Category: News

Show Review: Loma and Jess Williamson at Great Scott

Sunday night shows are an unpredictable beast, but far away from their homes in Texas, Loma and Jess Williamson brought their joyous best, and the crowd reciprocated.  A two band bill of wildly different but similarly tempered groups was the perfect way to close out the weekend.

Jess Williamson has been primarily known for her work in the country-Americana-rock-singer-songwriter vein, but she showed her ability to reach beyond that realm Sunday night, playing exclusively material off her upcoming record, Cosmic Wink. Though the country flair was still present, the music incorporated synths and dance grooves that brought it into its own space. Jess was a captivating voice and presence to front the band, and her songs were full of life and character.

Jess Williamson

Continue reading “Show Review: Loma and Jess Williamson at Great Scott”

Curtis’ Prime Slices Of The Week (5/1-5/7): Middle Kids, Lucy Dacus

  Middle Kids – Lost Friends – (Pop Rock)

I decided to listen to this album for the sole fact that I thought the album cover was cool, and thank god I did. This trio has a sound like a tidal wave that hits you at the chorus every time. Filled with reverb and a wall of instruments, this LP feels incredibly big. The bands personal lives come out a lot throughout, whether it’s upbeat or slow. They talk about old friends and experiences they had in they’re youth with a theme that says they have unfinished business. The songs are catchy and full of interesting riffs and melodies. A great summer album no less.

Favorite tracks: Mistake, Bought It, Edge of Town, On My Knees

Continue reading “Curtis’ Prime Slices Of The Week (5/1-5/7): Middle Kids, Lucy Dacus”

Ruby’s Prime Slices of the Week (4/29-5/6): Amber Mark, La Luz

Amber Mark– Conexão (R&B)

Conexão does what an EP is supposed to do. It hooked me right from the start, delivered four excellently catchy and groovy tracks, and left me wanting more. The production is simple and sparse, letting Amber Mark’s catchy and powerful vocals shine and highlighting the ingenious songwriting. This EP is about to introduce Amber Mark to the spotlight.

Favorite Tracks: Love Me Right, All The Work

Continue reading “Ruby’s Prime Slices of the Week (4/29-5/6): Amber Mark, La Luz”

OHMME and Miette Hope Live From the Red Room

Tune in Monday, May 7th @ 8 PM EST for a live broadcast from The Red Room @ Cafe 939 featuring OHMME and Miette Hope.
 
OHMME is an experiment in voice and sound by Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart. Inspired by the free improvisational music scene in Chicago and influenced by avant-garde rock their music draws comparisons to PJ Harvey, Nirvana, and Kate Bush.
Miette Hope is a singer-songwriter and independent artist attending Berklee College of Music on the first ever Vans Off The Wall Scholarship. Her style features emotional, honest lyrics over spatially rhythmic grooves. Hope plays with a five-piece band.
 
Tune in to birnCORE here.

Album Review: ZHU’s RHINGO’S DESERT PT. 1

Review by Justin Cameron

ZHU’s career has always been mysterious. He never offers fans a look into his personal life, and instead, gives them exceptional music for the past four years. He’s carved out his niche in the electronic music scene, creating music from an artistic point of view rather than of a musical one. ZHU’s songs all have dark undertones complimented by screaming guitar and sax solos as well as sparse, spacey vocals. Continue reading “Album Review: ZHU’s RHINGO’S DESERT PT. 1”

Berklee In The Round, Live from The Red Room

Tune in on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:00 PM EST to birnCORE for a live broadcast from The Red Room at Cafe 939 of Berklee in the Round.

Berklee in the Round (BITR) occurs on the second Tuesday of every month. Each month, a faculty member selects four to five students and hosts a concert. He or she may also choose a special guest (such as a visiting artist or touring songwriter). Based on the in-the-round performances at the famous Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee, songwriters sit in a circle, where they take turns playing to the audience seated around them, lending an intimate feel.

This month the performers will be Hera Lynn, Weiwen Seah, William Ospina, Chavis Chance, and Anastasia Charakidou.

Tune in here to join the live broadcast

Show Review: Preoccupations at Brighton Music Hall 4/25

Review by Justin Cameron

Preoccupations came out to an excited crowd at Brighton Music Hall last Wednesday night with album opener, “Espionage.” From there, they ripped through a 13-song set containing a nice balance of new and old songs. Their lights remained dark throughout the set forcing the audiences’ attention on their sound rather than over the top visuals.

Their set was loud, —full of thundering drums and booming bass—but it was balanced. No one instrument overpowered another as Matt Flegel’s voice could clearly be heard. Continue reading “Show Review: Preoccupations at Brighton Music Hall 4/25”

Upcoming: Manu Delago at The Red Room

Tune in to birnCORE this Thursday, May 3rd at 8 PM EST for a live broadcast from The Red Room @ Cafe 939 featuring Manu Delago.
 
When Delago first discovered the Hang, an enchanting musical instrument manufactured by PANArt in Switzerland he discovered a passion for writing music.
 
His Hang solo piece “Mono Desire” has become the most popular Hang video on the internet and was featured in the top 30 music videos on YouTube. His music is incredibly unique, atmospheric, and beautiful.
 
He has released several albums with his band, and has collaborated with artists such as Björk, Anoushka Shankar, Joss Stone, Andreya Triana, and Bugge Wesseltoft.
 
Tune in on birnCORE.