A friend and musical confidant recently relayed to me a reoccurring frustration about an artist. We were discussing albums that have already been released this year, albums he had already listened to a little bit of and rightly enjoyed. The mention of that one artist led to another as the discourse turned to a conversation about the intermingling of various record labels and like-minded or like-sounding bands.
There was a genuine sense of excitement when discussing how an artist was touring nearby – within a three to five-hour radius – as the conversation meandered into when and where that was happening. Traveling to see live music is now the routine norm for some living in our area. As long as bands keep churning out higher caliber albums, people will support them. The most assured way of supporting artists in 2019 is to see them live. If you are so moved, buy the record, or a shirt, or whatever you can at the merch table post-show. This puts money directly in the palm of a touring act. That said, catch any of the following if you are able.
Black Mountain, “Destroyer,” available May 24 via Jagajaguwar There are so many bands that have taken up the Sabbath-ian mantle, but it was a five-piece from Vancouver that made me feel it anew back in 2005 with their self-titled debut record. Fourteen years have passed and they’re on their fifth record, but it’s as though no years have gone by at all. Their brand of psychedelic stoner sludge has come full circle and is as sharp and thudding as ever, even with lineup changes. Rachel Fannan (Sleepy Sun) and Adam Bulgasem (Dommengang, Soft Skull) have joined the Stephen McBean ranks while the record features contributions from Flaming Lips’ Kliph Scurlock and Oneida’s Kid Millions.
Urochromes, “Trope House,” available May 31 via Wharf Cat Records The Gotobeds, “Debt Begins at 30,” available May 31 via Sub Pop Records Lust For Youth, “Lust For Youth,” available June 7 via Sacred Bones Records Julie Shapiro, “Perfect Version,” available June 14 via Hardly Art RecordsJon E. Lynch
