Dig ‘in: The Reds, Pinks, and Purples, Bnny, Parsnip
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
UPCOMING
Cindy Lee
Where: Empty Bottle / Directions
When: May 4, 9:00 PM
Some of the most compelling music exists on the margins. When the Calgary band Women splintered after releasing their critically acclaimed self-titled debut in 2008 and Public Strain in 2010, Matt Flegel (bass/vocals) and Michael Wallace (drums) went on to form Viet Cong, who later became Preoccupations. Pat Flegel (vocals/guitar) took an unexpected turn in concocting a drag alter ego under the name Cindy Lee. Following the tumultuous tenure of Women, Flegel encountered issues dealing with gender identity and mental well-being, finding solace in ’60s girl group music that conveyed both glamour and resiliency.
Cindy Lee’s music has been described as “confrontation pop,” which could apply to both addressing Flegel’s personal struggles and challenging the listening audience. Having previously issued a couple of recordings on the Superior Viaduct sub-label W.25th, Flegel has taken an out-of-the-box approach by self-releasing their latest, Diamond Jubilee, a sprawling 32-track affair. Eschewing physical product and typical streaming platforms, the music thus far is only available via the GeoCities site or on YouTube. It’s a diverse offering that squares Flegel’s classic pop inclinations with lo-fi indie charm; a mixture of tenderness and dissonance. The unconventional approach has only heightened the demand for Cindy Lee’s music and performances. There’s a mystique at play that begs to be investigated and appreciated. -Bruce Novak
Gaadge
Where: Sleeping Village / Directions
When: May 11, 9:00 PM
The scope of Gaadge extends well beyond the talents of Mitch DeLong, who started the project as a solo endeavor a decade ago. The Pittsburgh quartet, that includes Andy Yadeski, Nick Boston and Ethan Olivia, pulls double duty in Ex Pilots, which functions as the main songwriting outlet for Olivia. Their adaptability as multi-instrumentalists gives their latest LP, Somewhere Down Below, a diversity and richness that eclipses their earnest and impassioned approach. The record registered as one of my favorites from last year, filler-free over 14 tracks with nearly each song as praiseworthy as any other. -Bruce Novak
Chastity Belt
Where: Lincoln Hall / Directions
When: May 12, 8:00 PM
Having maintained the same line-up that they embarked with since forming in 2010, Chastity Belt has not had to call into question what motivates them to push forward. They share an innate sense of camaraderie and revel in the opportunity to create as a unit. While no longer as geographically centralized as their previous all-in Seattle inhabitance afforded them, the logistics of completing their latest album, Live Laugh Love, became more protracted; landing in March, nearly five years since their last LP. It’s the culmination of three separate recording sessions spanning 2020 to 2022, but feels of a whole with measured compositions that offer an inward glimpse of navigating life with an assortment of speed bumps and potholes. It also finds the band members being as collaborative as ever, sharing songwriting equitably and providing each of them a turn at lead vocals for the first time in their history. Chastity Belt last rolled through town in 2019 at this very same Lincoln Hall venue—a return engagement that’s overdue, but certainly not to be overlooked. -Bruce Novak
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We recommend listening along over at our Spotify page. Here’s this week’s content: