Portland

If You’re Ever in the Mayor’s Office…

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…don’t forget to feast your eyes on the newest addition to Sam Adams’ art collection, Isaac Brock and the Seven Deadly Sins – the latest City Hall-commissioned piece by Portland artist Alexander Rokoff.

This is the second in a series of paintings with local musicians for Rokoff. You may recognize his oil work as being featured at such venues as Mississippi Studios (the infamous nude painting in the front room). We’re pretty sure that this Brock oil masterpiece is going to raise more than a few foreign diplomats’ eyebrows.

Brock was on hand for Wednesday’s unveiling along with members of the media, and Rokoff. Mayor Adams stopped in to meet Brock and take in the monstrosity, which features a "Patches"-like clown haphazardly lounging on a book shelf carrying a bloody knife, and a wild boar, among other salacious tidbits.

"We have the best art in the city in our office," said Adams. "[Having this here] is a way to talk about Portland in not so obvious ways."

"This is a pleasure for me," responded Brock. "I voted for you."

 

l-r: Alexander Rokoff, Isaac Brock, Sam Adams

 

– Ryan J. Prado

Chicago

Shame That Tune!

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Abraham Levitan (Baby Teeth) and Brian Costello (Johnny & the Limelites, novelist) have come together to change the face of the live game show. On June 11th at The Hideout "Shame That Tune" will premier. Here is how it will work, “On “Shame That Tune,” there are three contestants. Each will first spin a "Wheel of Fortune"-style wheel, divided into musical sub-genres (e.g., “Bob Dylan’s Christian Phase,” “Keith Richards solo,” “Led Zeppelin III”). The contestant then tells an embarrassing anecdote, no more than three minutes in length (timed by a giant LED clock), from their high-school or junior-high diary. Costello then interviews the contestant for exactly five minutes while Levitan composes, on the spot, a song about the embarrassing anecdote, in the style of the musical sub-genre that came up on the wheel. The winner is determined by applause based on audience response to his/her story and the resulting song; he/she will be rewarded with generous gifts from local businesses.”

For the first performance of “Shame That Tune,” the contestants will include local garage-rock wunderkind Miss Alex White, as well as Elisse La Roche, drummer for husband-and-wife musical duo Love of Everything. The third contestant will be chosen live from the audience. The show is only $5 so don’t miss out.

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Featured Artist(s) of the Month: Voletta

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Once again, this most recent poll was a nail biter. Kudos to the efforts of Blood Feathers who absolutely rock with their sweet, sweet vintage sound, but today we are here to celebrate the victory by shoegazey indie rock outfit Voletta. We caught up with guitarist/vocalist Joe Sheairs before their upcoming show tomorrow night at the M Room with Hellican and The Deli NYC’s May Artist(s) of the Month The Aviation Orange.
 
The Deli: How did Voletta start?
 
Joe Sheairs: In 2002, I started Voletta with my friend Chris. We left the standard rock band we were in and decided to start a new project with synths and drum machines. Over five years, we completed a full-length record and an EP. We split in 2006.

We reformed in 2008, which is when we met Greg, and started playing as a three-piece. That didn’t last long: Chris left for good to start a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school. So Greg and I continued on, and have been working together ever since. For years, I thought Voletta was always doomed to be a two-piece, but luckily we’ve found two more members.

 
TD: Where did the band name come from?
 
JS: Voletta means "the veil" in French. I got the name from this ancient looking baby name book. The binding was disintegrating.
 
TD: What are your biggest musical influences?
 
JS: When I was little, I listened to my parent’s collection of ’80s new wave records over and over. Then I came of age right when the ’90s alt rock thing was happening, so the combination of those two elements has always been my musical starting point. Sad news: I recently found out that my Mom threw away all the records without telling me.
 
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
 
JS: We listen to a lot of Beach House and the Radio Dept.
 
TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
 
JS: Smashing Pumpkins, 1993. I believe the first CD I ever bought was The Cars’ self-titled album.
 
TD: What do you love about Philly?
 
JS: There are a bunch of nice venues to play.
 
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
 
JS: SEPTA. The strike last year had Bryan skateboarding 5 miles each way to work.  Not awesome.
 
TD: What are your plans for 2010?
 
JS: We’re going to go back into the studio to record some new songs, and play out as much as possible. We’re also going to continue our endless (and seemingly futile) search for a female bassist.
 
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
 
JS: Our first show. What a mess. Greg and I wanted to get the butterflies out before playing a "real" show, so we played at an open mic night at this horrific bar in Jersey. Apparently, this open mic always turned into a jam session, so after we got done playing, this hippie guy came up to Greg and asked him if he could use his synth rig to jam on. Greg’s face was priceless. We didn’t stay long…
 
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?
 
JS: The deli? You mean Wawa?
 
– The Deli Staff
 

 

NYC

The Wailing Wall’s CD release party at Mercury lounge, Friday 06.04

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The Wailing Wall (brainchild of New York-based multi-instrumentalist, Jesse Rifkin) dress their folk songs with exotic influences and acoustic and percussive textures at times reminiscent of Animal Collective. The band’s CD release party is this Friday at Mercury Lounge – a special show for the band as Jesse will be joined by drummer Alana Skyring (The Grates), guitarist Jason Anderson (K Records, ex-Wolf Colonel, member of The Microphones and Yume Bitsu), and saxophonist Gabriel Birnbaum (former member of The One AM Radio, Eli "Paperboy" Reed, and Drug Rug), among others. The Low Hanging Fruit is the title of the band’s sophomore album, produced by Tim Fite – see them at Mercury lounge on June 4, it’s a CD release party!

Chicago

Picture Books Break Up

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Picture Books just announced that they are parting ways, but remaining friends. The band does have a few songs recorded and some they are still finalizing so there may be one more release from the band. The band members have several other projects that they will be focusing on. Nicholas Papaleo and Nicholas Kelley have crafted an epic new band called Brontosaurus and will be playing shows as well as releasing an album later this summer while Josh Miller is teaming back up with the brothers Lanthrum (of Kid, You’ll Move Mountains) as Good Light Bad Light. As always, Kelly Johnson will continue to melt faces with his band, Geronimo!, who just last month released their debut LP "Fuzzy Dreams".

Philadelphia

Power Animal Makes Me Happy at DDG June 2

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There is something about Power Animal that takes me to my happy place. Not really sure if it’s Keith Hampson’s calming vocal delivery, his beautifully orchestrated arrangements or his casually poetic, thought-provoking prose, but I just feel the need to share it with everyone. Grab Power Animal’s People Songs from Waaga Records, and your world might become a happier place too! Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., 9pm, $5 – $ 10 donation, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
 

 

New England

Dogs on Television – CD release – Church, Boston – 6/5

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dotv

Dogs on Television, is a Boston based band who play kick-ass blues-infused rock. Their tunes are filled with hopeful, but desperate angst, and it is awesome. The structure of the songs are picked from the pockets of deep American blues, but are successfully modified for modern, electric rock. "Dumbstruck #2" is more on the old-timey blues style side while "The Jailer" has more of a Black Crowes emotional but heavy 90’s feel with brushes of ol’ 70’s blues-rock, reminiscent of the Rolling Stones or Steve Winwood.

Dogs on Television is about to put out their first CD this Saturday, June 5. In celebration, DoTV will be hosting a CD Release show at Church, near Fenway Park in Boston. Some really excellent bands will be joining DoTV on the bill such as Jaxon Boom, Blackbutton (who just released a killer CD themselves), and Mikey P and the A Company.

Church -69 Kilmarnock Street Boston – 9pm – $10

–The Deli Staff

Editor’s note: I’ve been listening to DoTV’s front-man, James Houlahan for at least 5 years since he was in The Jody Grind and I was always happy to see him come in a the Lizard Lounge Open Mic on Mondays. The album is stellar to the max.

NYC

More people should listen to: Ivana XL, live at Sycamore, June 11

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Ivana XL is pure talent (a lot of it), and very little organization – a little bit like a female Van Gogh of the NYC scene – or maybe a Syd Barret reincarnation, considering her psychedelic influences and surprising songwriting style, that induces memories of childhood. Ivana finally managed to put out an EP (entitled "Blood") that sounds good (all her most recent releases were just very basic 2 tracks live recordings.) You can listen to some of these tracks here. We’ve been fans of Ivana for quite some time now and would definitely recommend to listen to her music and see her live, she’s playing Sycamore (awesome little venue in Ditmas Park) on June 11. 

NYC

Blip Blip Bleep CD release party at Mercury on June 29

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Blip Blip Bleep is a Brooklyn based indie-pop/electro act consisting of Sean Han, Alexa Danner and Jojo Schwarz. Their first full length album, Like Track Stars, will be released digitally on June 29th via Undercover Culture/IODA. It tells the story of a relationship from start to finish over 9 songs. Download the brand new single, "Freak You Out" right here and don’t feel guilty about sharing it with a like-minded friend or two! – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).