While most of UVM is elsewhere, the Burlington music scene continues to thrive. From local experimental rockers to music legends of the ’70s, this weekend is one of those weekends when there’s much more to listen to than I have ears for.
One of Tick Tick’s signature shows of winter ’09 is going down tonight, a celebration of string instruments at the cozy, homely Fifth Element.
Prolific Burlington local Ryan Power opens up the night with loop heavy lo-fi backing his melodic, inviting voice. In essence, he is Burlington’s Ben Folds – just primarily with a synth at his hands rather than a piano.
Then, New England native Nat Baldwin takes the stage. His deep, accented double bass and Middle Eastern tinged voice will woo in all the latecomers. In DeVotchKa fashion, the dark, alluring strings and voice make for an expansive sound.
The main act, Sister Suvi from across the border in Montreal, is a ukulele, drum and guitar trio. The girl-led band features quick paced singy-songy folk rock with subtle Irish roots.
The most diverse of the bands on the schedule, the prominent display of the ukulele allows for some intriguing dynamic shifts, while the quick paced, introspective lyrics conjures up the Talking Heads at times.
Also tonight and tomorrow night, Maga, the Rosesmiths and the Villanelles grace Radio Bean and the Monkey House, respectively.
Maga, a local duo and close friends of the Villanelles, call to mind some Animal Collective-like sounds, intricate drums and harmonic voices. While a little scattered at times, their rushed sound produces original, yet jagged ambient rock.
Lady Lioness and Tooth Ache are on the bill first at the Monkey House on Saturday night, then at Radio Bean the following night.
Lady Lioness, another woman fronted band, features muted acoustic folk with a vintage ’60s woman’s voice. The stripped down girl with a guitar will do well at the Radio Bean.
On the other hand, Tooth Ache invokes similarities to a toned down M.I.A., except with a xylophone-like instrument and a drumbox as accompaniment and a lot fewer sexual overtones.
On Friday night, 242 Main stars progressive, ambient rockers Bridges to Dreams from Montreal. Opening for them are up and coming local high school bands Front Page Fix and Next Time We Talk, lo-fi amateur pop punkers with promise.
While these new bands come to the stage, longtime mainstays The Wailers will bring out the fans at Higher Ground tonight and legendary blues rocker George Thorogood & the Destroyers headline the Flynn Theatre on Saturday night.
lo-fi rockin' burlington 