The Week That Was

What a week, a Fund Drive, a bounty …

Thanks to everyone who did what they could to make our Fall Fund Drive a success. You helped WRIR raise $30,000 in 10 days, helping to ensure that 2011 will be another year of top-shelf programs you expect from independent community radio.

Missed the Fund Drive? You can still donate online and pick up your sweet swag while supplies last.

During all the well-orchestrated frenzy there were some sonics flying through the ether trying to avoid a holding pattern … all worthy of more spins and more words, but in the post-Fund Drive hangover, let’s play catch up for now … read on and see how much work was already done for me …

The Revolvers :: Apocalypse Surfin’

Dropping in from Toronto’s Optical Sounds we got the re-issue of The Revolvers 2009 independent release, Apocalypse Surfin’. NOW Magazine placed it in their 2009 Top 10 Local Albums and likened their take on psych-blues to The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and T. Rex. With the chance of looking lazier than I am, I have to agree. Stripped down and crisper than a lot of others channeling the same spirits, Apocalypse Surfin’ definitely harkens back to those touchstones while not getting lost in a retro-pastiche goo. It’s a more traditional, straight-ahead slice of pie that in a world of effects-laden young turks comes as a breath of fresh air. With some good old fashioned swagger. Optical Sounds is building an impressive roster with label-mates like The Revolvers and Magic Shoppe.

Keep them borders open.

Break It Loose :: The Revolvers :: Apocalypse Surfin’ {Optical Sounds}

Ten Million Lights :: Ten Million Lights

There must be something going in the Great Northwest … again. Hailing from Portland, Oregon Ten Million Lights landed as a nice book-end to the recent release of Portland’s The Upsidedown. Both traffic in a Dandy-ish pych-pop, with Ten Million Lights incorporating a more MVB sheen on some tracks while keeping the hooks front and center. Rising from the ashes of Saturna, Ryan Carroll of Ten Million Lights says …

” … {we} have moved towards a more electronic feel somewhere in the vein of School Of Seven Bells or M83.  We are still a rock band though and channel Love and Rockets, Jesus and Mary Chain or newer bands like Crocodiles and The Kills.”

Kill Yr Idols :: Ten Million Lights :: s/t {self-released}

The Sails :: Headful of Stars

Another compass redirect from valis of Trip Inside This House, the UK’s The Sails {essentially Michael Gagliano’s one-man show} drop Headful of Stars {Rainbow Quartz} and their warm shimmering power-pop on our doorstep … The Sails cut Travel was the valis Pick of the Week, and for good reason. Jangly but tight pop-craftsmanship calling to mind many of the pioneers of guitar-based power-pop and Brit-pop, Headful of Stars could, in an alternate universe, be called traditional.

” … radiant harmonies, vibrant energy and a powerful, sunshine sound. They seamlessly channel the energies of Cotton Mather, The Hollies, The Posies, The Byrds and Apples In Stereo into their own breed of power-pop.” — Rainbow Quartz

Travel :: The Sails :: Headful of Stars {Rainbow Quartz}

Caves Caverns :: Communique Cassette

The cherry on top this week, right in my own backyard … I haven’t been in Richmond that long, but there really is no excuse for not honing in on these cats sooner. Arriving a little late to the recent Elf Power show, I caught a slightly truncated set by Caves Caverns and was knocked out. Channeling some of the freak free-form of Acid Mothers Temple and breathing some of the same vapor trails of Hawkwind, Caves Caverns mixes up their own sonic blast that is aggressive, interstellar and intelligent: a real asset and treasure to not only Richmond, but to anyone who loves to fly their freak flag up where the air gets thin and anything can happen. During the Fall Fund Drive, WRIR’s River City Limits dropped some Caves Caverns on our airwaves and knowing that I have this in my arsenal now makes my job a helluva lot easier.

Part 4 :: Caves Caverns :: Communique Cassette {self-released}

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