rings @ glasslands

Paw Tracks band “Rings” celebrated the release of their new record Black Habit, with a packed show at The Glasslands Gallery on Sunday night. Among those in attendance were Rings member Abby Portner’s brother and coincidental label mate Dave Portner, who played a set with his wife and former Múm front-lady, Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir under their Avey Tare & Kria Brekkan guise. TOO MANY LINKS, TOO MANY RELATIVES!

If you’re not familiar with the Avey Tare & Kria Brekkan album that came out in ‘07, Pullhair Rubeye, here’s some light, reading. So, it goes without saying, its not really for everyone. I’ve listened to the album both ways, forwards and backwards, or the “right way” and the “wrong way”. And I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy both versions. As did I thoroughly enjoy their opening set the other night. I’d probably fail miserably in describing it outside of the fact that it was essentially one continuous 25 minute new song dancing somewhere between straight noise and a muddled children’s song, and that they were joined on stage with fellow Animal Collective member Deacon (Josh Dibb), on guitar… And that it was way good.

Rings sure did take their sweet time setting up, but hey, although the majority of the people might have shown up for the AT / KB set, this was their party. We got an advance copy of Black Habit about a month ago so I was semi-familiar with their material before the show. They started off a little shakey, feeling out the sound, lots of “vocals up” motions to the sound man. But at probably about 3 songs in, they found their stride. I’ll try not to bore with details and just say that overall it was a fun show to see and I highly recommend catching them on their upcoming tour with those local buzz kids White Williams.

Ok, I’m all linked out…

Well, maybe one more. Just because.