Show Preview: Brazos w/ Ski Lodge & Cat Be Damned

Brazos performs at Local 506 on Saturday, Dec. 14
w/ Ski Lodge and Cat Be Damned

Another week, another internal struggle of "how the hell do I go to see all of these shows?" It's become a bit of a regular strife here in the Triangle, especially when you've got to choose between stellar locals and a regularly rotating cast of touring acts. One of this weekend's standout shows combines a bit of both, bringing Austin, Tex. based Brazos to the Local 506 along with Ski Lodge and local indie folk-rockers Cat Be Damned.

Brazos' most recent full-length Salt Water was one of the sleeper albums of the year. You may not find it on a slew of year-end lists, but it's a damn shame that you won't. Salt Water was released back in May on Dead Oceans and is washed in moments of blissful musical release. Songwriter Martin Crane crafts immersive art-pop album that feels like an enriching journey through one man's innermost thoughts. Pulsing guitar riffs are countered brilliantly by wispy, slow-brooding ballads that bounce along with a steady determination.

Ski Lodge brings along bright, cheerful indie pop as well, but strays further away from the melodic tendencies that Brazos does. Ski Lodge is the rhythmically focused counterpoint to Brazos, while Martin Crane builds his intricate tracks around his lush melodies, Ski Lodge's tracks are all abound with toe-tapping and head-bobbing rhythms that beckons for a sun-soaked summer day. Shimmering guitar lines and simplistic drum beats may define the vibes of these tracks, but songwriter Andrew Marr fills these songs with darker, introspective lyrics to make for an interesting dichotomy between the elements that make up these songs. Half of you wants to unwaveringly bounce along to the cheerful rhythms, but your head gets lost in the deeply personal lyricism.

Opening up the evening will be local act Cat Be Damned, well sort of local. Though the members are split throughout Virginia and North Carolina, Cat Be Damned has found quite the niche for themselves within the area. Lately the band has been frequenting house shows throughout the Triangle, but their first show at the Local 506 hopes to give the band a bit more acclaim. Songwriter Erik Phillips draws melodic tendencies from acts like Modest Mouse and Built To Spill, eliciting reminders of early-90s indie rock under the veil of dynamic folk-rock sounds. These jangly tunes fit quaintly in between the lines of lyrically focused folk rock and aggressive college rock. Cat Be Damned is an excellent reason to make it out to the 506 early for this fantastic night of music.

Tickets for the show are available at Local 506's website. The doors open at 8:30 pm and the show starts at 9:00 pm. Admission is $8 in advance, $9 at the door.