This weekend (Friday, to be specific) St. Louis will play host to the record releases of three of its finer bands: CaveofswordS release its debut offering on Friday at Heavy Anchor (click here for a profile of the band by Christian Shaeffer), Aquataine (formerly Supermoon, then Super Maroon) release its new EP at the Firebird, and the upstart pop-punkers in Best Friends release its EP at Fubar. When purchasing these newest offerings, please remember that temperatures are in the triple damn digits, so don't leave them to melt in your car. If you're looking for some motivation, check out how we desecrated some vinyl in the hot sun yesterday.
Other artists playing in town this weekend include Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (see our interview with Jason here), the Mynabirds (check out our interview with Laura Burhenn here) and the Nappy Roots. The rest of our picks follow.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit @ The Sheldon 8:00 p.m. | $15-$20 Isbell has held the stage just fine lately while sharing it with legends like John Prine and idols like Ryan Adams; you get his undivided attention in the best-sounding venue in town. (KM)
Lucero @ Plush 8:00 p.m. | $18-$20 Hard touring country punk Lucero makes a welcome stop in River City -- it's a good weekend at the new fever dream in Midtown. (KM)
CaveofswordS Record Release @ The Heavy Anchor w/ Syna So Pro, Ou Ou, Sinfinis 9:00 p.m | $5 Sunyatta McDermott has an endless voice; Kevin McDermott builds a mean song, and they both play guitar pretty damn well. They may be new to town in this arrangement, but it sure doesn't sound like it. (KM)
Water Liars @ Off Broadway w/ Bo & the Locomotive 9:00 p.m. | $15 Both Water Liars and Bo & the Locomotive are leaving for tour soon (separately); come out and make this show a proper send-off for two of St. Louis' finest. (DH)
Aquitaine Record Release @ The Firebird 9:00 p.m. | $8 Aquataine releases their new EP at this show; think the Clash meets Joy Division, or maybe the Kinks plus Pulp. Or don't think anything at all and just go to the show and listen for yourself. (DH)
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Friday @ the Sheldon
Best Friends Record Release @ Fubar w/ Strangers Now 8:00 p.m. | $8 Pop-punkers Best Friends release their new EP at this show, with hardcore mainstays Strangers Now opening. Both bands are worth your time and merch money. (DH)
St. Louis Art Project Conference @ Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis w/ Lamar Harris, Syna So Pro, Eric Hall, Ra Calium, Thelonius Kryptonite, Black James, Loose Screwz, So Many Dynamos, 18andCounting 7:30 p.m. | $1o The open-armed exchange of ideas and energy that is the SLAP conference returns with a new venue (the highly appropriate CAM) and a strong focus on fostering the artistic folks in St. Louis. Come for the acronyms, stay for the big minds and bigger talent. (KM)
Nappy Roots @ Plush 11:00 p.m. | $12 Down-South rappers Nappy Roots bring their rural-rap stylings to Plush. Confused? So was the music industry, but these boys have undeniable talent. (DH)
Signals @ The Heavy Anchor 9:00 p.m. | $5 As the latest incarnation of The Mae Shi, Signals' noise-punk calls to mind other weirdos of the genre such as An Albatross. Expect a genre-destroying weird time. (DH)
The Mynabirds @ The Firebird 8:00 p.m. | $10-$12 Laura Burhenn builds strange, dangerous and seductive pop music as the Mynabirds -- the recently released Generals holds any metaphor for battle you choose to seek. (KM)
