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JUNE 7TH, 2013 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS - BOSTON ISSUE 06
A first listen to the fourth album by Northampton's
Bunny’s A Swine

I can’t exactly remember the first time I met Candace Clements of Bunny’s A Swine, but it was either when she was organizing Ladyfest Easthampton in 2010, or through her work with the media reform organization Free Press. Either is an equally inspired way to meet someone – especially someone who plays in a band. As it turns out, the critical worldview and passionate energy that Candace holds in her organizing work translates to the smart and intricate pop songwriting of Bunny’s A Swine, a band she plays guitar

and sings in along with guitarist/vocalist Emerson Stevens and drummer Dustin Ashley Cote. The band began playing in 2009, and over five years have written songs reflecting a collective love for urgent storytelling, and sentimental country-inspired influences as much as more dissonant and distorted 90s influences like Pavement and Modest Mouse. Their forthcoming LP Calling Out was recorded, mixed and produced at Sonelab in Easthampton, MA by Justin Pizzoferrato, who has recently recorded artists ranging from

Chelsea Light Moving and Body/Head to Speedy Ortiz and Aye Nako. The Media is honored to present you with a first listen of the record, out on June 8 via the band’s own label TinyRadars. While you listen, read along here for the band’s track-by-track explanation of Calling Out.

Side A:

Everyone Buys You a Kitten

"Everybody Buys You a Kitten" wasn't actually slated for the album, but as an extra track (incidentally Kittens is one of our older songs and has . . .


What would Pride look like without corporate America's stamp of approval? / by Freddie Francis

With professional athletes coming out, gay characters popping up on mainstream TV shows, and a president vocalizing support for same-sex marriage, it looks like we’ve entered an era of unprecedented acceptance and equality. I hate to be the dark stormy raincloud rumbling over your gay Pride parade, but lez be real: we are no longer participating in a progressive or inclusive moment. The reality is the gay community has become one of the worst offenders in keeping health, safety, and social acceptance exclusive to those deemed worthy.

Boston’s first Pride demonstration in 1970 was a group of 20 protestors who marched from Cambridge to . . .



“We want to build a community based on friendship and collaboration, not on commerce and profit” / by Kelly Baker

Everyone’s been asking about this year’s Allston DIY Fest. The annual summer celebration of music and community usually takes place one Saturday afternoon in July – but this year, the city did not approve our permit.

Since starting an online petition, my fellow organizers and I have struggled to express our viewpoint to public officials, the media, and our community.  There’s a lot of misinformation floating around in the mainstream media (see: Boston Magazine), but all it takes is a cursory glance at the comments on our petition to see that Allston DIYfest is a well-loved event, one that reflects the community it seeks to engage.

So, if there is such widespread community support, why didn’t we get the permit?  When the Boston . . .



WEEKLIES


Night of the Living Deadhead
by Johnny Allen
The story goes...


by Marc Viloria
Deep Thoughts.





by Pandora Christ
It's your month to emerge victorious, like Ash from the Pokemon League.



by Liz Pelly
Our visit to the L.A. record shop.




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