NYC

July Album of the Month: Romantic States “Still Petals”

Posted on:

Baltimore’s Romantic States have produced some gorgeous lo-fi gems on this long awaited 6 song EP Still Petals, with internet singles and a S/T full length cassette (only 50 exist!) preceeding it. The EP kicks off with Jim Triplett’s perfect mix of soft and speedy in "The Fourth", an uber jingly-jangly jam fest of rapid guitar strums over a sweet and fun melodic dance beat. It sets the pace for the rest of the tracks, each offering their own spin on shoegaze, fuzzy rhythms, and echoey vocals.

"Mirror Mirage" and "Sea Skulls" have sparks of lullaby qualities that would make for a fitting soundtrack to watch waves roll in or to accompany a summer romance. Keys get quirky in "Unreal From the Beginning" before flowing into another trip of pop trancey-gaze. "Down Your Spin" builds up into a splendiferous wall of lushness. And "Rifle Range" takes us out on a melodic ride that makes one want to hit the play button again. Most excellent.

Still Petals EP by Romantic States

Philadelphia

Pink Skull Releasing New Album Psychic Welfare on Sept. 13

Posted on:

Pink Skull just announced that they’ll be releasing their third studio album and second with RVNG Intl. titled Psychic Welfare. The full-length was produced by Pink Skull and Uniform Recording’s Jeff Zeigler (Kurt Vile, The War On Drugs). The physical version of the album will be released on September 13 with a 48” x 96” heavy-stock pull out poster, and the digital version will be available on September 27. You can check out its first single “Bee Nose” below. – The Deli Staff
 

Bee Nose by Pink Skull 

NYC

Big Troubles announces tour with Pain of Being Pure at Heart

Posted on:

Coming in at number 26 on the Deli’s Best New Emerging Artists of 2010 poll (the full results can be seen here) Ridgewood, New Jersey based Big Troubles is comprised of Alex Craig and Ian Drennan, friends from high school, and Luka Usmiani and Samuel Franklin. Craig went to college in New York (where he met Franklin, the two had a class together), Drennan in Boston, and the two decided to record last summer after losing touch for a while. Talking about the interest focused on music from their county (Bergen County), Drennan says, “[Big Troubles] sort of tries to counter that by maybe not playing into what’s understood to be the ‘New Jersey sound." Despite this counter, Craig says that living in New York was a “soul-crushing, horrible experience” and that he would much rather live in Ridgewood. Big Troubles’ music is filled with references to 80’s synth pop and 90’s shoegaze, and Craig admits that it was almost a bonding experience, the two of them getting into the same music together. Their debut, Worry (full listening is enabled here), has vaguely hazy production skills but still manages to blow listeners away with their catchy tunes.
The band will be releasing of a new album in late August and is just announced a tour in support of Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Check out the tune from the upcoming album entitled "Misery" – some kind of shoegazer-pop song with Smashing Pumpkins and The Jesus and Mary Chain influences.

Mp3: Big Troubles – Misery

Philadelphia

Grandchildren & WPO Added to Man Man Show on Aug. 5 at The Troc!

Posted on:

We just wanted to give you a heads up on a (life) FANTASTIC local lineup coming to The Troc! Grandchildren and West Philadelphia Orchestra were recently added to the Man Man show on Friday, August 5. You can purchase your tickets HERE, which we highly recommend doing so ahead of time because this is currently the only scheduled hometown show for Man Man and Grandchildren for the rest of the summer. Isn’t it nice that they are conveniently packaged for you? Also, check out the debut webisode of our live performance and interview series Choice Cuts with Grandchildren below. Special thanks to The Swollen Fox for bringing the addition to our attention. (Man Man Photo by David Turcotte) – The Deli Staff
 

New England

Adam Hofmann Revival Record Second Album to Help End Human Trafficking

Posted on:

The Adam Hofmann Revival is preparing to release their second album this coming September, marking a huge milestone for the band from Cape Cod, MA. You’ll Get There consists of ten original songs written by Adam, each providing a combination of high-energy instrumentation, high-emotion vocals, and passionate lyrics.

The album will be used as a vehicle to raise awareness and revenue for the Made By Survivors Network, a non-profit organization that works to educate, empower, and reintegrate survivors of human trafficking in an effort to break the cycle of modern day slavery. All profits from the sale of the new album will flow through the Made By Survivors Network, and to young survivors of human trafficking.

The Adam Hofmann Revival has set up a pre-launch campaign through PledgeMusic — those who preorder the album will gain access to exclusive songs, merchandise and more.

–Chrissy Prisco

New England

Thick Shakes Release Two New Tracks — Listen to “Deep Pockets” Here

Posted on:

Two new tracks, Deep Pockets (which you can listen to below) and Gimme Time, by Boston’s garage rock outfit, Thick Shakes, are available today for listening and downloading on the band’s Bandcamp page. Their vinyl 7" Why Buy the Cow is also still available here.

Thick Shakes next local shows are Wed. 7/20 at PA’s Lounge with Naga Gaga and Magic People, and Thurs. 8/11 at the Naga Gaga residency at The Haven in Jamaica Plain.

–Chrissy Prisco

Philadelphia

FYI on DIYs in PHL: Flash Mob Productions

Posted on:

The words “flash mob” may bring uneasiness to those who walk the streets of Philly these days. Though some may spend their days pontificating about its inaccurate label, Flash Mob Productions’ David Kiss embraces the term and spends his days/nights working to spin it in a positive light in our local indie music scene by booking shows and helping expose young artists to new fans. His lofty goal to one day compete with monster corporations like Live Nation and not be "one of those promoters" is certainly ambitious, but his DIY mentality is something that you might want to support and commend. Well, you can buy him a drink and/or pack him a bowl tonight at KFN when he hosts the kick off to Penrose’s “Trifecta” tour. But first, check out our interview that exposes the good, the bad, and the ugly of Flash Mob Productions HERE.

NYC

Mahogany are back with new material: live at The Studio on 07.07

Posted on:

Mahogany is one of the most interesting "shoegazy" NYC bands (although they are partly based in Philly as well), blending the genre’s typical droney and reverbery atmospheres with gentle electronic elements and loungy pop vocals reminiscent of Stereolab. From what we heard, the band went through a rough period involving line up changes but also new material, which will be showcased live tonight during the show at The Studio at Webster Hall in Manhattan