NYC

The Shake play rock and roll – and a bunch of CMJ shows

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The Shake are a New York rock band that takes pride in playing authentic, no-frills Rock’n’Roll. During an interview with The Columbia Spectator, drummer Dan Kirschen responded to a question about the highly-produced sound that lately seems to be the trend in Indie music by saying that "a good song is a good song. [One ought not to] betray the fundamentals." Perhaps the ideology of the band is a bit out of whack with the common trends, but the band members’ mutual love for essential rock songwriting and powerful performance represents the core of this band’s identity. The Shake have an intense CMJ schedule this year. On October 19 they will be at Bowery Electric, on Thursday the 21 at Spike Hill during the day and Matchless in the evening. On Sunday, they will play a "wind down CMJ show" with a rare, in fact, their first, acoustic performance at Pianos. With a new album due out some time next year, now would be a good time to jump on The Shake’s bandwagon.

Austin

Album Review: Side B, The Georgian Company

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The Georgian Company is a band in identity crisis.  At least that’s the notion one would gather after listening to their new EP Side B.  In the five songs on the release, the sound goes from wildly, incredibly, and, honestly, well-done, country, to contemporary power-pop-rock in the vein of perhaps Vampire Weekend with more attitude–a sort of Blade 3 vs. Twilight, in that there seems to be more energy, and a different understanding, but some deep-seeded core similarity–and then taking that pop-rock sound back down to a slightly poppier-country, before the album finishes on a more classic-country sound, all the while keeping a kind of seperation away from the entire genre.  

It’s an interesting feeling, to be sure, listening to the EP in a single sitting.  Singer/Songwriter George Irwin at times nails and exemplifies the sharp southern-twang that the band flirts with as a whole, while at other times, has a completely smooth cry, while the rest of the band easily follows suit with their ability to adapt as well, moving seamlessly from country ballad to power-pop-rock, showcasing an gorgeous amount of artistic range as a group.  Regardless, Side B shows that The Georgian Company is a band of flirtation, never settling for a single greater-genre group, which is rare in a band, as all too often you see bands trying to break out by blending two different styles of rock and roll, or rock and rap, etc, but The Georgian Company decided to mix a steel guitar and a synthesizer, an electric guitar and a banjo, and they’re all the better for it.

–Mitchell Mazurek

Philadelphia

Electric Factory to Have Discount $15 Tix for 15th Anniversary!

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This is a pretty sweet deal for all you economically challenged like us here at The Deli. The Electric Factory will be celebrating their 15th Anniversary this October so starting at noon on Friday, Oct. 15 until 6pm on Friday, Oct. 22, you can purchase tickets for $15 (some without service charges) for any show that isn’t sold out! While we fear that the ticket gods will have service charges on the shows that we’d like to see, we still definitely appreciate the sentiment. So grab your tix this Friday and don’t forget to head on over to JB’s that evening to celebrate The Deli’s Anniversary Party with The Extraordinaires, An American Chinese, Power Animal and us! Livin’ in Philly rocks! – The Deli Staff
 
Philadelphia

Album Review: Avant Gold – Ryat

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Local siren Ryat (a.k.a. Christina McGeehan) stretches the limits of electro-pop with her recent full-length Avant Gold. Collaboratively paired with composer/boyfriend Tim Conley, Ryat’s “inter-dimensional” soundscapes create a universe of their own, luring listeners in with smoldering backbeats and dizzying synth. Expressive and pronounced, Ryat’s work is delicate, fierce, and daring, departing from the norms within her genre for destinations elsewhere. Heard in the decibels of last fall’s Street Noise Orkestra, Ryat’s songs are textured and rhythmic, built by an aesthetic mix of influence, outward and inner. “Polaroid” and “Interest Rate Lover” are emphatic with clipped beats and lines, sounding polished yet sincere. Similarly, Avant Gold shines.
 
The buzzing chords of “In My Face” frame Ryat’s bold but pretty vocals alongside a handclap-like tempo and resonating beeps. Delivered like a ballad, Avant Gold’s opener is infectious, bringing to mind the universal experience of letdowns and arguments. “The Gaze” feels global like M.I.A’s “Jimmy”, slow, fast, and engaging with Ryat’s voice rising above a flawless trail of synthesized beats, later fading from brief repetition into a well-crafted end. The calculated clicks of “Superficial Friction” add emphasis to sporadic notes on piano and dancey distortion, making the song’s rhythmic backbone bend away from the vocals in a disjointed yet constructive distance that nears charming dissonance. During “Bells” Ryat’s inner Bjork surfaces ringing out over a shuttering pulse of sound, suggestive of shuffling snare. Warm and ambient, “Bells” oozes allure, drawing in all ears to the duo’s uniquely formed composition. Dramatic, but appropriately so, “We walk slow, but as fast as they rush” begins with far off chords that focus into a concerto-like pairing of piano and strings. “Time Worn”, with its start/stop progressive intro, seems to mimic time itself through clock-like ticks and echoed loops. Closing with “Equipoise”, the album’s end settles into its listeners’ memory as Ryat softly sings “I think it’s time to let you go.” A befitting outro, Ryat’s breathy farewell leaves fans transfixed and optimistic for whatever comes next, whatever comes after gold. You can stream and purchase the album here. – Dianca Potts
 
NYC

Translations and Hilly Eye play Cake Shop on 10.15

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Translations – whose debut was The Deli’s NYC CD of the month a few months ago – will be playing at Cake Shop on Friday October 15 with Hilly Eye, a psych-rock band (featuring two ladies who also play with Titus Andronicus) that just released a debut EP entitled "Fireworks"  . Definitely an interesting shows for those of you who incessantly seek new exciting music from The Big Apple.
P.S. By the way, both bands share the serious need to get some press pictures taken…

Philadelphia

Temptation! w/Slutever at Silk City Oct. 13

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The unapologetic female garage rockers/happyriotgrrrls Slutever will be taking the stage tonight for Temptaion!, a new dance night at Silk City by Button Up, Tighten Up (resident DJs Andrew Prinz and Jackie Slimm) that promises to bring some true Northern Soul to Philly. What does that mean? Well, they want to bring us "the best, rare and hard-to-find Wigan Casino and Motown-era classics, Mod favorites and true Soul standards, but also Haçienda and related artists like The Smiths, Pulp, and New Order". Shit – sounds good to me! There will also be an AVANT MIX exclusive preview, video trip by ISMISMS, and stockings + knickers by American Apparel. Silk City, 435 Spring Garden St., 9pm, $5, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

Geology May Be More Interesting Than You’d Think at JB’s Oct. 13

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mewithoutYou bassist Greg Jehanian takes center stage as Geology, an acoustically driven side project comprised of twangy banjo, crisp chords, and prolific lines. Recently seen rocking out as a member of Sleezer, this local troubadour proved the breadth of his repertoire with the late summer release of his Three Birds EP. Humming with undertones of Americana, Jehanian’s lyrical prose brings to mind holy texts and the Great Grey Poet, giving songs like “Not That of the Sun” and the uplifting “Living Things” a depth that is felt as well as heard. Less passive than Sufjan Stevens, Geology’s sound is rooted in honest vocals and heart-stirring refrains like those found in “It’s Alright!” and “For Us Who Are So Small”. Unfortunately his live sets as Geology are few and far between, making this JB’s performance a definite rarity. He’ll be sharing the stage with Mitch Fiction and Ducarriganigan (featuring Matisyahu’s guitarist Aaron Dugan and Jason Fraticelli on bass). Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Dianca Potts
 
NYC

Nicole Atkins tours with The Black Keys, announce album + free mp3

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Nicole Atkins – who graced a cover of The Deli back in 2005 – recently announced the release of a new album entitled "Mondo Amore" scheduled for January 2011 – you can listen to a free mp3 here. The NJ songstress is just about to complete a West Coast tour with The Black Keys.

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Philadelphia

Vintage Kicks Will Play for New Sneaks at Tritone Oct. 13

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The Philly via Jersey outfit Vintage Kicks seem to be somewhere in between post and pop punk with their loose yet hasty jams. They have catchy stop time choruses ala The Strokes and vocalist Alex Marlys sounds, at moments, eerily similar to Philly veteran Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Flashy Python). He shows some teeth though with the raging, anthemic “King Geek”. They are a very new band (forming in May 2010), but already have an EP under their belt called The Empyre of the Sun and have been playing a slew of shows since coming together. Vintage Kicks’ newer songs display a band that is already maturing in their sound and starting to create charming rock songs that show plenty of promise. They will be opening a FREE show at Tritone tonight with Jersey horror punk band Whiskey Spider. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9pm, Free, 21+ – Adam G.
 
Portland

New Video for Y La Bamba’s “Juniper”

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To accompany probably the best Portland release of 2010, Lupon, Y La Bamba has also released one of the best and creepiest videos The Deli Portland’s seen in a long time. Check out the clip for "Juniper" below, and make sure to wait ’til the end, will ya?

 

 

Catch the band live on November 6 at the Wonder Ballroom.

– Ryan J. Prado