Show Review: Dance Gavin Dance @ Empire 4.26.15
–Written by Michael Hogan
Before I get started, this is a rather bittersweet review, because Empire, the Springfield, Virginia venue formerly known as Jaxx, is shutting down as of May 5th. To get things out of the way, that is a real shame, and the venue will be sorely missed. I have personally been going to shows at the venue for at least a decade now; back when it used to be Jaxx, I saw a few great metals bands like Shadows Fall and the like. It has since been remodeled into Empire and while it has remained the home of the majority of the good metal and post hardcore shows coming through the area, it has recently been putting on a handful of really good EDM shows as well, one of which I was fortunate enough to play back in February. I have a lot of history at Empire/Jaxx, and I know it will be missed by me, and many others that have called this venue home for years.
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In Case You Missed It: The Boundless Soundscapes Of Unlimited Gravity’s “Event Horizon”
–Written by Kevin Madert
Colorado product Unlimited Gravity – real name Ronnie Weberg – has never seemed content remaining in one place musically. Beginning with his earliest self-released material (still available on his Bandcamp), the producer/DJ has displayed a keen ear for unique sounds and fresh styles. It’s led to a string of LPs with little sonic overlap and high replay value for Weberg; with his latest, Event Horizon, it’s clear that streak has been extended.
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News: Lineup Revealed For Camp Bisco 13
–Written by Kevin Madert
Camp Bisco continues to fire on all cylinders; after announcing their return a few days ago, then their new home at Scranton, PA’s Montage Mountain, the long-running festival has just released the lineup for the 2015 festival, slated for July 16-18. The bill – topped by The Disco Biscuits, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, STS9, Atmosphere, and Tipper – is varied enough to appeal to a wide audience and strong enough to make us entirely okay with last year’s hiatus.
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Review: Dayseeker – Origin
–Written by Michael Hogan
First off, I’d like to apologize, at this point I really must be sounding like a broken record. Blah, blah, blah, another good post-hardcore album, but I swear it’s been a remarkable year for the genre. And this is honestly a release that I didn’t see coming. Dayseeker is one of those bands that I have heard about time and time again, but I never took the time to listen to. I was sure they were going to be good, but of course, I was full of excuses; I was too busy, there were too many other things I wanted to listen to, and so on. Everyone I spoke to was excited about this album, and yet I never bothered to look up their previous work to figure out what I was in for. I’m almost glad I didn’t though, it gave me a clean slate with a remarkable album and an even more remarkable band. Earlier this month, when I had to review Dance Gavin Dance’s Instant Gratification, I knew I was holding it against Acceptance Speech, and I would be lying if I didn’t say that it introduced a not insignificant amount of subconscious bias into my perception of the album. I didn’t have that here, I listened to Origin in the freshest way possible. I had no preconceived notions of what to expect, I didn’t even have any idea what the band sounded like, and I feel like that helped make the experience all that more organic and honest.
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Dreamscape Artist Spotlight: Michal Menert
–Written by Kevin Madert
Dreamscape is fast approaching, and we can’t wait to join Badvss Raves and all of you at Camp Ramblewood May 8-10. In the days leading up to the festival, we’re hoping to get you better acquainted with some of the artists playing the festival; if you read about them here on the AltFreq page, you should definitely catch their performances at Dreamscape.
Colorado native Michal Menert has come a long way since his days as co-producer on Pretty Lights’ debut full-length Taking Up Your Precious Time. In the decade since that album’s release, he’s built a name for himself with his never-stationary sound and his admirable work ethic, overcoming plenty of obstacles in the process. Dig a little deeper with us as we highlight one of Dreamscape’s most forward-thinking performers.
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Breaking: Camp Bisco Returns for 2015, Finds New Home In Scranton, PA (UPDATE)
–Written by Kevin Madert
UPDATE: Camp Bisco has confirmed via Twitter it will return in 2015. The festival will be held at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA July 16-18. Regarding a lineup, the festival simply teased “stay tuned.”
Originally posted 4/28: It’s a great day for music lovers, festival goers, and East Coasters alike. Long-running Disco Biscuits-helmed Camp Bisco appears to be returning for the summer 2015 season, albeit in a new home: Scranton, Pennsylvania. The official Bisco website was replaced earlier today with a word search (see below), which was also posted to Bisco’s various social media outlets.
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