Louisville and the surrounding area considers itself a regionally and culturally ambiguous area. There’s probably truth to that. This mindset definitely yields some undeniably unique artists and groovy tunes that will rip open your mind with good vibes. It’s about time to highlight some of the music in the area that brings engaging cosmic riffage with a hint of colloquial charm. This is the first in an ongoing series of features. Here’s the first taste…

I’ve been meaning to write about Tiny Fights forever – at least since they debuted on the shortlived podcast back in May. This Louisville/Lexington collective straddles the median between driving motorik krautrock and crushed-lo fi freak folk bruisin’. These guys are next level. They fly on tattered and gnarly magic carpets, chiefing on the doom fire. Sonic warriors in every respect. I’m excited at the prospect of collaborating with Adam from Tiny Fights sometime in the near future (czech yo’ email, homes). “What’s Mine” is the club banger for the Sirens of Titan. Keep up with live shows on their MySpazz. (photo credit to Matty J @ Picasso)

Tiny Fights – What’s Mine
Tiny Fights – Passing Music For Trees

Idiot Glee was mentioned earlier this week, as he’s playing our show on Friday. I felt it was totally unfair to simply describe his music as “Brian Wilson incarnate,” because it’s so much more than that. Sure, James Friley belts out the distant harmonies coming from 50 fathoms under the sea as Wilson did (and Panda Bear and City Center currently do). But the unpolished cadence and hypnotic loops are what really makes Idiot Glee distinct, keeping the sun-bleached psychedelia slightly askew at all times. Friley slays all the chillbrocore artists (i.e. Neon Indian) that the blogosphere’s currently chubbin’ for. This shit is solid, and I can’t wait to hear the full length. And James… keep the production dusty and warm. Shrouds of mystery are what’s happenin’. Hear more on his MySpazz. (photo credit to James’ FaCeBoOk lolz, as captured by Jamie Lazich)

Idiot Glee – It

I’ve already discussed these groups in depth, but it’s worth noting again that Invaders and Phantom Family Halo are still the some of the best of Louisville. They are the monsters of folk. To the max. The Halo is touring with Russian Circles this fall, and are probably coming near you (if you’re a Yank). Go see about them. Invaders continues to come correct on the hashish sludge garage pop. They make Times New Viking look bushleague (and I like TNV a lot, no disrespect). And how fucking convenient… you can see both bands at Al’s Bar in Lexington on November 19. Epic. Both respective groups’ albums are available on heavy vinyl from local label Karate Body.

Phantom Family Halo – These Flowers Never Die
Invaders – Sinking Ship

Speaking of Phantom Family Halo, Softcheque is opening their album release show at Lisa’s Oak Street Lounge on November 25 (Turkey Day Eve). They exist hard in positive chillspace, cultivating a sort of live, art-damaged trip-hop teeming with good vibes. Think of them as Blues Control with pretty vocals, or a more sparse Broadcast/older Stereolab. Czech it, and if you’re in the area, RSVP to the event. I’ll be there style:

Pax Titania is like Silver Apples in the sense that PT’s Christopher Cpreck keeps the wrecked retro-futuristic electronic vibe thick by way of nothing more than homemade electrical equipment. See?

That’s DIY, son. It’s true beauty in dissonance. Pax Titania builds just enough tremolo-saturated structure to make shag music, yet just enough sonic distraction to appease the most post of post post rock talismen. No MP3s right now, but you can head over to his MySpaceTimeContinuum for a sample. “Terminal Implant” is a cut and a half.

Perhaps now would be a good juncture to share with you all that my own bedroom recording project, Meridian Signals, is now on Amie Street and Band Camp, which I greatly enjoy over MySpazz. Go see ’bout it (self-promotion lol). Just did a cover of Status Quo’s “Pictures of Matchstick Men” that Nathaniel at IGIF described as the fuzziest thing ever. It made mommy tear up.

Alright, until next time…

Oh, and if you’re in the area and feel you fit the description of… what did I call it? “Engaging cosmic riffage with a hint of colloquial charm,” I think. Yeah, so if that’s you, feel free to shoot me a submission at kb@thedecibeltolls.com. No Grizzly Bear weenie shit, though.

I know you’re already going to the Marmoset, Invaders, and the Harlequins show this Friday at Skull Alley, but if you haven’t RSVP’d yet on the FaCeBoOk event, I’d appreciate it if you went on and did that so I’ll know how much taco dip to make. But yeah, so you’re going and are probably stoked on it. How about upping the stokage by going on Friday FOR FREE?!

I have a pair of tickets that I’d like to give away, and this time I won’t even make you put forth any effort. This is a real freebie. Just leave a comment, a tweet, or shoot an email to kb (at) thedecibeltolls (dot) com sometime between now and Thursday at noon. I will pick a winner at random.

In order to claim, you must leave a valid email address or means of contact. Also, you must be in a reasonable position make it to the show on Friday.

MP3 :::
Marmoset – Lost Days For Ways
Invaders – Sinking Ship

The first person to answer the following trivia question will grip the pair. Email your answer by Friday afternoon @ 3 p.m. to kb [at] thedecibeltolls.com, or you can “tweet” or “twit” or whatever at me @thedecibeltolls. The question: Do you remember the game Space Invaders? If so, how badass was it. The bro or broette with the most correct answer will be notified by email. For you losers who failed to win the contest, tickets are $7 and worth every (no longer on the gold standard) penny. Good luck!

MP3 :::
Invaders – The Flu

Louisville’s Invaders might just be my favorite local act. They certainly could be the second loudest (Lords takes first place for obvious reasons). Invaders triumphantly achieve the coveted position of being difficult to categorize, which should by default pique your interest. Floating, their recently released debut for local label Karate Body, is a treble-heavy, noisy, yet viscerally accessible and pop-oriented body of work.

Invaders certainly take advantage of, in some ways, the resurgence of the no-fi aesthetic a la Psychedelic Horseshit and Times New Viking. However, Invaders rely on extremely tight song structures compared to the loosey goosey dissonance of the aforementioned. Snakey guitar, heavily distorted and subdued vocals, punchy rhythm, and general scratchy psychedelia rule over Floating, and the record is able to weave through oft disparate tempos and moods while remaining consistent and cohesive.

Invaders drift in the drug laments of Spacemen 3 on “Head Full of Rocks” (accompanied by the excellent backing vocals of the Sandpaper Dolls’ Amber Estes) and the noise pop of really early Yo La Tengo on “The Flu.” “Charmer” amalgamates a garage punk ethos with a decidedly shoegazey flavor. “Centipede” is pure stoner rock – Hawkwind, Dead Meadow, etc. And the title track sounds exactly like it should – ride heavy percussion, 4AD evocative dreamy textures, and a vaguely romantic swagger juxtaposed against late ’60s acid melodies. Light a doob and get lifted.

Invaders evidently love all the same music I love. Hence, I love Floating.

For fans of:  Spacemen 3, Times New Viking, 13th Floor Elevators

Fagen-Becker Quality Rating

You Louisville-and-surrounding-area bros and broettes can see Invaders August 7th on the Glassworks Rooftop. And guess the fuck what – they’re also playing the Marmoset show on September 18th at Skull Alley.

MP3 :::
Invaders – Charmer
Invaders – Floating

This show will be a killer, so save the date. You should already be familiar with Marmoset by now, and I’ll be giving you the jump on new Louisville act Invaders, who are releasing their debut this week on Karate Body, and Cincinnati’s The Harlequins.

The show’s happening at Skull Alley, which means that all ages are welcome. Skull Alley now serves a good selection of beer as well (with ID, of course). This will rule.

MP3 :::
Marmoset – I Love My Things
Marmoset – Peace in the Valley