Live This Month: January 2014

As we mentioned several podcasts ago, The Magik*Magik Orchestra has been adding welcome orchestral layers to local indie music for years. The orchestra is celebrating its fifth birthday with a special concert at the Fox Theater this month, where they’ll be joined by a bevy of great acts, including past collaborators How to Dress Well, The Dodos and John Vanderslice.

Speaking of anniversaries, hats off to the Rickshaw Stop for 10 years as one of the city’s best venues, consistently booking interesting bills of local and touring acts. The Rickshaw’s series of anniversary concerts this month is no exception, with Mikal Cronin, Geographer, Yacht and many more taking the stage over six nights. Speaking of the Rickshaw, it’s also the setting for Painted Palms‘ album release party. Forever is the first LP from the local duo, who craft rich psychedelic pop songs.

Among notable touring bands, it’s been almost two years since Tennis released its last LP, but November’s Small Sound EP was a welcome reminder of the indie pop band’s talents. We’re also excited to see the return of UK noise poppers Yuck. The group rebounded from the departure of singer/guitarist Daniel Blumberg with the shoegazey Glow & Behold last year. Finally, Darkside pairs electronic wiz Nicolas Jaar with guitarist Dave Harrington; on Psychic, the twosome nimbly winds its way through a dense blend of rock and electronic sounds.

Enjoy the podcast and then go see some concerts!

About the bands:

Painted Palms — “Here It Comes”
Celebrating the release of Forever at the Rickshaw Stop on January 17 with Soft Metals, Melted Toys, and Ears of the Beholder DJs.

Pickwick — “Window Sill”
Coming to The Chapel on January 9; Elliott Brood and Fine Points open the show.

Grandma’s Boyfriend — “Hearts Feelin Lo”
Performing on January 8 at El Rio with Apogee Sound Club and UFOFBI.

Parquet Courts — “Stoned and Starving”
Touring with White Fence, Parquet Courts plays the Great American Music Hall on January 16; CCR Headcleaner opens.

Yuck — “Rebirth”
Playing at The Independent on January 29; The She’s open.

Tennis — “Mean Streets”
Performing on January 10 at Bottom of the Hill with Kyle M. Terrizzi.

Pure Bathing Culture — “Dream the Dare”
Joining La Luz on January 20 at The Chapel.

Natural Child — “Saturday Night Blues”
Supporting Futurebirds on January 30 at The Independent.
Update: Natural Child has cancelled its tour dates with Futurebirds

Wooden Shjips — “Everybody Knows”
Headlining a show with Carlton Melton and Golden Void at The Chapel on January 23.

Cocktails — “No Blondes (In California)”
Performing at a Rickshaw Stop 10th Anniversary show with Mikal Cronin and Cool Ghouls on January 8.

John Vanderslice — “The Piano Lesson”
Joining Nicki Bluhm, The Dodos, Geographer and many, many more at the Magik*Magik Orchestra’s five year anniversary concert on January 31 at the Fox Theater.

Mutual Benefit — “Advanced Falconry”
Dan Casey and Dim Peaks support Jordan Lee’s project at the Rickshaw Stop on January 25.

Darkside — “Paper Trails”
Appearing with High Water at The Fillmore on January 24.

Superhumanoids — “Bad Weather (Tropics Remix)”
Playing a Yours Truly-presented show atThe Independent on January 23.