Welcome to Sonic Baptism with Spirit Lust and friends. Dim Things graciously gave me a platform to share my favorite recent releases and shows of the week (no shows this week). For a playlist of all the songs, and artists mentioned in the week’s article follow here (also includes our friends and releases). It’s been another tough week in quarantine, but music always helps. Without further interruption Sonic Baptism, this week with Jacob Saxton and Sergio Falvo.
No-Wave legends ADULT. are back with there new single “Total Total Damage” off their forth coming album Perception is/as/of Deception. It’s a chaotic track that drives the listener with an ever increasing intense synth line. Meditative chants throughout “Total Total Damage” help the listener embrace the chaos of the song. Full of industrial synths and drums, ADULT. is here to help guide you through these wild wild times. Perception is/as/of Deception is out 4/10 via Dais. – Sprit Lust
Kid Mountain, is a completely irresistible indie-pop band based out of Providence. They create these bright, infectious hooks and melodies that not only keep you listening, they keep you coming back for more. They recently released their third LP The Birds are in Misery and it is such a lovely welcome back that I can barely contain myself. The instant “Discern the Petty Ones” starts, I am sent back in time to dusty old basements in Boston where I first fell in love with this band. It starts with those drum hits, and then by the time the vocals start and that first bassline loops back around I am completely wonderstruck. Kid Mountain is an absolutely marvelous band, they possess a perfect blend of some of my favorite artists ranging from Alex G, to Animal Collective, to Modest Mouse, but they tie it all together in their own unique way. I can’t help but continue to blab on about how nostalgic this album is making me feel, but whether you were a Mission Hill kid in the early 2010’s or not (this was my fav show to ever play/host, my brother’s band played as well), this album is sure to be a new favorite. – Jacob Saxton
Disco-punk-rockers T.V.O.D. are at it again And sooner than we expected. This time it’s just Tyler (Shadow Year) and Nikki (Thick), quarantine style (emoji that wears those cool sunglasses). Straight out of their home studio in Brooklyn, we’ve got ourselves a nice 7 song EP entitled, Daisy. Today we’re gonna shine the spotlight on, “Heaven (Flipper).” “Heaven (Flipper)” is the second track and seems to have the right sort of tone for this day and age that we’re living in. Tyler and Nikki belt out the phrase “greetings from heaven” over a droning guitar that makes you wanna throw your head back and close those heavy, heavy eyes. A simple, beautiful track born out of nothing to do but make music. And it came together wonderfully. Can’t wait to see TVOD live and with a full band. But until then, we’re thanking the music gods that we’ve got a 7 track quarantine EP to tide us over. – Sergio Falvo
Dark Tea has been a staple in the New York diy scene for years whether you’ve seen him playing in RIPS or as Dark Tea youre sure to recognize him. With “Down for The Law” Dark Tea is back with his classic brand of lo-fi indie rock. “Down For The Law” is one of his strongest songs to date. Dark Tea’s laid back vocals while still smooth and effortlessly cool show so much strength, knowledge and ability of his range. Couple that with some solid guitar solos and you have an instant classic. If this is an early sign of a new release then I for one am super excited. “Down For The Law” is out now via Firetalk. – Spirit Lust
Sharing the name of the overly hyped “comet of the century” that ended up being a major let down to viewers throughout the world, Kohoutek became tantamount with disappointment. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth when talking about the band, Kohoutek. A free improv psych project based out of Philidelphia, Kohoutek creates stellar live performances of droney, dynamic music that when listened to – even years later – places you in the room with them. They recently released a cassette through \\NULL|ZØNE// that contains two sides of absolutely killer live performances. Side B, “Echo of a Creation” is a performance form 2016. As it starts, you can hear the crowd in the background amongst some auxiliary percussion and interweaving guitar working together to slowly find and form a groove. It eventually builds to heavy guitars and a steady beat that rocks forward through the rest of the set with almost no downtime. Once they are locked it becomes hard to believe that this is improv. The band works together and communicates through their instruments with unmatched talent and finesse. As you approach the end of the set the leads become even wilder as the rhythm continues to sludge on and on until it slowly disperses out to a close. Make your way to their Bandcamp, as only a small amount of tapes are still available. – Jacob Saxton
Curanderos is an improvisational psych/space rock band from Philidelphia. They share two members (Michael and John Gibbons) with the legendary Bardo Pond, and also the same percussionist as the previously mentioned Kohoutek. On “Part 3: Outer Men” sludgy, distorted guitar from one of the Gibbons’ brothers becomes intertwined with screeching noise from the other while the percussion at the backbone keeps everything in place. They go from highs to lows and then back to even more extreme highs. Towards the end of the track, the lead guitar goes so wild that it’s hard to imagine the guitarist doing anything other than rolling around on their back in a fit of hysteria. This collides with screaming cymbals and the mean, muddy rhythm guitar for moments of pure psychedelic perfection. This song is available on a recently released, mind-melting cassette through \\NULL|ZØNE// titled, Raven’s Head. As I type this, there are only two cassettes left, so don’t sleep on this tape as it won’t be around much longer. – Jacob Saxton