The ladies of Squaregirls, Marion Hodges and Kristen Grant, have started a monthly musical showcase (and self proclaimed dance party) at The Scene in Glendale.  Keen ears and a charming, sharp angle on the indie rock expanse have created a successful marriage of grit, gumdrops and good taste.   

Their divey choice of event venue has the winning combination of environmental features necessary for nurturing a loyal following -- old, clunky photobooth, low deep stage, ratty pool table, perched DJ pen, open spaces, snug spaces, and a bartender that doesn’t pretend he can’t see you. 

With Squaregirls’ blog-status rising as fast as the talent on their setlists, it would be wise to take advantage of the three bands for five dollars ($3 with RSVP) while you can.  I predict for these ladies a continued string of impressive acts, a future record label empire, and a lunchbox franchise. 

Their 1/9, Wednesday night, triple-bill opened strong with the lonely and lush, electro-country sounds of San Francisco’s Birds & Batteries.  Their music is like the new, new age -- neo age, if you will.  It’s a pretty folk-rendering, layered with alt-synth sentimentality.  Think double-decker Roland and dungarees.

Fresno phenom Rademacher, followed with a highly anticipated set of believable, schizoid-rock led by the urgent and focused Malcolm Sosa.  Tuneful and fun, their unpredictable, textured compositions were performance-perfect; each song crafted to carry a bigger sound and a broader view than many of their genre contemporaries.

Most notable was the hunger this foursome projected while standing back from their mics, shouting in unison.  It's a feeling that can't be faked, and their music can't be ignored; melodica and all.

Rademacher is also earning kudos for their smart strategy in tour distribution by alternating turbo-hip residencies in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as Fresno.  This affords them relative localization, but with maximum exposure.  And the repeat performances are giving audience populations an opportunity to become actual fans.

Radars To The Sky, finished the night with a sound that clearly values the rock portion of their designation over the indie stereotype.  It’s a bit like they emerged from a “college rock” time capsule, seemingly having dodged the well-attended tutorial on making a band that is simply an awkward caricature of its predecessors. 

Like a perkier, less bassy Stephin Merritt, Andrew Spitser’s unconventional vocals have a sonically recreational quality, but are delivered with the conviction and confidence of a decade spanning, multi-platinum earner.  Hefty intro bumpers, vast lyrical terrain, and wife/keyboardist Kate’s softening vocal support offer additionally welcomed quirks to the outfit’s otherwise straight-ahead rock conquering.

The next Squaregirls showcase will be in February at The Scene.  Details and bands have not yet been announced.

Birds & Batteries | I'll Never Sleep Again

Rademacher | Not My Home

Radars To The Sky | Wave Goodbye To The Sun