The Receiver. Photo courtesy of The Receiver.
March is a time of rebirth, a time when the midstate emerges from the cold of winter.
Like a bear awakening from hibernation, the city blinks and readjusts to the sun. I like to think that the musical selections for this month reflect this phenomenon. They are dreamy and convey a deep sense of yearning. But they are also diverse, ranging from songwriting deeply rooted in America’s folk tradition to ethereal electronic soundscapes. So, whatever your tastes, make sure to head over to one of these venues as you venture out from your winter’s quarters.
THE RECEIVER, 3/8, 8PM, THE MAKESPACE, $5 SUGGESTED DONATION:
Poppy and synthy, the Receiver is a duo hailing from Columbus, Ohio. Clicky beats sustain sweeping synth pads and somber melodies, reminiscent of other emotionally rich synth groups, such as M83. They are touring in support of their recently released “All Burn,” which has caught the attention of Paste Magazine and NPR’s “All Songs Considered.” The Receiver is part of a recent trend in electronic music that forgoes the large party atmosphere, instead creating intimate live arrangements, making them a perfect fit for the comfort and accessibility of the MakeSpace.
LAZYEYES w/BEVERLY, 3/9, 9:30PM, THE MILLWORKS, $8, 21+:
Although shoegaze—a hazy, distorted and ethereal type of music—is often lumped into the larger alternative music scene of the early ‘90s, the style has continued to influence rock bands and is presently experiencing a bit of a resurgence. Closely related to both dreampop and chillwave, shoegaze’s analog fuzz has proven to be an effective antidote for this harsh and sterile digital age. Lazyeyes and Beverly (both of which hail from Brooklyn) are tapping into this welcome musical trend. Heavily distorted guitars swirl beneath sweet, simple, evocative melodies. Beverly’s lead singer, Frankie Rose, has made a name for herself, both with her solo work and as a member of Vivian Girls. So, if you find yourself tiring of the incessant thump of EDM, head over to the Millworks and catch this excellent display of analog haze.
MELANIE SAFKA w/EVA, 3/18, 8PM, STAGE ON HERR, $30:
As the story goes, Melanie Safka was a virtual unknown when she took the stage late one night in 1969. In the haze of the rain, the crowd lit candles to better see her performance, while those without candles flicked their lighters. But this wasn’t just some impromptu folk show. The crowd was 400,000 strong and the performance took place on a farm outside Woodstock, N.Y. So inspired by the scene, Safka penned “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).” And, as Safka’s fame spread, so too did the tradition of raising lighters (and now cellphone screens) at concerts. Seeing such an important figure in American pop music history should be reason enough to attend this show at Stage on Herr. But her fame is deserved, as her sweet vibrato instantly conjures up a power and optimism that serves as a voice for the hippy generation.
Mentionables: Chris Purcell and the Sinners, 3/12, River City Blues Club; Scythian, 3/16, Abbey Bar; The Michelle Canning Band, 3/20, Stage on Herr; The Ann Wilson Thing, 3/23, Whitaker Center; Jimkata, 3/25, Abbey Bar
