...And They're All Stopping Nearby
So, wedged in with going to swim meets, obsessing on CoolDaughter 1's college search, not taking pictures at shows, and catching up on movies I missed over the last couple of years (Hereditary and The Lighthouse are both bonkers and truly amazing), I've been trying to keep up with new music coming down the 'pike. Here's some stuff.
Heart Bones, "Don't Read the Comments"
Heart Bones is a collaboration between Sabrina Ellis (A Giant Dog, Sweet Spirit) and Sean Tillmann (aka Har Mar Superstar). Each is a lay-it-all-on-the-line performer, and the combination of their powers produces infectious pop that draws inspiration from influences as varied as doo wop and electronica. "Don't Read the Comments," the second single from the duo's forthcoming Hot Dish (February 21st), is good advice in an age when people anonymously tear each other apart. The song encourages ignoring toxicity and hanging onto your self-worth.
I've seen a few Heart Bones live performances at this point, and I have to say that the experiences have been full of community and life-affirming energy. That's why I'm happy to say that Little Dickman Records and I have Heart Bones coming to The Saint in Asbury Park on Saturday, March 7th, along with our bestest besties in Dentist and Lowlight. Grab tix and come on out.
Heart Bones on tour:
2/14 - St Paul MN -- Turf Club (SOLD OUT)
2/28 - Milwaukee WI -- The Cooperage
2/29 - Moline IL -- Rust Belt
3/1 - Chicago IL -- Empty Bottle
3/3 - Columbus OH -- Rumba
3/4 - Brooklyn NY -- Knitting Factory
3/5 - Philadelphia PA -- Johnny Brendas
3/6 - Millersville PA -- Phantom Power
3/7 - Asbury Park NJ -- The Saint
3/8 - Boston MA -- Great Scott
3/10 - Baltimore MD -- Metro Gallery
3/11 - Carrboro NC -- Cats Cradle Backroom
3/12 - Atlanta GA -- The Earl
3/15 - Houston TX -- White Oak Music Hall
4/4 - Fargo ND -- The Hall
4/5 - Omaha NE -- The Reverb
4/6 - Kansas City MO -- Record Bar
4/7 - Denver CO -- Globe Hall
4/8 - Salt Lake City UT -- Urban Lounge
4/10 - Seattle WA -- The Sunset
4/11 - Portland OR -- Jack London Revue
4/12 - San Francisco CA -- The Chapel
4/13 - Palm Springs CA -- The Alibi
4/14 - Los Angeles CA -- The Echo
4/15 - San Diego CA -- Soda Bar
4/16 - Phoenix AZ -- Valley Bar
4/17 - Marfa TX -- Lost Horse Saloon
4/18 - San Antonio TX -- Paper Tiger
Waxahatchee, "Fire"
As unbelievable as this is to me, Katie Crutchfield has been making music as Waxahatchee since before there ever was a CoolDad Music. Waxahatchee has been a big favorite around here since 2012's American Weekend, and Crutchfield has evolved with each successive release. "Fire" features Crutchfield's heartbreaking Alabama lilt and soul-baring songwriting. Crutchfield calls the song a "personal pep talk" about loving herself unconditionally despite past mistakes and regrets. Sonically, the song peels back some of the more rocking sounds of 2017's Out in the Storm in favor of a softer, Americana vibe.
"Fire" is the lead single from Waxahatchee's Saint Cloud, which is due from Merge on March 27th. Waxahatchee will be at Philly's Union Transfer on April 14th, and at Elsewhere in Brooklyn for two nights on April 18th & 19th.
Waxahatchee on tour:
4/10 - Detroit, MI -- Jam Handy *
4/11 - Pittsburgh, PA -- Rex Theater *
4/14 - Philadelphia, PA -- Union Transfer *
4/15 - Holyoke, MA -- Gateway City Arts *
4/16 - Boston, MA -- Royale
4/17 - Providence, RI -- Columbus Theatre *
4/18 - Brooklyn, NY -- Elsewhere ^
4/19 - Brooklyn, NY -- Elsewhere ~
4/23 - Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club *
4/24 - Saxapahaw, NC -- Haw River Ballroom *
4/25 - Nashville, TN -- Mercy Lounge *
4/26 - Atlanta, GA -- Terminal West *
4/27 - Birmingham, AL -- Saturn *
4/29 - Baton Rouge, LA -- Mid City Ballroom *
4/30 - Houston, TX -- The Satellite *
5/1 - Dallas, TX -- Sons of Hermann Hall *
5/2 - Austin, TX -- Scholz Garten *
5/4 - Tucson, AZ -- Club Congress +
5/7 - Pioneertown, CA -- Pappy and Harriet's +
5/8 - Los Angeles, CA -- First Congregational Church of LA +
5/9 - San Francisco, CA -- The Castro Theatre
5/10 - Sonoma, CA -- Gundlach Bundschu Winery +
5/12 - Portland, OR -- The Old Church +
5/13 - Portland, OR -- Aladdin Theater +
5/14 - Vancouver, BC -- Christ Church Cathedral +
5/15 - Seattle, WA -- The Neptune Theatre +
5/20 - Maquoketa, IA -- Codfish Hollow Barn
5/21 - Minneapolis, MN -- Fine Line Music Cafe *
5/22 - Madison, WI -- Majestic Theatre *
* w/ Ohmme
^ w/ Radiator Hospital
~ w/ Bonny Doon & Shamir
+ w/ Mirah
Wye Oak, "Fear of Heights"
The North Carolina via Baltimore duo of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack have come a long way from the 90s-infused indie folk of 2011's Civilian that initially drew me to Wye Oak. On "Fear of Heights," their collaboration is expansive and dreamlike. Wasner's voice and guitar work are still centerpieces, but side projects like Wasner's Flock Of Dimes and Stack's Joyero have clearly helped to stretch Wye Oak's sound into new directions.
Wasner says the song "likens the deepening of a relationship to the feeling of ascending to the top of a very tall place" with all of the exhilaration and fear that entails.
"Fear of Heights" is available now to stream / download, and Wye Oak will be at Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 4th.
Wye Oak on tour:
2/27 - Asheville, NC -- The Mothlight
2/28 - Durham, NC -- Baldwin Auditorium
2/29 - Philadelphia, PA -- Johnny Brenda’s [SOLD OUT]
3/1 - Baltimore, MD -- 2640 Space [SOLD OUT]
3/3 - Cambridge, MA -- The Sinclair
3/4 - Brooklyn, NY -- Music Hall of Williamsburg
3/5 - Richmond, VA -- The Broadberry
3/20 - Seattle, WA -- The Crocodile
3/21 - Portland, OR -- Aladdin Theater
3/23 - San Francisco, CA -- The Independent
3/24 - Los Angeles, CA -- Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
3/25 - Los Angeles, CA -- Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
