NYC

Married rapper dude in slippers plays Bonnaroo on June 10th: Rob Cantrell

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Rob Cantrell rocks. Never heard of him? He’s the proud married dude that lives around the corner from your Brooklyn brownstone. At first glance, he’s a funki-fied version of Aiden (John Corbett of Sex & the City) dressed in a bathrobe, crazy white man fro in tact and bumble bee slippers. But once he opens his mouth, you’ll get a Weird Al vibe, mixed with pro-grass declarations that will make you sing along. Awesome tracks like “Coffee and Weed” and “Rub My Feet” are hilarious, snarky, and unapologetic. Cantrell’s even got a relationship blog on High Times.
"Married and Sh*t” is the best song hands down. With lyrics like, “I’m a one vagina man, doin’ the best I can. No more scams or one night stands. Funk you emo bands. I’m Rob man, kickin’ out the jams, with a wedding band,” you’ll laugh. You’ll cry. And you’ll secretly wish you had the talent to pull off those sweet rhymes.
Check out his album, KEEP ON THE GRASS. After listening to Cantrell you will be rollin’. Literally, off your chair. – Melissa Wong

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Featured Artist(s) of the Month: ‘tine-‘tine

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OK, so I owe my deepest apologies to Ms. ‘tine-‘tine. She had sent me her answers to our interview questions. I just realized the other day that I forgot to post them before I left for Amsterdam (and then I forgot a lot more there). Well, better late than never – right? It’s like that period after the condom broke. Right, ladies and gents? Sorry, I was just channeling my inner ‘tine-‘tine. Here are some words from the real STDiva for you.
 
The Deli: Who is ‘tine-‘tine?
‘tine-‘tine: ‘tine-‘tine is just me, Christine Griffis. A baby at a daycare I used to work at called me it, and I liked it. I never did like "Chris" as a nickname; it seems masculine to me, and besides, it’s what my parents called me when they were mad.
 
TD: What are your biggest musical influences?
 
‘t-‘t: Peaches, Moldy Peaches, The Blow.
 
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
 
‘t-‘t: I’ve been fortunate to perform with really awesome guys and get free cds from doing so. Some local faves include: Chang Chang (Philly), Applejackzzz (NYC), and Social Studies (Baltimore). Also, my car CD player thinks it’s 2007 and insists on playing The Dream’s Love/Hate and Of Montreal’s Hissing Fauna all the time.
 
TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
 
‘t-‘t: My first concert was Marilyn Manson when I was 14. When I was turning 7, I asked my mom for Madonna’s "Immaculate Collection". I didn’t think she’d buy it for me, but to my surprise, she did that and also threw me a Madonna-themed birthday party; my 1 yr. old cousin wore neglige over his onesie.
TD: What do you love about Philly?
 
‘t-‘t: The grittiness of the natives.
 
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
 
‘t-‘t: The grittiness of the natives.
 
TD: What are your plans for 2010?
 
‘t-‘t: Dick suckin’, grad schoolin’, full-time-workin’, ‘tine-‘tinein’…mostly dick suckin’ though (Shout outz to Drewpeabottom whaaaaaaaaaat).
 
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
‘t-‘t: I did a show at Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC. They were playing metal in the front bar, and an industrial dance party was to take place soon in back, where I was playing. Metalheads from the bar and hippies who came to see the acoustic act before me watched my set. They laughed. Really hard. In a good way. It was the first time I remember an audience not comprised solely of my friends liking me so much.
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
 
‘t-‘t: Huggies. DUH.
 
– Q.D. Tran
 

 

San Francisco

The Stone Foxes release “Stomp” video in 3D

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In anticipation of their third full length release, Bulls & Bears, San Francisco blues-rock band The Stone Foxes have released a video and a free download for the song "Stomp." The video is pretty amusing and the concept, inspired by the Mattel View-Master toys of the 80’s, gives a context to offering the video in standard and 3D format which goes beyond the current trend of 3D everything as a means to market anything [have you seen the commercials for the new 3D HDTV? Ridiculous]. For those of you without two-toned glasses at home, the standard video is included in this post. Anyone wanting the full experience can go here.

Bulls & Bears is available in physical format on July 6th and digitally on iTunes June 29th.

-Nicole Leigh

Philadelphia

Awake and Dreaming with Northern Valentine at M Room June 6

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Shaped by the vibes of Sigur Ros and Mew, Northern Valentine’s dreamy soundscapes tactfully prove that less is more. Fronted by Robert and Amy Brown, this deliciously ambient four-piece have shared their post-rock from classrooms to clubs and even churches. Firm believers in the idea that “no venue is too large or too small,” their’08 Icelandic tour marked the first musical performance in Viðeyjarkirkja since 1774. Less sinking than Mogwai’s The Hawk Is Howling, The Browns’ and their bandmates’ instrumentation is sweeping with buzzing transitions and delicate licks of guitar. Atmospheric, tracks like “Sleeping Weapons” swell in fullness, each riff creating an arch in theme and sound. Undoubtedly cerebral, yet full of heart, Northern Valentine create a middle ground between concrete and abstract, crafting a soundtrack that leaves listeners room for their own interpretation. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 8 pm, $8, 21+ – Dianca Potts
 

 

Philadelphia

Levee Drivers Know Where’s the After-Party at The Khyber June 5

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OK – if you haven’t figured it out yet, Levee Drivers fuckin’ rock! But I would suggest not following them to any after-parties. (Hey guys – who’s Lauren?) No, we really had a blast when they performed at our Best of Philly Showcase at The Ox w/Reading Rainbow and Grandchildren. They were also nice enough to get me home safely when the cabbies wouldn’t come pick me up in the no-man’s land neighborhood of The Ox. The Khyber is certainly an easy stroll from the Festival Pier if you’re still ready for more after The Roots Picnic. The Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Q.D. Tran
 

 

Philadelphia

New Madrid Faults Shake Things Up at Mar Bar June 5

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New Madrid Faults has an eclectic sound, pulling in all sorts of influences simultaneously. Take a wistful ambience reminiscent of Broken Social Scene, add in the occasional huge, rockin’ hook, and wrap it all together in a sweet pop sensibility. Then, bring in some bells, a horn section, and a trip to SXSW, and you’re convinced that New Madrid Faults can go anywhere. The best example might be the seven-minute epic "To the West Goodbye," which begins with a flurry of horns and then builds up from steady atmospherics into big, anthemic chords.  Mar Bar, 200 S. 40th Street, 8:30pm, $5, 21+ – Joe Poteracki
 

 

Philadelphia

BurnDown All Stars Reunion at Grape Room June 5

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Am I having flashbacks? I’ll probably be experiencing déjà vu when I step into the new/old Grape Room tonight when the BurnDown All Stars reunite. Once a promising local hip hop/rock group that fell into the trap of the music biz allowing egos and mismanagement of earnings to tear them apart. It’s been a while now since their last show, and it seems the fellas have grown a bit missing those days when they had such an organic collective. Let’s hope this won’t be a one and done. Grape Room, 105 Grape St., 10pm, $7, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 

 

Philadelphia

The Broken Prayers & Psalmships Long for the Old West at Tritone June 5

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The Broken Prayers and Psalmships bring you sounds that you might find in the Old West: the classic heart and soul of country music. These cowboys sing with heavy hearts about lost love, little old towns, the pearly gates, wooden porches and rocking chairs. Their guitar twang can be as slow as the tumbleweed rolling across the road in front of you, or as hand-clappin, toe-tappin-ly upbeat as the Saturday night barn dance. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9pm, $7, 21+ – Katie Bennett
 

 

Portland

The Thermals Personal Life Due September 7 On Kill Rock Stars

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Our beloved savage indie-poppers The Thermals have had a busy year. Less than a year ago, the trio released its fourth LP (first on Kill Rock Stars) Now We Can See, and between promoting the record and touring the world (five tours in the US, three in Europe, one in China), the threesome has miraculously managed to write and record another album, Personal Life, due September 7th from Kill Rock Stars.

This release marks the third project The Thermals have worked on with Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), who also mixed the first Thermals LP (More Parts Per Million, 2003) and produced the band’s 2nd LP (Fuckin’ A, 2004). For you analog geeks out there, the album was recorded to 2" tape and mixed to 1/2" tape, and vinyl enthusiasts will be happy to know the vinyl was mastered straight from tape.

The lead-off single from Personal Life, "I Don’t Believe You" will be released by Kill Rock Stars August 10th, 2010, but for now, all we have is a track-listing:

Personal Life Track List

01. I’m Gonna Change Your Life

02. I Don’t Believe You

03. Never Listen To Me

04. Not Like Any Other Feeling

05. Power Lies

06. Only For You

07. Alone, A Fool

08. Your Love Is So Strong

09. A Reflection

10. You Changed My Life

Thermals Tour Dates

July 1 – Calgary, AB @ Distillery – Sled Island Festival

July 2 – Calgary, AB @ Olympic Plaza – Sled Island Festival

July 3 – Calgary, AB @ Republik – Sled Island Festival

July 5 – Chicago, IL @ Jay Pritzker Pavillion – Millenium Park

September 6 – Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Festival

September 9 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom – Music Fest NW

-Katrina Nattress

Portland

MusicfestNW Announces 2010 Lineup

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It’s that special time of year, when the sun is shining (for five minute increments between torrential downpours) and our friends at Willamette Week announce the lineup for Portland’s very own music festival, MusicfestNW. The typical structure for the now ten-year-old fest is 17 clubs, four nights, and 160 bands, but this year MFNW is changin’ it up a bit and adding an outdoor venue in the historic Pioneer Courthouse Square.

If this news alone isn’t tantalizing enough for you, just wait until you hear what bands will be headlining the outdoor Pioneer Square Levi’s Stage: The Decemberists on Saturday, September 11, and The National on Sunday, September 12. I know it’s tough, but if you’re around other people right now, please refrain from squeals of ecstasy.

The festival runs from September 9-12 and features bands including Ausin’s Okkervil River, New York’s The Walkmen, and Portland’s own Menomena, The Helio Sequence and The Thermals.

Festival wristbands go on sale June 5, 2010, at two price points:

-$90 for an all-inclusive wristband that gets you into both outdoor shows and the rest of the four-day festival.

-$65 for one of the two outdoors shows (The Decemberists or The National) and the rest of the fest.

Individual tickets for shows at Pioneer Square, Crystal Ballroom, and The Roseland Theater will also be on sale June 5. All ticket information can be found at musicfestnw.com/tickets

 

Full preliminary lineup:

The Decemberists

The National

Okkervil River

Major Lazer

Sleep performing Holy Mountain

Menomena

The Thermals

Wiz Khalifa

Ra Ra Riot

The Walkmen

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

The Helio Sequence

Justin Townes Earle

Baroness

David Bazan

The Tallest Man on Earth

The Gories

No Means No

Man Man

Laura Veirs

Bobby Bare Jr.

Titus Andronicus

Surfer Blood

Akron/Family

Crooked Fingers

Shonen Knife

Japandroids

People Under the Stairs

Cold Cave

Frank Turner

The Builders and the Butchers

Phantogram

Washed Out

Black Prairie

Thee Oh Sees

Abe Vigoda

Big Freedia

MEN

Laser Sword

From Ashes Rise

Devin Phillips

The Suckers

Trash Talk

Scott Kelly

Rocky Votolato

Blue Giant

The Minus 5

Dan Mangan

Jeff the Brotherhood

Marc Olson

Red Fang

The Zeros

Let’s Wrestle

Pierced Arrows

The Bellrays

Weinland

Portland Cello Project

The Magic Kids

DJ Beyonda

Richmond Fontaine

Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside

Tu Fawning

Death by Stereo

Princeton

Kisses

White Hinterland

BOAT

Damion Suomi

Typhoon

Y La Bamba

 

-Katrina Nattress

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, June 4 – 6

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We are in the midst of summer folks so get ready to work on your tans because it’s festival season. Yes, yes – we know. You can’t ignore that this Saturday will be The 3rd Annual Roots Picnic with the hometown heroes inviting local buddies DJ Jazzy Jeff and Pattern Is Movement as well as a few Pitchfork darlings like Vampire Weekend (headlining? – whose picnic is this?), Mayer Hawthorne and The Very Best. Raekwon, Ghostface and Method Man should be a more interesting performance than originally planned Reverend Run and DMC. We’re also diggin’ on 4AD’s Tune-Yards and Brooklyn’s Das Racist. But if you don’t have eighty bucks ($66 ticket + $14 rip-off charge), then you can join us economically-challenged music lovers at Best Fest (check out the feature interview below). Don’t forget your brown bag for your forty! Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Spring Garden St., 2pm, $80 w/charges, All Ages
 
Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore Ave.) Best Fest SAT U.S. Girls 1:00-1:20; Joshua Marcus 1:25-1:45; The Golden People’s Game 1:50-2:10; Attia Taylor 2:15-2:35; Death Panel 2:40-3:00; Far-Out Fangtooth 3:05-3:25; Unidos de Filadelfia Samba School 3:30-3:50; Skeletonbreath 3:55-4:15; The Lesbian Dorkestra 4:20-4:40; My Mind 4:45-5:05; Kozak 5:10-5:30; Chosen Dance Company 5:35-5:55; Reading Rainbow 6:00-6:20; Mojohand 6:25-6:45  
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI MC Digga, SAT Black Landlord
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Pilot Cloud, SAT Thinking Machines, SUN Woe
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Buy Star Bombs and Desoto Jones
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI (Early) Owl Stations, (Late) Toy Soldiers, TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb, The Divine Lorraine
 
M Room (12 W. Girard Ave.) SUN Cannons, Mirador, Pet Primative, Northern Valentine
 
The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St.) FRI Codename and Igor’s Egg, SAT Levee Drivers 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT The Broken Prayers and Psalmships
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN Marah
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI The Armchairs and TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb
 
Mar Bar (200 S. 40th St.) SAT New Madrid Faults
 
Angler Movement Arts Center (1550 E. Montgomery Ave.) SAT Fatima Adamu and Eric Carbonara