Thursday on the Terrace: Smoking Popes w/ Trapper Schoepp & The Shades

Posted on July 25, 2012 by marleealexa

Smoking Popes

The one and only Smoking Popes is playing the Terrace this Thursday night along with the utterly excellent Trapper Schoepp & The Shades. The action kicks off at 9:30 p.m., which is valuable information because judging by the lineup you won’t want to miss a minute of it.

Formed in 1991 in the ‘burbs of Chicago, pop-punk band Smoking Popes is sure to deliver the all-around fantastic performance one might expect from this rather legendary band. Core members (and brothers) Josh, Eli and Matt Caterer have cranked out six studio albums since the group’s formation around two decades ago. The band’s most recent full-length album This is Only a Test was released in 2011 through Asian Man Records and was the first to feature current drummer Neil Hennessy. Delivering both teen-themed tracks with a punk-rocker twist, This is Only a Test depicts adolescent life in a silly kind of way. In May the band released Complete Control Sessions, a five-track EP on SideOneDummy Records. Having performed with bands such as Green Day and Bayside, and at various festivals including Lollapalooza in 2006, it’s safe to say Smoking Popes is a talented band that will rock the Terrace.

Milwaukee’s own Trapper Schoepp & The Shades will indulge us this Thursday evening with some of the heartfelt rock/country/pop that they are just so good at creating. Recently signed with SideOneDummy Records (Flogging Molly, Big D and the Kids Table), Trapper Schoepp & The Shades’ debut album Run, Engine, Run is scheduled for release this September. You can preview the track “Tracks” and pre-order the album over at their bandcamp. Before the big release and tour thereafter, the band plans to perform with Minneapolis rock band Soul Asylum at the Troubadour in LA on August 2.

This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! Rock out to Smoking Popes’ “Need You Around” below.

Thursday: Saint Motel w/ Races

Posted on July 18, 2012 by marleealexa

Los Angeles band Saint Motel will be hitting up the Terrace this Thursday night along with Races. It’s looking like it’ll be a stellar night, so please don’t miss out.

West coast quartet Saint Motel formed in 2007 at Chapman University in Orange, California. The band released their EP album entitled ForPlay in 2009 and just released their debut album Voyeur about a week ago. Having performed with musical masters such as the Smashing Pumpkins and Common, this band represents the perfect blend of upbeat and dazed dream pop indie rock. Not only are they a treat for one’s eardrums, they’ve got visuals down, too. Featuring a music video for most of their tracks, Saint Motel is a well-rounded artistic masterpiece.

Formerly known as Black Jesus, Races’ deep, dream-like music will create the perfect atmosphere for a warm summer night at the Terrace. Via Frenchkiss Records, Races released their LP Year of the Witch (actually about singer Wade Ryff’s ex-witch girlfriend) this past March. Races’ six-piece ensemble is dishing out alternative indie folk that is so delectable you might mistake it for your favorite dessert.

These are two great bands that deserve to be listened to, so come check them out on Thursday night! Download Saint Motel’s latest single, “Benny Goodman,” below. Also, check out their “At Least I Have Nothing” video.

Download>> Saint Motel’s “Benny Goodman” from Voyeur

Wook on the Terrace Tonight!

Posted on July 6, 2012 by marleealexa

Madison’s Wook will jam on the Terrace tonight for your viewing and listening pleasure at 9:30. This up and coming local band with members in their early twenties is progressing into a deliciously groovy ensemble that won’t remain “local” for long.

Performing at festivals such as Summer Camp and Grateful Garcia Gathering, Wook is instilling their music in the minds of jam lovers throughout the nation. Displaying a wide array of music such as dance, electronic and of course, jam, Wook combines independent genres to form a fresh, new kind of monumental sound. Though without any studio releases, the band has an extensive number of tracks available for download over at their Soundcloud, so check that out. Both chill and danceable, Wook is sure to light up the Terrace with a jammin’ performance, so swing by!

Check out Wook rocking Summer Camp Music Festival below.

Friday: Gardens & Villa with Pioneer

Posted on June 21, 2012 by marleealexa

Santa Barbara band Gardens & Villa is performing at the Terrace on Friday! Far out! Delivering head-bobbing beats that are both relaxing and alluring, Gardens & Villa is sure to set the perfect mood for a warm summery night next to the lake. Formed in 2008, the synth-pop band has released a self-titled album on indie record label company Secretly Canadian (Yeasayer and Jens Lekman), and has performed at various music festivals such as SXSW and Coachella. Garden & Villa’s music (which can be sampled below) emanates the relaxed and dreamy atmosphere of the West Coast, so remember to swing by the Terrace and chillax a bit as Garden & Villa contents a crowd.

Pioneer will be warming up the Terrace for Gardens and Villa, an Madison band featuring members that are also in Surgeons in Heat, Crane Your Swan Neck and Julian Lynch’s backing band. Pioneer is working on a record, so look out for that in the coming months. Check out more of their music here

Check out G & V’s “Black Hills” below via Soundcloud, and join us on the Terrace Friday night.

A.V. Club Local Wednesday: Anna Vogelzang & Count This Penny

Posted on June 12, 2012 by marleealexa

It’s not the Fourth of July just yet, but the A.V. Club is bringing out some excellent Americana pop to the Terrace this Wednesday that just might get us pumped for the annual fireworks and BBQ celebrations on our nation’s Independence Day… If not, you’ll still appreciate the heart-and-soul music of Anna Vogelzang and Count This Penny.

Originally from Massachusetts, Vogelzang attended Carnegie Mellon where she studied both singing and songwriting. Displaying a unique and strong voice in her debut album Some Kind of Parade (2005), Vogelzang definitely proved her talents as a true American singer-songwriter. Vogelzang’s vocals are accompanied by various beautiful instrumentals that complete her forceful but lovely voice.

Madison and Tennessee share roots in the “Appalachian Pop” duo, Count This Penny. If you’re wondering about the name, it’s a Sesame Street reference! Doesn’t get much cuter than that, folks. Anyway, the group released their EP Gone in 2010. With lyrics that revolve around traveling and out-of-this-world harmonies, it hit #6 on the iTunes singer-songwriter chart. Back in March, the band released From Paper to Iron written for the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in honor of civil war soldiers.

These two talented and spirited artists will both be at the Terrace on Wednesday at 8, so be sure to stop by. Check out videos from both bands below.

Saturday Night on the Terrace: Phat Phunktion

Posted on June 8, 2012 by marleealexa

Renowned Madison funk band Phat Phunktion is revisiting the Terrace this Saturday, June 9th at 9:30! The nine-piece band with jazz and soul influences has been gracing the Midwest with their musicianship since 1996. More recently, the band has gained a following spreading both nation and worldwide. Phat Phunktion has self-released four albums, their latest being Real Life .:. High Fidelity in 2009. Produced by band members Tim Whalen and Al Falaschi, the band’s fourth creation shows advanced levels of phunkiness as well as deep lyrics and excellent writing that reveal the band’s growth and overall maturity from previous work. In the past, the band has performed alongside groups such as The Temptations, WAR and Cameo.

Phat Phunktion has proven to entice their audiences, not only with their music, but with their groovy stage shows as well. They’ll undoubtedly be funking up the Terrace this Saturday night, bringing out both first-rate jam and a loyal “phathead” following, so don’t miss out.

Friday on the Terrace: BADBADNOTGOOD, KingHellBastard, and Monster House

Posted on May 9, 2012 by marleealexa

BADBADNOTGOOD, along with KingHellBastard and Monster House, are invading the Terrace this Friday night. Canadian trio BADBADNOTGOOD formed in 2011 at Humber College in Toronto. Since then, they have released two albums (BBNG and BBNG2) – which are both available for free on their website and bandcamp - and have done numerous collaborations, among them those with Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean of OFWGKTA. BADBADNOTGOOD puts an unlikely jazz twist on OFWGKTA’s otherwise rap and hip-hop tracks (be sure to check out “Seven,” where Tyler, The Creator has an awesome freak out near the end of the song you’ll surely appreciate).

Needless to say, BADBADNOTGOOD is bringing about both new and imaginative music; the crossing of jazz and hip-hop genres is definitely a musical path less traveled, and the trio seems to be making it work. They’re worth the listen, and if you come down to the Terrace around 9 on Friday, you’ll probably get to see Alex Sowinski, the band’s drummer, donning his super cute pig mask.

Also playing at the Terrace on Friday is KingHellBastard (KHB). Hailing from Milwaukee, KHB consists of DNA, Dana Coppafeel, Clark Beezy, DJ1L, Animas, Reakt Twenty, A-Biz and “all the other freaks in The Freak Kingdom” as the band wrote on their MySpace page. KHB has opened for artists such as Common, Q-Tip, and Souls of Mischief. Emanating a kind of unique hip-hop that’s energetic, raw, and sometimes unruly, this group will undoubtedly get the crowd going. Check out their video “Danger” for evidence.

As if that’s not enough hip-hop for you, Milwaukee collective Monster House will also be playing at the Terrace on Friday. Consisting of SPEAKEasy, Panic and Audiopilot, the group creates trippy and dynamic rap and hip-hop. They recently released an 11-track LP entitled Raiders of the Lost Art via Uni-Fi Records, whose bandcamp allows you to download the album for free. Monster House has even collab’d with KHB’s Dana Coppafeel.

It’s going to be a hip-hop kind of night at the Terrace on Friday. We look forward to seeing you there! In the meantime, download BADBADNOTGOOD’s “UWM (feat. Leland Whitty)” below.

Download BADBADNOTGOOD’s “UWM (Feat. Leland Whitty)”

Friday at Der Rath: Alcoholic Faith Mission w/ You Won’t

Posted on May 3, 2012 by marleealexa

As the story goes, in 2006 two friends walked past the Apostolic Faith Mission in Brooklyn and jokingly reconsidered swapping Apostolic with Alcoholic; thus conceiving the indie lo-fi band Alcoholic Faith Mission. After all, an alcoholic has faith in his booze, just as a devout has in his religion (lol at that analogy). Copenhagen natives Thorben and Sune, the band’s founders, released their debut album Misery Loves Company just six months after their formation under a few conditions: by candlelight at night- with alcohol- and whatever they recorded (using just a laptop) was not to be changed. After the release of the band’s sophomore album 421 Wythe Avenue (named after where their first album was recorded), the duo took on four more members. A year later they released Let This Be The Last Night We Care- tracks like “Got Love? Got Shellfish!” and “Should’ve Left Before She Woke” evoke seriously sad emotions while keeping lasting and refined melodies. The Danish band’s most recent album Ask Me This was released on Tuesday, May 1 under Old Flame Records and was given 4/5 stars (ok, they’re technically circles) on tinymixtapes.com. Wistful vocals and alluring instrumentals make Ask Me This my personal favorite album so far. They’ll definitely be rockin’ Der Rath on Friday night with both new and old hits so come check them out!

Also playing at Der Rath on Friday is You Won’t; consisting of two Massachusetts natives John Arnoudse and Raky Sastri. The band is indeed developing a growing fan base with the release of their debut full-length album Skeptic Goodbye in February, also under Old Flame Records. Tracks off the album display both affectionate control and precision while still delivering the loving and fun but sometimes-melancholic melodies that listeners crave. Arnoudse’s vocals are both captivating and powerful; also, mad respect for their multi-instrumental skills. This duo is sure to put on an entertaining and gratifying show, so don’t miss them.

Tomorrow at the Sett: Blackbird Blackbird with Canopies and Kiazma, DTF with Nick Nice!

Posted on April 26, 2012 by marleealexa

We have some brilliant electro-pop lined up for you this Friday at the Sett: San Francisco’s Blackbird Blackbird, Milwaukee’s Canopies, and Madison’s own Kiazma.

Since 2010, Blackbird Blackbird has released two full length albums, Summer Heart and Halo. Back in 2011, Blackbird Blackbird did a remix of Beach House’s hit “I Do Not Care For the Winter Sun,” blending its indie goodness with electronic-y hip-hop awesomeness. This past Monday, Blackbird Blackbird released his single “Waikiki”- available for download below. With electronic vibes and dreamy vocals, “Waikiki” is a relaxing but danceable fusion of sounds. Be sure to check out Blackbird Blackbird’s other recently released single, “New Leaf.”

The A.V. Club called Canopies’ self-titled debut EP “terrific, infectious electro-pop” and I couldn’t agree more. Released last year, the band’s five-track collection combines sophisticated electro with classic instrumentals (Download it for free at the band’s bandcamp). Canopies is loaded with personality and catchy choruses, not to mention its psychedelic groove nature makes it very danceable.

Kiazma, a local Madison spinna’ will be opening for Blackbird Blackbird and Canopies on Friday. If I do say so myself, his stuff is really cool. This past January he released a 4-track EP, Emergence, which is available for download on his bandcamp. Deep drum and bass pulls you in and takes you to a happy, synthesized place- definitely give “Weeping Wind” a listen. With the perfect blend of excitement and tranquility, Kiazma will leave you feeling good.

If you’re into artists like M83, Passion Pit, and Star Slinger or you’re just an all around electronic aficionado/ synth head, you’ll dig Blackbird Blackbird, Canopies, and Kiazma. Be sure to stick around after the show for DTF with Madison’s Nick Nice to partake in even more dreamy electro-beat loveliness.

Download Blackbird Blackbird – “Waikiki”

Kimya Dawson with Adelyn Rose at the Sett, Friday

Posted on April 19, 2012 by marleealexa

Kimya Dawson is “on the road again” and headed for the Sett this Friday along with Eau Claire’s very own Adelyn Rose. Grammy-winning and platinum-selling singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson rose to popularity with her work in the anti-folk band The Moldy Peaches. Dawson’s songs are also featured in Jason Reitman’s film Juno (the cute one with Ellen Page and Michael Cera). Her music served as the perfect backdrop to this romantic indie-dramedy.

In addition to all of this, Dawson has released six solo albums, one of which is for children, Alphabutt (hehe). Her latest, Thunder Thighs (also hehe), was released in October. She has done numerous collaborations with artists such as Third Eye Blind, Regina Spektor, and Aesop Rock. Dawson may look hardcore with her many tattoos and facial piercings, but the music she makes reveals her whimsical yet profound nature. Singing about “making music with [her] friends” and “motors homes with golden keys,” we see ease and even quirkiness in Dawson’s list-like lyrics. However, there is undoubtedly an underlying sincerity and truth to her words. Her performance promises to be just the same: honest and sincere, playful and heartfelt. That being said, this is definitely a show you won’t want to miss.

Playing alongside Kimya Dawson at the Sett this Friday is Eau Claire’s own Adelyn Rose. Adelyn Rose’s debut full-length Mezzanine was released independently earlier this month, showing signs of the band’s budding success. Tracks like “Willow Tree” and “Time Stands Still” reveal the uncorrupted ease of Adelyn Strei’s vocals. The band as a whole is nothing short of sophisticated melodic unity. With influences like Iron and Wine, Fleet Foxes, and Cat Stevens, Adelyn Rose’s music can best be described as indie-infused folk with dreamlike undertones. Already refined and charming, Adelyn Rose is sure to keep your ears lingering for more… So come out to the Sett this Friday and experience this up-and-coming Wisconsin band (and Kimya Dawson, of course!).

Check out the super-fun and colorful dance-themed video for Kimya Dawson’s “I Like Giants.”

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Author Archives: marleealexa