SARAH TOMLINSON

Cabin fever

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:28:24 GMT

Local bands that will get you through the winter
Local-music aficionados were downright spoiled in 2006. Hallelujah the Hills, "Hallelujah the Hills" (mp3) SnowLeopards, "Stuck in the Middle" (mp3) Tulsa, "Whissper" (mp3)

REVELS: Hallelujah the Hills release the first of their 33 albums later this year.

Local-music aficionados were downright spoiled in 2006. Everyone from old-school art-rock innovators Mission of Burma to new-school cabaret punks the Dresden Dolls weighed in with fresh releases — not to mention albums by Damone, Rick Berlin, the Beatings and the Campaign for Real Time. Have no fear, though: 2007 is already shaping up to be a stellar year for local music. And many of the biggest reasons to get excited are local up-and-comers who seem poised to make a splash.

Hardworking punk-rockers the UNSEEN will record and self-produce their sixth album in January at Outpost Studios in Stoughton, where they’ve recorded their past three albums including 2005’s State of Discontent (Hellcat). The as-yet-untitled release is due on Hellcat in May or June and will be followed by the band’s usual round of non-stop touring. Expect more of their recognizably loud and aggressive sound. “Tragedy” and “Point Break” take on the Bush administration, the war in Iraq, and the violent state of American society. There are also lighter moments, however, like “Alcoholiday,” which boasts the line “Alcoholiday — when you’ve had all you can stand, it’s a vacation in a can. . . . ” Singer Tripp Underwood via e-mail: “Shakespeare it ain’t, that’s for sure.”

Another local who’s paid his dues on the road and in the studio is Martha’s Vineyard–based singer-songwriter WILLY MASON, who on March 20 will follow up his twice-released Willy Mason debut (2004 on Team Love and then 2006 on Astralwerks) with If the Ocean Gets Rough (Astralwerks). It was recorded mostly at Long View Farm Studios in North Brookfield, where Mason’s mother (and sometime back-up singer) cooked in the ’70s. The session was enhanced by abundant atmosphere, with intermissions required when the sound of rain was too loud on the tin roof of the horse barn where they were tracking. Mason describes “When the Leaves Have Fallen” as “a love song for the apocalypse.” And “Save Myself” is up atwww.myspace.com/willymason, where he’ll be posting a new song every week. He’s also releasing music by friends and family on his label, Grandma’s Basement (www.grandmas-basement.com).

Boston music news: July 21, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:45:22 GMT

Notes on Lou Barlow and Stacy Jones
The recent spate of activity from the Dinosaur Jr. camp has given indie rock fans plenty of reason to rejoice.

Boston Music News: July 14, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:28:29 GMT

Notes on Ryan Lee and the Mindless, plus Somerville ArtBeat 2006
Ryan Lee Crosby wrote his newest, “Everyday Escape,” for his younger brother Adam, who now plays drums in Crosby’s backing band, the Mindless. Ryan Lee and the Mindless, "Obey Me" (mp3)

Boston music news: July 7, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 13:44:07 GMT

The latest on the Bon Savants
Major happenings are afoot in the BON SAVANTS camp this month. The band have a residency at Piano’s in New York City the first three Thursdays in July. Bon Savants, "The Moon and the Ocean" (mp3 via MySpace) Bon Savants, "Why This Could Never Work" (mp3 via OTD)

Boston Music News: June 30, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:55:47 GMT

Notes on Scott Janovitz
Former Jake Brennan and the Confidence Men organist Scott Janovitz, brother of Buffalo Tom’s Bill Janovitz, is busy taking center stage with two of his own projects. The Russians, "Taking Noise Away" (mp3 via MySpace) The Great Bandini, "One and One" (mp3 via MySpace)

Boston music news: June 23, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 20:55:48 GMT

Notes on the Dresden Dolls and OSB
Local cabaret-punk duo the Dresden Dolls are unveiling a multimedia spectacular called “F#%k the Back Row” at the Brattle Theatre this Sunday. Watch the trailer for Unearth's "Giles" (QuickTime)

Boston music news - June 16, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 18:39:29 GMT

Notes on Bebe Buell and Bleu
Iconic rock groupie Bebe Buell taps the Rudds; Bleu heads to LA.

Boston Music News: June 9, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 20:35:26 GMT

Notes on Shipwreck and Ketman
The Merrimack Valley’s SHIPWRECK are the latest hardcore band to sign with Deathwish, Inc., the label owned by members of CONVERGE .

Boston music news: June 2, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Wed, 31 May 2006 15:57:18 GMT

Notes on Chris Trapper, formerly of the Push Stars.
Former PUSH STARS singer/songwriter CHRIS TRAPPER is going Hollywood.

Boston music news: May 26, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:31:07 GMT

Notes on the Snowleopards and Darkbuster's BMP win
The SNOWLEOPARDS , featuring local singer-songwriter HEIDI SAPERSTEIN , celebrate the release of their new single “Stuck in the Middle” this Friday, May 26, at Sally O’Brien’s in Union Square (next to P.A.’s Lounge), opening for local singer-songwriter EMILY GROGAN .

Boston music news: May 19, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Wed, 17 May 2006 19:55:58 GMT

Notes on Mike Dreese's plans for the future; plus Aloud
In the wake of Virgin Megastore’s announcement that it will close its 46,000-square-foot Newbury Street location next year, Newbury Comics chief executive MICHAEL DREESE says he’s not interested in taking over the Mass Ave corner storefront.

Boston music news, May 12, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 09 May 2006 17:59:11 GMT

Notes on the next club night from the people who brought you Blackout Bar
If all goes as planned, the final installment of BLACKOUT BAR , the weekly destination for fans of punk and hard-rock DJs and bands, will be held tomorrow night (May 10) at Great Scott, with performances by the EXPLOSION and MURDER MILE .

Boston music news, May 5, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 02 May 2006 14:36:04 GMT

News on Ho-Ag and a local Springsteen connection
HO-AG singer/guitarist Matt Parish is recuperating at home in Allston after being attacked April 22 in Oakland, California, during the local art-rock quintet’s national tour.

Boston music news - April 28, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 18:34:35 GMT

Notes on Asa Brebner and Vital Might
ASA BREBNER ’s weekend-long Abbey Lounge residency, in celebration of his new live album Abbey Lode (Hi-N-Dry), drew high-profile friends like PETER WOLF and rock historian PETER GURALNICK .

Boston Music Notes: April 21, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 13:03:32 GMT

Rob Lind unleashes a new Ducky Boys album
Plus, Jake Brennan's new album.

Boston music news, April 14, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 15:01:22 GMT

Notes on Guster and Isis
GUSTER are gearing up for the June 20 release of their fifth studio album, Ganging Up on the Sun (Reprise), by going green.

Boston music news, April 7, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:49:20 GMT

Notes on WGLB: Volume 2 and a band of mixed baseball allegiances
In the wake of last year’s popular Wicked Good Local Bands , Newbury Comics and FNX 101.7 FM are again joining forces to release a compilation of music by Boston’s finest: WGLB Volume 2 will be available in late April.

In the wake of last year’s popular Wicked Good Local Bands , Newbury Comics and FNX 101.7 FM are again joining forces to release a compilation of music by Boston’s finest: WGLB Volume 2 will be available in late April. A new crop of artists was chosen this year by FNX local music director Dave Duncan; “We tried to hit on a bunch of different styles,” says FNX assistant program director Keith Dakin. “From the punk of PURE IMPACT to the angular rock of PROTOKOLL to the U2ish DEAR LEADER and TAXPAYER cuts, we wanted to show the best Boston had to offer.” Although no CD release show is currently planned, Dakin adds that several of the groups are tentatively scheduled to play the Phoenix /FNX Best Music Poll show. (You can vote at bestmusicpoll.com; BMP-show details will be announced next week.) . . . The FARMHANDS , a trio comprising a surprisingly civil mix of Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets fans, are preparing to greet Opening Day with a bit of indie-rock fanfare thanks to their new American League/National League . Featuring 30 songs, each devoted to a Major League team, this droll, decidedly lo-fi self-released double album was recorded in basements, kitchens, and living rooms in Scranton, Andover, and Somerville in the fall of 2004 and winter of 2005. Highlights include the old-school rap of “Old Pirate’s Just a Rastaman — Pittsburgh,” the SoCal punk of “Moral Superiority — San Francisco,” and the folk of “Red Sox Fever — Boston.” You can find it at Amazon, through the band’s Web site (www.thefarmhands.com), and at the band’s upcoming shows, April 6 at the Kirkland Café and April 15 at the Abbey Lounge. The group are recording a rap for every player on the World Champion 2004 Sox team and touring minor-league ballparks and sports-memorabilia stores this summer . . . Boston metalcore act UNEARTH are recording a new album, III: In the Eyes of Fire, at Studio X in Seattle with producer Terry Date (Soundgarden, White Zombie). “We are in our nation’s most critical point since the ’60s,” the band said in a statement, explaining the title, “and more importantly, devastation looms in the near future if we continue to make mistake after mistake with unjust wars and environmental disregard.” The disc is due August 8 on Metal Blade, but you can track the band’s progress in the studio at www.metalblade.com/unearth_studio_update.html.

Boston music news, March 31, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:56:26 GMT

Notes on The Charms, Protokoll, and Wild Zero
The CHARMS have landed big-shot garage-rock producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Electric Six) to produce their next album.

Boston music news, March 17, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:46:52 GMT

Notes on The Cars, Unearth, and Hallelujah the Hills
Boston rock icons the Cars will reunite for a summer tour that hits Bank of America Pavilion on May 9. There’s just one catch: standing in for Rick Ocasek, who opted out of the reunion, will be Todd Rundgren.

Boston music news, March 10, 2006

SARAH TOMLINSON — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 18:52:23 GMT

Notes on Mobius and Township
Brooklyn-by-way-of-Shutesbury electro-rock trio Mobius have just got the opening gig on the Editors/Stellastarr* spring tour, though they’ve yet to be confirmed for the March 20 stop at the Roxy.