Veteran noise-rock trio Microwaves released their latest album, Temporal Shifter, on March 27th, and the band’s mathy dissonance has never sounded heavier, angrier, or more expansive. To mark the occasion, drummer John Roman answered a few questions. 

Pittsburgh Manifold: Who is/are Microwaves? A catchphrase or tagline, if you will.

John Roman: Modern music for modern problems; now more than ever.

PM: How would you compare/contrast your new album, Temporal Shifter, with your previous work? 

JR: Things are a bit more off the cuff. The fur was flying and it sounded good, so we figured “Why change anything?”

PM: Who/what were some of your influences this time around? 

JR: Same as usual, which is mostly rock, jazz and psychedelia tempered with some science fiction and science fact.

PM: You released Temporal Shifter on New York’s Decoherence Records. How did you link up with them? 

JR: We’ve known the person that runs the label for quite some time. Things were fairly casual.

PM: Is there a track on the album that you’re especially proud of? 

JR: “Bedtime For Treats” and “All Direct Hits” 

PM: Who are some other Pittsburgh artists that you’ve been listening to?

JR: Donnie Iris, but this is mostly due to being in frequent proximity to an AM/FM radio.

PM: What is your favorite meal to cook in the microwave? 

JR: Ice cream

PM: Is there anything that I forgot to ask or that you’d like to let people know about you, your music, or anything in general?

JR: We’re just as bummed out by the state of the world as you are. For years, the media had promised we’d have flying cars and teleportation by now, but you can see how much BS that was.

Featured Track:

Mai Khôi and the Dissidents - “Innocent Deer” 

Mai Khôi rose to Vietnamese pop fame as the winner of the 2010 Vietnam Television Album of the Year award, but soon found herself persecuted by the country’s government for her activism in favor of women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and uncensored artistic expression. In 2020, with the support of artist sanctuary and bookstore City of Asylum, she took up residency in Pittsburgh, and lives here in exile to this day. Five Years in Exile, the new album released by Khôi and her collaborators, the Dissidents, brims with furious, spirited experimental jazz compositions. “Innocent Deer,” a song inspired by a series of unjust executions carried out by the Vietnamese government, begins with simmering piano and Khôi’s sorrowful vocals before exploding halfway through into a knotty, chaotic groove shot through with peals of “Great Gig In The Sky”-style lamentation. It ends as quietly as it begins, the pain exercised, but never fully resolved. The accompanying video, by Thịnh Nguyễn, delves more deeply into the song’s background.

Make sure to catch the Five Years in Exile release show at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall on Friday, April 10. Music at 8, $25. 

Upcoming Shows and News 

Sat. 4/11

The Antlers, whose 2009 album Hospice is often cited as one of the most emotionally devastating musical works ever recorded, are playing The Sanctuary at Mr. Smalls on Saturday, 4/11, in support of their latest release, Blight, which finds the duo meditating on humanity’s destruction of the environment. Brooklyn indie-popper Tōth will support.

Doors at 7, music at 8, $30.75 advance, $36.25 door. 

Sun. 4/12

On Sunday, 4/12, Mt. Oliver’s 222 Ormsby will be hosting a night of eccentric guitar music headlined by teeth-gnashing local trio Jon Bygone, who recently released their self-titled EP. Supporting will be outsider punk G. Gordon Gritty (NYC), cyber anarchist LILAC//WEB (Pittsburgh), and Icky Boyfriends tribute band Nervous Guys (NYC).

Doors at 5, musick at 6, $10 if you can spare it.


Mon. 4/13

Blowgun, a New Orleans-based traditional music group led by Malayali diaspora fiddler Miriam Hacksaw, will be making their Pittsburgh tour stop at Owl Hollow, a DIY outdoor venue located at 10 Nansen St in Hazelwood, on Monday, 4/13. Folk metal multi-instrumentalist Absent and singer/songwriter Rats of Reason, both local, will be supporting.

“Doors” at 6, music at 7, $10-20 suggested donation. Potluck, BYOB.


Wed. 4/15

Carrboro, NC dream-weavers Verity Den will be playing at Brillobox on Wednesday, 4/15, in support of their new instrumental album, IX XVI MMXXV. They will be joined by fellow Carrboro artist Nathan Taylor, as well as Pittsburgh noisemakers Blinder and Root Coiled (who will be celebrating a tape release).

Doors at 7:30, music at 8, $10-15 suggested donation.