SARGENT HOUSE

The Great American Music Hall may be my favorite venue in San Francisco. Low stage, no rail, the sound is great practically anywhere you stand. From the player’s perspective, one of the nicest looking venues to play in, plenty of stage, real nice balance between stage and PA volume. It is no surprise that GAMH is many San Francisco native’s favorite venue — nor is it a surprise it is many artist’s favorite venue. So, seeing a packed house my personal favorite venue for some of my favorite bands as of right now was not just a great treat for me but hopefully the energy of the crowd. - By Nick Wan / Check out the huge photo gallery HERE

The band I was looking forward most to was And So I Watch You From Afar, as it would be my first time checking them out. After reviewing their release of Gangs last year, I’ve had very high expectations for their live show. If you caught a glimpse of ASIWYFA’s Ulster Orchestra live stream, you would have recognized that their live sound is practically a spotless clone of their studio sound. Something you didn’t catch on the BBC stream a few weeks ago was the ridiculous amount of energy all four of these guys have. It was something like… every single member was having their own private solo for the entire set. To match, they were all bouncing and kicking around the stage — aside from Chris Wee, the drummer. However, Wee had a lot on his plate using every limb at his disposal, flailing at a hundred miles an hour. And that might be the best description of the entire set: 100 miles an hour, from start to finish.

Deafheaven is a San Francisco band known for their epicly-black metal. For those in the know, there are no combination of words that can properly describe the rise and fall of Deafheaven’s songs live. The most emotive of the five would be singer George Clarke, who was in full doom squad uniform. At times, I was able to read his lips shout out nothing as he scoured the crowd. At other times, he would walk to the edge of the stage, sans microphone, screaming his heart away. It’s no surprise that the house and side stage was crammed pack at this point. For me, having some opening band love is always important. This show was packed from front to back the entire night.
Russian Circles was the band that was headlining the night. However, we all know that all three of these bands on the bill clearly could have headlined. Russian Circles released their latest album, Empros, last fall. With a little less than a year to perfect their discography live, they were nothing less than astounding. My first time I saw them was when they had only their EP available and their first full length, Enter,coming out in a matter of days. They opened for the legendary Appleseed Cast and my favorite Saddle Creek band Criteria at Bottom of the Hill. The combination of high energy music with the technical-savvy playing made me an instant fan. Fast forward six years and they had the entire floor of the Great American head-banging, dancing, and general mosh-pitting all in the name of the Chicago trio. Needless to say, their live show over the years has become so well-suited for the group, with the choice of lighting and letting the music speak for them, that it would be criminal to miss out on these guys if you love harder music. And for everyone who didn’t end up at this show, you missed out. Big time.

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This show on June 29th at The El Rey Theater in Los Angeles is a bill we are beyond proud to present. Such a stellar bill and all four bands are part of our Sargent House and 1656 Music family. Join us, it’s going to rule.

Russian Circles, Chelsea Wolfe, And So I Watch You From Afar & Deafheaven

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Russian Circles announce North American and Australian/New Zealand headlining dates beginning this month and running well into Fall. The band will be supported by a plethora of Sargent House family bands along the way, including And So I Watch You From Afar, Chelsea Wolfe, Marriages, Indian Handcrafts, Deafheaven and Crypts. Please see complete dates below and for all updates and show Details GO HERE

RUSSIAN CIRCLES / AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR
Jun 18, 2012 - Winnipeg, MB (CA) @ The Park Theatre ^^
Jun 19, 2012 - Saskatoon, SK (CA) @ Amigos Cantina ^^
Jun 20, 2012 - Calgary, (CA) @ Dicken’s @Sled Island ^^ w/Secret SH Guest
Jun 22, 2012 - Vancouver, BC (CA) @ Biltmore Cabaret ^
Jun 24, 2012 - Seattle, WA (US) @ Neumos ^ w/ Sandrider
Jun 25, 2012 - Portland, OR (US) @ Doug Fir Lounge ^ w/ Crypts
Jun 27, 2012 - Sacramento, CA (US) @ Harlow’s **
Jun 28, 2012 - San Francisco, CA (US) @ Great American Music Hall **
Jun 29, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA (US) @ El Rey Theatre w/ Chelsea Wolfe **
Jul 02, 2012  - Denver, CO (US) @ Bluebird Theater
Jul 03, 2012  - Kansas City, MO (US) @ The Riot Room

RUSSIAN CIRCLES/ CHELSEA WOLFE / MARRIAGES
Aug 6, 2012 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
Aug 7, 2012 - St Louis, MO @ The Firebird
Aug 8, 2012 - Louisville, KY @ Vernon Club
Aug 9, 2012 - Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree
Aug 10, 2012 - Tallahassee, FL @ Retrofit Records
Aug 11, 2012 - Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub
Aug 12, 2012 - St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
Aug 13, 2012 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
Aug 14, 2012 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Aug 15, 2012 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Aug 16, 2012 - Washington, DC @ Rock N Roll Hotel
Aug 17, 2012 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Aug 18, 2012 - New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
Aug 19, 2012 - Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East (Downstairs)
Aug 20, 2012 - Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
Aug 21, 2012 - Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
Aug 22, 2012 - Grand Rapids, MI @ The Pyramid Scheme
Aug 23, 2012 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Aug 24, 2012 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club

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(Source: russiancircles)