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Guided by Voices performs at Black Cat on Dec. 7, 2019. (Photo by David LaMason)
There are things that are on almost everyone’s bucket list, but I submit here that among all the mountain sunrises, skinny dipping, and roller coaster rides there must be a space near the top for experiencing a Guided by Voices show. There’s nothing like it.
Guided by Voices (Photo courtesy Tell All Your Friends PR)
About a month ago, Guided by Voices released Sweating the Plague, the band’s third (!) new album this year. To say that frontman Robert Pollard and company are on a roll is an understatement, so catch the new stuff live and see for yourself when Guided By Voices play the Black Cat on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Kurt Vile and The Violators rock a sold-out Ottobar on July 23, 2019. (Photo by David LaMason)
There’s something about Kurt Vile that’s hard to pin down, but maybe that’s the point. Listen to any of his solo work that’s been released over the past 10 years and you might see what I mean. Although he has put out several albums over the past decade under both his own name and with various other artists, including Courtney Barnett, Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis — and he is a frequent collaborator with the band The War on Drugs — Kurt creates the kind of rambling but layered music that’s hard to pull yourself away from (if you ever wanted to in the first place).
Sebadoh plays a sold-out Metro Gallery on June 19, 2019. (Photo by David LaMason)
Back when I was in college, a friend and I drove down to the beach (about a three or four hour drive) at night straight to the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland; found a good spot; and proceeded to play (among other things) a stirring rendition of Sebadoh’s “Punch in the Nose” complete with clarinet solo and out of tune acoustic guitar. It was fun, sloppy, and exciting — much like the music that Sebadoh has been creating — off and on– for the last 30 years.
Soccer Mommy performs at Black Cat on Dec. 1, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Soccer Mommy is on fire. With a debut full length album, Clean (Fat Possum Records), on several best of 2018 lists, a string of sold-out tour dates through next year, and loads of positive press coverage, Sophie Allison’s band showed up at the Black Cat on Saturday night ready to set the sold-out house ablaze.
Will Toledo and Car Seat Headrest rocks 9:30 Club on Sept. 20, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
To say that that Will Toledo is prolific is an understatement. Just before his band, Car Seat Headrest, was picked up by Matador Records in 2015, Mr. Toledo had already released eight albums of material on his own, including the original version of the newly rerecorded Twin Fantasy. Since those earlier years, Car Seat Headrest has grown from primarily a one-man creative outlet to a four piece with Will on guitar to its current stage configuration. And that new sound really packed a punch at 9:30 Club on Thursday!
Car Seat Headrest (Photo courtesy Matador Records)
Car Seat Headrest is coming to 9:30 Club for two nights of lo-fi pop. The first night sold out, but you can still buy tickets for the second night on Thursday, Sept. 20!
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