Recently the schedules for both Bonnaroo and Coachella have been released. Festival season is just around the corner! Summer is the perfect time to see some live music, whether you're headed to one of those huge events, a long-term stalwart like the New Orleans Jazz Festival or a smaller show in West Virginia or the Shenandoah Valley.
Because so many of these events are psychedelia-heavy, we'll start off with something from that genre: "We All Belong" by Dr. Dog. The album was recorded in bits and pieces in between their tours with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and The Strokes.
Production and vocal work has taken a huge leap – the band finally abandoned their trusty eight-track recorder for a larger unit.
Also out is "You, You're a History in Rust" by Do Make Say Think. The Canadian group also delves into psychedelic waters, although they take things a little farther out with jazz-style drums and distorted wind instruments.
It's also an interesting week for alternative hip-hop. Newark, N.J.
's Dalek has never been afraid to push the boundaries of the genre, and has often borrowed sounds and atmospherics from industrial music. The band members have been also known to be quite the road warriors and are currently putting together a tour..
.they might even make it to Richmond or Charlottesville.
Another name known to hip-hop fans is Money Mark; in the past he's collaborated with the Beastie Boys, and worked with the guitarist from Mars Volta as well.
His new album, "Brand New By Tomorrow," pushes him more firmly in the direction of pop, although there are enough Beck-esque surprises to keep things fresh. (He also wins my personal vote for the week's coolest album cover).
Those that still miss the band Luna have something to smile about this week.
Dean Britta, the project of two former Luna-tics, has a second full-length out on Tuesday. "Back Numbers" is chock full of vaguely retro rainy-day music, and should help satisfy those who were only teased by last year's "Words You Used to Say" E.P.
Finally, for something more traditional, there's "Everything In Between" by Matt Wertz. The Nashville singer-songwriter's latest release is an appealing blend of folk, rock and blues. There's nothing terribly new in the mix, but then there doesn't really need to be if you're writing simple and honest pop.
By the way, Plan 9 Carytown's first Local Music Showcase was a resounding success. Conshafter, A New Dawn Fades and Robert Parker Vaughn did a lot to make an already beautiful Saturday afternoon even more interesting. The Local Music Showcase will take place once a month – keep your eyes peeled for next month's lineup.
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