NYC

Best of NYC #60: Acrylics

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We continue our "Best of NYC Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year End Best of NYC list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record sotre personnel and DJs). Many of the bands in this list will play The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest in Williamsburg in May (6 shows in 3 different venues between the 13 and the 15).


Close your eyes, find a soft piece of grass, be still for a moment, and let the Acrylics EP “All The Fire” saturate your ears and your mind. In doing this, you’ll truly be able to appreciate the distant vocals, innovative rock, and smooth transitions between melodies all captured in each individual track. The best part of this album is that no song plays the same way from start to finish. The Acrylics have done a fantastic job of throwing in musical subtleties to keep your attention, particularly in “Avenue I,” where the shifts from acoustic guitar to transient pop flow perfectly. You will love this album for the visual effects of its lyrical metaphors and it’s beautiful harmonies within the uniquely talented quintet. -CM

NYC

Automatic Children release LP, play Parkside Lounge on 04.16

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Released April 8, "New is Beautiful" is the new album by NYC’s Automatic Children. The band is gearing up for a series of shows in NYC through May. The first of the bunch will be at Parkside Lounge on April 16, followed by a live performance at Best Buy on May 14, and the official record release show at the Studio@ Webster Hall on May 21 (8pm). The band will then make a few trips out of town to promote the record and their current radio campaign. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

 

Philadelphia

The Great Vibration Album Release Party at KFN April 16

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The South Philly boys of The Great Vibration might not make the Richter Scale go off the charts or create any pulse flinging beats with their songs. But Jumboman, Pablo, Big Spliff Dawg and Evernasty do deliver some vibrant and colorful rock anthems that are fueled by catchy guitar riffs and the occasional piano. Tonight they’ll be celebrating the release of their new album Purple Stuff at Kung Fu Necktie with the help of Mountjoy who will have you climbing your way towards twanged out rock ‘n roll that’s heavy on the percussions and guitar hooks. Meanwhile, songbird Julia Rainer will bring it home with her PJ Harvey like sound during songs like “Insomnia” and “Into the Night”. Their will also be an after-party at The Carriage House for all those who are just getting warmed-up when KFN’s 10pm band curfew hits. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7pm, $8, 21+ myspace.com/thegreatvibration – Bill McThrill

 

San Francisco

Social Studies sign to Antenna Farm Records

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It was announced this week that San Francisco band Social Studies has signed with Oakland’s Antenna Farm Records. This west bay / east bay marriage will consummate with a honeymoon tour of the West Coast in May and the birth of the bands first full length LP Wind Up Wooden Heart due in late July. Antenna Farm Records also represents Bay Area artists The Dry Spells, Bart Davenport, Sugar & Gold and The Papercuts, amongst others.

The tour stops in Oakland on May 14th and San Francisco on May 27th at the Rickshaw Stop.

Wind Up Wooden Heart is the follow up release to 2007’s first EP out of wedlock, This is the World’s Biggest Hammer.

 "Time Bandit"

-Nicole Leigh

Nashville

Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH) – April 17th

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The drive from Nashville to Murfreesboro can be made a little easier now that so many solid bands are emerging from there. Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH), a youth-oriented artistic organization, has gathered a few local flavors of indie rock for a showcase on April 17th.

Gold Sounds are on the bill, as well as acoustic singer/songwriter David Sidney, lackadaisical jam-rockers Paper Not Plastic and Freak Out the Kids, an electronic group composed of two gentlemen who plan on changing their name to Sponge Brain and Clock of a Heart.

The fun begins at 8pm and is sure to please a rocking palette. – Jessica Pace

Portland

The Days of Lore Presents The Mother Hips, Jared Mees and the Grown Children, and The Hugs Friday at Doug Fir!

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Mark Lore, creator of The Days of Lore blog, knows a thing or two about music. Lore is the former arts editor of California alt-weekly Chico News and Review, and when he is not slaving away on The Lore blog, he’s writing for music mags like Spin.com and our own Portland Mercury. Oh, and the dude apparently used to play in a couple of bands.

Consumed by music he is, and acting as a musical Jedi and thus a guardian of peace and justice in the music world, it is up to him to pass his wisdom onto us. Lore has used the Force to bring together three great bands tomorrow, April 16th, at Doug Fir: the Bay Area Americana-rock staple the Mother Hips, along with ’60s-speckled garage-rockers The Hugs, and indie-popsters Jared Mees & The Grown Children.

It’s an impressive lineup of bands whose music is fun, fun, fun and oh so danceable. I wonder if Jedi’s ever bust a move? I guess we will have to wait and see tomorrow.

Show starts at 9 p.m. The cover charge is $15, but watching Lore dance could be priceless.

– Deanna Uutela

Austin

The Lemurs: New Vid + The Merits of Brad Pitt Discussed

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Lemurs, New Song – "Go On Fools," front porch, crazy homeless guy from The Lemurs on Vimeo.

 

According to The Lemurs, who attribute their band name to a Pixies song, a bumper sticker, and the lack of thinking of something better, the band has a laid back attitude toward their writing process. “Our music is a combination of everyone in the band just being creative, while collaborating and compromising. Whatever comes out, that’s our sound. What that is, we don’t really know.”

 

The Texan natives all agreed that they share common influences in the pop and indie rock genres, while also sharing common dislikes. “We don’t listen to disingenuous country (typically the Nashville contemporary pop stuff gets left out, but there are exceptions), not much rap/hip-hop (with some notable exceptions there too), no ‘Alt’ Rock (Matchbox 20, Creed, Sublime, and the like (can’t think of any exceptions in this genre)).”

 

The band did admit to one area in which they do not share common ground. “We disagree on whether or not Brad Pitt is a good actor,” they joked.

 

 

It has been two years since their last release, but they’re back with a new video and more material on the way soon. Their infectiously catchy synth-pop sound has made them a respectable band in the Austin indie scene for the past few years, and new material means upcoming chances to catch them live.

 

The indie pop band, who has shared the stage with bands including The Silversun Pickups, Stars, and Octopus Project, first got together in 2002 while attending school together. Though band members have changed throughout the years, the current lineup of Justin Mosley (bass, vocals), Mitch Billeaud (vocals, guitar), Michael Kingkaid (vocals, guitar, keys), Josh King (synth, sounds) and Danny Reisch (drums) makes for a determined crew of indie rockers who plan on recording all year.

 

 

The Lemurs are continuing to work on their new album and are hoping to release a few songs in the next couple of months. Until then, be sure to check out their video for their new acoustic song “Go On Fools.”

 

And, you can check out The Lemurs live tomorrow night (4/16) at The Parish at 214 E. 6th Street, where they will be headlining the Frontier Brothers’ Official EP release. Doors are at 9pm and tickets are $8.00.

 

–Melanie Wolfson Gardiner

 

 

Philadelphia

Pilam Lives to Rock Another Day and The Deli’s Best of Philly Showcase Finds a New Home at The OX April 24!

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So we have great news! First off, Pilam is still alive and breathing. They survived the dreaded Penn council once again to rock another day/evening. However, they’ll be laying low for a little while, but will be back in the fall in full force, and hopefully sooner. We also found a new home for our Best of Philly Showcase. The kind folks at The Ox have opened up their home to us. The show will still take place on Saturday, April 24th w/Reading Rainbow, Grandchildren and Levee Drivers. We would love to see everyone out enjoying themselves that evening because we know that our staff certainly will! Cheers! The Ox, 2nd and Oxford (w/their permission), 8pm, $5, ALL AGES myspace.com/theoxphiladelphia – Q.D. Tran

 

 

New England

Interview with Jeff Prystowsky from The Low Anthem

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lowanthem

The Low Anthem dug their heels deep into the New England folk rock music circuit with cleverly crafted musical arrangements and a well-articulated sound that vaulted them into an all-inclusive global kudos. This trio turned quartet stands at the forefront of an abundant arsenal of off-beat instruments, which they employ to resonate the musical byproducts of their inventively framed themes. On the brink of their inaugural U.S. headlining tour, Jeff conversed with us about hitting the road, new additions, the weight of kinship and a followup record. The Low Anthem will be touring New England through 17-24.

Deli: Can you talk to me about the European Tour you guys just got back from?

Jeff: Sure. European touring is really great for an American band, at least speaking from my own experience. We’ve had just a great time in Europe. We have been over there four times now and each time has been really special and we’ve had great shows. On this last tour, we played a lot of great theaters, like Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, which is one of the most beautiful theaters I’ve played in. As well as the great music hall in Belgium called AB and a great one in Amsterdam called the Paradiso, an old converted church that’s now a music venue. It makes it so much easier to put on a great show when you are playing in a venue that has a certain character to it, you know? It really helps for the show and for the performance. We’ve had great tours in Europe and we will be going back again in August to play the festival season there.

Read the whole interview by Alexandra Johnson HERE

L.A.

Not passing out at the polo field: The Deli LA

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(Credit: Kyle Lishok)

In the ever so apropos words of five of our hometown heroes, “I want to lift my hands towards the sun. Baby, won’t you show me warmth again?” Can I get an amen to that? The Deli LA will be part of this weekend’s sun-thirsty mass exodus that is Coachella. We know you Deli readers are either 1) stoked to be holding one of the 75,000 sold-out tickets in your hipster hands (however intense or illegal it was to acquire it) or 2) bummed and bitter you won’t be basking at the Outdoor Stage for Yorke or basting in the Gobi tent for Florence & The Machine. Either way, friends, we’ve got you covered.

5gum is teaming up with Coachella to host an exclusive live webcast of the music fest! You guys can create your own personalized concert experience via custom viewing apps with live streams at Facebook or MySpace

The Deli dream team will also be tweeting live updates from the fest and will bring you specialized coverage next week from our faves who rep’ this city, including Mayer Hawthorne, Local Natives, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Flying Lotus and Kaskade. Be sure to follow us on Twitter starting tomorrow and check out our site next week for our Coach-coverage! -Sara Tan

 

 

Chicago

Prizzy Prizzy Please Release Show

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On April 20th, Joyful Noise Records will be releasing the latests effort from Prizzy Prizzy Please entitled Chroma Cannon. A couple months months ago we gave you a sneak peak with the track “Large Hadron Collider”, and now we bring you the track “Lost”. This track demonstrates the sonic diversity that PPP put in play through out the album. Mixing high-energy, compulsive electronics, with laidback horns and falsetto vocals, it is a fascinating track.

Prizzy Prizzy Please will be celebrating the tomorrow night (April 16th) at Beat Kitchen with Sass Dragons before heading out on a nationwide tour.