The Run Down - Saturday May 3, 2008

Another weekend is here bringing in a wave of great shows. Abby Mott plays her second day of shows at the Nerve Center in Baltimore with The Bright Lights, A Cat Called Cricket and In Every Room. In DC the Black Cat has Jukenox the Ghost, Travis Morrison Hellfighters, and the XYZ Affair while the Rock and Roll Hotel has South, Silver State, and KI: Theory. Finally in Philly, Johnny Brenda's has the Kills and Telepathe while the M Room has The Major Leagues.

mp3: Jukebox The Ghost - Good Day
mp3: South - Here On In
mp3: The Major Leagues - Fire
mp3: Abby Mott - Wild Desire

The Run Down - Friday May 2, 2008 - UPDATED

Edit: The Velocipede Bike Project show just got a lot cooler. Abby Mott and Baby Teeth are now on the bill, after the unfortunate Metro Gallery cancellation. Woo.

This is a super packed day for events. Here in Baltimore be sure to check out a great art opening down at Velocipede Bike Project that features the work of Alyssa Dennis, Charlotte Benedetto, David Cunningham, Kathy Fahey, Laurent Hrybyk, and Orlando Johnson. There will also be a performance by Yeveto. After that you can head right next store to Metro Gallery and catch the one and only Protomen or across from that you can swing by the Charles for the Maryland Film Festival.

Maybe you might want to travel a bit more downtown to the Talking Head for Abby Mott and Baby Teeth EDIT: (The Talking Head has had to cancel this show).... or trek over to Charm City Art Space for Caleb Stine, Among Wolves, Beans, Lost Thoughts, and Heavy Hangs The Head. In DC the Black Cat has The Kills and Telepathe while the Velvet Lounge has Hammer No More The Fingers, New Rock Church Of Fire, Caverns, and Black and White Jacksons. In Philly the Millcreek Tavern has Gildon Works, Cheers Elephant and a new favorite, Meowskers while the Khyber has The Acorn.

mp3: The Kills - No Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix)
mp3: The Acorn - Blankets
mp3: Hammer No More The Fingers - Fall Down, Play Dead
mp3: Gildon Works - Fourth But First
mp3: Meowskers - Colors That Lie!
mp3: Among Wolves - Hard To Die
mp3: Baby Teeth - Snake Eyes
mp3: Abby Mott - Aphrodite

The Run Down - Thursday April 17, 2008

Today seems to be the busiest show day of the week. The 9:30 club has Kate Nash, DC9 has Tally Hall and The Republic Tigers, The Red and The Black has The Dig, The Incorrigibles , Motel Motel and Red Shift, while the Ottobar has Abby Mott, Golden Jubilee, and Pulaski.

mp3: Kate Nash - Nicest Thing --> website --> buy
mp3: The Republic Tigers - Made Concrete --> website --> buy
mp3: The Dig - Any Day Now --> website --> buy
mp3: Abby Mott - Snow --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday March 21, 2008

If you happen to be in DC, Philly, or Virginia, then get to these venues IMMEDIATELY. The Black Cat in DC has a ridiculously phenomenal show with Le Loup, The Ruby Suns, and Bellman Barker. In VA, IOTA has Baltimore's own Abby Mott with Boxcar Collision and Tani D'mar. In Philly, The First Unitarian Church has WHY? and Cryptacize, and the Khyber hosts Panther, Kate Starr, and On Mono. GO!

mp3: Le Loup - We Are Gods! We Are Wolves! --> website --> buy
mp3: The Ruby Suns - There Are Birds --> website --> buy
mp3: Bellman Barker - Pockets --> website --> buy
mp3: Panther - Total Sexy Church --> website --> buy
mp3: WHY? - Rubber Traits --> website --> buy
mp3: Abby Mott - Snow --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Saturday March 1, 2008

There are some marvelous shows around town tonight. Here in Baltimore make sure to catch Abby Mott, Pulaski (CD Release), and The Jennifers at the Ottobar. In DC you might not want to miss Exit Clov, Dengue Fever, and Cordero at the Black Cat. If you're Philly bound, makes sure you stop at the Khyber to see Gildon Works, Beat Jams, The Tundra Toes, and The Sunshine Recorder. Finally if you happen to be in Skippack, PA(where ever that is), there is a quality show at the Village Coffeehaus with Sarsaparilla. Go have a good time.

mp3: Dengue Fever - Laugh Track --> website --> buy
mp3: Exit Clov - Violent Berries --> website --> buy
mp3: Abby Mott - Africa From Here --> website --> buy
mp3: Gildon Works - Artful Rifle --> website
mp3: Sarsaparilla - Sad Stars --> website

Abby Mott - She's The Bee's Knees

You heard it here first folks. ABBY MOTT IS THE BEE'S KNEES!! Okay, okay. Some of you might be saying right now, "Gee this Laurent guy has really lost it." While that may be true, it doesn't nullify the previous statement. You see I was growing tired of my usual complement of a band or person by calling them 'friggin good'. So now the bee's knees is it. For those of you not in the know-the bee's knees is a 1920's term basically meaning...'friggin good'. So once again...Abby Mott is the bee's knees. Why you ask? Well put aside the fact that she has a gorgeous voice, she played all the instruments on her debut(including the doorknob...which I sometimes play too), and she has a killer live presence. Abby Mott's songwriting and style are really what sets her apart from this saturated pop universe. While listening to here LP Hearts A Flutter, I was overcome by the amount of musical genres Mott seemed to be tapping into. Soul, rock, country, bluegrass, pop...they were all there. Then I thought to myself...she really reminds me of a modern Stevie Nicks. Really. Really really. So now you understand. The bee's knees...aka...Abby Mott. Be sure to check her out on March 1 at the Ottobar and March 15 @ the Knitting Factory in NYC.

mp3: Abby Mott - Snow --> website --> buy
mp3: Abby Mott - Aphrodite

In Review - Among Wolves & Others @ Lo-Fi 1/12/07

The Lo-Fi Social Club rests precariously between North Avenue and the Charles Theater. Being comprised of two row homes, the Lo-Fi brings a comfy and relaxed atmosphere with artwork and couches to peak your interest in between drinking and listening to music. It also hosted a wondrous show last night where indie pop rock blended seamlessly with blues, folk, and country music. The Red Vines led off the night with music that is comparable to indie legends Wilco. Featuring the drummer from Among Wolves, The Red Vines laid out a great set (with a trombone even) of prepossessing alt/country/folk/pop gems. After that, the audience was surprised to find an additional act that wasn't even on the bill. Justin Collins rolled in from Nashville with his guitar and a purpose - to astound listeners with his powerful 50s rock and roll voice. Seriously...he was marvelous. Abby Mott followed with a sound that I was unprepared for and, frankly, taken aback for a few moments. Mott has a tremendous voice that some might compare to others (Neko Case maybe), but shouldn't. Her songs were...how do I say it...the bee's knees...no no...treasures...yes that'll do. Pop treasures with a country song in there for good measure. Following Abby Mott, The Courtesy Line played. Short their lead guitarist due to a death in the family, TCL strung out a series of quality folk pop tunes. The real bonus came today when I popped their recently recorded demo into the old player. The tracks were superbly written and almost had the old Death Cab For Cutie sound going. Closing the night was Among Wolves. The crowd had thinned much by this time of the night (WHY?!!!) which is a shame, because AW put on the best performance of the night. Their music is fresh and unheard of in my mind. Who can blend experimental indie pop rock with synthesizers seamlessly with straight up country rock? Among Wolves. They threw it down, even throwing a Johnny Cash cover into the mix when they did the band member switch-a-roo (bass player played drums-piano player played bass- drummer played lead guitar and sang). If you get a chance, please go check them out...they put on a show that is worth every cent.

mp3: Among Wolves - Baltimore --> website --> buy
mp3: The Courtesy Line - The Lake --> website
mp3: Abby Mott - Wild Desire --> website --> buy
mp3: Justin Collins - Sweet Misery --> website --> buy
mp3: The Red Vines - Once --> website --> buy

Among WolvesThe Red Vines
Abby Mott
Justin Collins
The Courtesy Line