They’re still amping up to fête their (appropriately titled) first album, Debut, with a show at T.T. the Bear’s Place on January 27. But the SNOWLEOPARDS already received a serious nod when “Stuck in the Middle” was named Local Song of the Year at the 2006 Boston Music Awards. That song, and the entire album, which the band plan to self-release, was recorded in summer 2006 at Ducky Carlisle’s studio with Carlisle and (once local) power-pop maestro Bleu. The album was produced by the band and Bleu, who co-wrote the song “Hipmatize Me,” which is up atwww.myspace.com/thesnowleopards. Another highlight is “You’re My Home,” which frontwoman Heidi Saperstein calls “an homage to late-’70s FM guitar pop in the vein of Heart.”
AMPED: The SnowLeopards celebrate Debut at T.T.’s on January 27. |
SnowLeopard Mike Oor isn’t the only former member of Runner and the Thermodynamics to be stepping out on his own these days. Former Runner frontman Marc Pinansky has his hands full with several projects that are due in 2007. TOWNSHIP, which he fronts, will release a five-song EP that was recorded at Hello Stereo studios by Aberdeen City guitarist Chris McLaughlin. “The Major,” from their previous EP, will also be released internationally on the DVD Ski Porn documentary, which will feature a soundtrack boasting the likes of Kasabian and Wolfmother. APPLETOWN GUNSHOP, fronted by Headband’s Brad Hyland and featuring Pinansky on bass, will release an EP in early April on DC-based Hackshop Records. Recorded by Carter Tanton earlier this winter, it features such staples of the band’s live show as “Pretty Pleased” and “Upstate State of Mind.” Pinansky is also part of Carter Tanton’s Tulsa.The SILVER LINING’s 2006 debut album, Well Dressed Blues (Eye-Con), received local raves and began to spread the band’s reputation beyond our city limits. Eager to follow up, they head back into the studio over New Year’s Eve weekend to begin recording their sophomore album. They’ll be recording at Camp Street Studios, and at Bang a Sound Studio in Gloucester with Tony Goddess, who produced their debut. The band have been in discussion with several labels, but the as-yet-untitled album is so far without a home. “Glass Valentine” is a “British Invasion, Who/Small Faces type song,” according to singer Anna Price. “Your Eyes Gave Your Heart’s Consent,” she says, is a “soul diva ballad.” She predicts the overall album will be “a lot more rockin’ and a lot more soulful than the first record, with more personal lyrics.”
Local indie pop-art rockers the SELF RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS celebrate the release of their debut album, In Loving Memory, at the Middle East upstairs on January 18. Recorded last fall and winter at Verdant Studios in Athens, Vermont, it was engineered by Justin Pizzoferato, who is currently recording the new Dinosaur Jr. album, and produced with help from Jesse Gallagher of Apollo Sunshine. It will be released nationally by Black & Greene Records. Featuring favorites from the band’s theatrical live show including “Diana” and “Alan Watts,” the music “can be very poppy at times, and then go into a trippy instrumental, or into heavier rock,” according to the band.
