JG Everest

The only downside to that nonstop action is that Everest’s gigs in support of his solo work are sometimes few and far between. This year’s Parade the follow-up to his stellar 2004 solo debut Hush Money, is every bit as rich a listening experience, a continued exploration of ambient loop-based folk-pop with beautiful twinkling bells and sinister beep-blips in equal abundance and Everest’s weathered croak finding solace alongside his sister Mary’s warm and bright harmonies. Parade is an understated album that still manages to feel bold, leaving room for both epic politically agitated rockers (“Lost in the Palace (four more years)”) and winsomely beautiful relationship ruminations (“Parade”). There’s the usual array of local heavy hitters making guest appearances as well, including a lovely vocal cameo from Halloween, Alaska’s Jamies Diers on “Silly Rabbit.”

Don’t sleep on his headlining slot at the Uptown Bar this Friday night, or if you do be prepared to kick yourself in the morning. Word from Everest himself is that fans can expect plenty of new "crazy looping songs" at the gig and the presence of Roma di Luna bandmate Jessie Wilimek on backing vocals. For a more detailed look at Everest circa the release of his first solo album you can check out a feature I wrote for the Pulse here .