By Samir Mathur
Contributing writer
Staff page
Tuesday – November 23rd
The Ettes at Backbooth
I saw The Ettes one time in Gainesville, opening for someone else who I’ve since forgotten. That’s the power of this Nashville-based four-piece: they are impossible to follow. So, be excited for this headlining show at one of Orlando’s best little venues. The band has a couple of pretty ladies, and plays kick-ass garage rock and roll. What’s not to love? Check out a little live session they did for WFMU’s Cherry Blossom Clinic right here.
Friday – November 26th
Tim Kasher at the Social
As the lead singer and songwriter in Cursive, Tim Kasher has written some of my favorite records of the last ten years. His first solo album, ‘The Game of Monogamy’ just came out, and – shock, horror! – it’s heavy and depressing. Like Cursive’s ‘Domestica’, this record documents the pointlessness of relationships as one falls apart. Pitchfork said that listening to the album “as a whole is like dousing yourself in gasoline” but that’s no reason not to go and see this show. Kasher’s arrangements are as dramatic and impressive as ever, and after a day spent fighting crowds just to find the right Blu-Ray player, you’ll need his brand of visceral open-heart surgery to get over the holiday.
Saturday – November 27th
Minus the Bear at Firestone Live and Park Ave CDs.
I was initially put off Minus the Bear by their wacky song titles (seriously, give this a read), but the song ‘Monkey! Knife! Fight!’ won me over not just because it was about monkeys but because it also had cool synths and sounded prog-rock but in a not-terrible way. Since then, I haven’t really followed them a whole lot, but by most accounts, their latest record, this year’s ‘Omni’, tones down the weirdness for some more conventional song structures and more accessible choruses. It’d be interesting to check them out them live, and see if the older, more weird songs fit nicely alongside their newer brothers. And go to Park Ave CDs at 6pm to see them play some songs acoustically, for free.
Sunday – November 28th
Dashboard Confessional at the Social
I never got into Dashboard Confessional, but I know plenty of people who did, and then very quickly distanced themselves from ever liking the band. Well, those people are in for a treat, because this is a solo show where Chris Carrabba will be playing all of ‘The Swiss Army Romance’ – just Chris and an acoustic guitar. If you like that album, then this is a show not to be missed. It’s a ten-year anniversary show, so feel free to say “Has it really been ten years since this came out?” and dress like you did at the end of the year 2000. For people like me, though, whose only exposure to their music is through ‘Clone High’, it’s okay to stay home.
Contributing writer
Staff page
Tuesday – November 23rd
The Ettes at Backbooth
I saw The Ettes one time in Gainesville, opening for someone else who I’ve since forgotten. That’s the power of this Nashville-based four-piece: they are impossible to follow. So, be excited for this headlining show at one of Orlando’s best little venues. The band has a couple of pretty ladies, and plays kick-ass garage rock and roll. What’s not to love? Check out a little live session they did for WFMU’s Cherry Blossom Clinic right here.
Friday – November 26th
Tim Kasher at the Social
As the lead singer and songwriter in Cursive, Tim Kasher has written some of my favorite records of the last ten years. His first solo album, ‘The Game of Monogamy’ just came out, and – shock, horror! – it’s heavy and depressing. Like Cursive’s ‘Domestica’, this record documents the pointlessness of relationships as one falls apart. Pitchfork said that listening to the album “as a whole is like dousing yourself in gasoline” but that’s no reason not to go and see this show. Kasher’s arrangements are as dramatic and impressive as ever, and after a day spent fighting crowds just to find the right Blu-Ray player, you’ll need his brand of visceral open-heart surgery to get over the holiday.
Saturday – November 27th
Minus the Bear at Firestone Live and Park Ave CDs.
I was initially put off Minus the Bear by their wacky song titles (seriously, give this a read), but the song ‘Monkey! Knife! Fight!’ won me over not just because it was about monkeys but because it also had cool synths and sounded prog-rock but in a not-terrible way. Since then, I haven’t really followed them a whole lot, but by most accounts, their latest record, this year’s ‘Omni’, tones down the weirdness for some more conventional song structures and more accessible choruses. It’d be interesting to check them out them live, and see if the older, more weird songs fit nicely alongside their newer brothers. And go to Park Ave CDs at 6pm to see them play some songs acoustically, for free.
Sunday – November 28th
Dashboard Confessional at the Social
I never got into Dashboard Confessional, but I know plenty of people who did, and then very quickly distanced themselves from ever liking the band. Well, those people are in for a treat, because this is a solo show where Chris Carrabba will be playing all of ‘The Swiss Army Romance’ – just Chris and an acoustic guitar. If you like that album, then this is a show not to be missed. It’s a ten-year anniversary show, so feel free to say “Has it really been ten years since this came out?” and dress like you did at the end of the year 2000. For people like me, though, whose only exposure to their music is through ‘Clone High’, it’s okay to stay home.