Here's something you might be interested in.
In the Before Time, when emo was not yet synonymous with guyliner, lip rings, anime haircuts, narcissism, self-mutilation, and skintight Hot Topic tees, a handful of Midwest bands defined an era of mid-‘90s emo by adding math rock complexity and odd time signatures to the unrefined, confessional vocals of Washington D.C. post-hardcore/emocore predecessors such as Fugazi, Embrace, Nation of Ulysses, and Rites of Spring.
Two of the most influential bands from this epoch were Illinois acts Braid and American Football, both of whom would disband by the turn of the millennium, shortly before a number of watered-down “emo” outfits gained mainstream popularity by adding the worst elements of pop punk to the equation and consequently redefining the genre as cheesy, self-indulgent hormone fodder for your suburban tween nephew.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/aug/06/29271/
Sure, Braid and American Football are undeniably linked in my own memory to arguably cheesy shit like nostalgia, coming of age, and high school crushes, but I still nearly cut myself with glee when I read that Braid would be reuniting for a gig at South by Southwest last March (and subsequently nearly cut myself in remorse when I missed it).
Now in the midst of a nationwide tour playing their classic 1998 album Frame and Canvas in its entirety, Braid will be at The Irenic (3090 Polk Avenue) in North Park for an all-ages show on Thursday, August 16 in anticipation of the release of a new 12” record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsIJkdQ3ZSE
Joining them will be Owen, the solo project of Mike Kinsella from American Football, seminal early-‘90s emo outfit Cap’n Jazz, experimental Joan of Arc, and Aloha, among others.
“The impetus for Owen was a direct result of the demise of American Football,” Kinsella’s Polyvinyl Records bio reads.
“Up to that point, having been associated with a number of bands, Mike sought a project where he could have complete creative control over all aspects including songwriting, recording, album artwork, and overall artistic direction.
“When it came time to record his solo album, Mike approached Polyvinyl with the idea to take the money that normally would be spent on a recording studio and instead spend it on software so he could record the album on his own. He ended up heading to his mother's house in Chicago and turned his old bedroom into a recording studio. Wishing to avoid the connotations associated with solo singer-songwriters, Mike began recording under the pseudonym, 'Owen.'”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqPAQT1YldI
Filling out the bill at The Irenic is TS & The Past Haunts featuring Travis Shettel of Boston post-hardcore champions Piebald.
Download a free digital sampler from Polyvinyl and No Sleep Records featuring 10 songs from all 4 bands (including Aficionado) taking part in the tour.
Tickets are $18 pre-sale or $20 at the door.
In the Before Time, when emo was not yet synonymous with guyliner, lip rings, anime haircuts, narcissism, self-mutilation, and skintight Hot Topic tees, a handful of Midwest bands defined an era of mid-‘90s emo by adding math rock complexity and odd time signatures to the unrefined, confessional vocals of Washington D.C. post-hardcore/emocore predecessors such as Fugazi, Embrace, Nation of Ulysses, and Rites of Spring.
Two of the most influential bands from this epoch were Illinois acts Braid and American Football, both of whom would disband by the turn of the millennium, shortly before a number of watered-down “emo” outfits gained mainstream popularity by adding the worst elements of pop punk to the equation and consequently redefining the genre as cheesy, self-indulgent hormone fodder for your suburban tween nephew.
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/aug/06/29271/
Sure, Braid and American Football are undeniably linked in my own memory to arguably cheesy shit like nostalgia, coming of age, and high school crushes, but I still nearly cut myself with glee when I read that Braid would be reuniting for a gig at South by Southwest last March (and subsequently nearly cut myself in remorse when I missed it).
Now in the midst of a nationwide tour playing their classic 1998 album Frame and Canvas in its entirety, Braid will be at The Irenic (3090 Polk Avenue) in North Park for an all-ages show on Thursday, August 16 in anticipation of the release of a new 12” record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsIJkdQ3ZSE
Joining them will be Owen, the solo project of Mike Kinsella from American Football, seminal early-‘90s emo outfit Cap’n Jazz, experimental Joan of Arc, and Aloha, among others.
“The impetus for Owen was a direct result of the demise of American Football,” Kinsella’s Polyvinyl Records bio reads.
“Up to that point, having been associated with a number of bands, Mike sought a project where he could have complete creative control over all aspects including songwriting, recording, album artwork, and overall artistic direction.
“When it came time to record his solo album, Mike approached Polyvinyl with the idea to take the money that normally would be spent on a recording studio and instead spend it on software so he could record the album on his own. He ended up heading to his mother's house in Chicago and turned his old bedroom into a recording studio. Wishing to avoid the connotations associated with solo singer-songwriters, Mike began recording under the pseudonym, 'Owen.'”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqPAQT1YldI
Filling out the bill at The Irenic is TS & The Past Haunts featuring Travis Shettel of Boston post-hardcore champions Piebald.
Download a free digital sampler from Polyvinyl and No Sleep Records featuring 10 songs from all 4 bands (including Aficionado) taking part in the tour.
Tickets are $18 pre-sale or $20 at the door.