NYC

NYC Artists on the rise: Highlife

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The story of Highlife carries many similarities to the one of The Drums: – and a bunch of painters from the early 1900: musicians stressed out by the city’s lifestyle escape to sunny marine location far from metropolitan madness in search of a way of life more conducive to musical creation, find inspiration, make great music and return to NYC with songs that sound like sun and sea – two things New Yorkers should be very familiar with, by the way (perhaps NYC’s sun and sea are not as inspiring as its other virtues…)
Highlife was born in 2008 when Shaw, along with White Magic collaborator Mira Billotte, retreated from New York to the small island of Gaspar Grande off the coast of Trinidad, at the southernmost point of the Caribbean trail. The pair spent long, wandering nights chanting and inducing trance, recording on a portable setup that Shaw had lugged along. The rough demos were brought to a London studio, where Shaw and Billotte re-recorded them and finalized them with the help of producer Harvey Birrel (Crass, Sir Richard Bishop, Buzzcocks). Now back in NYC, the band is readying the launch of the band’s debut EP "Best Bilss" scheduled for the end of September.

Austin

From the Open Blog: The Hi-Tones!

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Trippy organs, groovy beats, and thick greasy chords characterize the emanating sounds which are are reminiscent of 1960’s Brit-Rock groups like The Kinks or Syd Barrett’s early version of Pink Floyd, and are on par with modern acts such as The Black Keys, Jet, and The Strokes. Walk into their live show and it’s clear by the end of the first song that The Hi-Tones have what many other bands lack: an outstanding front-man who commands the attention of the audience. Debonair and soul-shattering lead vocalist Johnny Flores, slender with jet black curls, not only has a impressive set of pipes, it seems he has borrowed some fancy footwork from Mr. James Brown himself. Sensual and sweat drenched, he spins, jumps, slides and shakes with relentless passionate energy. Bassist Gary Delgado, tall and dreamy, floats on his own introspective plane of existence thumping out punchy rhythms that pop like the exploding flash-bulbs of the 1930’s. On cue, savvy guitarist Chazz Bessette steps out armed with a with a classic fireglow red Rickenbacker selected meticulously from an arsenal of vintage guitars. The crowd begins to pack the floor and becomes wild with dancing and excitement. The sexual energy given off by the music is apparent by the amount of flailing females that line the front row of the audience. By the end of the set, a dull evening has turned into what feels like a jiving bohemian dance party. Native Texan Kevin Culwell delivers pulsating guitar licks with a sense ease while the crowd dances in a frenzy. Kurt Lammers sits back with a smile and keeps the bodies moving with a constant beat that never seems to lose a click. I have seen the future!

The Hi-Tones are currently in studio with Grammy nominated producer Frenchie Smith [Jet, Trail of Dead] in Austin, TX. Watch for their debut album in 2010! 

(Ed.: this post taken from The Hi-Tones’ post on our DIY Open Blog, check out other Open Blog posts in the Deli Kitchen. The Hi-Tones are also among the nominees in our current poll…) 

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Featured Artist of the Month: The Fallen Troubadours

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The Fallen Troubadours aren’t actually from Philly, but we’re guessing that we’ll hear more from them soon when they finish their upcoming new album. Their rootsy rock makes a great soundtrack for many drunken nights and should be welcomed with open arms by Philly’s like-minded music community. Guitarist Brendan Steaklum was nice enough to answer a few of our questions.
 
The Deli: How did The Fallen Troubadours start?
 
Brendan Steakelum: Well…TFT is an evolution of an idea/band that’s had many faces. The lead singer (Brad Stewart) and I have been playing in bands, writing songs together since high school. Our last band was called the Suns of Ivy, but we broke up due to "creative differences". So I moved on to another project (playing bass in The Great Unknown) and Brad, Clif, Mike and Brandon started a band called Northern Soul. Inevitably we started making music again and renamed the band The Fallen Troubadours and started playing some local shows in the city, and recording songs. Now…here we are.
 
TD: Where did your band name come from?
 
BS: The name was used for an acoustic show that Brad and I did years ago.  We recently found a poster from the show and thought it was a better name than Northern Soul…so we changed the name. Like most band names it just sounds better than everything else we were tossing around.
 
TD: What are your biggest musical influences?
 
BS: We all come from different musical backgrounds but running similarities are The Beatles, Dylan, Oasis, Kinks, CSN&Y, The Byrds, The Animals, Oldies and Motown.
 
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
 
BS: Dr. Dog is always playing in someone’s car, Mumford & Sons, Delta Spirit, Dan Auerbach, M. Ward, Broken Bells, Fruit Bats…
 
TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
 
BS: The first real concert I ever attended was Bruce Springsteen with my Dad…amazing…I never looked back. The first album I ever bought was Weezer’s Blue Album and Oasis’ What’s the Story Morning Glory…same time in a CD shop called Tin Pan Alley in Hamburg, PA.
TD: What do you love about Philly?
 
BS: I love the music scene number one, great camaraderie and support for other bands…and of course, the beautiful women.
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
 
BS: Traffic, getting to Philly from "Dutch Country"…there’s also too much of the same thing going on musically…
TD: What are your plans for 2010?
 
BS: We are currently working on our debut record with Candy Colored Dragon and Issac Betesh. Hopefully it will be ready to go by the fall. Other than that, playing everywhere we can, writing songs and working with The Children’s Alopecia Project.
 
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
 
BS: Opening up for Dave Davies of the Kinks….just ask Brad.
TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli? 
 
BS: Thanksgiving on a roll please.
 
– The Deli Staff
 

 

NYC

Julius C play summer camps, lands sponsorship, announce CD release

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Here’s an interesting story of creative Rock’n’Roll marketing… NYC band Julius C doesn’t go on the kind of tour most bands go on. For the last several years, the band has spent the hot months touring summer camps. Band leader Jay Stollar developed the “Rock Star Camp” program to bring more arts activities to summer camps after spending his youth hoping for such an experience. Five years into the program, the band is now sponsored by the Crocs brand of footwear and is traveling to more than two dozen camps on the East Coast where they spend the day with the campers teaching them cover songs and staging a concert with the young singers and musicians.
This year, Julius C expects to perform to almost 15,000 campers and staff. The band returns to NYC at the end of August where they will begin a residency at Rockwood Music Hall to be followed by the release of the band’s "OK, OK" album in October.

NYC

Stylish NYC band Weep releases debut CD

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For obscure, probably yin yang related reasons, these days we don’t stumble very often upon acts that – like Weep – are inspired by the sound of stylish acts like David Bowie, Roxy Music and Air. It seems like in this musical era the scruffy sound of DIY is WAY more – pardon my French – en vogue. But Weep isn’t afraid of style – how passe`! But isn’t passe` the future, really? Weep just release their debut CD "Worn Thin", check out some streaming songs here – When I’m Wrong in particular..

Philadelphia

Benefit for the Bird at The Fire July 19

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It will be a very family-like environment at The Fire tonight when Hezekiah Jones, Cowmuddy, The Spinning Leaves and The Fractals take the stage for a “Benefit for the Bird”. (Update: Benefit is for Philly artist Amy Bird to help cover some hospital costs after an accident. Where’s our Obama Care!?!) Looks like this is a last minute/unannounced show because it doesn’t appear to be on any of the artists’ calendars. You can also catch Hezekiah Jones later this week when he performs at the North Star Bar with Frog Holler and Sister 3. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $6, 21+ (Photo by Lisa Schaffer) – H.M. Kauffman
 

 

L.A.

A sneak peek at Gram Rabbit’s forthcoming LP

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This Wednesday, July 21st, Gram Rabbit will be revealing a sneak peek of their forthcoming LP, Miracles & Metaphors, thanks to our friends over at KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic. If their toe tapping, desert worn music catches your ear, you can see them the night of the 21st at the Troubadour too.

Miracles & Metaphors marks the fourth studio offering from founding members Jesika von Rabbit and Todd Rutherford since their first appearance in 2004. Part dance groove, part western folk, their unique mix of genres keeps their fan base, aptly dubbed ‘The Royal Order of Rabbits’, very happy indeed.

A little birdy told us any tickets purchased in advance of the Troubadour show will come with a complimentary download of the exclusive unreleased song, "Stars," to be made available day of show.

Philadelphia

From The Deli’s Open Blog: Caravan 2010

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After sailing home to Philly from its maiden voyage, Caravan 2009 had the town buzzing. Interested parties asked their friends who attended, "How was it?" and, "What was it like?" The first is easy to answer. Amazing. Paradise. The second is not so easy. I can’t tell you what it was like, but I can tell you what it was. A bare-bones description would look something like this: a small scale music festival in a quarry in central Maine consisting exclusively of and contrived exclusively by local Philadelphia musicians. The name "Caravan" comes from the obvious – a massive movement of cars carrying people, amps, guitars, drums, keyboards, trailers, microphones, sound boards, lights, tents, booze, drugs, and dreams. About 100-150 people participated last year. The lineup consisted of bands such as Flamingo, El Fuego, Penrose, Sexoffice, and even a reunion of favorites The Feathertops. This year, while all the best features remain, enhancements have been made. Especially to the lineup. Caravan 2010 will feature: FLAMINGO, PENROSE, TJ KONG AND THE ATOMIC BOMB, CHEERS ELEPHANT, SONNI SHINE AND THE UNDERWATER SOUNDS, EL FUEGO, TOUCH, HOLLIS BROWN, THE WEATHERBIRDS, BREATHE EASY, and about a dozen more bands. Envision the bottom of a quarry packed with dirty music lovers and adventure seekers enjoying the air of Maine and the sounds of Philly as the bands play on a stage built from trees and plywood powered by a gas generator miles from civilization. Imagine a giant grill consisting only of cinderblocks, coals, and meat feeding people as they wander from their tents to the bonfire(s) to the lake to the music to the forrest to the top of the quarry and all the way back around. Conceive this and you’ve conceived Caravan 2010. Tickets on sale now at http://www.flamingo-music.com. (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and MP3s here)
 

 

Philadelphia

The Spooks’ Last Philly Show Before Summer U.S. Tour at KFN July 17

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Not to be confused with hometown hip-hop/R&B crew of the same moniker, Fishtown’s The Spooks may be lost in time. Their unassailably lo-fi, surf-influenced sound is immersed in a fjord of nostalgic throwback reserves, flowing with reverb-heavy erratic guitars and granular subjacent vocals – or late ‘60s/early ’70s crossover garage rock as the kiddios say. But their fancy for this overtaxed genus is never tiresome – instead, it’s like you’re wearing a comfy, over-sized Blue Cheer t-shirt while watching Freaks and Geeks on your couch. You just know you were born three decades too late. Catch them tonight at KFN before they head off for the rest of the summer on a U.S. tour! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front Street, 7:30 pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Megan Trosclair) – Annamarya Scaccia

Philadelphia

a stick and a stone Release Party at Philadelphia Magic Garden July 17

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Spend an enchanting evening in Philly’s Magic Garden when a stick and a stone celebrate the release of Opal Nightly in a truly beautiful setting. Their haunting otherworldly compositions and bend-but-never-break Sinead O’Connor-esque vocals on tracks like “Medicine” and “Mustard Green” are breathtakingly captivating. Its moody melancholy is so simply and tastefully orchestrated, once again, stacking the argument of “why Philly’s music scene is so diverse and interesting” in our favor. Philadelphia Magic Garden, 1020 South St., 6pm, $10, All Ages – Q.D. Tran
 

 

Philadelphia

Ladies Auxiliary for Your Lazy, Hazy Summer at The Fire July 17

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Somewhere between Dr. Dog and older Ariel Pink, newcomers Ladies Auxiliary craft a lo-fi, yet highly textured mix of country rock balladry and AM radio pop. In most cases, the formula is the same: distant, warbling vocals nuzzle up against beautiful lap steel and electric organ. But there are always surprises for those who wait! Take "West Columbia" for example, which kicks off with swirling electronics and odd clipping before sliding into more familiar tones. So look no further than Ladies Auxiliary if you’re longing for that hazy sunset feeling. They’ll be sharing the bill tonight at The Fire with Noncanon and Atlanta’s Nomen Novum. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, 10pm, $5, 21+ – Joe Poteracki

 

 

Philadelphia

Mr. Unloved Needs Your Love at Tritone July 17

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Mr. Unloved is coming to Tritone tonight. He has a bizarre logo that looks like Michael Johnson meets Contra and a lounge-y, boozy sound that reminds me of some strange act I saw in that dive bar recently. Deja vu? The vocals are smoky and the harmonica flourishes are aplenty. He has bluesy jam sessions and even some warped spoken word thrown in for chuckles or just simply tangents of a lunatic. Come drink many specials and talk about the good old days with the appropriate soundtrack. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9pm, $7, 21+ – Adam G.