Mixtape: Baltimore: Spring 2011

  art by Caleb Moore

This morning I posted a new seasonal mixtape on Impose, titled Baltimore: Spring 2011.


DOWNLOAD: [SIDE A] Baltimore: Spring 2011
1. Zomes - "Openings"
2. Weekends - "Home Alone (acoustic)"
3. Ken Seeno - "Cedilla in My Monogram"
4. Lands & Peoples - "Sexting"
5. White Life - "Real Things"
6. Eachothers - "Wild Yonder"
7. Microkingdom - "Aire Metal (Chopped and Screwed)"
8. Ponytail - "Honey Touches"
9. Adventure - "Feels Like Heaven"
10. Daytime - "Life / Afterlife (edit)"
11. Ecstatic Sunshine - "Hello Money"


DOWNLOAD: [SIDE B] Baltimore: Spring 2011
1. Celebration - "Only The Wicked (acoustic)"
2. Zu Shapes - "Olivia"
3. Moss of Aura - "Charter"
4. Winks - "Slap Me Choke Me Cum On You"
5. Dope Body - "The Shape of Grunge To Come"
6. Inflatable Mattress - "Green Tea Girlfriend"
7. Thank You - "Pathetic Magic (Dan Deacon remix)"
8. Avocado Happy Hour - "Daytime Television"
9. Gem Vision - "Untitled 1"

Photos: Raindeer, Winks, Weekends, Holy Ghost Party

A few weeks ago we presented a killer bill at the Golden West which included Raindeer, Weekends, Winks, and Holy Ghost Party. Some of our favorite younger bands from our fair city, the evening proved to live up to the hype by selling out and providing stellar aural pleasure for those who made it in to the Golden West before capacity was reached.



Valerie was there to capture all the action, including Raindeer's first ever Baltimore show which had kids dancing and singing along the words to tracks from their debut EP.

Show: Truman Peyote, Birthdays, Weekends, Winks

Tomorrow night the Hexagon has a killer mid-week affair that sports some of our favorites paired with some of the many awesome members of FMLY coming to town.



February 22 the Hexagon features Truman Peyote, Weekends, Birthdays, Winks, and Ztarship Unicorn. A hefty bill indeed, this one should have your brainwaves properly fried and your dancing shoes adequately moving late into the evening.

Tomorrow night's show will start around 8 PM at the Hexagon.

Clusterfuck: Shark Tank, Weekends, Moss Of Aura, Winks, Arbouretum, Raindeer, Secret Mountains, Holy Ghost Party

 flyer by Patrick Byrd

I haven't done a Clusterfuck post in a while, but this weekend's abundance of shows is calling for it. I've already highlighted the majority of these shows, so we'll keep it short and sweet as a friendly reminder of what you can treat your ears to this weekend.



Tonight the Windup Space is where you should be, as Shark Tank will be rocking their record release show with Ed Schrader and Moss of Aura. More info right here.



Tomorrow night sports a bill curated in full by yours truly, as Weekends, Raindeer, Winks, and Holy Ghost Party take over the Golden West. These are some of my absolute favorite new bands from Baltimore, and I'm stoked to bring them all together for one bill. This one's just $5, more info on the affair can be found right here.





And last but not least, Sunday night's got a killer show as well, as everyone's favorite doom-folk outfit will be celebrating their new record upstairs at the Ottobar. For their record release show, Arbouretum will be joined by Secret Mountains, making this more than worth not paying for. Yup, this one's free, and it starts at 9 PM.

Winks - Daisy Ingraham

Here' a mid week treat for all the lonely weirdos and goth nerds out there (or just regular people), a new EP from Winks who are fresh off their latest album called She's Done.

Daisy Ingraham is the name of the new three song EP, and is also the title of the second song on this short voyage. This journey didn't originate in any sort of exotic or far-off land, nope. It set sail in the depths of Chase O'hara's bedroom just like Winks' debut album. This was recorded straight to cassette, as the quality of fidelity in these jams will indicate. This bodes well for the types of noise worked into each track.



"Daisy Ingraham" is a fine example of portraying subtle noise interlaced with pop music using cassette tape to record to. This marks a slightly new direction for Winks, one that might find Chase listening to John Maus through a kaleidoscope frequently. There's plenty of indistinguishable textures and tones, but they are all somehow worked in to help create an ambient atmosphere for the simple melodies to flourish in.

Get the new EP for free right here, and don't sleep on the new full length, She's Done.

Shows: Katrina Ford DJ Set, Cool World, Happy Family

Highlighting just a few ongoings this weekend, starting tonight at Club Phoenix where Cullen Stalin's Ice Age takes over. This week he's got Katrina Ford (Celebration) guest DJing, along with Door as well. Expect sounds of the dark, bizarre, rare, proto-industrial, positive punk, minimal synth wave variety. Free before 11 PM and just $2 after.





The flyer above was just passed along to me from Mike of Run DMT acclaim who promises "a psyched out other world party/show/psychedelic experience." He's throwing a pretty radical show at the Penthouse Saturday night that features Providence's Cool World along with a surprise set from Winks and also sets from Happy Family and Costume Box (a project from DJ Dog Dick). This probably starts around 10 PM.

Show: Weekends, Raindeer, Winks, Holy Ghost Party

 flyer by Patrick Byrd

Next month is looking pretty stacked in terms of shows to see in Baltimore, and we were stoked to add another to the batch by putting this bill together. On Saturday, February 12 the Golden West will host four of our absolute favorite newer local projects with Weekends, Raindeer, Winks, and Holy Ghost Party all rounding out the raucous lineup.

Tickets are just $5 and you can grab them in advance right here. Starts at 10 PM.



The duo of Holy Ghost Party contains 2/3 of Dope Body, but is a whole other entity in and of itself... a psychedelic blast of prog pop with just about everything in between.



Winks is Chase from INEVERYROOM and Adam from Weekends, and this is to be their first show of 2011. This will be your first chance to grib their new album, She's Done.



This will be Raindeer's first ever hometown show, the project of Charlie Hughes joined by Beau Cole of Lands & Peoples and Devin Byrnes. New material out soon via Gprecs.



Weekends continue their onslaught of free-form pop scuzz, with their first proper LP Strange Cultures dropping right around the time of this show on wax via Friends Records.

Winks - She's Done

At the beginning of the year, Adam from Weekends sent me a recording by Chase O'Hara under his new moniker Winks. Chase had just lost his job, and told me that making music seemed like a healthy activity as to just getting drunk all the time. That album ended up being one of the firsts in the Friends Records cassette catalog, and was originally recorded on an old karaoke player using pawn shop tapes.



The follow up is called She's Done, and was recorded this past summer by Ben Bass at his Annex studio in Baltimore. It includes nine new songs written and recoded by Chase, with Adam on synth bass. All of the new recordings were done straight to tape, amidst the hot sun and thick summer aura thats emits from the Annex in August. The result was a generous offering of new goth wave ballads and seedy pop gems now ready for your ears.



Take a first listen to "Animal" and "Slap Me Choke Me Cum on You" above, and download/stream the album in full right here and after the jump. The first run on tapes is limited to 150, and ships in January 2011. Tape art also available after the click.

Show: Future Islands, Lonnie Walker, Winks, Bobby @ Ottobar

This Saturday night, November 20th, the Ottobar hosts a late show (doors at 10 PM) that includes Future Islands, Lonnie Walker, Winks, and the dance collective Bobby.

This is the release party for a split 7" record with new singles from Future Islands and Lonnie Walker, dubbed "The Ink Well" and "Love Turn". The release is now available via our very own Friends Records, and comes on silky smooth peach-colored vinyl and a download code for those who prefer digital sounds.



Lonnie Walker are close friends of Future Islands from their hometown of Raleigh, but have played in Future Islands newfound home of Baltimore enough to earn a spot in Charm City's young hearts and minds. "Love Turn" is a sedated country punk ballad from the mind of singer Brian Corum, a heart-wrenching tale of when things go sour.



The Future Islands track features the glimmering synths, poignantly irresistible bass lines, and guttural vocals that have caused folks all over the world to fall in love with this band. This 7" is the last release of what has been a banner 2010 for the trio - touring the world and releasing their highly-acclaimed second LP with Thrill Jockey.



Winks will open, another Friends Records alum who is on the heels of releasing their next record. The new full length is to be titled She's Done, and steps in a more focused and polished direction than the old karaoke machine recordings of Winks' stellar debut cassette. Look for the track above, "She Cums in Colors", to appear on the new album, and stay tuned for more info on that release.

The show on Saturday starts at 10 PM at the Ottobar, and costs just $7.

Sunday Brunch: Truman Peyote, Scottie B, Rapdragons, Winks, Shock Diamond, & more

This Sunday at The Annex, John of Environmental Aesthetics is throwing a show called Sunday Brunch. Taking place in 3E and 4W, 17 acts are slated to play from 2 PM 'til late.





With a wide variety sounds that are either based in the area or passing through Baltimore on their way up to CMJ, folks will have a plethora of vibes to take in with their eggs benedict and huevos rancheros. Be prepared for rock, warped R&B, psyched out electronics, Baltimore club, scuzzy post-folk, party rap, and plenty more.



Performing will be Winks, Truman Peyote, Shock Diamond, Talk to Animals, Brendan Sullivan, True Womanhood, Ava Luna, Stillborn Identity, Bug Eyes, Ced Hughes, Gabe Niles, Artyy Ziff, Cop Magnet, Rapdragons, and 2n3904. Special guests include DJ sets from the legendary Scottie B and the Deep In The Game dudes.

Upcoming Shows @ The Ottobar: Lower Dens, Wye Oak, Future Islands, more

The Ottobar has a trio of shows in October/November that each feature a different local headliner, and all of which have put out some of our favorite releases thus far this year.



Starting with next week, Lower Dens headlines the Ottobar on October 19 in what will be their last Baltimore show of 2010. They play with the much-hyped garage pop of Frankie Rose and the Outs and Woven Bones, and locals Junkers will be opening. Lower Dens just finished up a massive North American tour, complete with visits to NPR's Tiny Desk and Daytrotter, both of which are worth checking out.



On Friday, November 5th, Wye Oak headlines the venue. This one is supported by two other local bands that have always come recommended by us - Height with Friends and The Art Department. The local indie hip hop mainstay Height and the quirky and angsty poppers of the Art Department have both dropped excellent full lengths on vinyl this year.



And lastly, Future Islands will headline the Ottobar on Saturday, November 20th. This is the seven inch release party for a split they are putting out with Lonnie Walker, which contains the forthcoming Future Islands single "The Ink Well". The limited split is pressed to peach-colored vinyl and comes via Friends Records. Nov. 20 will be the last stop on a 17-date November tour that both bands are a part of. Opening the Baltimore release party will be Winks, a project that has a new full length coming soon.

Future Islands are currently finishing up in Europe, where they ran into Dan Deacon...

Clusterfuck: Deep in the Game, Scout Niblett, Talk to Animals, Small Sur, DMFS, Weekends, Winks

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.

Winks - "CORBS"

The first Winks release featured recordings from old tapes in a shoddy karaoke player. Chase and Adam recorded their second album this summer, which was produced by their friend Ben who has a new studio set up in the Annex. Ben records everything straight to tape and is also responsible for two tracks on the forthcoming Strange Cultures LP, and a killer upcoming Microkingdom cassette.



"CORBS" will be the first track on the new Winks album. It sounds like Chase wrote it after watching Cruising while skipping his post-apocalyptic high school prom in 1983. This my friends, is a good thing, and is really only a taste of what's to come.

The full release will be called She's Done, and will feature recent live set staples like "Animal" and "She Cums in Colors". It's going to be released this Fall by Friends Records. More new sounds from Winks are in the wing, and don't forget to check out Chase's other band, INEVERYROOM, tonight at Sonar.

Show: Lands & Peoples / Winks @ Golden West

This Friday night the Golden West has a great one, with Lands & Peoples, Winks, Glass Pope, and Allyson Little all performing. Lands & Peoples are getting ready to head back into the studio with Chris Freeland to finish up their debut full length, an album that folks around town are patiently awaiting.



With a stellar debut EP and a couple contributions to some cassette releases, like the track above from their split with INEVERYROOM, the band is more than certainly on the verge of spreading their hazy pop clouds the world over.



Winks has also began spreading his vibes all over, with recent write-ups overseas from fine publications like No Pain In Pop and Delicious Scopitone. Folks have surely been taking notice of his debut cassette (just released on Friends Records), and in addition Winks just finished recording his second album. Look for new tunes in the near future from Winks, and get a taste of what's to come Friday night at the Golden West.

Winks Cassette

Winks is Chase from INEVERYROOM with some help from Adam of Weekends. Chase sent me their first release at the beginning of this year, an album recorded mostly on a karaoke player by himself last Winter in Remington.



"Gold Mine" is the first track on the debut, jaded pop haze recalling a time when Chase just lost his job and considered it better to record some new music than to just get drunk all the time. When I first asked him about the release, he said it was like "you found it in the trunk of your dad's Camaro that has been sitting in the garage since 1984, while a depressing prom was going on in the garage".

The album never got released on cassette as intended, so Friends Records is re-releasing an updated tracklist of the Winks debut this weekend at Whartscape. Friends Records will also be releasing the new Winks album early this Fall, which was mostly recorded yesterday by Ben Bass at his studio in the Annex.

The album will be made available digitally for free this weekend, and the cassette will be available at the Friends Records tent at Whartscape, and then online next week.

Winks
FRCS004
Friends Records 2010

Side A
1. Gold Mine
2. Port Antonio
3. Weed Makes Sex Weird
4. Human Noises

Side B
5. Prons
6. Fred Flintstoned (In Honor of Bongy Rubble)
7. X-Mas
8. Stoned and Throned

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

Clusterf*ck: Future Islands, Small Sur, Winks

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.



Also Saturday, the Annex plays host to Winks, Applemouth, Space Tigers, Ben Lorber, and Christopher Adams. This show was listed as "The Lighthouse Returns to Babylon" in an email I recieved, but I have no idea why.

Tonight: Future Islands / Lower Dens / Art Department and Dead Drums / Winks / Married in Berdichev and more

Tonight there's a doubleheader, so start up in Hampden at Jesus Camp, then head on down to the Penthouse. Married in Berdichev, Winks, Dead Drums, Alexander Trust, French Quarter, Pollination Population all play at Jesus Camp starting at 5 PM today.




Tonight at the Penthouse you'll find Future Islands and Lower Dens returning from a national tour and joined by The Art Department. This show starts around 9 PM.

Photos: Run DMT, Prince Rama, Emily Reo, Winks

A couple weeks ago an entire floor at the Annex was dominated by fantastic sounds from the likes of Run DMT, Prince Rama, Emily Reo, Winks, and a lot more. I was out of town catching Dan Deacon, Height with Friends, and Dustin Wong all invade New York at the Cake Shop, but Adam from Weekends was in attendance. He played a set with Winks, and shot some really rad photos.

Run DMT


Prince Rama


Emily Reo


Check out Adam's full photo set of the night after the jump.