Muzzle of Bees crosses the 5-year line next month. We wanted to do something a small showcase of some of our favorite local and national bands in one of our favorite clubs in Milwaukee. We’ve teamed up with 91.7 WMSE to welcome our friends The Daredevil Christopher Wright back to Milwaukee after winning over the sold out crowd opening for Bon Iver at the Riverside Theater back in October. In addition to The Daredevil Christopher Wright we’re filling out the bill with Common Loon, Strand of Oaks, Conrad Plymouth, White Pines and The Small Cities.

Please join us at the Cactus Club on Saturday, February 20th and help us celebrate our 5 year anniversary.

Tickets: On Sale Now ($10)

Previously: The Daredevil Christopher Wright cover Megafaun
Previously: The Daredevil Christopher Wright :: 5 Albums
Previously: In Deference To A Broken Back

Buy: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – In Deference To A Broken Back
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “The East Coast”
MP3: Strand Of Oaks – “End In Flames”
++
Flier: Erik

A new feature here on Muzzle of Bees will focus on some of our favorite bands sharing 5 of their favorite records. We kick off the feature with The Daredevil Christopher Wright who we caught up with when they played Club Garibaldi last month. If you missed that show you can catch them on the Daytrotter Barnstorming Tour (Turner Hall Ballroom, October 8th) and a couple nights later opening for Bon Iver at the RIverside Theater on Sunday, October 11th. The latter being a benefit concert for AIDS Walk Wisconsin. Madison fans don’t miss their set at Forward Music Festival next weekend.

Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (Jason’s pick) This is Brian Wilson’s masterpiece. Maybe it’s too cliche to write down but I wouldn’t know that because I only started listening to it two or three years ago. I love the orchestral aspect of the instrumentation and vocals paired with the profound simplicity of the lyrics, which I understand were written in collaboration with Tony Asher.

Tom Waits – Rain Dogs (Jon’s pick) A timeless crazy circus of an album that amazes me every time I listen to it.

Elliott Smith – XO (Jon’s pick) Elliott Smith was hugely influential for me and continues to be. His melodies and songwriting are catchy and tragic, beautiful and sad at the same time.

Counting Crows – August and Everything After (Jon’s pick) This was one of the first records that really blew me away lyrically as a kid.

Bruce Cockburn – Sunwheel Dance (Jason’s pick) Bruce Cockburn was one of the artists that my uncles introduced me to as a child. Perhaps part of my attachment to him as a musician is sentimental (he made some albums with the typical 80s synth that can be hard to listen to) but he remains an extremely vibrant lyricist even in his recent releases. I also love finger-style guitar (though I rarely play it) and this album features a lot of it.

Buy: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – In Deference To A Broken Back
++
Myspace: Daredevil Christopher Wright
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “The East Coast”

I’m thrilled to be co-presenting tonight’s fantastic triple bill of The Rural Alberta Advantage + Roadside Graves + The Daredevil Christopher Wright with my friends at the WUD Music Committee. Anyone who caught The Rural Alberta Advantage last night at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee will tell you they put on an amazing show. It was one of the best I’ve seen all year. Easy.

This free event lifts off around 8:30 and I would highly encourage anyone not familiar with the opening bands to get there early. I promise you’ll be impressed. There is a ton of great music going on in the city of Madison tonight, so choose wisely and enjoy whatever you check out.

Buy: The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
Buy: Roadside Graves – My Son’s Home
++
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Don’t Haunt this Place”
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Frank, AB”
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Far And Wide”
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Ruby”
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “The East Coast”

Bon Iver will perform a special show benefiting AIDS Walk Wisconsin at The Riverside Theater on Sunday, October 11th. Tickets are $25 (includes a $1 donation to AIDS Walk Wisconsin) and go on sale August 21st.

Fellow Eau Claire natives The Daredevil Christopher Wright open the show.

Photo: Ed Oliver
++
Download:
MP3: Bon Iver – “Blood Bank”

The Daredevil Christopher Wright release their new album In Deference To A Broken Back today via Amble Down Records. Last week, we dropped “A Conversation About Cancer” into our weekly podcast and today I’m happy to offer a free download of “The East Coast” for your preview pleasure.

This release marks a huge step for this homegrown group from Eau Claire, WI, who laid an already impressive foundation with their live shows throughout the state. Look for them in a city near you.

Buy: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “In Deference To A Broken Back”
++
Myspace: The Daredevil Christopher Wright
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “The East Coast”

We’re once again joining forces with the fine folks that make up the WUD Music Committee by bringing MoB favorites the Bowerbirds to the University of Wisconsin’s Der Rathskeller on Friday, March 27th. The Bowerbirds’ Hymn For a Dark Horse was one of our favorite records of 2007.

This is another free show that includes support from Eau Claire’s Amble Down Records: The Daredevil Christopher Wright and The Wars of 1812. Everything gets underway at 8:30, we’ll see ya there!

Previously: 5 Questions With Bowerbirds

Buy: Bowerbirds – Hymns for a Dark Horse
++
Myspace: Bowerbirds
Mysapce: The Daredevil Christopher Wright
Myspace: The Wars of 1812
MP3: Bowerbirds – “In Our Talons”
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “The East Coast”
MP3: The Wars of 1812 – “Radios Unsigned”

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+