Launch Weekend

With three days until the Frederick Playlist launch weekend kicks into full gear, we thought we’d offer up three things regarding the second night’s headlining act, The Knolly Moles. Set to perform at Olde Towne Tavern Saturday night, The Moles have become the go-to band for live, original music for those who like to party. Actually, for those who really, really like to really, really party.

Their latest EP, “Melancholy Bob,” is probably their best, most realized set yet, and despite the fact that it runs a meager three songs, it still marks a step toward maturation for a band that has no problem admitting how much they love the thought of never growing up. On Saturday (a First Saturday here in Frederick, lest we forget), the boys will be joined by EastAlco, Wise Eyes and Joint Effort for a show set to kick off at about 8 p.m.

For those looking to sample a bit of what The Knolly Moles can offer before Saturday, there’s always our most recent playlist that you can find to the right of these words. Though if that doesn’t work, there may or may not be a tiny podcast you can find elsewhere on this site that features not one or two, but three – THREE! – performances from the band. That’s a whole lotta Moles, right? Right.

OK. So, without further ado, here are three quick things about The Knolly Moles that you might want to know in anticipation of Saturday’s Frederick Playlist launch event:

1. A jump from EP to LP is coming. That’s right – according to guitarist Matt John, The Knolly Moles are looking to follow up “Melancholy Bob” with a full-length album by the end of the year. “We have plenty of new tracks we didn’t put on the latest EP,” he told us recently. “We should be getting back into the studio soon to finish the album.” This would mark the first time The Moles would be opting for something longer than an EP, as evidenced by not only their latest set, but “Skeezetown Blvd.,” their rowdy seven-song collection from a few years ago (insert review to said EP right … about … here!).

2. “BDSM.” Not only is that a song you can find on “Skeezetown Blvd.,” but it’s also Matt’s favorite Knolly Moles song. “I think it really encompasses where our sound is going,” he said. “Lyrically, it’s a song people can relate to. We all feel chained down at times by our jobs, a relationship or various other aspects of our lives.”

3. They really, really believe in the local music scene. In a recent interview with Bucket of Rock blogger-extraordinaire Cassandra Mullinix, the guys noted how they love to see local bands become “a close-knit family.” Some of that bloodline will be on display Saturday, of course, as a plethora of local talent takes the stage over at Olde Towne Tavern. “We love watching each other grow,” the guys added. And who doesn’t?!

Catch The Knolly Moles Saturday night at Olde Towne Tavern as they headline our second launch weekend event. The festivities are set to kick off at about 8 p.m., and be sure to bring enough money for at least three drinks … and then about three more (seriously: These dudes love to party). Oh. And five bucks to get in. Again: you can’t miss it. You won’t miss it.

Only 81 hours and counting!

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!