Upon “Albatross” Wings – The Besnard Lakes

There’s a reason The Besnard Lakes will be composing an original score for Mark Ruffalo’s upcoming film “Sympathy for Delicious”: their mastery of emotive songwriting is well-established after three full-length albums, two of which are highly acclaimed if not anticipated.  “Albatross,” the title track of a 12″ single scheduled for release this February, gives listeners a sample of the atmospheric warmth that has kept the Canadian group well-adjusted even during the most dismal Saskatchewan winters.

The shiny darling of a song begins with an orbital dizziness courtesy of a grinding guitar that translates into the appearance of a distant, shimmering horizon.  After close to 30 seconds of this aural atmospheric cloud, Olga Goreas’ voice – more apparent compared to TBL albums of yore — invades the track with burnished equanimity amidst an angelic chorus.

True to TBL’s often tribal percussion, the drums begin to sound off intermittently, lying in wait for some greater culmination of the song as a shaker sloughs off its dusty sound amidst the cacophony.  Goreas admits her prurience for helping as all that remains is the distant guitar; it is at this moment that TBL,whose heretofore onanistic approach to crafting the track, finally erupts into glorious rhythmic brilliance, chevying across high shelves of sky upon albatross wings.

“Albatross” serves as an ingenuous supplication to multiple emotions, ending finally on what seems an uplifting note.  The single will be available February 9th (February 8 in the U.K.); the full-length, Are the Roaring Night, March 9 (March 8 in the U.K.).

Sample the track here.

No, not ‘petty’… ‘PEDI’!

When it comes to live music venues, San Antonio certainly struggles to stay competitive.  In a city where Legs Diamond and Judas Priest shows still tally stupefying numbers, the pressures of drawing a crowd without worrying whether or not Michael Prince has died increasingly vex many small club owners.  And if you’re anything like me and had to do some googling to figure out who Michael Prince was, then you should definitely keep reading this article.

It’s true that the epicenter of San Antonio’s alternative music scene is central S.A., largely concentrated around the famed-though-long-dead St. Mary’s strip, but more and more local bars are opening their doors to musicians hungry for a much needed departure from the waning trend.  Some of these bars are way off the mark despite their very honest attempts to diversify their clientele and offer their existing patrons something new.  Take, for example, Martini Ranch inside the loop on West Ave.  A nice local dive with a great built-in regular crowd, full bar, and abundant drink specials.  Its biggest problem, however, is that it doesn’t properly serve the expanding St. Mary’s genre either through its clientele or accommodations.  Unless, of course, you’re a musician keen on assembling the “stage” yourself which requires stacking enough tables and chairs to allow your band to set up in a cozy, semi-partitioned corner of the bar.  Or perhaps you like listening to a nice medley of Nickelback and booty music between sets?

Such is my skepticism when approaching these new venues eager to embrace alternative music.  Such was my skepticism when I approached The Pedicab.

Located in Southtown, the heart of San Antonio’s artisanship, The Pedicab serves as storage  for the cycle rickshaws fairly new to downtown; it also stores over 100 different brands of domestic and imported beers.  This cash-only, beer-only, no-cover venue is not only new to the city, but new to musicians interested in breaking the St. Mary’s cycle.

I initially had mixed feelings about The Pedicab when I first explored its trendy interior.  The decor was nice, although typical: corrugated tin, exposed ceiling and lots of painted, lacquered hardwood.  The furniture arrangement was disorganized and the chair to table ratio was about 3:1.  The “stage” was another story, dominated by a metal staircase that led upwards to who-knows-what and was surrounded by boxes and miscellaneous junk.  It had a lot of potential, it was just… cluttered.

But if Martini Ranch refuses to sweeten its invitation to local musicians, The Pedicab is not going to follow suit.  Within 2 months of my initial visit to Southtown’s newest venue, it not only organized the furniture in a more inviting fashion and reduced the chair to table ratio, but removed the unecessary staircase and even built an actual raised stage on which bands can perform.  Innovation is something to which S.A. has only all too recently been privy, and its trickle-down effect is overtly present in grand and minute details, from green-inspired pedicabs to venues that actually give a damn about its musicians.

The Pedicab isn’t just attractive to musicians, either.  With an eclectic collection of beers, and all reasonably priced (averaging $2 for domestic beers and $3 for imported), it’s sure to draw a good crowd year-round.  Whether you’re a patron looking for a new bar, or a musician looking for a new venue, The Pedicab opens it arms and its doors to you. 

The Pedicab, located at 415 E. Cevallos St. behind La Tuna, offers over 100 brands of domestic and imported bottled beers at an average price of $3 per bottle.  It is within walking distance of the Blue Star Complex.