Are you the neighbors?

Last week Dylan and I made the surprisingly short trip to The Copperworks in Pittsfield, MA. According to their website, “The Copperworks is the destination for an innovative do-it-yourself community focusing on new media arts, bicycle culture, and green technologies.” Just a little over a year ago, the old brick warehouse that once housed the Pittsfield Cornice Works, was in a state of disrepair. The hard work of a few local artists has transformed the space. In addition to vintage bicycle tinkering, cabaret art classes, and outdoor movie showings, Copperworks hosts some surprisingly big name bands (though really they’re still pretty small names) from the indie-folk to avant garde.

We went to check out the Seattle-based trio, The Dead Science who stopped on their way between New York and Montreal. Early this spring, Vetiver was touring in support of their latest album Tight Knit out on SubPop and made Copperworks their last stop in the US.

Despite the old timey admission ticket and custom drawn stamp that you receive at the door, the overall atmosphere is relaxed and informal. There’s a small stage in the corner. The exposed brick walls are adorned sparsely with found art. And, of course, there are bikes.

On the drive home we decided that there ought to be more places like this. We agreed that, inevitably, there would be, especially as the price of gas rises and people continue to return to the more enriching living arrangements that small walkable cities provide.

Speaking of which, a similar type of venue popped up closer to home in the city of Troy within the last year. Located at 51 3rd Street, and known by the same, this mixed-use art/music/performance space is also home to the Troy Bike Rescue.

This Thursday, Albany’s own The Rain in Spain (if you haven’t checked them out already, what are you waiting for?) will be playing host to two Denver bands on their way through the Area.

51 3rd says:
Denver's The Kissing Party, perhaps the best damn jangle pop outfit west of Chicago, promise to snap, crackle, and pop along with precise songsmithing and bouncy melodies. Combining cleverness with emotion, the Kissing Party make the perfect songs to put on mixtapes to woo that cute boy or girl at school. Back when kids used to do those sorts of things.

Touring with the Kissing Party are Denver's The Jim Jims. Angular guitars, pounding drums, and desperate vocals create a red hot post-punk explosion.

Garage Bands in The Garage

The Albany Public Library is hosting some great local music this summer at the Garage Bands in the Garage concert series. The kickoff is this Friday and we're sharing the bill with Ben Karis-Nix, Ashley Pond Band (who just released their first record as a trio), and Mysteios.

The free after-hours, all ages rock shows take place on the third Friday of each month this summer from 6 to 8 p.m. in the garage at the Main Library’s back entrance on Elk Street. You can hear some great local bands, get a library card and check out books from the Bookmobile, and buy used CDs (just $1 each, or $1 for a grab bag of 5 mystery CDs without cases) retired from the library’s collection at the Garage Bands Garage Sale.

Grab a lawn chair, pack a picnic dinner, and enjoy some great music at the Main Library this summer at the Garage Bands in the Garage concerts.

The rest of the summer looks like this:

July 17: We Are Jeneric, Space Lounge

August 21: Tern Rounders, the Black Fuel

September 18: Red Haired Strangers, Rattling Baddlies

Sea of Trees Weekend Retreat

In pursuit of data, information, and, ultimately, KNOWLEDGE, we'll be retreating to a secret location in the nature for the weekend. Hopefully some fun recordings will result.

Sunday Night, upon our return, we'll be playing a very pleasant evening of music at Red Square with our friends Cats Don't Have Souls and guests Finding Fiction.

If we weren't going to be away, we'd be at Valentine's Saturday night for Ashley Ponds CD Release. SHUCKS!