AMEN DUNES

Having sold Omeara in advance, Amen Dunes return. With every record, Damon McMahon aka Amen Dunes has transformed, and Freedom is the project's boldest leap yet.

His fourth and most recent LP Love, a record that enlisted Godspeed! You Black Emperor as both producers and backing band, featured songs confidently far removed from the damaged drug pop of Amen Dunes' trailer-park origins.

Love took two years to make. Freedom took three. The first iteration of the album was recorded in 2016 following a year of writing in Lisbon and NYC, but it was scrapped completely. Uncertain how to move forward, McMahon brought in a powerful set of collaborators and old friends, and began anew. Along with his core band members, including Parker Kindred on drums, came Chris Coady of Beach House as producer and Delicate Steve on guitars. This is the first Amen Dunes record that looks back to the electronic influences of McMahon's youth with the aid of revered underground musician Panoram from Rome.

On the surface, Freedom is a reflection on growing up, childhood friends who ended up in prison or worse, male identity, McMahon's father, and his mother, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the beginning of recording.

The themes are darker than on previous Amen Dunes albums, but it's a darkness sublimated through grooves. The combination of a powerhouse rhythm section, guitar prowess and electronic production makes for a special and unique NYC street record.

It's a sound never heard before on an Amen Dunes record, but one that was always asking to emerge.

Presented by Bird On The Wire.

This is a 16+ event (each under 18 must be accompanied by an adult).