All the indie heads are here this weekend. We got sad indie, we got sad country indie, we got sad garage indie, what more could you want.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit us up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, Scarlet Rae
Friday October 23rd at The National
We have an absolutely incredible double-headlining show at the National this week. First, we’ll take a look at Soccer Mommy. This is an artist I was introduced to by my original musical mentor: my mother.
Soccer Mommy is a sweet combination of ’90s indie rock and that 2000s pop sound, something that would fit in an offbeat Lizzie McGuire-type movie. It’s the kind of sound your friend’s cool older sister would be into miles before anyone else. You might get a mixtape or CD compilation from her and hold on to it closely and dearly, letting it narrate all your adventures, early rebellions, first sunsets, and long nights. The sound is stripped back, letting the vocals and guitar do so much of the heavy lifting and storytelling. September saw the release of “Rings of Saturn,” another stellar check-plus in her discography.
Maryland’s Snail Mail is up next. Snail Mail is similarly rooted in indie rock but leans more into the rock side of things than her co-headliner. Her sound is pretty rich, with no hesitation to incorporate strings, synthesizers, and heavier guitars. There’s a lot of rich lyrical content packed into every song, exploring universal topics of acceptance and heartache. Her ear for a great pop melody really makes some of these songs ring over and over in your ears, letting you dive into each world she presents.
Supporting the co-headliners is New York’s Scarlet Rae. Rae’s sound is a little hazier, supported by more percussive and electronic elements. It maintains a really solid, light vocal quality that feels familiar and friendly. These songs definitely feel like an updated interpretation of the singer-songwriter, moving toward the lo-fi elements that seem to be creeping into every genre as of late.
Dogs on Shady Lane, Kitty Corner, Theocles
Sunday, October 25th at The Camel
We have Dogs on Shady Lane coming down from Rhode Island this weekend. The group released their debut record in September of this year and has found quite a large fan base to support its indie folk sound.
Indie folk is a loose definition, but there are heaps and heaps of influences that come together to create this dreamy sound. Elements of grunge, shoegaze, and bedroom pop all have their moments, forming a really living, breathing sound. I think if you’re into that modern alt-folk sound, these guys will throw you for a loop and put a smile on your face.
They’re being supported by one of my favorite local acts, Kitty Corner. This younger outfit is made up of some really talented cats (cheap, but I’m using it anyway) who come together as some of the strongest songwriters in the scene. Their sound is a bit of “The Replacements meets Modern Baseball,” with some exceptionally prolific lyrics. They have two singles under their belt, but I’m always dying for more from this group, especially after seeing them again recently.
Last up, we have local, single-named Theocles. He takes the stage armed with nothing but a guitar, a loop pedal, and a strong, soulful voice, delivering some really anthemic, poppy folk tunes. He can definitely get you up and dancing, but I’m pretty partial to slower numbers like “Anyways.”
Old Pup, Pearl Snap Butt Flap, Drunk Mother
Sunday, October 25th at Gallery 5
Got some haunting folk coming from Milwaukee under the name Old Pup. The sound is driven largely by a winding, wailing pedal steel, paired with dive-bar-gem vocals that seem to drift in on the wind. The music has those ambient, simple sounds you find between the two coasts of America. Maybe it’s the America you know, or maybe it’s an idea of an America gone by.
I’ve used this word already, but all I can think of when listening to songs like “House of Wind” is haunting. It sounds like music written by the ghosts of people who rode the rails with Woody Guthrie. These are some masterfully written songs, and they strike a chord somewhere way down deep inside your spine.
Pearl Snap Butt Flap is the first of the local acts on this bill. They haven’t released any music yet, and I have yet to see them since they debuted in July of this year. But from what I could find on their social media, they’re coming in with a classic Southern sound and some really twangin’ guitars.
Last up, we have Drunk Mother, whom I’ve been fortunate enough to see live. They have a classic country, almost honky-tonk sound, with lyrics that’ll hit home with any degenerate like myself.
NEW TUNES
‘Being Junior‘ by Becoming
Okay, I’m a little behind on this one, since it came out at the end of September, but I’ve been listening to it a lot over the last week and figured better late than never. “Being Junior” is a new, quick tune from local garage/electronic act Becoming. Now, this is not a tune you show your mom. It’s a catchy, sweet-sounding tale of two people who share an appetite for the rougher side of it all. The tune is absolutely infectious, with a pure pop rhythm that you can’t stop bopping along to. The lyrics are horribly clever and will certainly either make you smile or blush, but regardless, you’ll be humming this one for the rest of the day.
Main photo of Soccer Mommy
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