L.A.

The Elected – Bury Me In My Rings

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Sometimes we all need a break from it all. So that’s exactly what The Elected’s frontman Blake Sennett did. After an album and a tour with Rilo Kiley as guitarist/co-songwriter, Sennett planned to take a hiatus from music-making, but then it seems like it’s not possible to stay away for too long. Emerging in May 2011, Bury Me In My Rings is The Elected’s third full-length release since 2006’s Sun, Sun, Sun. And it’s a carefully crafted pop album, which is the perfect soundtrack for all those carefree times.
The album is fuzzy and warm with a soulful lilt to it. The woozy nostalgia of tracks such as “Born To Love You” and “Where Are You” seem perfectly at home on an old vinyl record or played as you drive down the highway at dusk with the windows down. Drawing heavily on the influences of folk and pop of years past but always maintaining a footing in the present, Sennett has written a fluid piece of work that feels simultaneously reminiscent and brand new. The melancholy of “Where Are You”, and the six-minute centerpiece ballad “This Will Be Worth It”, provide the real emotional drive to the record, inviting the listener in to connect with the feelings Sennett is pouring out for all to experience. A heavy focus on acoustic guitar melodies and steady drum beats allow for a full, enveloping sound thatwraps you in it’s embrace.
As a side project to a more well-known band, it may seem difficult to step out of the glaring spotlight, but it seems like Sennett has no problems there. His expertise in crafting catchy, but original and charming pop songs is quite evident here. Sennett may have taken a break from music for awhile, but you find a sweet reunion in Bury Me In My Rings, which helps you to take a break from the chaos and stress of the real world in the gentle sounds he’s made. – Taylor Lampala                                

 

 

Philadelphia

New Video: “Perfect” – Mike Taylor

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Back when Mike Taylor won The Deli Philly’s 2008 Year End Best of Emerging Artists Fans’/Readers’ Poll and placed third in the Overall Poll, he was known at the time as Tu Phace. It was exciting to see the multi-faceted entertainer go from performing at Silk City (where he still hosts “Mo Money No Problems”) to having his name on the marquee of the Theater of Living Arts as the headlining act within a few months. That is why it was not really a surprise to us when Taylor tweeted that he had signed to SonyMusic/Epic Records. Well, his long-awaited first label single “Perfect” and its video just premiered on MTV.com and MTVU.com. You can check it out below. But what we really want to know is where can we get that sweet Lego boombox? You can download the new single as well as his entire mixtape From the Stars for free HERE. Enjoy! – The Deli Staff
 

Philadelphia

Vote for Your Favorite “Rad Racer” Remix!

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Work Drugs is running a remix contest for their track “Rad Racer”. You can take a listen to the chosen entries below and make your pick by “heart-ing” the one or ones that you like HERE. You can also experience the original live on Sunday, July 3 at Johnny Brenda’s when The Roots Present Philly’s Fourth of July Jam featuring Work Drugs, CSLSX, Wrestling, and Smooth Sailing: Red White & Smooth. – The Deli Staff

Rad Racer – The Remixes by Work Drugs

Philadelphia

Future of Philadelphia Nano Brewing Showcase w/TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb at PhilaMOCA June 9

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It’s going to be a hot, sweaty mess tonight, but you’ll have a chance to cool down on some fine-ass Philly homebrewed beers when Mellody Brewing and TJ Kong present the Future of Philadelphia Nano Brewing Showcase featuring an all-you-can-drink tasting. Well, all-you-can-drink while supplies last, and as any seasoned drinker should know (as well as anyone who has every hung out with TJ Kong and co.) is that good beers can translate to no beers very quickly. However, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb will still be providing a full set of entertainment even if the beer runs out. Ha…maybe, but make it to PhilaMOCA early enough to get your fill so you don’t notice just in case he doesn’t ;o). But we’ll definitely make them this Sunday when they also perform at The Deli sponsored Dock Street 3rd Annual Philly Beer Week Music Fest! Cheers! PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 7:30pm, $10 (for show and art not beer tasting), 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 

Philadelphia

Free Download: “On Tour” (Live) – Kurt Vile

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Matador Records just posted a high-fidelity live version of Kurt Vile’s “On Tour” for free download from a recent Rhapsody Originals session via their Metablog in preparation for his next round of upcoming dates in support of Smoke Ring for My Halo. He’ll be kicking it off with a sold out show at one of our favorite NYC venues Bowery Ballroom with Philly buddies Meg Baird and Purling Hiss, and Vile will be coming back to Philly the next evening (this Sunday) to perform with Baird and Pissed Jeans at the First Unitarian Church. The rest of the tour will also find him hitting the road with Woods and Thurston Moore as well as a stop at Pitchfork Fest. (Photo by Gretchen Robinette) – The Deli Staff

On Tour (Live) by Kurt Vile

Philadelphia

“Philadelphia Sound Konnoisseurs” w/?uestlove, Diplo, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and More at Voyeur!

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?uestlove will be hosting an all-star evening of deejays called “Philadelphia Sound Konnoisseurs” on Sunday, July 3rd at Voyeur as part of The Roots 4th of July Jam. Joining ?uesto on the lineup will be Diplo, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinna and J Rocc. You can purchase your tickets HERE (and entering “psk215” as the promo code will allow you to bypass the always ridiculous Ticketmaster service charges). – The Deli Staff
 
Chicago

CD of the Month: Brontosaurus “Cold Comes To Claim”

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The duo of Nicholas Kelley and Nicholas Papaleo have only been together for a year, but have pulled together a debut effort that is polished, wildly entertaining, and that reaches into several areas of music. The are piano-driven, epic soundscapes and math-rock moments alike. Though just six tracks "Cold Comes To Claim" covers an impressive amount of ground. The opener "Beware" is a call to order for the listener as it shifts and morphs throughout its five-plus minutes. The track is grand and stripped-down all in the matter of minutes.

If I had to draw comparisons to Brontosaurus I would reluctantly say Death Cab For Cutie or possibly Cold War Kids. However, I do feel Brontosaurus has managed to cover more ground that Cold War Kids. The second track on the LP is "Bloodlines", and it begins with a classical guitar solo and then builds and broods through the labored melodies this duo has created. My favorite on the album is "Designed Disabled", mainly because of the effects they have put on the vocals. I feel it is one of the more inventive tracks on the album. "Cold Comes To Claim" will be released on June 14th.

Brontosaurus is departing on an East Coast tour on June 14th that will end here in Chicago on July 7th with a free (with rsvp, rsvp@emptybottle.com) show at Empty Bottle with Color Radio.

Philadelphia

Exclusive New Tracks from Blackhawks and BAnanas Symphony for MJ MJ Records’ Kickstarter Dual Cassette!

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Yohske, frontman for Blackhawks and BAnanas Symphony, has two new tracks (which you can take a listen to below) exclusively available on MJ MJ Records’s Kickstarter dual cassette. Unfortunately, the LA-based label “got robbed real bad”. The fundraising compilations include contributions from Cloud Nothings, Weekend, Truman Peyote, and many others, which you can check out and download HERE, so pay it forward and grab your copy! – The Deli Staff