I’m not sure that any band’s name so perfectly describes a band’s sound better than Earthquake Party!, a three-piece noise-rock outfit from Boston. “Pretty Little Hand,” off the band’s three-track “vs. Pizza” album, is the exact combination of chaos and celebration. In case you are already planning a party for the Roland Emmerich-style apocalypse happening later this year, Earthquake Party! are here to provide the soundtrack. The band will bring its high-energy sound back home with a show at the Middlesex Lounge on September 4th. Watch the video for “Pretty Little Hand” below. – Josh Johnson
Is Stockholm syndrome so wrong? Prepare to be held for ransom by thick, grisly riffage and tales from the future-punk Odyssey. Connecticut’s shape-shifting aggro-prog outfit Hostage Calm have announced the drop date of their second LP, “Please Remain Calm,” which will hit the streets October 9th thanks to the fellas at Boston’s Run For Cover Records. Unhappy to settle on any one sonic definition, Hostage Calm are a slithering and regenerative Hydra of complex rock flavors with an undercurrent of East Bay punk rage, harkening equally to Pavement, Tom Petty and Rancid while remaining unfamiliar and fresh. With a grandiosity and panache rarely seen since the days of arena rawk and vinyl leggings, each track on “Please Remain Calm” reflects on the illusion of time and the absence of right and wrong – there is only creation.
Hostage Calm will be touring with Into It. Over It. on their first full tour from October 17 to 31, and then flying right back out the door in support of Streetlight Manifesto on the Always Almost Home Tour. Don’t miss them when they come through Boston and New York on November 24 and 25! Listen to the band’s debut album streaming below. – Dean Shakked
If you think their previous records were insane, this one's about to blow your head off. On September 25th, Providence based (but constantly associated to the Brooklyn DIY scene) noise-rock duo Lightning Bolt will be dropping a seven-track compilation of some favorite unreleased recordings, 'Oblivion Hunter' (Load Records), which they've introduced with King Candy (streaming below). Nerve-wrecking explosion of gritty basslines, aggressive drums and howling vocals reminescent of Japanese noise aesthetics fusing from beneath the chaos, the track fully captures the furious energy of their sets, and opens an EP already much anticipated, with some teasingly tasty alliterations in the titles (Fly Fucker Fly or World Wobbly Wide) and a strongly suggested 'not for the faint-hearted' label. Currently on a tour which started in DC on Tuesday (8.21), the duo will - prior to the release - be shaking up Brooklyn's 285 Kent on September 20th.
Boston's Cowgill, named after lead singer and guitarist Paul Cowgill, have built up quite a following in their hometown. That following has recently expanded due to the six-piece band's first major tour, which hit Brooklyn, Chicago, and Washington DC. In addition to their extensive touring, Cowgill released their debut album, "Side One of Planted," which features five songs that show off all of the band's different influences. Read on to learn more about Cowgill's name, future albums, and the Boston music scene. And if none of that interests you, there are also masturbation jokes, so there's something for everybody.
Boston's Cowgill, named after lead singer and guitarist Paul Cowgill, have built up quite a following in their hometown. That following has recently expanded due to the six-piece band's first major tour, which hit Brooklyn, Chicago, and Washington DC. In addition to their extensive touring, Cowgill released their debut album, "Side One of Planted," which features five songs that show off all of the band's different influences. Read on to learn more about Cowgill's name, future albums, and the Boston music scene. And if none of that interests you, there are also masturbation jokes, so there's something for everybody.
Congrats on your debut release, "Side One of Planted." Has your experience as a band changed since it came out?
Ryan Rivers: Well, we now have side one of an album to share our music with people (friends, adoring fans, the world, etc.). So now there are more nodding heads in the audience. Cowgill rocks.
Leeann Hackett: Also, while we're writing this, we're getting close to finishing up our first world tour together (well...East of the Mississippi), and we've gotten a lot tighter as a band, and we've gotten to be way better friends.
The record dabbles in several genres, like folk, pop, and rock. Who are some of the band's biggest musical influences?
Joe Pess: 'Serpentine Fire'!!!
Paul Cowgill: Seriously. That song is killer. Also Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Dave Matthews Band, Radiohead, The Head and the Heart, Marvin Gaye, and Dirty Projectors.
What made you decide to use Paul's last name as the band's name? Did you try out any other names before deciding to go down the Van Halen route?
Mike Truskowski: Yes. We tried Paul Cowgill and the Thundercats, but we thought it had too many 't's in it.
Dan Weissman: And honestly, we want to be known for our whisper as much as for our thunder. So we brainstormed over a few band meals, and nothing beat out Cowgill. It's kinda nice since it's also just two words together. Like bandwagon. Or rainbow. And decidedly NOT Cowgirl.
What's your favorite thing about the Boston/New England music scene?
Leeann: College chicks.
Paul: Rock Shop Boston
Ryan: Its penchant for sweeping generalizations mixed with a longstanding tradition of theremin playing.
Do you have any plans regarding a future release?
Paul: I'm planning on masturbating tonight-oh! You mean the album. This winter, bitches!
Mike: Yeah I think the idea is to keep releasing things as "sides" of albums for the next few. Five songs just seems like a perfect amount for people to take in at one time. And recording music is crazy expensive.
Do you have any other information you wish to share?
All: Just want to quickly put in a shameless plug for our website, where you can but our T-shirts (we wish we could wear them without being douchebags, since they're really soft and cool). And you know, that's also where you can sign up for our mailing lists, buy our music, and all that good stuff.
Like ever year, The Deli is going to give you the opportunity to play at one of its CMJ Music Marathon parties.
This time we have booked a bunch of shows in the Lower East Side and Brooklyn, and as usual we'll have stages for all major musical genres (see last year's schedule here). See flyer above for the list of venues booked this year.
We are looking to book 5 or more artists for these shows - last year we ended up booking more than 10 from the submissions!!!
To be considered, all you need to do is to apply here - good luck!
Earlier this month, Boston’s Abadabad released a new single entitled “All The Bros Say.” The guitars shimmer, the vocals float, and the entire song breezes across your ears as you desperately hold on to the last remaining month of summer. Since you’ll have this song immediately stuck in your head, Abadabad were kind enough to schedule a show August 27th at T.T. the Bear’s Place. That way you can shout “Get the hell out of my car” in unison with a group of people who also have become addicted to one of Boston’s rising bands. The band’s debut EP, “The Wild,” comes out September 11th. Stream “All The Bros Say” below. - Josh Johnson
"Words & Tricks" is the debut release from young Boston-area songwriter James Roseman. The album signifies a more than good start. Largely an acoustic pop sound, Roseman demonstrates allegiance to his role models (e.g. his Postal Service cover) and an ear for catchy melody, but his musical versatility is clear. “Words & Tricks” is an endearing, homey project with Roseman playing multiple instruments, each track delivered in an exploratory and sometimes rough-cut style. Still, as he'll be the first to tell you, it’s all about the process. I'd like to think this means we'll be hearing more from him in the future.
Interview with James Roseman - by Kristina Tortoriello
"Words & Tricks" is the debut release from young Boston-area songwriter James Roseman. The album signifies a more than good start. Largely an acoustic pop sound, Roseman demonstrates allegiance to his role models (e.g. his Postal Service cover) and an ear for catchy melody, but his musical versatility is clear. "Words & Tricks" is an endearing, homey project with Roseman playing multiple instruments, each track delivered in an exploratory and sometimes rough-cut style. Still, as he'll be the first to tell you, it's all about the process. I'd like to think this means we'll be hearing more from him in the future.
First of all, congratulations on your album "Words & Tricks!" It's a pretty cohesive project for a one-man debut. Had you been stockpiling songs for a while? Or was this a "burst of inspiration" endeavor?
Thank you very much for the congratulations, Kristina!
I had hit a slump of writing for a while and one day I sat down at my computer, set up the microphones and all equipment so that it was easily accessible (saxophones, MIDI keyboards, etc.) and told myself I couldn't get up until I had a song recorded. I started with an idea and a few hours later I'd be lost in what I was making. I started into a routine where I'd do it every day. Not every song idea was great, and some days I'd word for hours with nothing to show for it. But for me, that wasn't the point. The purpose was the process, and the musical process to me then was and always has been about a certain type of release from stress.
As and individual performer (assuming you're performing under your given name), the recording of music can become intensely personal and reflective of self - perhaps more so than with a band. Any particular anxieties/hopes approaching the album? Do you believe being young necessarily makes you more vulnerable?
Writing for a solo project is definitely a more personal experience than working on an album with a band. I've been part of a group throughout and after high school called Sababa and the types of song ideas I'd present to the group would never have been as personal or blunt as most of the tracks on the album. At the time of writing most of these songs I was going through the obligatory teenage break-up and I was angry. With nobody but myself to bounce these song ideas off of, I ended up with a much more honest type of songwriting than I had previously experienced. It's not to say the songs ended up better than with a group, but some songs definitely benefited from the personal perspective. "Things To Understand," to me, is a good example from the album of where this personal perspective goes right and strikes a nice balance, where as a track like "What Are You Waiting For" was more of something I needed to write rather than wanted to hear, if that makes sense.
You are quite the multi-instrumentalist, according to Bandcamp. So which instrument was the first love?
First instrument was cello, followed by bass and swiftly afterwards by true musical love: guitar. Along the way I've learned a few instruments like alto and baritone saxophone, which I learned in high school bands.
Having won Artist of the Month, no doubt your fan base is behind you on this. Generally, who have played the biggest supporting roles in you music career thus far?
My hometown of Swampscott is a small one, yet one of large artistic promise. It seems like most, if not all, of my friends in town are involved in music in some way or another. To break out of the Swampscott mold and do something recognized by something beyond just that small circle feels amazing, and undoubtedly I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of all my friends and family, especially my mother who, at times, seemed to be more obsessed with the constantly shifting votes than I was!
Name one thing you look forward to doing with your summer now that this album is out, and people consider you awesome.
This summer has been filled up with the 5-Week Performing Artist program at Berklee. I'm going through the Jazz Guitar track and getting my first introduction to some difficult (for me) theory to wrap my head around. It's been heavily influencing the type of music I make and certainly making me think about where my artistic future may lie. To be honest, it makes me want to go out and play shows and write and record more! Speaking of which, I'll be playing in and around Boston this coming school year with a friend of mine I met at the 5-Week program, so (to those reading) check us out some time!
The first band to hit the Main Stage this year was Portland, ME standouts This Way.The vintage Americana group has been friends of KahBang for some time and never fail to bring the place alive. The revivalist, wandering lyrics and vocal delivery reminded us a bit of Willie Nelson, which is never a bad thing. Flushed out by great banjo playing and strong female vocals, the band set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Following This Way was another local favorite, The Mallett Brothers Band.The Stetson-adorned, country-folk group were a nice mix between Old Crow Medicine Show and The Avett Brothers.They had a total of 4 guitars on stage, and all of them, from acoustic to slide could play.
Late Cambrian played an impossibly catchy set over on the 2nd stage. Their music was power pop à la Mathew Sweet or Ozma. The energetic group could churn out a synthpop ditty as well as a disco-punk song one after another. They had a song called “Ryan Gosling,” and at one point, they played a snippet of “Blackbird,” which was pretty cool.
Lady Lamb The Beekeeper finished off the 2nd stage with a bang. Backed by The Milkman’s Union, she performed one of the most blistering sets of the festival. Aly, a.k.a. Lady Lamb, makes manic, angular indie rock that perfectly compliments her powerful voice. She may have had a small, unassuming stature, but their sound was huge. She would chirp and then scream through her paranoid, asymmetrical tracks, leaving the listener to just sit back and admire. Her set was wayyyyy too short, but she finished it with an amazing rap that made mince meet of Missy. She has a new album that is already recorded and just waiting for a release date, so make sure to keep an eye out for that.
Check out a bunch more PHOTOS from KahBang right HERE. - Adam G.
