Philadelphia

Shop, Rock ‘N’ Roll at Circle Thrift Aug. 20

Posted on:

Amidst vintage tees and knick-knacks, South Philly’s Circle Thrift presents the latest in their summer series of basement shows. Birthed from the brilliant mind of store manager Zack Jackson (aka Anglebrahd), tonight’s show coincides with discounts storewide for showgoers and shoppers alike (25% to be exact). Local lady Kristen Serafin plans to share soft yet pronounced ballads like “Setting Sail” and “Hands and Feet”. Highlighted by their acoustic charisma and well poised prose, indie folksters Kelly and the Ruths set to melt hearts with tracks like “Blue-eyed Lover” and “Hush Darling”. With a twinge of jazzy swagger and a wealth of lush harmonies, Kelly and the Ruths will render you easily smitten. Add in the at times quirky yet charming acoustic pop of the Beekeepers and your night is planned. Shop, rock ‘n’ roll. Circle Thrift, 1125 S. Broad St., 7:30pm, $5, All Ages – Dianca Potts
 
Chicago

Water Glyphs

Posted on:

The new ep from Conductive Alliance was recently completed with the help of Griffin Rodriguez and others. The band is really excited about this and they should be. Water Glyphs finds the band at the height of sonic exploration. Tracking was split between Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio Studios and Shape Shoppe, and you can detect the influence of both studios on this seven track ep.

The ep opens up the instrumental, mathematical, and electronic title track which fades into early ‘90’s jangle pop of “Dark Flowers”. The ep is consistently shifting styles and sound, from light to dark, from pop to aggressive more industrial sounding stretches. The ep is a big forward for the band and should be released later this year.

Conductive Alliance will be performing on August 21st at Rice and Rockwell Block Party. You can preorder the album through their Kickstarter Page through the 23rd.

NYC

Matt and Kim to release new single on 08.31

Posted on:

Matt and Kim, probably the most successful band to emerge from the NYC DIY scene, will release "Cameras", the first single off their upcoming third full-length album, out this fall via FADER Label. Recorded in Atlanta, GA with producer Ben Allen, "Cameras" will be Matt and Kim’s first new original music since the sophomore album Grand. For a vintage Deli interview with the band (dated 2007) go here.

Nashville

Reno Bo w/ The Dozen Dimes @ The Basement, 8/15/10

Posted on:

“Neo-Classic Rock” is an apt way to describe Reno Bo’s style. Their music follows in the footsteps of those great groups from the 1970s, never aping a particular band, but every once in a while you can hear echoes of the likes of Boston ringing from their amps. Their lyrics also have a sort of old-school feel to them: on one ballad, the singer croons the saccharine-sweet line, “I see stars when I’m looking into your eyes.” Keeping with the retro theme, the outfits could have been borrowed from the closet of Steve Miller or Van Halen – lots and lots of denim. The bassist was wearing moccasins (perhaps a ‘60s throwback?), and I hope the other guitarist/singer was aware that, with his long dark hair and basic tee/jeans combo, he had quite a Mike Myers from Wayne’s World thing going on. (I also hope that he doesn’t still live in his mother’s basement and date a psycho hosebeast.) Reno Bo ended one of the best Basement line-ups I’ve seen in a while, and in my honest opinion were not the most interesting act that took the stage Sunday night. (With their updated take on the British Invasion—powder blue suits, light-up mike stands, and raw boogie-woogie rock played on gorgeous vintage instruments—Dozen Dimes stole the show for me.) However, I will say this: Reno Bo’s drummer looks a bit like Steve Buscemi with a Jesus haircut, and plays like a cross between Animal and a very rhythmic octopus.–Christine Smith

NYC

Video we missed: Reni Lane’s “Place for Us” – Live at Pianos 08.26

Posted on:

We haven’t covered orange redhead Reni Lane in a loooong time, and at some point we must have missed the release of her new album "Ready" and of the videos of her single "Place for Us". Yes, ladies and gents – the lady has 3 videos for that song. We posted the grungier one because we are grungy indie lads. Since we last covered her, she has also signed to Motown/Universal (which may explain the budget for the triple video) – who is obviously investing long term on this talented and cute emerging NYC singer. Those who like like rocked-up mainstream pop (and redheads) might want to go to her show at Pianos on 08.26.

NYC

Hesta Prynn ends tour with Tegan & Sara + releases new material

Posted on:


Singer/Mover/Shaker Hesta Prynn (formerly in the all girl hip hop band Northern State) has kept pretty busy lately: she put out an EP called "Can We Go Wrong" + an accompanying 7" called "Pepper" which features a cover of a Butthole Surfers song in collaboration with Clown from Slipknot. She also found the time to tour Europe with Tegan & Sara. Plus, she has a couple of upcoming DJ gigs in NYC. The material – recorded with producer Chuck Brody – bears a definite rock edge (we dig!), check it out here.
 

Philadelphia

From The Deli’s Open Blog: Twentyagon – Eat Hearts, Burn Homes.

Posted on:

New video for "Appendix", by local hammer-surf gurglebone quartet Twentyagon. Directed by moderately well-known and generally well-loved filmsmith Noah Grant-Levine (Art Director for Chiddy Bang‘s "Opposite of Adults" and "Truth" videos) and starring Bradley "Bing" Ingersoll (a very mysterious, friendly, and terrifying-on-command sort of guy). Shot over a weekend in lovely Philadelphia PA. The song is off Twentyagon’s newish album, Danger Fantastic. Available nowhere for everyone. Whisper to yourself quietly for more information. (From The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and MP3s here.)

 

L.A.

What you missed at When You Awake’s Free For All Festival

Posted on:

Los Angeles Free For All festival

Music Festivals are as iconic to summer as popsicles and flip-flop tan lines. Those of us who are helpless music-worshippers are forced each season to succumb to our live-music addictions, needing to experience the bliss of feeling the bass thunder through our bones while we rub shoulders with sweaty strangers who are sharing these soon-to-be-made memories. Festivals satisfy our musical ADD afflictions by allowing us to capriciously cascade between several performances, in addition to the usual offering of endless other entertainment options. All of this comes at a price, however. This perfect summer scene would not be complete without forking out hard-earned wages, spending saved allowances, breaking piggy-banks, or stealing valuable coin collections. Throw in a lack of musical intimacy, cow-herding-like crowd control, and monopoly price-gouging on necessities like water, and you got yourself a typical festival!

This is why I was particularly intrigued by When You Awake’s “Free For All: A Hands-On Music Festival. Not only was admission based on “pay-what-you-can” donation, but festival patrons were encouraged to bring instruments and jam with performers! Little did I know, but I when I entered past the smiling greeter who un-obtrusively asked for donations, I was not about to write about some random music festival—I became an embedded participant observer of a musical revolution. Dramatic, I know, but after a spending a lifetime being subjected to the business models of the industry over-lords and confined to a dwindling bank-account that renders little opportunity for me to experience live-music as often I would like to, I simply can’t contain my excitement about this new model.

[Read More]

L.A.

Pepper Rabbit signs to Kanine Records

Posted on:

Pepper Rabbit

Pop duo Pepper Rabbit just announced their deal with New York based Kanine Records and the release date of their forthcoming album, Beauregard, is set for October 26th.

Guitar and piano make their scheduled appearances, but these multi-instrumentalists incorporate banjos, ukuleles, trumpets, and woodwinds without blinking an eye. If Xander Singh and Luc Laurent’s previous two EPs are any indication, the new album will usher in hand crafted melodies that are expansive and personal at the same time.