Woodsman at Emo's [Show Preview]

The Sky Report

Woodsman w/ Holy Wave, Straight Arrows, Manatee Tights
Tuesday, September 20
Emos (603 Red River St)
$8, 9pm
[info] | [tickets]

All jokes about the Mile High City aside, Denver’s Woodsman seem to live a mile high. Fogginess is the operative atmosphere in their music, but they’re muscular enough to warrant a reputation as an ace live act. You can see for yourself tonight at Emo’s as Woodsman heads a mixed bill of locals and out-of-towners.

Not to be confused with Woods, Woodsman nonetheless share an affinity for knotty psych jams. But Woodsman eschew ramshackle charm for a darker sense of grandeur, pushing their songs to deeper depths with guitar textures and looped electronics. The rhythm section is especially adept, blasting away with krautrock-like precision as the melodies float away. Despite the drugginess, Woodsman have an incredible work ethic, touring ceaselessly around the country and counting six releases since 2009. They’re currently on the road in support of this year’s full-length Rare Forms, but they’re got a new EP coming down the pipe in late October. With a discography littered with song titles like “View From The Vision Hand” and “I Understand Philip K Dick,” Woodsman should make for a pretty spacey experience.

Locals Holy Wave will also keep the psych fires burning, albeit in a more melodic way. They were named by the Austin Chronicle as a band to watch in 2011, and we’re watching more intently with the release of their “Best Friends” cassette single. Australian outfit Straight Arrows look to the punkier side of garage rock via last year’s debut album It’s Happening, and Austinites Manatee Tights open up the evening with a bizarre, homespun take on glam rock.

Woodsman: [official] [bandcamp]
Holy Wave: [facebook]
Straight Arrows: [facebook]
Manatee Tights: [bandcamp]