Changes In The So Many Dynamos Camp

Well, this makes me sad.

So Many Dynamos have been having a good year, by all accounts. A new release on a known label. Appearances at KEXP and Daytrotter, to name a few. The hottest (literally. The A/C was broken) release party I've ever been to at the Firebird. Tours, tours and more tours, including opening up for Harvey Danger, among others.

But it is with regret that I tell you that guitar/keyboard/vocalist Ryan Wasoba is leaving the band. How that affects things, is hard to say. But a change in a band that is as tight as SMD has to affect the overall chemistry one way or the other. He is being replaced with Nathan Bernaix from STL band Target Market. You can read more about Ryan's decision here. He has good, personal reasons, and there doesn't seem to be any animosity among band members, so I wish him and the band all the best.

Here's some upcoming dates, I assume with the new member of SMD:
Sep 18 2009 7:00P
Pygmalion Music Festival 2009 @ Blue’s BBQ Urbana, Illinois
Sep 19 2009 12:00P
Bouncefest 2009 - Mills Quad @ Millikin University Decatur, Illinois
Sep 25 2009 8:00P
Beaumont Club (w/ Republic Tigers) Kansas City, Missouri
Sep 26 2009 8:00P
Mojo’s (w/ Republic Tigers) Columbia, Missouri

So Many Dynamos On KEXP

My friend Fred, a loyal KEXP listener, informed me that SMD would be playing on KEXP recently. As you know, I have much man-love for this band. Here are some videos from their in-studio appearance.

So Many Dynamos: So, so good.

I went to the University City Loop on Sunday for the RFT Music Awards shows that were going on all day and night with the expressed reason to see two local bands that are ready to blow up nationally: Gentleman Auction House and So Many Dynamos. Neither disappointed, even though they had the unenviable task of playing at 3 and 4 PM in the blazing sun. As the guitarist/keyboard player for SMD said, "I can't see the lights on my footpedals! It's too-- sunny!

Gentleman Auction House recorded sounds a bit like Iron and Wine with a bit more rock thrown in, with cobwebs in the corners of the cassette. Live they are more muscular than expected, which is a good thing. There is nothing worse than being excited by the potential of a recording and going to see the live version and being underwhelmed by stage presence and the snap of the beat.

SMD are right there. Soon Pitchfork will either crown them kings or talk about how their first two indie releases were better. Screw them, these guys are great, and entertaining as hell live. Wonderful photos from Wonderful Jason Stoff. They have a nervy energy that is totally contagious. To get the heads bobbing in 90 degree sunny heat is a great thing. Thank you boys, and good luck.