Upcoming Show: Washed Out with Memoryhouse at the Cat's Cradle

Ernest Green aka Washed Out

Washed Out will be at the Cat's Cradle on April 16 with Memoryhouse.The last time I saw Washed Out he opened for Cut Copy at the Cat's Cradle. The performance was great, albeit short, leaving much more to be desired. I told my friends I felt that the next time he was on tour he would likely be the headliner. Lucky for fans, that is now the case. 

Washed Out is Georgia native Ernest Greene's stage name. He began creating music in his bedroom studio in 2009, moving up through the ranks of the music world via music blogs and MySpace. From 2009-2010 he released three EPs, the second featuring his most popular tune to this day (Feel it All Around from Life of Leisure). In 2011 he shook up the music world with the release of his first LP, Within and Without (Sub Pop Records), which peaked at 26 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Washed Out typically travels with an accompanying band so I would expect the same for this show.

Evan Abeele and Denis Nouvion of Memoryhouse

Opening the show will be Memoryhouse of Ontario, Canada. The band began as a multimedia project with classical musician Evan Abeele and photographer Denise Nouvion. The band features drums, echoing guitars, piano, synthesizers, and cello. Nouvion's smooth wispy vocals are pleasant to the ear, and when blended with Abeele's flanged guitars melt the music into a dreamy aerial bliss. Memoryhouse released their first LP, The Slideshow Effect in February 2012 on Sup Pop Records. They are indeed a band to watch, as they are sure to be the next big thing in indie rock. Tickets and info here.

Memoryhouse

Artist Review (Forecastle Preview Edition): Washed Out

A trailblazer of the chillwave genre, Washed Out will be performing at Forecastle this summer. Washed Out is Georgia native Ernest Greene's stage name. He began creating music in his bedroom studio in 2009, moving up through the ranks of the music world via music blogs and MySpace. From 2009-2010 he released three EPs, the second featuring some of his most popular tunes to this day (Feel it All Around from Life of Leisure). In 2011 he shook the music world with the release of Within and Without, a more polished sounding album, which peaked at 26 on the U.S. Billboard 200.


Chillwave has been described by its artists as "funk in slow motion", and Washed Out really encapsulates that idea. Songs have a dreamy, low-fi, synth-ridden feel with rap and R&B influences. Vocals are flooded with reverb, making it nearly impossible to understand. In a sense, the vocals just become another instrument in the music, and for Washed Out, that works very well. If you make it to Forecastle this summer, Washed Out is a must see. If you can't make it to Louisville for Forecastle, check Washed Out's tour page for 2012 dates.

Eyes Be Closed by Washed Out (Within and Without, 2011)
Feel it All Around by Washed Out (Life of Leisure, 2010)
Belong by Washed Out (High Times, 2009)