Super mellow emerging NYC artists: Future Shuttle, live at Glasslands on July 9
I’ve always found ambient music a little too uneventful – it’s a cool concept and everything but dude… it’s a little like when you meet a cute but very shy guy/girl who doesn’t say a word to save his/her own life, you know? "Talk to me, dammit!!!"
Brooklyn band Future Shuttle (a band we discovered by browsing through our own live listings on the right) play ambient-ish music that’s eventful enough to keep us interested – and that’s when we find out that the line between ineptly shy and rather charming is very fine indeed. Fronted by ethereal singer Jessa Farkas, this band’s sound is mostly based on droney, gently effected, intertwining electronic pads and sparse reverbered vocals – which add interest to the tunes conveying also a strong mystic element. There are also guitars, percussions and a flute in the mix, all working behind the scenes, in "atmospheric" and mysterious ways. Future Shuttle is playing at Silent Barn on July 6 and at Glasslands on July 9.
White Hills release “Hp-1” at Union Pool on July 14.
Brooklyn psych-rockers White Hills have a brand new album out and they want you to hear it. Titled "H-p1," the collection of 9 songs rails against our increasing dependence on corporate consumerism. "The Condition of Nothing" combines driving, psyched-out guitars and motor driven percussion with vocals that speak to nihilistic delusion, while guitars sounding more like metal hammering against industrial factory walls are the dominant element on the track "Movement." "A Need To Know" builds up gradually from hushed overtones, and the title track closes the album with an ambitious 17 minutes opus that delivers heavy jams for the disenfranchised. Though one wouldn’t be off base to think of very early Stooges (1969 era) or even Spaceman 3, White Hills share a similarly twisted compositional vibe with San Francisco psych rockers Wooden Shjips. The band will be performing live for their CD release show at Union Pool in Brooklyn on July 14 Oneida side project Man Forever and Weird Owl. – Dave Cromwell
Will Phalen @ The Whistler
Will Phalen of Will Phalen and The Stero Addicts is releasing a solo album called Holy Ghost/Gold Coast on July 10th. The album beautiful, intimate, and raw. He is calling the sound digital folk, and there is a thin but somewhat surprising layer of electronics that really flush out the texture of these tracks. Phalen will be celebrating the release with a free show at The Whistler on July 10th.
Will recently performed the album for Audiotree Live and you can watch the entire performance here. Below is the title track from the new album and Will performing "Suddenly" also from Holy Ghost/Gold Coast.
Peasant Headlines w/a Full Band at WCL July 6
Live Show Highlights 7/3 – 7/9
In this post we highlight our favorite bands that posted a show in our "LA DIY Live Show Listings" section (seen on the far right column on this same page). You can post your own show here. The vintage sounds of this week’s picks are inescapable. On July 8th, The Wind will be playing at the Bootleg Theater for an evening of mellow, throwback sounds reminiscent of surf rock bands from the 60’s and 70’s. On the 9th, at 8pm, Molino will be showcasing its unique blend of alternative and post-punk – channeling influences like the Stooges and the Velvet Underground but adding its own dose of angsty, 90s grunge.
Live Show Recap: Work Drugs, CSLSX, Wrestling & Smooth Sailing DJs at JB’s
As part of The Roots’ two-day takeover of Philly with their 4th of July Jam, Work Drugs dealt out their smooth-fi tunes at Johnny Brenda’s this past Sunday to get folks warmed up for the next evening’s festivities on the Ben Franklin Parkway (and possibly laid). They brought along ultra-groovy CSLSX and Wrestling (featuring members of Power Animal) as well as the Smooth Sailing DJs [which included Kenny Bloggins (Flufftronix), Christopher Crossfade (DJ Romes), Michael Tender (Low Budget), and Joey Maserati (Dirty South Joe)]. You can check out our recap in words and pics HERE.
Akasha “The Cool Ruler Overture” Mixtape
The very cool reggae band Akasha has released a new mixtape tribute to Gregory Isaac. The band will be performing at The Hideout on July 22nd with JT & the Clouds and DJ RC.
POPPED! Festival Announcing “Secret Single-day Pass Sale” and “Special Discount Code” for Twitter Followers This Thursday!
Wyatt CD release at Union Hall on July 7
Completely unrelated to legendary British prog-rock pioneer Robert Wyatt, Wyatt is a Brooklyn based quintet (via Colorado, New Mexico, and Michigan) that plays what we call "rootsy pop" – with an added indie twist in the production department. Led by Maddy Wyatt’s gentle presence and vocals, the band’s reinterpretation of folky atmospheres is entertaining and stimulating at once, thanks to a musical approach that successfully avoids tired formulas. Wyatt is celebrating their Brooklyn CD release with a show at Union Hall in Park Slope on July 7.