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Camp Bisco 10: Five Performances Not to Miss
Derek Freeburn
June 27, 2011
Skipping Camp Bisco 10 This Year? 5 Performances You'll Miss (and Probably Regret)…

Festival season is heating up across the northeast and many a live music fan is being presented with a ton of options and some hard choices. With Super Ball‚ Electric Forest‚ All Good and plenty of others all lined up for July in the northeastern quadrant of the country‚ the CBX 10th Anniversary Party (July 7-9‚ Mariaville‚ NY) might be left off of some lists. Here are five scheduled performances that might make you reconsider:



Camp Bisco 2008‚ by Andrew Hill

5. Pretty Lights: Not only did Derek Vincent Smith blow the roof off of his first Camp Bisco set at CB8 in 2009 (late night set)‚ but he straight blew up following the dynamic presence there. Last year Pretty Lights hit the main stage at Camp and it was a huge hit. Following the debut of Derek's new stage setup at Bonnaroo‚ all indications are that he is taking the show to the next level. Get ready.



Camp Bisco 2010‚ photo by Alex Rice-Swiss

4. Shpongle Live: You can either by the 54th person this month to tell me that "Shpongle" is a shitty band name‚ or you can go check Simon Posford and Raja Ram's wizardry out. You may have checked out one of Simon's gigs before‚ but likely never "Shpongle Live": Camp will mark the full outfit's first performance in the US.



Camp Bisco 2010‚ by Alex Rice-Swiss

3. Special Disco Version (featuring James Murphy and Pat Mahoney): CBX will also mark the first return to the US stage for James Murphy since LCD Soundsystem's epic farewell show at Madison Square Garden - you know‚ the one that blew up into a scene when all of the scalpers got a hold of the tickets and tried to off them for the equivalent GDP of Argentina. SDV's last set at Camp (CB8) was a mainstay as well in the late-night tent. 2011 will watch the duo take the stage in the DFA tent which should provide more of an intimate setting to reacquaint yourself with these gentlemen. You won't want to miss this one.



Camp Bisco 2008‚ by Andrew Hill

2. The New Deal: If you follow this band at all you know the importance of their performance already. This year will mark the end of their inspirational 12-year run as one of the most progressive live acts on tour. Get there for their Thursday throw down or miss your chance to say goodbye to a legendary act.



Camp Bisco 2007‚ by Andrew Hill

1. The Disco Biscuits: Standard #1 right? I know‚ I hear that‚ but let's take a bit of a deeper look. The DB have performed only barely more than a handful of shows so far in the calendar year of 2011‚ a year that has seen some of their ancillary projects‚ etc. take off (be sure to catch Conspirator as well at CBX!). Simply stated‚ the fan base (especially east coast) is jonesing for the OG squad. Based on all of the incredible acts that have been staples of Camp over the past several years‚ it is often not until I actually settle into things on Thursday that I start to think about what an incredible foundation these guys set for such a great music festival with their second-to-almost-none stage set-up and presence. It's the tenth anniversary and a rager is expected. These guys aren't typically ones to disappoint.



Camp Bisco 2008‚ by Andrew Hill Listen: Phosphorescent - "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye"
Mike McKinley
June 20, 2011

Here's a recent live recording of Phosphorescent covering the hauntingly beautiful Leonard Cohen song "Hey‚ That's No Way to Say Goodbye." Phosphorescent has that ability to profoundly insert himself into the song like he owns it‚ but at the same time stays true to the song's intentions and vibe. He nails this one.

I had a similarly feeling when I heard "Reasons to Quit" for the first time -- the first track off his 2009 record of Willie Nelson covers‚ To Willie. You can hear that he's lived these songs just like Willie and Leonard did.

Phosphorescent - Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye by DOJAGSC

Here's the original...
Video: Marco Benevento - "RISD"
Mike McKinley
June 14, 2011
I didn't make Marco Benevento's show Saturday, May 28th at Equifunk Express (Equinunk, PA), but the word on the street is that his trio (with Dave Dreiwitz on bass and Andy Borger on drums) went deep for the post-Phish crowd.

Here's some proof of what went down thanks to Clinton Vadnais who produced this great looking and fabulous sounding video of "RISD."

Listen: Fool's Gold - "Street Clothes"
Mike McKinley
June 7, 2011
Fool's Gold will release their sophomore record Leave No Trace on August 16th on IAMSOUND Records. Get a taste below with "Street Clothes."

SoM's Ryan Lowell dug into their self-titled debut record and discussed the band's worldly sound with guitarist/producer Lewis Pesacov back in 2009 -- check them out and enjoy the sounds.


Fool's Gold - Street Clothes by iamsoundrecords

Here's the Leave No Trace Trailer:
The Uglysuit Calls it Quits; Releases Awwww‚ Schucks
Mike McKinley
June 5, 2011
First‚ the bad news: The Uglysuit have called it quits. That's always a bummer when a great young band discontinues. It leaves the "what if" lingering about how they would grow and how their sound would evolve.

Now, the good news: They will be releasing Awwww, Schucks, their final album, on June 14th (Stream the entire record below!). Find out more information here and see the press release below. The record sounds great -- if you have to go out, might as well go out on a high note.



Press Release
Oklahoma City‚ OK - (May 23‚ 2011) -

Awwww Schucks says it all. After four years on the road‚ a record deal with Touch & Go/Quarterstick Records‚ and lots of hair-banging; Oklahoma's indie six-piece‚ The Uglysuit‚ call it quits.

While the band has ended all live performances‚ the psychedelic rockers will give a final sign off to their nationwide fan base on June 14th with the release of Awwww‚ Schucks via Everybody Loves Everybody Records.

After several late nights of mixing and mastering sessions‚ the disc was recorded pre-breakup in the band members' home studios.

"We didn't know if‚ when we broke up‚ these songs would ever get released‚" said Colin Bray‚ guitarist for the band. "I'm really glad they will. I think they're some of the best songs we've ever written."

Awwww Shucks follows The Uglysuit's alternately blissed-out and vibrantly psychedelic debut album that was named one of 2008's most promising records by The All Music Guide. The album was continuously praised by reviewers and fans for its wave upon wave of chiming Rickenbacker's‚ layered vocal harmonies‚ insatiable hooks‚ thoughtful arrangements with varying dynamics‚ and flawless production.

"This impactful full-length release is the final farewell for The Uglysuit"‚ added Bray. "We felt it was important for the world to hear and enjoy what we believe is our greatest accomplishment as a band."

Since their formation in 2006‚ The Uglysuit has been known for the genre-bending compositions that range from breezy indie pop‚ psychedelic folk‚ shoegaze‚ and rock.

"It's awesome to see all of our thoughts and creativity come to life. Its amazing how six people can come together and make such fun‚ intricate‚ and spiritual tones‚ to become one‚ " says Dustin Maynord‚ The Uglysuit's Bassist and resident producer.

Having often been compared to Fleet Foxes‚ Broken Social Scene‚ Built To Spill‚ the Beach Boys‚ and My Morning Jacket‚ The Uglysuit was poised to become one of the next breakout artists after glowing reviews at Canadian Music Week‚ CMJ and SXSW in 2010. In 2008‚ The Los Angeles Times anointed them as one of the "Top 10 acts at SXSW 2009" and Rolling Stone Magazine put them in their "Top 10 acts at CMJ 2008."

Like Van Gogh and so many other artists whose recognition came after the fact‚ The Uglysuit will likely fall under this category. They squeezed out their last ounce of creative brilliance‚ but only to collectively realize that this was all that they had left in them as The Uglysuit. But‚ they want the world to hear and enjoy their last and greatest accomplishment. Awwww‚ Schucks will be available at all fine digital retailers on June 14th.

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