Rosary Beard to Debut New Album May 4th

Photo by Laura Harris

Rosary Beard, comprised of Albany’s own Matthew Loiacono and Hunter Sagehorn (of Matthew Carefully and Alta Mira, respectably), will be presenting their debut album Halfmoon Fever on Friday May 4th at the Steamer 10 Theatre in Albany.

Rosary Beard is an instrumental acoustic guitar duo and have been writing highly-detailed, emotive compositions since January 2010. I’ve given their album several listens at work and found it to be excellent for the office environment. I also have total faith that Rosary Beard in the live setting is a completely different experience – in a good way – than it is as a calming soundtrack at my job.

Additionally, the album itself was recorded completely live, with no overdubs, over the course of this past year at a historic ballroom in Troy, by Ian White of Swordpaw. The record was mixed by Troy Pohl (The Kamikaze Hearts, producer of Sean Rowe’s Magic LP) and then was mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering in Brooklyn.

Lots of care went into making this album and it makes for an intelligent, interesting and creative take on guitar-based instrumentals, while remaining whimsical and not boring at all. (For those of you who feel like you absolutely “need” lyrics to enjoy music, Rosary Beard will likely prove you wrong).

The album officially comes out on June 5th, and May 4th will be a special opportunity for locals to hear it first.

The Steamer no. 10 Theatre is located at 500 Western Avenue, and I, for one, have never been there before, and am excited to check out what the venue is all about. (Consider this a perfect break in routine from seeing shows at Valentine’s, Bogies, or other commonly frequented spots in Albany).

Opening the night will be Northampton, MA-based indie-pop band Winterpills.

Tickets are available at the door ($13) and in advance ($15) by calling 518-438-5503.