Heavy Midgets, one of the best new indie-rock groups to arrive on the RVA scene in the past couple of years, blew us away with their 2012 split LP with Tungs, Sisters. Since then, though, there’s been very little new music from the Midgets camp, and some of us (not pointing any fingers–OK, it was me) were starting to get a little impatient. Thankfully, the wait is almost over!
Heavy Midgets, one of the best new indie-rock groups to arrive on the RVA scene in the past couple of years, blew us away with their 2012 split LP with Tungs, Sisters. Since then, though, there’s been very little new music from the Midgets camp, and some of us (not pointing any fingers–OK, it was me) were starting to get a little impatient. Thankfully, the wait is almost over! We just received word earlier this week that Heavy Midgets will be releasing their new LP, Super King, in digital form on January 15, 2014.
Super King is named for an Asian buffet restaurant that used to be located on Broad St in the West End. Guitarist Ian McQuary explains that the name “seemed appropriate considering the album’s recurring themes of power, manipulation and American consumerism. The album’s sound itself is also kind of a like a sonic buffet, with a lot of different influences on display.” It’s true–Super King represents a significant advance from the band’s previous work. Recorded and mixed by a mysterious figure known only as “Eyeball Jenkins,” the album’s production removes the layers of lo-fi haze that veiled previous Heavy Midgets recordings to reveal a band with a solid grasp of melodic fundamentals. Charlanne McCarthy’s voice in particular sounds amazing on the album, and tracks like the opener, “Nothing New,” as well as the gorgeous ballad “Dynasty,” and first single “House Of Cats” (which we previously showcased in embryonic live form). Meanwhile, John Graham’s vocal showcases are quite noteworthy in their own right, as shown on tunes like the quick, uptempo rocker “Laundry,” the gloomy janglefest “Furry Thing,” and “Real Life,” which is reminiscent of classic 80s New Zealand indie rock groups like The Verlaines.
Super King will be released next month in digital form, available not only on Heavy Midgets’ bandcamp page but also from iTunes, Amazon, and other standard digital-music outlets. The album will also receive a cassette and CD release from Bad Grrrl Records, and Heavy Midgets are planning a Kickstarter to facilitate a vinyl release. However, before any of that can happen, the band needs to raise funds in order to shoot two music videos for the album. To that end, they’ll be holding a fund-raising event, which doubles as a super-awesome live performance, at Bandito’s this Sunday. The show itself is free, and will feature sets from Heavy Midgets and their pals in Navi, as well as between-sets DJ action by Hunter Hedgecock. The fund-raising aspect comes from a 50/50 raffle that will be held throughout the evening. Tickets will be sold individually for $2, 3 for $5, 10 for $10, or 40 for $20. The winner of the raffle gets half of the money raised, while the other half goes to the Heavy Midgets video shoot fund. So come to Bandito’s, located at 2905 Patterson Ave, this Sunday, December 22, starting at 10 PM, and catch what is sure to be a great show! It also seems pretty likely that the Heavy Midgets set will act as a live sneak preview for the new LP, so come hear the new jams, participate in the raffle, and get stoked for the new LP coming next month! For more info on the show, click here.
