Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, September 2 – 4

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We’re all about the FREE shows this weekend! The summer is winding down so it’s time to take advantage of what little time we have left of it. Sigma Sound Studios is going to be raging this weekend, especially after the disappointing postponement of the Reading Rainbow/Cat Vet/The Homophones show last week. The Making Time crew are bringing their “anything goes” attitude to the space with Snacks featuring Pink Skull, who have their rad new album Psychic Welfare coming out later this month. Our staff seems torn about tomorrow’s WHYY Connections Fest (with local faves Dr. Dog, Toy Soldiers, Kuf Knotz, and Birdie Busch as well as Justin Townes Earle) at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and the 215 Magazine/Vitamin Water Uncapped Live showcase (with Sun Airway and Work Drugs) at Sigma Sound Studios. But we’re hoping that the rock gods will work in our favor, and we’ll be able to make both events. Hope to see everyone out and about!

 
 
More stuff to do this Labor Day weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Hott Tubb, SAT Mercury Radio Theater (Record Release) w/Geology
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI The Blessed Muthas and Mean Streets, SAT The Quelle Source and Big Fat Marker, SUN SGNLS, Columboid (ex-Man Man), L.U.N.A.R. Revolt
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Man Like Machine, The Graveyard Shift, Bad News Bears, SAT Mach 22 and Under Red Lights
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT The Snails and Home School Dropouts
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) FRI Wail, SAT The Lawsuits and Levee Drivers, SUN The Handsomes and Ross Bellenoit & the Goods
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT US Rails
 
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Chill Moody, SAT JACK DEEZL
 
Danger Danger Gallery (5013 Baltimore Ave.) SAT Penrose & WXPN No Excuses Summer Series w/Blooming Black
 
Mill Creek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Spine Chain and Syberia
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI The Madeleine Haze, Electric Boa, Airways
SAT Herostreet
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) FRI Catnaps, Netherfriends, Burberry Possums
 
Bookspace (1113 Frankford Ave.) FRI Phantasmagoria Circus Presents: Tarot Card Event
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT IMPACT! BAD TOWN! and BIRD FLU!
 
Strange Brew Coffee (1321 S. 2nd St.) FRI Michele Zipkin
 
Bamboo Bar (927 N. Delaware Ave.) SUN Making Time Labor Day Weekend RAD-B-Q
 
Dad’s House (Please contact one of the acts for details.) FRI Steez Mcqueen
 
Unholy Trinity House (Please contact one of the acts for details.) SAT Strawberry Hands and Cousin Brian
 
The Lot Party: Music Fusion/Block Party (17th & Diamond St.) SAT Ground Up, Cody Kahmar, Paris Artelli, DJ Sega, Uncle Ron, and Many More
 
NYC

Weekly Features: Beast Make Bomb releases “Sourpuss” EP + new video

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Beast Make Bomb entertained us at our B.E.A.F. fest back in May with its indie garage-pop featuring aggressive rhythm guitars and gentle female vocals. They recently released the new "Sourpuss" EP and this video of the single "Party Monster". Their resonant and relatable lyrics are enhanced by fun and catchy melodies. And while the message is realistic, the feel is quite innocent and happy-go-lucky. Now that that temperature has gone down a little, it makes us want to jump on the car we don’t have, roll all the windows down, take a road trip to anywhere, forget about the world and crack a smile… – Read Caitlin Clive Q&A with the band here.

Philadelphia

YVYNYL Presents: Hott Tubb Opening for Wise Blood & Supreme Cuts at JB’s Sept. 2

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Let’s face it. Keeping a full band together these days can be more trouble than it’s worth. That’s why it’s not surprising to see a tsunami of solo artists and duos creating some interesting music with the help of modern day technology. Hott Tubb is Philly-based lo-fi duo Sammy Marion and Phil Cote backed by their hard-hitting, trusty drum machine. They also combine acoustic guitar and synths ranging from ominous to playful to make some experimental and often danceable tunes with lyrical lines that burrow into your brain creating mantras that can be used for coping with the stresses and strains of everyday life. You can download their full-length album Cassette for free HERE (which is definitely worth a listen). They’ll also be opening this evening’s dope YVYNYL showcase at Johnny Brenda’s with Pittsburgh’s Wise Blood and Chicago’s Supreme Cuts, who just released their Trouble EP via Small Plates Records (“a label-based cooperative from the hearts and minds of IGIF and YVYNYL”). Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Alexis V.

Philadelphia

Catnaps Are Well-rested Now at PhilaMOCA Sept. 2

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Local melodic indie twee outfit Catnaps (formerly When I Was 12) has certainly had a chance to experience life on the road this summer. But I have feeling performing their infectiously catchy tunes from Why Don’t You Whisper? every evening has only brought the four-piece closer together. (Oh no, cuddle party!) The band has since returned and is getting back into the Philly groove by playing this year’s Clark Park Fall Equinox Festival as well as one of the first shows to hit the Milkboy Philly. But before those appearances, they’ll be performing tonight at one of our favorite hidden local gems, PhilaMOCA. Catnaps will be joined by Philly jangly pop outfit Burberry Possums and the spacey, ethereal Shawn Rosenblatt, otherwise known as Netherfriends – the artist who is best known for spending an entire year writing and recording a song and performing in all 50 states. He also picked-up some Philly folks to join him along the way. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $7 – $10 donation, All Ages (Photo by Melissa Cell) – Bill McThrill

New England

Deli Presents: Dirty Tongue, Fire Tower, Molly Zenobia, Dirty Virgins — Concert Review 8/10/2011

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dirty tongue

It was an eclectic mix of bands at The Deli Magazine’s second The Deli Presents… showcase at P.A.’s Lounge in Somerville on August 10th. It was the kind of bill that music lovers dream of—a little metal, a little folk, a little garage punk, and everything in between.

First up were newcomers, Dirty Tongue (pictured above). With only 7 months behind them this guitar-and-drum 2-piece heavy metal jam band sounded as though they’d played together for years. Their mostly instrumental assault revealed killer proficiency complete with shifting time signatures and proggy multi-part suites. These two guys were dialed in to each other in a way that you would only expect from a band that’s played together for years.

Click here to read the rest of the review by George Dow.

All photos by Anne Cook.

NYC

NYC artists on the rise: We Are The Woods, live at Rockwood on 09.24

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Like many other indie kids, after a wild and rocking youth full of desdaing for all forms of tradition, we have slowly grown to enjoy folk music, in particular when it’s somehow "bastardized" – the redeeming quality! This is a concept that – although clashing with the immaculacy of their music – is pertinent to We Are The Woods. This NYC based group led by a female duo emplyos acoustic guitars and a variety of other instruments (strings, flutes, tubas, you name it) to craft beautiful, sophisticated and intense songs that are thoroughly enjoyable. The folk matrix is still audible, but here orchestral, pop and even psych elements take over the reins. As it often happens in softer music, the vocals are a crucial element, and the ladies deliver big time in this department. Their celestial voices (Jessie Murphy’s charismatic lead and Marcia Webb’s spot on backing vocals) transform good songs into beautiful, arresting gems. We are very curious to see this band live – the next opportunity is at Rockwood on September 24.


Chicago

Thoughts on the K.O.K.O Club

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Casey Meehan has long been a mega support (and participant, remember Jitney) of the Chicago music scene. Six months ago we announced that he had launched an email mixtape club called Chicago Mixtape. The response to the club has been tremendous, and as a result Casey has announced a premium club level called K.O.K.O Club (Keep On Keeping On) today. This step is huge, and a realization of what Casey has been working towards for years. From an original fan of Rock Proper, a fan of Jitney, a fan of the Chicago Mixtape, we just want to say Congrats Casey!

You can check out the details here, and continue to support a true fan and supporter of Chicago music.

L.A.

Maria Taylor’s hometown in the South inspires new album

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After living in Los Angeles for some time, Maria Taylor moved back to her hometown of Birmingham, AL to record her fourth solo album, entitled "Overlook," out now on Saddle Creek. Widely known as one half of Azure Ray, Taylor has also been making a name for herself with her honest lyrical style and luminous vocals. Her southern roots are ever present on the new album with the use of lap steel guitar, banjo and organ, making for a sweet yet potent sound. Starting in October, Taylor will tour the country in support of the album, including a stop at The Echo on October 20th. Taylor is offering a free download of the track "Bad Idea?" on her web site. – Karla Hernández
Maria Taylor – Matador 

 

Austin

Pecan Street Festival Lineup + Experience Tour

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Lineup is out for the Pecan Street Festival 9/24 + 9/25, headlined by Nakia, Tortilla Factory, Leatherbag and more. Full lineup below…also includes something called The Lego Experience Tour, which, I mean, you had me at Lego. 

SATURDAY, September 24th 2011
MAIN STAGE 
NOON RoadHouse Rockers 
1:00PM Moving Blues 
2:00PM Stupid Drama 
3:00PM The Day Tripper Band 
4:00PM Deuce Coupe 
5:00PM Hard Proof Afrobeat 
6:00PM The Boxing Lesson 
7:00PM That Damned Band 
8:00PM Tortilla Factory 

TRINITY STAGE 
NOON Residual Kid 
1:00PM Erin Ivey 
2:00PM Ariel Abshire 
3:00PM Jaimee Harris 
4:00PM Western Ghost House 
5:00PM Dead Black Hearts 
6:00PM BK & MR E 
7:00PM MoTel Aviv 
8:00PM The Shears 

RED RIVER STAGE 
NOON Diverse City Dance 
1:00PM Majestic Revelation 
2:00PM Little Radar 
3:00PM Mazel Tov Kocktail Hour 
4:00PM Javi Garcia and the Cold Cold Ground
5:00PM Haun’s Mill 
6:00PM Wild Child 
7:00PM The Rajamani Ensemble 
8:00PM Digital Antique   

SUNDAY, September 25th 2011
MAIN STAGE    
NOON  Huerta Culture    
1:00PM  El Tule    
2:00PM  Son De Rey    
3:00PM  Maneja Beto    
4:00PM  Suns of Orpheus    
5:00PM  Cowboy Donley
6:00PM  NAKIA

TRINITY STAGE    
NOON    Melissa Fair    
1:00PM   Lux Divon    
2:00PM   EMCravens    
3:00PM   Thieving Birds    
4:00PM   The Sour Notes    
5:00PM   New Roman Times    
6:00PM   Ringo Deathstarr

RED RIVER STAGE    
NOON    White Leaf    
1:00PM  Butcher Slim    
2:00PM  The River Has Many Voices 
3:00PM  Andy Barham & the Good Prevails
4:00PM  Zest of Yore    
5:00PM  Elevated Lines    

6:00PM  Leatherbag  

 


L.A.

A modern twist on lurid old Hollywood, Spindrift premieres new throwback video experience

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Spindrift is redefining what is means to create an album experience. Over the past few months, the LA outfit has been working with various talented directors to come up with short film movie homages to accompany the music to their recently released Classic Soundtracks Vol. 1. Their most recent addition to the growing collection is a collaboration with directors Jean Balest and Sam Barnett, on "Theme from Ghost Patrol", to create a throwback clip to the glory days of B-movie horror. Recreating scenes from Ed Wood’s quasi-legendary films, Glen or Glenda and Orgy of the Dead, Spindrift and Balest and Barnett create a cheesy yet creepy visual piece to blend in perfectly with the dark rock sounds of the music. It’s a treat for the eyes and ears. If you want to see this in all its old Hollywood glitz and glam, check out the band’s record release party at the Echoplex on September 8th, where you can see all the videos and hear the music in person. Fresh off a touring stint with Kurt Vile and prepping to tour with the Black Angels, Spindrift is a force to be reckoned with. Doors for the Echoplex show are at 8:30. 21+. – Taylor Lampela 

 

NYC

Ayla Nereo from BeatBeat Whisper releases solo album

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Oakland’s own Ayla Nereo, one half of the sibling duo BeatBeat Whisper, swoons on her latest, entitled "Floating Felt." Sparingly utilizing delicate finger-plucking methods and the occasional piano, chimes, and violin, the lucid instrument here is Ayla’s voice. Her voice is a mechanism dedicated to the running consciousness of her lyrics – their enchanted visions like a fantastical child drinking in her surroundings and blooming ideas. "Floating Felt" is aptly titled, as a collection of hovering harmonies and comfortable decadence.- Julianne Wagner