New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Releasing a few tracks here and there since founding, freshly graduated Teengirl Fantasy, students Logan Takahashi and Nick Weiss were suddenly shoved into the spotlight with the release of their debut album 7AM last September. Aptly titled, the record’s gentle brand of house music captures the hazy feel of a post-club comedown. With 2010 being a busy year in their fledgling music career, as well as their hefty study scheduled, it’s unsurprising that when I caught up with the duo my casually tossed out greeting is snatched upon as a chance to voice their exhaustion. – Read Dean Van Nguyen’s interview with the band here.
Homeboy Sandman’s presence escalated over the past couple years through his indefatigable hustle and mystifying ability to be performing at every possible open mic in the city on any given night. Compounded with a refreshingly unique rhyme style and ferocious stage presence, it is no surprise that he is finally living his dream. Recent collaborations with Das Racist and KRS-1 plus an episode of MTV’s “MADE” have garnered him even more props. Homeboy Sandman is one of those rappers who loves hip hop with every fiber of his being. He has always been more concerned with building and supporting the scene than fattening his wallet. This positive energy is focused in and channeled through his music infusing it with vitality and charm. – Read BrokeMC interview with Homeboy here.
Bailiff officially releases their new LP Red Balloon. The band has released a a four track sampler through bandcamp.
Bailiff will be performing at Lincoln Hall on June 4th.
This week Netherfriends’ session with Daytrotter was posted. Netherfriends will be performing on June 5th at Lincoln Hall.
If you’re looking for a salty breath of oceanic tunes, grab your nearest sea creature and head on to The Hole in The Wall for a performance by Mermaid Blonde this Friday, June 3 (today!) at 10pm. This Austin-based band documents the “ill-fated voyages” of the sailing vessel with the melodies of trial and triumph.
They will also be docking at Mohawk June 9 with Reverse X-rays, and Horse + Donkey. Come tip your hats in tribute to their farewell show. It’s going to be nautical.
–Jamie Hsu
Tapas – The Pre Picnic Jam before the jam (the 4th Annual Roots Picnic) is being hosted tonight at The Legendary Dobbs and features performances from Dice Raw, Money Making Jam Boys, Rail Bird, Brass Heaven, and many more. Aside from the great lineup, the members of the Legendary Roots Crew will also be in attendance as well. Dice Raw, who made his first appearance with The Roots on 1994’s Do You Want More?!!!??! and has been collaborating with the group ever since, will be leading the pack this evening. He’s also teamed up with such heavy hitters like Jill Scott, Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli. Dice is currently working on his second solo album, which is scheduled to drop later this year, but in the meantime he continues to rock the mic with The Roots and Money Making Jam Boys. The Jam Boys features local natives Black Thought, Dice Raw, Truck North, P.O.R.N. and STS. The crew has worked together on past Roots albums, but officially formed Money Making Jam Boys in 2010, and recently released their debut The Prestige mixtape, which has true hip hop heads hollering for more. They will also be joined by NYC’s Rail Bird, the brainchild of bandleader Sarah K. Pedinotti, a.k.a. S.K.P., who mixes traditional pop elements with experimental ideas and her own unique voice to form the group’s distinctive sound, and Philly’s own Brass Heaven, who combine a variation of New Orleans Jazz (without its traditional syncopated drum beats) with a more laidback smooth and grooving style. So swing on by tonight and see what kind of surprises ?uestlove and company have in-store for us before their big all-day picnic tomorrow. The Legendary Dobbs, 304 South St., 6pm, $10, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe
Between a residency at the Satellite and releasing new videos and songs, May was certainly a busy month for the darling folks of He’s My Brother She’s My Sister. Among the many treats that the band cooked up is an animated music video for the song "Coattails." The video follows a mischievous, harmonica-playing monkey who sneaks into a He’s My Brother She’s My Sister show. While the monkey swipes people’s drinks and provokes some fights in the audience, it inevitably steals the show. All the monkey business is adorned by the song’s lively sing-a-long and twang. While the video is in black and white, the music and band members’ movements do not fall flat. On the contrary, the video is very delightful. If after watching the video, fans are left wanting more, the band is also offering its new song "Escape Tonight" as a free download on Bandcamp. While song is a bit more reflective than most He’s My Brother She’s My Sister material, the percussion and vocals are entrancing.
~Karla Hernandez
