The Run Down - Saturday February 23, 2008

There are some great shows today, and you better hustle if you want to catch one of them. Thrushes is playing Space 2640 here in Baltimore from 10am-12pm for a Rocknromp show featuring the author of Alternadad, Neil Pollack. It's all ages (duh). Later on tonight in Baltimore you can catch an amazing show at the Metro Gallery with Telesma, Aligning Minds, and DJ Knowledges. Down in DC Daniel Johnston plays the Black Cat along with Benjy Ferree. Finally up in Philly, you don't want to miss The Sw!ms, The Besties, Cordova, and Castles at the North Star.

mp3: Thrushes - Heartbeats --> website --> buy
mp3: Telesma - Immanence --> website --> buy
mp3: Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In The End --> website --> buy
mp3: Benjy Ferree - The Countryside --> website --> buy
mp3: The Sw!ms - We Need Lava --> website --> buy

Society Of Mary Show - In Review

Space 2640 is old St. John's, a dilapidated church on the corner of 27th and St. Paul. Last night, though, it was a place where people poured their hearts out for the sake of life and the expression of it. It was wonderful. The artwork. The music. It all fit together. Way to go Orlando Johnson (the man that put it all together, though he is too modest to admit to anything). I was quite taken aback by all of the musical performances of the night. Everyone played honestly and soulfully...making it quite hard to describe. But I guess I have to...you know...for the blogs sake. Cakes of Light from New York had the rough duty of opening the show, but they pulled it off and then some. Jay Dunbar (singer/guitarist) has a voice that I've heard, but can't quite put my finger on. That doesn't matter...his voice captivates you and brings you in to discover a rich lyrical world filled with politics, mysticism, and, of course, Jay Dunbar. The Violet Hour followed and took it down to the floor, literally ditching the stage for an up close and personal affair that the other acts would continue. The duo of Andriana Pateris and Beth Varden produce a psychedelic sound much larger than the two of them. The music basically put me into a trance before Noble Lake took the floor. People and children gathered around to watch James Sarsgaard and his band grab hold of the audience with their self described 'pre-radio modern country sound'. I had sense that it was going to be good from the moment I saw the banjo, the saw, and the harmonium. I was right. This performance has me highly anticipating the debut release from Noble Lake (hopefully in February). Closing the show was Orion Rigel Dommisse. Everyone was relaxed. Some were even laying down. It was as if Orion (performing solo while beautifully plucking the strings of an electric cello) was singing us all a lullaby. Not a lullaby for sleep. A lullaby to inspire.

Truly a wonderful evening.

mp3: Cakes Of Light - Western Lands --> website --> buy
mp3: Orion Rigel Dommisse - Simon Sent For Me --> website --> buy

Cakes Of LightNoble LakeOrion Rigel Dommisse

The Run Down - Friday January 4, 2008

If you want to be busy tonight, there are definitely plenty of options. Hopefully your first choice would be attending a fabulous art opening, Society Of Mary, at space 2640 (St. John's) on 27th and St. Paul in Baltimore. It's from 7-10 and features the assemblage work of April Wood, Claes Gabriel, Kelly Walker, Alyssa Dennis, Jed Digney, Outtama Tulachahn, Charlotte Benedetto, Kathy Fahey, Matthew Craft, Liz Kasameyer, Neilie Meyer, Laurent Hrybyk (that's me), David Cunningham, Chris Taylor, and Missing Eyes. There also be some great music there as well including Cakes Of Light, Violet Hour, Orion Rigel Dommisse, and Noble Lake. I hope to see you there. Also in Baltimore is a great show at the Lo-Fi Social Club with Savory James, Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad, Wail Sounds, and Butane Variations. Finally if you head on up to Philly, you can check out Blood Feathers, The Cobbs, and Cowmuddy at Johnny Brenda's. Have a good one!

mp3: Orion Rigel Dommisse - Fake Yer Death --> website --> buy
mp3: Savory James - Sleep The Day Drive --> website --> buy
mp3: Butane Variations - Angels --> website --> buy
mp3: The Cobbs - Say You Never Knew Me --> website --> buy
mp3: Cowmuddy - Fire Warms Everyone --> website --> buy