∆ Mezzanine Swimmers is the solo project of Mike Green, who is now based in Detroit after living 14 years in NYC. He has at one point cycled through every instrument in different bands, and his approach to music is completely individualistic; it can barely be taught, let alone imitated. The rhythms are a labyrinth of winding beats, from vaguely familiar samples to distorted sound bites, but never hesitant. Each song has a wildly catchy hook, and is dressed in woozy, garbled, and psychedelic textures. Like Container, he takes a tactile approach; the sound is sculpted from the mad combination of overdriven electronics and loose improvisation. You’ll never see a laptop on stage, but a pile of wires connecting synths, samplers and pedals. The result is a wonderful onslaught of deranged pop songs which would be quite comfortable in a playlist with Black Dice or Michael Jackson.
Bandcamp: Mezzanine Swimmers
Mezzanine Swimmers – Miserable Miracle (Already Dead Bandcamp)
Video Premiere: “Pensacola Arches” by Mezzanine Swimmers on Foxy Digitalis
Video Premiere: “Sexy Apology” by Mezzanine Swimmers on Post-Trash

∆ Peopling
peopling is the solo project of NYC to PNW transplant Ronnie Gonzalez, longtime Already Dead cohort and one half of the legendary duo Video Daughters. “Appearance” is an album long in the works, with some ideas and elements dating back as far as 2002. Recorded at South Sound Sounds in Harstine Island, WA in 2023, the album is a layered, developed, and dynamic work perfect for cassette. Heavy drones flow into drum machines and groovy no wave, decaying into psyched-out noise rock and unsettling rhythms and loops. Lead single “gEneRaTOr bOys” being a prime example, encapsulating many of these elements to create a surprisingly catchy and unhinged experimental pop jam. While “Appearance” brings to mind many influences: Suicide, Wolf Eyes, Animal Collective, Sightings, et al., it retains its own identity, forges new territory, and stands as a thorough and calculated work.
Peopling – Appearance (Already Dead Bandcamp)
Bandcamp: peopling
Video Premiere: “gEneRaTOr bOys” on Post Trash
Peopling Instagram

——Both Mezzanine Swimmers and peopling were in the NYC band Video Daughters, up until 2021 when they scattered to Detroit and South Sound, Washington, respectively. As Ridgewood Rippers, they bring two funky sides of a warped, surreal coin to the western US this summer, fresh off the releases of last year’s “Miserable Miracle” and “Appearance,” both on Already Dead Tapes.

∆ Emily Beisel

∆ Taste Rubber

Friday, August 30, 2024
8p doors, 8:30 start
$10-15 suggested donation

Tritriangle
1550 N Milwaukee Ave Fl3
Chicago, IL 60622

Official Website

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Tags: Chicago, Emily Beisel, Mezzanine Swimmers, Mike Green, Peopling, Ronnie Gonzalez, Taste Rubber, Tritriangle, West Town