Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/18/2014

These last two weeks caught the rise, return and explosion of many local acts. If you’re looking for the run-down on Boston’s latest jams, you’ve found yourself in the right place.

Current Berklee student Mckenna Flaherty released Speed of Light last week, an acoustic single with erie sliding guitar underlays and gorgeous Missy Higgins-esque vocals. Country singer-songwriter meets intergalactic traveler. Be sure to check out this rad, slightly spacey track on Bandcamp!

Did you miss Godsmack day? Declared August 6, Mayor Martin J. Walsh honored local rockers Godsmack with their own day of recognition in Boston. The 90’s hard rock band just released their sixth studio album, 1000hp (title track and single of the same name), their first release since 2010. The official, honorary day was announced at a WAAF-hosted ceremony last week. For more on the event, check out WAAF’s complete coverage here (note the Mayor’s donning of sweet new Godsmack threads).  

Bim Skala Bim is back with its first major New England tour in a decade. These guys jump-started Third Wave Ska in the 1980’s. Bim Skala Bim, with King Hammond, Malabar, Mr. Kowalsky, the New Limits, opened at the Middle East in Cambridge last Thursday night. Sharing mics with audience members and blasting brass tunes until the morning’s wee hours like they weren’t a day over 20, the ska legends ignited the audience with energy. Check out concert photos here.

In case you missed our own bit of news, we’ve been named Boston’s “Best Local Blog” of 2014, winner of WGBH’s Boston A-List award. We’re honored to have received such recognition and we hope you’ll keep stopping by for the latest bean-town music happenings.

Here’s what went up most recently:

Listen Local: 5 Chill Electronic Tracks You Need To Hear Now

New Sounds, New Shades (of) David Gray

13 Daytrotter Sessions Featuring Local Acts4

Dark Pop: Radclyffe Hall

STL GLD (Moe Pope & The Arcitype): My Monday Morning Music