In his songs a poetic tension exists between textured imagery and pure improvised rock and roll. The record expresses Francis’ soulful rock, folk and blues influences with layered instrumentation of B-3 organ, lap-steel guitar, mandolin, and a driving rhythm section.
Similar to: Slightly Stoopid, John Butler Trio, Matt Nathanson, & Matt Costa
Shooting Star and the Ambulance- Pete Francis
Pete Francis Interview
with COLOURMUSIC
Genre: Pop/Rock/Experimental
messily refined indie rock..and innovative, yet catchy, melodies that work their way into your head without you even knowing it..wildly inventive shows, and it’s while performing that the band’s vivid personalities come through.
Similar to: The Flaming Lips, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, & Kings of Leon
Though the band is pinned as producing the same kind of indie rock aesthetic à la My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses, Dead Confederate dabbles in darker shades than their compared predecessors..Dead Confederate echo the Drive-By Truckers’ bittersweet southern rock angst with the smoke-heavy swagger of the Black Angels.
After a pair of glowing reviews from the influential music website Pitchfork they have recently come to prominence as a major indie rock band.
..evocative lyrics and powerful instrumentation..an outstanding fusion of alt-country earnestness and indie rock absurdity. Without any trace of flaunt or deliberateness, this homespun epic proves as casual in tone as it is ambitious in scope… sure to have tears welling and fists aloft in raucous salute.”- Josh Berquist, PopMatters, April 2007
Similar to: Okkervil River, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, M. Ward, The Avett Brothers, & My Morning Jacket
STARS AND STRIPES EXTRAVAGANZA featuring ROBBIE FULKS AND FRIENDS
Genre: Country/Indie/Bluegrass
While most current country music is calculated to form an inoffensive backdrop to the suburban shopping experience, Robbie Fulks writes songs that make you think and feel and quite often laugh out loud.
Similar to: Steve Earle, Neko Case, & Lyle Lovett
Cigarette State- Robbie Fullks
plus ROMANTICA
Genre: Americana/Folk/Pop
With an album on Paste Magazine’s Top 100 of 2007 and comparisons popping up all over the place between singer/songwriter Ben Kyle and both Jeff Tweedy and Ryan Adams, it probably won’t be too long before you’ll no longer be able to catch these guys in such a cozy venue.
Summer has rolled in as tour buses roll away but we’ve got a couple of good ones for you this week..
Monday May 26
If you’re in to The Avett Brothers or Okkervil River check out..
True Endeavors and Muzzle of Bees present: LANGHORNE SLIM AND THE WAR EAGLES with THE BUILDERS & THE BUTCHERS
“I’m not sure that there’s’ any other kind, but the songs I write are love songs. Some are literal, about specific events, people and relationships in my life; a form of therapy, self-help for the flowers and the crap along the road of life.” -Langhorne Slim
If you’re in to Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams, or Steve Earle you also like (trust me)..
THE EVERYBODYFIELDS with special guests MARTHA BERNER & KATIE SAWICKI
“..deeply rooted in americana, bluegrass, and classic country..Here you still find the slow, sad sounds of halfway there, but there is a new strength to the sound, a vein of rock and punk that is so well hidden, you don’t even know it’s there” -LastFM
We don’t have any nationally touring shows for you this weekend but there is some good stuff going on around town..
This Friday May 23 some of our local faves including PALE YOUNG GENTLEMEN, SLEEPING IN THE AVIARY, and others are hosting a Whatfor CD Release Party at the High Noon Saloon- 10:00 PM , $5 cover, 21 +
This Friday is also the monthly IQ party if you are more in the mood for a DJ. Local hostess Liz Tymus is throwing the Marquee Pre-Party from 9PM-11PM and dance party 11PM-2AM at the Majestic, 18+.
Saturday May 24 offers up a variety of Latin and African based music including El Clan Destino- the Afro Cuban project of local bassist Nick Moran. The benefit for African Youth Outreach at Cafe Montmartre costs $10 per adult, $7 for students with a current ID, 9PM, 21+
What are you up to this week? Tell us what else you recommend!
If you like Matt Pond PA, Stars, or Iron & Wine try..
MARGOT AND THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S with special guests CAMERON McGILL + JENTRI COLELLO
Genre: Rock/ Indie/ Folk
Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s is an 8-piece indie-pop/orchestral pop band from Indianapolis, Indiana. The band’s sound, categorized as “chamber pop”, has been compared to the indie rock groups Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, and The Shins.
Quiet As A Mouse- Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s
9:00 pm @ Orpheum Stage Door 608.255.8755 $10 adv $12 dos – all ages
If you like Ryan Adams, Okkervil River, or Jason Collett try
JOSH RITTER with DAWN LANDES
Genre: Rock/ Indie/ Folk Rock
“Ritter’s off-the-cuff approach intersects with a winning pop melody..the neatly arranged horns, fiddles, and piano play against Ritter’s tumbling lyrics. -Onion AV Club