Friday Night in Memorial Union: Purling Hiss w/ Spires That in the Sunset Rise + Claps

Posted on April 19, 2013 by benwimmel

This Friday in Der Rathskeller, come see Purling Hiss, Spires That in the Sunset Rise, and Claps! The highest temperature will be 41 degrees that day, so why not warm up with some fuzzed-out, psych rock courtesy of Purling Hiss and company. Do your friends’ house party have loud guitars, a psychedelic folk band, and some synth pop all playing live? If they do, invite me. Otherwise, Der Rath is the place to be.

Purling Hiss is a lo-fi psych rock band out of Philadelphia that combines killer guitar riffs and hooks with a distinctive recording sound that, on their first few albums, sounded like it was made with microphones from the 1950′s in an abandoned basement. Their latest LP, Water On Mars, lost that aggressively lo-fi recording style, but kept all the catchy melodies and guitar lines. Check out their song “Mercury Retrograde” below.

Spires That In The Sunset Rise is a psych folk band from Decatur, Illinois. Consisting of Kathleen Baird and Taralie Peterson, they combine traditional folk instruments with experimental songwriting to create a truly unique sound. You can sample their song “Morning Song” below.

Claps is a Minneapolis synth pop band with reverb drenched vocals and simple, but effective synths. Imagine if Joy Division decided it hated its guitars and traded them for analog synths. Claps’ songs are dark dreamscapes filled with ominous bass lines and sullen rings of electronic music. Check out their song “Strain”, off their album Glory, Glory below.

Purling Hiss-”Mercury Retrograde”

Purling Hiss-”Run From This City”

Spires that in the Sunset Rise- “Morning Song”

Claps-”Strain”

why WUD Music is amazing: 2011 Lollapalooza Lineup

Posted on May 29, 2011 by jbrackeen

Ever look at the WUD music schedule only to think, “gee, I don’t know ANY of those bands!”? Well, it’s happened to this blogger as well, so fear not, but keep in mind you may want to get to know them if you want to be ahead of your peers when it comes to the latest awesome music.

How can I make such a boastful statement? Let’s cross-compare WUD’s most recent booking year with the August 2011 Lollapalooza lineup:

Mayer Hawthorne & the County, Gold Motel, Haley Bonar, Midnight Conspiracy, Maps & Atlases, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. all played here in the fall and all will participate in this Chicago music festival this August 5-7 in Grant Park.

yeah, baby.

Not to mention The Felice Brothers, who recently graced the new Sett, have a feature article in the latest issue of Spin magazine.

Not too shabby, eh? Keep on attending our shows and we’ll keep giving you the best acts the music scene has to offer (usually for free)!

This Weekend in Der Rath

Posted on April 22, 2011 by cwidder

Friday 4/22: Higher Education Records Showcase @ 9 PM

Come out to Der Rathskeller tonight and check out some local rap at the Higher Education Records Showcase. Expect Phonetic ONE, Sleepy, G DeLo, Bonnie and Korim to show up. DJ Illy Holiday will be DJing the event as well. Should be a great time, come get your freak on!

Here’s some video of Phonetic One performing at Mifflin Street Block Party last year:

Saturday 4/23: The Selfish Gene with Christopher Porterfield @ 9 PM

For Saturday night we have Madison band The Selfish Gene in Der Rath. This great group of alt-rockers have been around Madison for a while now, they won the Isthmus’ Band to Band Competition back in 2009. Here’s a little taste:

Opening up for them will be Christopher Porterfield, of Milwaukee’s great Conrad Plymouth. He’s sure to start things off on a softer, more peaceful note. Why not have a peaceful Saturday in Der Rath before next Saturday’s madness that is Mifflin?

Der Rath This Weekend: Friday – Mpas & Alatess and Saturday – Pepepr Rabibt

Posted on March 3, 2011 by jzjohnson

Still unsure of who is going to serenade you this weekend at Der Rathskeller? Can you figure it out from these hints?

This Friday at 9:30pm in Der Rath.

Formed in Columbia College Chicago

Featured in a Pabst Blue Ribbon Advertisement in the Onion.

Compared to TV on the Radio, Deerhoof and Prince.

Often labeled as a Math Rock band

December 2006 hosts of the Cable Music Video show Refused TV.

Two of the members occasionally DJ at The Burlington, a bar in Chicago.

You got it! It’s Maps and Atlases, a rock group who recently succeeded in making a pop album. Be sure to come early for Bears Climb Mountains, a local Madison act.

This Saturday at 9:30pm in Der Rath:

A two man duo, Xander Singh and Luc Laurent.

First shows were played in India.

Influenced by post-Katrina New Orleans.

Opened for Passion Pit, and Freelance Whales fall 2010.

Song “Older Brother” was featured on 90210.

Will be playing South By Southwest Festival later this year.

That’s right. It’s Pepper Rabbit. Come see the duo, a mix of Animal Collective and Beirut, and experience these new up-and-comers, as well as opener, Madison resident, Jeremiah Nelson, and his “back porch folk-rock.”

Just Announced: Maps & Atlases with Bears Climb Mountains on Friday, March 4th

Posted on March 1, 2011 by cwidder

Maps & Atlases will be returning to der Rathskeller this Friday, March 4th. The Chicago based indie-rockers headlined WSUM’s Snake on the Lake festival in September 2009 and this show looks to be just as exciting as the last. Come on out for a fantastic night of live music.

Maps & Atlases

Perch Patchwork, the band’s debut album, was released in June 2010 and saw the band transition into a softer sound. Their distinct math rock style blends astoundingly with the new folk and pop influences. Having just wrapped up a tour of Europe, Maps & Atlases will be opening for Menomena for several dates and then the band heads down to Austin for SXSW.

Local act Bears Climb Mountains will also be performing.

Just Announced: Pepper Rabbit and Jeremiah Nelson

Posted on February 25, 2011 by cwidder

Pepper Rabbit of Los Angeles will be visiting der Rathskeller on Saturday, March 5th. They are touring in support of their October debut album, Beauregard. Formed by Xander Singh and Luc Laurent, Pepper Rabbit is a fusion of both musicians’ unique experiences. According to their Kanine Records bio, Pepper Rabbit sounds “like a patchwork quilt woven from their adventures, whether it be featuring the horn section from a Bayou funeral procession or a chord progression borrowed from Southeast Asia.”

Pepper Rabbit

Although the band just released their first album in October, they have been diligently recording and plan to release a second album this summer, so Pepper Rabbit could bring some brand new songs to the table. They have recently toured with Ra Ra Riot and will be stopping by SXSW and then be opening for the likes of The Rural Alberta Advantage, Telekinesis and Miniature Tigers after their stop in Madison.

Local act Jeremiah Nelson has quickly been garnering more popularity and press.

This Weekend at der Rath: Bowser with Midwest Hype and Trivia Night!

Posted on February 17, 2011 by cwidder

Friday, February 18th 9:30 PM @ Der Rath: Bowser with Midwest Hype

This Friday come out to der Rathskeller for a night of unique Midwest jam-band tunes and funk. Bowser will be headlining and their blend of musical styles truly needs to experienced to be appreciated. Hailing from Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Bowser has been performing in a wide variety of music venues throughout the state of Wisconsin since 2000. ReverbNation describes their sound as “rock n roll blues rooted, abound with emotion and soul and blessed with a tinge for classic rock.” The one thing that bleeds through while listening to this band’s music is just how much passion they have for their tunes. This is even more evident in their live show, so don’t miss this great opportunity to witness Bowser!

Be sure to come early and double the fun of your night with opener Midwest Hype. Another great Midwest jam-band (Jazz/Funk/Reggae) from Indiana that also utilizes a melting pot of musical styles and has a clear passion for what they do.

“By the time I was done jumping & headbanging, I was a sweaty mess and heading home with a charged up soul. The music had won me over again.” -Chicago Jam Scene

Saturday, February 19th 9:30 @ Der Rath: Trivia Night hosted by Nick Marx

Come win prizes at our trivia night on Saturday! Here are some details:

- Come with friends or meet new ones to form groups of 5 people.

- 4 rounds of 10 questions

- As always, our events are completely free!

This Friday at Der Rath: Guante & Big Cats! and The Tribe

Posted on February 10, 2011 by jzjohnson

This Friday 9:30pm at Der Rathskeller: Guante & Big Cats! and The Tribe with Sleepy MC & Stereotype.

Guante, a rapping activist, and Big Cats!, a multi-talented producer, are a political hip-hop tag-team, backed by the band The Tribe. The duo sports dark apocalyptic beats from Big Cats! and is perfectly matched with vengeance. Together they stand up to oppression and make you question your place. Come see the hip-hop duo that will be sure to make you think.

Accompanying Guante & Big Cats! and the Tribe is Sleepy MC & Stereotype

The Love Language with Meridene: This Weekend at der Rathskeller

Posted on February 10, 2011 by thefierynecklace

February 12 (this very Saturday!) come and see THE LOVE LANGUAGE play in der Rathskeller at 9:30 with openers MERIDENE.

THE LOVE LANGUAGE is comprised for lyrics and music plucked from the mind of Stuart McLamb, a North Carolina native. The music of The Love Language has a guitar-laden sound that is accented by adorable ‘60s backup singers. Though I would hesitate to liken him and his band too strongly to any certain artist, they bear a resemblance to the band Fanfarlo or early Phoenix. In April of this year, they will be playing at Coachella so it is highly suggested that you grab your chance to see them free while you can. Check out this very well-edited (by their label, Merge Records) video of one of their live performances:

Meridene is a band from our very own… Wisconsin! Meridene is a blossoming alternative band with all the regular staples of a four-piece band, blended neatly into catchy arrangements. They received this rave from the Onion AV Club: “the smart pop and joyous hooks…ensure that Meridene will hold people’s attention all on its own now that it has a foot in the door.”
For a raw taste of their sound, check out their Daytrotter session here. The good kind of raw. Like FRESH raw.

This Weekend at Der Rath: In Tall Buildings and My Brightest Diamond

Posted on February 3, 2011 by jzjohnson

Friday 9:30 pm @ Der Rath: In Tall Buildings with Saturday Night Duets.

This Friday Erik Hall comes to serenade Der Rathskeller with his one man band In Tall Buildings. His first album, inspired by Neil Young, Stevie Reich and others, sounding of acoustic pop, is a blended orchestra of guitar, drums, and synth. It isn’t a breakup album but rather an album written by someone finding their own voice.

“There’s no mad scientist at work here. Only a guy crafting beautiful songs and augmenting them with a feathery touch.” (Loud Loop Press)

(Skip ahead twenty seconds or so for the music.)

Starting the night, on Friday, is Saturday Night Duets, a two-man funky twist on Americana from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Saturday 9:00 pm @ Der Rath: My Brightest Diamond, Land of Vandals, and Corcovado

My Brightest Diamond will be playing in der Rathskeller THIS SATURDAY, February 5th, at 9:30PM with Land of Vandals and Corcovado.
Shara Wolden fronts the band My Brightest Diamond. If you have ever wondered what would happen if you combined an award-winning accordion player with a classical organ player, then Shara Wolden is your answer. If you have never wondered that, now you will be left with the burning desire to hear exactly what that sounds like. Wolden herself got a BA in opera but went on to study and record music with Padma Newsome in New York. Her musical background makes for a stunning combination of rock and classical music. Aside from her own musical endeavors she is able to boast collaboration with artists such as The Decemberists, Sufjan Stevens, and David Byrne. If you need a frame of reference…

… but I guarantee you won’t get the full experience unless you attend the show.

Joining My Brightest Diamond is the Madison minimalist band Land of Vandals (not actual Eastern Germanic Vandals).

Land of Vandals will put you in an interesting and ethereal mood and place with their haunting organ and space noises. Interesting being good.

Starting out the night with Corcovado, which also happens to mean Hunchback in Portuguese, a local Madison band.

WUD Music

we book bands.

Tag Archives: der rathskeller