Hole Dweller’s Tolkienian Crossroads, And More Music News and … – Flagpole Magazine
NO. 1 IN HEAVEN: As mentioned in this space a handful of weeks ago, the new album by Locate S,1 titled Wicked Jaw is to be released this week on Friday, July 28 courtesy of label Captured Tracks (Lemon Twigs, DIIV, Mac Demarco). It was produced in its entirety by band leader and creative director Christina Schneider. This economical album runs 10 tracks, and from its start it’s perched for repeated playing. Schneider has always straddled a flexible line between the deep art-rock underground and the full, expressive joy of pop. This new album is no different with regard to that operating philosophy. If anything, it’s a continuation of a theme that was solidified on her 2020 album Personalia and hinted at on 2018’s Healing Contest. The way Schneider is seemingly effortlessly able to swim between, say, the breezy Spaghetti Western-tinged new wave of “You Were Right About One Thing” to the Stevie Nicks-meets-The Go-Go’s “The Hard Way” to the frantic art punk of “Have You Got It Yet?” to the psych jazz of “Daffodil” is reminiscent of such genre benders as Sparks and Roxy Music. Locate S,1 next plays locally Sept. 23 at the 40 Watt Club with of Montreal. Find the new album on all major streaming services as well as locates1.bandcamp.com.
HUMAN INTEREST: There’s a new EP released this week by, in the easiest and most accessible descriptor, noise-rock project Split Silk. Composer, producer and musician Lucca Cassandra Anastasia Carver opens this new release, Drown, with one of the best songs Sonic Youth never wrote named “Attune,” and added some big rock elements toward the track’s end, too. From there, everything trucks along heavily but steadily. The only song that doesn’t really grab me is the title track, and that’s only due to its slow tempo. Now, the one that really grabbed me is either “Hollow” or “Noble,” but I can’t be certain which one it is, because my copy of this was delivered to me as a single file with no track separation. But one of those has this really great push-and-pull rhythm that’s just infectious. Make no mistake, this is a sweaty, angst-filled release that rocks as hard as anything put out in recent memory, so go grab it at splitsilk.bandcamp.com.
WHAT YOU TOLKIEN ‘BOUT?: If you’re unfamiliar with synth wizard Tim Rowland and his project Hole Dweller, you’re forgiven. Indeed, on his new release, the Crossroads EP—as well as his 2019 album Flies The Coop—his themes center on hobbits and other Lord of the Rings references. And, while the Tolkien books are undoubtedly among the most popular ever, you still don’t get much more underground than a hobbit. That said, it’s a good thing this release crossed my desk at the age I am now, because for most of my life I couldn’t stomach this type of overtly grand Emerson, Lake & Palmer/Yes/Genesis-type of progressive music. Now, I have an appreciation of its craft, even if I’m not completely sold aesthetically. This opens with the magnificent “Greener Pastures,” which is nearly hymn-like with its joyous yet reserved melody. Some folks may even enjoy the Renaissance-fair flavor of “Battle at High Hay,” but I’m not one of those people. Even so, I’d encourage all of you to dig deeply into Rowland’s catalog as there’s a lot of work to listen to and nearly all of it is quite interesting and enjoyable. Pack a lunch and spend the day at holedweller.bandcamp.com. For more information, please see facebook.com/holedwellermusic.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: The Georgia Museum of Art will host the next instance of its three-times-a-year event Museum Mix on Thursday, July 27 from 8–11 p.m. Museum Mix is a very casual event whereby attendees can waltz around the current exhibits and galleries upstairs, or enjoy complimentary refreshments and listen to a DJ spin some tunes downstairs. This date’s disc jockey is DJ De la Luna. The event is free, open to the public and all ages. For basically the exact same information I just mentioned, please see georgiamuseum.org/event/museum-mix-07-23-2023.
RISE UP, GATHER ‘ROUND: Indie guitar rockers of all stripes should rejoice at the bill coming to The World Famous Sunday, July 30. On this night, you’ll be treated by Athens heroes Blunt Bangs, longtime Florida band The Cadets, and the newly reunited and resurrected Current Rage. Things kick off at 9 p.m. For more information, please see facebook.com/currentrageband, facebook.com/thecadets and facebook.com/bluntbangsband.
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