Local Releases: A Weekend Of Shows!

In what's been one busy month for local releases, we're going to be talking about four today that come complete with release shows for you to check out this weekend. The first on the list is from the Sarah B. Band, an island/reggae/soul group from SLC comprised of 11 members. Don't be fooled by the throwback name to the large ensemble, this group knows how to play. The clips of the album I've listened to don't do the live version justice, which is a shame as Sarah herself has a fine set of pipes when she hits the mic. Do yourself a favor and go check out the live show, which you can do as they throw a release show tonight at Liquid Joe's for their debut full-length album, Realign My Mind. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. along with Natural Roots, Afro Omega and DJ Dubwise.

Moving onto Saturday night, we'll see three release shows, and we'll start with the latest release from Secret Abilities. The garage-pop foursome (seen above, photo by Moda Photography) have been around since 2007, originally under the lengthy moniker of His Secret Ability Is He Can Hit You From Anywhere. They trimmed the title down before putting out their debut EP Planet Earth About To Be Recycled back in 2008, which put them on the music map for the year before they quietly started to fade into only occasional performances. They've made a few appearances here and there, mainly due to recording obligations as they released an EP (with an even longer title than the old band name) and a short collection demos that you can snag off their Bandcamp site. But now the group has returned with their first full-length album, Love & Monsters. You can pick up a copy tomorrow at Kilby Court as they play their extra-big release show along with Milagres, Michael Gross & The Statuettes, Mason Lee & The Rock'n'Roll Space Studs and Danger Butto. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 the day of, but $10 snags you a ticket and album. The show kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

Next on the list is the debut EP release from Stereo Breakdown. A brand new pop/punk group out of West Jordan who just put out a new EP titled Style (that no one has been able to get a full listening of, let alone album art). They'll be playing at In The Venue this Saturday for ... wait, wait, wait, wait, wait one damned minute -- In The Venue?!? Who does local-release shows there? Let's see what the ticket price is for this EP release show ... $10.50, plus a $2.50 service fee?!  And day of is... $13.50?! PLUS a $3 service fee?!? Oh ... fuck this show! As a local-music writer and lover, I understand the idea that you need to make some scratch to keep the band going and turn it into some kind of paying gig. But with the exception of those few acts signed to major labels, not even seasoned veterans with successful albums under their belts charge more than $10 at the door, and that's on special occasion. If you're dumb enough to fork over $16.50 to ITV for this show, you deserve to be parted with your money. I fully support local music, but I will not support ridiculous ticket prices enforced by venues on acts trying to make a name for themselves. The other bands playing that night are Larusso, The Never Ending Summer and Say Hi To Skyline. But please, if you like these bands, don't give your money to the venue, give it to those bands directly by buying merch outside on the street and online. Go in if you feel the need to, but that is a high price for a local act and I will not encourage anyone to pay the ticket price.

Finally on the list is the latest from hip-hop artist GeorgeLife. The last time we talked about from GL, he was wrapping up 2010 in style with his second full-length album, Against The Grain. Since that time, he's been working hard around the state, playing several big hip-hop lineups and producing music behind the scenes -- not to mention recording his third album, Welcome To Dreamland. What little I've caught of the album shows promise and progress from the former Major Street Project member, to which you can check out a few tunes in video form on that group's YouTube page. If you want the full show and experience, you can catch him tomorrow night at Bar Deluxe for his release show, with The Bridge and Pat Maine playing in support. The show is just $6 starting at 9 p.m.

Head out, love music, buy local!