Posts archived in Russian Recording
Photo by Sarah Cass
LAKE
w/ Karl Blau
Saturday, October 24
@ Russian Recording
9pm
$8
All Ages
More like a loose-knit gang of musicians than an actual band, LAKE will be performing in Bloomington this Saturday. From the Pacific Northwest, LAKE (”all caps dudes!”), is an indie rock band that has made 12 albums (three actually released) in four years, with the most recent, Let’s Build a Roof, being released in early October of this year on K Records.
Karl Blau will be opening for LAKE, although it seems more like that means he will be in LAKE for a few songs, then leave the stage. From his MySpace: “I’m going on a huge tour of the US (coming to your town!) in this October/November with the amazing band LAKE. They will be my band, and it’s going to be radical.” Translation: Anacortes party!
LAKE describes themselves as “A’cappella / Bossa Nova / Nu-Jazz,” which is more inventive-sounding than indie pop from Washington.
So if either of those sound appealing to you, make sure you head out to Russian on Saturday.
“Madagascar” is a great song so check it out (from Stereogum).
-David Ray
Those who attended the Woven Hand show on Saturday night at Russian Recording were kicked in the face by a set that was both terrifying and entrancing.
Always at the peak of intensity when performing live, the brainchild of Woven Hand, David Eugene Edwards, showed why he is known for putting on intense concerts. It was hard to believe that the music being played was Christian. Unlike most “Christian music,” Edwards seems to be obsessed with the power that god wields, and less concerned with his penchant for forgiveness. People forget that the Old Testament has plenty of war, murder, and contains a god that enjoys punishing those who cross him. Woven Hand likes to remind people.
Edwards is also known for his use of antique instruments
Despite his frightening demeanor, it was impossible to take my eyes off of Edwards. His intense eyes and bulging veins commanded the attention of the audience. I can’t recall the last time I went to a concert that was so dark and serious, and honestly it was a great change of pace from the indie pop that Bloomington is known for. The bass lines provided the undercurrent for Edwards’ folk melodies and slide guitar. Leaning heavily on his whammy bar, he pushed the bridge of his Gretsch Tennessee Rose to the limit.
Woven Hand cemented the dark gloom that had fallen over the concert by ending the night with a cover of “Heart and Soul” by Joy Division. Let me just say, my life was exponentially better afterward.
This is the picture Katie took and she told me to include it (I also dig his boots)
- Pics and Words by David Ray and Katie
The Crowd was hot, sweaty and loving every moment.
Russian Recording was packed with old friends, relatives and a few newcomers, curious to see what the hype was all about on Friday night.
The Impossible Shapes wrapped up their ten-year career in fine fashion. Although the crowd was sad to see the band go, the mood wasn’t somber, but rather a celebration of the band’s music.
The night started off with Indianapolis-based band, and Secretly Canadian label mates Marmoset, who got the crowd moving with their lo-fi indie pop. The band that was formed in 1995 played songs spanning their catalogue, but also showcased some songs off of their up-coming Joyful Noise release Tea Tornado
Next up was Intro to Airlift, a Bloomington band featuring members of some important band of the Bloomington music scene in the early nineties, such as Yardmarvins and Yellow Based Red, and also Pete Schreiner on drums who plays in the Coke Dares with Impossible Shapes Members Chris Barth and Mark Rice. Although the band only plays shows roughly once every 18 months, they still sounded tight, and provided the crowd with indie-punk infused with Peter Hook style baselines that gave the music a subtle dark element.
Once Intro to Airlift was finished warming up the place, the 180+ crowd jammed into the Russian Recording live room, and lounge to witness a seminal event for Bloomington music. The Impossible Shapes had the crowd in the palm of their hands, as they had everyone dancing and nodding along in a psych-pop trance for the duration of their 1 hour 20 minute set. The band was reaching back playing many fan favorites from their five-album career. When all was said and done, everyone in attendance had witnessed an incredible show that didn’t intensity and passion on all fronts. Everyone on the band played as if there was no tomorrow, and left us with one helluva swan song.
-Chris Werner
Mark, Aaron, Chris and Jason
Local Legends, The Impossible Shapes , have decided to called it quits after an illustrious ten-year career. The show will take place tomorrow, July 3, at Russian Recording(1021 S.Walnut, behind Art Hospital).
The show starts at 9 p.m. All Ages. $5.
Formed in 1998 by Aaron Deer(organ, bass), Christopher Barth(guitar, vocals), Mark Rice(drums) and Jason Groth (guitar), The Impossible Shapes have been pleasing audiences worldwide with their lo-fi psychedelic jams.
Over the course of the past ten years the band has released five full length albums including critically acclaimed Horus (2005) and their latest effort Tum (2006), both released on Secretly Canadian. Members of the Shapes are also the forces behind bands such as The Coke Dares, Magnolia Electric Co. , John Wilkes Booze, NormanOaks and Horns of Happiness.
Through their diligence and hard work the band has helped the Bloomington music scene become known for more than just John Mellencamp.
Check back to LiveBuzz for show coverage
-Chris Werner
Stephen McBean and Matt Camirand of Pink Mountaintops.
If you felt a low rumble last night on the south side of Bloomington last night, don’t worry: it wasn’t an earthquake, it was just the effect of all the rocking happening at Russian Recording. The next issue of Weekend is going to feature a show review and an interview with Pink Mountaintops mastermind Stephen McBean, but in the meantime, here are some pics to tide you over.
Tammar
Bloomington band Tammar kicking things off.
Tammar frontman Dave Walter.
Hidden behind Dave was Josephine McRobbie on the melodica.
Quest For Fire
Quest For Fire from Toronto, captured in a moment that makes them look strangely like a medieval triptych.
Puttin' the hammer down.
Quest For Fire frontman Chad Ross.
Pink Mountaintops
And the main event: Pink Mountaintops!
Everyone sings: It's the law!
Pink Mountaintops frontman Stephen McBean
Dancing ensued.
Stephen McBean of Pink Mountaintops (Photo by Jody Rogac, courtesy of Jagjaguwar Records)
Sorry for the last-minute notice, but if you haven’t heard already: Pink Mountaintops will bringing some glorious noise to Bloomington’s own Russian Recording tonight!
The show starts at 9 p.m. with tourmates Quest For Fire and locals Tammar providing the opening entertainment. It’s all-ages, the cover is $8 and Russian Recording is located here.
So, c’mon out: nothing says “summer night in Bloomington” like cool drinks, chirping crickets, and lo-fi psychedelic folk rock!
