New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
The sun was blazing down on the hill of Powderhouse Park but the music was decidedly chill. Townies and Tufts kids lounged in the shade around the temporary stage that hosted the opening day festivities of Joe’s Blues and jazz festival for Somerville.
Rising star Brendan Hogan played some trouble-in-mindful original folk-styled tunes from his new release, Long Night Coming, early in the afternoon. A few jam bands and jazz outfits later, Peter Parcek woke up the park with some authoritative, hot electric blues. Parcek didn’t try to hard to work the sparse and scattered crowd but, backed by bassist Marc Hickox and drummer Steve Scully, he dominated an electric guitar. Sounding particularly good on the recent Dylan tune, Beyond Here Lies Nothing, the band also pleased with the title track from their latest release, “The Mathematics of Love.” I was glad to discover these guys who have been around for a while.
After Parcek’s crew, the Ben Powell Quartet kept things moving with some Grapelli-esque jazz-fiddle and the Camelia Latin Jazz Quartet finally get the languid sun-baked crowed to its feet for some dancing. Salsa resolved itself into stomps and sways when Boston native, “The Undaunted” Professor Harp took the stage with his band and blew some Chicago style jump blues to close out the day.
While the event was as small and laid-back as a festival can be, it made me remember that Powerhouse Park existed, reanimating its virtues, and introduced me to some pretty solid bands in the company of my neighbors.
Events continue throughout the week and indoor venues around town.
–Jason Rabin
–Photos by Allison Stroh
In 2009, Brassland co-founders Aaron & Bryce Dessner of The National discovered Buke & Gass when they played Sycamore, the basement venue down the street from The National’s home studio in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn. They were blown away by how much noise and rhythm was emerging from this two-piece band. Deli Editor Paolo De Gregorio was there too, and shortly after the show decided to put the band on the cover of the Summer issue 2009 of The Deli. The band and the label are now announcing a full length for September 2010 – there’s already a full song for stream and download here.
I can’t think of a better day to go “Skinny Dippin’”! The new video from Essex Channel has finally been released. The band celebrated the release over the weekend, and are still giving away their entire music catalog for free all this year.
Summer is officially upon us, and for it’s first weekend here are a few shows you may well want to attend.
With a lot of this weekends action centering itself around the Rickshaw, start off by heading down there this Thursday the 24th for Man/Miracle, Mist and Mast, and Radar Brothers, 8pm.
Friday will see a double CD release party, again at the Rickshaw, with Minipop and The Trophy Fire celebrating their latest releases alongside Chasing Kings, 8:30pm.
A relatively light weekend this time around, finish off down at Bottom of the Hill on Sunday with a thoroughly packed line-up featuring Ty Segall, Grass Widow, Sonny & The Sunsets, and The Baths, 8pm.
Otherwise, let’s hope to see some summer weather a head (especially for Pavement’s reunion tour stop in Oakland on Friday… I think i just heard the Mission squeal in unison).
–Ada Lann
For their latest music video Oh My God has recruited Myspace/MTV starlet Miss Tila Tequila. The video follows a very seductive-looking Tila (in her first rock-video cameo) as she investigates provocative sounds coming from a gas-station bathroom.
Oh My God will be performing on the Center Stage at Wicker Park Fest on August 1st.
The Loneliest Monk will celebrate the release of their self-titled debut album on July 2nd at Lincoln Hall. The band technically released the album back in March, but we are not complaining. This is an album that takes some time to digest. Here is the first single from the album, “You Don’t Have To Try”. A full review of the album will be coming next week.
ABOUT: "It’s music that, upon first listen, makes you want to say, ‘Hey Patrick Bower, cheer up. Life ain’t that bad.’ But inevitably, upon second listen, you realize that it is that bad." PRESS: "Stylishly moody indie folk" – Time Out New York "Beach Closed finds Bower at long last stretching his legs and fleshing out the songs by stripping them down and in turn, whispering them loudly into your ear." – Alarm Magazine "lush, bearded folk" – Brooklyn Vegan – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).
Over the weekend Pitchfork announced set times for its three day festival taking place July16th – 18th. They will have three stages this year have spaced out show times enough to allow you to get a peak at a lot of different sounds. You can head over to the site and start planning your weekend.
Verona Red have a new and ambitious single that you can download for free from the bandcamp page called “No Way Home”. The band is celebrating the release on June 25th at Beat Kitchen with Camera, The Ivorys and My My My.
Brooklyn’s Sensual Harassment call themselves "Reptilian Humanoids," and with good reason: there’s certainly something mutant about their music. As we speak, the trio are reinventing the dance floor with their disco-meets-’80s new wave hybrid of electronica. From propulsive beats to saccharine sing-a-longs, their tracks — many of which were done with seasoned engineer Jesse Cannon (The Cure, Animal Collective) — are slick enough to make the casual listener instantly bust a move even in the kitchen. While one song, "Daddy Long Legs," features explosive bits that Daft Punk might want to cop, their latest single "Fever" is the gem of them all. The shimmery synth-propelled tune is a sweet, body-moving anthem complete with a climactic "la la la" chorus. Revel in these hot summer nights by blasting it at loud decibels and knocking back some cold ones. – Michelle Geslani
Catchy, upbeat tunes infused with a 60s pop style and ragtime piano makes Craig Chesler’s latest CD the perfect addition to your summer music collection. A great blend of simple but poignant lyrics and smooth vocals resonate with listeners who will eagerly tap their toes to fun songs like “At First Sight” and “All In All,” and be treated to the light sound of the ukulele, banjo, and various other instruments on the 12-track album. Chesler’s music is a step back in time to an era where easy living and easy loving was part of the day-to-day, and music was simply made to be pleasing to the ears. Craig can also be found playing with Tom Clark and the High Action Boys throughout New York City, as well as solo at Brooklyn haunts like Bar 4. The album features the talent of local artists like Len Monachello, Tom Clark, Jeff Jacobson, Sal Maida, Marni Rice, Casey Shea, and more. –CM