Mother Fucking B.O.M.B Fest

Holy shit... I did not see this coming from BOMB fest. The line up is so dope! What an improvement over last year, and two days will make this an official festival. Kudos to everyone involved with making this happen in Connecticut. There will be a lot of people from NYC that will take the train up and that will help our local music get recognition by people that would otherwise not come to CT. I can not wait to see all of these bands! The festival will take place in Danbury this year, at Western's festival grounds. Early bird tickets are on sale now you can grab them for $89 RIGHT HERE.  Check out more info about everything at their website. RSVP HERE.

TONIGHT!!! HPSU PRESENT: Beach Fossils & MT Bearington

Tonight in Hartford at Arch St Tavern Hartford Party Starters are having Beach Fossils! They are a band fronted by Dustin Payseur who wrote the music for their first album and brought in a few friends to round out a live act. They remind me of Surfer Blood and The Drums, two of my favorite indie rock bands. Their debut album came out in February on Captured Tracks.

Opening for them is MT Bearington. They remind me of Beach Fossils in a way, they are lo-fi, a little bit more expiremental, but also have pop influences like Beach Fossils. I have yet to catch them live, I did get to see Titles (Same lead singer) at their CD Release Party a few months ago. I was very impressed.

Tonight's show is going to be a good time, the music fits the mood too...perfect fall time concert. More info at the Facebook Event Page.  The show starts at 9 and its gonna run $8. See ya there!

Local Music Alert!!!!! -Downright Music and Art: Community Unity Festival

If you have no plans this afternoon/evening I would highly recommend heading over to Collinsville to Downright Music and Art. They are holding their Community Unity Day downtown and there is going to be great music, friendly people, and beautiful art. Music starts right at 1 with Vortex featuring Jeff of The Mclovins(one of the first bands blogged about here) and there will be a lot more music all day! Artists will have work up for show and The Flatbread Company will be providing yummy organic pizza! So do yourself a favor and get to Downright today, it's free so whaddya waitin for?!

LOCAL SHOW ALERT!!!! Sufer Blood + The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Drop what you are doing and get your ass to this show on Thursday night at Daniel Street in Milford. Surfer Blood (current obsession) is opening up for Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The show starts at 7pm and is all ages...it's gonna cost you $15 to get in. I am really pumped to see Surfer Blood live. Their album 'Astro Coast' is still getting plays on my ipod dispite being on there for months. Not something that happens a lot with the music I am listening to. Usually it has a month or so, and then I move on...but these guys have some real staying power. Can't wait to see how they perform live. Pain's I don't know much about. I have listned to their stuff on Myspace, but don't own any material. They have a vintage indie rock vibe going for them. They sound like they will be a lot of fun live. Pat of Backwash Whiskey says they rule, and I trust him. Grab your friends and get down to Milford for this show, you will regret missing it.

HPSU: Javelin/Lemonade - The Warehouse

There is a reason that I don't review a lot of the shows that I go to. I'm too fucked up. I refuse to be 'that guy' with the pad and pen jotting down show notes. I would much rather have a great time with my friends before showing up and continue drinking and drugging while at said show. This worked out to be the perfect formula for another HSPU event. This message is brought to you by Red Dog the official road soda of summer 2010.

We arrived to The Warehouse around 10:45, the perfect time to arrive. @dirty_dustin was spinning before Lemonade came on, right around 11. The building, which at first seemed empty really filled up once Lemonade took stage...and this dance-rock group had The Warehouse bumpin. Live drums are key here. They really add to the full sound...and on the last jam, everyone in the band was playing drums. Another cool percussion feature they used was sampling in steel drums...it really makes it much more of a tropical feel, and that is my theme for summer. This band is hard to pin-down, they have a sound of their own in a genre where a lot of people are making the same sound. They stray from that, it really works for them.

Javelin took stage after what I thought was a short intermission, (probably just lost track of time, too much fun being had) with one cymbal, a drum pad, and a bunch of buttons. Their new album 'No Mas' is a chilled out techno...something that you can jam to while studying. Live, they are a different story. Every track they chose had two things: 1- every song they played was long, they were not affraid to make a song go towards five minutes...when most songs I am hearing lately tend to end before three minutes. 2- Every song brought the heat. Dudes (not our group) were taking off shirts left and right. It must'a been something in the punch, but everyone was feelin the love on Saturday night in the Heartbeat. Javelin's music is fun, and that's what everyone had...it was an undeniably great time.

Next event for HPSU is 5/28 http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=121919791168201&ref=mf

Elm City Popfest May 14-15

The Elm City Popfest returns this weekend for three days and 17 bands of indie-pop revelry in the southern section of CT. Following the success of the first Elm City Popfest this past November, festival organizer and Tweefort/Feburary Records founder Danny Goodwin had to dig deeper this time around in order to top the original. Doubling in size, this installment of Elm City Popfest offers a range of local, regional, national and even international talent. Also, in addition to Artspace, there will be shows held at New Haven's 'Cafe Nine'. Head on over to CT Indie for the low down on what's happening and who is playing where. There is going to be tons of local talent like The Wee Bees and Womens Basketball playing so be sure to get out and support your local indie music.

Check these links out for what ya need:
February Records
Elm City Popfest
Tweefort Records Twitter

Full Lineup:
Day One - Friday, May 14th

9:30 The Wee Bees (New Haven)
10:30 Steven Deal (Milford, CT)
11:30 Veronica Falls (UK)
12:30 Boy Genius (NYC) feat. Mr. Ray Neal (of Miracle Legion)
@ Cafe Nine
doors 9pm / FREE / 21+
Day Two (DAY) - Saturday, May 15th
2:30 Roadside Attractions (New London, CT)
3:15 The Fictional West (New Haven)
4:00 Midstates (Chicago)
4:45 Panda Riot (Chicago)
5:30 EULA (New Haven)
6:15 The Field Recordings (Danbury, CT)
@ Artspace
doors 2pm / $5 / ALL-AGES
Day Two (NIGHT) - Saturday, May 15th
8:30 Procedure Club (New Haven)
9:15 The Secret History (NYC)
10:00 The Butterflies of Love (New Haven)
@ Artspace
doors 8pm / $5 / ALL-AGES

Day Three - Wednesday, May 26th
9:00 Allo Darlin' (UK)
9:45 Horowitz (UK)
10:30 The Tyler Trudeau Attempt (Brooklyn/New Haven)
11:15 Women's Basketball (Brooklyn/New Haven)
@ Cafe Nine
doors 8:30pm / FREE / 21+

LOCAL MUSIC ALERT!!!!! Benefit Concert for Haiti 5/15

The St. John's Youth Group has put together a concert to help send shelter boxes down to Haiti. Bands from Regional 7 include the Civics Project, JRE, and The Breakdown. The other artists are Luke Alibozek, Half Ecstatic, and String Theorie. Most of these bands can be found on Facebook or Myspace if you wish to hear them. There will also be many vendors with shirts, food, and other merchandise. Tickets are $10 if bought ahead of time at the school and $12 at the event. This all will be going down at the Pine Meadow Green at 3pm Saturday, May 15th.

This is a must see show if you live in or around New Hartford. Not only will you get to see what music is coming out of the high school now, you get to hear our very good friend Luke Alibozek (MySpace). I've been wanting to do a huge write up about Luke...just hasn't happened yet, I still plan on it once he gets his butt in gear ;). It is a real treat being able to see a friend that you grew up with performing his own music in front of crowds. He also has a great cover catalog of classic oldie and more alternative tunes. This, plus all the money going to benefit Haiti, do yourself a favor and get to this concert. Facebook Event

Dead Meadow - Cafe 9 4/24

Manic Productions presents Dead Meadow with Imaad Wasif and Fake Babies. The show is going down this Saturday at Cafe 9 in New Haven. Tix are $12, show starts at 9 and you gotta be 21. Buy your tickets here in advance. 

Dead Meadow have been together for over a decade and are familiar faces here in CT. Their music is stoner rock to the max. psychedelic rock riffs with a heavy dose of Sabbath. Thier new album 'Three Kings' can be purchased here. Myspace

Also playing the show is  Imaad Wasif (Myspace). They are a folk group mixed with a little rock and roll from Canada. Wasif worked with Karen O on the soundtrack to the film 'Where The Wild Things Are'.

Also opening up is Fake Babies, from our very own CT. They are a synthy, drum machine, fuzzy reverbed vocals group, and god knows I love that combo. They are very danceable. Check out more about them at their Myspace.
 

Redscroll Records Celebrates 3 Years

Redscroll Records is the best spot in Connecticut to buy music. Wallingford is a bit out of my way, so I have yet to get down there...but they are in the middle of throwing a week long 3 year anniversary sale with 20% off everything and special events being held throughout this week/ I will be living and going broke in Wallingford on April 17th. They are also now open on Mondays! The sale starts April 12th and runs through the 18th. The sale also runs in with Record Store Day on the 17th. Tons of limited edition vinyl being released for that day only, so be sure to get out! Redscroll Records is located at 24 North Colony Rd., Wallingford, CT. Find out more info at http://www.redscrollrecords.com/

The events for the week are as follows.

Thursday, April 15th:
Poetry, Story & Zine Night
7pm In-Store (Free)
with Kyle Connecticut, Luc Rioual, Migzy, Michael Bozzuto, Mike Tobey & More!

Friday, April 16th:
Hip-Hop Showcase at Café 9
9pm, 21+, $5
Bisco Smith
DJ Lokash
Mizery Crew (Benn Grim, Timmy Wiggins, Metal Heart, Deefy)
with a free raffle giveaway of a Numark TTUSB Record Player

Saturday, April 17th:
Record Store Day
open early, 10am
Exclusive Limited Titles, Snacks, Goodie Bags
Spend $100 = get a free t-shirt
with a special surprise in store at 8PM

Sunday, April 18th:
Noise Showcase
6pm, In-Store (free)
Halflings
Roman Wolfe
Poison Fingers

THAO w/Magic Man 4/20 @ The Space

Welp, I've got my 4/20 plans all set. I grabbed a pair of tickets to the Thao with The Get Down Stay Down and Magic Man show at The Space in Hamden. CT's own Manic Productions is throwing the party. Here is a little info about each band, roll a few jibbers and well see ya there! tickets can be bought HERE. Directions HERE.  C U THERE

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
Thao (Nguyen) with the Get Down Stay Down return with the follow up to their riotously beloved album, “We Brave Bee Stings and All”, the breakout success and best-selling record of 2008 for Kill Rock Stars. With Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Bill Frisell, Spoon) again at the helm, “Know Better Learn Faster” captures the band at their more mature, honed, trimmed and tightened best. After the last year and a half of constant touring, the now-trio delivers Thao’s cleverly crafted and emotionally evocative songs with vibrant, innovative instrumentation, incredible energy and a still-acutely-solid sense of what sounds good. The new batch of songs spans all genres and influences, all the while staying faithful to their distinct style, sharp wit, and the infectious and enamoring exuberance of their renowned live shows. Myspace

Magic Man
Magic Man is a Boston-based duo that grew out of spare moments and idle hours during a summer spent volunteering on organic farms in the French countryside. The songs were written at several different locations in France, including a chateau, a farm, a circus festival, and a beach cottage and brought back home to the states for further recording and editing (most of which was done in small dorm rooms and transmitted between band members with the aid of the world wide web). For fans of The Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips and The Antlers. FREE ALBUM DLOAD

All The Friends
All The Friends are a 3-piece group of multi-instrumentalists from Windsor, CT. Their sound revolves around rich harmonies inside sparse compositions. For fans of friendship, Radiohead and Bjork. Facebook Page

Two Local Shows - Best Coast & The Babies

Woke up to texts and updates about two shows happening in the nutmeg state this weekend. Tonight the show is at Wesleyan. Eclectic is playing host to Best Coast and Wesleyan's own Apache Kid. Best Coast is made up of two people. Bethany and Bob.. and they are two of the coolest people on the planet. They love chilling with their cats, smoking, and watching Seinfeld. whaddya know, me too.  They also have infectious lofi beach blanket music from LA with alotta reverb. Would really love to see them live and chat with them. Here are all the links you need.
Best Coast Facebook Event

Wesleying

Eclectic
Best Coast Twitter
Best Coast Blog

On Sunday Titus Andronicus and The Babies are playing with local indie punk band My Heart To Joy. It's happening at Toad's Place Upstairs (Lillypad) in New Haven...10$ and doors are at 7. The Babies are must see music. Vivian girls frontwoman Cassie plus Wood's bassist Kevin and drummer Justin (Bossy) have formed a super group you could say and are showcasing their lovely beach pop tunes. Grab tix for the show here. CT Indie has more.

Tweefort Records

Browsing around one of my favorite blogs CTIndie I came across a link to Tweefort Records. They are promoters/distributors based out of New Haven and are now considered a free digital net label. They book local shows, and give away free digital singles, EPs and LPs. It's refreshing to know that there are people in CT that want to find and promote good local music. Hartford and New Haven both have emerging music scenes. It takes hard work, persistence, and the want for good music to come to and come out of CT... This is more about what I found on Tweefort.

'Tweefort Records promotes local, national and international pop music by booking shows and releasinag free digital singles, EPs and music compilations. Tweefort pairs state and regional bands with touring acts in order to foster a greater appreciation for pop music in the New Haven, Bridgeport and Southern and Central CT areas. We believe Connecticut needs more pop music!

Embracing a DIY ethic and a broad definition of the term “pop,” Tweefort books, promotes and releases a wide variety of music — from punk pop, rock, powerpop and psych to folk, twee and pure indiepop.

Tweefort was inspired by the indiepop scenes of cities such as Athens, Ga., Seattle, San Francisco, New York and Boston and the annual pop music festivals that take place around the country and world to begin to build a cohesive pop following in Connecticut. We believe our location — between New York and Boston and surrounded by college and university campuses — can make the greater New Haven area a destination for pop bands.

We also believe that building a scene begins at home. First and foremost, Tweefort strives to promote Connecticut pop bands. Connecticut has a number of talented bands that would benefit from coming together, promoting each other and playing with acts from across the country and the world.

Tweefort is about bringing bands together, forging connections and exposing people to great music.'

You can view and download their six releases HERE. The album that I picked up this morning was Women's Basketball 'An Octopus, But Like. An Octopus With Massive Wings and Junk'. How can you NOT want to download an album like that? It's pretty enjoyable, messy, funny, very catchy, lofi pop that for the price of free, I can't complain about.

Be sure to also check out their newest release the 'Home and Abroad Vol 2' compliation. The first cd hosts all CT bands, while the second cd features bands outside the Nutmeg State. FayRay and Slam Donahue played the release party in Feb. Here's the rest of the info on the good cause.

Tweefort Records Homepage
Facebook Page
Myspace Page

LOCAL MUSIC ALERT!!!! - The Mclovins

Connecticut's favorite teen band 'The Mclovins' have put out a new song and video on youtube. OA previously wrote about this group(Here). These 15 and 16 year olds are simply amazing. The lead guitarist has the ability to play like Trey Anastasio and he can't even drive a car. I was able to catch them in Collinsville a few months ago, and they are 100% legit. They have already been featured in such magazines as Rolling Stone, Relix, and Jamtopia and are really making a name of themselves.

The new song out from these youngsters is called 'Tokyo Tea'. It's an 8 minute funktastic jam. The only thing I would change is the lead singer drummer. I don't hate his voice, I just think its more natural when the drummer is not singing. It also allows the drummer to focus on drumming, which is a hard enough task. However, he does a great job of balancing both vocals and keeping the beat. This band will be huge, if not, at least the members will all move on to be successful in the music business. Next show I will be checking out will be at good 'ol Infinity Hall in Norfolk. You can buy tix for that show in Feb--> Here The show is in may!

Enjoy the vid!