SaraLee

pic from facebook

One of the first shows I went to in Boston was a Ride the Snake Records anniversary party where SaraLee was amongst the bands that played that night. And it hit me hard, they were the purest and boldest form of low-fi. The setup is so simple, Sara on guitar and vocals and Lee on drums, but it was so intoxicating. They are my favorite because they were my first, they really showed me that there is so much music out there that is amazing and completely oblivious to me. That was almost a year ago now, and I think they have only played like one or two shows since then, and haven’t released something since 2013, so I am unsure of their status, active wise.

After the show, I went on their Bandcamp and downloaded all of their music and listened to it religiously. The site fairly is bountiful, with 5 releases from February 2011 to the most recent being from September 2013, but their facebook page seemed pretty desolate. Which created a sense of mystery in my mind, because it felt like as soon as I heard them they were already gone.

I’ve seen Lee drumming in Pucker Up more recently. He’s the most intense drummer I’ve ever seen. Pucker Up and SaraLee are obviously very different, but the intensity is the same. At one point it the Pucker Up set, at a part when he wasn’t drumming, Lee got up from his kit, walked around the stage, and then sat back down and started whaling the drums. And I just thought that was the coolest move ever.

Sara’s vocals are so unique and powerful. The music is very natural sounding and reminds me of being in the woods. It’s very calming and strong. The lyrics are simple, deep, and cool. Like on my favorite “So Sorry”, which goes like “I’m so sorry but I can’t go home with you, Things are different, Now they’re new.” The fuzzy guitar balances so well with the resolute drumming. I don’t know if they are going to play or release anything in the near future, but it’s okay because I’m still not over any of their old stuff.

MURIEL: Utter Perfection

Muriel means utter perfection. This tape project on feeding tube is a solo spilt. The first side is six songs by Lily Konigsberg (of Palaberta) and the second side is three songs by Kassie Carlson (of Guerilla Toss). This project sounds like a theory, like building one. The recording process is a learning process.                 Side A, Lily’s, has an eighties science fiction feel. Feels like it’s swarming around you. The tracks sound like techno music was dismantled and put through a filter. At some points there is an utterance of grand synths, like on “Swept by SH”. The vocals are heavily filtered and effected, and are on the verge of becoming an eerie chant. Along with some creepy keys, this side has a chaotic and otherworldly aura.                   Side B, Kassie’s, is intimate pop. It is recorded by Kassie and features her vocals, a drum machine, and which ever other instruments she plays. The drum machine gives the three songs a good beat, which gives an upbeat feel, even on the morbid “Nobody Loves Me”, with a retro twist. Kassie’s music is about feelings, like feeling something hyper-real or interpenetrating feeling, very specific. Such as the levels of body language. She writes great lyrics and that gets more of a light shown on it here than in gtoss. Everything she write has meaning, no random lyrics. Hopefully your familiar with Kassie’s other solo music, under the name Jane La Onda, this tape and the Jane tape are my two favorite tapes ever.

Bong Wish.

Photo by Molly Dower

There are plenty of psych-rock bands in Boston, but Bong Wish is the only one that truly feels like it was transplanted straight out of the 1970’s. They’re like a breath of slightly weed-scented fresh air. Bong Wish has only grown since their start. First, it was just former Fat Creeps member, Marian Saleh, recording songs in her bedroom, then grew into a 3 piece, now there is primarily 4 members, including a flutist, with additional bongettes constantly jumping in and out of the mix. Mariam cares about spirituality, love, and growing, which bleeds into the music. The harmonies and melodies of the vocals and guitars forms a tough bond. Bong Wish sounds reminiscent of the 70’s hippie dreamy tunes, but with more a dark sharpness that creeps up on you before you know it. Bong Wish only exist a live physical format. No recordings yet, but expect some soon. For now, catch them at one of the many shows they’ve been playing. The live show is an extravagant and psychedelic experience.