San Francisco

Album Review: FpodBpod – The Girls

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FpodBpod’s debut album is a refreshing balance of fun pop with psychedelic garage rock songs, and as well as slower melodic tracks. Lead singer-songwriter Sean Olmstead is a superb multi-instrumentalist, and Beatles fans will get a kick out of his quirky sensibility (á la Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club) and melodic voice. A California native, Olmstead is also known for his contributions to Indianna Hale the beloved Bay Area band The Blank Tapes.

From the soothing, dream-like title track “Girls”, to the catchy chorus based “If I Forget To”—this album captures a versatile and fascinating artist at the start of a sure to be promising career. Some songs may put you in a hypnotized daze, but others snap you right back out of it and get you tapping your feet and considering the lyrics. On the downbeat “A Friend”, Olmstead sings of accepting the death of a close friend, and on the rollicking “If I Forget To”, he explains to a former love that he only neglects them because: “it’s just that I can’t stand to think about the love we knew”. He has some fun on songs such as “Mama Fell Asleep” and “Hey, Nate” which show his jam band and garage rock singing style, respectively. Add on two instrumental songs and a fast-paced cover of the Kraftwerk song “Neon Lights” and you are in for a view of an inspired creative mind.

These songs are certainly dance-ready, and it is always a joy to see which Bay Area musicians come together to lend a hand when a musician played most of the instruments themselves during recording. Be sure to head to Amnesia on April 29th to see FpodBpod play with The Beehavers and Montra.

 

 

-Shauna C. Keddy

NYC

Best of NYC #93: Jangula – live at Brooklyn Bowl on May 25

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We keep exposing the bands and artists that made our latest Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll – Jangula placed 93rd.

Jangula creates an ethereal, spacey mood with beats that are like liquid crack, a deadly combination in anything besides music. Pulling off a music conundrum, just listen to “Genji Glove” and “Pachinko” both of which mix a frantic backbeat with dainty synth pinches. This fresh band released their first EP in 2010 and is currently working on their next effort, which includes the new single “Light Left Hand.” Having had opened for Yacht and The Postelles, you may want catch this band when they play next at Brooklyn Bowl on May 25. – Michele McManmon

New England

The Okay Win — Common Nature

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okay win

There is no way The Okay Win can be described as anything but earnest. The clarity and sincerity of Stephen MacDonald’s voice comes through from the opening track. Not to say that this man is the next John Darnielle, though sincere, its real intimacy comes from the fact that MacDonald doesn’t really sing as much as whisper secrets in your ear. There are definitely a few notes that seem off-key or out of place, but they only serve to facilitate this sense of overwhelming emotional immediacy. Buzz Armstrong sets the earnest dreamscape pace. Still Fall is bittersweet with a beautiful melody that falls like raindrops on a windshield. The guitar work is tight and almost sounds harp-like in parts. One To Have is another stand out on this album of gems. This song is a little poppier and more upbeat, with hand clapping and an almost oriental sounding choral riff. It sounds like laying in the park on a gently sunny spring day. Overall, this was a dreamy album that feels like the harder parts of adolescence, in a good way.

Common Nature, released yesterday, is available via The Okay Win’s bandcamp. The release party is this Sunday, 4/24, at the Middle East Upstairs. Young Minds, Roman Numeral Three, and Lion Club are also playing.

–Chris Saenz

Chicago

Moon Furies @ Reggies

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Earlier this year the electro-pop trio known as Moon Furies released a really fun album called Mercury digitally through bandcamp. The album has a lo-fi production style, but you can still get a sense that Moon Furries would be fun to dance to live. My favorite track is the band’s salute to Logan Square. Andy Kiel, Jim Wittmann, and Andrew Hertzberg seem to be having a great time and making some fun music.

Moon Furies are performing with DFM, MC Sparkplug, and Environmental Encroachment at Reggie’s this Friday (4/22).

NYC

From the NYC Open Blog: The Tablets play Public Assembly on May 13.

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The Tablets is the newest project of Liz Godoy (also half of the fearsome sparrow, best new band 2009 nominee by the Deli magazine) They were recently blogged about by Double Denim Records: "This one from The Tablets drips with a hazy sound reminiscent of ‘Young Liars’-era TV On The Radio. Blown-out toy drums tick with lo-fi abandon alongside fuzzed out bass and withdrawn organ while singer Liz recalls Nico with her deadpan delivery and slightly strange enunciation. Honeyed pop melodies hold things together into a nice gooey mess". Deli favorite song from their Myspace profile is "I Love You in Your Tragic Beauty" (candidate for best song title of 2011 by the way) – that sounds like some kind of hybrid of The Pentangles and Vivian Girls. The Tablets will be playing at Public Assembly on May 13th 2011.- (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.

 

NYC

Lavalier debuts video + plays Deli’s B.E.A.F. on May 26

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A collective of musicians led by former Cloud Room members Dave Horowitz and Steve Milton, Lavalier churn out a well-crafted range of chamber pop that should satisfy the palates of all kinds of music lovers. The band just debuted this lo-fi collage-style video for the song "Santa Claus Ain’t Coming". One of their most rocking tracks to date, the track revolves around a very Pixies-ish (or "Pixian"?) alternation of tempos (4/4 and 6/4) and a melody reminiscent of the best post-Beatles Lennon. We like this a lot. Lavalier (Deli NYC Band of the Month in January) will be playing The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artist Fest) in Williamsburg on May 2011 together with about 50 other up and coming NYC artists.

Philadelphia

U.S Girls Returns at Empty Space April 20

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U.S. Girls (a.k.a. Megan Remy) has been keeping relatively quiet recently, but expect all that to change when she takes the stage this evening. Tonight she’ll be building her eerily mesmerizing sonic collages right before our eyes at Empty Space (formerly Germ Books). Expect plenty of new songs! She’ll be joined by Horsebladder, the perfect fitting opener from 50 Foot Women’s Elaine Kahn, and local fuzz rockers Party Photographers, who are always a welcomed addition to a bill. Who knows the next time U.S. Girls will be playing a local show, so you better catch her while you can. Empty Space, (Please contact one of the acts for details.), 8pm, $5, All Ages (Photo by Telegraphic Trees) – Adam G. 
 
Philadelphia

Kuf Knotz Presents The BoomBox Collective – Special Benefit for Kool Herc at WCL April 20

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Kuf Knotz is back with his “BoomBox Collective” music series tonight, and it’s for a good cause! Legendary hip hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc needs surgery, but unfortunately, their isn’t a nice retirement package from the music biz with health benefits for artists who have dedicated their lives to their passion so Kuf has rallied a stellar local crew of performers and appreciative local Kool Herc fans. Acts that will be donating their time and talents this evening will be the host himself Kuf Knotz, Doodlebug (of the Grammy award-winning Digable Planets), McRad, Don McClosky feat. Chuck Treece, Writtenhouse, Jessi Teich, MH The Verb, LP Stiles, Wyldlyfe, Ground Up, Copper Tonic and Jawnzap7 as well as featured guest Schoolly D, West Philly Horns, Jake Lefco, W.C. Lindsay and Apuat. They’ll also be having paintings created live on stage by Zeke Jenei and break dancing crew Repstyles as well as lovely belly dancers. Damn that’s a whole lot of entertainment and hyperlinks that I just had to plug in, but it was all worth in the name of hip hop! Word Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8pm, $10 – $15 Donation, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
 
Philadelphia

Penrose Have a Lot to Celebrate at The Troc April 20

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The Penrose bros will be taking over The Balcony at The Troc this evening, and they have plenty to celebrate! Yes, it’s 4/20, but it’s also broster Tom Murphy’s b-day so I’m guessing that they’ll have things cranked up to 11 to let those big blues rock riffs vibrate through the 2nd floor balcony bar. Well, make sure to wish him a happy birthday and share a plethora of bowls to keep the good vibes rollin’ (and don’t forget the papers). I’m also sure that he wouldn’t mind a shot or five. Cheers! The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Alexis V.
 
Chicago

Zavala “The Dark Time Sunshine Vessel Instrumentals”

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Local beat maker and co-founder of the label Fieldwerk, Zavala will be releasing his new album The Dark Time Sunshine Vessel instrumentals LP on May 10th. Zavala with Onry Ozzborn released the album Vessel last year and was named one of 2010’s 10 Awesome New Beat Makers by URB because of it. Fieldwerk is partnering with Fake Four, Inc. for this vinyl and digital release, but if you preorder through Fieldwerk you can get a ton of extra items including Zavala’s Canciones Modernas split instrumental LP and Grayskul’s “At The Time”/”Mod Volatile” 45rpm 7″ featuring the Zavala produced “Mod Volatile”.

Philadelphia

Video Footage of Pissed Jeans’ Whole Acoustic Set from Record Store Day at Beautiful World Syndicate!

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PW’s Making Major Moves posted earlier today video footage from the rare/only acoustic performance by Pissed Jeans from this past Saturday for Record Store Day at Beautiful World Syndicate. You can check out the whole set from that rainy afternoon below in which they surprisingly closed out with a brief version of Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”. Special thanks to Burnitdown6i8 for sharing. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff
 

Philadelphia

Restorations’ Self-titled Album Available on Vinyl Today & Release a New Video

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Rustic indie rock outfit Restorations’ new self-titled album is out today on vinyl via Tiny Engines. The band is made up of former members from hardcore outfit Jena Berlin and features the raspy, dynamic vocals of singer Jon Loudon. The self-titled album was recorded by Algernon Cadwallader’s Joe Reinhart, and mixed at The Headroom by Jonathon Low, who has previously worked with Dr. Dog and mewithoutYou. They also premiered a new video earlier for the track “When You’re Older” at PunkNews.org, which you can check out below. You can purchase a vinyl/digital copy of their latest release HERE. – The Deli Staff
 

Restorations: "When You’re Older" from Punknews.org