Solid State

What's crackin', Solid State? I trust you're all enjoying yet another edition of Jazz Fest.

Speaking of which, I caught two pretty killer shows over the weekend. I dig into both shows a little bit in tomorrow's column, but the Parker Shper-led yoUSAy Placate at Radio Bean on Friday with local sax colossus Bryan McNamara sitting in was absolutely scorching. If you've yet to catch them, I'd recommend it if only to witness the sheer awesomeness that is drummer Phil Melanson. Holy hell, that guy is good.

Saturday, I dropped by the alley at American Flatbread for an early evening set by Anna Pardenik and the Holy Smoke-Off, who might just be my current favorite local band. For the uninitiated, the group is kind of a pared down spin-off of the rambling Vermont Joy Parade that made the rounds at Bonnaroo last year. AP&HSO boast a similar vagabond aesthetic and mix vintage jazz tunes with Pardenik's own indie folk(ish) originals. Also, they have a musical saw. (BTW, I'd forgotten how much fun it is to see music at Flatbread. That alley is really cozy. And as a friend pointed out, the stage kinda looks like it belongs in a nativity scene. Nifty.)

Anyway, here's some random stuff for your Tuesday afternoon:

The big news of the day is of course that Grace Potter & the Nocturnals are playing a free show, not on a rooftop, but on the Church Street Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate the release of their new self-titled album, which comes out today. Say what you will about GPN — and I have — but giving a free outdoor concert in your hometown is still a pretty swell thing to do for your fans.

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Less swell is how Yeasayer's recent free show at Governor's Island in NYC went. Apparently, the unprecedented deluge of hipsters descending upon the ferry to the island evolved into the seventh circle of hell, leaving those who made it stranded on the island, and thousands who didn't stuck on the shore. On the plus side, it led to this hilarious blog post from Village Voice music ed Rob Harvilla, which chronicles the experience via random Twitter posts. 

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There hasn't been much written about the eTown Radio Show at the Flynn MainStage tomorrow, which seems odd given that the lineup features Anaïs Mitchell, Allison Moorer and Steve friggin' Earle. In fact, I had a recent email exchange with a pretty savvy local musician who had no idea Earle was even coming to town. In part, I imagine that's because the show's organizers scheduled it smack in the middle of Jazz Fest, making it easy for local press to overlook. Also, I haven't been able to touch the show, press-wise, because my brother, Tyler, is in the house band. Something about conflict of interest. Whatever. I'm pretty sure Ty gets paid the same whether anyone shows up or not. And really, this is all just an opportunity for me to remind you that I interviewed Earle last year. Moving on …   

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BTW, if there's time after the eTown show, I plan to stop by Manhattan Pizza to catch The Persian Claws, The Fatal Flaws, and these guys:

Jacuzzi Boys - Smells Dead from John McSwain on Vimeo.

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Last but not least, here's a shameless plug for a 7D sponsored event, also on Wednesday: The Cooler at the Firehouse Plaza at 6 p.m. The cocktail party will feature music from Queen City indie band Villanelles, who will have just wrapped up their live recording session as part of Burlington City Arts' Jazz Lab project.

Last week, I had a great conversation with New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint, for the cover story of tomorrow's paper. Among other things — discussing the art of songwriting, returning to New Orleans post-Katrina, collaborating with Elvis Costello, etc. — my chat with the legendary songwriter confirmed something I've long suspected: that when I grow up, I want to be an old, black piano player from New Orleans. Dude is just one smooth cat, even at 72.

Anyway, here's an older clip from a British TV show that sort of illustrates what I mean. In it, Toussaint describes how his mentor, Professor Longhair, subtly helped shape the course of N'awlins jazz piano.   

This just in from our old pal, former 7D intern and current correspondent with The Deli New England, Will Ryan: his band, Neon Magus, is set to release its long awaited debut album Watching the Watcher with a show Saturday night at … um, well, I'm actually not supposed to tell you. Of course, my merely mentioning a show happening at a venue that I'm not allowed to write about should give Burlington readers a pretty good idea of where said secret(ish) show happening. Hopefully the cops aren't as quick on the uptake and/or are too busy hounding "undesirables" on our precious Marketplace. Still, you didn't hear it from me. Nor did you hear that Nuda Veritas, Ghost Weapons and The Le Duo will also perform.

What you can hear from me is a track from the record, which was recorded at Thee Mighty Hotel2Tango in Montreal. The album, released on Burlington imprint Aether Everywhere, was engineered and mixed by Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Godspeed! You Black Emperor) and features guest turns from Thee Silver Mount Zion's Efrim Menuck, The Le Duo's JB Ledoux and experimental auteur Greg Davis, the last of whom mastered the recording.

So without further ado, I give you "Andromeda, Pt 2 (Spirit World Daydream)" by Neon Magus, from their new album, Watching the Watcher. 

I just caught this little tune by comedy duo Paul and Storm on a recent live episode of the The Nerdist podcast and thought the denizens of Solid State might appreciate it, especially those who have ever been in an opening band — which is probably most of us. Take it away boys …

Oppressive heat and/or the crazy pollen outburst got you down? Check this clip from sweet Swedish indie-pop outfit A Smile and a Ribbon, yet another band on the bill at this Saturday's Smittens-led global showcase at the Monkey. Stay cool, kids.

A Smile And A Ribbon - 'Sweet Sixteen' from Mr Logic on Vimeo.

I can't decide if I love this band or loathe them. But you gotta admit, Moustache of Insanity does inspire a sort of geeky curiosity — and a mild desire to grow a moustache. The London-based duo are part of an international indie pop showcase of sorts at The Monkey House this Saturday, curated by our very own lovable tweeny boppers, The Smittens. And yes, I'm running out of "twee" puns.

Anyway, we'll get into the other bands on the bill later this week. But for now, here are Moustache of Insanity, performing their cheeky lo-fi pop nugget, "Cheese and Freckles."

This just in: Miami-based psych-metal band Torche apparently had some trouble crossing into Canadia for a scheduled gig in Montreal — something about stolen gear and passports. So they'll be making a surprise appearance at the Monkey House tonight with shoegazers The Sight Below and Burlington outfits Painted Manes and Burrows.

Just as a frame of reference for why this is kind of a big deal, this weekend Torche will be at The Electric Factory in Philly for a two-night stand with Coheed and Cambria. So yeah, for the band to swing through the comparatively tiny Monkey House on a random Tuesday is pretty rad.

(Thanks to Michael Nordstrom and his 13 year-old son for the head's up!)

What a pleasure to wake up this morning and find this little bundle of press release joy nestled in my inbox. Higher Ground has just announced that My Morning Jacket will rock Champlain Valley Expo's Midway Lawn on Friday August 20. Tix go on sale this Friday at 11 a.m. The announcement comes on the heels of last month's news that Primus, Gogol Bordello and Heloise & the Savoir Faire will play the Fairgrounds on July 29.

Very quietly, the good folks at HG seem to be trying to curate a legitimate, mid-level outdoor venue on the Midway Lawn. Especially as the Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum continues to trend a little older — but then, don't we all? — this is an interesting development. Here's hoping the experiment works!

In the meantime, here's a clip of MMJ front man Jim James performing earlier this month with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. (And no, it's not representative of an MMJ show at all. It's just cool.)

A happy Thursday to you, Solid State! Feeling a little scattered today, so bear with me …

Higher Ground delighted aging hipsters (like me) around the region earlier this week by announcing that Broken Social Scene will play the Ballroom on Wednesday September 22. Tickets go on sale Friday at 11 a.m. And if it doesn't sell out by, say 11:03 a.m., I will never give Alex Crothers and Co. a hard about time about booking indie bands ever again.

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Speaking of Higher Ground: Li'l Kim. Wednesday, June 02. Really.

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I'll probably mention this in my column next week, but it never hurts to give new material a dry run, right? Anyway, earlier this week, I was minding my own business, just compiling some club listings for next week's issue when I stumbled across this listing for Thursday, June 20 Langdon Street Café website.

J.P. Harris and The Tough Choices play Country-Goddamned-Music. Period. Sick and tired of the modern Pop-Country filth broadcast shamelessly and persistently across our beautiful countrysides, The Tough Choices set out to right the wrongs done to a music so classically and quintessentially American. As we speak, Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Carl Smith, and countless other champions of Honky Tonk are rolling in their graves, groaning with disgust over the watered-down contemporary excuse that Nashville presents us for Country Music. Save a few Randy Travis gems and Alan Jackson hits, this flim-flam is pathetic, at best.

And then, I noticed this curious addition to the band's press blurb …

FREE BEER IF YOUR NAME IS DAN BOLLES.

JP, you had me "country-goddamned music."

(PS- Not that I'm above boozy bribery, ahem, but I'll actually be on my way to Philadelphia that night. Sorry, boys. Another time, perhaps?)

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In the last week or so, I've had three or four separate people — none of whom are not involved with the band or promoting the show, mind you — email about how much they think I would personally like The Barr Brothers. The Slip-offshoot will be at Parima this Saturday. I'm only just digging in this morning, but I'll say this, any band that effectively uses a harp and hammer dulcimer is aces in my book. Here's a clip:

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As it turns out, Thom Yorke is fan of Vermont's own Bill McKibben and his website 350.org. Neat-o.

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Apparently, my column this week stirred up some grumblings in the local comedy community. Take it away, Wacky Pete …

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And last but not least, this week's paper contained an enormous production goof. Long story short, my lead music feature about local hardcore punk band Unrestrained and their upcoming bicycle tour of New England — yes, bicycles — was regrettably omitted from the print edition. Or, at least the first 700-ish words were. Do the band a solid and check out the full story here. And if you really want to help me make it up to them, you could attend their farewell show tonight at 242 Main.

It's been like pulling teeth to get some blogging done around here lately. Sorry 'bout that. I could make excuses. But really, I just need to suck it up and make with the typing. So here 'goes, in rapid-fire, I'm playin' catch-up fashion.

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If you haven't submitted your application to take part in this year's Burlington City Arts JAZZLAB Studio Sessions during Jazz Fest … get on it already. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, fer crying out loud. And just what the hell is JAZZLAB? Great question.

In official BDJF lingo, "JAZZLAB is an experiment in the effect of community energy and other organically developing factors on the [music] being created." In layman's terms, it's a chance for your band to jam at the Firehouse Center and work with JAZZLAB's engineers-in-residence Ben Collette and Rob O'Dea while people watch.

Sounds pretty cool, right? If you're interested in applying, email [email protected]

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Semi-regular 7D music section contributor Matt Bushlow has a new-ish gig working with VPR. His last bit was a nifty little farewell to The Cush. Check it out here.

By the way, I mention this now because I just received a nice email from Gabby Douglas, who says she and Burette are settling in nicely, deep in the heart of Texas.

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While perusing the Twitterverse this morning, I stumbled upon an interesting (and welcome) new addition to the local music blogosphere, On Permanant Rotation, written by Burlington web-builder and music nut, Brendan Bush. Today's post concern's this evening's Drunk Up Buttercup show at the Monkey House and includes the attached video from IndieATL.com.

Handling opening duties tonight is the Seth Gallant-led side project The Dirty Watts. In an email sent earlier today, the In Memory of Pluto front man writes that the band is "for fans of bad bar rock," adding "I may be kidding … then again, maybe not." How mysterious! Gallant adds that the band, which also includes members of Cannon Fodder and "a dude that works at City Market," are finishing up a debut EP which should be released … sometime. Rock and roll. And welcome to the fray, Brendan.

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Last but not least, and unrelated to music, this blog post by Village Voice editor Tony Ortega is exactly why I work for an alt-weekly newspaper (and hopefully why you read 'em).

Tune in tomorrow when we take a look at a new wine documentary starring Maynard from Tool. Really.