Live Review: Wolf Alice @ Union Stage — 11/15/21

Posted on 11/17/2021 by Jason Nicholson "Le Mouton Flâneur" in Live Review and tagged England, London, psychedelic, shoegaze, Union Stage, Wolf Alice.

Wolf Alice performs at Union Stage on Nov. 15, 2021. (Photos by Jason Nicholson; Words by Mickey McCarter)

Ellie Rowsell grabbed the microphone and sang in a manner both hypnotic and snarling. With “Smile,” a recent single and the concert opener at Union Stage on Monday, Ellie declares her intent to do things her way, and she doesn’t give a damn if you don’t like it.

To her side, guitarist Theo Ellis wrapped Ellie’s snapping mission statement in wonderfully layered psychedelia, ad Wolf Alice was officially on the prowl for the first of two-sold out shows in DC.

Song of the Day: “Scratching at the Lid” by Piroshka

Posted on 04/27/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged England, London, Miki Berenyi, Piroshka, shoegaze, Song of the Day.

Piroshka (Photo courtesy Bella Union)

Today Bella Union are thrilled to announce the release of Piroshka’s stunning second album, Love Drips and Gathers, that is due out on July 23. The album builds on the acclaim of the band’s 2018 debut LP Brickbat and the reputations of the former members of Lush, Moose, Elastica, and Modern English.

To celebrate the release, Piroshka have shared a video for lead track “Scratching at the Lid” directed by Connor Kinsey / Home Picture Films.

Song of the Day: “Out of Sight” by The Beths

Posted on 06/16/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Australia, shoegaze, Song of the Day, The Beths.

The Beths (Photo by Mason Fairey)

The Beths share “Out of Sight,” a new single from their upcoming sophomore album, Jump Rope Gazers, out July 10 on Carpark Records. It follows previously released singles “I’m Not Getting Excited” and “Dying to Believe.”

Song of the Day: “Wait (Medication)” by Gateway Drugs

Posted on 04/07/2020 by Mickey McCarter in Preview and tagged California, Gateway Drugs, Los Angeles, shoegaze, Song of the Day.

Gateway Drugs (Photo courtesy Dine Alone Records)

LA quartet Gateway Drugs will release PSA, the band’s sophomore album, in May via Aporia Records. Gateway Drugs recently gave us “Wait (Medication),” the first single off the album.

Preview: Lower Dens @ Songbyrd Music House, 2/14/20

Posted on 02/10/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Baltimore, dreampop, Lower Dens, Maryland, shoegaze, Songbyrd Music House.

Lower Dens (Photo by Torso)

Lower Dens released their newest creation — The Competition — on Ribbon Music, at the end of last year. The Baltimore dream poppers perform at Songbyrd Music House on Friday, Feb. 14.

Live Review: Illiterate Light @ DC9 Nightclub — 1/25/20

Posted on 01/31/2020 by Casey Vock in Live Review and tagged DC9, garage, Illiterate Light, shoegaze, Virginia.

Illiterate Light perform at DC9 on Jan. 25, 2020 (Photo by Casey Vock)

It was sweaty inside DC9 before the opener even took the stage, always a sure sign that the night would deliver its promise, or, at the least, help you burn some calories. Elbow-to-elbow in the 149-person, dimly-lit, second-level of the small 9th Street NW bar, fans—many of them authentic locals, including relatives of the band—were wise to get there early. After all, there won’t be too many more chances to catch Illiterate Light perform in a venue with such tight confines.

Snapshots: The Joy Formidable w/ Twen @ Rock and Roll Hotel — 11/29/19

Posted on 12/03/2019 by Jason Nicholson "Le Mouton Flâneur" in Live Review and tagged anniversary show, noise pop, Rock and Roll Hotel, shoegaze, The Joy Formidable, Twen, Wales.

The Joy Formidable mug backstage at Rock and Roll Hotel on Nov. 29, 2019. (Photo by Jason Nicholson)

Earlier this year, The Joy Formidable celebrated 10 years as a band by re-releasing the trio’s debut EP, A Balloon Called Moaning. In doing so, the band added a disc containing acoustic versions of the song recorded in their home Welsh language.

The noise poppers celebrated that anniversary — 10 years as a band really — with a rousing show at Rock and Roll Hotel recently. Jason Nicholson photographed them in action.

Snapshots: The KVB @ Metro Gallery — 11/3/19

Posted on 11/05/2019 by ambienteye in Live Review and tagged electronic, England, London, Metro Gallery, psychedelic, shoegaze, The KVB.

The KVB performs at Metro Gallery in Baltimore on Nov. 3, 2019. (Photo by Katherine Gaines/ ambienteye.com)

British electronic duo The KVB released Submersion, a new EP, recently then launched a debut North American tour that took them to Metro Gallery in Baltimore on Sunday. Katherine Gaines was there to shoot the show.

Snapshots: Cigarettes After Sex @ 9:30 Club — 10/25/19

Posted on 10/30/2019 by paivi in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, ambient, Cigarettes After Sex, dreampop, El Paso, shoegaze, Texas.

Cigarettes After Sex performs at 9:30 Club on Oct. 25, 2019. (Photo by Paivi Salonen)

Ambient quartet Cigarettes After Sex recently performed at 9:30 Club on the very day the band released Cry, their second studio album. Paivi Salonen was there to take photos of all of the slow jams.

Live Review: Ride @ 9:30 Club — 9/22/19

Posted on 09/27/2019 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, England, Nalinee Darmrong, psychedelic, Ride, shoegaze.

Ride performs at 9:30 Club on Sept. 22, 2019. (All photos by Nalinee Darmrong, courtesy of RIDE and the 9:30 Club; Words by Mickey McCarter)

Like a reassuring embrace, guitarslingers Ride strode onto stage at 9:30 Club recently, largely to play songs from a thoughtful new album but also to remind us that smart psychedelic vibes are here to stay.