Lots going on at Exploding in Sound Records

2013 is off to a great start and there's lots to be excited about at Exploding In Sound Records.  The label recently announced its first two releases of the year, Fat History Month's "Bad History Month" and Geronimo!'s "Buzz Yr Girlfriend: Volume 3 - The Metal David Byrne."

Fat History Month are going out on a massive tour in support of the record. Tour dates are all listed below.

FAT HISTORY MONTH - BAD HISTORY MONTH

Boston alt-folk anti-heroes Fat History Month are ready to unleash their second full-length, Bad History Month, unto the world via Exploding in Sound Records and Sophomore Lounge Records on April 1st. The new effort follows Fucking Despair, an album so beloved amongst its listeners that the Boston Phoenix created a category in their 2012 Best Music Poll to acknowledge its significance after a social media campaign garnered so many votes that it couldn’t be ignored.

Through years of toiling away at basement shows, members Jeff Meff (guitar/vocals) and Bob Hobby (drums) have redefined the conventions of what you think of a two-man band. They perform alchemy throughout Bad History Month’s 12 tracks and forty-minute runtime, transforming strung out guitars and disjointed rhythms into irresistible anthems. Fat History Month is a band that has mastered the ability to build tension and emanate fearlessness while doing so.

“Bad History Month,” the title-track and first single was recently praised by BrooklynVegan, Impose, The Needle Drop and more. The song is available to stream via Bandcamp [available on Soundcloud too].  The song serves as a welcome introduction to their idiosyncratic approach that lies somewhere between the slack riffing of Pavement and meditative noodling of Modest Mouse. The soft-to-loud dynamics make the most of vibrant guitars and feverish drumming to establish a tone all of their own. Amid the emotive vocal swells, the charming desperation to the lyrics outwits your favorite poet. Recorded by Dan Angel and James Ryskalchick and Mark Fede at The Sex Dungeon in Philadelphia from April-June 2012, and finished and mixed by Mark Fede at Bobby Hobby's Lobby in Boston July 2012-January 2013. The production illuminates with brilliant layering to highlight the deep underlying melodies.

Fat History Month share their thoughts on the record:

“Another heady conceptual brew from everyone's favorite nonalcoholic joke band that takes itself way too seriously. In case you didn't notice, the last one was a comedy album. This one is a tragedy.
Bad History not only means more songs about your Horrible Family, but it also refers to a feeling of ridiculously overblown and pathetic self-hatred, as in the case of that famous cowboy who, after falling off his horse, couldn't help feeling that in a previous life, he had been the first human to kill and eat a Neanderthal, an act which singled him out as the real life root cause of Original Sin, which has been borne throughout the ages by all of humanity ever since.

Aside from that, there are songs about the present, lonely, hi-jinx free Future of the modern world, the true nature of Hell, the comfort of a living room couch overwhelming the appeal of a life in the great outdoors, baldness as a metaphor for something or other, love and death through the wide open eyes of a crushed runaway cat, the deadly blackhole of passing time, indecisiveness about identity, narcissistic sadness over an early sunset, and a cannibal mind taking self-depredation to its logical conclusion. What's it all about? Who knows, but rest assured, it's intended as a deadly serious collection of deep ideas, a classic work of Art, deserving of thoughtful analysis for years to come.”

Pre-orders are now available via Fat History Month’s Bandcamp page.  The album is available on vinyl and digitally.  All vinyl orders include an illustrated lyric book drawn by Adric Giles! Trust us, you’re going to want the vinyl.

GERONIMO! - BUZZ YR GIRLFRIEND: VOLUME 3 - THE METAL DAVID BYRNE [EIS006]

Chicago's favorite fuzzed out indie punk rockers are back with the latest installement of their cassette series, Buzz Yr Girlfriend, the first edition for EISR, Volume 3 - The Metal David Byrne.  The trio continue to expand their sound in new directions, and this EP is a monster.  Geronimo! are a rare breed, and this time around they're coming straight for your throat. Be warned, the new record is noisey, rowdy, and set to demolish all in its path.

This week saw the band release the EP's first single "Genius is Dead" which is available via Bandcamp and Soundcloud to stream and download. Check out what Austin's GroundFloorGo had to say about it...

"Genius is Dead" is the first single from the release and it's a fuckin' doozy. After a bulky display of clamoring drums, the track dives forward into a signature explosion of loud guitars and shrieks from Kelly Johnson. The track instantly reminds me of one of my favorite 90s bands in Mudhoney, but with more refinement in the way they organize their noise.

Buzz Yr Girlfriend: Volume 3 - The Metal David Byrne will be available March 29th to celebrate the five year anniversary of the Geronimo!'s first show.  You can pick up the tape at any of their shows and on Bandcamp for the fan friendly price of $2 (seriously) and digital will be available on a "name-your-price" scale.

The guys will be heading out on a Midwest / East Coast tour in support of the release.  Check out the dates below.  Many are still works in progress, and if you want to help out with any of the dates, you can email the band HERE.

Thu, 4/4 - Ypsilanti? Milwaukee?

Fri, 4/5 - Cleveland - Pat's in the Flats

Sat, 4/6 - Columbus - Tree Bar

Sun, 4/7 - Pittsburgh - ?

Mon, 4/8 - ?

Tue, 4/9 - Philly - ?

Wed, 4/10 - New Haven - ?

Thu, 4/11 - Boston - O'Brien's

Fri, 4/12 -  Brooklyn - Big Snow w/ Advaeta, Ovlov, LVL UP + The Hot Flood

Sat, 4/13 - Buffalo - ?

Still to come during the Spring of 2013:

OVLOV - The long awaited full length album is finally set to arrive in early 2013 on LP and digital!  Recorded with Grass Is Green's Michael Thomas III, we couldn't be more stoked to have Ovlov and the Hartlett boys part of our family. We've heard the rough mixes and have been blown away.  It's only a matter of time now!

If you live in the New York area, be sure to come out and support Ovlov on March 5th at Glasslands.  Ovlov were selected as support for PAWS (FatCat Records) first ever US show!

TWO INCH ASTRONAUT - The Baltimore boys are back with a new full length, and we're pretty damn excited to be a part of it.  The guys are currently mixing and mastering for a Spring release on tape, CD, and digital.  The songs are sounding fantastic and we truly believe Two Inch Astronaut are gonna blow more than a few minds.

Stay tuned for more info on Speedy Ortiz's full length debut and several other special releases!  Check out all tour dates below.

PILE and FAT HISTORY MONTH:

3/22 CAMBRIDGE MA- MIDDLE EAST UPSTAIRS w/ Kal Marks & Big Mess*
3/23 BUFFALO NY - DBGB’s w/ JOHNS, RETURNERS and VELVET ELVIS
3/24 DETROIT MI - JUMBO’S w/ CRAY CRAY and TOUCH
3/25 CHICAGO IL - ABBEY PUB w/ MY DAD and GERONIMO!
3/26 MILWAUKEE WI - QUARTER’S w/ ABSOLUTELY
3/27 MINNEAPOLIS MN - MEDUSA w/ BUILDINGS, EX-NUNS
3/28 OMAHA NE - O’LEAVER’S PUB $5
3/29 DENVER CO - TBD
3/30 SALT LAKE CITY UT - BAR DELUXE w/ ST. ELIAS
3/31 MISSOULA MT - OLE BECK VFW POST 209 w/ BOYS, ST. ELIAS
4/1 BELLINGHAM WA - CABIN TAVERN w/ ST. ELIAS and 1 TBA
4/2 SEATTLE WA - THE BLACK LODGE w/ DEVOTION and ST. ELIAS
4/3 PORTLAND OR - THE EAST END w/ GLADNESS and ST. ELIAS
4/4 ARCATA CA - CRESCENT HOUSE
4/5 YUBA CITY CA - THE CAVE
4/6 SAN FRANCISCO CA - HEMLOCK TAVERN w/ MICHAEL BEACH
4/7 OAKLAND CA - FRACTAL MINDGAZE HUT w/ BIG LONG NOW
4/8 SAN FRANCISCO CA - TBD
4/9 ISLA VISTA CA - BIKO GARAGE
4/10 LOS ANGELES CA - ORIGAMI VINYL (early show)
4/10 LOS ANGELES CA - THE SMELL (later show) w/ STAB CITY
4/11 SAN DIEGO CA - TIN CAN ALE HOUSE w/ TAKAHASHI and WEATHERBOX
4/12 TEMPE AZ - TBD
4/13 FLAGSTAFF AZ - A LIVING ROOM
4/14 ALBUQUERQUE NM - TBD
4/15 AMARILLO TX - THE 806
4/16 DALLAS/DENTON TX - TBD
4/17 AUSTIN TX - HOTEL VEGAS
4/18 HOUSTON TX - NOTSUOH
4/19 NEW ORLEANS LA - ONE EYED JACKS w/ Y’ALL
4/20 PENSACOLA FL - THE HANDLEBAR
4/21 BIRMINGHAM AL - THE FORGE
4/22 NASHVILLE TN - THE OWL FARM
4/23 LOUISVIKLLE KY - TBD
4/24 BLOOMINGTON IN - SOUND WORKSHOP w/ DUST FROM 1000 YRS and PONYBOY
4/25 PITTSBURGH PA - TBD
4/26 PHILADELPHIA PA - TBD
4/27 NEW BRUNSWICK NJ - TBD
4/28 BROOKLYN NY - DEATH BY AUDIO w/ PORCHES. and BENNIO QWERTY
4/29 ALLSTON MA - GREAT SCOTT w/ FLORIDA = DEATH

GERONIMO!

2/23 - Township - Chicago, IL - Velocicopter, Dharmonic Deluxe
3/22 - C-Haus - Beloit, WI
3/25 - Abbey Pub - Chicago, IL w/ Pile, Fat History Month, & My Dad

4/4 - Ypsilanti? Milwaukee?

4/5 - Cleveland - Pat's in the Flats

4/6 - Columbus - Tree Bar

4/7 - Pittsburgh - ?

4/8 - ?

4/9 - Philly - ?

4/10 - New Haven - ?

4/11 - Boston - O'Brien's

4/12 -  Brooklyn - Big Snow w/ Advaeta, Ovlov, LVL UP + The Hot Flood

4/13 - Buffalo - ?

GRASS IS GREEN

April 6th - Allston, MA - O'Briens w/King Orchid

OVLOV

3/5 - Glasslands in Brooklyn, NY w/ PAWS
4/16 - Big Snow in Brooklyn, NY w/ Advaeta, Geronimo!, LVL UP & The Hot Flood

SPEEDY ORTIZ

3/13: bar (new haven, ct)
3/29: big snow buffalo lodge (brooklyn, ny) w/schwervon
3/30: aputumpu festival @ shea stadium (brooklyn, ny)

FIND EXPLODING IN SOUND RECORDS ON THE INTERNET:

www.explodinginsoundrecords.com
www.explodinginsoundrecords.bandcamp.com
www.explodinginsoundrecords.bigcartel.com
www.facebook.com/explodinginsoundrecords
www.twitter.com/eisrecords
www.youtube.com/user/explodinginsound

The NE Music Awards partners with Boston Green Fest

The NE Music Awards has partnered with the fine folks at Boston Green Fest and have created a great opportunity for a New England band!
Is your band the most "Eco friendly" in New England? E-mail your response to the fine folks at NEMA in 100 words or less but make sure to due it by the deadline on March 15.
The winner will be announced at the NE Music Awards on Saturday, April 13, and will  perform live on the main stage at the 2013 Boston Green Fest on Aug. 16!

Citywide Blackout-Farah Joan Fard, Ryan Jackson Troika, UR Metal

Farah Joan Fard, founder of the LaParadiddle music blog, joins us to talk about audition stories and some of the great local artists she's met over the years.

Ryan Jackson of the Ryan Jackson Troika is next, to premier some great tunes from the new album, "Plethora."

Finally, it's the return of UR Metal with some new hardcore tunes from local bands and lots of metal news!

Citywide Blackout-Cougar Bait, Jeremy Jed Hammel, Rory Gory, Patrick DeCoste

Boston-based Cougar Bait is back with a brand new electronic sound and lineup, and they're going to show us what it's all about with a great live set.

Local filmmaker Jeremy Jed Hammel talks about his Superman-inspired short film The Legacy, his Filmshift Festival taking place this October, and many other projects, awards and all kinds of film talk.

Rory Gory gives Citywide Blackout the inside scoop on her upcoming film, The Audience.

Instrumental artist Patrick DeCoste shows his surgical guitar skills and talks about his albums, "Show Me The Way To Go Home" and "Inside the Unsaid." Be sure to catch him at O'Brien's on March 11.

New England Music Awards voting has begun

The New England Music Awards has announced its full list of nominees in each of the twenty three categories   This announcement begins the open voting period for the general public. Music fans can vote for one act in each category, limit one ballot per computer (IP address), from the five New England acts nominated in each category by our nominating committee.  The full list of nominating committee members can be found at nemusicawards.com/about. 

Winners will be announced at the 2nd Annual New England Music Awards Ceremony & Artist Conference.

Full details of the 2nd Annual New England Music Awards Ceremony and Concert scheduled for  Saturday, April 13, 7 p.m. to be held in Lowell at the historic Lowell Memorial Auditorium, presented with the support of the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitor's Bureau. Awards will be presented in 26 categories, 10 New England acts will perform. Performers already confirmed for the 2013 Awards Ceremony and Concert include Boston band The Adam Ezra Group and Lowell's own Hot Day At The Zoo.

Other acts performing on the night, Sarah Blacker, The Alternate Routes, and The Luxury, with more to be added. More event details coming very soon at the  New England Music Awards website, on Facebook and Twitter.

The New England Music Awards are presented every year to the musicians who call New England their home and whose dedication, spirit, and achievements over the last year have without a doubt established themselves as a contributing force to the most robust and diverse music scene in the country. The NEMA nominating committee consists of journalists from music publications, radio personalities, talent buyers, and record label execs collectively representing all six New England states.

The goal of NEMA is to celebrate and recognize some of the areas best musical achievements. Every year NEMA will nominate over 100 artists and/or bands spanning a number of categories and genres of popular music in New England, including the coveted individual state awards which will select one band/act from each of the six states as its Best In State. The NEMA Nomination Committee will also select one winner in three Individual Award categories which are presented to the artist or band for their years of outstanding achievement and contribution to the New England music scene.

Citywide Blackout-Plectrum Artist Series, Aloud, Ten: The Movie

This week sees the hit return of the Plectrum Artist Series, with Curtis Hughes of Plectrum Entertainment and singer-songwriter Steph Barrak, talking about her upcoming CD release show. Plus, Curtis spins some wisdom about the best ways to use social media to converse with the fans.

Jade Sylvan, Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein take us down a dark path with the horror film, TEN, a post-exploitation psychological thriller devised as a possible explanation for the events of the 1972 Spektor Island Massacre.

The local rock band Aloud talks about their 42-spot tour, and how they've stayed together for the past decade.

The Grownup Noise play the Middle East Upstairs

On Thurs. Feb. 21st, The Grownup Noise are honored to play at The Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge with legendary songwriter Freedy Johnston and Golden Bloom from NYC. 

The Grownup Noise has spent a good deal of the winter hard at work on their 3rd studio album, a follow up to 2011’s Scott Solter (Spoon, Okkerville River, St. Vincent) mixed and produced This Time With Feeling.   They have spent time between recording at Kissy Pig studios in Allston and various great sounding bedrooms, closets, and bathtubs throughout Boston. 

Freedy Johnston is probably best known for his albums “This Perfect World” and “Can you Fly”, which Rolling Stone and Spin hailed as masterpieces at the time.  This led to a string of hits, his signing to Elektra records, and a long and prosperous music career.  The Grownup Noise is honored to be sharing the stage with him. 

The band had a busy 2012 including a summer tour with buddies Golden Bloom and  Timmy Williams (of the Whitest Kids U Know). Last spring the band had a successful five-show stint at SXSW that included an official showcase opening for Tommy Stinson of the Replacements and Guns n’ Roses.

The Grownup Noise would love to extend a guest list spot invitation! Please contact for guest list, hi res-photos or any other information. 

www.thegrownupnoise.com

www.facebook.com/thegrownupnoise

www.twitter.com/thegrownupnoise

The Grownup Noise’s best asset, however is the songwriting, with lines of love and the changing seasons coming out as gently and colorful as the music itself."

-The Onion, AV Club

“Boston’s the Grownup Noise are one of those perfectly named bands whose moniker sums up their aesthetic to a tee… It’s not surprising that theirs is a musicianship of the first order.”

- PopMatters

“This Time with Feeling stands apart on musical skill.”

- Flavorpill

The Grownup Noise Bio:

From self-titled 2007 debut up through 2011’s acclaimed, rousing This Time with Feeling, Boston’s the Grownup Noise have bridged the gap between Americana and indie-pop. During that half-decade, the 5 piece ensemble’s performed with everyone from Kill Rock Stars sensations Thao with the Get Down Stay Down to acclaimed Canadian barnstormers Rock Plaza Central and folk troubadours the Guggenheim Grotto. After releasing This Time with Feeling, which was mixed and produced by studio wizard Scott Solter (Spoon, Okkervil River, St. Vincent, John Vanderslice), the band spent most of ’11 crossing the U.S. on tour, and as they continue to support Feeling and ready new material, 2012 has remained just as busy. 

All five members of The Grownup Noise (Paul Hansen - vocals, guitar, keys; Adam Sankowski - bass, keys, vocals; Rachel Arnold - cello, vocals; and Aine Fujioka - drums, vocals), Dave Middleton (Pedal Steel, Keys) are multi-instrumentalists and equal contributors to Feeling’s umbrella of styles. 

Music from their debut was featured prominently during a seasonal climax of MTV’s The Real World, and The Tucson Weekly proclaimed that The Grownup Noise are “a band that revels in the beauty of a simple melody delivered with minimal enhancement for maximum emotional effect.” The Onion’s A.V. Club raved, “The Grownup Noise’s best asset is the songwriting, with lines of love and the changing seasons coming out as gently and colorful as the music itself." Boston’s The Weekly Dig wrote, “When this noise emerges from its shell, it feels so genuine in its simple emotion that you can't help but embrace it.”  

This past spring, the Grownup Noise celebrated their first appearance at SXSW, which was highlighted by an opening slot for Tommy Stinson of the Replacements and Guns N’ Roses, in addition to a slate of dates with Minneapolis alternative icons the Honeydogs. The Grownup Noise will be back on the road this summer, with their third release eminent on the horizon. Come out and see the band Flavorpill says reminds them of “late-'80s Scottish pop in the vein of Aztec Camera and Trash Can Sinatras” and whose growing discography “stands apart on musical skill.” 

Citywide Blackout Playlist-Feb. 2, 2013

This week we debut new music from singer-songwriter Steph Barrak, Kingsley Flood and The Brooklyns. Do yourself a favor--follow the links below and give them a listen. You won't regret it. All three have new albums either out now or very soon.

Kingsley Flood-"Pick Your Battles"

Steph Barrack-"Painted Face," "Natural Progression" and "Oh Lo Lo"

The Brooklyns-"Shine"