Experimenting with Experimental

 

Hollerado, who play Thursday night at the Monkey House. (Credit: Marathon Mgmt.)

 

Hanging out at Radio Bean last weekend, I re-realized the prominence that experimental music has in Burlington. Yet while enjoying a set by the New York-based experimental jazz/bass group Xander Naylor Trio, I realized that the diminishing crowd depicted that the rest of Burlington is not as keen on eclectic sounds.

I suppose any genre off the beaten path is not going to have as large of a following, but I would think that the emphasis that Tick Tick, Aether Everywhere and other Burlington outfits put on experimental music would make steps towards change. Keep in mind, this is coming from a avid music listener who thought that Explosions in the Sky was experimental before I came to Burlington — showgoers ought to make a point to keep an open mind and attend concerts that might not be their usual cup of tea.

There definitely has been a trend towards linking the two scenes recently, as many shows feature both mainstream rock and acts based more in electronica and ambience. Next Friday, actually, UVM talent the Feverbreakers and Buzzjar are opening for AMPM, a NH based electro band, at the Monkey House.

Although the digression, most of the acts worth seeing this week are along the lines of mainstream rock, for Burlington standards at least.

Jeff Tweedy, lead singer and guitarist for Wilco, will be the big man in Burlington on Thursday night as he headlines a sold-out show at Higher Ground. One of the more prominent alternative acts at Higher Ground recently, Burlington locals have been waiting awhile for this one. On a sadder note, Andrew Bird’s scheduled show in April at Higher Ground was cancelled due to “personal reasons.”

More in tune with the drug scene and Burlington is Lotus, who is performing for the third and fourth time in the last several months at Higher Ground.

In addition, Wales punk/indie rockers Los Campesinos! is making their first appearance in Vermont on Monday at Higher Ground. Be wary of hipsters that night, if Tick Tick hasn’t already scared you away.

In local action, In Memory of Pluto will be playing a show at Monkey House on Thursday night. They will open for Montreal-based bar rockers Hollerado, fresh off a visit down to Austin, TX for South by Southwest. The guitar driven pop punk is catchy and could lend well to a large crowd, but the lack of coverage of this show bodes for a lackluster Thursday at the Monkey.

For the first time in awhile, Higher Ground might be your best bet for live music this weekend. If crowds aren’t your thing, though, then mosey on down to some of the more intimate venues for a night on the town.