I thought I’d start this week’s wrap-up with a short poem.
Pollen Haiku
Red eyes, itchy nose
I think I’ve swallowed sandpaper
So f**k you, pollen
“Play Me, I’m Yours” Returns to Boston
Artist Luke Jerram’s traveling, hands-on arts project is back in Boston this fall. The project has reached 10 million people in 50 cities with 1,500 pianos placed around the globe, and the outdoor pianos were a big hit with the Boston community in 2013 (you can see pictures here). The project aims to “invite the public to engage with, activate and take ownership of their urban environment.”
This year, presenters Celebrity Series are calling for artists to decorate 60 pianos that will be placed around the city for the public to play. More details and and the application for artists can be found here.
All Together Now, Part II
In April, we wrote about All Together Now, the multimedia event that brings artists from diverse genres and backgrounds together for an eclectic performance. Their debut April show at the Lily Pad in Cambridge featured acoustic pop band The Grownup Noise, experimental film creator Jeremy Stamas’ mystery short film, and poet Crichton Atkinson performance piece. All Together Part II will be on Saturday June 25th, again at the Lily Pad. The performance will include music, performance art, and stand-up comedy. You can buy tickets here.
The Hotelier’s NSFW Album Cover Draws Attention
A band that self-describes as having “anarcho-punk leanings,” Worcester’s The Hotelier aren’t known for following the status quo. Even so, their recent album Goodness has turned heads for its album art, a photo of eight nude older Americans on a trail in Charlton. A statement about society’s filtered notion of beauty and the human body, the photo is altered for providers that won’t use a photo with nudity — it’s the same photo, except the people are pixillated to the point of abstraction. It’s designed to make people want to find the unedited photo and to make sure the message of the original photo isn’t compromised. Take a peek at Pitchfork’s interesting, in-depth discussion of the album and its cover art (NSFW).
Make Music Boston Festival and After Party
Make Music Day was launched in France in 1892 and is now celebrated in 700 cities around the world. Boston will join the celebration again on June 21st. With the intention of harboring a sense of community and festiveness, local businesses will be hosting musicians throughout the day.
When the day ends, Make Music Boston and Emerging Boston Area Singer-Songwriters will host an after party with and at Thunder Road. Free and open to the public, the event will feature performances by several local acts — the lineup includes pop soloist HEMA, indie-folk duo Jack and Katie, and headlining funk band Proper Company. In summary: 7 pm! Thunder Road in Somerville! Free, live, and local music! Huzzah!
Summer Solstice Music Festival In Harvard Square
The Make Music Boston After Party isn’t the only solstice-centric music event this month. The Harvard Square Business Association is hosting a free music festival June 18th from 2 pm to 10 pm. The ninth annual event will feature over 60 musicians from across the country performing on ten different stages. Contact Bill at wmanley@harvardsquare.com if you are a musician interested in performing.
Boston Calling Coverage: Friday and Saturday, Sunday
Video Premieres: Civic, Dallas Thornton
Album Review: Humans IRL
New Partnership: Chicken and Rice Guys