and will turn right back around and embark on another tour here in the states throughout November.



Label mate and current Baltimore resident Jason Urick recently took a stab at remixing a couple of the tracks off of their latest LP, In Evening Air. Above is Urick's rendition of "Tin Man", a journey of sound that clocks in at over ten minutes long. The emotional synth pop track is turned into an ambient dance floor jam, complete with a killer beat and washes of noise. The original is hardly distinguishable, but its force is felt.



Thrill Jockey also passed along Jason Urick's reinterpretation of "In Evening Air", the LPs title track that sets the tone for the B-side of the disc. A similar approach is taken, but this one will send your mind much higher into the clouds. A careful dreamer, this one is best served late at night or when piloting an interplanetary space vessel.

Take a look at the rest of the Future Islands tour dates after the jump.

Fan Death Fall Mixtape

Baltimore-based Fan Death Records has continued to relinquish noisy and jaded sounds from the likes of artists mostly not from their home state. The most recent exception to this rule is an incredible seven inch from Baltimore mainstay Jason Urick.

Today the label put together a stellar Fall mixtape, highlighting some current sounds the label has to offer. Included in the mix is the A-side of Urick's recent 7 inch called "This Is Critical", a haunting wash of noise suitable for any variety of freak out.

The mix also boasts sounds from Puerto Rico Flowers, Screen Vinyl Image, Clockcleaner, Broken Water, Homostupids, and Lamps. Look for more great things to come from these dudes this coming fall. Take a listen to the mix which has taken over their site here.

Jason Urick - This Is Critical

It's no secret that Jason Urick has been a huge inspiration to us and those around us. When he says something is critical, you should probably go ahead and listen.



"Invisible Map" is the B side on the new This Is Critical 7 inch by Jason Urick that's out on Fan Death Records next week. One of our favorite musicians paired with one of the best local labels is a win/win, and I'm stoked to get my hands on the wax next week. You can catch Jason play tonight at the WICV broadcast booth at Artscape with Dustin Wong.



When you're finished, head over to see Height with Friends & AK Slaughter at the Annex. Tomorrow night, stumble by the WICV booth again for Brendan Sullivan and Winks.

Artscape: WICV Radio Broadcast & Performances

Based out of MICA, the new-in-2010 internet radio station WICV will be broadcasting from their booth at Artscape all day Friday through Sunday. What's better, is that they will also be hosting live performances at their booth both on Friday and Saturday.



Friday night features one of Baltimore's finest guitarists, Dustin Wong. He is preceded by the legendary Jason Urick, and the up and coming Beyond Say. Look for big things from Dustin Wong in the wings, as he continues to work on new solo material. Also, if you haven't yet snatched Jason Urick's Fussing & Fighting, please do so.



Saturday night is no slouch either, with Winks and Brendan Sullivan serenading Artscapers. Look for announcements here very soon regarding new Winks releases that are brewing as we speak.



The WICV Artscape Broadcast goes strong all day long on the midway on Charles Street, with performances, DJs, talk radio, tape collages, live drama, and more starting at noon each day. Get the entire broadcast schedule after the jump.

WICV RADIO - ArtScape 2010 - Programming Schedule

Friday, July 16th

12:00: "It's Good To Be Here" w/ Amber Moyles & Max Guy
1:00: "The Mental Weather" w/ Zach Genin
1:30: Crowd Interviews
2:00 - 4:00: The Remington Youth Project Radio (RYPR)
4:00: "Beast Masters" w/ Margot Malter
4:30: "Ask A Responsible Adult" w/ Kate Barutha
5:00: "Dirty Bob" w/ Molly O' Connell
6:00 "Homestyles" w/ Elenaor Farely

LIVE MUSIC performances by:
7:00: Beyond Say
8:00: Jason Urick
9:00: Dustin Wong

Saturday, July 18th

12:00: "It's Good To Be Here" w/ Amber Moyles & Max Guy
12:30: "Radio Mud" w/ DJ Slowbro
1:00: "Under The Microscope" w/ Amber Moyles & Neil Sanzgiri
1:30: Crowd Interviews
2:00: "Girl Talk" w/ Jenna Kaminsky
2:30: Tape Collage by Kate Ersing
3:00: "Loud Sounds" w/ Nick Houde
3:30: "Professional Commitments" w/ Zack Genin
4:00: Live Drama recreations of Movie Scenes: Good Will Hunting
4:30: "The Show that Sold the World" w/ Neil Sanzgiri
5:00: "Australia" w/ Ian Cox and Dan Allende
5:30: "Homestyles" w/ Elenaor Farley
6:00: Peter Boyce Radio
7:00: "Woof Eyes" w/ Neal Reinalda

LIVE MUSIC performances by:
8:00: Winks
9:00: Brendan Sullivan

Sunday, July 18th

12:00: Crowd Interviews w/ Madaline Peters
1:00: LIVE MUSIC performance by Gem Vision
2:00 "FTPR" w/ Ellen Paul
2:30: Graham Wimbrow Show
3:00: "Professional Commitments" w/ Zack Genin
3:30: "Case Closed" w/ Rachel Lowing and Joanna Kopczyk
4:00: Live Drama recreations of Movie Scenes: Almost Famous
4:30: WICV radio raffle: Win a Date w/ Carey Chiaia
5:00: "Showbiz Show" w/ Andy Abelow
6:00: "To Mega Therion" w/ DJ Bloodaxe
7:00 - 8:00: "Sunday Sizzurp" w/ Ali Shaw & Monica Noonan

Tonight: Tortoise and Jason Urick @ Sonar

poster by Chris Day

Tonight Sonar's got a stellar one-two punch with Tortoise and Jason Urick both taking the stage. Both acts are game-changers within their own right, and both are now signed to Thrill Jockey Records. I asked Jason Urick last night about this one, who had this to say about tonight...

"[This Show] is a huge thrill for me as the first Tortoise record opened up a lot of doors for me musically at a young age that help shape my tastes and interests more than any other band from my youth... I'm eternally grateful for that and it's humbling to share a stage and a label with them."



It's always endearing to see folks share a stage with such deep respect for one another, and of course this one promises to stimulate the ol' earbuds. Both acts are fairly fresh off new releases on Thrill Jockey, and Jason's Fussing & Fighting has been one of my favorite Baltimore records to surface in 2010. Mark Brown made a stellar video for the title track that we premiered a few months back, and you can peep it after the jump.

Doors for the show tonight are at 8 PM, and this one will run ya $15.

Clusterf*ck: Thursday Night Edition

Oh hey, it's Thursday in Baltimore. There's a lot to do tonight, so let's get to it. I'll start with the band that I can't even seem to go a week without mentioning, Weekends.

Mobtown Studios invited Adam and Brendan to come in and participate in their Microshow series, and you can catch this one tonight at 7:30 in Charles Village. The show is free, but you'll need to RSVP here as spots are very limited. Last I checked in, spots were filling up real quick.

Floristree's got a super massive one tonight, as Pontiak comes back around these parts and is joined by Arbouretum, Jason Urick, and Human Host.

Pontiak just dropped yet another LP on Thrill Jockey, titled Living. Arbouretum just released a digital live nugget over on Aural Slate this week. Couldn't Hit It Sideways is a live recording from Granfalloon from a set last month. Throw in Jason Urick and Human Host, and you've got yourself an epic.

The Penthouse Gallery is also sporting a fine one this evening, with New Yoga, Hounds of Hate, and Post Coast (Zach Utz from Dope Body). This one starts at 9 PM.

Video Premiere: Jason Urick - "Fussing & Fighting"

Above is the video premiere of "Fussing & Fighting", the title track on the new Jason Urick EP that just dropped on Thrill Jockey. The piece was directed by local video guru/DJ, Mark Brown.

"Fussing & Fighting" might be the most accessible Urick song to date, a jam that almost even has lyrics. It's more upbeat than most the stuff on Husbands, with a neo-dub glow that's fit for intergalactic dance halls. Jason's signature collage of tamed chaos and hypnotizing sounds is morphed into a pop song, but the video might hint at otherwise.

Order Fussing & Fighting here, and peep the tracklist after the jump.

01	Fussing & Fighting
02	The Chase
03	Make This Critical/Sleeping Bag
04	Fussing & Fighting (Estatic Sunshine)

Future Islands: In the Fall / In Evening Air Release Shows plus new videos from the living room session!

Above is a freshly cut video from our living room session with Future Islands recorded late last year, with Splice Today editor Zach Kaufmann behind the lens. The song is called "As I Fall", and will be the closing track on In Evening Air, their Thrill Jockey full length which drops on May 5th.



This LP will easily be one of the best works to come out of Baltimore this year, 36 minutes of some of the most confident and realized output to birth from the trio. William, Sam, and Gerrit are poised to celebrate their upcoming releases via the way they know best, setting out on a full U.S. tour.



April 5th at the Zodiac, Future Islands play with Jason Urick, Child Bite, and Zoos of Berlin. In addition to this being the release show for their EP dubbed In the Fall, which precedes the LP and is limited to 500 copies, this will also be the release show for Jason Urick's Fussing & Fighting. Half of the proceeds go to benefit Whartscape.

Get all the tour details and another new living room session video below.


You might recognize "Litte Dreamer" as the beautiful closing track of Wave Like Home, or from a remix done by Jones with the added vocals of Victoria Legrand from Beach House for their Post Office Wave Chapel remix 12 inch out on Free Danger.

After a short stint of shows in early April, Future Islands embark on a massive North American tour with Jana Hunter's new band, Lower Dens. The tour also features dates with some other favorites including Height with Friends, Double Dagger, and Lonnie Walker. The In Evening Air album release show will be a big one at Floristree on April 30, with Double Dagger and Dustin Wong.

April 2 - Middlebury, VT @ Middlebury College
April 3 - Providence, RI @ Building 16
April 4 - Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands (w/Air Waves, Guardian Alien)
April 5 - Baltimore, MD @ Zodiac (w/Child Bite, Zoos of Berlin, Jason Urick) EP Release Party for us + Jason!!
April 9 - Frederick, MD @ Cafe Nola
April 22 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat (w/DOUBLE DAGGER, Ed Schrader)
April 23 - Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
April 24 - Greensboro, NC @ tba

North American Tour with LOWER DENS
April 30 - Baltimore, MD @ Floristree (w/DOUBLE DAGGER, Dustin Wong) In Evening Air Release Party!
May 1 - Brooklyn, NY @ Death by Audio (w/DOUBLE DAGGER, Light Asylum)
May 2 - Philadelphia, PA @ Danger Danger (w/DOUBLE DAGGER)
May 3 - Shepherdstown, WV @ Blue Moon Saloon
May 4 - Raleigh, NC @ Berkeley Cafe (w/Lonnie Walker, Whatever Brains)
May 5 - Charlotte, NC @ Milestone
May 6 - Greenville, NC @ The Phoenix (w/Lonnie Walker, NAPS)
May 7 - Charleston, SC @ Outer Space
May 8 - Atlanta, GA @ 529
May 9 - Athens, GA @ Nasty World
May 10 - Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light
May 11 - Chattanooga, TN @ tba
May 12 - Oxford, MS @ tba
May 13 - Pensacola, FL @ tba
May 14 - New Orleans, LA @ tba
May 15 - Houston, TX @ Mangos
May 16 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
May 17 - Lubbock, TX @ Riprock (w/Height with Friends)
May 18 - Las Cruces, NM @ The Equinox
May 19 - Phoenix, AZ @ tba
May 20 - Las Vegas, NV @ tba
May 21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Sync Space (w/Foot Village, Robedoor)
May 22 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Smell
May 24 - San Francisco, CA @ tba
May 25 - Eureka, CA @ Lil Red Lion
May 27 - Portland, OR @ tba
May 28 - Olympia, WA @ Northern
May 29 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
May 30 - Boise, ID @ tba
May 31 - Salt Lake City, UT @ tba
June 1 - Denver, CO @ Rhinoceropolis (w/Pictureplane)
June 2 - Kansas City, MO @ The Pistol
June 3 - Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
June 5 - Chicago, IL @ tba
June 6 - Detroit, MI @ tba
June 7 - Toronto, ON @ Primary Colors
June 8 - Montreal, QC @ tba
June 9 - Burlington, VT @ The Monkey House
June 10 - Dover, NH @ The Brickhouse
June 11 - Boston, MA @ tba
June 12 - Brooklyn, NY @ tba
June 13 - Baltimore, MD @ Penthouse

Thrill Jockey 12 Inch Subscription Series: Future Islands, Double Dagger, and Jason Urick

Thrill Jockey, extreme supporter of many fine Baltimore musical outlets, just announced they are taking orders for their new 12 inch series. This series will feature seven brand new 12 inch EPs, three of which are of Baltimore origin.

Double Dagger recently announced their new EP dubbed Masks, a release with five brand new tracks. Some of these songs were previewed in their last batch of shows last year, and all promise to be just as good as my favorite record of 2009, More. The release will feature a variety of different cover art - all of which can be seen above. The masks all have eyes that change colors depending on light, and each will be limited to 500.

Future Islands will contribute their new In the Fall EP, their debut release with Thrill Jockey. This will feature four exclusive new tracks from the post wave trio. The title track, "In the Fall", will sport vocal help from Celebration's Katrina Ford. This will be pressed to translucent blue vinyl, and limited to 1000 copies worldwide.

Last but not least, Jason Urick's new EP dubbed Fussing & Fighting will be part of this series. The new tracks are said to hold more rhythmic elements than Husbands, but like his debut full length they were all recorded by Jason at Floristree. The last track on the album is by Matthew Papich of Ecstatic Sunshine, and is his take on the title track. This one is limited to 500 copies.

These won't last long, so head over to Thrill Jockey's site and order your subscription right now. Get the track listings for all the Baltimore releases after the jump.

In the Fall by Future Islands
1. Tin Man (Extended Version)
2. Virgo Distracts
3. In the Fall (Featuring Katrina Ford)
4. Awake & Dreaming

Masks by Double Dagger
1. Imitation Is The Most Boring Form Of Flattery
2. Pillow Talk
3. Sheep In Wolf's Clothing
4. Sleeping With The TV On
5. Song For S

Fussing & Fighting by Jason Urick
1. This: Fussing & Fighting
2. The Chase
3. That: Make This Critical/Sleeping Bag
4. Fussing & Fighting (Estatic Sunshine)

NOVO Instrumental Music Festival

A new musical festival in Baltimore gets going today, and continues to run throughout the rest of the week. The NOVO Instrumental Music Festival will take place at the Windup Space.

The festival will be a five night event, each paying tribute to local music of the word-less variety. Each show will run you five bucks, with the exception of tonight's show which is free. A fifteen dollar pass is available that will grant you access to all five nights.

The lineup is worth noting throughout the week, but the standout night has to be Friday with Jason Urick, Microkingdom, and Notendo rounding out the bill.

Get the full schedule and each night's lineup after the jump.

Tuesday, March 2:
Out of Your Head's One-Year Anniversary
Set One--8:00pm
John Dierker-reeds
Cam Collins-reeds
Brent Madsen-trumpet
Rachel Gawell-cello
Alan Munshower-drums

Set Two--9:30pm
Ellery Eskelin-sax
Michael Formanek-bass
Susan Alcorn-pedal steel guitar

Set Three--11:00pm
Ellery Eskelin-sax
Eric Trudel-sax
Blake Cramer-vibes
Nathan Ellman-Bell-drums

Wednesday, March 3:
The Water
Expanding Man
JDay
doors 9pm, show 9:30, $5

Thursday, March 4:
Nathan Bell
Yeveto
Insect Factory
doors at 9, show at 9:30, $5

Friday, March 5:
Jason Urick
Notendo
Microkingdom
doors at 9, show at 9:30, $5

Saturday, March 6:
We Used to Be Family
Leisure Icons
Holy Fingers

Clusterf*ck: Shows in Baltimore this Weekend

This weekend is the first clusterf*ck of 2010, and likely to be the first of many here in Baltimore. While there are a hefty amount of musical things to choose from, schedules don't get really cluttered until Saturday night.

Saturday night also plays host to a football game, as the Ravens battle a team that stole football from Baltimore just a month after I was born. Man, was I one pissed off little dude.

Find out what else is up in the city that reads this weekend after the click.

The highlight of Friday night is in Hampden, where the Golden West is offering "Freak Rock on the Cheap". For just three dollars you get three great rock bands, including Vincent Black Shadow, Hollywood, and Pilgrim. Not a bad way to spend three bucks on a Friday, and all three bands should be sure to get your ears nice and blasted.

Another option Friday night is at the Ottobar. Psych rock is bountiful with Bad Liquor Pond, The Flying Eyes, Whoarfrost, and Deaf Scene all sharing the bill. This one starts at 9 PM and is all ages.

Height with Friends is at the Hexagon Saturday night, and as if his supporting cast wasn't already strong enough the bill also includes Moss of Aura, Food for Animals, Mickey Free, and American Folklore. Look for some super exciting things to come from Height with Friends in 2010, as I'll have some info on this for you in the coming months.

Also Saturday, you can catch Dope Body and Sick Weapons at the Penthouse Gallery. Both acts are quickly becoming among some of our favorite live bands in Baltimore, and this show should prove to be a good time. If you need your eardrums damaged at an even higher level on Saturday, hit up the Zodiac to catch the dark metal Brooklyn band Liturgy.

Sunday night also has a good one at the Penthouse Gallery, as Jason Urick and Ecstatic Sunshine help you wind down after a fun weekend. This is their tour send-off show, before they head up to NYC and onward to tour Europe together.

Tour: Jason Urick / Ecstatic Sunshine Winter 2010

Jason Urick and Ecstatic Sunshine are getting ready to embark on a European trek, but not before playing a handful of shows in New York and Baltimore. Jason and Matt are each responsible for influencing a lot of the great sounds coming out of our town, and look to spread more awe across the pond.

The tour starts with a local show at the Penthouse on January 17, and then heads up to NYC to hit the Cake Shop the 18th and Death by Audio on the 19th. After the click get all the European dates, and stream an old Ecstatic Sunshine favorite of mine.


Ecstatic Sunshine's Yesterday's Work has not been over five feet from my turntable since picking it up a few weeks ago, a late 2009 release that should be spreading to ears early this year. This time around the release is written and produced by Matthew Papich and Joe Williams, and this could be the best LP this revolving door project has produced. Peep the closing track of Ecstatic Sunshine's 2006 release below called "Little Dipper Big Dipper".



Jason Urick has been quite busy with an excellent Wildfire Wildfire split 7 inch with Jason Willett dropping recently and another 7 inch in the works with Fan Death Records. He headlined the Deacon show on January 1st, blasting ears with a hypnotically warped and intense collage of sounds. This is a tour that is most certainly not to be missed.

Jason Urick Winter Tour 2010

	Sun	Jan 17	Baltimore, MD	- Penthouse @ Copy Cat	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine, Gem Vision
	Mon	Jan 18	New York, NY	- Cake Shop	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Tue	Jan 19	Brooklyn, NY	- Death By Audio	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Fri	Jan 22	Amsterdam, Netherlands	- SMART Project Space	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Sat	Jan 23	Rotterdam, Netherlands	- Worm	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Mon	Jan 25	Paris, France	- Espace B	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Tue	Jan 26	Strasbourg, France	- Stimultania	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Wed	Jan 27	Bern, Switzerland	- Dampfzentrale	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Fri	Jan 29	Castellon, Spain	- Tanned Tin Festival	w/ Sir Richard Bishop
	Sun	Jan 31	Berlin, Germany	- Club Transmediale	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Mon	Feb 1	Riga, Latvia	- Dirty Deal Cafe	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Tue	Feb 2	Helsinki, Finland	- Semifinal	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Thu	Feb 4	Bergen, Norway	- Landmark	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Fri	Feb 5	Goteburg, Sweden	- Koloni	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine
	Sat	Feb 6	Stockholm, Sweden	- Landet	w/ Ecstatic Sunshine

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 - "The Eternal Return" Video

A mega fine piece of multimedia just dropped from Jason Urick's 2009 masterpiece, Husbands. The video for "The Eternal Return" is the visual accompaniment for the last track on the album, and provides a similar experience for your eyes as the song does for your ears.

The video uses droned out clips of spacey sampled scenes, much like the sounds that illuminate on Husbands.

There is a deeply hypnotic feel, that becomes particularly creepy throughout the marathon scene. "The Eternal Return" is directed by Jason John Würm.

Watch the video after the click, and be sure to snag Husbands if you haven't already.

The Eternal Return by Jason Urick from jason john würm on Vimeo.

Top 20 Balimore Albums of 2009

This is Bmore Musically Informed's top 20 albums list of 2009 released by artists who call Baltimore home. Rankings were determined by vinyl wear and tear, iTunes play count, and placing a value on love. Intense moral and emotional qualms were reached when ranking number one through five.

Look for more locally-oriented lists regarding music here soon, and feel free to send in your own input. I tried to limit this list to mostly LPs, but there are a few worthy EPs thrown into the mix. 2009 was another fantastic year here in Baltimore, and here are the releases to prove it:

20. Bethany Dinsick - Bottle Tree

19. AK Slaughter - The Mixtape

18. Lands and Peoples - self titled EP

17. Nuclear Power Pants - Wicked Eats the Warrior

16. Dope Body - Twenty Pound Brick

15. Microkingdom - Spectacular Edges

14. Happy Family - Sound Farm

13. Caleb Stine - Eyes So Strong and Clean

12. The Violet Hour - The Violet Hour

11. Jones - Jones Jones Jones

10. Sri Aurobindo - debut EP and Return into Earth

9. Lo Moda - Replica Watches

8. Dustin Wong - Seasons

7. Pontiak - Maker

6. Jason Urick - Husbands

5. Weekends - Weekends LP and Suburban Dome EP
This was Weekends' debut LP, and I found it permeating my ears quite often this year. These guys played a hell of a lot of shows, and came hard each and every time. Both of these contain "riffs of pure joy", and have left me feeling this good every listen. I am excited to be playing a major part in their upcoming LP, a vinyl/digital release via Friends Records in early 2010.

4. Arbouretum - Song of the Pearl
Arbouretum have been a staple here as of late, and this is the most cohesive release of their career. The production on Song of the Pearl is impeccable, allowing every note Dave's vocals hits to flawlessly boom just as it does seeing them live. This is psychedelic doom folk at its best.

3. Wye Oak - The Knot
Andy and Jenn are likely going to be make a lot of amazing music for a long time to come. The Knot ensured my faith in this, as at times it does an almost perfect job of capturing Wye Oak's live performance, putting it into tangible form. This album possesses some of the most aurally beautiful moments Baltimore has produced this year.

2. Dan Deacon - Bromst
Without even bringing up what he means to Baltimore, just look at the facts. Dan Deacon built off of the hyperactive electronics of Spiderman of the Rings, and turned it into a mind-bending and blissful composition performed by a large ensemble of talented local musicians. One of my fondest memories of 2009 was Dan and the ensemble closing out Whartscape's outside stage, mainly due to my obsession with Bromst.

1. Double Dagger - More
There was no album that I found myself coming back to over and over again this year more than More. This is by far Double Dagger's most dynamic LP to date, and embodies a band that represents Baltimore to the fullest. This is a meaningful album by a meaningful band, period.

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.

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.