Philadelphia

The Roots Opening for President Obama Oct. 10!

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Cool – this broke earlier today on CP’s The Clog, The Roots will be opening for Barack Obama at his “Move America Forward Rally” on Sunday, Oct. 10 in the park next to Robert Fulton Elementary School. You don’t need a ticket, but you must RSVP here. Guessing this will be a mob scene (hopefully not a flash mob scene) in NW Philly after all it’s The Prez and The Roots. But if you are brave enough to maneuver yourself through the sea of people, then check out the following deets. Robert Fulton Elementary School, 60 E. Haines St., 3pm doors/4pm starts, FREE w/RSVP, All Ages – The Deli Staff
 
Philadelphia

Album Review: Soars – Soars

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Otherworldly shoegaze by suburban four-piece Soars feels just as haunting live as it does on their debut. Re-imagining the underpinnings of lo-fi pop, Soars’ perfectly gloomy anthems pair scratchy synth with melancholy, resulting in a sound that is simultaneously felt and heard. Half heart, half sensation, the vapid space between each note fosters longing for the next ethereal chord or riff. Nearly hush-hush vocals echo alongside reverb that shifts, sinks, and soars. It would be impossible not to think of terms like dark wave or psych pop when listening to their LP. Comparable but completely different, Soars sound settles beyond the genre’s limits, resulting in eight tracks of deliberative exploration that pushes past familiar and embarks on something further, something unpredictable, fresh, and new. Released on La Société Expéditionnaire, Soars is a transcendent full-length from oscillating intro to end.
 
With a quick thump and crisp clicks, “The Sun Breaks In Every Way But One” sounds out with laidback surf-like riffs and coolly calm but vibrant vocals. A relatively upbeat track, Soars first open’s the album with optimism buried beneath a weathered awareness that accompanies lessons often learned by disillusionment, loss, or pain. “Throw Yourself Apart” is rhythmically hypnotic. Washed out vocals settle above a swirl of guitar mechanical buzzed out beats. Previously released as a single, “Throw Yourself Apart” is an easy favorite and a perfect snapshot of Soars at their best. Ending in full-out distortion, this track’s final seconds defy all things sentimental, leaving listeners fumbling for afterthoughts outside the jurisdiction of its deliberately messy outro. The lengthy and dirge-like “Escape On High” gives way to “Ditches” a moody yet well-orchestrated pop ballad that ripens and blooms in its latter half, fading out atmospheric and memorable. “Ditches” unfolds like Chairlift’s “Territory” only with more emotive diligence, evident in its chorus and caustic yet symphonic swell. The psyched out start of “Figurehead” is a well-fashioned downer in comparison to the album’s start. Far from cheerful, “Figurehead” is brooding and brilliantly dark, save for its shining guitar riffs. Synthy interludes in “Young Adult” bring to mind Numan’s Pleasure Principle while the album’s final track “Monolith” sweeps in with nearly tribal backbeats that ease into mournful chords and vocals well worth the song’s namesake. A gorgeously somber debut, Soars does more than impress.
 
Soars’ self-titled album will be officially available tomorrow Oct. 5, but it looks like you can order it via La Société Expéditionnaire if you’d like right now.
 
– Dianca Potts
 
NYC

We Can’t Enjoy Ourselves (is a band) – Live at Union Hall on 10.08

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LOOK!! WE CAN’T ENJOY OURSELVES is A pop group from Brooklyn equipped with clever discernible lyrics about sex and movies and the bible! Their songs are rampant with lurid slapstick and it’s all delivered with a kick in the balls, which is actually more pleasant than it sounds! They are not twee and they are not hazy dream pop! They play jaunty danceable music that is more in debt to the Supremes and the Kinks than to Disco or Arthur Russell!! Presently they’re promoting the high-hearted album they recorded earlier this year, called ONE BELONGS HERE MORE THAN YOU. It’s free and on bandcamp. Check them out at Union Hall on 10.08. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

 

NYC

From The Deli’s Open Blog: Politics As Usual – Live at Cakeshop on 10.05

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Blending good ‘ol rock and roll with indie rock, Politics As Usual is an indie rock trio from Bergen County, New Jersey (NYC area). Te band features Stephen Berthomieux on guitar and lead vocals, Tom Warren on drums and vocals, and Andrew Kevin on bass. Politics first formed during the summer of ’09 after Tom and Stephen broke up their previous band. Their debut album "Trouble" was completed in June of 2010 and the band is currently working on new songs for a future release during the winter or spring of ’11. Politics As Usual is playing Cake Shop, NYC on Oct 5th, check them out!

NYC

Karen Rockower’s CD release party at The Living Room on 10.08

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"Whales Standing" was just released in Brooklyn at Union Hall and Karen Rockower (and her fantastically all female band) are bringing the show across the bridge to The Living Room on Friday Oct 8th at 8pm. The CD marks Karen’s debut solo effort. Haunting and beautiful, her vocal talents are front and center in this world of creepy lullabies. The 12 tracks journey through her psyche is inspired by her real adventures and rich dream life. A poetic storyteller, Karen also finds inspiration writing through other people’s eyes. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Philadelphia

DOCKtoberfest at Dock Street Pub Oct. 3!

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Today Dock Street Brewery celebrates its momentous 25th anniversary of being in Philadelphia, as well as its 3rd year as being a part of West Philly community. To celebrate both milestones the popular brewpub will be throwing an outdoor festival that might even be bigger than the West Philadelphia Music Festival that they threw over the summer. During DOCKtoberfest, the craft artisanal beer will be flowing inside, the streets will be paved with music thanks in part to Dock Street worker and Grandchildren percussionist, Roman Salcic. Roman recruited some good friends from Brooklyn in both avant garde gypsy rockers Skeletonbreath (which features Grandchildren’s Tris Palazzolo on drums) and tropical pop rockers Dinosaur Feathers (who might just feature Roman behind the drums). Both bands have been no strangers to rockin’ out at the neighboring Danger Danger Gallery, and should drive in some exciting performances. The Homophones have been invited back after their stellar performance at the West Philadelphia Music Festival. The stylish band was last seen driving in an exciting dance filled performance at our showcase for Philly F/M Festival opener last week, and should bring in another balloon massacring winner. Also on the lineup is the trip-hop collaboration between singer-songwriter Liz Fullerton and Jedi Mind Trick’s Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, Dutch. Lastly, on the bill are The National Rifle, who have been at the top of their game ever since releasing Vanity Press over the summer. Dock Street Pub, 50th & Baltimore Ave., 2pm, All Ages – Bill McThrill
 
L.A.

White Sea free download from upcoming album

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White Sea

Known as the keyboardist of French shoegazers M83 and frontwoman of The Romanovs, Morgan Kibby is stepping out on her own as White Sea. It’s no surprise that her years spent with M83 rubbed off on her — her ability to create haunting, etheral, pop music is apparent in her remix of Seven Saturday’s "The Shallow End" but also her forthcoming EP This Frontier.

After getting my hands on the track "Mountaineer", Kibbys vocals bear a striking resemblance to that of Imogen Heap, with layered synth and echoing tom drums working their way to cinematic crescendo. Not one to be boxed in, Kibby promises that the EP will show off her stylistic range but with a common thread tying it all together. The album was completed with the help of friends Jonathan Leahy on guitar and bass, Jonathan Bates (Big Black Delta, Mellowdrone) with mixes of "Ladykiller" and "Mountaineer", and Ray Suen (Louis XIV, Mariachi El Bronx) with string arrangements for "Ladykiller" and "Oljato". This Frontier is due for release October 5th, but RCRDLBL has made available a free download of her track "Mountaineer".

-Angelo Lorenzo

Nashville

Next Big Nashville Highlights, Pt. 2: Thursday’s Recap

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(photo courtesy of nbnsummit)

Me and my gal pals were real jet setters on Thursday night, starting things off with a little trip to the Gibson Show Room for the Nashville Scene VIP party, where we chowed down on some bbq and slammed some free shots–compliments of Patron, Firefly Vodka, and Fireball Whiskey. We really felt like the Queens of Sheba as we boozed and schmoozed with some of the NBN artists who were going to be playing later, including Fly Golden Eagle, Jordan Caress (of Tristen and Rayland Baxter), The Delta Saints, Frank the Fuck Out, Hollywood Ten, Apache Relay, Megan McCormick, and the Nashville’s Dead dudes.

Next we made our way downtown to Live On the Green, hoping to catch Garrison Starr and Sixpence None the Richer, but arrived just in time to hear Leigh Nash (of Sixpence) singing the last 10 seconds of their final song. What a letdown! So we went with Plan B and mosied on over to Mercy Lounge, where we were pleasantly surprised by Uncle Skeleton.

For those of you who remember Kindercastle before that precious ensemble broke up and went their separate ways, Uncle Skeleton is Kindercastle reincarnated. Uncle Skeleton featured many of the original Kindercastle band members, an almost-full string section, and played that same ELO-inspired, Romantically classical-tinged pop-rock. Most of the songs were instrumental however, which seemed to be the main difference between the new band and the old one. It was still pretty and very nicely arranged and orchestrated, so there should be no complaining.

Finally…the moment we had been waiting for arrived…sort of… We trekked up to 12th and Porter to hear Sarah Silva’s highly-anticipated set, and of course, she blew our brains out with her belting. Everyone was so lost in female-fronted band land by that point, that we even decided to stick around for Like Candy Red, who was kind of like watching the white girl, Nashville, TN version of En Vogue. We think the girls were three sisters, although we didn’t really care, because we were too busy groovin‘ and shakin‘ to their synchronized dance moves and cray cray stacked harmonies and wailin’… Thursday night’s Next Big Nashville lineup was a home run for us.–Erin Manning

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Slick Got Game at The Fire Oct. 2

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Drawing inspiration from a time when hip hop had seen its better days, Philadelphia Slick specialize in tight deliveries and plenty of jazz and funk samples – think A Tribe Called Quest if Q-Tip’s flow was a little less chill and a little more spastic. And of course, the fact that they have a live band might make you think of The Roots, but clearly these guys are more concerned about having fun than laying down some social commentary (not to say The Roots can’t have fun). Also stoking The Fire tonight are fellow hip hop acts JJ Demon and MH the Verb. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, $7, 9pm, 21+ – Joe Poteracki
 

Philadelphia

Clean Equations’ Vinyl Release Party at JB’s Oct. 2

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Spanning the globe and through several musical genres, Clean Equations are creating ambient shoegazey orchestrations of songwriter/engineer Michael Nyhan. The group is a musical collective that also hails from NYC and as far Melbourne, Australia, and has found its home base for creating enchanting melodies in Philly. Nyhan released a self-titled EP in 2009, and has been hard at work on his first full length People/Variables for the better part of the year. And he even had some help from the likes of seasoned guitarist Nero Catalano and songbird Dani Mari. It was released on August 31 through State Capito Recordsl. Tonight’s show at Johnny Brenda’s marks the special vinyl release party. Joining them will be soulful South Philly rockers and Carriage House alum, The Great Vibration, who have been most impressive in their own right since the release of Purple Stuff. Rounding out the lineup is the ever impressive West Philly ghoulish indie popsters Conversations with Enemies, whose debut album Nowhere, OK came out just last month, and they managed to pull double duty creating an exciting graphic novel. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N, Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

The Broken Prayers Seek Redemption at Tritone Oct. 2

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Tonight The Broken Prayers play Tritone and as I type I can see the tumbleweeds rolling in from the horizon. To call the music bleak would not be giving it enough credit, to call it celebratory would be a downright lie. Singer/guitarist Pete Marshall is a nightwalker who seems to revel in broken street lamps and trashcan fires. His voice sounds at home on the range listening to stories about “the good ole days” over beans and moonshine. The sauntering nature of “Little Black Heart” that escalates into more of a gallop is pure Americana from these frontier men. The darkness in the music is intentional but nonetheless effective and makes me think these guys really wish they were in saloons and shootouts on a daily basis. The band’s album Crow takes a callused, gloomy look at loss, past, loneliness and love. I feel like one should bring their bindle stick and hop on a freight train to get to this show, but regardless of how you get there, just get there. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9pm, $7, 21+ – Adam G.
 
Chicago

Upright Ape

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Upright Ape is the pen name and stage name of a local musician and writer that just released what is essentially his life’s work. The Blue Collar Diaries are five concept albums and autobiographical Novella. The albums are essentially a musical diary of a man living with both bipolar and schizoaffective disorder. The recordings are fascinating, beautiful and always humble. What is even more thrilling about this project is that Upright Ape is giving away all of the proceeds of this project. You can read more about the project over at his website.