Strange Ranger - House Show

| Keith

Portland post-punk band Strange Ranger (formerly Sioux Falls) sound very throwback to me. All the way back to the 90's and the best thing going on for that era outside of hip-hop: Pacific Northwest style emo. If you were into Sunny Day Real Estate, Seaweed, Modest Mouse, Treepeople and Built to Spill, you'll like Strange Ranger. They had a solid EP out last year, Sunbeams Through Your Head and have an upcoming release, Daymoon on Tiny Engines. Yeah, another one on that awesome label.

RIYL: Sunny Day Real Estate, Pinback, Build To Spill, Braid, Modest Mouse

Upcoming Shows

The Districts - Violet

| Keith
What doesn't last will get remembered
What doesn't last is good to miss
What doesn't last is stuck in your throat
What doesn't last gets swallowed whole

I've been digging the new tracks coming out from Pennsylvania band The Districts. This time around they feel a bit more indie and less alt-country and it's a good look for them. I like all the new tracks, but the latest "Violet" is my current favorite.

RIYL: Heartless Bastards, Wilco, Delta Spirit, Dr. Dog, Pinegrove

Upcoming Shows

To Kill A King - Funeral

| Kerri

Just a box of bones
Lowered and marked with a stone
In the north at the mountains' feet
In the north to find some peace
Sing and dance like we were young
Scream all the joy in your lungs oh
Half with a heavy heart
But not with shocked feet

Oh passion, and oh passion

The first time I saw Bastille live, when they were not so well known (small venue, not sold out), TKAK opened for them, and it blew me away. (It was obvious from that show, without being told, that Dan and Ralph - the respective lead singers - were close mates. Despite very different sounds to their music, they joined each other on several numbers.) Anyhow, I have a signed CD of Cannibals with Cutlery somewhere (I'm not sure where I've tossed since I only listen to music digitally or on vinyl these days) and I still hold the memory of that show dear; the moving songs even more so. Quick check of their Spotify top singles does not include this track, which is a freaking tragedy. Well, the song itself is often confused as being a tragedy but it's really a celebration of life. And it makes my heart swell along with the music and chanting at the end. So fitting of their Shakespearean name. 

RIYL: The National, The Maccabees, Frightened Rabbit, Foals

Upcoming Shows