Monday, July 25, 2016

Record Premiere: Getting Our Zen on With Iron Elbows and 'Sanity Breath'

Record premiere! 'Sanity Breath' by Iron Elbows


Try this Zen Exercise on Your Way to Work.
Put in your earbuds in.
Click play on track “Epicurus”.
And just let the music walk with you.
Do you feel just the slightest bit more enlightened?



Iron Elbows is a Boston-based experimental guitar/synth brainchild of Derek Hixon (AKA Mint Pillow) and Zac Trainor (AKA Gold Must Die) formed in 2007. The pair combines guitar riffs and rhythms with atmospheric synths and mashed out sounds and minimalist sessions like standout track “Epicurus” on their sophomore album, and Bishop & Rook premiere, ‘Sanity Breath’.

“The name of the track was inspired by the Philosopher Epicurus,” Hixon tells Bishop & Rook. “Particularly with his teachings of ataraxia—peace and freedom from fear.”

Once both situated within the Boston area, Trainor relocated to North Carolina, resulting in a new, almost pen-pal approach to recording their second record.

“A lot of our songs, which are usually between 3-4 minutes, start off as a 20+ minute jams we did together. Recording in the same room is the desire, but it's just not our reality anymore,” Hixon explains of his partner’s relocation to NC. “We can only do the minimal now, so trading tracks is what we started doing which yields different results [than recording together]. You never know which way a track is going to turn when you hand it over and it's fun to hear how the other interpreted what you did. It's similar to the fold-in technique of creating poetry.”

In addition to Iron Elbows, the duo maintain passion projects including Hixon’s Visions of the Unexceed Boston music blog and podcast and Mint Pillow DJ nights, and Trainor’s music and visual art.

You can catch an all vinyl Mint Pillow DJ set this Thursday July 28th 9PM at State Park in Kendall Square, Cambridge (flyer below). Follow Iron Elbows on Facebook and visit the official websites of Visions of the Unexcued, and Zac Trainor for additional information. ‘Sanity Breathis available on Bandcamp for free (at a name your price donation).





Friday, July 15, 2016

Show Picks for July + August

Friends tell friends when there is a good show happening.

Looking for a good time? Perhaps you’re in the mood for new music, or cheap beer, or a place to hang with friends. Maybe you’re too broke to go on vacation and you blew through every available TV series on Netflix to the point where you’re wondering if your excessive abuse of the streaming service will render surcharges. #netflixshame Whatever your reason, here are some shows we’d go to this summer.


Thursday, July 14, 2016

Song Premiere: Choke Up “Hart” – Appearing on Disposable America’s 'SPECIAL INTEREST' Mixtape

Disposable America's 'SPECIAL INTEREST' out July 15th, pre-order now.

Celebratory fist pump. Bishop & Rook is pleased to premiere the new Choke Up track “Hart", recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks and off Disposable America's upcoming benefit mixtape. As expected, Choke Up continues to maintain rank as an exceptionally talented Boston band.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Murcielago Moves On - Last Shows Announced

After 7 years, Murcielago ends their run. (image credit)


Portland, Maine rockers, Murcielago, have called it quits. The 2015 Rock 'n' Roll Rumble participants took to Facebook to announce the decision.

"Hi All,
We've decided to take a long bow after an excellent 7 year run. Thank You all who have come to our shows, bought our music and merchandise, and told your friends. We are grateful and humbled.
Many thanks to Nick Lamberto for getting us going, huge thanks to Benny Grotto and Mad Oak Studios for excellent work. Many thanks to the bands and promoters we've been lucky enough to work with during our time.

Thank You,
Murcielago"
May we always remember the times these veteran rockers blew our faces off with impressive 70's style riffs, hardrock power, and mesmerizing performances. We shall wear our Board of Maine shirt in respect.

You know you want one. Everyone wants one. (shop it)





Catch the band during their last few shows in Vermont and Maine.

  • July 22 @ Higher Ground in Burlingto, VT., with Scissorfight and Hey Zeus
  • July 30 @ Matrix Fest in Fort Lee, ME, with "too many awesome bands to recount"
  • August 6 @ Portland House of Music and Events in Portland with Eldemur Krimm and Pigboat

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Tell All Your Friends. Taking Back Sundae Ice Cream Pop-up & DJ Night is Back

Eat your feelings.

Para-smore, 30 Seconds to Mars Bar, Pistachio at the Disco, Something Chocolate, MODEST MOOSE TRACKS! We’re getting off genre and you get the point. Taking Back Sundae: An Ice Cream Pop-up and DJ Night is making a return this summer. The “anti-social” event will take place at Great Scott in Allston on Friday, July 15th // 10PM // 21+ with valid ID // $5 at the door (price includes admission + cone). 

Featuring music spun by RTT Presents and ice cream courtesy of locally sourced, small batch company, The Parlor Ice Cream Co. Check the official Facebook event page for additional details.

Friday, July 8, 2016

How Many Instruments Does it Take to Make a Mr. Vertigo Record? Veteran Rockers Spill on the Value of Studio Time & Their 7th Release

Download 'Dreaming on the Left Side' for free.


Spin a recent Mr. Vertigo record and be prepared to hear a project that might include up to dozen people, about 20 instruments and roughly a decade of collaborative experience. The alt-rock band (existing in one form or another since 2002) will be celebrating the release of their 7th official record entitled ‘Dreaming on the Left SideFriday, July 8th at O'Brien's Pub in Allston.

New Noise from We Can All Be Sorry + Release Show Details

Celebrate with We Can All Be Sorry on July 21st.

Boston label, Eye Design Records, to release 'Weekend Sorry' by locals We Can All Be Sorry. The bedroom pop band’s newest recording will be available via cassette tape and digital download ($5 each) on the label’s site. As a preview, you can stream the first track off the new record, "Nowhere Us" now.

Continuing the band’s distinct wistful and off-kilter sound, 'Weekend Sorry' is a perfect record for muddled and mild summer porch life. We Can All Be Sorry will play their record release show on July 21st at Great Scott in Allston with Spook the Herd and Kiss Concert (details).  And head to Plough and Stars on July 31st for the next free ‘Know Your Scene’ event presented by Eye Design featuring Plastic Waves and Violet Intent (details).


WCABS Tour Dates:

7/2 Raleigh NC
7/3 Athens GA
7/4 Atlanta GA
7/5 Nashville TN
7/6 Bloomington IL
7/8 Chicago IL
7/10 NYC
7/12 Boston MA
7/15 New Haven CT
7/20 Providence RI
7/21 Allston MA
7/22 Washington DC


Thursday, July 7, 2016

Free Download. State Line Records: Boston's Burning Vol. 1

Free download your local music sampler here.

State Line Records has released an 18-track, local music compilation based on the Boston’s Burning semi-annual punk rock show series and includes contributions from artists such as Dan Webb & The Spiders, The Old Edison, Duck & Cover, Rebuilder, Diablogato and more.


Label founder Mark Lind (Ducky Boys, The Warning Shots) took to Facebook to announce the free download.


“Do you like Boston bands? Do you like discovering NEW Boston bands? Well, this FREE download comp is for you. I collected enough songs to complete two comps and then some. This is Boston's Burning Volume 1 on my label, State Line Records. You need to listen to it in full to really enjoy the flow of the various bands. Stream it. Download it and listen when you can. But if you hear any band that you really like then please support them by buying their proper albums or by seeing them play live. Rock n' roll music is dead and none of us sound like Kanye West. We need to spread the word to keep rock n' roll alive. So I'm doing my part. Will you do yours?”


'State Line Records Boston’s Burning Vol. 1' is available for free on Bandcamp.



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