New England

Good Kids Sprouting Horns, Jakob Battick & Friends @ Geno’s, Portland, ME, 2.4

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Review of the Deli’s Band of the Month winner, Jakob Battick and Friends. Stay tuned for an interview with them in the future.

Taking their name from an Andrew Bird song, Good Kid Sprouting Horns set the stage with their incredibly minimal setup of guitar, Casio keyboard, and small drum kit. While Horns’ music was rooted in folk, they showed different shades of influences from the lo-fi rock explosion of the 90s and a lick of alt-country. Anthony Bitetti’s voice was subdued and creaky and he could belt away in a beautiful descent. Horns’ performance was powerful and satisfying.

Following Horns was Bangor native, Jakob Battick who was accompanied by his ragtag team of musicians from the local university. Going under the name Jakob Battick & Friends, the group is constantly evolving, always welcoming new members and saying goodbye to the old—sometimes cycling through the same people, allowing for the reinterpreting of already interpreted songs. What’s so special about Jakob Battick & Friends isn’t only the folk and sometimes punk-infused songwriting, but also the group’s willingness to change and experiment with songs that never end up sounding exactly the same.

A year ago, Jakob Battick’s songs would have sounded almost gentle and quiet—with the support of acoustic instruments and maybe some light drumming. With a year passed, the group has changed and know have a sound that’s jagged and loud. While the songs are still rooted in folk music, the group isn’t afraid to show a little contrast between the soft and sharp. This was especially evident in the elegant sounds of Roy MacNeil’s violin set against Mark Dennis’ pummeling war-drums. It was during these moments that the folk switched to a more tribal sound.

Planets Around The Sun performed next, I suggest you check them out!

–Dylan Martin

NYC

Freelance Whales about to conquer the world – live at Music Hall on 03.01

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Freelance Whales (who played one of our CMJ parties in October 2009 and placed 2nd in our Year End Best of NYC Poll) is definitely the indie band with the most "selling potential" to emerge from the NYC scene in 2009. These guys last year managed to create a lot of buzz in the big apple just by playing shows and without the support of a label – or even a real release for that matter. Now that a "proper" promotional machine is warming up, the sky seems to be the limit. Freelance Whales just announced the release of the debut single "Generator 2nd Floor" (you can download it for free here) and their live show schedule for the next few months, including Sasquatch Festival on May 30th and a US Tour With Cymbals Eat Guitars & Bear In Heaven – plus of course several SXSW dates. Their debut album "Weathervanes" LP On Frenchkiss/Mom + Pop Records will be out March 16th. Don’t miss their live show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 1st.

Chicago

In A Dream

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Not only is the song “In A Dream” one of my favorite tracks so far this year, but Skybox has just made one of the strangest and coolest videos for the tracks. “In A Dream” appears on the band new album Morning After Cuts.

The band will be touring the entire month of March, and will be performing at Lincoln Hall on March 12th with Tally Hall and Jukebox The Ghost.

Chicago

Interview With Christa Meyer of Puerto Muerto

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Just weeks after the release of Puerto Muerto latest album Drumming For Pistols, which has finally found the band the critical praise that they have long deserved, the husband and wife duo, Christa Meyers and Tim Kelley, announced that were splitting up. Their free show tonight at Empty Bottle will be unfortunately be their last. I recently had the chance to ask Christa a few question about the album, the show, and her future in music.

The Deli (TD): Many critics are proclaiming Drumming For Pistols to be your finest work to date, and it might be, but it doesn’t seem to be radically different than previous albums. Why do you feel the press seems more receptive to this album? Do you feel their is something that sets Drumming For Pistols apart?
Christa Meyer (CM): The fact that we are experiencing relationship difficulties could help, (sadly enough). Also, Miranda Lange from PMA PR is a top notch publicist who knows how to push and reel in a couple of insane characters like us.

TD: All of this praise is unfortunately coming at very difficult and private time in your life. I am sure you have discussed trying to remain a band despite your personal difference, but it has been reported that the band will split up and your free show on the 22nd will be your last. What can fans expect from your final show?
CM: Emotional terrorism. A whole lot of fun and fireworks.

TD: Are you of going to continue to pursue music and do you have anything planned?
CM: I am writing every day. What I seem to be producing seems to be contemplative, yet subversive.

TD: In your recent interview in the Sun Times you did leave the door open in a way to further collaboration. I’m sure time will tell, but is there a possibility of more Puerto Muerto material coming down the road?
CM: That really depends on how the dust settles. We’ll see if we are able to work together in the future and how we feel after the hand wringing, hair pulling and yelling subsides.

TD: You have been performing music in and around Chicago for many years. Do you feel there is more going on in Chicago music now than at any point in the last ten years? It really seems like a great time to be a musician in Chicago. Do you feel the same?
CM: There is an open air to the scene in Chicago right now. I think that the lack of a defining Chicago sound is incredibly liberating for many artists. Chicago has been a vibrant music town for many generations, it definitely could be attributed to the work ethic Chicagoans have.

You can see the final appearance of the duo tonight at Empty Bottle with The Glorious Vapors and Daniel Knox. This is a free show and it begins at 9:30pm.

NYC

Starling Crush ambient-y alt rock, live at Living Room, 02.22

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It’s quite rare to stumble upon an Alt Rock band that – like Starling Crush – quotes the early 4AD records as one of their most important influences. Yeah because none of those submlime seminal 4AD bands (Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil) had ever anything to do with what is understood to be "Alt Rock". They’d rather mix and mess around with genres like ambient, goth, electronica and even world influences. But – as we strongly believe Alt Rock is in desperate need of a face lift – we definitely welcome this paradox, which allows this band’s songs to stand out from most of the Alt Rock artists out there. Check them out at The Living Room on 02.22 and at Rockwood on March 02.

Chicago

Purple Apple @ Schubas

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If it seems wrong or strange to go to a bar and enter the area for a 21 and over show and see three twelve year old walk on to the stage that because it is. However, when you listen to the crisp indie pop that the quartet (add the 24 year babysitter) Purple Apple plays you may find yourself forgetting about age. The three 7th grade schoolmates at the core of the band, Olivia, Madi and Noni, aren’t your typical middle schoolers. While most consumed with youth and childhood these three spend their days crafting songs that cut to the core, but without the jaded perspective of adulthood. These girls may bot be able to have a drink, but they clearly have a ton of talent.

You can catch Purple Apple at Schubas this Wednesday (Feb. 24th) with Blah Blah Blah and Minnesota’s Lookbook. This is part of Amplify’s new music series.

Philadelphia

Interview with Pattern Is Movement’s Chris Ward

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Pattern Is Movement will be starting their month-long tour with Via Audio down to SXSW tomorrow night in D.C., but you won’t need to wait long for your PIM fix when they roll back into town this Wednesday, Feb. 24th at Kung Fu Necktie! We had a chance to catch up with one half of the bearded dynamic duo and the man behind the skins Chris Ward.
 
The Deli: Which cities are you looking forward to the most on this tour and why?
 
Chris Ward: I love playing in St. Louis because we have such a great group of friends there. Every time we play, it’s like coming home to a bunch of friends you haven’t seen in years, and the shows are always amazing. I feel the same way about Chicago – it’s the best coming into town and hanging with such great people who you only see generally when you’re on tour. 
 
TD: So what’s on the new tour-exclusive EP?
 
CW: Well, we have two songs we recorded here in Philadelphia with Jeff Zeigler (Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs, Arc in Round) and mixed by John Congleton (St. Vincent, Polyphonic Spree). These two songs are ones that we started playing while on tour with St. Vincent back in the Spring of ‘08. They will be showing up on our full length, which will be coming out in Winter 2010/Early 2011. We also have some covers on there: Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love”, Bowie’s “Time” and The Smith’s “I Want the One That I Cant’t Have”.
 
TD: What should we be expecting in the future from Pattern Is Movement?
 
CW: We are doing some shows here and there after this tour w/ Via Audio, but generally, we are taking it easy this Spring/Summer so we can focus on the new full length. 
 
TD: So whose idea was it to make the bags with the drawings of your faces, and where did they go? I thought that they were pretty rad! Who was the artist?
 
CW: Our label, Hometapes, had the brilliant idea of placing our beautiful mugs on those bags. One of the owners of the label, Sara, took a photo of Andrew and I, which became the now infamous press photo. That photo was the inspiration for the tote bags. An artist friend and all around helper of the label, Lyndsey Denyer, drew the faces from that photo and then screen-printed them. The bags are now in retirement as we just produced t-shirts with the aforementioned faces. Get them before they sell out – just like the tote bags did!
 
TD: What do you love most about Philly?
 
CW: I love that it’s got a thriving music scene and wonderful eateries, and I can afford to not have a horrible desk job and be a musician. 
 
TD: What annoys you the most about Philly?
 
CW: Having an interaction with any city employee – it’s the saddest, most frustrating experience ever!
 
TD: What do you like to get at the deli?
 
CW: Smoked Turkey, American Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Black Pepper, tiny bit of Mayo and some Vinegar. YUMMY!
 
 
The Deli Staff
 
L.A.

Warpaint: Female Phenoms.

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Warpaint perfectly weds 70s psychedelia with the haunting female vocals of Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman. Their music is a testament to the X chromosome, creating music that is uniquely and eerily alluring. Jenny Lee Lindberg on bass also lends her voice on occasion while Stella Mozgawa sticks to the drums. Warpaint is currently on tour through March, but should be back in Los Angeles at the end of the month. Check out their debut EP Equisite Corpse out on Manimal Vinyl.

 

Nashville

Sarah Silva: 12th & Porter – 2/11/10

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"My name is Sarah Silva, and if you don’t know me now, you will by the end of this set," were the words that followed a sassy blurb about being done with an ex boyfriend, and also the words that introduced dramatic pop-diva Sarah Silva to her 12th & Porter audience last Thursday night. She was joined by pop/RnB singer Alvin Love and indie-folk group Kopecky Family Band, making for an odd but interesting lineup.

Silva’s music was almost as unconventional as said lineup, drawing characteristics from artists as varied as Queen, KT Tunstall and Cyndi Lauper. While the majority of her material consisted of lack-of-love songs outlining her failed romantic endeavors and the shortcomings of men, the subject didn’t get old. Her lyrics and delivery were presented with enough bite that the spunky bitch/angry girl shtick continued to work for her. It was only fitting that on the song "Screamer" Silva practically screamed the hook, "You give me something to scream about!" Despite all of the man-hating going on, all of the men in the front row bobbed their heads while Silva bounced around behind her keyboard as she played with skillful precision. The delectably catchy "I Don’t Believe You" summoned the spirit of Freddy Mercury with its unpredictable chord changes, Silva’s classically trained belt (not the one around her waist), and her ability to flawlessly hold her high notes for lengthy periods of time.

The idiosyncrasies in all of Sarah Silva’s songs prevented her from simply being tossed into the pop artist category. Not too many people can say they’ve witnessed the archetypal female, piano-playing singer/songwriter murmuring a sexy, Pussycat Dolls style, spoken interlude in their music – which is what Silva did with her song "Foolish." And while the songwriting style of very few artists is as eccentric as Kate Bush’s, that is exactly what Silva’s tune "Numb" channeled, with its retro feel, erratic high notes and beguiling melody. When the Tori Amos-meets-80s-power-ballad finale "Burn" was played a drunken boy in the front row roared, "I LOVE THIS SONG!" and it seemed to be the perfect end to the evening. (You can hear Burn for free on Silva’s myspace: see above link).

Sarah Silva’s impeccable voice, style, rantin and ravings are worth witnessing firsthand. Catch her playing an acoustic set on March 4th at the Listening Room, or try for the whole shebang (pun intended) by going to her CD release show at 12th & Porter on April 3rd. – Erin Manning

NYC

Submit to play during SXSW 2010 – Deadline Approaching!

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Deli readers who play in bands,

The Deli has reserved 1 showcase slot at the Music Tech Mashup during SXSW for one Austin emerging artist. The Party will take place at Rusty Spurs on March 17.

To apply for this opportunity all you need to do is fill in this for HERE and click on the confirmation email you’ll receive (this will simply add you to our mailing list and enter your band in our fabulous charts organized by genre and region – one day we’ll also create band profiles!). 3 bands will be selected by the organizers (one of them will be a local Austin, TX artist). DEADLINE IS MONDAY 22 at 11.59 pm.

Music Tech Mashup Showcase (organized by Coast to Coast Models & Events) will celebrate the convergence of music and technology and the opportunities it presents for everyone involved just as SXSW itself switches gears from Interactive Week to Music Week.This is a list of some of the artists already booked: Jada – Universal Motown Records (Boston, MA) – Bamboo Shoots – Epic Records (New York) – Shinobi Ninja – (Brooklyn, NY) – McAlister Drive – (Boston, MA) – Odd Modern – (Los Angeles, CA) – Keys and Crates (Toronto, Canada) – Curtis Santiago (Toronto, Canada) – Keith Masters (Chicago, IL) – FutureCop! (UK) – Mark Foster (Los Angles, CA).

Event support sponsors include HunnyPot, Hip Hop Howl, and The Deli Magazine.

The Deli’s Staff

The Deli’s Staff

Philadelphia

Invisible Friends to Appear at M Room Feb. 21

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When the glam garage outfit Dark Horse and the Carousels came to pass in late 2009, its guitarists, Evan Grant Klinefelter and Duane Lauginiger, picked up the pieces with a new project in Invisible Friends. The end result is a group that’s equal parts lo-fi and melodic, yet has enough rocking moments and catchy tunes for fans of DHC to get behind (especially “Whatchoo Got To Say About It”). Toss in multiple vocalists, and songs like “Tomorrow’s Sorrows” that will have you feeling a bit of the blues, and you have a band to look out for. Tonight’s appearance at the M Room marks the first of many shows to come, and they’ll be joined by the country rock stylings of Tin Horses. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ myspace.com/friendsthatcantbeseenBill McThrill