Ah, the delights of The Deli’s Open Blog! NYC duo Very Fresh posted an open blog entry here a few days ago – we checked out their songs and… we were impressed! "Marker", in particular, is a splendid song, very fresh sounding, slightly reminiscent of Liz Phair for the honest, fun delivery and the surprising melodic turns, but more chilled and intense – Phair’s material was always so: "yeah whatever, this isn’t really affecting me at all, dudes…"
This song shows a ton of potential and earns the band’s EP "Americana" the Deli NYC’s CD of the Month title. Amongst the other tracks we also like spare and dark "On Moot Point", while "The Clientele", which also displays a Barretesque love for unexpected melody twists, would benefit from better performances. Don’t miss these guys’ live show at Les Poisson Rouge on July 10; they’ll be opening for Larkin Grimm, in whose band singer Cindy Lou Gooden plays the bass. Actually, we should write something about Larkin soon too…
Weekend Warrior, July 9 – 11
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) FRI Curious Buddies and Julia Rainer
3rd night of LC Fest at Bar4 with Casey Shea, Lowry and Great Elk
The third night of Brooklyn’s 4th Annual LC Fest features free performances from Casey Shea, Lowry, Great Elk and ten more NYC indie acts. Shea (smaller pic) is a local celeb whose latest release, Love Is Here to Stay, combines vintage ’60s pop with pleasingly modern layers of noise. Indie rock band Lowry’s alt-country, psychedelia and rock sound has put them on the bill with bands such as Mates of State and Grizzly Bear, and their new album is scheduled for a fall release. Great Elk (bigger pic) just released their first self-titled studio EP, which is replete with haunting, sparse melodic rock. Performances begin at 8 p.m. For the complete schedule of all five nights (from July 7th to the 11th), go here. For 42 free MP3s from festivals artists, split into four volumes for easy downloading, go here.
NYC band to keep an eye on: The Rassle, live at Union Pool on 07.14
The Rassle were born of the ribs of The Virgins and The Young Lords. This NYC psych-noise-pop band has the potential to attract the interest of a mixed audience of hipsters and "civilians" thanks to their droney guitar sound, combined with pristine and beautiful pop-folk melodies and dancey beats. Sit patiently through the 30 second intro of this video to meet a song that’s equal parts Jesus and Mary Chain, Happy Mondays and The Pogues (those Irish genes stuck in your system are always ready to pop up and be acknowledged, huh?) Thumbs up also for "Celebrate The Days", reminiscent of J&MC and Spiritualized, which you can find on their myspace page. Check out this noisy psycho-poppiness live at Union Hall on July 14.
Summer Dance Party: Cowboy + Indian, Black and White Years, L.A.X.
Tomorrow (7/10) at the One World Theater the latest installment of The Sessions will take place, featuring the Black & White Years (above, looking somewhat perplexed), L.A.X., and the relatively new and much talked about Cowboy + Indian. Cowboy + Indian are one part Jazz Mills and one part either Jesse Plemons or Daniel James, depending on the evening.
Metro Turns 28!
July marks the 28th anniversary of well celebrated music venue Metro. To celebrate the milestone they are releasing their first CD project. The Official Bootleg Series Volume 1 will be released on July 22nd and will feature music from The Flaming Lips, Guided By Voices, Sleater-Kinney, The Decemberists, Indigo Girls, Alejandro Escovedo, The Sea and Cake, Tortoise, Alkaline Trio, Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin and Kurt Elling.
All artists have generously donated the use of the tracks, and all profits from sales of the CD will be donated to Rock For Kids. The album will be available for $20 at the Metro Store and online at metrochicago.com on July 22nd. The Smart Bar will also be holding a free listening party on the 22nd from 6 to 9pm.
Best of NYC #21:April Smith, Live at The Bell House, July 22
The Deli Magazine’s pride and joy for several years, Brooklyn’s April Smith and the Great Picture Show, have been ascending since their number five ranking in The Deli’s “Year End Best of NYC 2008 Poll.” Their latest, self-released album, “Songs for a Sinking Ship,” debuted this past February, elicits images of a jazz lounge aboard a pirate cruise. On particularly notable tracks, the suggestive, rowdy, and anxiously paced “Terrible Things,” and “Colors,” a cheerful tune that embraces a calypso inflection, lighthearted grace, and amusing, vocally-created trumpet sounds, April Smith showcases her virtuoso, powerful, bluesy voice, and all-around sass. Ragtime piano and a cabaret cadence, blended with horn counter-melodies on the saloon-ballad “Can’t Say No,” and “Movie Loves a Screen’s” Caribbean beat, patter chorus, lilting trumpet lines, plus Smith’s dazzling vocals, define the album’s sunny theme. Because April Smith and the Great Picture Show’s swooning seductiveness and flamboyant flare set the band apart from many on the current Indie scene, the group will retain their distinctive presence on the press and audience radar. – Meijin Bruttomesso
Marvelous Toy plays the Troub with Andy Clockwise Tues. 7-13
photo: vivian cao
Eagle Rock’s sweet indie folk troupe, Marvelous Toy, have a show with LA-by-way-of-Australia’s Andy Clockwise and folk rockers, The Silent Comedy coming up on Tuesday July 13, at The Troubadour. Andy Clockwise returns to Summer in LA from an Australian tour this May with a new single. His new record, The Socialite, is available down under now and coming to the States soon. The Silent Comedy just did a stint opening for Mumford & Sons, in case you weren’t lucky enough to catch that. The print issue of The Deli Magazine Los Angeles features an interview with Marvelous Toy helmer, Jordan Hudock. The summer issue hits the streets in about a month. Tickets for the July 13, 2010 show are available through Ticketfly.com. Doors at 8pm.
-Angel Baker
Grandchildren Releasing Debut Full Length Sept. 28 on Green Owl!
Tigersapien Bring the Filthy Shit at KFN July 9
Dragonzord, Hermit Thrushes & The Circadian Rhythms at The Ox July 9
New Madrid Faults Found at M Room July 9