…it’s been far too long since Lab Partners have graced us with a new release. Since 2007’s Keep Quiet EP [Reverb Records], the band have changed labels [to Chicago's Pravda Records], battled with their home studio flooding and having to be rebuilt, and bringing in a new drummer: Kevin Vaughn [ex-Heartless Bastards]. While some bands might have crumbled under these pressures, Lab Partners thankfully endured and now present an incredibly rewarding new album: Moonlight Music…

…recorded at their home studio over the last couple of years [and through a flood & subsequent rehabilitation of the studio], Lab Partners continue their trajectory fueled by vintage British shoegaze, 60s psych, and anthemic choruses that are easily transferable to a Wembley-sized context. Weaving between fuzzed-out space-rock epics and delicate, pastoral lamentations, Mike Smith’s ethereal vocals seep through layers of consciousness in reverb-soaked waves. While Vaughn and keyboardist Amy Smith hold down the rhythmic center, guitarist Mike Volk traces subtle outlines around the vocals with distinctive lines that alternately compliments and juxtaposes with an ease that makes these songs feel as if they’d always existed. Throughout the course of the disc, the band finds itself equally at home occupying bombastic and quiet spaces, lending the disc a dynamic quality that will likely provide the disc with a longevity that many contemporaries do not. Whatever the sonic ornamentation, these are songs that burrow in and remain….

…Lab Partners will celebrate the release of Moonlight Music with a performance at Blind Bob’s this Friday, April 2 along with 8-Bit Revival [who are celebrating the release of their new disc, You've Been Believed] and Okay Lindon…

MP3: Lab Partners “Strange”

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MP3: Lab Partners “We’ve Been Burned”

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…after lengthy debates across the interwebs pertaining to the series of cryptic clues left on the Forecastle Festival website, the announcement came moments ago as to who will be headlining the 2010 edition of Louisville’s Forecastle Festival. Over the course of July 9-11, headliners include The Flaming Lips, Drive-By Truckers, Spoon, and Widespread Panic. Additionally, Minus the Bear, Cap’n Jazz, and Ted Leo & the Pharmacists are slated to appear. Add in over 70 additional acts along the scenic Waterfront Park in Louisville and you’ve got a pretty good recipe for an excellent summer festival about two hours from Dayton. Start making yr plans now…

…thanks to GladGirl for the notice on this one. According to a report from Spinner, Glen Campbell aka The Rhinestone Cowboy, will issue his final studio album, Ghost on the Canvas, later this year. The disc features none other than Robert Pollard and Paul Westerberg, who penned the title track for the album. While initially a head-scratching proposition, both Pollard and Westerberg have proven themselves to be amongst the best, if not most esoteric, songwriters of the modern era, so we can see why Campbell might have chosen to work with them. Regardless, we can’t wait to hear how this one plays out…

…we came across an exciting new local music site this past weekend: The Music Seen. As someone that has been around the Dayton music scene for many years, Andy Rowe is finally bringing his insights and visual viewpoints on local music to you via the Interweb. With footage currently available from such local notables as Mouth of the Architect and Astro Fang, yr gonna want to check in on this site regularly to see what there is to see in local music. We’re very excited to welcome The Music Seen to the world of Dayton music blogging…

…as one of the most prolific forces on the Dayton music scene, Squids Eye Records has issued a string of releases over the past few years. Tonight, the label will present two more discs a show at Blind Bob’s that features some of the best-loved acts, as well as some newcomers that you’ll want to check out as well. Trunk Bound Regime presents their new disc Now You’re All Fucked and the long-awaited follow-up to the 2007 release Dayton, OH, Vol. 1 finally sees the light of day, which is limited to 200 copies worldwide. In addition, you’ll get performances from SER heavyweights Yakuza Heart Attack and Astro Fang, as well as newbies Creatures and Golden Kong. Trunk Bound Regime will also take to the stage as well in support of their new album. If yr looking for where it’s at tonight, odds are you’ll find it here…

…in these maddening days of incessant sub-genre hatchings, it’s good to know there are still some practitioners left that connect to the roots of rock n’ roll. For certain, Cincinnati’s The Lions Rampant recall an era in which rock n’ roll was still fun and dangerous. The band bring their “blues-infused/garage-brewed rock n’ roll” to South Park Tavern this Saturday, March 27 to celebrate the release of their new album, It’s Fun To Do Bad Things [out on Deep Elm Records], but they’ll be on WYSO’s Kaleidoscope program this evening with our good friend Juliet Fromholt. So, check out the goodies below, tune into WYSO tonight, and we’ll see you Saturday for a good ol’ fashioned rock n’ roll showcase…

MP3: The Lions Rampant “Shake It Out”

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…although they left our region last year for Austin, we were still saddened to hear that the iconic WOXY has suspended its broadcast today due to “current economic realities and the lack of ongoing funding”. The station’s website offers the glimmer of hope that they are exploring their options for funding to keep the station alive, so it may be too early to tell whether this is curtains or not. If you or anyone you know happens to have a ton of money laying around for investment opportunities, may we suggest you contact the station here…

…tonight is the last night of our March Residency featuring Roley Yuma, so we would highly advise to stop out to South Park Tavern and check them out. Armed with subtly infectious melodies and incredible dynamics, we’re very pleased to have had the opportunity to host Roley Yuma throughout March. They’ll be joined this evening by new slacker-popsters, Outright Liar. Things start at 10 pm sharp, and with it being free/all ages, we’d love to see you all there…

MP3: Roley Yuma “Approved Music”

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…Although Cincinnati is renowned as a haven for garage rock enthusiasts, the Queen City is also home to the art rock synth/pop duo Pop Empire. While the duo boasts an impressive pedigree, Henry Wilson (son of famous rock photographer Michael Wilson) and Cameron Cochrane (ex-Sheds, producer for The Lions Rampant, instigator for The Seedy Seeds) chart a distinctive course with their debut EP, Rainy Child. Fueled by propulsive drum machines, slashing garage guitars, and moody synthesizers, Wilson serves up vintage glam vocals with Cochran providing a subdued counterpoint. Currently, the band is offering Rainy Child as a free download via their website, so stop by and grab this little goody. Pop Empire will be stopping through Dayton this weekend at Blind Bob’s, performing with XL427, Toads and Mice, and Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks. Tune in now…

MP3: Pop Empire “Twirling”

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…while it’s still taking us a little extra effort to adjust to the change of day, we were very excited to see so much support for The Buddha Den NTRO/XPO at its new digs over at South Park Tavern last week. Well, we’re hoping to keep the ball rolling this week with our March Residency, Roley Yuma, and the performance art/dance party that is Outside Residential. We kick things off at 10 pm tonight and since it’s FREE/ALL AGES, it’s a great chance to stop out and see what’s happening….

MP3: Roley Yuma “Crossville, TN Witchunt 1987″

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