Casiotone for the Painfully Alone

When I was 8, my mom bought me a Casiotone. After two months, my teacher informed my cheap mother that I needed a bigger keyboard, killing my music career. I sadly hadn't seen my Casiotone as San Francisco's Owen Ashworth sees his: a blank canvas capable of crafting deft beats and lo-fi harmonies. CFTPA's songs brim with latent emotion, hypnotic, nearly monotone singing, ala a stripped-down David Bazan of Pedro the Lion (who Ashworth supported on tour this autumn)—somehow both melancholic and uplifting. This show, with Concern (his brother Gordon) celebrates the release of a two-song "collaborative Bruce Springsteen tribute single." Only 1,000 copies are being pressed. On your mark, get set. With Baby Panda and Ghosts and Liars. KARLA STARR

Listen to a sample of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone's "Old Panda Days."