Advance Base Debuts Tonight

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on May 18, 2011 6:20PM

After 13 years, five albums and countless collaborations, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone played its last show in December. But Owen Ashworth, the man behind the solo-project, is already back in business and has transferred his musical energy to a new project, Advance Base.

The new moniker is taken from CFTPA’s 2009 singles release Advance Base Battery Life - a collection of tracks featured on various splits and compilations from ’04-’07. Ashworth has yet to drop an official release under the new name. But he has posted a few tracks and samples on Advance Base’s Myspace, the sound of which suggests he won’t be straying far from the delicate, melancholy electronic pop of his old act.

The new project’s first show is tonight at Schubas. It’ll actually be the ‘Advance Base Family Band’ that performs, which includes Ashworth and three backing members. They’ll be accompanying headliners The Donkeys, the San Diego retro rockers who served as both backup and tourmates for CFTPA in its terminal days. Opening will be local folk pop act Algebro.

As for what’s to come, Ashworth revealed a 7-inch is coming out soon. And in June, he and his crew will head out of state for couple of shows in Minnesota and Iowa. He also helped produce local rapper Serengeti’s upcoming album, “Family & Friends,” which is due out this July. You can follow Advance Base's future endeavors through its still-in-the-works official site.

Advance Base performs tonight, Wednesday, May 18 at Schubas, 3159 N Southport, 9 p.m., $10, 18+