Speedy Ortiz w/ Way of Dusty Death, In the Mouth of Radness
Gabe’s – Wednesday, December 11 at 10 p.m. (free/donations encouraged)
Boy, Iowa City, you sure did get lucky with this one. Speedy Ortiz, one of 2013’s finest indie rock buzz bands, will be stopping by Gabe’s this Wednesday for an incredibly last-minute show with locals The Way of Dusty Death and In the Mouth of Radness. And best of all, it’s a free donation-based show.
The Massachusetts noise-pop outfit began in 2011 as a solo project for front-woman Sadie Dupuis. While pursuing an MFA in writing at Amherst, Dupuis expanded the project to a four-piece, taking her intimate and clever songs and imbuing them with a snarling intensity. Both the explosive sound and the biting lyrics drew critical praise for their debut full-length, Major Arcana, released this July on Carpark Records, including a Best New Music designation from Pitchfork and a spot on AV Club’s Top 18 Albums of 2013.
Dupuis’ background in writing poetry suggests an affinity for Iowa City and our literary bent, and indeed, this marks the group’s second show in Iowa City this year. However, in an interview with Pitchfork this summer, she discusses the band’s history of selling poetry chapbooks at shows and the kind of impression Iowa City has (perhaps) had on her:
“I don’t think there’s a ton of crossover with people who like chapbooks and also want to come to a show by a band that sounds like us. Well, maybe in Western Mass, but not in a basement punk show in Iowa where there’s shit and blood on the floor. I don’t think they want to walk away with a chapbook.”
To finish their banner year, Speedy Ortiz will be heading out on a short tour with The Breeders immediately after their show on Wednesday. Speedy Ortiz has drawn frequent comparisons to The Breeders and other ’90s alternative artists such as Pavement, Liz Phair, and Helium.
The show begins at 10 p.m. and will be held on the first floor of Gabe’s. Donations are strongly encouraged.
