Philadelphia

Where Is My Mind?: Cheers Elephant’s Derek Krzywicki

Posted on:

When Cheers Elephant first came on to the Philly music scene, the media instantly gravitated towards the young quartet with their big riffs and psychedelic rock sound. But then there was a bit of lull as fans and critics waited patiently for the band’s sophomore effort. Cheers Elephant took their time refining and crafting songs readying themselves for their journey to reach the masses. Well, the masses are starting to come check them out, and what they’ll find is a tight, charismatic and more mature unit not afraid to leave it all on stage. And with maturity, comes confidence in what you are doing as you will see from our recent interview with lead vocalist/guitarist Derek Krzywicki HERE. Cheers Elephant will be opening for The Go! Team and Dom tomorrow night at the TLA.
 

San Francisco

EP Release: Ander

Posted on:

 

Shedding much of the drone-y Joy Division-esque gloom of Skeletal System, Andy Peterson (of the aforementioned band) recently debuted a Solo EP under the name Ander. Embracing a minimal electronic approach Ander’s three song EP is a pensive ambient set of songs that beckons comparisons to Plaid or Boards of Canada. Download a free copy here or have a listen below.

 

-Ada Lann

beko_77 by anderland

New England

SOUNDS FOR HOUNDS w/ 7L & Esoteric, Viva Viva, The Dirty Dishes, and more! 4/21 @ Middle East.

Posted on:

sounds for hounds

This is Boston’s WOOFSTOCK…be there and support the shelter dogs and cats of the MSPCA. Hip-hop artist Esoteric has teamed up with the MSPCA to present the first annual Sounds for Hounds benefit concert at the Middle East in Cambridge. On April 21st, 7l & Esoteric, Viva Viva, The Dirty Dishes, Moe Pope w/ Quills, Black El & Durkin, and the Bladerunners will perform to raise money and awareness for homeless and mistreated animals. All proceeds for the event will benefit the homeless dogs and other animals of the MSPCA-Boston.

There will be special guests and free giveaways from Annie Mulz clothing and esoterichiphop.com.

Thursday, April 21 · 8:30pm · 18+ · $12

–The Deli Staff

New England

Local Music Spotlight — Albums we’re digging right now

Posted on:

sand reckoner
Sand Reckoner
Album: The Shepard EP
Released: December 2010
From: Boston, MA
Sand Reckoner bring 70s acid rock into the 21st Century on their EP The Shepard. Giant bass lines and guitar riffs bring to mind a less lumbering version of Black Sabbath and Kashmir-era Led Zeppelin. But Sand Reckoner meld their classic hard rock tendencies with vocals and production details that take from 80s shoegaze and make this much more than a mere rip-off of their forbearers. This EP begs to be played loud and I encourage you to do just that.

powderhouse
Powderhouse
Album: in the meantime
Released: July 2010
Hail from: Newton, MA
Judging from the cover of Powderhouse’s in the meantime, a water color-ish picture of a starry night sky with a silhouette of a woman in the lotus position on top of a hill, I expected to be tortured with some new-age stylings and maybe some Native American pan flute. I was pleasantly surprised when what I got instead was 12 tracks of very enjoyable, Liz-Phair-circa-Exile-In-Guysville, straight up rock music. Theresa Mastrorilli has that same sexy deep voice that was put to such great use on that classic record from 1993; and it certainly doesn’t hurt that she’s backed by a fantastic band.

mango floss
Mango Floss
Album: Monsters
Released: October, 2010
Hail from: Portland, ME
Mango Floss‘ Monsters EP is a breezy pop nugget that reminds me of Best Coast with the wall-of-sound stripped away to reveal a beautiful little band. Sarah’s breathy, candy-coated vocals are a treat to the ears. Monsters hints at a band destined for good things.

leon rich
Leon Rich
Album: Ghost In The Cooler
Released: September 2010
Hail from: Boston, MA
Ghost In The Cooler opens with "Dead Squirrels", a fantastic prog-rock moment, sounding like something off of Rush’s Grace Under Pressure. It’s something of a bait and switch because nothing else on Ghost In The Cooler explorers that same territory. The remaining eight tracks are classic American rock with a great mix of guitar and keys. Rich’s vocals bring to mind the strange falsetto of Canned Heat’s Alan Wilson on the classic psychedelic track, "On The Road Again".

–George Dow

NYC

The Death Set release new video + play in Bronxville on April 29

Posted on:

Here is how The Death Set crew introduced us to their new video – as we don’t get the exact meaning of this blurb we decided to opt for a quick copy and paste operation. All we know is that both song and the video are a lot of fun:

"We wanted to throw a party on our roof so we invited our friends and a bunch of party ingredients. It all worked until we made too much ruckas and apparently knocked “art” off the wall of the douche bag downstairs. Now this guy’s “art” was his “Transformers the Movie” poster and of course threatened to sue and asked if I had “music video insurance”. And of course I have insurance right? Health insurance, dental insurance, music video insurance, insurance on deez nuts and but, all of the above pffff. Just like one of the causes of the economic crisis, hell I got insurance for my insurance… Anyways so we just took the party to our tiny ass apartment and had a time. Reminds me of that game we played as kids where you spin around till you blackout. So this song is the second single off our new LP “Michel Poiccard” on Ninja Tune “We Are Going Anywhere Man."

Currently touring Europe, The Death Set will be back in NY with a show at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, on April 29. The video was directed by Evan Wunsch.


 

NYC

NYC Artists on the rise: Ursa Minor play Living Room on April 14 + release record in May

Posted on:

Here in NYC most peeps covering the "scene" (us included) love to get into these weird sounding and obscure bands, as if sounding different was the only important thing for a new musical project. Well, it’s not. There’s something extremely satisfying and even refreshing in discovering a new act that plays rather traditional songs and does it exceptionally well – Ursa Minor is such act. Sounding like a marriage between Tom Petty, early Tori Amos and The Pretenders, Ursa Minor’s songs are instant pop-rock gratification with an americana twist. Michelle Casillas’ stunning, present vocals complete the picture drawing beautiful melodies and confidently playing different "roles" in different tracks. Even though the cover of Ursa Minor’s upcoming record "Showface" depicts Michelle in front of the Empire State Building, this is a record we’ll enjoy best during our next car trips getting us outta here… Check out Ursa Minor live at The Living Room on April 14, or at their CD release party at Joe’s Pub on May 24.

Chicago

Last Minute Plans: The Bright White @ Beat Kitchen

Posted on:

If you are looking for something to do tonight I would recommend check out The Bright White at Beat Kitchen. The band released their debut ep, Until Then, back in February and has been drawing comparisons to Oasis, The Killers, and other mega bands ever since. They very much have the feel of a band about to take off.

The Bright White is playing tonight, 4/13, at Beat Kitchen with Skybombers and La Scala. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are $10.

NYC

Best of NYC #96c: Taurus play Deli NYC 2011 B.E.A.F. at Spike Hill on 05.27

Posted on:

We keep highlighting each one of the NYC artists that made our Best of NYC Emerging Artists 2010 list.

Taurus, hailing from several musical US cities, now resides in Brooklyn where they live and breathe music together. On their EP, “Cannon Falls Forever,” unexpected twists on swelling modulations keep the ear guessing on “Born a Lion,” hypnotic guitar strums and smooth vocals come together on the peaceful “Love Would Bury You,” and, a gentle introduction on “Carolina” transforms into a swirl of reverb and distortion. Taurus plays The Deli’s “B.E.A.F. (Best Emerging Artists Fest) 2010” fest on May 27 at Spike Hill. More details about the fest will be announced soon. – Meijin Bruttomesso