I hate to start off this week's installment on a downer, but it feels like it would be irresponsible not to mention the recent investigative reporting from Air Mail regarding allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against Paul Green, founder of School of Rock.
It's an ugly, awful reminder of how power dynamics and prestige can create environments where harmful behavior goes ignored. That said, the public response to this story demonstrates how much attitudes toward this have shifted in the past decade (especially in the wake of the USA Gym scandal).
I hope the victims find closure after bravely coming forward, and that Paul Green gets launched into the sun tout de fucking suite.
No room for creeps,
Maria T
Thursday 5/8
Chicago-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Macie Stewart hits Solar Myth in support of her newest release, When the Distance is Blue (International Anthem). Departing from her work with art-rock ensemble Finom and even her previous solo material, Stewart creates richly textured sonic environments of improvisational piano and string arrangements with help from Lia Kohl, Whitney Johnson (of Matchess), and Zach Moore. Stewart has said her intent was to "evoke a nostalgia for something I wasn't able to name," resulting in pieces that feel both familiar (think: Philip Glass, Steve Reich) and mysteriously new.
Friday 5/9
It’s a celebration for Reading’s Tlooth self-titled album on Strange Mono. If you like the Polvo tonebendy, DAAGDD-y tuning thing, go nuts. Sharing the stage are labelmates Idiot Mambo, who up until recently were serving up adorably sloppy Beck-adjacent jams, but on their forthcoming release, Shoot the Star, the band leans harder into their indie pop sensibilities. Rounding out the bill are Vesuvian's trebly lo-fi sounds and relative newcomers Third Rail.
(P.S. Happy to finally link to a release available on the Ampwall platform instead of the nth billion Bandcamp page. If you are looking for an alternative to Bandcamp, it's a great option.)
Saturday 5/10
Textural post-rockers The Early are about to become a "bi-city band," per their announcement on IG, so this is their last local appearance for a while. They'll be feted in style by the ambient sounds of Jason Calhoun and NY's Ben Seretan, who describes 2024’s Allora as "his insane Italy record," which is specifically interesting to me (as an Italian) but in all fairness it might be to you as well, what with its Neil Young-inspired take on Rhys Chatham's Die Donnergötter.
Speaking of endings, this weekend's the last time you'll catch Worriers around these parts, as they'll be wrapping up for good after this short tour. 2023's excellent Trust Your Gut pushed the band beyond the confines of the pop-punk sound that put them on the DIY map with flourishes of new wave and americana, as well as keyboards from Hold Steady's Franz Nicolay. They say to leave on a high note, and this record is certainly that. If you want more of the emo sound, be sure to catch Boston's Mint Green. Hurry's Matt Scottoline opens up the show with a solo set.
Roger Miller of the iconic Boston post-punk group Mission of Burma performs from his latest release, Curiosity for Solo Electric Guitar Ensemble. Miller's work is inspired by a process he refers to as "dream compositions," in which he translates a specific dream into music. Purling Hiss's Mike Polizze and Body/Head's Bill Nace share the stage in duo form, and Jacy from the Strapping Fieldhands does a solo thing.