Bands
There are so many amazing bands playing this year at Weapons of Mass Creation Fest that it’s hard to know who to see. I’m sure there are a few bands on our list that you’re wondering who they are and what they sound like. We’ve put together a mix of over 20 songs for you to download. Enjoy!
Gregory and the Hawk*
Meredith Godreau is an American singer-songwriter performing under the pseudonym Gregory and the Hawk (the name being derived from her brother, Gregory, and his imaginary childhood hawk).
A native New Yorker with a captivating voice and a clear gift for songwriting, Meredith began playing both piano and violin from an early age, switching to guitar through high school and college. She began playing solo shows in small venues around New England, and made a few cds to hand out at shows which proved incredibly popular. Word spread fast, and the 2006 heyday of myspace added rocket fuel to the fire.
Listen: http://www.last.fm/music/Gregory+and+the+Hawk
* Part of the Pre-Fest Mixer Bash on June 10th
David Dondero*
David Dondero is a singer/songwriter whose music has been compared to such American folk music/troubadour greats as Woody Guthrie and Townes Van Zandt. He began in 1993 as a member of the band Sunbrain, and later played in This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb and The Flatwheelers. He is currently on the Team Love Records label and has toured with such acts as Bright Eyes, Tilly and the Wall, Spoon, and Willy Mason.
Listen: http://www.last.fm/music/David+Dondero
* Part of the Pre-Fest Mixer Bash on June 10th
Bethesda*
Bethesda from Kent, Ohio includes:Shanna Delaney and Eric Ling (both previously of The Silver Diamond Doves). In 2007 the pair added Justin Rife, Jesse Sloan, and Dan Corby establishing the new band Bethesda.
Listen: http://www.wearebethesda.com/
* Part of the Pre-Fest Mixer Bash on June 10th
Humble Home*
Humble Home’s debut release “Prologue to Doubt” is an unapologetic attempt to deconstruct personal realizations of faith and death. It’s an ambitious vision, but refreshingly so in its honest and intimate narrative as “Doubt” reads like an open journal.
Lyricists Nick Wise and Matt Hectorne are confessional, idealistic and conversely subtly disenchanted, stoking the fires of longing and questioning; their admissions cycle from the unknown to the familiar and back again. Their chosen medium is a layered, rock-derived folk sound, with haunting vocals that move against a diverse backdrop of organ, guitar, piano, accordion and other acoustic instrumentation.
Listen: http://humblehome.bandcamp.com/
* Part of the Pre-Fest Mixer Bash on June 10th
Memoryhouse
Memoryhouse is the recording project of neo-classical composer Evan Abeele and photographer Denise Nouvion from Guelph, Ontario. The name “Memoryhouse” is itself, a tribute to German composer Max Richter’s seminal work and the project was originally a means to escape the paralysis of winter. It mixes ambient loops, breezy samples, aquatic guitars, and burbling synths.
Listen: http://memoryhouse.bandcamp.com/
Lower Dens
Swarming guitar fuzz, bass waves, Jana Hunter’s voice, and insistent drum throbs are the core components of Baltimore’s Lower Dens. Hunter, sometimes known for intimate, ghost-heavy weird-fi, is now writing and playing with a group that might get filed as new wave, or drone pop, or post-punk. With due deference to her solo work, we’re very glad.
Nana Grizol
Less of a band than an exuberant orbit of bright weird planets circling the joyful kinesis of main-songster Theo Hilton, Nana Grizol’s debut album “Love It Love It” sees release on Orange Twin on May 13, 2008. Recorded in their hometown of Athens Georgia directly after a month-long tour of DIY spaces across the States, this record finds the band brimming with energy and rightly well-honed where live performance is concerned; “Love It Love It” sacrifices none of the band’s beloved, sweat-stained essence.
Listen: http://www.ifyoumakeit.com/video/nana-grizol/blackbox-/
Monokino
The sound of Amsterdam (Holland) based band Monokino has been spiced up in a rather kitschy way with a combination of melodious high pitched vocals, static keyboard, rock guitar and electronic/acoustic drum segments. In Holland, China and Germany Monokino has received both critical and public acclaim for its indie music. Monokino has to date released one EP, one LP and one double CD (containing 17 remixes and 7 songs played acoustically) in China and Europe where the band is known for its distinct musical identity playing electronic pop music. Monokino is signed to China’s most famous indie label, Modern Sky.
Field Mouse
Field Mouse is the music of Rachel Browne and collaborator Andrew Futral. Their debut album, entitled You Are Here, is a modern collection of melodic, lush pop sensibilities filtered through dreamy reverb, paired with sincere reflective songwriting.
Listen: http://fieldmousemusic.com/
Arrah and the Ferns
Arrah and the Ferns “broke up” in May 2008. Their former band consisted of Arrah Fisher, Carl Stovner, Dave Segedy, and Joey Patrick. They (nearly) finished a sophomore full-length before they broke up, but never released it. In March of 2010, Arrah and Carl decided it was time to do something with the 2nd album. They finished the recordings and have since been mixing and mastering.
Annabel
Annabel is an indie-rock band from Kent, OH USA. Formed in early 2005, the band can be described as “indie-pop” with the energy of punk and elements of shoegaze. In 2009, the young troupe released their debut full-length, Each and Everyone, on Count Your Lucky Stars Records after a well-received self-released EP. Here We Are Tomorrow, the bands latest EP is currently out for Tiny Engines records.
Listen: http://www.last.fm/music/Annabel
Mose Giganticus
Mose Giganticus is a four-piece, progressive heavy metal band from Philadelphia, PA. Incubated in the “Do-It-Yourself” music scene of West Philadelphia, Mose Giganticus has evolved to blend the ominous, lumbering weight of sludge and stoner metal with the bombastic pomp and technological expertise of progressive metal, creating a wall of sound that is dark, heavy, and baroque. As front-man and creative force behind Mose Giganticus, Matt Garfield maintains the art of the “well crafted hook” by infusing winding guitar riffs with his signature use of synthesizers and vocoders, producing songs that are as memorable as they are crushing. In July 2010, Mose Giganticus released their Relapse Records debut LP, “Gift Horse,” which went on to garner international critical acclaim, including multiple “Best of 2010″ listings worldwide (Sonic Abuse London, Metal Injection US, BangBang Canada). Currently, Mose Giganticus continues to tour year-round, painstakingly forging their position on the national touring circuit. To date, Mose Giganticus has performed at over 400 shows and festivals (including The Fest 7, 8, & 9 in Gainesville, FL and upcoming dates at SXSW 2011) across the continental United States, western Canada, the Yukon Territory, and Alaska in their Waste-Vegetable-Oil fueled bus.
She Bears
They’re good people, hailing from Athens, Ohio. “Don’t be fooled by the warm welcome. SHE BEARS aren’t just here to entice you with memorable lyrics and catchy refrains. That’s not their aim. Layering their debut I Found Myself Asleep with crushing piano melodies, powerful guitar work, subtle electronica and diary-relatable lyrics, She Bears claim ownership of their own undeniably honest brand of musical mastery.
Two Hand Fools
Two Hand Fools are a folk influenced pop punk band from the Cleveland area of Northeast Ohio. They could be described as a Stoner Punk version of The Partridge Family. They released and album called “Who’s Driving” but they hate it and hate playing songs off of it. Then they released an EP called “Rivers”, and they hated it a lot less. Now they have an album coming out in 2010 called “House Parts” and they actually don’t hate it.
Lowly the Tree Ghost
Lowly, The Tree Ghost is a band of hopefuls from Cleveland, Ohio. Originally Lowly was a small seed planted in the mind of Andrew Arbogast. As the seed grew, the rest of the band mates were drawn together through a mutual love of beautiful music, and a different way of looking at life. Andrew continues to play his acoustic guitar, sing and write for the band, with fellow musician Emily McKitrick accompanying him in vocals and adding keyboards. Joseph Piedmonte plays bass for the band, along with Laura Simna on violin and Nick Evert on drums. The group produces a new breed of folk, with a classic message of love and acknowledgment of the beauty around us. Lowly the Tree Ghost’s EP is a journey from start to somewhere near halfway, with a lot still to go, but a song to spark every emotion. Whatever goes, let it go, whatever comes, let it come!
Shivering Timbers
For generations, Akron, Ohio has produced some of the finest rock and roll the world has ever seen. Artists such as Chrissie Hynde, Devo, Robert Quine, Joseph Arthur, and The Black Keys all hail from the same little rustbelt city. Formed in 2009, Shivering Timbers now emerges as the newest addition to that list; led by husband and wife Jayson and Sarah Benn, with Brad Thorla on drums, they’re classics in that same great Akron tradition: they don’t fit into any mold but their own.
Signals Midwest
Signals Midwest is a punk/indie band from Cleveland, Ohio. They initially formed as a 3-piece consisting of Max Stern (guitar, vocals), Steve Gibson (drums, vocals), and Loren Shumaker (bass, math) in September 2008 and added Jeff Russell (guitar) of Echoes Of Harpers Ferry in July 2010. So far, they have self-released a full-length entitled Burn The Blueprints in November 2009 and have also been included on the first Shout Out Loud Prints Mixtape alongside bands such as Latterman, Defiance, Ohio, Bridge And Tunnel, Good Luck, Delay and The Sidekicks.
American Werewolves
American Werewolves is a horror punk band from Cleveland, Ohio. The band was originally known as The Plan and it was formed in 1998 by then-art student Trevor Moment. Moment, a fan of doo-wop, horror movies, Elvis and punk, decided that he wanted to make music. His idea was to create a cross between Sam Cooke and Samhain while not disregarding his love for doo-wop, and he began writing tunes before The Plan was formed.
Busman’s Holiday
Busman’s Holiday is a band blending the melodic charm of lo-fi acoustics with the ecstatic showmanship of classic rock ‘n’ roll. The singer/songwriter duo is [often] accompanied by a string section who fill out their complexly euphonic ballads of love, loss, lust and outer space.
Born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana, the pair and their intrepid band of string playing companions have toured the U.S. and Canada extensively the past three years, recently appearing on Daytrotter and If You Make It’s Pink Couch Sessions.
Though adept in a D.I.Y. aesthetic of acoustic busking with only a guitar and a suitcase drum set, the brothers are equally at home when sharing the stage with their three talented string players, who add a rich, layered musical texture to their unique songs of wanderlust and first love. Evoking a classic tent-show rock sound joined with the affable atmosphere of the assured vaudevillian, Busman’s Holiday both charms and impresses with their own unique blend of humor and assured musical talent.
Esquire Mackentyre
Cleveland, OH hip hop artist Esquire Mackentyre aka ESQ. has been called one of the premiere faces of the new generation. The founder of hip hop site MeetESQ.com, creator of indie hip hop infused skate brand DopeBoardz, and former President of Hip Hop label Playground Bully Muzik though widely unheard has a long list of accomplishments. This hybrid hip hop head has gone on a widespread promotion representing such movements as Street Smarts Productions, Playground Bully Muzik, MeetESQ.com/Dopeboardz, and hip hop artist Bankie Travolta. Now the face of Elvis-Freshly Mixtapes adding mixtape host to the many hats he wears.
Listen: http://meetesq.com/
Nights
In their present milieu, while still retaining the sinuous sonic-scapes seized from their shoegazing influences, the cohorts of Nights lace thickets of mountainous fuzz that would make grunge forefathers Mudhoney jealous over thunderous thumpings of rhythmic razzle-dazzle in total lockstep.
Listen: http://nights.bandcamp.com/
_node
A deep love of video games and all things geek-related inspired Dru Streicher to begin experimenting with his own take on the 8-bit music coming out of Europe and major US cities and _node was officially born. Armed with two original Gameboys running the homebrew Swedish software LSDJ, _node produces its unique sound. Teaming up with Dru is Matt Bowen who provides visuals using a custom modified Nintendo, which provides a vivid visual backdrop to their live performances. Drawing from influences as diverse as Detroit techno artists to German Glitch music. Thrown in the mix are the pioneers of the new 8-bit sound Pulselooper, 8GB, Nullsleep, Pulselooper. _node is producing forward thinking dance music on out of date hardware. Hardware re-purposed from gaming to create a sound-scape that reflects the city of Cleveland. From complex beats and simple melodies to the four to the floor sound to make you dance the cold winter nights away.
Listen: http://nodetransmission.com/
Red Sun
Imagine an alternate universe where Fugazi did drugs and hung out a lot with Neurosis and the Melvins…we’re from there. No bullshit loud heavy rocknroll. DIY attitude. Appalachian born and rust-belt raised.
Listen: http://redsunbeast.bandcamp.com/
