Michael J Epstein Memorial Library to Release First Full-Length February 26th

The ten librarians of the baroque indie pop outfit Michael J Epstein Memorial Library are going to have a hard time keeping things quiet when they celebrate the release of their first full-length album at the Middle East on February 26th. In fact, they’re so excited about it that they’re selling super-discounted CD/Release show packages way ahead of time. The first 200 people to pre-order the combo before February 2nd will receive a special limited edition gift. MJEML will be joined by McAlister Drive, Endway and Ryan Schmidt.
The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library recently received a grant from the Passim Iguana Music Fund which will help them complete their debut album without artistic compromise.

Michael J Epstein Memorial Library
CD Release Party
Saturday, February 26th
Middle East, Downstairs
480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
With McAlister Drive, Endway, and Ryan Schmidt
Doors: 8:00 PM
18+
$12/$15 (CD/Release show pre sale)
Discounted CD/Release show tickets available here: http://blog.michaeljepstein.com/2010/12/michael-j-epstein-memorial-library.html Click Here to Read More..

Michael J Epstein Memorial Library Receive Passim Iguana Music Fund Grant To Complete Debut Album

With a little help from their friends at the Passim Iguana Music Fund, The Michael J Epstein Memorial Library will be able to complete their debut album without artistic compromise. The baroque indie pop dectet joins 17 other grant winners affiliated with New England who will receive funding for significant career-building projects or who are providing community service through music. Passim is a part of the group’s history in another way: Epstein met his wife (and MJEML drummer) Sophia Cacciola at Club Passim.

The funded album will be available for lucky Boston area fans at the MJEML’s release show at the Middle East on February 26^th. It will be released nationally in the early summer.

The Iguana Music Fund, a program of the nonprofit performance arts organization Passim, fosters a vibrant and exciting music community in New England through seed grants to aspiring local artists for significant career-building or who are providing community service through music. Click Here to Read More..

Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darling This Saturday!

Green Light Go artists like to keep themselves very, very busy. We wouldn't have it any other way.

I don't know how The Motion Sick's Michael Epstein has time for anything because he's always making up new blogs and new blog posts about various Motion Sick-related things. And sometimes about just weird things. His best side projects has been with his darling Sophia Cacciola for the band Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darling. Their insanely cool "concept," album The New Number 2 came out last month and the duo playing their spy songs live this Saturday night.

The Boston Phoenix caught up with the pair who are in preparations to play in Cambridge, MA at the Middle East (Upstairs), this Saturday, May 22. They talked about the TV-show inspired album and why they record as a duo.


"Whereas other bands cram 20 friggin’ persons on stage at their shows, or rely on technology to fill out their sound, Cacciola and Epstein get a lot done with as few tools as possible. The singer doubles as drummer. The bass, jacked into a guitar amp, plays the highs and the lows, though never simultaneously," wrote Barry Thompson. “It’s weird for people,” Epstein observes. “They’re like, ‘Well, there’s no low end at this moment,’ or, ‘There’s no high end at this moment!’ It makes them uncomfortable.”

“We thought about getting a third person, but this way, it makes us more creative,” explains Cacciola. “We really want to build dynamics, quiet parts and loud parts. It’s harder to do that with two people, but it makes it more interesting.”

Epstein: “They get really upset. I don’t think it’s a personal thing. Some people are like, ‘Well, I hear a guitar part!’ ” Click Here to Read More..

The Motion Sick Opens for The Wedding Present On April 12th

Boston’s own, The Motion Sick, are full of pride that they will share the stage with celebrated British rousing indie band, The Wedding Present, on Monday, April 12 at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, Mass. The Motion Sick will play charming pop songs from their 2008 release The Truth Will Catch You, Just Wait... and most likely a lot of new quirky gems.

Lead singer Mike Epstein is on cloud nine to open for the ‘80s below the radar, but indie-rock legends the Wedding Present; a band whose wiry guitars have influenced him throughout his career. The Wedding Present will be playing their 1989 album Bizarro in its entirety.

“From the moment in high school when I first heard the early work of the Wedding Present, David Gedge's unique takes on love, revenge, and social commentary hit me quite profoundly,” says Epstein. “In college, I was extremely pleased to gain access to some of the amazing Peel Sessions and get a chance to hear great, wry songs like,

Why Are You Being So Reasonable Now?’ I was even more delighted when the band's later work continued to be great. In fact, 1996's ‘Jet Girl’ remains one of my favorite songs by the band. It is such a great honor to share the stage with a songwriter that I've admired for so long.”

Mon Apr 12, 2010:
The Middle East Downstairs -
472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA
18+, Cover: $12, Door Time 7:30pm
The Wedding Present play Bizarro, w/ The Motion Sick and Girl In A Coma

Get you tickets in person at the Middle East Box Office - 1pm to 7pm, seven days a week -- without service charge or buy them online before they sell out! Click Here to Read More..