Dawg Yawp, one of Cincinnati’s finest newer bands drawing national attention, is set to release its first full-length album Friday. The duo’s self-titled LP is being issued in conjunction with Old Flame Records (oldflamerecords.com), the now Cincinnati-based imprint that released recordings by critically acclaimed acts like Cloud Nothings and Potty Mouth, as well as local bands like Harbour and Frontier Folk Nebraska.
Dawg Yawp includes songs that appeared on the twosome’s head-turning 2015 debut EP, Two Hearted, including the sunny, swelling Psych Folk anthem “I Wanna Be A Dawg.” The album also includes the more recent singles “East Virginia Blues” and the driving “Can’t Think,” a brilliant representation of vocalist/sitar player Tyler Randall and vocalist/guitarist Rob Keenan’s fascinating and innovative sonic swirl of traditional Folk, Middle Eastern sounds, pulsating Psychedelia, strong Pop-ish melodic instincts and Indie Rock majesty. That song and others have led to widespread music blog and press attention for Dawg Yawp, and also frequent airplay and praise from NPR.
Dawg Yawp’s debut will be available for download Friday at dawgyawp.bandcamp.com. Friday at 10 p.m., the duo hosts a free album release party at MOTR Pub (1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com).
Ladyfest Cincinnati Returns
Ladyfest Cincinnati, the local chapter of a global movement that began 16 years ago in Olympia, Wash. and includes similar events in cities all over the world, returns this weekend to various venues in Northside. Ladyfest is a community-minded celebration of and rally cry for women artists and activists, featuring music, spoken word, visual art, films, lectures and workshops. It’s also a nonprofit, volunteer-fueled event — though all events are free, proceeds from donations go to various charities.
The musical lineup for Ladyfest Cincinnati this year is again heavily reliant on Cincinnati’s music scene, and also features several regional/national acts.
Ladyfest officially launches on Friday with a showcase of the Caravan Traveling Sound project. The colorful, roaming van — which is outfitted with recording gear and musical instruments in an effort to encourage musicians of every age and ability to climb on board and jam/record — was featured on CityBeat’s cover last week, and will be in front of Northside Tavern (4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsidetav.com) starting at 7 p.m. Later Friday at the Tavern, local Post Punk group The Night Divided will be joined by Indianapolis’ Service and Cincinnati-via-Dayton, Ohio’s Moira. In the Tavern’s front room, local band Mardou performs, followed by Chicago’s Absolutely Not. Internationally renowned Cincy Indie Rock trio Leggy headlines Friday’s Ladyfest activities at Northside Yacht Club (4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, northsideyachtclub.com), joined by Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Haybaby, Detroit’s Prude Boys and others. Friday’s Ladyfest lineup at Junker’s Tavern (4156 Langland St., Northside) features Swim Team, as well as fellow locals Lisa Walker (a singer/songwriter/guitarist for renowned Cincinnati rockers Wussy) and Birdie Hearse. Columbus, Ohio’s Pretty Pretty is also on the bill. Meanwhile, The Listing Loon (4124 Hamilton Ave., Northside) has Louisville, Ky.’s Ink Well and Cincinnati singer/songwriter Rachel Mousie.
The Black Plastic record store (4027 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/blackplasticrecords) is a Saturday Ladyfest participant, hosting an 8 p.m. all-ages show featuring Louisville’s Wombo and great Cincinnati band Smut. Saturday at The Listing Loon, local groups The Lovers and Darlene play. The Northside Yacht Club will feature Cincy acts Kid Stardust and Lipstick Fiction, as well as Richmond, Va.’s Misunderstood and New York City’s Shellshag. The Saturday Ladyfest lineup at Junker’s has Cincy’s KNCKA, as well at Miami, Fla.’s Period Bomb and Baltimore, Md.’s Curse. Saturday at the Northside Tavern, on-the-rise local duo Lung plays the back room for Ladyfest, joined by Chicago’s The Cell Phones and NYC’s Larkin Grimm, while the Tavern’s front room hosts Dayton’s SKRT and Rochester, N.Y.’s Green Dreams.
For Ladyfest Cincinnati updates and previews of the musicians performing, visit facebook.com/ladyfestcincinnati. More info can also be found at ladyfestcincinnati.com.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: mbreen@citybeat.com
This article appears in Oct 12-19, 2016.