Photo by Jen McManus. All Rights Reserved.

Fresh off the press over at Knocks from the underground‘s blog is a review of The Art of Shooting’s upcoming album release. “The Art of Shooting pull their generally shoegazy tendencies through filters of girly innocence and hard rock. The tracks on their first full-length album, Traveling Show (unsigned, due out April 2010) swoon and swirl with noisy guitars and an enveloping haze, but in that sea they’ve always got a handy life preserver tight around their waists.

Their potentially contrasting styles make for compelling shifts in mood that work well, largely due to the strength of singer and main songwriter Kelly Irene Corson. She embodies the startling innocence of a young person who screams of empowerment but is shivering inside, all while employing layering techniques that add a sense of universality at the most crucial moments.

But mainly, Corson is a powerhouse, delivering yelps that recall the likes of Rainer Maria or Sleater-Kinney, and certainly embodying that energy. The wash of guitar noise accompanying her produces a softer effect than the aforementioned groups, a disorienting atmosphere rather than straight-up rebel rock. The percussion is straight and strong, driving the songs through their emotional highs and lows while finding room for flourishes even of the arena-rock kind. Though Corson is upfront, most especially because her already commanding vocals turn out to be quite personal lyrically, the other members Jim Archer, Julie Rozansky, and Gavin Dunaway are no mere background.

“It Goes (Home),” a nice survey of TAOS’s sound, begins with an adorable do-wop vocal line that soon becomes a gentle initial performance by Corson. As the track moves along, extra layers come in as other characters, adding emotions alternate to the one initially established. While the guitars buzz around angrily or clatter in an almost indistinguishable pattern, the combination of strength and confusion is driven home. The kicker, though, is when this all dissipates and some acoustic strums come in among the readoption of the opening vocal line — the roller coater takes charge without ever turning one’s stomach.

The Art of Shooting says that some of their influences are, “Galaxie 500, Boris, Ethel Merman, Sundays, Mcklusky, Belly, Sugarcubes, Dead Meadow, Suicide, Low, Spacemen 3, Suicide, Engine Down, Jawbox, Dismemberment Plan, Sleeper, Rainer Maria, Bettie Serveert, St. Vincent, and Marching Bands across the US of A”.

“No One Two” beings slow and teasing, as if it were going to be the ballad, though the guitars are too sinister for such a thing to actually occur. A prominent maraca shakes over a dreamscape that stews along intoxicatingly with a short and pleasing melody until it becomes clear that everything will explode. And it does so with an energy that suggests this band would be great to see live, all glittery jam with feedback galore and crashing drums. Corson reaches skyward for a couple of lines before settling back into the song’s initial lullaby. A mostly trustworthy narrator with a dark side not to be ignored, it’s unclear whether she should be pitied, trusted, or feared. But she should definitely be listened to.

A basement with no windows saw the birth of songwriting that came from the overactive pelvis, and a love of the ugly and loud. The Brooklyn dream-punks forge an auditory surge that is artful, melodic and full of vocal harmonies. Aggressive, dissonant lullabies are mixed with hints of PJ Harvey, Blonde Redhead and Polvo.

Traveling Show is an intensely personal work for The Art Of Shooting’s singer/songwriter/guitarist Kelly Irene Corson, who growls, shrieks and hums with a vibrato vocally evocative of Siouxsie Sioux and Chrissie Hynde balanced with the tenderness and vulnerability of St. Vincent and Feist.

Week: March 11th to March 14th, 2010.

Sasquatch and the Sick-a-billys (left) bring their psychobilly mix to O’Brien’s (the perfect venue for them) on Thursday. Watch out for flying beer bottles, and puke (no, seriously). With them are old time rock’n'rollers The Egos. Shows at O’Brien’s are 21+, and this one is $8.

According to their fan site describes there music as, “Ruthless, gritty and hellbent!!! This trio will be the break-out band of the year. A relentless touring schedule has cemented SASQUATCH as one of the most high gear, powerhouse entertainers around.

Keeping real music alive and dangerous. Local, Regional and National Music Veterans join forces to launch an attack on the Underground Music Scene… Sasquatch on Guitar/Vocals, MR. JUSTIN on Upright Bass and Mike Levesque on drums were reborn and risen from a not so forgotten past, when Rock N Roll, Metal, Country and Blues still meant something… All will become One, as our bloody fingertips deliver you a matching pair of broken eardrums. Get ready, the Revolution hasn’t happened yet.”

Also at O’Brien’s, this Saturday You Lion celebrates the release of their EP End It On The Bridge. They are sandwiched between openers Nassy, and the mighty Piles headlining. Piles are a mostly instrumental 3 piece with hard hitting drums and Slint dynamics. This is a rare show for them, and not to be missed.

“Nassy are a three piece indy rock/alt/grunge band from Boston. The band first came to be as a two piece in 2008, though Jeff and Jordan had been playing music together since before the two were in high school.

With the line up being completed in the fall of that year, the band went into the studio and completed their debut album in the spring of ’09, “Nassy,” which was released in September. Nassy are currently working on writing the follow up to their self titled debut and playing in and around Boston, with talk of an east coast tour for this coming spring/summer.”

Sunday night, you can catch the recently reunited Shore Leave playing a free show at The Middle East Downstairs. Their brand of math-rock isn’t just technically impressive, but it is also hooky – you might recognize their tune “Water” on a commercial for WBZ-TV news. Joinig them are Air Traffic Controller, and Mugison (from Iceland) – the whole evening is a part of the Taste Of Iceland event. (Knocks From the Underground)

“If you dumped blues, power pop, psych rock and heavy metal into a transmogrifying machine, the machine would rumble mysteriously, then spit out a brightly colored block of a hitherto unimagined polymer known as Mugison.” (According to Fans)

The Air Traffic Controller’s fan page says the band was formed, “After a buzz filled year, which included a nod from MTV, performing at the Boston Garden, and teaming up with legendary power-pop maestro/producer, Bleu, Air Traffic Controller has signed on with Sugarpop Records and has released an extraordinary debut, bound to shake up the airwaves in 2010.

The hype initially started when singer Dave Munro was overseas, serving in the US Navy as a real-life air traffic controller, sending home songs he’d recorded on his old 4-track. “Making music, at that time, was merely a way of coping with homesickness and a long distance relationship,” says Munro of his Navy days, “but things changed when people started listening.” Upon completing his enlistment, Munro returned home to a surprising number of fans in Boston and immediately began constructing a recording studio with his brother, drummer, Rich.

As the heartfelt songs trickled out, an acoustic demo of “Don’t Tell Me What To Do” reached one of Munro’s favorite musical artists, Bleu, who quickly signed on as producer for a full-length debut. The album, entitled “The One”, is a charming, yet daring, creation of classic rock proportion and head-turning indie pop freshness, that is proving itself irresistible to just about anyone with ears.”

The compositions won’t be breaking any boundaries or blowing any minds, but they do achieve that pleasing catchiness that makes it easy to nod the head and wait for the enjoyable payoffs. Coons’ vocals and strums are accompanied by guitar, bass, and drums that create a young rock vibe, bringing rhythms and solos that lift the tunes from pure bedroom sap.

Coons also brings a playful feel to his work through ever-grinning photos and a generally silly tone on his website and press materials. He’s admitting his youth, but this behooves him with its insistence on casual enjoyment and relaxed abandonment to pop. His cover of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” nicely sets the tone, in that the song itself is inarguably pleasing; listeners are then ready for the presentation of his singing style and general boy-and-his-guitar-ness.

Tracks like “Legs” and “Boxing the Cold” bring guitar pop if that genre ever existed, and it’s soon clear that Coons can write himself a melody. In the end, he comes off as a good pop guarantee — he does soft but not too sappy, rockin’ but not too loud. He’ll make your head bop shamelessly unless the cheese factor makes you puke first. -Review by Knocks From the Underground.

“Jer hit the ground running in 2009, with an impressive batch of new songs earning him comparisons to a younger John Mayer, or an older Nick Jonas (the talented Jonas Brother) and everything else in between. Jer and his live performances are better than virtually all singer songwriters for several reasons:

He does not shop at Urban Outfitters trying to buy trendy things in an attempt to look ten years younger, because if he did look ten years younger, he would look like a ten year old

His backing band is better than the tapes Milli Vanilli used

He won most musical in his high school year book

And boy, can this kid write a pop song.

Armed with drop dead catchy melodies, boyish good looks and a charm equal to or greater than Paris Hilton, Jer is poised for national recognition during the coming year. In the meantime, look for Jer Coons on a crowded street near you. His debut LP “Speak” drops September 29th and you can hear his song “Legs” playing in all Hollister stores.”

Wendy Fox just made the announcement that Boston is organizing three significant winter hikes that are receiving advertisement from the Mass. Conversation Blog.

“We all know how tough it is to convince ourselves to go outside and play on a cold winter day. But with studies linking diminished exposure to sunlight at this time of year with depression and sleep problems, it seems pretty clear that getting outside might be just what the doctor ordered.

There’s ice skating, of course, and snowball fights when precipitation complies, but for sheer non-competitive, feel-good fun, nothing beats a winter hike. Almost any DCR park in the Commonwealth would be a nice place to walk, but here are three great ideas worth considering.

Remember to wear shoes or boots appropriate for hiking. Bring water and sunscreen as appropriate.

Wednesday mornings, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.,Beat the Winter Blues Hike, Harold Parker State Forest, North Andover, 978-686-3391. DCR and the Friends of Harold Parker have joined forces to lead a free hike through this lovely park every Wednesday morning. This winter, they plan to cover all the trails in the park. Meet at the headquarters, 305 Middleton Rd., North Andover and be ready for a beautiful walk.

Sunday, March 28, 7 a.m., Three Peaks Hike, Blue Hills Reservation, Milton, 617-698-1802 ext. 3. Get an early-morning start on fitness and fresh air in the Blue Hills Reservation south of Boston. Try this 3-mile hike with a DCR Ranger up and over some of the most scenic hilltops the Reservation has to offer. It’ll be a fast-paced hike summiting three peaks, should take about two hours, and will finish before most people are even getting up. Just think how virtuous you’ll feel! Meet at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot, 840 Hillside St., Milton.

Monday, March 29, 6:30 p.m., Full Moon Hike, Middlesex Fells, 617-913-2895. If those morning hikes above aren’t quite what you’re looking for, how about a night-time hike during the March full moon? Head up to Wrights Tower in the Middlesex Fells with a DCR Ranger and take in beautiful moonlit views. The next hike starts in the Bellevue Pond parking lot on South Border Road in Medford. The hike is not difficult and should last just over an hour – and if you can’t make the March hike, there’ll be another one during the April full moon.”

Women’s History Month is upon us! As much as the ladies of LUPEC love our cocktails, we also love our history. We spend a great deal of time on the finer points of cocktail history in this here column, and for the month of March, we’ll also be celebrating the great and often unsung forebroads who paved the way for us. We hope you’ll join us in raising a glass with a hearty “cin-cin!”

Monday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, a holiday we first learned about from an ex-pat friend living in Italy. We don’t really celebrate it here in the US, but Women’s Day has been observed in countries around the globe for nearly a century. In Italy, men give women yellow mimosas (not bad, right?) and girlfriends gather for women-only dinners and parties (anyone who’s seen an episode of Sex and the City probably finds this commonplace, but in Italy, our friend reports, it’s kind of a big deal). In some countries, like Poland, Women’s Day is similar to America’s greeting card-infested Mother’s Day; in others, such as Pakistan, it’s a day to commemorate the struggle for women’s rights.

Women’s Day was created during the rapid industrialization of the early 20th century, which caused the rise of the labor movement. On March 8th, 1908, 15,000 women protested in New York, marching for voting rights, shorter hours and better pay. The Socialist Party of America declared February 28th the following year National Women’s Day.

In 1910, Women’s Day went global. The delegates to the second annual International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen unanimously approved an International Women’s Day, an occasion to lobby worldwide for women’s rights. The following year, on March 19th, more than a million people attended rallies around the globe, campaigning for women’s rights to vote, work and hold public office. The holiday was moved back to March 8th two years later, in 1913, and has been celebrated then ever since.

Ladies’ Cocktail
Adapted from The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock

1.75 oz bourbon
0.25 oz anisette
0.5 oz pastis
2 dashes angostura bitters
1 pineapple spear

Stir in a mixing glass with ice; strain into a chilled cocktail shaker.

CIN-CIN!

FOR MORE GREAT COCKTAILS AND WOMEN’S HISTORY, VISIT LUPECBOSTON.COM.

According to Wiki, “International Women’s Day has been reinvented many times since its inception. On the eve of the Great War, it was a day for peace rallies. In the 1960s, second-wave feminists revived it. In 1975, the holiday received official sanction from the UN and has been an officially sponsored holiday ever since.

LUPEC suggests celebrating your favorite ladies this Monday with—what else?—a Ladies cocktail.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries (primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet bloc). In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother’s Day and St Valentine’s Day mixed together. In others, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.

The IWD is also celebrated as the first spring holiday in the Northern Hemisphere as the first day of March is considered the first day of the spring season.

On occasion of 2010 International Women’s Day the International Committee of the Red Cross is drawing attention to the hardship displaced women endure. The displacement of populations is one of the gravest consequences of today’s armed conflicts. It affects women in a host of ways. But far from being helpless victims, women are resourceful, resilient and courageous in the face of hardship.

Women displaced by armed conflict – often living alone with their children – are frequently exposed to sexual violence, discrimination and intimidation. Many face poverty and social exclusion as well. International humanitarian law therefore includes specific provisions protecting women, for example when they are pregnant or as mothers of young children.

“If you happen to be stuck in Boston this weekend and not coming to New York for our Knocks showcase at the Delancey, there are options!

Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents (pictured) are hosting their CD Release party Friday night at TT The Bear’s. You might know Jen from her stints in The Downbeat 5 and The Dents. Joining her are Barrence Whitfield and the Monkeyhips, Jordan Valentine & the Sunday Saints (ex- World’s Greatest Sinners), Gene Dante & The Future Starlets, Blizzard of 78, and Jed Parish. Eli “Paperboy” Reed and the DJ’s of Soul-le-lu-jah spin between sets. This is a night of soul, R&B, and rock that is not to be missed.

Saturday the 6th, Dear Leader performs at Great Scott. Headed by Aaron Perrino, the band continues the anthemic tradition of The Sheila Divine (who Perrino fronted). Also performing are Arletta and The Hush Now.” — Knocks

“This May 17th to 21st is Bay State Bike Week, a week when Massachusetts celebrates bicycle transportation. This year, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) will collaborate to make Bay State Bike Week an exciting statewide happening, with events throughout Massachusetts. We are all excited about promoting biking as a mode of transportation; it’s safe, it’s economical, it’s healthy, it’s environmentally-friendly, it’s fast, and it’s fun!”

Catherine Cagle MASSDot manager announced, “We’re hoping you join us this May 17th to 21st for Bay State Bike Week, a week when Massachusetts will celebrates bicycle transportation!

This year, MassDOT and the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) will collaborate to make Bay State Bike Week an exciting statewide happening, with rides and other events in every corner of Massachusetts. This partnership between MassDOT, the state transportation department, and MassBike, Massachusetts’ statewide bicycling advocacy group, enables the two organizations to work together to get the word out as widely as possible, and to broaden the scope of Bike Week events.

To kick off the planning today we’re launching the 2010 Bay State Bike Week website at www.baystatebikeweek.org. In the coming weeks we’ll be adding information for event organizers and participants. Event organizers can already use the website to submit your event for the website’s statewide calendar! In addition, watch for information on how to receive cool stuff for your event, including t-shirts, reflectors and posters while supplies last. We’ll also provide you with ideas and advice on organizing new events.

We are all excited about promoting biking as a mode of transportation; it’s safe, it’s economical, it’s healthy, it’s environmentally-friendly, it’s fast, and it’s fun! We are building on two years of successful efforts by Boston-area groups to unify Bike Week events, a decade of organized Bike Week activities in Western Massachusetts, and a long history of Bike Week celebrations across the Commonwealth.

May is fast approaching, so start planning now! Mark May 17-21 on your calendar for Bay State Bike Week and check the website for more information.

MassDOT’s Bay State Bike Week participation is part of our Healthy Transportation Compact. Learn more about the Compact.

Laser Show and “Big Ideas” Kick-off
2010 Cambridge Science Festival
April 24 through May 2

Cambridge, MA: An extraordinary laser show specially commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser will officially launch the 4th annual Cambridge Science Festival on Saturday, April 24th at noon at the newly renovated Cambridge Public Library. Hundreds of events, almost all of them free, will follow over the course of the nine-day festival.

“What better place to celebrate all things scientific than right here in Cambridge, home to many of the greatest scientists and engineers in the world,” said festival founder and MIT Museum director John Durant. “No place else on Earth has the concentration of superstar researchers, science & math-based companies and big ideas. The Cambridge Science Festival is a way for the whole community to get involved with the globally significant work going on all around us. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”

Inspired by art, music and film festivals, the Cambridge Science Festival is a multifaceted, multicultural event that promises to make science accessible and engaging, highlighting the impact of science and technology in our day-to-day lives and beyond. Its offerings include adult only debates, presentations and receptions, as well as family focused activities and teen events including a video contest. Last year’s festival attracted more than 30,000 visitors to its workshops, demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, talks, performances, film screenings, and more. For the full schedule of events, visit

http://www.cambridgesciencefestival.org

The festival is a collaboration among MIT, Harvard, the City of Cambridge, WGBH, and the Museum of Science, Boston.

Generous sponsors include MIT, the National Science Foundation, the City of Cambridge, Pfizer, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Biogen Idec Foundation, Microsoft, MIT’s Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Program, Amgen, Harvard University, Vertex, Alnylam, BioMed Realty Trust, Cambridge Community Foundation, Draper Labs, Google, IBM, MathWorks, Novartis, Analog Devices and CDM.

For additional information, photos, or to arrange an interview contact Nilagia McCoy at nilagia@gmail.com, or 805.705.6713.

“Will you hate the rest of the world or will you renew your life?” asks singer-songwriter-producer LiLi Roquelin on the cover of her brand new album. This question is just as tender as it is thought-provoking and it can reflect how her music blends delicateness with a touch of darkness.

These catchy songs are graced by her crystalline vocals which give a strong, focused presence that haunt her piano-based progressive electronic sound. As we are invited in by the addictive melodies and piano rhythms from the first track “Come and hear my story”, it is quite difficult to resist to the charm of this endearing French import from a small town on the Riviera who came to the US to pursue her music career.

Other pieces in this thoughtful collection reveal her gift for conveying emotional truth and artful songs, like the down-tempo stringsorchestrated “Give you my love” and a French cover of Danny Elfman’s “Sally’s Song” (Tim Burton/ Nightmare before Christmas). This full-length album is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed fan-funded EP, released just over a year ago and recipient of two best music video awards.

With her musical talent and dazzling presence, Ms Roquelin definitely knows how to strike the iron while it’s hot and launches her new record with a breathtaking new music video for “Should you get mad”. A must hear… and see.

Nora E. Lindner with Knocks From the Underground has a great write up about Lili, “Lili Roquelin grew up on southern coast of France and has been propelling herself forward since childhood. She dreamed of coming to the US to have a music career and so far that is exactly what she has done. In the past, she sang with the pop-rock band Phizzy Lager and collaborated on an album with Hate Dies Hard.

Now on her own, it’s hard to imagine that the artist needs anyone else. Crisp with talent, Roquelin is more accomplished than most people of any profession can ever hope to be — her entire album is produced, written, composed, arranged, performed, recorded, and pre-mixed by Roquelin herself. She also does her own PR and marketing.

In fact, the only help she’s seemed to have had is from her dedicated fanbase: Roquelin’s first release, LiLi Roquelin (2008), was completely fan-funded. The music video for the EP’s single, “I Saw You,” won the 2008 Best Music Video Queens International Film Festival and 2009 Best Pop Music Video Indie Gathering Film Festival.

Now Roquelin’s released her first full-length album, Will You Hate the Rest of the World or Will You Renew Your Life? (2010). The first track, “Come and Hear My Story,” is a literal invitation that from any other artist would come off as heavy-handed. But Roquelin, with Sarah McLachlan-esque grace, makes it all sound more appealing.

The sliding dissonance and dense composition that follows puts her music firmly in trip-hop, where it settles deep. Complex ballads with lingering themes of love and loss fill out the 9-track album, all sung with that undeniably endearing accent. “How We Grow” is a music box waltz and “Give you My Love” is a poignant call for the return of an old lover. Violins composed by Roquelin and performed by Laura Kay give this song the profound coating of old folk tradition.

Everything Roquelin touches she makes her own — even things she hasn’t created. Her cover of “Sally’s Song” (written by Danny Elfman for the Tim Burton cult-classic, A Nightmare Before Christmas) is nothing short of perfect. Always a haunting show-stopper, translated into French it becomes a song of grand devastation.

“Renew,” from which the album’s title comes, is a bitter operetta. Arguably the darkest song on the album, the first light grows with a hum of “I’ve been wondering, should I write about this?”

Whether or not she regrets it, we’re glad she did. Will You Hate the Rest of the World or Will You Renew Your Life? is now available for purchase. The new music video for “Should You Get Mad” (premiered February 15) can be seen on Lili Roquelin’s official website.”

Join DrinkBoston.com and four of the Boston bar scene’s rising talents at a cocktail party at Green Street on Sunday, March 14. Boston Bartenders on the Rise will showcase some of the men and women around town who are making a name for themselves with a combination of drink-mixing prowess, hospitality and character.

Each bartender will mix a favorite cocktail and spend some time mingling with the crowd, talking cocktails, spirits, bartending and matters of similar importance. Recipes are still under development, but there will be a range of ingredients and flavors to satisfy the discerning drinker. Call Green Street today to make your reservation. Here’s the lowdown:

Green Street, Sunday, March 14, 7:00 p.m.
Four cocktails, plus a special welcome punch
Passed appetizers
Tickets: $40
Reservations strongly suggested. Call 617-876-1655.

Carrie Cole of Craigie on Main started working in Boston restaurants when she moved to the Hub from Portland, Oregon, to attend Boston University. She started as a bartender, moved to cooking, became a pastry chef, then returned to the bar. After a stint at Sibling Rivalry, she was scooped up by Craigie on Main, where she is now senior bartender.

Evan Harrison of Deep Ellum hails from Sherman, Texas. While studying literature and philosophy at UMASS, he began learning classic cocktails and craft beer as principle bartender at the Independent in Somerville. Late last year, he crossed the river to join the staff at the cocktail/beer bar Deep Ellum in Allston.

Bob McCoy of Eastern Standard grew up in Middleton and started cooking in his uncle’s Malden restaurant when he was in high school. In college, he spent summers tending bar on Block Island, then moved to the Wild Horse Cafe in Beverly. After six years there, Bob was “looking for another opportunity, one that would take my profession to another level, and found it at Eastern Standard.”

Emily Stanley of Green Street entered the industry as soon as she turned 18 and left her hometown of Westford to study briefly at Suffolk University. She worked at Fire and Ice, Bukowski Tavern in Cambridge, Deep Ellum and Trina’s Starlite Lounge before nabbing her current position as bar manager of Green Street. Along the way, she went to school for esthetics and to be a personal trainer.

This is gonna be fun. Hope to see you there!