I literally despise the genre categorization "Adult Alternative" or "Adult Contemporary" used by many radios and music sites to describe artists I love like R.E.M. or Kristin Hersch – isn’t that the least exciting thing you can say about music, that it’s for adults? Besides, when I say "Adult Contemporary" I can only think about ONE artist: The Dave Matthew’s Band. It should be a one band genre, in some kind of borderline insulting way.
This being said, we can all agree that orchestral pop is one of the most sophisticated genres in the pop and rock realms, and adults are supposed to be sophisticated (at least here in NYC). But, as demonstrated by Girls in Trouble (not "Women in Trouble" by the way!), this kind of music can be playful and awaken the child in you. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure a lot of kids in their pre-teens might enjoy this band, which plays some of the most ineresting and inventive orchestral pop in NYC. I’d recommend they tried to organize shows with One Ring Zero, Clare & The Reason and/or Elk City. If you are into this genre, don’t miss their CD release party at Joe’s Pub on May 19.
And And And The Winner Is….
Willamette Week has counted the votes of so many local music devourers, and the results are in in in. I mean, they won our poll for Portland’s best new band, too. Is it any wonder? And And And is an album producing machine, well-oiled with the chaos of Portland summers. Wily voiced and lo-fi as they come, a garage band writing youthful symphonies that can double as anthems, these guys have done it right. Over and over and over again. Want to see it in action, if you haven’t caught one of their thousand albums from the past year or one of their thunderous live shows? Mississippi Studios hosts &&& for free this Friday, along with Brainstorm and Wild Ones (two more top-fivers from WW‘s list!). Just a taste of what else is in store:
PACIFIC | WILD ONES from Calvin Waterman on Vimeo.
SUPPORT COLLEGE RADIO! DRINK A MILKSHAKE!
Need something to do at 5:30 this Friday? Doesn’t everyone? Come catch BOOM!, Edibles and Grandparents at the Burgerville on 12th and Hawthorne. It’s the final show in the series of sexiness that is the KPSU Pledge Drive, so come out, eat some fries, and get your face meltier than the dripping cheese on your inevitable burger.
Where Is My Mind?: Prowler’s Tyler Griswald
Skinny Bones by Prowler
Seriously trippy NYC Artists: Cosmal – live at Trash Bar on May 9
COSMAL is a new One Man *Experience* involving the sampling of several LIVE instruments on stage, the live coordination of programmable beats, some sweet jams, and an awesome light show! Check out the live video of a song here. Show Listings: 5/9- Trash Bar, Brooklyn (10pm) 5/14- Art Festival, Rye Town Park (5pm) 5/25- Big Daddy’s, Massapequa (7pm) 6/10- The Cup, Wantagh (9pm) 6/16- National Underground, NYC (9pm) Many more to come so check back! – (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.
Sarah Weis: Musik & Plus Cassette Listening Party
Stretch your mind so open and step into the mystical world of Sarah Weis. The latest release from the local cassette label Plustapes is the far reaching and career encompassing effort from Sarah Weis. Musik & Plus is a 25-song collection of the best moments and sounds from this adventurous musician, actress, and just all around creative person. This is infact is her debut album, but this songs and images have been circling our consciousness for years.
The cassette will be released in June, but Sarah is holding a virtual listening party on May 10th at 6:30. She will be playing the new cassette on her Fisher Price tape player. Join the party here.
The Part Five @ Empty Bottle
The Part Five have a new single out called "C-Clamp". It comes from their new full-length release called The Tightening. The track reminds me a little of early New Order, but with a little more rock and a little less of the ’80’s cheesy. I love how this tracks breaks down around the 2 minute mark and then comes back full force.
The Part Five will be performing at The Empty Bottle on May 15th with Dozens. Tickets are only $3 and the shows starts at 7pm.
Theotis Joe Full of Philly Love at KFN May 5
White Apple Tree are shaking things up
White Apple Tree has opened for Ghostland Observatory, Starfuckker, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and will rock the stage for electro pioneers Dirty Vegas at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on Friday, May 6 for their new Electric Love Tour. This bands pop rock melodies and poetic lyrics will put a smile on your face and fill your day with sunshine. Their next LP, Smooth Jaws, will be out by the end of summer. To tide hungry fans over for now, the new single “Circles” will be available May 17. Michele McManmon
Check out "Broken Bones" Video
What? The Submarines are playing May 7th? And The Deli LA is giving away a pair of tickets?
You heard right! Indie pop darlings The Submarines — if their music strikes you familiar, you might have heard them in an iPhone commercial — are playing the Troubadour with Deli favorites Pepper Rabbit and White Sea on Saturday, May 7th and we’re giving away a pair of tickets.
How do you enter to win? It’s a two step process:
1) Follow The Deli LA on Twitter (we’re relaunching our Twitter and will be packing it with juicy bite-sized music news).
2) Tweet "I love @TheDeliLA and @TheSubmarines <3".
The only catch is you have to be 18 years or older. A winner will be randomly selected and can pick up their tickets at willcall with a valid ID.
-Angelo Lorenzo
Color Radio “Architects”
Color Radio will be releasing their debut full-length album, Architects, on June 14th. The band has made a video with the talented Elijah Alvarado for Elephilms for the albums first single "Quiet House".
Color Radio will be performing at Subt on May 6th with Big Science and An Aesthetic Anaesthetic (17 & Over / $10).