Live MP3s: Ecstatic Sunshine @ Soft Fest

I present you with more great audio to share from this year's Soft Fest, this gem via the set by the ever-evolving Ecstatic Sunshine. This project has remained the solo endeavor of Matthew Papich over the last year or two, with him churning out a stellar full length and some other sounds here and there - including the digital single "Hello Money" below.



Much like the evolving lineup the project has had over the years, one can never expect exactly the same thing from a live set. Sunday night's Soft Fest performance, recorded by David Carter, consisted mostly just of samples. Papich shared endearing sounds that bubbled and entranced until they boiled over into new melodies and ideas. New waves washed into vibes that were slightly more percussive than journey's past, and even some familiar notes worked their way into the incredibly stellar set from Ecstatic Sunshine.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL LIVE SET RIGHT HERE.

Live MP3s: Romantic States @ Soft Fest

Last week we shared photos from this year's Soft Fest, and starting this week we'll begin offering a handful of recordings from the second night compliments of David Carter.



The first one is a live set by Romantic States - the excellent project via Jim from Videohippos. I've had the pleasure of seeing Jim perform several times with Ilenia under this moniker, and each time have been floored by the gentle melodies and effortless beats of the project. Above is "Amusement", the second song in their set from Soft Fest.

If you have yet to catch this duo perform live, digest the full set below... or better yet... catch them in DC this Thursday, November 4. They'll be opening up for Future Islands and Lonnie Walker at the Black Cat, which also marks the first show the Future Islands split 7" with Lonnie Walker will be available. More on that to come very soon this week.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL LIVE SET RIGHT HERE.

Photos: Soft Fest (Saturday and Sunday)

This past Saturday and Sunday, those who heard through friends and chatter were able to attend one of the city's more intimate events, Soft Fest. This was the space's second annual Soft Fest, and it had a very similar feel and vibe to last years event.

There was a long list of artists participating, but highlights included sets from Zomes, Dustin Wong, Lands & Peoples, Run DMT + Tonnstartsbandht, video premieres by Mark Brown (for Ami Dang and Teengirl Fantasy), Avocado Happy Hour, Gem Vision, Lexie Mountain Boys, Ecstatic Sunshine, Bird Names, Eachothers, and a whole lot more.

Take a gander at an offering of fine photos from Soft Fest by Valerie below.

Photos / Review: Dustin Wong, Avocado Happy Hour, and Bethany Dinsick at Soft Fest

Saturday night was yet another clusterfuck of shows in the city that reads, but those who chose Soft Fest were not disappointed. Of the handful of acts I was able to catch, Avocado Happy Hour, were just another exemplary showcase of Baltimore's more quiet tunes. The duo began their set playing a pair of large xylophones in the back of the space, setting the tone for their dynamic ambient pop sound.

A full range of hypnotizing electronic and organic keys painted the background of their pieces. Amanda's voice chimed in and mesmerized, creating mystery with simple melodic notes. A very peaceful and fulfilling set, and not the only of the night.


Dustin Wong's LP Seasons exemplifies what can be accomplished with multiple layers of guitar. Pulling this off on an album that spanned years of home sessions is one thing, but creating a live show based off these ideas is entirely different.

Armed with an arsenal of pedals and an electric guitar, Dustin Wong coated sheet upon sheet of looping melodies, all seamlessly interwoven with one another. This was an incredibly beautiful set, as Dustin dropped the jaws of onlookers within the entire space.

Bethany Dinsick played Sunday night, a folk singer with a stunningly luminous voice. The obvious comparison might be Joanna Newsom, but Bethany's voice is far less erratic and alien-like (in a good way). She painted pictures of tornadoes attacking hospitals and trees that can heal wrong with the aid of a bottle, and did so pretty freaking elegantly.

The use of hushed and hypnotic background noise tied things together, particularly with the application of a baby's white noise machine. I picked up copy of Bottle Tree from Miss Dinsick, an album that I look forward to indulging in quite a bit more. She described it to me as "meditational R&B", and I look forward to featuring more of Bethany Dinsick here in the near future.


Photos by Valerie

Live MP3s / Photos: Andy Abelow at Soft Fest

More live sets and photos from Soft Fest, as the multi-faceted Abelow showed off Sunday night with Sianna Plavin. The set featured some of the area's finest folk pop ditties, songs accented with choice Americana and careful detail.

You can take a gander for yourself, and peep some video from the set after the click.

Andy Abelow has a show November 12 at the Zodiac with Lizz King and Golden Ghost. Until then, take a listen to his set as Soft Fest.

Andy Abelow (with Sianna Plavin)
Taped by David Carter
Lineage: AGK 414s > Zoom h4n 48/24 > Cubase 5 > flac/mp3
Soft Fest 10/25/09
Baltimore, Maryland

MP3s: http://www.filebox.com/hpd2ehzhqnjr
FLACs: http://www.filebox.com/si218e8srhai

Setlist:
Ease On Out Now
Old Willow Blues
Playin' the Fool
Soft Song of the Sun
The Birds (a Sianna Plavin song)
Sky of Blue


Photos by Valerie

Live MP3s / Photos: Happy Family at Soft Fest

One of Baltimore's newer projects, Happy Family was just another extremely talented artist slotted to play Soft Fest last weekend. He played a set that promised a lot more good things to come, as the entire performance was new material.

Compliments of David Carter, the audio is available to download in MP3 and FLAC form after the click. Along with the rest of our photo coverage of Soft Fest, Valerie is responsible for all of the fantastic shots.

Happy Family's set was one of the more upbeat moments of Sunday night's lineup. His take on sample-based pop music makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, much like the genre's best, Panda Bear. Hear and see for yourself below.

Happy Family
Taped by David Carter
Lineage: AGK 414s > Zoom h4n 48/24 > Cubase 5 > flac/mp3
Soft Fest 10/25/09
Baltimore, Maryland

MP3s: http://www.filebox.com/mfnw11iav7ys
FLACs: http://www.filebox.com/fiwi4v1o628x

Setlist:
1. peeks (not on the recording)
2. going to
3. babies (extended mix)
4. free samples


Photos by Valerie

Live MP3s / Photos: Lands and Peoples at Soft Fest

This weekend a space in Baltimore now known as Afghanistan hosted a pretty incredible event. Soft Fest was a huge success, and featured some pretty amazing sets. I will be posting photos from both nights, and audio from Sunday night as they become available to me in the next couple days.

For now, I have the privilege of offering Lands and Peoples' set in MP3 and FLAC form free to download. Their set featured two new tracks, and was one of the many highlights of Soft Fest.

Lands and Peoples began with some pleasant looping, and quickly dove right into the new stuff. "Wait and See" was an absolutely stunning track, only properly appreciated when looking at in its entirety. The song starts out as a pristine folk pop ballad, but a little after halfway through the guitars segway into where it really takes off. Amanda's vocal cries ascend with the accompanying harmonies, as the track's melodic outro was epically beautiful Sunday night. Hear for yourself...

The set also featured another new track called "Ukulele", and a cover of the American standard "Tonight You Belong to Me". You can download the entire set below, courtesy of David Carter. Also look for more photos and audio from Soft Fest to come soon.

Lands and Peoples
Taped by David Carter
Lineage: AGK 414s > Zoom h4n 48/24 > Cubase 5 > flac/mp3
Soft Fest 10/25/09
Baltimore, Maryland

MP3s: http://www.filebox.com/61h9gdtgkhdm

FLACs: http://www.filebox.com/61h9gdtgkhdm

Setlist:
(loop improvisation)
1. Wait and See
2. Tonight You Belong to Me (cover)
3. Ukulele
4. Isabella


Photos by Valerie

Bring Pillows: Soft Fest

Another weekend in Baltimore, and yet another heap of shows to choose from. One event certainly stands out, spanning both Saturday and Sunday. Soft Fest features some of the areas finer mellifluous tunes.

Both days get going at 6 PM and run until midnight, with over ten acts each night all worth checking out. Organizers promise other activities of a more humbled variety, including chess tournaments, silent films, and Tom Selleck. Yup.

I was even told that the entire space would be lined with blankets. All mellow vibes aside, there's some pretty extraordinary talent lined up. Start clicking below:

Saturday
6:45: Run DMT
7:00: Semya
7:20: Holy Ghost Party
8:00: Each Others
8:20: The Bow Legged Gorilla
9:00: Turquoise Cats
9:20: Soft Cat
10:00: Poor Mouth
10:20: Avocado Happy Hour
11:00: Dustin Wong
11:20: M.C. Schmidt

Sunday
7:00: Daytime
7:20: Comeback Ranch
8:00: Bethany Dinsick
8:20: Happy Family
9:00: Andy Abelow
9:20: Lands and Peoples
10:00: Pilar Diaz and Lindsay Rowzinski
10:20: Secret Mountains
11:00: John Somers and Liz Meredith
11:20: Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez

I've highlighted a bunch of these artists before, as a lot have contributed some of the more beautiful tracks from within 695. Dustin Wong's magnificent Seasons has found its way to my turntable often, an LP drenched in unique textures and layers.

Avocado Happy Hour are currently working on their next album, with much to look forward to. They kindly sent me over a couple live tracks from an acoustic set they did at Sonic Circuits. Below is "Sitting Down", performed with a vibraphone, marimba, glockenspiel, and Amanda singing through a megaphone.

Happy Family had an EP titled Sound Farm that had me pretty excited s few months back, with one of the catchier floaty bedroom pop jams I've heard. Check out "Cups" below.

And Lands and Peoples have shown much promise, as their hand-sewn sleeved EP is lush with dreamy folk pop sure to have you thinking of some of the better acts possessing similar sounds. Check out EP standout "Bad Habits".



There are others playing that I've pointed out before, and many of which I hope to recommend in the future. Stop by and stay awhile on Saturday or Sunday, or both. I've been asked to provide you with this email address, in case you need to know the location of said gathering. With a flyer like the one below, and Tom Selleck promised to be in attendance, showing up is a no brainer.