Experience the magic at Earthfoods this Sunday night!
That is, experience the magic of magician Jonas Toutant, in addition to several great local bands.
The DIY UMass club is putting on the free show at the Earthfoods Cafe at 6 p.m. The show will feature three bands in addition to the magician.
The bands, Tashtego, Alottle and the Frills, are all from western Massachusetts and play different varieties of punk and rock.
The Frills, comprised of UMass students Meagan Day (bass) Isaac Simon (drums) and Lauren Garant (lead guitar, vocals), recently recorded and released an eight song EP of unadulterated female-fronted punk rock. Their songs are fast, fun and feminist.
Holyoke-based Alottle’s songs are raw and sound almost like those of a garage band, with the tiniest pinch of indie mixed in. Guitar player Eric Cunha describes Alottle as “kind of a rock band with equal parts dunce and scholar,” and said that they have been described as a combination of the Beach Boys, the Melvins and the Mr. T Experience. Paul Preston plays the drums while Jamie Miller covers the bass.
Amherst’s own Tashtego is more punk-metal than the other two, which is not to say that they are to be considered inferior to the others; all three bands are impressive in their own right.
If the dynamic sounds of the three bands aren’t enough to lure you in, Jonas Toutant ought to be.
Toutant is known for his comedic magic acts. Other reviews of his performance have been overwhelmingly positive, describing him as highly entertaining for both children and adults. The club has been toying with the idea of having a magician at one of their shows for some time.
The show will be the DIY UMass Halloween show for this year. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Just don’t go as a “sexy pilgrim” as that costume may have already been taken by Cunha.
There will also be a mix swap at Sunday’s show. Showgoers are encouraged to bring a mix tape or CD to exchange with another person, each guest leaving with a new mix and hopefully an opportunity to expose themselves to music they wouldn’t otherwise listen to.
The show starts at 6 p.m. this Sunday, so be sure to stop by and witness the magic. Don’t forget to bring your mix!
Ellie Rulon-Miller can be reached at [email protected].
