As we gear up for the official Frederick Playlist launch weekend Friday and Saturday, we are going to spend this week checking in with the two headlining bands: Heavy Lights, who are set to take the stage at Friday’s Cafe Nola show, and The Knolly Moles, who are topping the bill at Saturday’s Olde Towne Tavern show.
Today, we thought we’d offer three quick things about Heavy Lights’ new album, “Mad Minds,” which will be on sale for the first time at Nola on Friday. Or, in other words, in addition to the event being an introduction to the public for this particular website, the concert will also be the official record-release party for Heavy Lights and their debut LP (of which we will have a review later this week). And because the guys were kind enough to allow us to hang out at this Friday’s show to promote our website, it’s only fair that we reiterate the fact that … well … you really ought to pick up a copy of this new record either before or after they take the Nola stage. Duh.
So, without further ado, here’s three quick things about Heavy Light’s “Mad Minds” that you might want to know in anticipation of Friday’s record-release/website launch event:
1. It’s an actual record. That’s right. As lead singer Ryan Nicholson told us on Friday, they believe it’s the first time (either ever or in a long time) that a local band was holding an actual album-release party for an album that’s actually an album. Got all that? Good. Because in addition to the vinyl pressings, the set will eventually be released digitally, just in case you threw out your turntable with those old Foreigner records back in 1989. But then again, who would want to press a silly “Download” button, when you could otherwise own this beautiful, circular conveyor of music that you can actually feel in your hands, all packaged by some neat locally bred artwork? Yeah, that’s what we thought.
2. “It sounds like Woodside in headphones.” That’s what guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist/soft-talker Derek Salazar said when asked to review the end product. And what’s Woodside, you ask? Good question. It’s the cabin these guys stayed in while tracking the album. So, in addition to you getting that warm, fuzzy sound only vinyl can offer (because you’re going to buy the album Friday, right?! RIGHT?!), you can also sleep easy knowing that “Mad Minds” was concocted somewhere in the middle of the woods. How great is that?
3. They plan on playing the entire album Friday night at Cafe Nola. That’s right – in addition to a few select covers (which we cannot reveal because we were sworn to secrecy), Heavy Lights are looking to make sure you – yes, you! – can, at the very least, preview the entire LP before grabbing a copy on your way out the door. And even if it won’t be in the exact order the record provides, you’ll at least be able to sonically digest what exactly is on the other end of that album cover. It’s kind of like living in a house for a year before deciding if you want to buy it. These Heavy Lights dudes: Gentlemen of the purest kind.
Catch Heavy Lights at their record-release party when they take the stage Friday around 10:30 p.m. at Cafe Nola. Can You Canoe? is set to open the festivities at 9:30 p.m., and be sure to bring enough money for at least three drinks and a brand new album. Oh. And five bucks to get in. You can’t miss it. You won’t miss it.
Only 107 hours and counting!
