Weekend Preview 11/2 - 11/7
Photo courtesy of Crumb
Happy November! We're kicking the month off right with some great performances from on-campus and off-campus bands, so be sure to check it out. Maybe even bring your parents.
DT & the Nasty Star Hermit Band w/ MEG
Music House // Thursday 7:00 PM
David Thompson ('11) and the Nasty Star Hermit Band is an overgrown, shockingly vain excavation and re-working of high school angsty tunes processed thru a zillion synths and at least one telephone mic, executed by a powerhouse supergroup of Wes alums who know exactly which buttons to hit to make you want to dance on the dance floor: Sam Long ('12), Mel Hsu ('13), Eric Sherman ('10), Jess Best ('14) and then plus two guys who didn't even go to Wesleyan- Keith and Bob.
MEG is Meg. They just hit 100 likes on Facebook. This is their first Thursday show, and they’re super excited!!!
Eclectic x EMG Present: Dynasty Handbag
Cross Street Dance Studio // Saturday 2:00 PM
Presented by Electronic Music Group and Eclectic Society, this performance features an LA-based performance and video artist Dynasty Handbag. Her lively performance will be accompanied by a workshop on the same day. During the workshop, she will share some footage of her own work, speak about her practice, and lead some exercises. This is open to any interested students.
Strange Ranger, Spit-take, The Foresters, Dawson (Grass Stains)
MAC650 // Saturday 7:00 PM
Strange Ranger (formerly known as Sioux Falls) is an indie rock band from Portland, Oregon who just released a new album called Daymoon, which was recorded in a bedroom during the winter of 2016/2017. Give it a listen.
Spit-take is a punk trio out of New Haven, Connecticut. Their arrangements frequent moments in which the vocals and guitar line up powerfully, giving their punk arrangements an up-front characteristic. With a dynamically effective use of vocal inflection to put their presence over the top and a backdrop of compelling punk bass and drums, Spit-take brings their talent to Middletown for the second week in a row.
The Foresters is a Bethany, CT and Purchase, NY-based indie rock-type band consisting of three brothers and assorted friends.
Dawson is a member of Grass Stains, a self-professed “maximalist dumb fi” rock band out of Newtown, Connecticut with wailing and bleating vocals. Their songs feature many melodic riffs over intricate bass and drum lines which sometimes follow "mathy" rhythms. RIP Grass Stains.
Crumb // Barbara Shop
Earth House // 10:30 PM
Crumb is one of the most exciting bands of the year. The members all met in Boston, two of whom were staples of the Tufts music scene. Their music is trippy, funky, soulful, and transportive. Beautiful soothing vocals provided by Lila Ram ani (also the guitarist) are supported by a tight rhythm section, giving an often funky hip-hop feel. Picture a mix of Hiatus Kiayote, Broadcast, Tame Impala, and Grizzly Bear - and yes, that’s every bit as good as it sounds.
Barbara Shop is a self-described “nü-punk” group consisting of Aural Wes members Adam Manson ‘19, Ezra Kohn ‘20, Neel Madala ‘20 and Lucas Cereijido ‘20. Known for their hook-laden garage rock tunes, as well as their w-w-w-w-wacky social media presence, Barbara Shop is one of the best new bands of the 2017-2018 school year.
Mom Jeans., Queen Moo, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Kississippi, Cheem
MAC650 // Tuesday 6:30 PM
Mom Jeans offers up intricately tied, clean and sort-of-90s pop indie.
Queen Moo is bare, a little upset, and undeniably catchy, even when screaming lyrics like, “you’ve got a lover, and I hate her,” in their under 2-minute “What It Comes To”.
Thrashy, 2000-emo influenced and “performing rad tunes for U!,” Prince Daddy & The Hyena will surely awaken the confused 14-year-old within you.
Kississippi is an airy, echoey, bouncing off the walls indie rock quintet that “writes personal, relational songs.”
Super technical, like an angry math-rock version of the Spin Doctors, Cheem writes the kinds of songs you love to belt out on the highway.
