Chicago

Little Big

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With Shapers it seems to be the merging of sonic experimentation and music freedom that fascinates them. Their debut 12” Little, Big will be released on March 9th, and it finds the bands using texture and atmosphere to create a complex web of sound that is unpredictable and extremely enjoyable. A fairly new band, compromised of Zaid Maxwell, Steve Reidell, Amelia Styer, and Todd Waters, Shapers began performing live together just this past fall. However, they have spent the last twelve months locked away in a basement creating this richly creative sound. The result of all the time and effort is a sound that is primarily instrument and combines elements of ambient, psychedelic, dark electronica, and free jazz. With vocals are applied from time to time as in the track “Jar” they are quiet and almost blend into the instruments without putting up too much of a fight. Little, Big is challenging, beauty, intelligent, and filled with sonic surprises.

The first 250 available copies of Little, Big will be screen-printed by the band. You can preoder a copy at the band’s website today. They will be playing a release show at The Hideout with Old Fake and Driftless Pony Club on March 11th at 9:00pm.

Philadelphia

Northern Liberties Winter Music Fest This Week

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The Fire has certainly been feeling a lot of heat lately, but the Philly music community has really rallied behind this legendary local stepping stone for many great acts. Well, this week they’ll be celebrating their annual Northern Liberties Winter Music Fest! Here’s a little rundown on what looks interesting to us (presuming the snow doesn’t shut everything down). On Wed., The Fire’s soundman, Dino, will be stepping out from behind the board and taking his fro center stage with his 8-bit project Cheap Dinosaurs. He’ll be joined by fellow video game beatmaster Sonkin. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. are certainly the meat of the festival depending on your. The bill on Thurs. seems heavy on the folk with Spirit and Dust, Cowmuddy, Mason Porter, Andrew Lipke, Chris Kasper and Oso, Infinien should help get some of that twang out of your ears. Looks like Derek Dorsey’s pet project Toy Soldiers will be pulling double duty on Fri. with an early all ages show and a late set for the legal drinkers. Joining them will be most excellent drinking buddies and musicians Orbit to Leslie, The Circadian Rhythms and The Great Unknown. On Saturday, you’ll find the oddly matched autumnal sounds of The Spinning Leaves with the ass-shaking grooves of The Hustle and Slo-Mo. Sunday will close out the festivities with a tribute to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band for all you lonely hearts that find yourself in The Fire on Valentine’s Day. Hopefully you’ll find someone to make sweet, sweet love to that evening while your listening to my favorite Beatles album Abbey Road. Just remember to ask permission before coming through the bathroom window. iourecords.com/thefire/ – The Deli Staff

 
L.A.

Crash Kings open for Jet, proving the six-string null

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Crash Kings | "Evolution of Guitar Rock"

Let’s put this lightly: Jet made a huge mistake. Clav-rock trio Crash Kings may lack the overall arena gusto and six-string mayhem associated with revival rock acts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong in the upper echelon of groups who can destroy a room. Their blues-fueled and power pop rock blew us away a few months ago, and if their tale has continued, Crash Kings have likely gotten louder, tighter and stronger. This will either make Jet make a run for their money or simply turn this tour into a competition in which group will leave the biggest and loudest impression. Our bet is on, well, …yeah. Click here for tour dates.

L.A.

L.A. Record wants your Valentine’s Day original song

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L.A. Record had such a great turnout for their holiday mixtape last December that they’re asking locals to submit an original song once more for their Valentine’s Mixtape. Whether it’s sweet, sad, depressing and/or in the styles of polka, hip-hop or nu-wave Hawaiian instrumental, L.A. Record wants to hear it and will keep all submissions into consideration for the running. The deadline is February 11 (that’s three days from now!) so e-mail fortherecord@larecord.com with your tune. Good luck!

San Francisco

Michael Zapruder wins Best Folk/Singer Songwriter Album award

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Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope, the 2009 release from Michael Zapruder was recently awarded the Best Folk/Singer Songwriter album of 2009 by The Independent Music Awards.  Now in its 9th year, the Independent Music Awards has been recognizing self-released and independent music from around the globe. This is the 3rd full length album from Micheal since he earned notoriety in 1999 by releasing a new track every week throughout the year – the collection has been archived on The 52 Songs Project website. Fans can still vote for their favorite nominated ‘People’s Voice’ Independent Music Awards artists here.

NYC

Titus Andronicus sophomore album out in March – release party on 02.06

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Punk folksters from NJ Titus Andronicus‘ 2nd album, entitled "The Monitor", will be released on Beggars’ XL Recordings on March 9. The album is going to bear a Civil War theme and features guest players from members of The Hold Steady, Wye Oak, Vivian Girls and Ponytail. Mark your calendar for their CD release party at The Bowery Ballroom on March 6, which promises to be explosive – in a Civil War kinda way!

San Francisco

Dive bars and documentaries

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Monday, February 8th at 8pm, Amoeba Music presents 2 music documentaries at a tucked away little venue on 37th and MLK in Oakland – Eli’s Mile High Club. This hidden staple in the Bay Area became semi-famous in the 70’s for being one of the few venues on the West Coast to exclusively feature local and national blues artists. The club struggled financially over the years, exchanged hands a few times and was resurrected in 2008. Today the bar has a divey feel, serves food until midnight and when the myriad of rock, punk, metal and experimental acts play a set, they’re standing on the same small Oakland stage that has been graced by James Brown, Etta James and Jimmy McCracklin.

Monday night features documentaries on the All Tomorrow’s Parties music festival and "My Fleeting House," a look at the music of Tim Buckley. The films are free and if you purchase a $5 food ticket you get food [duh] and a $5 Amoeba coupon.

Chicago

Quieting Syrup on Daytrotter

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Lead by the sullen Stephen Howard, Quieting Syrup brought the brand of mope rock to the recording studio of Daytrotter recently and the four song set was released on Saturday. The bands latest album, Songs About A Sick Boy, was released latest year by Lovitt Records. The band played three tracks from the album including my favorite “Password to a Fort Full of Pills”, and an unreleased track called “Mary, My Wife”.

NYC

NYC CD of the Month: Inlets – Inter Arbiter

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Sebastian Krueger’s Inlets will please the hoards of music fans who have grown to love the floral and somewhat progressive folk championed by Grizzly Bear and Beach House. Less grandiose than the first and sunnier than the latter, Inlets’ songs are instantly gratifying and more soothing. Their tamed vocals resonate in a very intimate way, like it often happens with one man/woman band projects, and the melodies are not as convoluted as you may expect. Krueger finds trendy help in the backing vocals department, where Dirty Projectors’ Angel Deradoorian leads a team of beautiful voiced ladies whose subtle vocal counterpoint contributes in the texture and melodic departments. Acoustic guitars, clarinets, pianos, strings, percussion, the unmissable ukulele but also synths and other keyboard sounds contribute to the band’s tastefully layered orchestrations. The album Inter Arbiter is due out in April – we predict that this record will be one of the soundtracks of hipster love this summer. – PDG

Chicago

I Fight Dragons Sign with Atlantic Records

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A Deli favorite and winner of our 2009 emerging artist poll, I Fight Dragons made a major announcement last week. The band finally put the rumors to rest and announced that they have joined the Photo Finish / Atlantic Records roster. They also announced that they will be touring this Spring with fellow Atlantic Records bands 3OH!3 (Photo Finish), Cobra Starship (Fueled by Ramen), and Travis McCoy (of Gym Class Heroes, on Fueled by Ramen). It is a huge step forward for these NES rockers!

Chicago

Moment Sound Vol 1

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There is a new label in town and its diverse sound is rooted heavily in the cities tradition of house music. The multi-faceted label overseen by three musicians from Chicago – Joshua Kleckner, Garo Tokat and Slava Balasanov. Each of these music are true electronic craftsmen who revel in the exploration of sound. They each have the remarkable ability to deconstruct the traditional structure of a song and rebuild it from the ground up. This March the first label’s first compilation, The Moment Sound Vol. 1 will be released on vinyl. The can be previewed (and preordered) here, and is clearly an album fit for both the club and the home. It is comprised of original material by its founders Garo, Lokua and Slava, and clear indication that house music is alive and well in Chicago.

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape Returns to The Bellevue!

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More snow!?! Isn’t this how the Ice Age got started? Well, hopefully it won’t be snowing Friday, February 26th when The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape returns to The Bellevue. If you made it to our debut showcase last month, thank you for being part of such a very attentive and accepting audience. We had a blast and so did all the artists! We are happy that the classy folks at The Bellevue haven’t thrown us out yet so we are excited to announce another Lunchtime Escape with upcoming performances this month by August Lutz (from Levee Drivers), Death Panel (a.k.a. Sir Charles Latham) and Lion Versus (a.k.a. Hilary White). Yeah – we know. This is a pretty sweet lineup!
 
Levee Drivers’ frontman August Lutz will be making a rare solo acoustic performance before he joins his bandmates later that evening to rock out Johnny Brenda’s. They were this year’s winners of The Deli’s Fans’ Poll and a Top Performer in the Overall Poll. If you’ve never heard of them, then thanks for checking out our website for the first time (j/k). We are also very thrilled to welcome southern transplants and first-time Deli showcase performers Death Panel and Lion Versus! Death Panel’s witty, quirky lyrics are sure to bring a grin to your face even though one rarely comes to his, and Lion Versus’ sultry Georgia peach vocals and dark poetic verses become more captivating with every listen. Come on. You know that you don’t want to miss this show so mark it on your calendar or whatever device you use to remind yourself these days. (BTW: Speedos are welcomed, especially if they are neon green.) – The Deli Staff