Future Islands, with Ed Schrader’s Music Beat and Javelin / Mr. Small’s / 10.26.2011 / 8:00 / $12

Words by Brendan

A Future Islands show is as much about theatre as it is music. I’m not saying they stage mini plays or anything like that, but there’s definitely a heavy aura of artistic performance associated with their stage presence. In particular, singer Samuel Herring jumps around, pounds his chest, glares at the crowd, shouts to the heavens … It’s fucking powerful, I assure you. You have a chance to see Future Islands stretch out on the big stage at Mr. Small’s in two weeks, and we might be giving you TWO FREE TICKETS. This is a live show not to be missed, so hurry up and enter the contest!

Future Islands / Walking Through That Door
Future Islands / Tin Man
Javelin / Lindsay Brohan
Javelin / Vibrationz

I made those claims about theatre and music up above because I was lucky enough to catch Future Islands the last time they were in town, at the Brillobox back in February. The room was absolutely packed, and I was towards the middle of it, and I would see Herring’s head bob up and down above the heads in the front row as he stood with a wide stance, holding the mic straight up and yelling at the ceiling, or leaning forward and pounding his chest for emphasis, sweat pouring off his face and just oozing with emotion (see video here). It was like no rock show I’d ever seen, really, and I’m tingling with anticipation just thinking about seeing them again. Band mates William Cashion and Gerrit Welmers fill in the sonic spaces with lush synth sounds and well-placed bass. You won’t even notice/think about the lack of a drummer, the way the melodies weave in and out and over each other and the bass rumbles and interjects and undulates. Their new LP, On The Water, was just released yesterday (you can buy it via Thrill Jockey Records or stream it for free (this week only) via Spinner) and it is incredibly good. I loved 2010′s In Evening Air for all of its neo-New Order atmopsherics and expressive lyrics (“Tin Man” is a real standout track) but I feel like this one is even better and will just keep growing on me. The sound spaces are a bit wider, the content is as powerful as ever but more polished and interrelated (ostensibly, it’s a concept album about lost love and beaches, in some combination), and it makes for a wonderfully cohesive album. (“The Great Fire” also features vocals from Wye Oak‘s Jenn Wasner #swoon.) I’m definitely looking forward to seeing these songs live. Check out their video for album cut “Before The Bridge” (directed by Lower Dens‘ drummer Abe, interestingly):

Future Islands / “Before The Bridge” / On The Water [Thrill Jockey, 2011] / dir. Abram Sanders

 

Touring with the band is fellow Baltimore-based, Wham City member Ed Schrader’s Music Beat. I’ve actually seen this group twice and was strangely intrigued by them. It’s just Ed (and one companion, sometimes) and a giant drum, banging away and singing in a deep voice, or screaming at the top of his lungs. Sounds weird, and it is, but it’s entertaining and engaging, I’ll give him that. Also playing at this show is NYC-based duo Javelin. I don’t know much about them, but they seem to have an incredibly eclectic sound mixture, sampling oldies and hip hop and country (or themselves) and anything else they find and just building little interesting vignettes of songs. Pretty cool stuff, and an interesting line up, overall.

So, leave a note on our Facebook wall (like us first!), @ us on Twitter (with the hashtag #FIpgh, and follow us first!), or send me an email to enter the contest! Just say “I wanna be walking through that door to the Future Islands show!” or “Future Islands are close to none!” or the like. It really doesn’t matter. We’ll pick a winner (at random) next Monday morning and let you know who the lucky guy/gal is!

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Buy tickets for this show: Online / Call 412.821.4447 / Mr. Small’s website

Future Islands on the web: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound
Ed Schrader’s Music Beat on the web: Website / Facebook
Javelin on the web: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insound

Filed under: Live Music, Ticket Giveaway