The Chris Pumphrey Sextet, Level Zero, & Mobley

Hey Baltimore, let's keep those good feelings we started yesterday with all that fourth of July fun rolling right into the weekend. Tomorrow, July sixth, The Wind Up Space is hosting a trio of bands including the Chris Pumphrey Sextet, Level Zero, and Mobley. The Chris Pumphrey Sextet is a ruckus good time and always bring a punishing amount of creativity and energy to the stage. They are a distinct jazz ensemble and should not be missed. The concert information can also be found on Facebook.

Doors open at 8:00 and the bands begin an hour later with a seven dollar cover for the event. Support local music. We in Baltimore are fortunate to have such diverse, talented, and forward thinking musicians to see on any given night. So come out and be a part of the scene. See you there – you dig?

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Larabee: Sunset Drive

After last year's EP release entitled Expose a Little Wire, Larabee is back with a new single and video for their tune Sunset Drive. The musicians are: Matt Maguire on guitars, organ, and drums, Jim Callan on the pedal steel guitar and Topher Horner on bass guitar.  

I really dig the summer sounds of surf guitar in combination with the composition's undulating melodies. The sex appeal is undeniable. The video is footage from a throwback 1950's amateur stag film called The Malibu Mermaid and features devastating pinup Adele Dolman

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Jeremy Fisher: Mint Juleps

Set to release his newest record this July 3rd, Jeremy Fisher has released a single entitled Mint Juleps. A strong display of folk instinct and song craftsmanship makes Jeremy Fisher's forthcoming album a project to look out for. I'm enjoying this track alongside the sudden heat of summer and hope you will be as well. Look out for the new release next week from Hidden Pony Records and keep in touch with the songwriter via his facebook and official webpage. You dig?

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David Bowie's Space Oddity: The Children's Book

Andrew Kolb has illustrated himself right into my heart with his visual interpretation of David Bowie's classic Space Oddity. This simply put is wonderful. The children's book spin on this song seems so appropriate it's a wonder it took this long for it to happen.

The story is linear, engaging, and allows plenty of room artistic license. The only thing it is missing is animated hand claps. 

Thank you to David Gutowski of the music/literature blog Large Hearted Boy and How to be a Retronaut for bringing this to my attention. 

David Bowie: Space Oddity

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First Blush Concerts

Friend of TWD First Blush is gearing up for a gaggle of shows in NYC starting tonight. The shows are:

June 26th – The Local 269 9:45 PM (feat. Zach Swanson as guest bassist) 

June 29th – Lit Lounge 9:00 PM 

July 5th – The National Underground 8:00 PM 

July 28th – Arlene's Grocery 12:00 AM

In case you missed it, their entire debut EP is available on bandcamp. Read on for more details and live footage from a recent concert from Bar East in NYC.

First Blush: This Century's Dance

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Bowerbirds Ottobar Concert Review

Recently TWD hosted a ticket give away for a Bowerbirds concert at the Ottobar in Charm City Baltimore. The venue was a perfect fit for a set of primarily new material from their album The Clearing.

I took in the show personally and enjoyed the group's intimacy, balance, and ability to both stay true to the settings of the original recorded versions, as well as stretch out and display new facets of the material live. In particular Yan Westerlund, the Bowerbirds rhythm section, was absolutely locked in that night. He was a true technician behind the kit.

Read on for my full thoughts on the concert as well as the newest video for the song Sweet Moment.

Bowerbirds: This Year

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