WEDNESDAY – The Splendid End
Like a summer cicada, The Splendid End burst through the husk of its initial incarnation into a leaner, more muscular form. Following the departure in late 2014 of both their lead singer and their keyboardist, the core trio of Guy Low (bass), Darren Harff (guitar), and Sam Ridenour (drums) chose not to flesh out the band with replacement musicians but instead challenged themselves to create an even bigger sound with a stripped down, skeleton crew lineup. The result is classic, heavy, thunder-in-your-bones rock, set alight by dramatic arrangements, switchblade sharp songwriting, and raw emotional power. The Splendid End, your personal audio explosion.
Sounds like: Television, Lou Reed, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Syd Barrett
THURSDAY – Zach Heckendorf
By age 21, Denver native Zach Heckendorf signed his first record deal, released his first album, played Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre and shared stages with Rodrigo y Gabriela, John Butler Trio, Brett Dennen, The Lumineers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and One Republic. Heckendorf has spent the past three years patiently honing his craft, combining songwriting and rapid-fire guitar picking with his deep passion for infectious hip-hop beats. The new album was funded entirely via Kickstarter by Heckendorf’s devoted fan base. The new songs take inspiration from his childhood influences, like Jack Johnson, Ray Charles and Aesop Rock, while incorporating ideas from deep album cuts by artists like Drake, Chance The Rapper and Frank Ocean, among others. Heckendorf’s ability to captivate a crowd, spit rhymes, lead a mountain-influenced groove, or raise a ruckus with his full band demonstrates his dynamic range and already well-seasoned stagecraft. Heckendorf is currently in preparation for a year of touring and the release of his new full-length album. [BWW Music]
Sounds like: Charlie Mars, Matt Costa, nelo, The Giving Tree Band
FRIDAY – All Them Witches
Heavy and heady, [Nashville’s All Them Witches] seemingly channels the churn of the universe and connects with a big, bad, uncaring cosmos. There is a primal ebb and flow at the core of its latest LP, Lightning at the Door, self-released in September, one more akin to the malevolent grooves of Miles Davis’s Live/Evil era than more mosh pit-ready fare. The band’s mystic atmosphere, dark but not brutal, is the result of a tireless work ethic, a grueling tour schedule, and a tape trader’s compulsion for documenting every show. “[Drummer] Robbie [Staebler] and I are huge Grateful Dead fans,” guitarist Ben McLeod says. “We like that with the Grateful Dead, you can listen to almost everything that they’ve ever recorded — it’s just a neat concept. It wouldn’t work if it were a band with songs that are the same every night. Not that that’s a bad thing, but for us, every night is different. We can play one of our songs one night and make it 10 minutes, play it the next and make it four minutes. There’s all kinds of jamming going on, and we just love to capture those moments.” [Boston Globe]
Sounds like: Mondo Drag, Electric Wizard, Orange Goblin, Saint Vitus
SATURDAY – Mike The Martyr Marbury Record Release Show
On Saturday, local hip-hop mainstay Mike The Martyr celebrates the release of his debut solo album, Marbury, with a record release show in the Entry. Named after the polarizing Timberwolves All-Star guard 1996-’99), Marbury was previewed by City Pages in late 2014:
Martyr’s newest work carries a subtle undercurrent of modern influence, with slight allusions to trap drums, futuristic electronics, and spacier soul sample tweaks indicative of a progressing palette. His debut solo record is called Marbury. […]The record cuts even closer to this hybridized merging of eras. “I went left on my album with different, slower beats than I’m used to rapping on,” he says. Originating from a short-form project hosted by DJ TIIIIIIIIIIP, Marbury took on new life as Martyr’s official debut solo project when he decided the unique sound deserved to be extended into a full-length.
Come by the 7th St Entry Saturday to see the hot results.
Sounds like: Muja Messiah, Bobby Raps, Manny Phesto, Finding Novyon
SUNDAY – White Arrows
Los Angeles-based indie rock band White Arrows headline the 7th St Entry on Sunday, with rising NYC quartet CHAPPO as well as local duo Grand Courriers as special guests. White Arrows is touring in support of their latest album, the “Tropi-Pop” (Spin) In Bardo, which was released in September 2014. Expect Sunday’s show to be a high energy psychedelic affair worthy of a place in anybody’s long President’s Day weekend.
Sounds like: Reptar, Saint Motel, Wolf Parade, Vacationer
