What have we been doing? Well, we just finished a brand new song for a compliation with thanks to Brooks mixing at J Robbins' studio, Magpie Cage. DASH is the District Alliance for Safe Housing. It is a social justice focused, feminist domestic violence housing resource and shelter, you can visit www.dashdc.org for more information. We'll let you know when the comp is released.
Also, Shawna has been working tirelessly to get her Bikini Kill tribute band off and running, and their first show has finally been booked!
There are whisperings of a Sand Which Is reunion occuring sometime this year, which makes sense, because guess who will start rehearsing this Wednesday ;)
 
 
AVEC

Hello friends. Yes, we haven't played too many shows lately, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy. We have been asked to contribute a new exclusive song to a compilation benefiting Men Can Stop Rape, an organization supporting youth males to prevent violence against women. This compilation is being put together by our wonderful friend, Katy Otto and her label Exotic Fever Records. We are recording in early November. No word on the release date yet, but I'd think Spring/Summer 2009 sounds reasonable. We'll keep you posted as detail emerge.

Adam - Avec

Here is a new review of Lines from Pasta Primavera - http://pastaprima.blogspot.com/2008/01/respect-avec.html

 

 

There is a review of Lines in this week's Baltimore City Paper!
You can read it online HERE.

The band would just like to thank Jim for helping us out on bass this time around while Adam held down the fort here in Baltimore. Be sure to check out the new pictures (and the new merch display!). More pictures can be seen at woxy.com, as well as our in-studio performance and interview. Just go here:  http://woxy.lala.com/music/loungeacts/index.php?id=234

xo
shawna/AVEC

Here are two more nice new reviews of Lines.
We are in this month's issue of  the Urbanite
and one from SENBaltimore.com

Here is a new review of Lines -
http://thefirenote.blogspot.com/2007/09/avec-lines.html

The Fire Note

Fire Note Says: Perfectly balanced album makes for great listen!

Album Review:
AVEC represent why we never get tired of reviewing albums. You can be going through a stack of some more recent releases that have just sort of let you down and then you pop in something new and under the radar that just clicks. AVEC's new album Lines is one of those albums. The band has a fiery post-punk dueling male and female vocal that not only works but keeps things completely interesting. Both vocalists can be found on each track but depending who has the lead really shapes the style from Shawna Potter's solid quiet tones that can soar in a heartbeat to Brooks Harlan's Mac McCaughan like energy and harmonies that win you over and fit perfectly with the bigger picture. After taking one spin of Lines it will not surprise you to find out that J Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines) was the producer because his influence/experience shines through as if these songs were from his previous bands making him the perfect man for the job. AVEC is definitely a newer band to check out and Lines holds up to repeat listens with its quality musicianship and likable aggressive balance.

Key Tracks: "House", "Man In Space", "Beautiful Veins"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Like Young
Jawbox
Superchunk

AVEC MySpace
Civil Defense League

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

A very flattering review - http://emotionalpunk.com/cdreview/655/

from www.cosmosgaming.com

Music: Avec: Lines

Earlier this month we took a look at the first ever release from new label Civil Defense League, a new label founded by Jim Ward (Sparta). The label's second release is now upon us, and is the newest album from Baltimore based Avec. For those unfamiliar with the group, imagine them as a mix between an alternative rock band and an experimental rock band. The resulting album (Lines) is a complex and enjoyable experience that will definitely help the Civil Defense League label blossom.

Equal time on Lines is split between male and female singing, bringing two distinct styles to the album. The male singing is closer to standard post hardcore/pop rock currently on the market, meaning that it has a great deal of melody. However, the female singer (Shawna) has a great voice that at times hints at Bjork's vocal range. While Avec isn't as experimentally insane as Bjork may be, Shawna uses her voice to great effect to create a contrasting sound to the male vocals.

On Lines Avec's instrumentalists change between indie and experimental rock, moving between melodic passages and more intense ones focused on guitar riffs. The faster and harder sections actually remind me a little of At the Drive In, which is interesting considering the head of Civil Defense League was once involved in that band. As each song has a different focus (Hamartia has a focus on lighter sections featuring piano, for example) things feel fresh throughout and never get repetitive.

Avec's latest release is another great addition to an up and coming label that has the potential to make a big impact on the industry. With plenty of experimentation and interesting compositions, Lines is an album that should leave a lasting impression on anyone who gives it a chance. Civil Defense League was smart to sign this group, and if their future signings are just as smart then this label will never fail to impress.

http://www.civildefenseleague.net

Chris Dahlberg
29 August 2007