Congratulations again to Probably Vampires, announced Monday at noon as the winner of the “final battle” of Battlerusa Battle of the Bands. They won over six other regional winners.
i:scintilla announces its signing with Belgian label Alfa Matrix, home to electronic acts such as Front 242, Collide, Leaether Strip, Hungry Lucy, and Avria. i:scintilla is writing and recording tracks for its second album, due Dec. 2006. Alfa Matrix plans an EP with songs from prior album The Approach, plus remixes by Combichrist and Das Ich, due June 2006. In the meantime, singer Brittany Bindrim has recorded two songs with Die Warzau. i:scintilla plays tonight at Cowboy Monkey with Sounddrifter and Cameo Turret. Show time is 10 p.m., and cover is $4. This will be i:scintilla’s second and last live performance anywhere this year.
Last month, fireflies recorded six songs for an EP: the prologue and epilogue in Champaign, and two through five in Villa Park at Gallery of Carpet. Keith Buzzard and Brian Zeiske added vocals. The songs are being mixed and mastered next month and are due on a local label mid-April. The EP will run roughly 25 minutes and feature original artwork. fireflies plays tomorrow at The Iron Post with The 1900s, The Impossible Shapes, and Drakkar Sauna. Show time is 9 p.m., and cover is $5. fireflies also appears Feb. 27 at WEFT for WEFT Sessions.
As noted before, Lorenzo Goetz releases the Heavy EP tomorrow. The six-song EP alternates production among local celebrities Andy Lund (moved to San Diego), Brett Sanderson, Anthony Gravino (moving to San Diego), and Adam Schmitt, as well as Lorenzo Goetz itself. Title track “Heavy” and an exclusive live, acoustic version of “Jesus Elephant” are available for free download from liveUP, a campaign for campus safety through Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District. The Urbana release party is at The Canopy Club with Dropped Once, Abstract Giants, and KrÅkid. Show time is 9 p.m., and cover is $7 at the door, $5 in advance. A Chicago release party follows Saturday at Wise Fools Pub in Chicago with Sarmas and Indignant.
Also noted before, Joni Laurence presents a recording concert at Unitarian Universalist Church in Urbana, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Emphasis is on eleven new songs for her fourth solo album. With her will be guitarist Matt Stewart, bassist Josh Walden, drummer Jeff Magby, and vocalist Ryan Groff. Laurence was Manager of Labor and Employee Relations at The University of Illinois before she left in May 2004 to focus full time on music. The recording concert is co-sponsored by local businesses such as Corkscrew Wine Emporium; Wind, Water, and Light; Verde Gallery; and Arìma, all of which have accommodated previous Laurence performances. Complimentary refreshments will be provided, and prizes will be raffled. Sadly, this is also a farewell concert for Laurence, who will move to Oregon in May.
Wednesday, Will Hoge returns to The Canopy Club, with Southern Bitch and Backyard Tire Fire. Show time is 9 p.m., and cover is $7. Meanwhile, Mike ‘n Molly’s hosts Mad Science Fair, The Pomonas, and Pulsar47. Show time is 10 p.m., and cover is $3.
Todd J. Hunter hosts WEFT Sessions and Champaign Local 901, two hours of local music every Monday at 10 p.m. on WEFT 90.1 FM. Send news to soundground@excite.com. Support your scene to preserve your scene.
