HOT AUGUST NIGHTS (Voxtrot, Muggs, Hotel Lights, and more!) August 11, 2005

Sparkle Motion Presents Hot August Nights 2005

DAY ONE
VOXTROT (AUSTIN, TX) < http://www.voxtrot.net >
With one foot in the library and the other on the dancefloor, Voxtrot combine classic '60s pop (think Love and Left Banke) with the heady, subversive sounds of '80s Britain and still come out ahead of their time. Supported by only their Bus Stop (Apples In Stereo, Television Personalities, Rocketship)/Cult Hero (Sound Team) "Start of Something" 45, Voxtrot has been selling out shows in New York and Texas.

THE MUGS (BROOKLYN, NY) < http://www.themugs.com >
Meet The Mugs -- a five-piece rock band based out of Brooklyn, NY. Drawing comparisons to The Smiths, R.E.M., and Neutral Milk Hotel, The Mugs create music that moves freely across stylistic lines to produce a wide range of captivating melodies and driving rhythms.

THE CONSULTANTS (BROOKLYN, NY) < http://www.theconsultantsband.com/ >
Essentially a trio, the band gets help from a wide array of musicians and the sound is remarkably full and occasionally sophisticated. "Hollow-Bodied Evening" (great song title!) sounds like prime Velocity Girl.
PLUS: SPECIAL GUEST DJ ACTION!!!

DAY TWO
HOTEL LIGHTS (CHAPEL HILL, NC) < http://www.hotellights.net/tour.html >
Darren Jessee started Hotel Lights after many years of writing songs, playing drums and touring with Ben Folds Five. Jessee's vocals are as distinct and endearing as the songs themselves. His warm, warbled tenor is similar to a mellower version of The Shins or a more heavenly Will Oldham. Like The Band, Hotel Lights play with authority and confidence, creating their own brand of timeless pop.

MASCOTT (BROOKLYN, NY) < http://www.redpandarecords.com/ >
"In the early '90s, Kendall Meade stopped writing about music in her fanzine and started playing it. Her first band, Juicy, was poppy in a rudimentary, construction-paper-and-glue sort of way. When they disbanded, Kendall played keyboards on tours with Helium and the Spinanes. And now she's gone solo as Mascott, sometimes calling on collaborators, like roomie Joan Wasser (Those Bastard Souls)." - Jane

MARK MCADAM (BROOKLYN, NY) < http://www.markmcadam.com/ >
Although his sound is comparable to Jeff Tweedy and Elliot Smith, he may best be described as a Nick Drake for the modern age, with McAdam's sincere acoustic guitar plating, substantial lyrics and soft baritone vocals strongly rivaling that of Drake's. Mark just completed a video with Mike Myers of Shrek and Wayne's World fame.
PLUS: SPECIAL GUEST DJ ACTION!!!