NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
Friday night was a good night for me to catch up with a couple of local bands that I’ve been following for awhile: Purr and Wilsen. Also turns out they both had record releases that day. Purr did a signing for their debut record “Like New”. Oddly enough, even though I’ve been seeing them at shows, the songs I’d been listening to were finally compiled and produced on the new album. Meanwhile, “Ruiner” is the third record for Wilsen.
On this evening, Purr performed a quick 7pm set. Comprised of native New Yorkers and co-writers, Eliza Barry Callahan and Jack Staffen, with Sam Glick on bass, Max Freedberg on drums and Maurice Marion on keys, the band seems so in synch that it’s hard to believe “Like New” is their debut album. Definitely check them out if you get the chance. Or pick up their record at Rough Trade!
Click on photos to enlarge
Opening for Wilsen was another local band, Lightning Bug. Lead vocalist and guitarist Audrey Kang mentioned that this was one of their first shows as a band. Previously, she had been releasing her solo work under Lightning Bug (I think).
Click on photos to enlarge
Wilsen is one of these bands that I can listen to anytime. Their dark and moody record is a familiar tone to their previous work. I expect their shows to be as dark as their lyrics and yet, it always surprises me when I see the bandmates smiling at each other. Their latest record is perfect to listen to when I’m wrapping up a late nightm, am feeling melancholy, and ready to drift into dreamland.
Click on photos to enlarge
