Getting Pitchfork’s "Best New Music" tag a few weeks before the NYC CMJ Music Marathon must be one of the dreams of many emerging musician. This dream came true for Twin Shadow, a one man band from Brooklyn, whose debut record was produced and released by Grizzly Bear’s drummer Chris Bear and his label Terrible Records. Our marathon runner Alexandra Vann had the opportunity to ask George Lewis, Jr – the man behind this project – a few questions. Read her interview and review here.
Austin
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Local Music Is Sexy 11/4
One of our favorite events of the year is coming up next Thursday (11/4) – the Austinist created, Mohawk-housed, absolutely FREE pre-FFF Fest event Local Music Is Sexy. TV Torso, Sally Crewe & the Sudden Moves, Watch Out For Rockets, Markov, Rayon Beach and Hundred Visions (ex-Corto Maltese) will occupy the outdoor stage, while Bill Baird, Weird Weeds, Sleep Good, Botany, Mutual Benefit, Dana Falconberry (above), and Amasa Ghana take over inside. Local music will make you hot and bothered.
(photo by Chad Wadsworth)
NYC
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Weekly Feature #223a: Mike Del Rio
New York City native son Mike Del Rio deserves our fame and fortune. Let’s stop rewarding talentless reality TV parasites with recording contracts and pop star treatment. In addition to being absolutely dreamy (note: mass appeal good looks), Del Rio sings, writes his own songs, and plays no less than “guitar, bass, drums, beats, arrangements, brass, synth, mellotrons, bells and whistles, etc.” “The New Year,” a single available for free download, could be the next tween pop anthem. We need pop anthems now more than ever from a young man that loves art, Downtown Brooklyn, and milkshakes. – Read Whitney Phaneuf interview with Mike Del Rio here.
Philadelphia
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Where Is My Mind?: Grimace Federation’s Xack Xweig
When it comes to local post rock outfits, Grimace Federation is certainly a staple in the Philly music community pushing the boundaries in their experimental genre. Tonight at Johnny Brenda’s they’ll be celebrating the release of their latest EP On Velvet. The album is as smooth as its fabric namesake, and those velvety sounds can be largely attributed to the massive vibraphone that multi-instrumentalist Xack Xweig hauls around with a full drum kit, keyboards and his mountain bike sidekick. We had a chance to chat with Grimace vibist Xack Xweig about opening for and meeting the members of Tortoise, how you shouldn’t ask them about getting a singer, plans for a remix EP and all things Grimace. You can check out the interview here.
NYC
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Deadl Leaf Echo’s new video
After previous experiments in high-art on Pale Fire – with the title track mixed by Ulrich Schnauss – Dead Leaf Echo have now teamed up with 4AD famed John Fryer to mix "Truth" which was released last week. Fresh off their Deli Magazine CMJ show, DLE continues to tour this year and is planning to release new material soon.
NYC
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From The Open Blog: Bellevue’s Finest announce EP + Video
This Fall brings several exciting announcements for New York-bred synth-pop sextet Bellevue’s Finest, as they ended their Summer of Singles with the release of a new music video, a new EP and their first CMJ Showcase. Bellevue’s Finest produces a pop concoction consisting of classic tones taken from the Kinks and David Bowie, and new-school swag borrowed from modern indie artists like Passion Pit and LCD Soundsystem. After releasing a new single for free download each month of the summer, Bellevue’s Finest will be compiling their Summer recordings with a new track,“Wannabe,”to form a self-titled, sophomore EP. The EP will be released digitally with an animated music video for the newest recording on Tuesday, November 23rd. Bellevue’s Finest performed at the CMJ Music Festival in New York City on October 22nd at The National Underground. as part of Turnstyle Music Group’s CMJ Showcase. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).
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Philadelphia
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Jedi Mind Tricks, Freeway and Reef The Lost Cauze at The Troc Oct. 29
The revolutionary Philly Hip Hop vets Jedi Mind Tricks are coming out of woodwork to storm The Troc tonight. JMT have been working the game since the early 90’s with the dark and evocative beats of Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and the gruff, socially conscious rhymes of legend Vinnie Paz. His voice is grizzled yet confident and has a sense of urgency that makes you cling to every word. Paz dropped the JMT moniker for his new album Season of The Assassin, but it is essentially a JMT record without the pressure of JMT expectations. That does not mean it doesn’t deliver, instead it shows Paz in a natural and pensive state that may not have been possible as JMT. On this new album Paz teamed up with another Philly legend in Freeway who will also be on the bill tonight. Not only does that make for some rad on stage collaboration opportunities that is nearly inevitable, but also you will be treated to some slick technical wordplay and one of the best beards in Philly. And there are a lot of beards in Philly. In fact, hopefully so many guys will be taken down a notch and get rid of their pathetic whiskers when they get home. Along for the ride is Philly Hip Hop’s “best kept secret” Reef The Lost Cauze who we soon hope will be a secret no more. Don’t miss this night of epic Philly Hip Hop to reaffirm the fact that there is actually an underground rap game still alive. Just wish that there were more venues for it. The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., $20 adv/$22 door, All Ages – Adam G.
Philadelphia
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Illinois Know What You Need at The Blockley Oct. 29
At first, Bucks County favorites Illinois might seem like your average indie-pop band, crafting the sort of warm, laid-back tunes that manage to jump from meditative, folk-inflected pop (“Where’s My Woman”) to synth-heavy R&B excursions (“Hang On”) and back again without breaking a sweat. But you’d be quite mistaken to assume they aren’t ambitious. Just last year they completed their grand narrative The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe, six EPs now available as one album and accompanied by a short movie. Though frequent lineup changes in recent years have plagued the hard luck indie fuzzy folk rockers, hopefully Arch and the gang will have some sexy costumed ladies doin’ “the brick dance” tonight at The Blockley where they’ll be joined Stereolab-esque Rubblebucket and earthy soul entertainers Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds. Blockley Pourhouse, 3801 Chestnut Street, 9pm, $10-$15, All Ages – Joe Poteracki
Philadelphia
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Conversations with Enemies Rarely Go Well at Millcreek Tavern Oct. 29
Millcreek Tavern is normally known to bring the Halloween ruckus with its annual Halloween Hellride show (which will be coming back in full force on Sunday with Total Fucking Destruction!). But the bar decided to start off its festivities a little early this year. Between blending songs of zombie love and vampires with full moon gypsy folk, dressing up in costumed finery when a good chance arises, and releasing albums that come with full length graphic novels, Conversations with Enemies is a band that’s easily in their element when they usher in Halloween weekend. And the happy-go-lucky quintet will be dressed to impress with their whimsical pop and blaring trumpets. Joining them on the line up will be comical misfits The Josh & Pete Band and quirky Eat Your Birthday Cake. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Perry Julien) – Bill McThrill
Philadelphia
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Dani Mari CD Release Party at Connie’s Ric Rac Oct. 29
Dani Mari is a self-professed former band geek, but if technology has taught us anything, it’s that the geeks shall inherit the earth (or at least make a shitload of money while they destroy it). However, on her debut full length Impulsive, you find the steely-eyed beauty growing into her own skin. The sometimes playful, sometimes sultry and often times lonely drawl of the folk-y hearted songwriter stands in the forefront on her latest offering supported by some clean production work and instrumentation from her local music pals. She’ll be celebrating the release of Impulsive tonight at Connie’s Ric Rac with South Philly buddies The Discount Heroes and Fishstick. Connie’s Ric Rac, 1132 S. 9th St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Philadelphia
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Intimate Acoustic Dr. Dog Performance Video
This one is for you rabid Dr. Dog fans. Special thanks to Philly-to-Denver transplant John Hendrickson, who runs The Denver Post’s music blog Reverb, for sharing this with us. It’s nice to see Philly folks spreadin’ the music love all over the place. Below are two videos from a semi-secret acoustic performance by Dr. Dog of “County Line” and “Jackie Wants a Black Eye” two days ago for a Reverb acoustic session. It was originally planned to be filmed at the Pearl Street Mall during lunchtime, but wind squashed that idea so here they are for happy hour at Conor O’Neil’s Traditional Irish Pub. – The Deli Staff
"County Line"
"Jackie Wants a Black Eye”
NYC
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Beasts of No Nation/The Shirks/Maybe Baby Go Loco with Legends this Halloween
Every Halloween, Velvet Lounge knows how to throw down. This year they’ll bring back the legendary Latino punk band The Zeros, who once upon a time played "Beat Your Heart Out" 8 times in a row in San Francisco, then called it a night. This Halloween they are joined by DC’s The Shirks, Beasts of No Nation, and Maybe Baby. Beasts have risen fast in the DC hardcore scene since their first show barely two months ago. But with an incredible line-up consisting of members from notable acts Darkest Hour, Trial by Fire, the Explosion, and Majority Rule, it was inevitable. They’ll have a 7" out in a few weeks so we’ll check in with them again. Right now, Maybe Baby’s S/T EP is available through Windian Records, and after this show, they’re hitting the road for a cross country tour. So get dressed up- it’s the Legendary Velvet Lounge Halloween Bash!