When we first saw the name Psychic Teens on a calendar of one of our local venues, for some reason, we just automatically assumed that they were an up-and-coming national touring band making a stop in town for the evening. The band name just seemed so rad and familiar we assumed that we had already come across them somewhere in the blogosphere. Well, it was a nice surprise to discover that the trio was homegrown, and an even nicer surprise to learn that we had another impressive and delightfully dark, noisy (post) post punk outfit in our midst. Psychic Teens recently won our Featured Artist(s) Poll so we had a chance to interview and find out from guitarist/vocalist Larry Ragone, bassist Joe Decarolis, and drummer Dave Cherasaro about what the pitfalls of being a psychic teen would be, what makes them nerdy, what we should expect from them in the near future, and more HERE.
Live Performance Video: Trophy Wife at Girls Rock Philly Camp
Deli Presents: Dirty Tongue, Fire Tower, Molly Zenobia, Dirty Virgins — Tonight @ PA’s Lounge
Hey guys, tonight is the second installment in the Deli Presents Summer Concert Series. This time around we’re excited to welcome Dirty Tongue, Fire Tower (from NH), Molly Zenobia, and Dirty Virgins. We know it’s a Wednesday night, but bring your pals and hang out and listen to some awesome local music.The last Deli Presents show was a blast and we only want it to get better!
The line-up is as follows:
9pm — Dirty Tongue (MA)
10pm — Fire Tower (NH, pictured above)
11pm — Molly Zenobia (MA)
12am — Dirty Virgins (MA)
PA’s Lounge
Union Sq., Somerville
Doors @ 8pm/ 21+/ $8
–Chrissy Prisco
Orbit to Leslie Finding Space at KFN Aug. 10
Orbit to Leslie have been performing with one less guitarist lately, and you’d think that would affect their sound. Well, it has. What you’ll find is an edgier indie rock version of the band that you once knew – less pretty guitar lines that kind of masked the grittiest that lie within some of their compositions. Yes, you’ll still get the earnest vocals of lead man Chris Wood and the infectious upbeat melodies often found in their tunes, but they just seem a bit looser and darker these days. Orbit to Leslie will be taking the stage this evening at Kung Fu Necktie along with Dressed Like Stolen Cars, In Grenada, and The Jantiques. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Man Man Announce October Tour Dates
Man Man recently performed a hot and sweaty hometown show this past weekend at The Troc in support of their latest album Life Fantastic. Well, they also just announced tour dates for October that includes a tour ender in Honolulu, HI at Hallowbaloo Street Festival, which sounds like an absolutely amazing way to wrap things up. You can check out the rest of the schedule below. (Photo by David Turcotte)
NYC Artists on the rise: BootBlacks play Public Assmebly on Saturday 08.13
BootBlacks recently released a self titled EP that mixes the tense athmospheres of the British new wave of the early 80s (think Joy Division and Bauhaus) with the industrial clangor of industrial music. Those who dig this "post-punk, pre-goth" style should check these guys out because they have some really good songs, and lead singer Panther sounds like a new Nick Cave – whose original band Birthday Party also made music along similar coordinates. Check them out live at Public Assembly on Saturday 08.13.
Experimental NYC: Brad Henkel – Live at Brooklyn Art Library on September 1st
I have this vision of Brad Henkel practicing his trumpet. In lieu of pounding scales he analyzes his saliva outtake and the myriad of methods with which he may manipulate his saliva in a mouthpiece.
The man is centrifugal. His tongue invents diphthongs. Passionately impudent, he curses a waterfall. Watch closely as he rocks and transitions to crawl around David Grollman. Commotion builds and groans. Screeches and excretions amass then suddenly vanish with a flippant signal of his delicate hand.
Brad is one of a handful of gentlemen busily building a scene in Brooklyn that commands what’s left that’s good in Jazz, Noise, and New music, gloriously borrowing and running with it like that snarky octopus stealing the video camera.
The result is sculpted sound that exhumes eternal cycles of impatience and upheaval from some long-forgotten vault. The music pivots absurdly. The experience resonates with intellectual bravado. You intake and you feel both ridiculous and smart, which is good.
I first heard Brad in Chicago, alongside two fellow horn-slinging ingenues, (Peter Hanson, Nathaniel Morgan), co-conspirators. Together they read music off pink stands, uttered suspended phrases inside a Bucky dome assembled from rolled up newspaper. They call this project Buckminster.
Brad recently started a label, Prom Night Records. Perhaps this evokes every moment you almost kissed someone, or alternately skipped prom altogether and got drunk in the woods on skunked beer, ie. what I did on that fateful evening. – Valerie Kuehne
Jeff Tweedy is Dad of the Year, Fronts Deerhoof
“Behold a Raccoon in the Darkness” is the fourth installment of SF darlings Deerhoof’s collaborative 7” series where guest vocalists contribute to an instrumental track from the band’s latest full-length, Deerhoof vs. Evil.
In “Behold,” Wilco‘s Jeff Tweedy harmonizes with his son Spencer while Side B features "Own It," an original song by The Raccoonists, a band comprised of Tweedy and both sons Spencer and Sam. Expect more tracks from The Raccoonists later this year.
Listen to the 7” here and watch the video for “Own It” below.
A limited release of 2000, "Behold a Raccoon in the Darkness" comes out October 11 on clear pink vinyl and is available for pre-order now. Don’t miss Deerhoof on tour including an SFMOMA show on Sept. 15.
–Whitney Phaneuf
Ticket Giveaway: Junior League Band @9:30 Club 8/13
DC based folk rock Junior League Band is bringing their old-timey inspired tunes to the 9:30 Club stage this Saturday, fronted by banjo extrodanaire Lissy Rosemont (above) who’s lent her plucking skills to tracks for Missy Elliot and the Pussycat Dolls. They’ll be joined by another indie folk local Typefighter, and Kingsley Flood (New England.) And they all want to make sure that you are there, so 9:30 club has hooked us up with some passes to give to you! All you have to do is email us (please include first/last name), and let us know what your favorite JLB song is and why, by 5 PM on Thursday August 11. The winner will be chosen at random, emailed back, and announced on this blog. Check out JLB performing "Jelly Roll" below.
August Album of the Month: The Chance “New York City Girls”
At last, one of the most anticipated releases that we’ve been waiting for is finally here!!! And holy hell was it worth the wait. DC’s dark rockers, The Chance, are releasing their 6 track EP New York City Girls on Aug 24th, and we’ve got an advance copy and are very very stoked to share our thoughts on this album we’ve been hearing about since late 2010. As a duo, guitarist/singer Joshua Padgett (bass on album as well) and drummer Viraj DeSilva worked in NYC with famed producer Chuck Brody (Phantogram, Yoko Ono) and mastered by Sarah Register (Sonic Youth, David Bowie) to create what is one of the best indie rock EPs of the year.
Kicking off the record is the dance anthem and first single "The Abyss of Love" recently heard at a 9:30 Club DJ session (word!) that easily gets your ass off the bar stool. (You can hear it below.) The first jolt of drums has an 80’s "kick your feet now!" flair before a tinge of high guitar notes float in causing an instant bob of the head. Before you know it, your eyes are closed and your doing the ‘Molly Ringwald ala Breakfast Club’ while Padgett chants "Can our souls blend for all time? I need you, to save me from myself. Hold me close." A new movement of dark dance rock is sure to emerge based on this track alone. And it sets the pace for the rest of the stellar EP.
Next is the title track "New York City Girls" which is about chicks living the dream in said city. It’s their poppiest track to date that seems ready for airplay on the soundtrack to Gossip Girl, or something equally awesome. Padgett reaches new heights of falsetto impressively before delving into that clean Ian Curtis roar he has been compared to in the past. The guitars swirl in layered loops of lush while DeSilva brings you back to reality with bursts of cymbals.
Every track has its own edge that induce the need to listen over and over again. "Forever" gets intense with layered guitars, "Into the Night" features a chorus in Spanish, and the ballad "Lapdance in Heaven" has a creepy edge of Suicide-like percussion echoes. Padgett sings a depressing tale about a lonely man in pergatory with the faint memory of obsessive love for a stripper before bursting into the guitar solo of the century that is up there with C.C. DeVille baby! And closing out the record is another smash of dark dance rock with a fast paced/steady beat and impressive guitar licks in "You Are My Dream" which ultimately makes us want more, dammit! LP LP LP!!!
The recording duo will be in full band mode including Christian Baldo on bass and Steve Scarlata on guitar for the official CD release party. Be sure to get your ass to the Black Cat on Wednesday August 24th where they will be joined by the spectacular Janel and Anthony. $10 8 PM. And now, … the abyss of love!!! -Dawn The Abyss of Love by The Chance (DC)
Justin Levinson Releases “I Was So Wrong”, Plays Lizard Lounge 8/13
Vermont-based singer/songwriter Justin Levinson has released the music video for. I Was So Wrong. The single, a track off the upcoming concept record This Side of Me, This Side of You, is a collaboration with Nashville artist Madi Diaz. Renowned for a song catalog that covers everything from hooky power pop to soul-baring alt-country, Levinson shoots for somewhere in-between with a darkly humorous, undeniably catchy ode to love and betrayal, with Diaz’ warm, soulful vocals weaving effortlessly through a melodic modern waltz.
To celebrate the release of the new single, Justin Levinson will be performing live, Saturday August 13, at the Lizard Lounge. Supporting acts include Audrey Ryan and The Shills.
Sat. 8/13, 8:30pm, 21+, $10
Lizard Lounge
1667 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138-1807
–Chrissy Prisco
Jaggery — Upon a Penumbra
First things first—what the hell is a penumbra?
pe·num·bra/peˈnəmbrə/Noun
1. The partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object.
2. The shadow cast by the earth or moon over an area experiencing a partial eclipse.
With that out of the way, I feel better about discussing Jaggery’s new record—and I suppose that “penumbra” is an acceptable place to start. There is something other-worldly about Jaggery’s brand of sometimes gothic, sometimes classical chamber pop. It brings to mind the spirit of something lurking in the shadows and it feels as though their performance may be informed by the interactions of the sun and the moon on the Earth.
Jaggery’s use of harp, stand-up bass and viola, coupled with their chant-y, middle-eastern vocals bring to mind ancient music, but they manage to deliver a thoroughly modern sound. Singer Mali has a voice all her own but, for the sake of comparison, I often hear shades of Kate Bush at her most experimental. When applied to the gypsy like chants and reels of Jaggery it becomes a sound beyond simple descriptions.
To get a real idea of what Jaggery is all about, check out two of their thoroughly creepy videos—O Scorpio and Sea Of Sideways. Or, better yet, catch them at their Wednesday night residency at the Lizard Lounge later this month (8/17, 8/24, 8/31).
–George Dow