A Spectacular Terrace Lineup

I've brought it up before and will again, Madison's Memorial Union Terrace is a wonderful place. Sunsets like this one aren't the only reason that it holds a special place in the hearts of many. The Terrace also never fails to book some of the best up and coming artists around; this year is no exception. With summer well underway the terrace has already produced a ton of great music - but their schedule in the next week and a half is truly spectacular.

CORY CHISEL AND THE WANDERING SONS
This Friday at 9:00 the Terrace features Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons;One of my favorite up and coming Wisconsin acts. Cory Chisel hails from Appleton, WI and has really started to gain popularity since the release of his debut album last fall. Chisel's introduction to music(like so many greats) was through the power of Gospel. This strong influence is clear with just a listen. The power, range, and unpolished qualities of Chisel's voice and words do more than hint at his influences. With his roots firmly entrenched in gospel, Chisel is able to branch out in the directions of rock, folk, and Americana with ease.

Chisel’s debut album, Death Won't Send A Letter, is dark rock & roll at its core. It takes a stance on such things as the meaning of love and spirituality. The songs seek to make sense of both the outside world and inner desires. Chisel had help from some relatively big names on the album including Adriel Harris and “Little Jack” Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather). Here is a taste of his stuff...



Stream Cory Chisel on myspace

THE HEARTLESS BASTARDS
The terrace keeps the heat up next Sunday night with a huge show headlined by the Heartless Bastards, a great garage-rock band out of Cincinatti, OH. Often compared to the Black Keys (the natural parallel to draw for any solid Ohio based rock band) the Heartless Bastards feature Erika Wennerstrom on vocals, piano and guitar - the driving force behind the band. Dave Colvin plays drums and Jesse Ebaugh slaps the bass. The Heartless Bastards latest album, The Mountain, (released February 2009) delivers the powerful drive that their fans have come to expect, but also changes things up by adding mandolins, banjos, and strings (three things I'm particularly fond of. The bottom line is they kick major ass.





Stream the Heartless Bastards on Myspace

PETER WOLF CRIER
Opening up for the Heartless Bastards is Peter Wolf Crier, who I am not too familiar
with, but have heard about a couple of times in the last two weeks. I checked them out tonight, and they seem pretty cool. The duo is out of Minneapolis, MN, which is
really a great place for music. Their album, Inter-be was released on May 21.

Peter Wolf Crier - "Hard as Nails" from Northern Outpost on Vimeo.

I'll see you there,
Ben