BY B AO L E - H U U TIERNEY TOUGH | PHOTO BY SEAN DUNN
LOCAL RELEASES Orlando’s Tierney Tough has been involved in the music scene locally and nationally with all manner of projects. Of course, there’s her own long-running band the Pauses. Then there’ve been stints in other bands, notable ones like War on Women, Matt Pond PA and Beach Slang. And don’t forget about her work as a scene-building organizer, with events like the Orange You Glad Music Festival, the Pauses’ annual 1990s shows and countless special engagements with indie royalty. Throughout all these years, however, none of it was just for her until now. Tough’s first solo single, “Apartment 54,” recently dropped on June 23. But this Friday, July 9, her full three-song EP, A Farce to Reckon With, will be fully unveiled. The recording shows glimpses of her connections, with credits by longtime Pauses collaborator J. Robbins (Jawbox), Patrick Newbery (Cursive) and Shawn Alpay (Laura Stevenson, How to Dress Well). But this work is all about Tierney, and it’s something of a revelation. Tough’s voice is prominent in the Pauses, and her elegant singing coupled with the band’s intricate indie rock have always made for interesting interplay. But on her solo debut, the vibe-rich musical framing is notably geared to suit her lithe vocal melodies rather than be a dynamic foil to them. More than anything, this record is a showcase for Tough’s vocal expression. Freed of the need to shine by juxtaposition or contrast, her beckoning voice is the focus and feature here, in a space that gives it full play on its own natural terms. For Tough’s supple essence, it’s a welcome and liberating setting.
Tierney Tough has been involved in the music scene locally and nationally with all manner of projects. Throughout all these years, however, none of it was just for her … until now
Gruesome, Intoxicated, Three Knuckles Deep and Human: No doubt, this is already a top-loaded bill with heavily pedigreed, Relapse-signed death-metal supergroup Gruesome in the headlining spot. Worth special note is new Orlando leviathan Human, whom we told you about earlier this year. In March, the punk-metal band — featuring members of Khann, Dzoavits, Republicorpse, Cannabass and Android — dropped one of the most lethal and talked-about releases in the area’s heavy music scene with their debut, Delicacies of A Farce to Reckon With streams every- Extinction, on Orlando expat Jake Smith’s where this Friday, but it’s up for preorder Silence Is Death label. now on Bandcamp. The EP will have a Human only notched a couple shows limited edition run on vinyl and cassette. If before the pandemic shutdown, but now you opt for the physical product, you’ll be that they’ve officially released a certilavished with Tough’s well-known atten- fied rager of an album, consider this tion to tangible media: The vinyl edition their proper live introduction. Go get is a Polaroid-themed box set with a lathe destroyed. (6 p.m. Friday, July 9, Haven cut for each song. The cassette version Lounge, $15) features a glitter shell and comes with a vintage Tierney Tough pencil from a stash Orlando Girls Rock Camp 2021 that her mom had made for her when she showcase: The Stone Roses said she was a kid. Yes, an actual piece of her child- bangs the drums, and nowhere is that more hood comes with purchase. The only thing literal than at the annual Orlando Girls more precious is her own soul, and that’s Rock Camp. It’s not only the coolest school already in the songs. of rock and safe space for the area’s female, trans and gender non-binary youth but MUSIC EVENTS THIS WEEK also a formative incubator for the next Kaleigh Baker & Patrick Hagerman: generation who will surely rule this scene As her solo performances affirm, Kaleigh and, hopefully, beyond. At this matinee Baker needs backup like a lighthouse showcase, see the culmination of the creneeds a candle. However, her weekly Lil ative work that this year’s class has been Indies residency has recently gotten a triumphantly banging away at. Organizers are trying to keep this year’s fresh shot in the arm with the recurring guest addition of rising local musician event more low-key, so they ask you considPatrick Hagerman, with whom she’s been er checking out a livestream they are going performing as a duo. When noteworthy to offer to make a little more space for close individual forces like these decide to join, friends and family. (2 p.m. Saturday, July 10, the result is usually exponential. (10 p.m. Ten10 Brewing, free) Thursday, July 8, Lil Indies, free) baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com orlandoweekly.com
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JULY 7-13, 2021 ● ORLANDO WEEKLY
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