Video: Sleeping Bag “Minus”
Bloomington’s Sleeping Bag was one of our favorite new Hoosier projects in 2011. Their band generated a bit of buzz with their debut LP Slime. The album was deceptively energetic, balancing danceable rhythms with Dave Segedy’s understated, almost anhedonic delivery on vocals. This resulted in a release that seemed like one giant shrug, in the coolest fucking way possible. Yesterday, Sleeping Bag debuted a video for the track “Minus” produced by fellow BTown musician Chad Serhal (She Does Is Magic). Serhal is a talented visual artist (see: The Waste of Ink) and an avid movie junkie on top of being a damn fine musician. It’s interesting to watch as these artistic endeavors collide.
When I asked Serhal about his intentions for the project and the influence that Sleeping Bag’s music played in the video, he had this riveting detail to share, “I don’t know.” As is often the case with art, the viewer is left to interpret the piece however they see fit.
Sleeping Bag has a handful of tour dates across the East Coast slated for July. Check them out, live and in the flesh, at one of the spots listed below. If Twitter is an honest medium, then Sleeping Bag’s sophomore LP is in the can, and should see light of day soon via Joyful Noise Recordings. Keep your ears open for more details as they emerge.
Tour Dates:
7/18: Cleveland, OH @ Happy Dog
7/19: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Roboto Project
7/20: Philadelphia, PA @ House Show tba
7/21: Brooklyn NY, @ Death By Audio w/ Shark
7/22: Shippensburg, PA @ The Thought Lot
7/23: Columbus, OH @ Cafe Bourbon St w/ Meadower
7/28: Carmel, IN @ The District Exchange
Connect with Sleeping Bag via Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp
Written by Rob Peoni
Video: Bowerbirds “Sweet Moment”
Raleigh, NC’s Bowerbirds released an impossibly cute video for their track “Sweet Moment” today. The track appears on Bowerbirds latest album, The Clearing, released in March. The video features a young girl ditching, what appears to be, the trek to college for a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend. The footage fits nicely with the song’s Buddhist notion of living in the present. Grab your copy of The Clearing from Dead Oceans.
Connect with Bowerbirds via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni
Vintage Track: Archers of Loaf “Wrong”
Dated tracks delay the flood. I enjoy reaching back in the collection to find that one song that grabs me so tightly that it makes it impossible to jump back in the now. These moments help to give validation to my growth as a listener. While my musical interests wonder as new introductions are made, it is these reconnections that help to maintain my sanity. These tracks provide simple reminders to slow down and appreciate. Reengaging with an old favorite is a powerful escape. These experiences breed a certain level of intimacy that offers tremendous moments of reflection. As my head begins to sink slowly under the water I find a moment to breathe and show my admiration for “Wrong” by 1990s indie rock cornerstone, Archers of Loaf.
This song was just one piece of their magnificent debut release Icky Mettle. This album was recorded in the band’s home of Chapel Hill, NC and released in 1993. This record is a solid collection of songs painted by the heavy fuzz of distortion. While an argument can be made for each of the thirteen songs on this record it is “Wrong” that garners my full attention.
This song mesmerizes me because of its dedication to simplicity. Singer, Eric Bachmann’s lyrics are both straightforward and easy to absorb. The line, “I’m just being honest, it’s the least I could do” sticks and provides a courage cry for those trying to break it off. Strong rhythms of distortion ring out and can easily remind the present day listener of bands like Yuck and Surfer Blood. This track is meant for repeat listens and can serve as a confidence builder for those who might be sinking because of someone else. Get a lift on Tuesday and check out a song and a band that influenced some of the best current indie rock projects.
Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 