Dig ‘in: Papercuts, Ex-Vöid, Wet Leg
Check out what the No Wristbands team is listening to and what’s in our show calendars this month on our latest Dig ‘in.
INCOMING
Papercuts - Past Life Regression (Slumberland Records LP)
In the simplest sense, Past Life Regression references Jason Quever’s return to San Francisco following time spent living in LA. But on another level, it reflects his outlook of world in reverse where political dogma has impeded the desire for social gains. While past encounters resurface across the course of the record, the reminiscing is bittersweet. Quever’s music conveys an intimacy with its gentle textures and reverb-laden vocals enveloped in opulent melodies. Largely working on his own, Quever is unhurried in his process and his recordings are reflective of his auteur approach. When life itself appears to be running off the rails, it’s not unreasonable to want to create a world of one’s own doing. -Bruce Novak
Ex-Vöid - Bigger Than Before (Prefect Records LP)
When Alana McArdle walked away from Joanna Gruesome in 2015, she was well in need of a mental break. The band was celebrated for its aggressive noise pop with McArdle leading the charge behind an unhinged stage presence. Suffice to say, the hiatus has proved to be regenerative. Her presence in Ex-Vöid is less crazed, but still suitably edgy. Fellow Gruesome alum, Owen Williams, joins in on guitar and often pairs with her on vocals. The coupling produces an energetic burst of shimmering pop that spills forth with an urgent pace that makes you envision the band pausing to catch their breath after all is said and done. Short and sweet and more than deserving of your time. -Bruce Novak
Wet Leg - S/T (Domino Records LP)
After debuting last year with “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream,” anticipation was through the roof for Wet Leg’s full length record. A few more songs trickled out this year in advance of the album’s April release date that further bolstered their indie cred. Now that their twelve song offering has finally arrived, we have a fuller picture of Wet Leg’s creative scope. While not everything’s on the level of the aforementioned songs, the irreverence and jubilation that characterized those original creations remains a core component of their sound. There’s a welcome variance among the tracks and creative partners, Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, provide even more of their razor-sharp wit. They give off the impression that they’re having the times of their lives, and who wouldn’t like to feel the very same thing in this day and age? -Bruce Novak
UPCOMING
Robyn Hitchcock
Where: Old Town School of Folk Music / Directions
When: April 21, 8:00 PM
When Robyn Hitchcock emerged with The Soft Boys in the latter half of the ‘70s, he was perceived as a fringe artist who sung about skin infesting insects and ready to rumble taxidermists. Lost in all the psychedelic haze, was the presence of a brilliant performer who had a firm grasp on rock’n’roll history and culture. With a rich and expansive catalog that endlessly showcases his exquisite wordplay and versatile guitar work, Hitchcock’s persona is as fully formed as the characters that inhabit his songs. Perusing set lists of his recent concerts highlights the eclecticism and resourcefulness that he brings to the stage—no two shows have been remotely the same. His archivist nature means a smattering of covers get thrown in—from influential predecessors (Dylan, Syd Barrett, Fab Four) to unexpected delights (Captain Beefheart, Dolly Parton, John Cale). Considering his past postponements from the prior two years while the pandemic raged, Chicago concert goers are sure to be champing at the bit to have Hitchcock back in their sights. -Bruce Novak
Wilco
Where: Auditorium Theatre / Directions
When: April 22, 23 & 24, 7:30 PM
Confession time, Wilco is my favorite band, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is my favorite album of all time. However, I still think it is noteworthy when a band like Wilco decides that they are going to play an album straight through at one of their shows. That this is YHF, and it the 20th anniversary of its release makes these shows even more intriguing. Anniversary shows can be exciting—who wouldn't want to hear their favorite album played straight through? Is there a chance Wilco dusts off some of the songs that have existed only on bootlegs from the YHF recording sessions? I sure hope so. One thing is certain, it will be special to see them craft a setlist around YHF. Jeff Tweedy recently spoke with the Chicago Tribune noting that he hasn't revisited the album, considered by many to their masterpiece, in many years, so anticipation is sure to be high as they take the stage for their three night residency at The Auditorium Theatre. -Mark Joyner
Half Gringa
Where: Sleeping Village / Directions
When: April 23, 8:00 PM
With a Venezuelan family heritage, Izzy Olive experienced small town life in southern Illinois before coming north to study poetry at the University of Chicago. The wordplay in her songs is at turns evocative and uncertain. She has a keen observational eye, but also is still in search of her place in the world. Half Gringa’s 2017 debut Gruñona and 2020 follow-up Force To Reckon are accentuated with judicious instrumentation that includes dollops of trumpet and violin—keeping the songs uncluttered and retaining a homespun appeal. Their performance is part of Smashed Plastic’s 3rd anniversary celebration that also features a Bill MacKay and Cooper Crain pairing under the name BCMC and the ever impressive Eleventh Dream Day. -Bruce Novak
UNCOVERED
Syd Barrett - An Introduction To Syd Barrett (Harvest Records compilation)
It makes for interesting speculation on how Pink Floyd would have evolved had Syd Barrett been able to continue as principal vocalist and songwriter beyond the band’s debut album. Despite Johnny Rotten sporting a doctored “I Hate Pink Floyd” t-shirt around London during the advent of punk (a proclamation that he’d later walk back), Syd’s presence in the group was an inspiration for a generation of musicians that followed. He had an active imagination and a knack for introducing off-kilter characters and settings in his songs. An accomplished musician and painter, his approach to art was highly intuitive. While the Crazy Diamond box set is the most exhaustive document of Barrett”s solo work, An Introduction… is the only compilation that combines some of his early Pink Floyd tracks with material from his two solo albums (The Madcap Laughs and Barrett) and functions as an appropriate primer. When he performed on stage with Pink Floyd, Barrett outfitted his Telecaster with a series of mirrored discs which would reflect the psychedelic lighting back upon the audience with dazzling effect. It seems incomprehensible that such a talented individual would be out of that spotlight in a few brief years, but his ensuing mental illness proved to be too incapacitating and he eventually succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2006. -Bruce Novak
We recommend listening along over at our Spotify page. Here’s this week’s content: