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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v6n29 (07/19/2007) » Section: Calendar Spotlight


Pelican

Riding the wave of instrumental music that swept over the Windy City almost a decade ago, Chicago-based quartet Pelican’s music falls somewhere between the genres of doom metal and post-rock, equalling what is now considered “post-metal.” Known for heavy combinations of varying melodies and longer-than-usual track lengths, Pelican started out by feeling around the instrumental/metal scene. Although there are no words to any of their songs, the latest album, City of Echoes (Hydra Head), has more of a lyrical feel, led by the prevalent nature themes that run through all three of Pelican’s albums. City of Echoes comes across sharp and clear, with highs and lows that underlie a sense of aggression tempered by a bit of pop. Similar metal-instrumental group Priestbird (formerly Tarantula A.D.) and Your Black Star are also on the bill. The show is on Friday (July 20) at Mohawk Place, starting at 9pm.



Great Northern

The L.A. band with the incongruous name of Great Northern perpetuates that theme with the title of its debut album, Trading Twilight for Daylight, released on Eeenie Meenie Records in May of this year. Started by former 30 Seconds to Mars guitarist Solon Bixler, the quartet’s dreamy, evocative quality is underscored by sweet boy-girl vocals and tinkling keys. Moody, melodic and memorable, the songs on Trading Twilight are ambiguous; wonderfully light yet intense; smooth yet texturally complex. Co-headlining with Great Northern are NYC’s the Comas, originally formed in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Comas just released a fourth recording, 2007’s Spells, on Vagrant Records last April. The power/pop track “Now I’m A Spider” may be the best song on the album and the hit that nudges the Comas into the realm of widespread popularity. The show is at Soundlab on Friday (July 20) at 9pm. Red Tag Rummage Sale opens up.



Spiritual Rez

The Spiritual Rez “Reggae Horn Funk Dance Party” comes to play at Nietzsche’s this weekend on Friday (July 20). The founding members of this septet met at Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 2003, and since then they have toured together across the country numerous times, tirelessly raising money for causes like Hurricane Katrina. The last tour (31 dates in 11 states) was in support of the 2006 EP Rising in the East (Sidehatch Entertainment), and in August the group plans to embark on its largest tour ever, encompassing most of the United States. The show starts at 10pm, and prior to that Nietzsche’s will host a Happy Hour at 6pm with music by the Flatbeds.



Infringement Festival

The third annual Infringement Festival is just around the corner (July 26-August 5), bringing over 200 performances of eclectic measure sure to interest any form of artist. Headlining the 2007 pre-launch parties is Tori Sparks, a sultry Nashville musician touring in support of her new album, Under This Yellow Sun, out on August 14. The fun starts on Saturday (July 21), 8pm at Staples/Spirits of Allentown. Sparks will be headlining this teaser in a pair of big black boots along with Dick Whiskey, Jax Deluca and Pat O’Keefe. The official festival kickoff will be held next Thursday (July 26)at 9pm at Merlin’s withmusic by Sparks, the Nigels and the Waves. For more information on various events visit www.myspace.com/buffaloinfringement. Experimental, controversial or politically charged energy is greatly welcomed.—jodi hahn



Canada

Despite its name, the band Canada hails from the midwestern United States, a unique indie rock collective that seems to filter through various musical sub-genres. On the debut record This Cursed House (Quite Scientific Records), the band ventures into folk territories on some songs while playing perfect shoegazey pop on others. If someone could imagine a combination of Neko Case, the Cure and the Polyphonic Spree, he or she might come close to picturing the music of Canada—it can be that perplexing at times. Nonetheless, it is perfect music for an autumn day (though such a day is still a few months away). Canada performs at Mohawk Place on Tuesday (July 24) at 8pm. Ice Cream Social and Mallory Mordaunt will be performing as well.





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