Experimental Music Series MELT Features LUXI, Construct and More

For the past five years, the electronic and experimental music series MELT has given a stage to introspective, obscure and oftentimes difficult-sounding music from local producers that don’t really fit on most Milwaukee bills. Its ambitious creators inhabit the darker corners and deeper abysses of sonic landscapes, which tends to sound quite alienating sandwiched between two power pop bands. But the MELT shows can often be revelatory and refreshing—an unburdened space of free-form spirit and discovery that’s unparalleled in the city.

The series recently returned from hiatus at the end of 2016 and is back to booking monthly showcases. Its latest addition happens on Saturday, January 28 at Quarter’s Rock ‘n Roll Palace and features dark techno producer Construct, a brand new trip hop project from Justin Jeffrey Richter called Piñata, UK-born producer and Milwaukee scene veteran Fortune, and MELT curator and DJ The Demix.

Rounding out the bill is the entrancing, ethereal producer LUXI, who last week released her latest work, the enigmatic yet accessible 9-song Geometric Universe. It’s a gripping electronic album that channels those late-night, post-bar-close parties where the morning sunrise devilishly peeks through the blinds. On “Every Night,” a murky electro-pop banger, the message is simple: “I wanna feel all the time/ So I stay up every night,” LUXI repeats.

The production infuses sheets of noise behind LUXI’s vocals, but while the sonic assault could easily act like an emotional blanket that protects against revealing too much, Geometric Universe is a surprisingly personal piece of work. “Feeling so happy even when I’m crying/ Cause I know I got you by my side,” goes the subterranean, shape-shifting track “Own World.” It’s this frank honesty throughout the album that makes Geometric Universe such a captivating and inviting listen.

MELT features LUXI, Construct, Piñata, Fortune and The Demix at Quarter’s Rock ‘n Roll Palace, 900 E. Center St., on Saturday, January 28. The show starts 10 p.m. and cover is $5.

 
 

Negative/Positive celebrate CD release

The plucky punk trio Negative/Positive, which features members aged 11-13, are playing a CD release show for its six-song EP Lumanescent on Thursday, January 26 at the Jackalope Lounj (345 N. Broadway). Proceeds from the all-ages show (minimum $5 donation) benefit Girls Rock Milwaukee, the non-profit summer camp where the band members met each other. Read more about Negative/Positive in an article from this month’s magazine. Tigernite and The Stereotypes open.

Stream of the Week

Listen to Matching Verts, a new collaboration between Milwaukee rapper El-Shareef and producer Derelle Rideout. The 11-song record is available on Bandcamp and a physical copy can be purchased on limited-run cassette from German record label Radio Juicy. Earlier this month, the duo also released the Damien Blue-directed music video for the album track “Benjamins Talk.”

This Week in Live Music

Monday, January 23: 2 Ball Screwball with Anura, T.I.G.T. and Five Star Secret at Cactus Club, 8 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)

Tuesday, January 24: Mayhem with Inquisition and Black Anvil at Turner Hall Ballroom, 7 p.m. ($25) – (1032 N. 4^th St., PabstTheater.org)

Wednesday, January 25: Sam Roberts Band with Hollerado at The Back Room @ Colectivo Coffee, 8 p.m. ($15) – (2211 N. Prospect Ave., PabstTheater.org)

Also: Xeno and Oaklander with Exteriors at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)

Thursday, January 26: Negative/Positive (album release) with Tigernite and The Stereotypes at the Jackalope Lounj, 7 p.m. ($5)

Louis The Child at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($18 advance; $20 door) – (1032 N. 4^th St., PabstTheater.org)

Also: Kyle Kenowski – Themes w/o Variations (video release) with Amanda Huff and King Courteen at Bremen Cafe, 8 p.m. (FREE) – (901 E. Clarke St., BremenCafe.com)

And: Black Marble with You., Black Thumb and Exteriors at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($10) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)

Friday, January 27: The Pukes (vinyl release) with Devil’s Teeth and Avenues at Company Brewing, 10 p.m. ($7) – (735 E. Center St., CompanyBrewing.com)

Also: Blind Pilot with Dickie at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($20) – (1032 N. 4^th St., PabstTheater.org)

And: Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($15) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)

And: Ladies Rock Milwaukee at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m. – (2501 S. Superior St., ClubGaribaldis.com)

And: Bagsong with Fudgy at Circle A Cafe, 8 p.m. – (932 E. Chambers St., Circle-A-Café.org)

And: Eaglemania with Ryan McIntyre at The Pabst Theater, 7:30 p.m. ($27.50-$42.50) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)

Saturday, January 28: Pablove 8 featuring Goran (of The Gufs), Willy Porter, KT Tunstall, Chris Porterfield and Brett Newski at Turner Hall Ballroom, 7 p.m. ($25-$50) – (1032 N. 4^th St., PabstTheater.org)

Also: MELT (electronic and experimental music series) featuring Luxi, Construct, Piñata, Fortune and The Demix at Quarter’s Rock ‘n Roll Palace, 10 p.m. ($5) – (900 E. Center St.)

And: Hot Coffin with Deadset and Bright Black at Landmark Lanes, 10 p.m. – (2220 N Farwell Ave., LandmarkLanes.com)

And: Milwaukee Drum Machine Quartet with Time Constant at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)

And: Gabriel Sanchez Presents The Prince Experience at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($22) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)

And: Chris Janson at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($26.50-$36.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)