This Thursday THE TAKEOVER is…well… taking over good ol’ HoB for the second time, ushering in five local acts for a night of ambient folk, pop-funk and whatever that watercolored cross-species couple on the flyer suggests.
And the best part? It’s FREE (free) [free] {free} for students! No medieval philosophy paper needed, just bring you college ID to the door. Not a student? No worries. We’re all broke at heart, and a $5 cost is still a steal given the night’s bill.
In true spirit of Boston’s large population of college kiddos, we’ve assigned each band in the lineup a fitting-but-maybe-distgustingly-fictional liberal arts degree. Hopefully the academic terms lead you to view this show as proper replacement for tomorrow night’s homework.
Grey Season ~ Marmalade Engineering and String Theory
Like artisanal jams and parentally approved engineering degrees, Grey Season sounds timeless and, in fact, is. The folk five-piece incorporates strings upon strings, making for a rustic, warm style overtop calculated planning among instruments. Hearing banjo, mandolin and Irish bouzouki live from these seasoned experts should be enough to convince your attendance. But, if you need further rhetoric, check out Grey Season’s recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert above!
Ripe ~ Dancing Fruit Studies
If this major existed, we would all waste our days envying its selected students. And that case holds true with Berklee-spawn Ripe. They’re all fun, all the time, making it natural to listen and point with an “I wanna hang out with those guys” attitude. The group’s upbeat songs are characterized by brass and the general funk of overly matured fruit. It’s dance-worthy stuff guided by lead vocalist Robbie Wulfsohn’s fearless voice, a marvel in its own right.
Oh, Malô ~ Comparative Color Economics
Oh, Malô is that class act that swings from tone to tone dramatically but with enough style to guarantee an “indie rock” status. They’re dynamic and colorful but also on a literal level. The four-piece released two color-themed EPs this fall and winter in anticipation for their full-length album out this spring. To keep yourself busy until their third EP drops, check out the Red EP along with AP’s interview with the band about it.
NOVI ~ That-feeling-when-you-find-the-matching-sock-ology
Otherwise know as “satisfaction studies,” NOVI‘s specialty walks the line between heavenly harmonies and well-paid-off efforts. NOVI is a full production beyond it’s two-person outfit of Adam Halliday and Rebekah Samarin. The vocalistic project is a culmination of videography, sound design and a host of people working behind the scenes. What results are effortless performances by Halliday and Samarin, such as in the cover video above. Don’t miss out on seeing, hearing and realizing all of that in the live setting tomorrow night.
The Western Den ~ 20th Century Crop Rotation History
Local ambient folks of The Western Den do an exceptional job at setting a mood that’s specific and comforting. For that reason, they get the history degree concerning ongoing practice and wheat fields. Banjo-centric songs with constant forward momentum support both this assignment and a live audience’s sense of home. The group’s tunes, although seemingly best suited for a rural back-country porch sitting, will surely fill HoB with nostalgic warmth.
With all that jargon said: CLASS DISMISSED. WE’LL SEE YOU AT HOB, KIDS.