Surfer Blood at Beachland Ballroom, Sunday, June 6th (w/ The Pains of Being Pure at Heart)
Florida has never been a bastion of indie rock, but for the past 9 months (of the 12 months they have officially been a band), these guys from West Palm Beach have been tearing it up from coast to coast. They deliver riffs straight from the back catalogs of The Pixies and Sonic Youth, and that is a good thing. Unsurprisingly, the impact of seeing the Atlantic Ocean on a daily basis has created an aura of summer-surf on these catchy compositions. Surfer Blood's debut album, Astro Coast, should come with a warning label: may induce listener to display public air guitar performances. If you made the mistake of missing their show at Now That's Class last fall, before the buzz surrounding them became a deafening pitch, do yourself a favor and do not make the same mistake twice. I know it's a Sunday night, but it will be worth it. Plus they are opening for one of Brooklyn's finest indie fuzz poppers, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
Toro Y Moi at The Grog Shop on Wednesday, June 9th (opening for Caribou)
On Wednesday, June 9, Cleveland is hosting a tri-fecta of musical talent: Yonder Mountain String Band at The Beachland, Edward Sharpe and the Magnificent Zeros at The House of Blues, and last, but not least, Toro Y Moi, opening for Caribou at The Grog Shop. At first, Toro Y Moi might make you think of the blissed out chill wave that crashed ashore last summer, with bands like Neon Indian and Washed Out. However, it would be unfair to pigeonhole Chaz Bundick aka Toro Y Moi. His unique stylings sound like an old school R&B singer making summery garage gems, with hip hop breaks for the nocturnal set. You might be intrigued to see how Toro Y Moi interprets Michael Jackson's classic "Human Nature," and see whether it makes the setlist that evening - once you hear it, you'll want to put it on your next mix tape. On this evening, he will be warming the stage for headliner Caribou, one of best acts in indie electronica today.
First Aid Kit at the Grog Shop on Friday, June 11th (w/ Craig Ramsey & The Nice People)
It just so happens that this month, an unusual amount of talented indie rock female-fronted ensembles are gracing Cleveland with their presence. Some of the highlights include: She & Him, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Beach House, Stars, and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. However, it's possible that one particular Swedish sister duo known as First Aid Kit may have flown under your radar – but hopefully not for long. The band is led by the Soderberg sisters (Johanna, 19, and Klara, 17), natives of a suburb located outside Stockholm, Sweden. Despite their age, these talented ladies are making expressive songs with polished harmonies and evocative melodies. These tender old souls have a sound that harkens back to another era, with lyrical imagery that conjures up tales of folklore and sea, much like British bards, Mumford Sons. Their stirring vocals might remind one of Neko Case or Jenny Lewis, and when the girls put on their pop music shoes, they resemble Icelandic chanteuse, Emillana Torinini. This is a band to watch, and why not do it live?
