Smile Politely

The Overture: May 24 – 30

WHAT: Gospel Gossip, New Ruins, Husband&Wife, Peninsula

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey

WHEN: Thursday, May 27th at 9:30 p.m.

Shadowboxer have knocked it out of the park with this one. Minneapolis-based Gospel Gossip’s blend of twee vocals, blippy ambient passages and searing distortion makes for some of the most exciting shoegaze I’ve heard in a long time (look for an in-depth interview later this week). Next time they come to town, there isn’t a chance in hell they’ll be playing anywhere as small as Cowboy Monkey. Bloomington, Indiana math rock/slowcore group Husband&wife supports, along with locals New Ruins and Peninsula (both excellent live acts in their own right).

 

WHAT: Little Pieces, Dottie and the Rail

WHERE: Mike ‘n Molly’s

WHEN: Friday, May 28th at 8:30 p.m.

The Seattle-based group (and former Lanterna rhythm section) should properly electrify the beer garden with their bouncy brand of major-key garage pop. Locals country-rockers Dottie and the Rail support. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night, methinks.

 

WHAT: Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang, The Impalas

WHERE: 88 Broadway

WHEN: Friday, May 28th at 9:00 p.m.

Blues saxophone? Color me surprised, I guess. Fortunately though, Eddie Shaw’s bio is without the rampant historical fetishism which permeates most bluesmen’s bios. And, he has played with Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Ike Turner. Combine that with one of the best blues bands in town in the Impalas, and it seems like a pretty good reason to head out to the show.


WHAT: Ruthless Goats

WHERE: Iron Post

WHEN: Saturday, May 29th at 6:00 p.m.

Get out early to the Iron Post for one of the more interesting bands in town, folk/americana group Ruthless Goats. How do you not go for a group whose frontman is named “Banjo Gramps” and distrusts music written after 1934? (per C-U Folk and Roots). Plus, you can indulge in the ridiculously cheap PBR drafts if all else fails.

 

 

NEW THIS WEEK:

Not a huge amount to report, but stay sharp for some Pygmalion additions in the next few weeks. Also, be sure to check out the events calendar. All kinds of cool stuff pops up on there, seriously.

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