If our recent review of this, the newest album by 19-year old South Portland native Jesse Gertz didn’t have you hooked on Glass Fingers, Wednesday night’s show at SPACE Gallery at 538 Congress St. in Portland might just do the trick. The indie-electronic fusion act will be joined by fellow Maine natives Captain Hollow and Brooklyn noise-punk band Pterodactlyl for a show that is going to be as varied in its lineup as it will be loud.
Although Gertz has been releasing music for years under various names prior to Glass Fingers, it wasn’t until this that the prolific songwriter truly gained the attention of the Portland music press with the album receiving universal critical acclaim. Combining intricate electronic production with genuinely confessional songwriting, this still stands as one of the best releases of 2011.
Starting up where their chaotic noise-rock band 1800s Sea Monster stopped four years ago, Jakob Battick, Ryan Higgins and Patrcic Cunningham have come together once again in Captain Hollow. Combing the intricate guitar work of post-punk trendsetters Mission of Burma and Fugazi with the everything-on-the-line intensity of early ’90s emo, Captain Hollow has many in Portland seeing a new side of Battick compared to his dream-folk output of the last three years. “I suppose it’s in my nature to be somewhat contrarian, at least in regards to the music I make,” said Battick. “As soon as people start attaching expectations to what they’re percieving of my character it’s time to flip the script.”
And flip the script he has, if the first taste of Battick’s contribution to Captain Hollow the single, “Hour Of Need” is any indication, their full-length, set to be released later in the year, will be filled with ferocious and angular guitar rock and likely will be one of the year’s most exciting releases in Maine.
The doors for Wednesday night’s show open at 8 p.m. with tickets available at the door for $8 and like most SPACE Gallery shows, it’s 18+.
