Photo by kiDD wiDD

Where: Mr. Small’s, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale PA 15209
When: Sunday July 12, 8 PM
Price: $5 (21+ show)

Bands:
A.A. Bondy
Deep Sea Diver
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

A. A. Bondy is currently on tour with Conor Oberst, “Bright Eyes”, and the Mystic Valley Band. The tour stops this Sunday night, July 12 at Pittsburgh’s Mr. Small’s. Bondy will be performing music from his upcoming sophomore album, When The Devil’s Loose, along with songs from American Hearts.

Bondy previously was in the 90′s band Verbena which often toured under the name, The Alabama Boys Choir. However, Bondy has since migrated from his early alt-rock roots to country twang at Fat Possum Records. Fat Possum is home to blues artists such as T-Model Ford and newer artists such as The Black Keys.

Bondy, was recently highlighted on Spin.com as one of “10 Must-Hear Acts at Sasquatch Fest”. A.A. Bondy is alt-country at it’s finest delivering smooth vocals and soothing melodies. American Hearts consists of stripped-down blues and spiritually-minded lyrics. The upcoming, When The Devil’s Loose, follows with richer sound due in part to the new full band backing Bondy. However, Bondy remains loyal to his true southern roots.

DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE ‘WHEN THE DEVIL’S LOOSE’ HERE
(CTRL + Click on the Mac or Right Click to save on a PC)

NPR: “a real talent for hard-bitten blues-folk music…as well as an impressive arsenal of sneakily grabby guitar lines”.

Popmatters: “Sparse yet effective, powerful and poignant”

Pitchfork: “…an unfolding tableau…described with a troubadour’s guitar and an obsessive’s mastery of form and musical history”.

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Where: Lava Lounge, 2204 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh (South Side) 15203
When: 10 PM
Price: $5 (21+ show)

Bands:
Stephen Tribou and The Vacant Sea
Ryan Phipps of Vowels
The Baker Family Band

FACEBOOK INVITE CLICK HERE

Come to South Side…watch the game…then head to Lava!

Two of my great friends and favorite local musicians are on the bill: Ryan Phipps and Stephen Tribou.

Ryan has played in a variety of local bands that have created quite a local following including Thee Adora and Soulharmonic. At Lava, Ryan will be performing music he has written that can be described as a mixture of trip-hop and rock. Ryan combines vocals and live instruments over electronic loops he has written on his Apple computer.

Ryan played last month as ‘Vowels’ at Brillobox and the show created such a buzz. Tonight, guest musicians including Stacy from Thee Adora will be lending vocals and instruments on several of the songs.

Stephen is also a local artist and musician. He often shows his paintings at art events throughoug the city. Tribou is a dedicated fan of live looping. His shows are a lot of fun to watch as he creates real-time tracks (rhythms, vocals, instruments) and layers them to create a full rich sound. Tribou’s music is often dark and haunting and I particularly enjoy the songs where he mixes vocals with spacey keyboards and guitars. Stephen will also be accompanying Phipps on several songs.

Here is a little taste of what to expect:

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The Baker Family Band is an indie rock and alternative country band from Asheville, North Carolina, which features musicians Stuart and Elizabeth Baker, Nathan Ribner, David Barrett, and former Salisburian Daniel Resner. Stuart writes the songs for the band, but all the members contribute to the arrangements. With influences such as Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy, Donovan, Sonic Youth and Bruce Springsteen, the band fuses country and rock n’ roll with indie rock and electronic music.

I love rock. I love alt country. I LOVE electronica. Can’t wait to see The Baker Family Band too!

Are you a fan of Twitter?

Follow Ryan and Stephen!

Ryan Phipps: @ryan_phipps

Stephen Tribou: @StephenTribou

Self plug: @geekstar

photo by Wendy Lynch Redfern

Cursive with opening act Man Man
Diesel (South Side: 1601 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203)
Time: 7 PM
Tickets: $16

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Click here to download a free MP3 of Cursive’s From The Hips.

Cursive is one of indie rock’s most recognized bands since they formed in back in 1997. Their breakout album was 2003′s, The Ugly Organ, which landed them an opening spot on The Cure’s 2004 Curiosa Tour alongside Interpol, The Rapture, Mogwai, Scarling, and The Cooper Temple Clause.

Cursive is known for their introspective lyrics and broody musical arrangements that often feature lush strings and brass instruments. I recently spent some time listening to the band’s new album, Mama, I’m Swollen. Surprisingly, I liked it right away. Usually, it takes me a few listens on any album but this one clicked instantly. It’s perfect in the background as I’m working away on my computer all afternoon.

However, I felt a little depressed and like I needed a stiff drink after listening to What Have I Done. BUT this track is reminiscent of the Cursive that long time fans expect and love. It is one of the album’s strongest tracks with it’s crashing guitars and drums which are overlaid with painfully emotional vocals.

Speaking of which, Tim Kasher’s vocals on Let Me Up felt reminiscent of the band Ours with his high falsettos and deep lows. The song Donkeys starts with a somewhat creepy audio loop from a music box. Slowly, harmonica laden melodies develop with whispering lyrics about debauchery and difficult family relationships. Cursive successfully mixes technically complex guitars with thick rhythms and unexpected instruments such as flutes and strings throughout.

Caveman even has a country influence with it’s swingy drums and twangy guitars. I also enjoyed this song’s lyrics:

I want to live life duty free
Let my instincts take the lead
I want to take what I can get
Don’t want to choose don’t want to bet
I want down from this family tree
I don’t need no upward mobility

Cursive is currently on tour in support of their new album, Mama I’m Swollen, and will be playing in Pittsburgh Tuesday, May 5.

Philadelphia’s Man Man is the opening act. Man Man is known for their high energy shows that feature the band wearing war paint and all white outfits. The band also plays a wide assortment of unexpected instruments including a honky tonk piano. I had to post their newest video, Rabbit Habit because it is so fantastic and silly!

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