The Laughing is on the verge of their triumphant return to the Austin music scene and this Friday is when it all goes down. Their last public shows were a string of SXSW performances back in March but with this Friday’s EP release show at Club DeVille the band initiates a new era with a newly formed band, the promotion of new recorded material, and a new genre of music the band calls “jungle smut-core.”
Who: The Laughing with Cari and Jason Band + Magic Surprise
What: EP release party
When: 9 PM August 22, 2008
Where: Club Deville (map)
Expanding on the art rock of the 1970s and adding in the soundscapes of ambient noise and manipulated melody of Animal Collective, the boys have certainly matured from their days of worshiping a mythical tiger and being straight up dance rock. Although the group could still rock a house at the drop of a hat, it would now probably be best if the house were full of people discussing the work of Anton Corbijn. The band’s frontman Logan Middleton explains that “part of the new more sonically varied sound came from a deliberate attempt to distinguish ourselves from being another copycat in the now obsolete dance-rock craze, while still not entirely abandoning the undeniable “funness” and timeless appeal of a dancey drum beat.”
The new EP Jungle is a just that, an EP. It fiercely demonstrates to the listener the band’s raw talent and new direction by cramming in hook riddled, upbeat jams as well as atmospheric layering of clarinets, djembes, chants, glockenspiels and on and on and on. The Laughing is equal parts Q and Not U and Rafter and it somehow REALLY works. After hearing it, there is no doubt that the band is still one of Austin’s most talented and their return to playing live shows is certain to impress anyone who happens upon it not just from the music but come this Friday from the experience as a whole …
The band is putting out this EP in a interesting way: throughout the night of the release show artist Bryan Keplesky will be painting a mural of cd sleeves which will make up the album art. The Laughing playing that night will christen it, as it were. Those who grab an album will have a one of a kind piece of art which will no doubt be much more gratifying that just ripping it from your co-workers iTunes. The one of a kind EPs will also be available at all independent local record stores the next day.
