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
Fresh Track: Pony Trash “Submarine”
Pony Trash is the Minneapolis-based side project of Polica bassist Chris Bierden. The four-piece band recently dropped their debut single in the form of the shoegaze, slow roll “Submarine.” The breathy, psychedelic-infused vocals are reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s trippier material. The band has plans to release a 12″ EP later in the year, with no concrete date in place.
All of Pony Trash’s four members maintain roles in a variety of other musical projects, indicating the inner-connectivity of Minneapolis’ growing underground music scene. I keep stumbling upon more and more terrific sounds coming from this city. Female trio Is/Is’ album III is another Minneapolis release worthy of your attention.
Connect with Pony Trash via Facebook
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 
Kishi Bashi Leaves of Montreal
Just over two months after releasing his debut LP 151a, of Montreal violinist K Ishibashi announced his departure from the Athens, GA rock group in a note via Facebook, saying:
“I’m both happy and sad to announce that Kishi Bashi is now my full-time job, thanks to your generous support. I’m happy for the obvious reasons, but extremely sad that I have to part ways with my of Montreal family for awhile.“
The writing has been on the wall for the last several weeks as the buzz around 151a has grown steadily. Kishi Bashi, as has been his moniker as a solo artist, has received wide praise for the record, which was recently selected by the staff of NPR Music as one of the best albums of the year. The staff has remained smitten since Kishi Bashi stopped by their offices for his Tiny Desk performance featured below. With such exposure, the question quickly became when, not if, the violinist would set out on his own.
The news is big for Indianapolis record label Joyful Noise Recordings, who released both 151a and Kishi Bashi’s 2011 EP Room for a Dream . Joyful Noise is also home to of Montreal. I recently had the pleasure of baring witness to Kishi Bashi’s considerable talent at the label’s Fountain Square headquarters. The intimate performance was not unlike the video above, with the violinist rendering a roomful of fortunate listeners speechless. Check out IndyRock Live’s review of the show for more.
Kishi Bashi officially kicks off his summer tour at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on July 16. Check out his complete list of summer tour dates. I can promise a unique performance not quickly forgotten.
Connect with Kishi Bashi via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni