Live Shows: Letters to Cleo and Gigolo Aunts, Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA 11/18/23

Poster by Daykamp Creative

Just about every year I go see Letters to Cleo's annual homecoming run of shows at the Paradise in Boston, and every year I have a great time. Despite that, I always assume that I've seen them enough times, and I can take a year or two off. But... I keep getting sucked back in the next year, and I end up yet again having a great time. This year's run of shows featured the thirtieth anniversary of their debut album Aurora Gory Alice and the return of Gigolo Aunts, so I simply could not resist.

Gigolo Aunts have not played a show in ten years, and I don't think I've seen them since their original run in the 90's (probably playing with Letters to Cleo). For a band that hasn't played together in a decade, and played as a full time band in probably two decades, they sounded great. Songs like "Where I Find My Heaven" and "Gun" (which they said they haven't played in about thirty years) have not aged at all and sound perfect live. It could be that the mainstream has caught up with their sound, but their entire set sounded like they could be hits from the past five years. Singer Dave Gibbs joked that the green room was very different when they used to play with Letters to Cleo in the 90's but drinking warm tea was still rock and roll, and how weird it was to play songs you wrote in your early 20's when you're now in your late fifties. Gigolo Aunts definitely brought in some fans just to see them, so let's hope they don't want another decade before playing more shows.

Letters to Cleo took the stage and played the ten songs off Aurora Gory Alice. We knew it was coming, but it was still great to hear all of the songs off the album live. By the time they got to "Rim Shak," I was fully on board and making plans to get back next year. The most surprising aspect of the show was that this might be the best Letters to Cleo have sounded since reuniting. Part of that is the return of Stacy Jones behind the drums. He's always been a severely underrated drummer, and his presence adds an extra oomph to the band's live show. Plus, Kay Hanley's vocals were divine, and she has never sounded better than she did this past weekend. ("Get on With It" was particularly fantastic live this time around.) When Letters to Cleo first started doing these shows together, they almost sounded too polished at times, but on Saturday night they played with a looseness they haven't had in decades. You could tell they were playing for fun and just the love of these songs. I was personally hoping they'd bust out the Cherry Disc version of "Here and Now" to truly mark the thirtieth anniversary, but it wasn't to be.

After the Aurora Gory Alice portion of the evening was over, they played a mixture of songs off Wholesale Meats and Fish and Go!, along with a spattering of newer songs. Along with long term favorites like "Demon Rock" and "Fast Way," I was surprised that "4 Leaf Clover" off 2016's Back to Nebraska now feels like an old favorite, and was the song stuck in my head all day Sunday.

Closing out the encore, Letters to Cleo were joined by Gigolo Aunts for the obvious cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" and The J. Geil's Band's "Angel in a Centerfold." I think I saw them play "I Want You to Want Me" once during their initial run, but nowadays if they didn't play it live half the crowd would be shocked and disappointed. Fun covers are sometimes the best part of Letters to Cleo's live shows, and these were the perfect choices to end the night. For once, I'm already planning on going again next year.

Willi Carlisle - "When the Pills Wear Off"

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, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. A portion of the proceeds of the song will go to Hope in the Hills, a West Virginia-based charity focused on recovery and wellness in Appalachia. For more on Willi Carlisle, check out the artist's website.

The Nervous Eaters - "Talkk"

Photo by Carissa Johnson

Boston punk/rock and roll legends The Nervous Eaters have been enjoying a career resurgence lately, and songs like their latest show why. "Talkk" has a classic rock feel to it, but it's not like what we typically hear from the band. This new song combines classic 70's California AM radio rock with an early punk edge. I don't think I've ever written that about any other band, which makes sense since those sounds are diametrically to each other, but Nervous Eaters make it work in the coolest way possible. It's like garage rock and punk are filtered through a bit of a hippie lens. It's cool to see a band this many decades into their career play around with their sound like this, but that's why we love Nervous Eaters.

Front man Steve Cataldo says of the band's new song:

“TALKK is very much along the lines of the NERVOUS EATERS song CHAD, heard on our 'Wicked Cool LP - Monsters and Angels'. The narrative explains a boyfriend's loss of contact with the love of his life. He desperately tries to find her. Endlessly looking through social media, constantly walking the city streets searching the old romantic places they used to hang out, unrelenting in his promise to find her. He finally pleads with all his friends, who knew them both as a couple, to pass on this message should they ever hear from her. 'Please tell her I was wrong, that I have changed my ways, and if she comes back home, there will be a brand new man here for her to find.'

"In the end, TALKK as with CHAD, despite all the boyfriend’s searching, he never finds her, thus he has to live with the endless regret of realizing, much too late, that each person's idea of love is unique unto them. That physical love by itself is never enough. That listening, patience and unconditional caring is the 'Real Love,'  everyone is looking for. Everything else is just TALKK.”

You can watch the video for "Talkk" below. The song is out now via Wicked Cool Records. For more on The Nervous Eaters, check out the band's website.

Gut Health - "Runaway High"

Photo by kristixman

Worcester's Gut Health have one of the more interesting sounds coming out of central Massachusetts on their debut single. "Runaway High" has a classic loud/quiet loud vibe going, but not in the traditional way of Nirvana or the Pixies. The song does have the guitar sound of classic Nirvana, but they also bring in the more melodic elements of Deftones. It's a crunching powerhouse of a song with guitars that buzz at times, and are more melodic at others. That being said, the song does keep a surprising sense of beauty throughout, even at it's more noisy times. It's an impressive debut from a band that came out of nowhere for us, and one that we need to hear more from sooner than later.

You can listen to "Runaway High" below. The song is currently available via Bandcamp. For more on Gut Health, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight - "Safehouse"

Photo via Facebook

Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight also moonlight as a Siouxsie & The Banshees cover band (Gretchen & The Banshees, obviously), and their latest single leans into their influence. "Safehouse" has more of a darker, gothic rock sound than we're used to from the more rock oriented Middle Eight. There is still plenty of rock in "Safehouse," particularly a crunchy guitar, but this one sounds much more akin to 80's alternative rock than they usually do. This one is an absolute anthem. It's not quite in power ballad territory, but it's a mid-tempo power ballad adjacent anthem.

You can listen to "Safehouse" below. For more on Gretchen Shae & The Middle Eight, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

The Magic City - "Roadrunner Vs. Your Mother"

Photo by Ken Marcou

Despite being from Boston, The Magic City don't sound like a Boston band at all. The band's debut single, "Roadrunner Vs. Your Mother," has more of a British sound than American. You're going to hear the early Britpop of Suede and Pulp mixed with the glam of David Bowie and T-Rex. As you can imagine, "Roadrunner Vs. Your Mother" doesn't sound like anything else from 2023. Everything about the song screams early 90's, back before Britpop had truly taken over the airwaves. The most modern thing about the sound is the slick production. The Magic City have a winner on their hands with this one, and we're looking forward to whatever they do next.

Vocalist David Jackel says of the new song:

“I got the idea for it while getting ice cream with my five-year-old daughter Bronwyn. We had just watched the original Parent Trap, and I was explaining to her why real parents would never do what those parents did, and that they were actually terrible parents. Across the street I noticed the movie theater marquee for Roadrunner, and the hamster wheel in my brain started to roll.”

You can listen to "Roadrunner Vs. Your Mother" below. For more on The Magic City, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook. If you'll be in the Boston area next month, they're playing The Jungle in Somerville on December 17.

The Town and the City Festival 2024 has an Amazing Line Up!

The Town and the City Festival continues to be one of the best smaller festivals in the northeast, and this year's line up is stellar. Held throughout Lowell, MA, this year's festival will be held April 26 and 27. In 2024, Robyn Hitchcock returns and we'll also get long standing indie rockers Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Americana artist Amythyst Kiah, Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik, and Boston indie pop sensations The Q-Tip Bandits. The festival also includes some of our absolute favorite local artists including Akrobatik, Burp, Colleen Green, Jen Kearney, Linnea's Garden, Muck & The Mires, One Fall, Orbit, Roger Miller, Sapling, Subpunch, The Chelsea Curve, The Shirt & Shoes, Tysk Tysk Task, and many, many more. And this is just the initial line up, with more to come in 2024!

Two-day passes go on sale today at 10:00 am for the special low price of $45 until November 30. For more on The Town and the City Festival, check out the festival's website.

The Problem With Kids Today - "Leather Jacket Blues"

Photo by Sam Carlson

Sometimes you just want a punk song, and that's exactly what New Haven, CT's The Problem With Kids Today gift us with their new single. "Leather Jacket Blues" is a fast and not quite furious song that clocks in at under ninety seconds. It's the kind of punk song sure to inspire mosh pits, but the fun kind where no one is trying to hurt anyone else. It's filled with noisy guitar and vocals you can't quite figure out. "Leather Jacket Blues" is just pure fun in a compact song that you'll wish was at least thirty seconds longer.

"The Great" Tate Brooks (vocals/guitar) says of the new song:

"We wanted to dance and shout and bang into each other, so we wrote a song that does exactly that."

You can watch the video for "Leather Jacket Blues" below. Born to Rock is due out February 9 and is available for pre-order on Bandcamp. For more on The Problem With Kids Today, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram. Upcoming live dates are below the video.

11.22 - Wallingford, CT @ Cherry Street Station
11.25 - New Haven, CT @ Ward 9
12.09 - New Haven, CT @ Cafe 9
12.15 - Northampton, MA @ JJ’s Tavern 
02.09 - New Haven, CT @ Cafe 9 (Record Release Show)
02.17 - New Haven, CT @ Three Sheets
03.20 - New York, NY @ Arlene’s Grocery 
03.21 - Kearny, NJ @ Jimmy’s Lounge 

Mama Zu - "Lip"

Image courtesy Mama Zu

Mama Zu is the musical project between Jessi Zazu and Linwood Regensburg after the break up of their previous band, Those Darlins, in 2016. They began working on an album under the name Mama Zu while Zazu was battling cervical cancer, which claimed her life at age twenty-eight in September 2017. Regensburg found himself unable to finish their album, but started to be able to work on it in 2020. 

The first single from Mama Zu is "Lip," and if you're a Those Darlins fan, you're going to adore this. Jessi Zazu just has one of those fantastic and distinctive voices, and "Lip" takes all of the attitude and edge from their previous bands and unleashes it into a more rock and roll based sound. The song is irresistibly catchy, and just flat out rocks. This song has a garage rock meets pop kind of sound, but rocks harder than anything this catchy has any right to. 

Linwood Regensburg says of the new song:

"The beauty of a 'fuck you' song (of which there might happen to be several on this album) is that you could simultaneously find yourself singing along while also being the oblivious target. Granted I never asked Jessi what this song was actually about and it's also quite possible I might be an unreliable narrator here. Nevertheless, in the meantime, whether you’re in the mood to raise a middle finger or perhaps deserved of one, this song's for you." 

You can watch the video for "Lip" below. Quilt Floor is due out February 23 on Thirty Tigers, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Mama Zu, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Danielle Durack - "Shirt Song"

Photo by Chase Warren

Nashville artist Danielle Durack wrote most of her upcoming album during lockdown, but despite that her latest single has a certain optimistic feeling to it. "Shirt Song" has that singer/songwriter meets indie rock and alt-pop that is all the rage right now, but Durack just has that certain something that elevates her above her peers. It's a break up song, but the kind of break up song that comes after the initial crushing heartbreak and you're well on your way to moving on. There are some Phoebe Bridgers vibes to the song, but in a more rootsy kind of way. "Shirt Song" is a beautiful little upbeat song that is sure to make you an instant fan.

Danielle Durack says of her latest single:

"'Shirt Song' serves as a bit of a chronological transition from my last release. It’s an upbeat breakup song about feeling just a little bit better."

You can watch the video for "Shirt Song" below. Escape Artist is due out February 16, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Danielle Durack, check out the artist's website.

Live Shows: Razor Braids, Mint Green, and Matilde Heckler, The Rockwell, Somerville, MA 11/14/23

Razor Braids have been one of those bands I've enjoyed and have wanted to see them live since discovering their music last year. When I saw the Brooklyn quartet were playing The Rockwell, I wanted to go but was kind of on the fence. Once they announced Mint Green was opening, I immediately bought a ticket. Despite them being local and playing around a lot, seeing them just hadn't worked out yet. Turns out I made the right decision since I also got to discover the fantastic Matilde Heckler, too!

Recent Berklee graduate Matilde Heckler opened the show with a short set. They played an electric violin shaped like a flying "v," and with their band played a great set of violin based indie rock/alt pop songs. I believe they only have two songs out to date (with a third due on Friday), so they're in the very early stages of a music career. But sometimes even this early on, you can just tell someone is going to be great someday. They also busted out a cover of Olivia Rodrigo's "Get it Back" which won over anyone in the crowd not yet fully onboard.

Mint Green played next, and after listening to them for a number of years, and hearing about how great they were live, my expectations were high. They destroyed any expectations I had and made me a diehard fan. Singer/guitarist Ronnica is one of the most compelling frontpeople in Boston, and a song like "Body Language" off 2022's All Girls Go to Heaven is even more impactful live. It was one of those shows that you're going between bopping around and having fun and standing there awestruck. The band was breaking in two new members Tuesday night, and I can't imagine how great they will be after they have more time to play together. Plus, they broke out a cover of Radiohead's semi-forgotten classic "Creep," which is always a great decision.

You ever see a band and wonder how they're only playing a show in front of a few dozen people and not a few thousand? That's how Razor Braids were at The Rockwell. They were one of the most compelling live bands I've seen this year, and the mixture of harder edge punk songs with jawdroppingly beautiful ballads was astounding. They had gorgeous vocal harmonies over songs that were at times punk, at others groovy. "Megachurch" was a highlight of the set, with vocal harmonies between Hollye Bynum and Jillian Karande equally joyful and painful. Razor Braids also played the ultrarare real encore. They had finished up their set with "42," when the audience asked for another song. They agreed to play "Not Dead, Not Yet," calling it their heaviest song, but said the crowd needed to match the energy, which they happily did.

One last note about the vibe of the entire evening. Razor Braids curated a certain feeling for the entire night. They were in the audience for most of the other band's sets (they were hard to miss dressed in outfits that were the exact shade of red, right down to their shoes) cheering and dancing around. It's unusual to find the exact right mixture of audience interaction to enhance a live show and not derail it, but they found it perfectly. Every single time an audience member said something to the band, they found a way to turn it into a plus. The band just exudes this natural sense of charisma, and if there is any justice in the world, they'll be rocking the largest stages in town quite soon.

Savoir Faire - "Machine with a Dream"

Photo by Sasha Pedro

According to a Facebook post, "Machine with a Dream" is Savoir Faire's "... anthem for women's reproductive rights." The gravity of the topic is reflected in the song. It still has the indie rock guitar heavy with nostalgia sound that we love from the Boston artist, but "Machine with a Dream" has an unexpected 1960's futuristic sound to it, like it could be from a science fiction movie from that period. Unfortunately, the dystopian times we currently find ourselves in is reminiscent of 1960's science fiction, so Savoir Faire's latest isn't as retro as you might think. It's also an eerie song, especially with its backing vocals.

You can watch the Twin Peaks and Blade Runner inspired video for "Machine with a Dream" below. Hopeless Nostalgic is forthcoming. For more on Savoir Faire, check out the artist's website.

Friko - "Crashing Through"

Photo by Pooneh Ghana

Chicago's Friko are set to release their debut album in early 2024, and you're going to want to join us on the ground floor with these folks. Their new single, "Crashing Through," is just a burst of pure indie rock joy. The song has nearly whispered gang vocals over guitars that seem to meander around without any real destination, and then it has these crashing moments with guitar bursts that we haven't heard since they heyday of Sonic Youth. And then there are vocal moments that recall The Polyphonic Spree where there's nearly an entire choir singing. "Crashing Through" is the kind of song that will make you wonder what you just heard, and then want to immediately hear more.

Vocalist/guitarist Nico Kapetan says of his band's upcoming album:

“It wasn’t intentional for us to have group vocals all over this record. It just happened naturally because we all kept singing along.”

You can watch the video for "Crashing Through" below. Where we've been, Where we go from here is due out February 16 on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Friko, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Mon. Nov. 27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
Wed. Nov. 29 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
Thu. Nov. 30 - Washington, DC @ DC9
Sat. Dec. 9 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
Sun. Dec. 10 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon

Mannequin Pussy - "Sometimes"

Photo by Millicent Hailes

Mannequin Pussy are the best example of modern punk that has pop elements but still the biting edge of punk. They're latest single, "Sometimes," may be their best yet. The song travels between being a pop song with jangly guitars and a punk song with more rough guitars. It starts off as a beautiful track that isn't quite dance music, but is certainly dance friendly. And then the heavier guitar kicks in with this swirling burst of noise and aggression. It may get heavier at times, but "Sometimes" keeps sounding beautiful throughout no matter what is going on in the song. This is top tier rock music, and I'm already preparing my Best of 2024 list for Mannequin Pussy.

Marisa Dabice says of her band's new song:

“‘Sometimes’ is the internal conversation and subsequent battle that comes with facing your own desires. It is a song about the struggle of feeling a deep need for one’s independence while at the same time accepting that you are longing for someone who would understand you and be enough to draw you away from your solitude. It is the anger you feel at someone for making you feel desire. For allowing that desire to distract you from your work and your self and your mission."

You can watch the video for "Sometimes" below. I Got Heaven is due out March 1 on Epitaph Records. For more on Mannequin Pussy, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates with Soul Glo opening are below the video.

4/5 - Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall

4/6 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry

4/8 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall

4/10 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

4/11 - Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Indy

4/12 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop

4/13 - Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs

4/15 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement East

4/16 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

4/18 - Fort Worth, TX @ Tulips

4/19 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues Bronze Peacock

4/20 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

4/22 - Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf

4/24 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

4/26 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda

4/27 - San Francisco, CA @ August Hall

4/29 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

4/30 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

5/2 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell

5/4 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater

5/5 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre

5/7 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

5/8 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon

5/10 - Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall - The Shelter

5/11 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern

5/13 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair

5/14 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair

5/16 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

5/17 - Washington, DC @ The Atlantis

5/22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

Girl with a Hawk - "Feel Me"

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Since the untimely passing of Justine Covault back in June, her loss has been felt throughout the Boston music community. Girl with a Hawk were signed to Covault's Red On Red Records, and three out of five members of the band had known her since the 80's, so this loss was particularly difficult for them. Singer Linda Viens took that pain and channeled it into "Feel Me," a song inspired by the loss felt by the entire Boston music community. "Feel Me" is a garage rock meets New Wave song that is much darker than you'd normally expect with a blending of those two genres. Viens is just pouring her heart into this one, and, as much pain as there is in the song, it's also a rock song. So far all of the tributes to Justine Covault that we've covered have been sad and mournful, but they've also rocked, which is the perfect tribute to one of the biggest champions of the Boston music scene.

Linda Viens says of her band's new single:

“I can’t say that we have closure yet; as it has only been six months since we lost Justine, but the way the song for us embodies our heartache, and at the same time confirms that our relationship is still a living thing – whether you believe that or not, brings some comfort. We feel her guiding us, and for me personally, I still feel deeply motivated to make music and to conduct myself in ways that would make her proud. I’m sure the band feels the same way.”

You can listen to "Feel Me" below. The song is officially out on November 17. Keep 'Er Lit is due out December 8 on Rum Bar Records. For more on Girl with a Hawk, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram. If you're in the Boston area, They're playing The Square Root in Roslindale on Friday November 17 as part of the International Pop Overthrow Boston edition, and they're having an EP release at the Burren in Somerville on December 8.

Sarah Jarosz - "When the Lights Go Out"

Photo by Shervin Lainez

Nashville's Sarah Jarosz is a folk-pop legend at this point in her career, both as a solo musician and as a member of I'm With Her. Her latest single, "When the Lights Go Out," is just pure folk-pop perfection. Of course, we would expect nothing less from Jarosz, and she always delivers just that. Her consistency is astounding, and she continues to release fantastic song after fantastic song at a point in her career where many artists start to coast on name recognition. "When the Lights Go Out" is the kind of mainstream singer/songwriter tune that could easily be middle of the road, but Jarosz just has that little something extra that makes her music stand out, and makes it impossible to resist.

Sarah Jarosz says of her latest single:

“I knew I wanted to write a song about the exciting time before a relationship has started when you’re curious to discover everything there is to know about the other person. Dreaming about them… intrigued by the unknown of it all. The album title, Polaroid Lovers, is found in this chorus. Each song is a snapshot of different love stories. Polaroid pictures are a forever document of a fleeting moment."

You can watch the video for "When the Lights Go Out" below. Polaroid Lovers is due out January 26 on Rounder Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Sarah Jarosz, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Feb 1st - Sixth & I - Washington, DC* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 2nd - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 3rd - McCarter Theater - Princeton, NJ* (SOLD OUT)

Feb 5th - Maryland Hall - Annapolis, MD*

Feb 7th - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 8th - Appell Center - York, PA*

Feb 9th - The Kate - Old Saybrook, CT* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 11th - Peoples Bank Theatre - Marietta, OH*

Feb 13th - Thalia Hall - Chicago, IL*

Feb 14th - Fine Line - Minneapolis, MN* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 16th - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO*

Feb 17th - Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO*

Feb 18th - Strings Music Pavilion - Steamboat Springs, CO*

Feb 20th - The Depot - Salt Lake City, UT*

Feb 22nd - Knitting Factory - Boise, ID*

Feb 23rd - Knitting Factory - Spokane, WA*

Feb 24th - The Crocodile - Seattle, WA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 25th - Revolution Hall - Portland, OR* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 27th - The Chapel - San Francisco, CA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 28th - Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 29th - Lobero Theatre - Santa Barbara, CA* (LOW TICKETS)

March 8th - Bijou Theatre - Knoxville, TN (LOW TICKETS)

March 9th - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VA

April 23rd - The Sheldon - St. Louis, MO+

April 24th - Hi-Fi - Indianapolis, IN+

April 26th - Memorial Hall - Cincinnati, OH+ (LOW TICKETS)

April 27th - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI+ (SOLD OUT)

April 28th - Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON+

April 30th - Center For The Arts - Homer, NY+

May 2nd - State Theatre - Portland, ME+

May 3rd - The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA+ (LOW TICKETS)

May 4th - The Shea Theatre - Turners Falls, MA+ (LOW TICKETS)

May 6th - Jefferson Theater - Charlottesville, VA+

May 7th - Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro, NC+

May 8th - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC+

May 10th - The Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC+ (LOW TICKETS)

May 11th - Terminal West - Atlanta, GA+

May 12th - Brooklyn Bowl - Nashville, TN+

May 23rd - The Heights Theater - Houston, TX^

May 24th - The Kessler Theater - Dallas, TX^

May 25th - TBD - San Antonio, TX^

May 26th - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX^

May 28th - The Lensic - Santa Fe, NM^

May 30th - Center For The Arts - Jackson, WY^

June 2nd - Arts Campus at Willits - Basalt, CO^

June 4th - Knuckleheads - Kansas City, MO^

Tour Support

*The Ballroom Thieves

+Le Ren

^LIv Greene

Ben Kweller Covers Adam Green

Photo by Ronja Burkard

Last month we brought you the first single from the upcoming Adam Green tribute album from Sean Ono Lennon, and right now it's Ben Kweller's turn. Kweller takes on "Her Father and Her." While Green's original is a stripped down song with just his vocals and guitar, Kweller's "Her Father and Her" is a full band version heavy with piano and feedback. As you would expect, the cover is a more mainstream version of the song. Kweller adds a shocking amount of intensity to the song, which is something you don't always get with a cover. He's feeling every single line of this song, and delivers his vocals dripping with venom.

You can watch the lyric video for Ben Kweller's version of "Her Father and Her" below. Moping in Style: A Tribute to Adam Green is due out December 1 via Org Music and Capitane Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Adam Green, check out the artist's website.