Siamese Twins: "We Fall Apart" + "Don't Forgive Lightly"

mp3: Siamese Twins: "We Fall Apart"
mp3: Siamese Twins: "Don't Forgive Lightly"

The Massachusetts/Chicago trio Siamese Twins have been on my radar for a minute; I believe I discovered them when Adam Whites (who runs Katorga Works and I Could Die Tomorrow) posted a track by the band on Facebook last year. I was intrigued by their name, naturally, and enjoyed how it had both dreamy and morbid connotations. Recently I returned to their self-released demo cassette (which you can download here) after attending the very inspiring Ladyfest weekend in Boston, where they performed. Here's what I wrote about Siamese Twins on Pitchfork:

Siamese Twins are a darkly-shaded Massachusetts dream pop trio who bring to mind early 4AD and Slumberland. "We Fall Apart" is a standout from their self-released demo cassette, living up to its very twee title with a mix of noisy, Black Tamb crunch and occasional bits of breathing guitar jangle, all pushed along by a quick beat and melodic 2-D vocal. It's by-the-books indie pop that's too well excuted to not garner repeat plays.

I have no idea if they plan on releasing music beyond the six songs on their demo. Also, speaking of Ladyfest, check out the 2012 sampler they put together in January.

Videos: Homegrown Festival, night 1 (Marissa Nadler, Bobb Trimble, Damon + Naomi)

Homegrown Festival is an annual underground music festival in Boston, Massachusetts, booked/managed by the 10-year-old DIY show booking group Bodies of Water Arts and Crafts. The festival's second installment took place at Temple Sound & Stage from October 15-17. Temple Sound & Stage a.k.a. "The Temple" (b. May 2010) is a recording studio, art gallery, and show space. It is located on the third floor of a building filled with office suites, i.e. a dentist, holistic therapist, parenting magazine, Taekwondo studio, etc.

Homegrown II brought bands like Damon and Naomi, Jeff the Brotherhood, Ty Segall, BBQ, So Cow, and dozens more to the new DIY space in JP. Overall, the festival was great and I think has potential to grow into something that will draw even more bands and fans to Boston. This is great because there is a vibrant underground music community in Boston at the moment (for both local and touring bands) and more out-of-towners should come check it all out. + + + + +

This year's opening night included spaced-out sets by Major Stars, Damon and Naomi, Marissa Nadler, Larkin Grimm, Bobb Trimble, and others. I was sitting in one of the recording studio's isolation rooms tabling for WTBU, handing out zines, etc. throughout the night, but I caught a bunch of videos too, posted above + below. More vids from the rest of the festival coming soon. (Some of them are HD so make them big!)

Marissa Nadler


Bobb Trimble


Damon & Naomi

Birthdays chilled at WTBU, played at O'briens, etc.

I first heard of Boston's Birthdays from my friend Lou, then my friend Diana, then my friend Mike. They all said things like 'Birthdays is awesome' and 'do you know Birthdays?' and 'he is such a chill dude' and 'you should have him play on the radio'. A couple of weeks ago I finally responded to an email and said, 'Hey Birthdays, want to play on my show?' and he said 'hell yeah let's hang out! psyched on life!'

Birthdays - Live set on WTBU's 'Left of the Dial' by leftofthedialboston

Two Fridays ago, after a four-hour Bolt Bus ride from NYC — where he'd just played Shea Stadium with Woodsman, La Big Vic, Run dmt — Birthdays (a.k.a. Sam Yaegar) jetted straight from South Station to WTBU to play live on Left of the Dial. Three days later, he played O'briens in Allston with PPALMM. MP3 of the in-studio is above; video from O'briens is below.

Birthdays is associated with the FMLY collective, so it makes sense that he is not only an extremely friendly, sprightly, positive dude, but also very busy, productive, psyched on life, etc. This fall, he has already toured the West Coast for six weeks with Vacation Dad, gone on an East Coast mini-tour with Weekends, and played at last week's CMJ/Impose fest in Brooklyn.



Birthdays also did a Nitetrotter session and has a tape out on Impose.

HOLIDAY CHEER in Allston, Massachusetts

If you are in need of some holiday cheer, check out these videos!

The first is Julian Koster & the Music Tapes performing "Zat You Santa Clause?" in my living room on 12/13 during their holiday caroling house tour. It was completely magical and surreal!

This video was taken by my friend Peisin! Check out the rest of her awesome vids from the performance here.

The second video is Caleb and the Caroling Caravan (a.k.a. Happiest Lion and Kelsie McNair) also in my living room, on 12/12, performing a rendition of "Adeste Fideles" from their new album of holiday songs. It's a great album and can be downloaded for free over at Bandcamp!

This video was taken by my friend Ali. She runs an awesome zine/blog called SHUT UP, where she writes about folk, punk, and hardcore house shows around Allston/Brighton, MA. Check it out check it out! She also has another video up right now of the Music Tapes caroling.

Happy holidays to all!