San Francisco

Show Review: Magic Bullets at The Independent 2/11

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A magic bullet is often described as an instant solution or cure for what ails you. As I found out last week, San Francisco’s Magic Bullets are just that.

Thursday, for even the most optimistic person, was a bad day. I woke up late for work, literally on the wrong side of the bed (I have the bump on my head to prove it), and tried to quickly make myself look human before I ran out the door. As I got ready to mount my bike and get on my way, I looked down and realized I had stepped in a fresh doggie present. Work presented me with an alarmingly full inbox, a coffee stain on a white blouse, bad news from a friend and another alarmingly full inbox upon leaving. Needless to say, as I pushed myself up Divisadero towards the Independent, I felt defeated. I walked in, ordered a shot of whiskey turned towards the stage and all of a sudden couldn’t help smiling.

The Magic Bullets look so painlessly cool you immediately want to be them, or at the very least around them in hopes some will rub off. Most importantly they all seem to be extremely content on stage. In 2009’s Holiday Issue of SOMA, guitarist Corey Cunningham says, “We have such a good time together that the music almost seems secondary.” And you can tell. Their enthusiasm radiates through their performance and it’s hard not to catch some.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s isn’t pop music so sugary it makes your teeth hurt. There is substance to their whimsical tunes laced with an underlying darkness. One would be hard pressed not to make a Smith’s reference here, however they have taken Moz’s signature angst and replaced it with something much more hopeful. feels much like finally seeing the light after being stuck in dark times. “You’ll make fine mistakes, you’ll make mistakes fine,” singer Phillip Benson declares. Lives For Romance The Magic Bullets have seemingly discovered a way to let us know everything will turn out ok. Some people say there is no such thing as a quick fix, however now I beg to differ.

-Alexandra Scioli

Chicago

Closed Sessions

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Just as many label across the country and around the world struggle and search for new and inventive ways to survive in a digital world, a collection of talented Chicago music professional may have solved the problem. Rubyhornet’s Closed Sessions label may very well be at the forefront of a new movement in the digital music age. With each of the Closed Sessions founders having years of experience in their respective fields, they combined their expertise in Audio Engineering (Mike Kolar who is chief engineer and owner of Chicago’s SoundScape Studios), Media Technology (Omar Solis) and Viral Media (DJ RTC EIC of Rubyhornet.com and also a renowned DJ who has performed and worked hand in hand with numerous labels and artists) to create a one-stop shop that caters to everything an artist requires to create compelling music. It is a fascinating concept, but these men have taken it beyond concept and created Closed Sessions: Vol. 1.

When a participating artist comes to Chicago, they are taken to SoundScape Studios with RubyHornet.com’s full video team and the studio is equipped and catered to fit their individual needs. Once comfortable, they are able to cycle through the Closed Sessions catalog and pick the beat of their choice. Once they have chosen their beat, they are left to do what they do, make great music. It allows the emcee to expand their sound while enjoying the safety and structure of the Closed Session experience. The sessions are photographed and videotaped.

Since conducting the first Closed Session with New Orleans’ recording artist Curren$y, artists such as Amanda Diva, Kidz In The Hall, Tanya Morgan, U-N-I, Bun B, Donnis, Rhymefest, Skyzoo, Big Pooh, and many others have participated. The label recently released a single created with Emilio Rojas called "Helluva Year" and the video above explains the process. The first Closed Sessions EP, presented and mixed by DJ RTC, will be released in March 2nd and will contain nine songs. The collection will be distributed digitally as a free download. Below are the first two tracks they have released from the ep. Welcome to the future of music.

NYC

Scrambler Seequill release digital album + plays Teal Lounge on 03.06

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Scrambler Seequill is a Brooklyn duo full of sonic surprises. Ethereal atmoshpheres, crunchy distorted beats, sudden reggae-ish breaks, zappian guitar solos, weird samples and loops coexist in a unique hodgepodge of music influences. The combined sounds of Mike Gamble’s (Scrambler) deft guitar arrangements and loop wizardry with Devin Febbroriello’s (Seequill) rhythmic compositions and ghostly vocals, create a colorful palette in which they nonchalantly mess with our minds and ears.Their live performances introduce extra improvisation when joined by drummer Conor Elmes and bass player Ari Folman Cohen. Their debut CD "Secret Passageways", recorded mostly in an abandoned house and yes, their bathroom, is out now digitally worldwide. They will be playing a free all ages show March 6th at The Tea Lounge in Brooklyn at 9 pm.

San Francisco

The Deli SF’s Weekend Highlights For 2/25-2/28

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While of course the main event this weekend will be the numerous Noise Pop programs around the city, for those not excited about the expense or large crowds (and for our part to lend voice to some likely overshadowed gigs) here are the Deli SF’s picks for some under-reported shows this coming weekend.

Out in the back corner of the Mission, far from all things Noise Pop, at the El Rio you’ll find The Dashing Suns playing a grittier Kinks-style 60s pop sound with out of staters Yellow Suns.

If you’ve got nothing to do this Friday then you have no excuse for missing one of the Bay Area’s finest bands, the Wooden Shjips playing with Sleepy Sun at The New Parish in Oakland, 8pm.

Continuing the theme of punked out 60s pop, on Saturday should you find yourself wandering around the Tender-Nob area, pop in to Hemlock to catch the garage/surf/punk sounds of Shannon and the Clams with The Pharmacy and The Rantouls somewhere around 9:30.

Of course while trying to highlight mostly non-Noise Pop Shows here, we’d be remiss not to also mention the great consecutive days of FREE happy hour shows at Benders. Featuring a some great local talent including Love is Chemicals, Social Studies, Weekend, and That Ghost these shows, while likely packed to the rafters, should be your first stop after work this week. You can find more info about these shows here.

That’s all for this week. Check back next week for our suggestions and, if your in a band keep us updated on your schedule and you may be featured here.

 

-Ada Lann

NYC

Brooklyn Psych Fest at Glasslands! Namm, La Otracina + more!

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Although we don’t really do THAT many drugs, here at The Deli we love the word "Psych", in particular when it’s associated with the other word "Rock". Wonderful Lady Bree had the great idea to organize the first Brooklyn Psych Fest at Glasslands on February 28 from 7 PM until 4 AM (yes of course psychedelia gets even better late at night…) – and we were happy to help her out with some promotion.
The line up features some darn fine emerging NYC artists including aggressive trio La Otracina (who made our Best of NYC 2008 list) and gorgeously cloudy Naam (who made our Best of NYC 2009 list!), plus other artists that are worth checking out. More about the other bands involved in this show soon!

Chicago

CD Review: The Right Now

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Coming March 3rd the soulful collective known as The Right Now will release their debut album Carry Me Home. Lead by the powerful voice of Stefanie Berecz, The Right Now play pure funk and soul without apologies. It’s clear this large band, Brendan O’Connell; guitar, keys, & vocals, Chris Corsale; guitar, Jonathon Edwards; baritone sax, Jim Schram; tenor sax, John Smillie; drums, and Greg Nergaard; bass, feels like family. In fact Stefanie’s daughter goes on the road with band consistently, and the band wouldn’t have it any other way. In the album’s title track was written by Brendan for Stefanie’s daughter Angelene.

The are so many highlights on this album for the soul music fan, but my favorite has to be the steady stomp of “ Ain’t Going Back”. It seems to be the perfect mix of sultry vocal, gospel choir backing, and a steady walking groove. “How many years I wasted try to reach my peak…, I’m coming on quick so get out of my way”, Stefanie says it clearly. This band has arrived and their power will be felt.

The Right Now is celebrating the release of Carry Me Home on March 19th at Lincoln Hall.

Chicago

Body Rock

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Rita J. brings it on this track from her latest album “Artist Workshop” on All Natural Inc. This video is simple, and basically lets the music speak for itself. It’s a perfect compliment to Rita’s laidback style.

Austin

The White White Lights Shine

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The White White Lights’ upcoming debut EP Medium Head Boy suggests the experimental indie rockers have what it takes to outshine their contemporaries. From eerie vocals to danceable rhythms, the band has deservingly catapulted into the spotlight already, receiving attention from sources such as SPIN and The Onion’s A.V. Club.

According to guitarist Deluxe Peroux, who at first said the band’s sound is like “Tom Waits sodomizing Blondie with a fuzz pedal,” Sonic Youth has had a major influence on the band. “Dirty was one of the first CDs I had. In starting this band, I wanted to get back to what I loved in my childhood. I wanted to feel like 12-year-old me could be proud of the music I’m making,” he said.

 

With a sound similar to the likes of not only Sonic Youth but also The Pixies and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, lead singer Jenny Gacy drives the band’s tendency to make you crave more and more of the catchy yet haunting aura TWWL has to offer in their 6 track debut, which covers topics including seduction, loneliness and aliens. Album highlight (and TWWL’s favorite to play) “Space Invaders” has the sort of synthesizing energy that is bound to spread like wildfire, while “It’s Cold Here in Japan” is a slow and vulnerable ballad held together by a xylophonic backbone.

 

Together since 2008, the band has had the chance to play live many times in their home city, although this Saturday’s show at Emo’s will be their first with a release in hand. 

 

“We’ve had the fortune of playing at most major Austin rock venues like The Parish, Mohawk, Stubb’s, Emo’s (inside and outside), Beauty Bar, and even non-traditional spaces like Blanton Museum,” Gacy said. “We played our first shows at Beauty Bar and we still love the feeling of playing in smaller spaces as close to the audience as possible. Emo’s is great in that sense; you feel very connected to the audience.”

 

On the brink of releasing Medium Head Boy this Saturday, February 27, TWWL have a number of shows lined up, including a few spots during SXSW. The four-piece are also set to roll out a full-length album in April, so it’s safe to say that TWWL will definitely be a band to watch this year.

 

With the level of passion and self-described honesty that speaks through the new record, TWWL could just be the next big thing out of Austin, according to Gacy. 

 

“We’re honest. We keep our recordings as live as possible; we don’t mask our imperfections. We glorify them.” 

 

Check out The White White Lights this Saturday, February 27 at Emo’s and see what all the hype is about. 



–Melanie Wolfson

 

(Photo: Daniel Perlaky) 

 

NYC

The Fancy and Binary Marketing Show play 8088 Volume IV release party

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On February 23rd (tonight) @ Zebulon in Brooklyn 8088 Record Collective presents the release of Compilation Volume IV ("nice cover!" says The Deli) with Binary Marketing Show, Equestrian, The Fancy (in the picture), Transmography (Austin) and La Snacks (Austin). The show is FREE and copies of the compilation are also FREE for those who will come out to the show. DJ Bird Dog will be spinning all night and mind blowing projections will get your brain busy. 8088 is a collective of artists across the nation who share the same ideals, enthusiasm, and convictions and doubles as an experiment in the exposure of underground art while working as a community of artists for collaboration.- (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

 

Portland

Portland Round 12 Features Stellar Lineup Tuesday

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The Round is one of those impossibly chic convergences of art, poetry and music that makes you wish you had thought of it first. But, guess what? You didn’t.

Founded in Seattle in 2005 by arts curator Nathan Marion, The Round has now expanded to Tacoma, Portland, Austin, and Lebanon, PA. The setup is so simple it’s genius: feature local musicians on stage with interspersed slam poetry sets and live painters for an amazing, one-of-a-kind art-o-rama. There are rules to keep the event fresh each go around, too. Musicians can only perform at an edition of The Round once a year; slam poets twice a year; and painters just three times per year.

So what’s in store for Portland Round 12 this Tuesday at The Woods, you ask? Just your ho-hum, average triple threat of Portland underground rock luminaries John Vecchiarelli, Y La Bamba’s Ben Meyercord, and Autpilot is for Lovers vocalist/accordionist Adrienne Hatkins on the music side of things. I’m not even positive as to what this merging of such disparate styles will produce. I just know I want to see it. And so should you.

Live painting will come courtesy of returning artist Michelle Tuffias, with layered spray-painted art from Beth Myrick, and poetry from slam poet Melissa Rose.

The rain is coming back, y’all. And your brain’s no doubt been fried by the Vitamin D-struction of the fleeting sun. Support everything local, always; and open your senses to the combined infiltration of an evening of amazing performance.

Doors are at 8 p.m.; show at 9. $8 cover. 21 and over.

– Ryan J. Prado