If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Gelli Haha Album : Switcheroo Quick Thoughts : Everything about this package feels unhinged, and yet this is a real favorite of the week. This isn't quite dance / electronic, but it's not your standard listen either. Opening track, "Funny Music," gives a sort of weird dissoance to start us out before it gets rolling; "Piss Artist" is as chaotic as you'd imagine, and the whole package is just one that's a delight. One of the favorites of the week. Songs of Note : "Funny Music," "Spit," "Piss Artist," "Tiramisu," "Pluto is not a planet it's a restaurant" Artist : Vandoliers Album : Life Behind Bars Quick Thoughts : Vandoliers are back and they are Not Happy. This is an overt, angry, political record in so many ways and the sort of rage that streams from its pores is a welcome addition to this summer, and it doesn't hurt that the songs are great, too. Don't skip this one...

I wish I could put my finger on what makes Willi Carlisle such a compelling artist. His latest single, "Work is Work," is everything we love from the artist. It's a traditionally based folk song, but with that slight modern twist that Carlisle injects into his music. Plus, there's something in his voice that you're going to find engrossing. He almost has a roadside preacher aspect to his voice that just sucks a listener in completely. Plus, his music contains so much joy, and couldn't we all use a little more joy these days? Willi Carlisle is modern folk music at its finest. You can listen to "Work is Work" below. Winged Victory is due out June 27 on Signature Sounds Recordings, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Willi Carlisle, check out the artist's website . Upcoming tour dates are below the song and include a September 17 show at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA. April 9 — Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic April 11-13 — Saint Augustine ...

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. And since we're in outdoor music season, these events are weather permitting. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend: Friday May 17 Nuggets Celebration featuring Lenny Kaye & Friends (Jon Wurster, Ted Leo, Bill Janovitz, David Minehan, Clint Conley, Tanya Donelly, Barrence Whitfield, & more) at The Cut, Gloucester, MA Miracle Blood, Spiritkiller, Deprogrammer Cult, and Jiddo at O'Brien's Pub, Allston, MA Twin Foxes, Her Head's On Fire, and Salem Wolves at Wes' Rib House Upstairs, Providence, RI Willi Carlisle and Aaron Jonah Lewis at 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH Jon Snodgra...

Willi Carlisle makes traditional country/folk that doesn't quite sound like anyone else. His latest single, "When the Pills Wear Off," has all of the elements of a classic folk song. There are even strings all over the song, but Carlisle just has his own thing going on to make it stand far out from the pack of current folk artists. Plus, as lovely as the song sounds, it's about losing friends to addictions. It's a mournful song that has just a little bit of a sense of humor to it. Everything about "When the Pills Wear Off" goes against everything else about the song, but things like that are why we love Willi Carlisle. Willi Carlisle says of his latest single: “It’s kind of about getting a little older, moving from hard drugs and hookups to bedroom sex and pharmaceuticals. It’s an amalgam of queer stories that I’ve heard, lived, and seen.” You can listen to "When the Pills Wear Off" below. Critterland is due out January 26 on Signature Sounds, ...

There isn't anyone out there doing the folk thing quite like Willi Carlisle. His latest single is a perfect example of what makes Carlisle such a special and unique artist. "Critterland" dances along the edges of traditional folk and the more mainstream modern version of the genre. Plus, he just injects something unique into the song that isn't exactly alt-folk but isn't not alt-folk. "Critterland" is also a bit of a protest song, but it's a song that protests in favor of love and family. It also might be the best song about attempting to live in an intentional community Arkansas of all time. Willi Carlisle says of his latest single: “At its simplest, it’s bucolic. The power of love is the power of nature, the remedy of the granny-witch and the herbalist, the song of the sparrow and the pouch of the opossum. Even if you’re labeled a ‘queer and a communist,’ it’s worth fighting for your fucked-up family at the end of days." You can watch the vide...

Photo via Facebook "Queer cowboy poet, populist folk singer, and viral video star" Willi Carlisle has released a new single. "Life on the Fence" is "... about the struggles of being queer in a world that's terrified of your identity." It's a classic cowboy country ballad that could have come out anytime in the past fifty or so years, except for the subject matter. It's a killer heartfelt country song, the kind people say don't get made any more. "Life on the Fence" is the perfect level of twang, and anyone who truly loves country or folk won't be able to resist this one. You can listen to "Life on the Fence" below. Peculiar, Missouri is due out July 15 on Free Dirt Records. The album can be pre-saved/pre-ordered here . For more on Willi Carlisle, check out the artist's website .