GATHER ‘ROUND: Preorders are open now for the upcoming live album by the nearly incomparable guitarist Shane Parish. The six-track album, Solo at Cafe SOTO, was recorded in London in the fall of 2023 while Parish was a member of Bill Orcutt’s (Palilalia Records) Guitar Quartet. Parish, an accomplished composer and improviser, says in the album notes, “This set explores British folk ballads by Anne Briggs and Shirley Collins, American folk ballads by John Jacob Niles, and a song by Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch from the television program ‘Twin Peaks’ called ‘Sycamore Trees.’” This will be available digitally, on vinyl and as a limited edition of autographed test pressings. It is slated for release on July 1. Please see shaneparish.bandcamp.com for more information.
CLEAR THE DECKS: At last, the long-in-the-can album Scroll by Athens band Liberator has now been released. It was recorded in various non-traditional locations between 2016–2018. The band—which blended progressive rock with a healthy dose of well-acknowledged classic rock, blues and psychedelic—has thus far been relegated to local memory banks, but maybe this will raise its profile again. Member Andrew Steck has, of course, made a name for himself as a solo composer in the past five years or so, and founded Arfus Records. Scroll arrives courtesy of Arfus. It’s available as we speak, and you can find it over at liberatorusa.bandcamp.com. For more information, please see arfusrecords.com.
ART IN THE DARK: Athens band Johnny Falloon has stretched its artful wings, flown around the sun, and returned with the fabulous new album Tell Hell I’m Not Coming. It’s going to take me a few more spins to unpack all the messages here, but the short version is this is an album that explores, explains and rejects several aspects of modern life. The band manages to squeeze just enough rock traditionalism in its tunes that they’re recognizable as being in the rock and roll paradigm, but that’s all. Drawing on references as diverse as The Minutemen, Sonic Youth and The Locust—each chosen from my own speculation, not the band declaring such—this is a perfect sawhorse-straddlin’ album between the local punk and art-rock scenes, each of which has enjoyed the company of the other for a rather long time. While there are stupendously rockin’ moments on this (“Dog Flesh,” “Circumcision”) I’m also very drawn to its quieter moments, such as album opener “Little Birds.” Find it on major streaming services and johnnyfalloon.bandcamp.com.
DREAMS DON’T COST A THING: The late Dexter Romweber (Flat Duo-Jets) always enjoyed his dual citizenship between Athens and Raleigh, NC. Now, the North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame will officially recognize him when he is inducted on Oct. 16. This month, though, local clubs in the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area will celebrate his life with Dex Fest June 12–15. Participating venues include Cat’s Cradle, Local 506, The Cave and Lapin Bleu. Featured performers include The Reigning Sound, Bass Battery, Lenny Kaye & Friends (featuring Jon Wurster and Ricky Bacchus), Southern Culture on the Skids and many more. Relatedly, the Athens-adjacent Propeller Sound Recording is having a sale on all its Dex and Jets items in celebration of Romweber’s induction. For more information, please see propellersoundrecordings.com. For more information on Dex Fest, please follow this ridiculous URL, facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575619306941, and for the Hall of Fame, please see northcarolinamusichalloffame.org.
DARK ENTRIES: I have no idea who is behind Boy Gone Girl, but the three demo tracks from the artist’s upcoming album Vampire Lovers reveal an exciting project. The title track is tight, anxious, driving and probably the best song here. The other two, “Velvet” and “Witch For A Wife,” are a doomy acoustic number and another decently propulsive tune, respectively. Honestly, these songs are about as close as possible to what the early goth scene actually sounded like, and I was taken aback by their stark authenticity. Find this at boygonegirl.bandcamp.com.
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DREAM: The promised collaborative EP, Leap Through Poisoned Air, between the late Will Cullen Hart (Olivia Tremor Control, Circulatory System) and Andrew Reiger (Elf Power) is now out. By the time you read this, there’s a very good chance the 10-inch vinyl version will be slap sold out, but give it a chance anyway. In any case, you can still secure a digital copy. These four tracks were recorded between 1999–2000, when the pair were roommates. I rarely describe any record as “essential,” but this one very well may be. It’s more than an oddball curiosity. It’s a fascinating portal through which one finds a hidden treasure that’s only just come up for air. Find it and order at orangetwinrecords.bandcamp.com.
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