rock!MOCA Modern Music Series

BLAKE MILLER (exit stencil)
+ JULIE SOKOLOW (Western Vinyl)
Friday, October 12, 2007
doors open at 8pm, music begins at 8:30pm
$6
…for details of MOCA MIX/rock!MOCA events visitMOCAcleveland.org

2006 saw the release of two of the most promising albums by young singer-songwriters in years, Blake Miller’s “Together with Cats” (Exit Stencil), and Julie Sokolow’s “Something about Violins” (Western Vinyl). But to call Blake and Julie singer-songwriters is perhaps a misnomer because there are far more dynamics going on in their recordings than a solitary voice accompanied by a lone guitar. Their mastery of melody, arrangement, and instrumentation creates songs that range from the haunting to the intimate; and suggest a maturity far greater than their barely 20 years of age.

Both records received glowing reviews from such storied publications as the indie taste-maker Pitchfork, The Wire, Alternative Press, Spin Magazine, The London Guardian, and more. Based on similarities in sound, recording style, and age, many writers quickly pointed out the apparent similarities between the two artists. With Blake Miller being from Columbus, OH and Julie Sokolow currently living in nearby Pittsburgh, PA, collaboration between the two artists seemed only natural.

In the winter of 2006, Exit Stencil contacted Julie about playing some shows in Ohio with Blake, and quickly a friendship and working relationship formed; culminating in plans to take their music on the road together throughout 2007. Additionally, Blake and Julie each contributed one unreleased song for a limited edition split 7” which has recently become available. This exciting show at MOCA is another in a series of collaborations between the two artists.


Selected reviews:

Blake Miller – “Together with Cats”

“Remember what Devendra Banhart was like circa The Black Babies?... Goes to show that lo-fi freak-folk still works beautifully when there's a unique charisma shining through the murk, despite the crowdedness of the freaky field.” – Pitchfork

“Perhaps what doesn’t come through is that Miller is only 19 years old, but these songs sound way beyond his limited years” -- Popmatters

“Miller's Together with Cats shouldn't be ignored -- stores will be looking hard for it, in a few years, when his third album goes gold without a single bit of airplay.” -- Ampcamp


Julie Sokolow – “Something about Violins”

"For her, lo-fi isn't a result of outsider circumstances, but an artistic choice. Something About Violins adroitly upends lofi's expectations of live performance, it's song full of artful touches and sophisticated layer of sounds." – Pitchfork
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"Washed in slight but complimentary digital hiss, Sokolow’s music recalls the lo-fi simplicity of Mirah, Julie Doiron, and viola player Anni Rossi…The matter of fact quality of her delivery prevents the music from sounding too precious while revealing a wry sense of humor in her acceptance of the strangeness of human communication" – WIRE

"This singer/songwriter melts the anger and despair of her unsettled heart into a sexy, gentle slur." – Spin Magazine