The Last Town Chorus: Less Is More Awesome

Bostonist has always had a thing for the slow cover: sometimes it takes a sparse, creeping rendition of a familiar song to make us keep pace with every word of the lyrics that used to walk on by. The Last Town Chorus's version of "Modern Love" is one of those, distilling David Bowie's deceptively bouncy pop to a stubborn, viscous anthem. (You can watch the video here, but we prefer the mp3 straight up.)

Megan Hickey, the Chorus's only constant member, is from Brooklyn. Her Wurlitzer electric piano iss from a yard sale in Pittsburgh, and her original songs are from some sepia-toned place where all the turntables play a few rpm slower and nobody pays any mind. The sophomore album, Wire Waltz, due out on Hacktone Records in the U.S. March 6th, has already been released overseas and subjected to gushing reviews.

Friday night, Hickey brings her clear, mournful voice, vintage lap steel, and country-tinged heartbreak to Cambridge's Lizard Lounge (basement of 1667 Mass. Ave.). She'll be playing a free set at 8 pm (doors open at 7:30), followed by local indie pop boys the Everyday Visuals ($8 in advance, $10 at the door) with two special sets at 9:30: first, covers of Boston bands, then acoustic renditions of their own songs.

Life (Ms. Hickey) imitating Art (unidentified hammer-wielding deity), from press kit. Chromewaves and The Artists Den have some nice live shots.