SONIC SUGGESTIONS: of Montreal • Tokyo Police Club

The hectic holidays are finally over and it’s time for us to take a moment and look back on the year passed. We reflect on all that we’ve done right and all that we’ve done wrong. We face the coming year with an earnest desire to make the year ahead of us even better that the last. For some of us that means quitting smoking or cutting back on our drinking. Or, perhaps, we’ll make resolute proclamations of drawing back our waistlines, bringing up our GPA’s, or doing more volunteer work. I’ve never been very good at seeing my New Year’s resolutions through to the end. This year I’m doing things differently. This year I’m choosing something that I’ll not only enjoy doing, but, look forward to with wide-eyed excitement. My goal for 2011 is to see more live music and take more photographs. At least a show a week, hopefully more. And what better way to kick off the New Year than the amazing lineup January is offering up.

of Montreal
Firestone Live!
Thursday, January 13th
8 pm
$16.50 / $20.50
Despite a frequently changing sound and style, of Montreal have acquired a cult like following dating all the way back to the band’s 1996 formation. Known for his eccentric behavior and rich songwriting, frontman Kevin Barnes never disappoints live. An of Montreal show is a carefully calculated and choreographed production including, sometimes, dozens of backup dancers, actors, props, and machines specially built to launch pound after pound of feathers into the inevitably crazed audience. of Montreal are currently on tour in support of their latest album, False Priest, which highlights include guest appearances from Janelle Monae as well as Solange Knowles (that’s right, Beyonce’s sister).

No Age
The Backbooth
Wednesday, January 19th
8pm
$12 / $14
Sub-Pop Records is widely known for it’s exceptional taste when signing bands to the label. No Age is no exception to the rule. The two-piece band from southern California perfectly blend shoegaze and punk to create a unique sound that, well, rocks. Staying true to their punk root’s the band is well known for playing DIY shows in such unorthodox venues such as grocery stores, libraries, and restaurants. Despite their sometimes low-key approach to things, the band has been publicly endorsed by industry heavy hitters such as Deerhunter, Radiohead, and even film director Jim Jarmusch. Be sure to catch these sleepers on the scene’s latest album, Everything In Between.

Tokyo Police Club w/Two Door Cinema Club
and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
The Social
Thursday, January 27th
8pm
$18 / $23
I could go on and on about how the Canadian rockers, Tokyo Police Club rocked faces off earlier this year in a sold-out Firestone. Or how their latest album, Champ, was widely greeted with critical acclaim around the globe. Sure, I could write paragraphs on how Two Door Cinema’s debut album has gone silver and expected to go gold now that they have just wrapped up a tour with, who else, but Phoenix. And we can’t forget to mention that Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’s latest release, Let It Sway, was produced by Death Cab For Cuties very own Chris Walla and peaked on CMJ’s Top 10 list. A lineup with this kind of force behind it really speaks for itself, don’t be left out!

Lauris Vidal
McRaney’s Tavern
Friday, January 14th
8pm
$5
Central Florida local, Lauris Vidal, is teetering on the edge of the real deal and it’s only a matter a time before before his talent raises him to the top. After spending most of 2010 on the road touring with stand out musicians like Andy Zipf, Vidal is starting to catch the breaks he’s be so diligently working towards. In mid 2010, Vidal was picked up by the nationally known indie label, P is For Panda and he has no plans of slowing down. To see Lauris perform live is to witness talent, emotion, and stagemanship all perfectly rolled up into one neat package. Sometime guitar, sometimes homemade ukuleles, you don’t always know what to expect from Vidal. You just know that it’s going to be real and it’s going to be good. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch this local legend!


Check out more from Tiffany Mueller at Adiosambrose.com or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- TIFFANY MUELLER