It’s yr favorite band’s favorite band. Full-band Pile has a cult following among post-punk fans. Rick from Pile was at Kings in January of last year performing his recent synth-driven solo stuff, and we are wildly stoked to have him back with the full band promoting their new album. And if that’s not enough, genre-blasting powerhouse NNAMDÏ supports. GR8 show alert!!
PILE
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Pile formed in 2007 as Maguire’s solo outlet, soon joined by time-warping drummer Kris Kuss (in 2009) and fuzzed-yet-melodic bassist Matt Connery (in 2010), among other friends; with its explosively intricate take on heavy music, the band found devoted fans amid Boston’s bustling punk scene. Since then, Pile’s released eight acclaimed albums, each showcasing different facets of its members’ talents. Dripping, the post-hardcore 2012 breakthrough, encapsulated the frenetic power of epic basement gigs. 2017’s A Hairshirt of Purpose twisted Pile’s angularities for greater clarity, incorporating strings without losing menace. Connery’s temporary departure after this record brought respected engineer and peer Alex Molini in on bass; the electronic experimentalism of All Fiction (2023) deepened the production relationship between Maguire and Molini, proving the band’s exploratory commitment as lifelong. That doesn’t scratch Pile’s dozen other releases, including B-side compilations, outtake EPs, demo cassettes, and live reworkings. They’ve earned a reputation as workhorses, crafting thought-provoking riffs while maintaining a tour schedule of international headlining, festival slots, and support for legendary and likeminded artists like Jesus Lizard and Cursive. Their accomplishments are numerous, but the bandmates’ lives extend outside the tour van. “I’ve had to do a lot of unlearning when it comes to the ego-trap of capitalism,” admits Maguire. “Money and recognition are helpful tools, but the pursuit of those things for their own sake is somebody else’s idea.” And so Sunshine and Balance Beams drew influence from rejecting expectations. “A lot of the story came through trying to enjoy my life—connecting with people and animals, experiencing the world through art, being in nature, cooking food, exercising, talking about ideas.” He joined a basketball league, relishing the physical exhaustion and camaraderie, connecting with his dad over game recaps. It helped him escape the headspace of “Rick from Pile”—a nickname-turned-solo moniker—and work on being Rick. Separating his personhood from his job let Maguire explore workaholism, the myth of meritocracy, and acceptance of mortality—all through a devilish allegory of trudging through a shadowy forest towards the uncertain dream of a bright clearing.
NNAMDÏ
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NNAMDÏ has never been able to stay in one place. The Chicago multi-instrumentalist and songwriter set a blistering pace in 2020 with his critically acclaimed genre-fusing LP Brat, a punk EP Black Plight, and Krazy Karl, a full-length tribute to Looney Tunes composer Carl Stalling. Add in his role as co-owner of label Sooper Records, as well as recent tours with Wilco, Sleater-Kinney, black midi, and Jeff Rosenstock and it’s an overwhelming schedule. However, his latest album, Please Have A Seat (out 10/07/22 via Secretly Canadian / Sooper Records), is the result of a much-needed pause. “I realized I never take time to just sit and take in where I’m at,” says NNAMDÏ. “It’s just nice to not be on ‘Go, Go, Go!’ mode, and reevaluate where I wanted to go musically.” This period of reflection allowed him to take stock of his life and his relationships. “I wanted to be present,” he says. “Each song came from a moment of clarity.” Please Have A Seat serves as an invitation to listen. It’s a request to sit down, be present, and take in a moment. With this quiet introspection, NNAMDÏ found inspiration in silence and nuance.
