Saturday, October 20, 2007

True Womanhood

Four-foot industrial blades hanging like chimes. A disassembled church organ rigged with wires running into a computer. As much art installation as rock concert, the most conventional things on True Womanhood's stage are the timpani drums. And these homemade instruments are not mere sonic curiosities but integral parts of the band’s tightly crafted, inventive songwriting. Grounded on friendships going back to middle school, band members Thomas Redmond, Melissa Beattie and Noam Elsner play in an instinctual style that is sonically and emotionally loud.

The trio has emerged out of the doldrums of post-Dischord Washington, D.C. with a collection of haunting pop gems that are surprisingly mature given the band’s youthful exuberance and predisposition towards experimental music. It’s no surprise the band chose the DIY venue and effects pedal factory Death By Audio in Brooklyn as the location to record their debut EP. True Womanhood is not satisfied with merely making new music, they are intent on inventing an entirely new palette of sounds as well.
Download the Magic Child / Dignitas Single

Sunday, October 7, 2007

PURSESNATCHERS

They really need to take another band photo because not only does this band feature the husband/wife duo of Doug Marvin (Dirty On Purpose/Black Acid) and Annie Hart (Au Revoir Simone), the band also includes the sensitive caveman-in-space stomp of Jared Barron and the quiet storm thunder of bassist Harold Liu. With melodies that seamlessly sew together swatches from the tattered rags of indie rock giants, Pursesnatchers can suit occasions from intimate library dates, aimless van trips through Tennessee and woozy subway rides with a level of lyrical detail only allowed by authentic experience. And live, they bring it a lot louder, the way we like things around these parts, although they are not afraid to get cozy on you like a hoodie fresh out the dryer in late fall.