Musicians making transition into fall
As the season changes from summer to fall, Milwaukee artists are in a time of transition.
Veteran Milwaukee rapper Blax has embraced a new stage name, Armstrong Ransome, with his heartbreaking new album “Dedicated,” a tribute to his late son. Former Fueled by Ramen act Vinyl Theatre is self-releasing its latest album “Starcruiser” Friday ahead of a fall tour.
And soul rocker Abby Jeanne is gearing up to release a polished new album with a new single — and her own festival.
These artists’ latest efforts — and three more fresh releases from local acts — are featured in this month’s edition of Must-Hear Milwaukee Music.
1. “Dedicated,” Armstrong Ransome — As Adebisi Agoro was finishing up his latest project, his 14-yearold son drowned in June. “Dedicated,” Agoro’s first project as Armstrong Ransome, is a tribute to his son’s memory, with sobering and heartbreaking sound clips of father and son threaded throughout, as Ransome raps about being a “black man in a white world,” taking stock of the inherent hardships of being born with dark skin on “Brown Babies,” but also praising a higher power for his blessings on the black pride anthem that serves as “Dedicated’s” stirring title track.
2. “Music Box Dancer,” Abby Jeanne — Jeanne’s last two shimmering singles, recorded and mixed by Wire & Vice’s Daniel Holter, showed incredible growth and promise as she’s dramatically expanded her popularity in the scene. “Dancer,” her latest single, is a slight misstep, making, in my opinion, the mistake of drenching her gorgeous vocals in reverb to create a trippy ’60s pop effect. It’s a testament to Jeanne’s natural talent that the texture and soul of her voice ultimately overcome the distracting filter, and the dreamy production further cements Jeanne’s ambitions and capabilities. Jeanne headlines and curates a two-day festival, “Abby Jeanne’s Cosmic Weekend,” Oct. 20 and 21 at the Cooperage, 822 S. Water St. $20 to $30.
3. “Nowhere to Go,” Liam O’Brien’s Faithless Followers — Holy Sheboygan! co-founder O’Brien recorded the six tracks for his debut Followers release live in a continuous take, and there’s an inviting intimacy and warmth to the EP, from the tender, whispered tone of his voice over rustic mandolin picking on the opening title track, to the sound of a creaking floor during a still moment on “We Move Our Mouths.” But after that track, “Nowhere” travels someplace unexpected and impressive, transforming into an avant-garde symphonic storm. Faithless Followers performs at Knucksfest Sept. 14 at the Miramar Theatre, 2844 N. Oakland Ave. Tickets are $15.
4. “Americana,” Nickel&Rose — Carl Nichols and Johanna Rose’s rustic folk act — formed when the newly dating couple spontaneously booked a threemonth European tour in 2016 — continues to get stronger, as singers, songwriters, musicians and as a duo, on Nickel&Rose’s second EP. Nowhere is that more apparent than the title track, a quietly earth-shattering, eye-opening testimonial, written and sung by Nichols, about being a black man performing in a music scene dominated by white men that’s practically erased its black history. “If I wasn’t standing on this stage would you wonder why I was here,” Nichols asks at the beginning. “Well I thought this was for everyone, not just a few. But I guess you won’t be satisfied until it all belongs to you.” Songs that shake up the status quo, that challenge perceptions and defy expectations — that’s how Americana should be. Nickel&Rose perform an “Americana” release show at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Company Brewing, 735 E. Center St. $10 cover.
5. “Starcruiser,” Vinyl Theatre — “I’ve got everybody listening to the song that I’m playing,” Keegan Calmes sings on “We Make the Music” from Vinyl Theatre’s third album “Starcruiser.” “Nobody’s listening to the words that I’m saying.” That’s actually a pretty apt self-assessment. Calmes is a strong singer, and the band in studio, and especially live, create charged, captivating, synth-riding alt-rock, but lyrics have been their weakest link from the start. “Starcruiser” makes some admirable leaps in that department. The words in opening track “Our Song” are still a bit clunky, and the band’s first foray into rap-like verses, on “Knock Knock” and “Done With These Days,” feel forced. But this is clearly Vinyl Theatre’s most personal album, with identifiable lyrics about facing, and in some cases overcoming, anxiety, on “Don’t Worry,” “Never Thought This Would Happen” and “Masterpiece,” the band’s prettiest earworm to date. Now, when fans sing along at Vinyl Theatre shows, it will be with more meaning. Vinyl Theatre’s “Starcruiser” tour comes to the Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., on Sept. 29. Tickets are $16.
6. “Strictly Cruis’n,” WORK – “Everyone got out, everyone but me,” Joe Cannon sings (or really, speaks loudly) on the bouncy post-punk ditty “As It Turns Out, He Didn’t Actually Have Tuberculosis.” “I should have been something by now,” he says on “Get Down.” And you can guess his feelings on the song called “Everybody Loves Me Like the Hole in My Head.” Clearly, the WORK frontman has some things to work out, but it’s a blast hearing him tackle his issues with dry wit, jittery vocals and amusing self-deprecation, set over tightly wound, roller-coaster garage rock.