Tuesday: The Pack A.D.
Destruction and melody, acid wit and bruising vocals-this is the Pack A.D. Singer/guitarist Becky Black and drummer Maya Miller have made a sound so gigantic, so fierce and raw and empowering, that it’s easy to forget there are just two people behind this brilliant, carefully constructed havoc. The Pack A.D. is also one of Canada’s “must-see” bands. Their most recent album, Do Not Engage, was released in 2014.
Sounds like: The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Black Pistol Fire, Heartless Bastards
Wednesday: Sonic Intension Breakfast: Phase One Release Party
Sonic Intension is a five piece Neo-Soul/Americana band which was formed in 2009 under their previous name, Electric Children. Their music touches on a wide array of genres including Blues, Jazz, Funk and Pop which provides a uniquely expressive and accessible listening experience for the listener. They’re based in Minneapolis and perform at venues across the Twin Cities and Midwest region. Sonic Intension is in the process of recording a new album for the next several months.
Sounds like: Chipocrite, Cheap Dinosaurs, Decktonic
Thursday: Tectonics EP Release
Techtonics are a self-proclaimed “Indie Rock / Post-Punk / Shoegaze / Experimental / Whatever, man” group from Minnesota. Eric Anderson – Guitars/Vocals, Mitch Dillon – Bass/Guitars, Tony Dahl – Drums.
Influences: My Bloody Valentine, R.E.M., The Smiths
Friday: Astronautalis
In addition to moonlighting as a travel writer, avid photographer, Harley rider, and most assuredly being the first rapper to perform and have a piece on display at the world famous Venice Biennale, this nomadic wordsmith has been perfecting his own unique hybrid of hiphop, indie rock and punk for over a decade. Cut The Body Loose is Astronautalis’ fifth full length and also the first album he’s released since his Justin Vernon a.k.a. Bon Iver fronted, high profile hybrid project Jason Feathers, who released their debut De Oro last year.
Sounds like: Doomtree, Busdriver, Grieves, Sage Francis, Buck 65
Saturday: Stardeath and White Dwarfs | Casket Girls
Psychedelic rock outfit Stardeath and White Dwarfs have been exploring the boundaries of rock music since forming in 2004. Made up of Dennis Coyne, Casey Joseph, Matt Duckworth, and Ford Chastain, the band’s sound finds spacey pop and ethereal atmospherics colliding with a fuzzed out, lo-fi aesthetic, feeling at times like a blown-out, acid-drenched take on the early work of David Bowie. Co-headliners Savannah, GA three-piece The Casket Girls have gained momentum and a substantial cult following due to the unflagging catchiness of their songwriting and the compelling development of their live stage show. They spent the last year and a half touring in support of BMSR and the Faint before growing into headliners in their own right.
Sounds like: The Flaming Lips, Sleepy Sun, Tame Impala, Black Moth Super Rainbow
Sunday: Nice As Fuck (NAF)
The new mysterious project from Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis, Au Revoir Simone’s Erika Forster (aka Erika Spring), Tennessee Thomas of ’00s-era LA band The Like. NAF is the second supergroup of sorts that Forster and Thomas have formed in two years. According to Pitchfork, they also teamed up with Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture and New York-based musician Lewis Lazar in 2015 to form Summer Moon.
Monday: King Khan & The Shrines
King Khan and the Shrines have been stunning audiences for nearly two decades with their unique mix of pure old school R&B mixed with a heavy dose of pure psychedelic majesty and unhinged, wild, frantic rock n’ roll. In 2015 King Khan co-produced an album along side Hal Willner and James Grauerholz of William S. Burroughs reading “the unspeakable parts” of his infamous book Naked Lunch. Khan and Bill Frisell among other Naked City musicians provided the music to accompany the twenty year old recitations. The album, entitled Let Me Hang You, will be released on Khannibalism later this year. King Khan and the Shrines are currently on tour in the U.S.
Sounds like: Black Lips, The Dirtbombs, The King Khan & BBQ Show, King Tuff
Blog by Ellie Moonen
