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.
There are things to do in Baltimore this weekend. Tonight after you pick from some shows in Station North, you can go dance it off at the Hippo for Deep in The Game, which features a live CEX set. Above is the promo video that SCHWARZ passed along.
Before all that, the Metro's Gallery's got a great one with Scout Niblett coming through town and joined by Small Sur and Holy Sons. Scout Niblett ruled at the GW earlier this year, and we've learned that there aren't many Small Sur sets that don't sound beautiful.
Up the street you'll find a record release show / beer tasting at the Windup Space that features the Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad. I've seen these guys a few times over the years, and having a beer tasting be their release party for a new record makes perfect sense. 10 dollars gets you in and a free copy of their new album called Boneslinky. Watch DMFS get kicked off of a ridiculous Fox television show here. "It hurts, doesn't it?"
On Saturday night, if I wasn't heading up to NYC to see Celebration play with Andrew Cedermark, Woodsman, and Updied Sound at Glasslands, I'd be at MICA's BBox Theatre around 8 PM for Weekends, Winks, and Talk To Animals. Free for MICA kids, five dollars to the public. Also Saturday, get your ears blasted once more by Ruiner, who play their last ever show at Sonar. This one is ten dollars, doors are at 7 PM, and the incredibly rad Death of Superman show poster by Nolen Strals is below.
Lots of good sounds in town this weekend, folks. Tonight the Windup Space will surely treat you well, with Moss of Aura, Lo Moda, and Ghost Life all helping to celebrate the release of Small Sur's new EP. The new release comes compliments of Aural Slates.
Bare Black is a three track EP soaked in all the beauty and warmth of Small Sur's prior work. "Weeds" is the first track on the disc, and is offered as a free download over on their site. Bob Keal, Andy Abelow, and Austin Stahl continue to sit among the top of a blossoming variety of lush folk music here in Baltimore. Small Sur seems to master subtle drones, simple and addicting melodies, and the heartbeat of nature pumping through each croon more and more with each release.
Also, Moss of Aura is always a good reason to attend anything.
Tomorrow night the Metro Gallery plays host to Wild Nothing. Curated by Natasha Tylea, this installment will feature thirteen artists displaying summer-inspired photos. The opening is free, and features Future Islands' first ever acoustic set. The closest we've ever seen them play acoustic was the living room session we recorded last Fall. "Swept Inside" above and "Walking Through That Door" below are both from that session.
Vetiver were just as solid as they were last Baltimore go 'round. Andy Cabic's crew dropped a set heaviest in Tight Knit material, but well balanced with good stuff from their other records. My only complaint was that "The Swimming Song" was promised later in the set after requested via William Cashion's shout, and was a promise not lived up to. Here you go dude:
Vetiver were preceded by Avi Buffalo, one of Sub Pop's newest acquisitions. This was Avi Buffalo's third ever East Coast show, as these youngsters hail from Long Beach, California. They appeared to be a form of teenage Shins, yet far more engaging live than their label-buddy elders.
Secret Mountains at times sported an eight person lineup, and pulled the big sound off rather well. They featured a few that weren't on their debut, but some familiar tracks too. Look for more warm and fuzzy pop to come from these folks. Bob Keal's Small Sur sported a strong supporting cast as always, with Andy Abelow, Austin Stahl, and Wye Oak's Andy Stack making up the stage. Just as I said when I shared their recent Daytrotter session, I'm excited for Small Sur's 2010 release.
Take a gander at Chrissy's full photo set of the show after the jump. Small Sur
Here's the first post from our newest contributor, Allie. Allie is a Baltimore native, and is currently at NYU studying within theClive Davis Department of Recorded Music. While studying sound, she is working withUnderwater Peoples, a neighboring DC record label that's been responsible for some pretty great things as of late.
This is Allie's take on the debut EP fromSecret Mountains, a local release that you can download for free right here. Get words, music, and a chance to win tickets to their upcoming show with Vetiver below. Listening to Kaddish, the debut EP of Baltimore-based Secret Mountains, will cause you to breath a bit deeper, move a bit slower, listener a bit closer. The gradual crescendo of ocean waves and bird chirps in the title-track opener sets the mood for what’s to come—pensive nostalgia and a breath of fresh air.
The band seems to take elements from many disparate types of music, combining and layering them in a way that doesn’t sit within the confines of any one genre. One moment there are reverb-washed guitars and gentle croons, the next the voices have multiplied into a chorus and the guitars are squealing with distortion.
However, despite this seeming lack of conformity, the resulting sound is never out of place. The album as a whole flows seamlessly and intuitively from one track to the next, giving it the sort of cohesion not often found in a debut EP. And after listening to Kaddish, believe me, you’ll have to remind yourself that it’s their debut.
As a bonus, here is Rapdragons' version of "Growing Season", sampling the Secret Mountains track, and taken from our podcast session with them at the Copycat.
The Midwest's most consistent outlet of cozy music session downloads, Daytrotter, dropped a late Christmas present for ears abound. Small Sur, one of Baltimore's finest folk projects, recently stopped by and played some tunes.
With four songs in total, the session consists of two unreleased tracks, and two off of We Live In Houses Made Of Wood. Both of the new songs will appear on Small Sur's next full length in 2010.
Hear one of the new songs and link to the full session download below. One of the more familar tracks, "Sea Stones", is one of the session's many bright spots. With a two minute intro of soft and hypnotic hushed noise, this one entrances you rather quickly. When Bob Keal's voice soaks in, complete bliss ensues, and you are quickly reminded of the beauty of 2008's We Live In Houses Made Of Wood.
"Ohhhhh Pt. 1 & 2", lumps two consecutive album tracks into one MP3. Andy Abelow's sax work at the end of "Pt. 1" is incredibly enchanting, and provides the perfect segway to the latter half. These songs have aged well since their birth over a year or so ago, much like the rest. Their is a steady flow throughout the whole session, reminiscent to walking through a creek in late September.
Above is one of the new tracks, "My Elder Days". This song cements proof that Bob's 2010 release is something to be excited for, slowly crawling from a gently swaying melody to a bubbling sunny burst of folk pop perfection.
Austin Stahl's drumming in this performance is also worth noting, tastefully scattered in all the right places. Also, proving music of this variety sometimes does need elements of formal percussion. These four tracks are a fantastic representation of Small Sur, and downloading it here via Daytrotter of course comes highly recommended.
Zodiac had a nice one last Thursday, with the very busy Future Islands headlining the affair. Some fellow Carolina boys dubbed Lonnie Walker performed, along with local talents Small Sur and Jared Paolini.
Chrissy captured the last three acts below, in what was an incredibly solid show. Bob Keal's Small Sur was yet again comfort music at it's best, painting tales of nature ideal for an early fall night. Andy Abelow's accompanying sax shined through quite a bit, and the new tracks played were certainly promising.
Having never heard these guys before, Lonnie Walker were a more than welcome surprise to the evening. They rocked country drenched Americana with a heavy guitar presence.
Aural States dug them too, and I couldn't help but notice the heavy Pavement influence in some of the songwriting and vocals. But, I guess not too many artists aren't influenced by Pavement these days. Look for more good stuff to come from these guys. Another Future Islands show, and another hell of a good time. These guys continue to grow tighter as a three piece, and continue to be one of the more fun local bands to catch live. It's impossible to stand still as they pair their ridiculously catchy synth beats with Sam's totally theatrical vocals. Disco ball and all, this was just another stellar performance under their belt.
Look for a ton to come from Future Islands in the near future, some of which we're hoping to premiere right here. Dudes are working on a remix project, a split release with Lonnie Walker, and are right in the middle of churning out their next full length.
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.
