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That’s my plan.

Animal Collective + Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” = Smiles

Where: Howler’s Coyote Cafe, 4509 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224
When: Wednesday, December 9th. Doors open at 8PM.
Price: $5 and 18+ show
Bands: Cavalier Rose, Nik Westman & The Central Plains, Choo Choo LaRouge

Cavalier Rose is a Brooklyn based rock band that finds itself somewhere between old American tradition and uncharted depths of the future. The band formed during the winter of 2009.  After getting together a handful of times at each others’ apartments to exchange musical ideas, the group gathered for their first full band rehearsal in late February.  As it was immediately apparent that this collaboration was yielding prolific musical creation, a recording session and gig were scheduled.

In early October, the band spent 3 hours in a Brooklyn studio, where they tracked two demos. “Lie To Me” and “Painted Bird” were recorded completely live, in 1 and 3 takes, respectively.

In these very early stages of Cavalier Rose’s existence, they have merely begun to scratch the surface of their musical potential. They are working perpetually on a wealth of new material and shaping their sound.  See them this Wednesday night at Howler’s!

All photos © 2009 geekstar.com.

All photos © 2009 geekstar.com.

All photos © 2009 geekstar.com.

Who: The Bloodsugars, Good Night States, & Delicious Pastries
When: Saturday, November 14 at 9:30 pm
Where: Brillobox (4104 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh)
Price: $7, 21+ show

The Bloodsugars are touring in support of their first full-length album, I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On. According to frontman Jason Rabinowitz, I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On is “a modern prom playlist.” Of course, prom is not without its awkward, painful moments. Written during a time of personal difficulty for band members, I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On is about remembering that there is always something to celebrate, even in the face of major adversity. With their combination of thoughtful lyricism and kinetic beats, the album’s ten new tracks reflect a refreshing optimism and sweetness. Imagine a house designed by Paul Simon, built by Prince, and decorated by The Flaming Lips and you’ll have some idea of where The Bloodsugars live.

The album features a host of indie luminaries, including trumpet player Kyle Resnick (The National), cellist Colette Alexander (Rilo Kiley, Jens Lekman, Rachel Yamagata) and indie darling Bell. Additionally, Philadelphia-based recording wiz Bill Moriarty—the man behind albums by Dr. Dog and Man Man—produced and engineered the record.

The Bloodsugars are composed of frontman and primary songwriter Jason Rabinowitz, keyboardist Matt Katz, bassist Brendan O’Grady, and drummer Kenneth Salters, the same line-up responsible for 2008’s critically-acclaimed BQEP. Founding members Rabinowitz and Katz met in college, where they “bonded over music and emotion,” listening to records in their dorm rooms. They began making music together then and there, but it wasn’t until O’Grady and Salters joined the band that The Bloodsugars really arrived at their sound. According to Katz, “Each member brings something essential to the music,” whether it be knowledge of jazz, soul, Turkish garage, French house or straight-up pop, and it is this sharing of styles and sensibilities that really lends the band their unique sound.

Download The Bloodsugars free MP3 “The Light at the End of the Tunnel”