Gross Relations would have been comfortable roommates with Fountains Of Wayne in the 90s (and would have done a much better job with All State’s theme than Weezer, too). Bands like this have dropped like flies as the end of thetwentieth century has also seemed to mean the end of loud guitar combos. I didn’t realize how desperately Brooklyn needed a group like this until I blasted their sweaty, drunken video to ‘Fuzzy Timelines’ a few days back. Gross Relations’ members may look like the boys nextdoor, but trust me… once you get to know them, they are crazy bastards just like you and me. These guys offer some of the catchiest, fuzz-happy and irony-free pop around, and that’s exactly what we need right now. – Read Mike Levine’s Q&A with the band here.
Brown Recluse Pleasantly Toxic at KFN Aug. 26
The Loxosceles reclusa species is one spider you may want to be bitten by after swaying and swooning to Brown Recluse’s headlining set at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. Fueled by hypnotizing keys and soothing vox, with a merriment-pop vibe, the local natives and one of Philly’s unsung heroes in the indie music scene will infest your auditory perception with the most pleasant toxins. Joining Brown Recluse will be four-piece Arc In Round, led by producer extraordinaire Jeff Zeigler (Kurt Vile, The War on Drugs, Pink Skull), reflecting a dark pop harvested with crisp vocals while painstakingly assembling a uniquely layered sound, and opening the evening will be the lyrical, new wave surf rockers Royal Shoals, featuring former members of the Ropers, Saturday People, Public Record, and Motor. Kung Fu Necktie,
Pterodactyl play Music Hall of W’burg on 08.27 + prepare for recording
Pterodactyl is one of the most fun and noisy bands to emerge from the Brooklyn DIY scene. The Brooklyn based psych-punk outfit will be playing Music Hall of Williamsburg on 08.27 with Sun Araw, Prince Rama and Julianna Barwick. They are also presenting this new video promoting their Kickstarter campaign to fund their next album. But we’ll embed here an older – better – one!
Beanie Sigel Reps the Classics at The Blockley Aug. 26
From the NYC Open Blog: The Golden Age of Transit play Spike Hill on 09.01
Featuring Brooklyn singer/songwriter/guitarists Bill Bartholomew and Dave Klym – who have spent the last few years working together in Bartholomew’s namesake band – The Golden Age of Transit introduces Klym as co-frontman and displays a fresh, minimalist approach to indie-pop. While guests like Bird Courage’s Erik Meier, Brazilian vocalist Gabriela Rassi and world percussionist Quinton Gelderman add color and texture to a few of the tracks, the albums core is defined by Bartholomew and Klym’s distinct guitar, vocal and drumming styles. Recorded in a Brooklyn brownstone that once housed members of Vampire Weekend and Dirty Projectors, The Golden Age of Transit is a personal, vibe-soaked listen. The band will perform a free show on Thurs Sep 1 at Spike Hill in Williamsburg at 11pm. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.
Upcoming residency/LP: Big Black Delta
Residencies in Los Angeles just seem to keep getting better and better. There have been so many great ones all summer and it looks like the fall is setting up to be just as fantastic. As August comes to a close, and the dreariness of September and the repercussions (school starting again) begins to loom on the horizon, keep your chin up and check out Big Black Delta’s residency at the Satellite every Monday in September. Recorded entirely on a laptop computer, his songs possess a homemade professionalism and charm to them. Big Black Delta is the solo project of Jonathan Bates, formerly of LA-based Mellowdrone, and it’s one that challenges the traditional notions of electronic and pop music. It’s at once catchy and off-putting, so you can only hold on and take the ride. In particular, the song "Capsize" off the succinctly descriptive BBDLP1, out September 26th on Coming Home Records, Bates self describes it as sounding "like being woozy on a ship full of reckless dicks." Which is, well, accurate. Check out Big Black Delta live at the Satellite and then pick up his record and have a good time with people who are reckless, but nice. – Taylor Lampela
Exitmusic releases new video + play free show at Mercury
Dream poppers rejoyce! Exitmusic has a new video! The band is playing a free show at Mercury on 08.25 (tonight)
The Living Kills CD release party at The Gutter on 08.25 (tonight)
On August 25 (tonight), The Living Kills will be celebrating the release of their album Faceless Angels at the Gutter in Brooklyn. This psych rock outfit experiments with electric keyboard drones and and live effects, spinning cult classic projections and a passionate frontman. The cool, dark feel of the music – echo-y and chilled – can turn quite loud and plowing, an enveloping vibe to revel in. – Caitlin Clive
Young Man Ideas of Distance
The new album from Young Man, Ideas of Distance, is now available for preorder. You can also download the new single "Tired Eyes" from the album below.
Young Man will be performing at Subterranean on Sept. 16th with Grouplove.
Where Is My Mind?: Faux Slang
The members of Faux Slang have been kicking it around the Philly music scene for years now going in and out of numerous bands/projects with their lives intertwining at crossroads and separating on their individual journeys. But it seems longtime pals Adam Herndon, Rick Hass, Ian Nauroth, and Dan Verechia have found some common ground once again, which has evolved into their latest self-titled EP (that will be available on vinyl via RIPE Records, and you can read our review of it HERE). They’ll be celebrating the release of their new album this Saturday at Kung Fu Necktie with Nothing, Open Ocean, and deardarkhead so you should definitely swing by and grab a copy with its limited edition artwork. But first, check out our recent interview HERE to find out what it means to be Faux Slang.
DOUBLEPLUSGOOD
Some of the brightest and dependably danceable synth pop to come from the glorious basements of Portland house shows is coming to Doug Fir this Saturday, and you’d better come with a blank slate of a dance card, because you’re going to be cutting a rug with everyone there. Catching the live show of DoublePlusGood is to be sent into a world where your only options are shimmies and shakes, all your shoes are your dancing shoes, and every foot is your good foot. Debuting their LP Here They Come, The Birds of My Youth, (released on buoyantly joyous frontman Erik Carlson’s label, SoHiTek) this Saturday with Wild Ones, you can better your last glittering and resonating synthesizer note that you’re in for a good night.
Check out DPG’s cover of Beach House:
Brahms announces debut album out in 2012 + play Glasslands on 09.13
We received this message from electronic Brooklynites Brahms: "Yes, Sie Brahmensie have been hiding for some odd months now, but much like you are returning from the beach/ camp site/ miscellaneous exotic location – we are returning to you. We have spent this time recording an album that will be released in 2012. When you hear the recordings and performed versions of these songs, you will notice that significant changes have occurred. However, the essence, the fragrance if you will, that has always been BRAHMS remains the same. Evolution swings with time’s pendulum. It is the proclivity of the human heart to acknowledge this cycle, and when the cognitive mind joins in, baby, that’s harmony. So please, fasten your seat belt. At this time we would also like to reveal the live, flesh and blood, William Kuehn. An infinitely talented drummer whose rhythm is the pulse of the live incarnation coming atchoo." – Here’s the video of "Repeat it", a very Depeche Mode-y single they released this past March. – Read last year’s Deli’s feature on Brhams here.
BRAHMS – Repeat It from BRAHMS on Vimeo.