Floater represents acoustic/electric split
Floater has sort of built dual – or perhaps dueling – identities for itself over the past dozen years.
The Portland metal-art-trio had been pulling itself apart since its 1993 debut, “Sink.” The album’s dynamics were framed in a series of moodshifts that slide from aggressive to soulful and back to let compelling, storytelling lyrics take effect.
By 2000’s “Burning Sosabra,” Floater’s live show was completely segregated – acoustic Floater opened for electric Floater.
Floater – lead singer and bassist Robert Wynia, drummer Peter Cornett and guitarist Dave Amador – pulled a fast one last year with “Acoustics,” which, ironically, was more electric but with occasional acoustic elements.
The misleading title is a reference to the way the album was recorded in a studio built in the ballroom of Floater’s producer’s house. “Acoustics” was taped without digital editing and has a rich, live feel.
Regardless of which Floater comes out to play, both of its weekend shows are bound to be packed as the band has a strong local following.
Catch Floater tonight at 7 at The Coeur d’Alene Tea House, 401 N. Second St., in Coeur d’Alene. Floater appears in Spokane on Saturday night at 7 at Fat Tuesday’s, 109 W. Pacific Ave. Tickets for both shows are $12, through TicketsWest (800-325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com).
Club hoppin’
• The Blvd., 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., is hosting a full hospitality show on Monday night for weekend warriors – that includes all bar staffers, promoters, sound providers and everyone else who is at all the shows but doesn’t usually get to enjoy them.
The featured band is Mingo Fishtrap from Austin, Texas. The nine-piece R&B jam band won high praise at SXSW and the Austin Music Awards for the past three years.
The show is free and begins at 8 p.m.
• Formerly called The Side Project, not to be confused with the former Spokane band of the same name, Bozeman band Eightrack Mind comes to Spokane on the heels of a name change and new album.
“Just about every other city has a band called The Side Project, so if we want any national recognition, we have to change our name. Besides, this is growing too fast. It’s no longer a side project,” said Robert Murdock, Eightrack Mind’s bassist.
The eight-piece organic hip-hop collective appears tonight at Mootsy’s, 406 W. Sprague Ave., with local hip-hop group Shovel, featuring emcee Locke. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover to be announced.
• Produced by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, the female fronted emo-pop sweetness of Racetrack lands tonight at The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside Ave. Also on the bill is Bellingham heavy-pop band Typical Ace and local alternative rock band La Cha-Cha (see Spin Cycle on page 5). Showtime is 9:30 p.m. There is a $5 cover.