Don’t let the new year make you forget the last. We’re celebrating the Toledo music scene with some of our favorite releases of 2018.
The Go Rounds
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The Go Rounds’ 11th release, the Code EP, features four live recordings and three new singles “Pet Cemetary,” “Code” and “Holding On Hardly.” Code, released in April of 2018, illustrates The Go Rounds’ guitar work and dynamic vocal range of frontman Graham Parsons.
From regretful, wide-eyed ballads to psychedelic-fueled rock and roll, Parsons and company continue to make meaningful connections with their music. Expect a Go Rounds Toledo appearance in mid-February.
American Spirits
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Back in February, this newly-formed Bowling Green indie-emo band released their first EP: Nowhere Near Perfect. The five song release brought them attention, live shows and a solid following.
The band recently came out with their second EP, the ironically titled: No One Cares About Your Band. Mixing post-grunge sensibilities with pop-rock fun, the 13 minute EP is sensitive, nostalgic, and catchy, making for another memorable release from this local quartet.
Catch them live with bloom at 7pm on Sunday, January 27 at the Ottawa Tavern (1815 Adams St.).
Equipment
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Back in June, the local indie-pop three piece released Ruthless Sun, a sunny sounding summer release. The full length record offers sweeping, melancholy melodies, chipper bass lines, and anxious, harmonic vocals to complement angsty lyrics. The album strikes a familiar, comforting chord—consistently bright, but sometimes harsh.
Catch them live with American Spirits, Teamonade, Floor Candy, and Origami Angel on Saturday, December 29 at The Summit Shack (217 E. Evers, Bowling Green) at 7:30pm.
Tree No Leaves
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The psychedelic rock band from Bowling Green has developed a unique and groovy sound over the last ten years. Their latest release, Prophet Holographic, continues to showcase that sound along with colorful visual cover art, created by BG artist Will Santino.
Visuals have played a huge part within the band’s aesthetic. Founding member Dustin Galish explained that by collaborating with local artists, like Santino and Shawn Daley at Mohawk Studios in Sandusky who mixed and mastered the seven songs on the album, their vision has been realized.
Tree No Leaves are currently playing their last few dates of the Prophet Holographic Tour in Columbus and Cleveland.
Violent Bloom
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Subtle and sensitive, Violent Bloom’s unique harmonic chamber pop makes them a local powerhouse. Modern, personal and intense, the three piece’s artful releases have earned the band a solid name in the local scene. The band members are part of other local projects— Kate Komuniecki (Yankee Ghost, Dirty Damn Band), Kelly Thompson (Shmotel), and Jon Zenz (Bloodumpster, Katie’s Randy Cat, Shmotel)—making Violent Bloom is must-see act.
Following two releases in 2017—the Seven Sinners EP and full-length Dark Minuet—Violent Bloom released a lush, experimental five-song EP, Not Any Thing, in August, and is currently working on their upcoming LP, Anemone.
Catch them live at 8pm on Saturday, January 12 at Handmade Toledo (1717 Adams St.) during ‘Scene and Not Heard II: A Fundraiser for The Aurora Project.’
Heavy Color
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Known for sonic collages and electro-acoustic soundscapes, duo Sam Woldenberg and Ben Cohen took their project, Heavy Color, to the next level with their newest release, River Passage.
Three years in the making, the record is a collaboration between Woldenberg, Cohen and musicians from villages in Eastern Congo, made possible by Earthwork Music’s 2015 request for Cohen and Akili Jackson of Radiant City Arts to travel to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as musical ambassadors.
The result is mesmerizing, beautiful and inspired. Not even the musicians knew what the curious collaboration would create. Upcoming performances in Toledo, Kalamazoo and Traverse City are slated for early February.
