$8 in advance/$10 at the door

10:30pm doors/11pm showtime

21+

 

 

MATTHÄUS:

MATTHÄUS // is a chamber folk band from Chicago and St. Paul. The band began when composer Ben Montalbano enlisted his close friends to collaborate on a few simple, yet deeply personal folk songs. As these songs blossomed into fully realized and orchestrated compositions, the result was a sound that embraces the colors of contemporary chamber music, with the emotional and structural bedrock of folk and roots music. These first songs and collaborations would eventually culminate in the recording of their first EP, “Effigy”.

"Effigy" is a collection of four songs that span both a musical and emotional arc. The order of these songs yields an intentional narrative that follows a path from reflection on loss to examination, and then introspection that ultimately leads to catharsis. The EP’s title song and opening track opens by positing a poignant question to the listener: do you even know my name? The ensuing 20 minutes of “Effigy” are an attempt to answer this opening question and a resolution isn’t realized until the closing minute of the last song, “Letters”.

Through unique orchestration and songwriting, Matthäus creates an EP that is engaging on multiple levels. At any time during “Effigy”, listeners can expect to hear bass clarinet, vibraphone, and French horn, paired with a standard rock rhythm section. The result is a seamless blending of Reich-inspired chamber music with modern greats like Sigur Ros, St. Vincent and Sufjan Stevens. - April, 2017

MATTHAÜS // began as a project of composer Ben Montalbano of Chicago, Illinois. With strong roots in folk and bluegrass as well as a music conservatory education, Montalbano started writing simple songs that served as templates to experiment with orchestration. As the songs began to take more form, Montalbano enlisted an array of like-minded artists to record and perform. After a debut performance featuring a nine-piece ensemble, the group has continued to play with the size-and makeup of the group. Performances have consisted of Montalbano solo, as well as numerous combinations of instrumentalists. With their debut EP currently in the works, Matthäus has expanded to a collective collaboration, allowing further avenues of influence. With roots in Chicago and St. Paul, Matthäus aims to capture the thoughtfulness and expressivity of contemporary classical music while maintaining a place in the world of rock and folk.Through unique orchestration and songwriting, Matthäus creates music that is engaging on multiple levels. At any time, listeners can expect to hear bass clarinet, vibraphone, and French horn, paired with a standard rock rhythm section. The result is a seamless blending of Reich-inspired chamber music with modern greats like Bon Iver or Sufjan Stevens.

 

 

 

 

Airlands:

Super proud to call Minnesota home, Brooklyn transplant AirLands is set to release their second full-length April 14th at Icehouse. AirLands is the post-indie rock moniker of Kevin Calaba (lead singer and co-founder of Stars of Track and Field) who, after a 5-year-stint with New York independent Wind-Up, suffered a severe meltdown when the big label dropped his band via text message. Calaba, living on a small lake in upstate New York and facing his third DUI charge at that point, got a call to be a mentor for a beta test of Paul Greenʼs Rock Academy. He spent the next year watching angsty teens effortlessly shred complex pieces from Page and Bonham, Jimi and Mitch, Zappa and Bozzio. A ‘tenderʼ and ‘preciousʼ indie-rocker from the Pacific NW, Calabaʼs sonic palette was subsequently obliterated. Also, sobriety finally stuck. Eventually turning to long time friend, collaborator and sonic guru Tony Lash (Elliot Smith, The Dandy Warhols), Calaba recorded what would become AirLandsʼ self-titled first release. Love and Exhale, a wistful B3-inspired composition, landed on Spotifyʼs New Music Tuesday as well as The CWs Vampire Diaries. AirLands played in and around New York City for 4 years, before finally deciding to depart the concrete chaos for a greener and more lakey Minneapolis. AirLandsʼ reimagined Minneapolis line-up features piano virtuoso Mike Vasich on keys and ethereals, Joshua Wentlandʼs jazz-infused psych drums and the melodic bassist, Matthew Heaney. Marlena Calaba joins for lilting harmonies and an occasional tambourine.

So Much to Keep, AirLandsʼ new album produced by Marcus Paquin (The National, Arcade Fire, Local Natives) and Yale Yng-Wong (Bear Hands, Chairlift), attempts to bridge the gap between familiar British icons (Peter Gabriel, Coldplay) and American contemporaries (Bon Iver, The National). Between moments of glitter and mist, the album dabbles in a more soulful space, yet remains grounded in Calabaʼs sturdy indie-rock roots. At odds with an inclination towards idealism, AirLandsʼ So Much to Keep is an artist fighting against himself.