NYC

Weekly Feature: Ghost Ghost

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Don’t let Ghost Ghost fool you. While yes, they are friendly spirits, they have seen things. Dark things. Perhaps that is still why they walk the earth, playing shows in New York City until they attain whatever it is they are looking for and are at peace. Or maybe they’re just some musicians, a painter, and a video artist (their live show incorporates both video projections and live painting.) Ghost Ghost’s most recent release, "No Clothes on Ragged Island," is a concept album about the life of poet Edna St. Vincent MIllay, recorded in one day, the soothing guitar work and earnestly sweet vocals belie the ominous lyrics. Tragedy and heartbreak lurk around every corner, and, it seems to Ghost Ghost, the best thing to do is keep a shaking smile on their lips as they tread out into the unknown darkness. – Read Allison Levin’s Q&A with the band here.

Philadelphia

The Love Club Looking for Members at KFN Dec. 22

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Kicking off this evening at Kung Fu Necktie is Philly’s own The Love Club with their bluesy, psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll that teeters on explosiveness and chillness. Led by David Mitchell Esparza a.k.a. (((Taco))), prepare for a musical voyage through fuzz and time to a land of electrical, droning din. With Roy Orbison-tinged vocals if he sang through an electric fan and had a drunken drawl from taking half a bottle of Jack to the head, I could see how (((Taco))) might find some ladies tonight to join his private “love club.” They’ll be sharing a free bill tonight with the joyous folk-y pop of Arrah and the Ferns and Indiana’s body-rockers Chandelier Ballroom. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front Street, 8pm, Free, 21+ – Brandi Lukas

Chicago

From Our Open Blog: Shalloboi @ Empty Bottle

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shalloboi will be headlining a show at the empty bottle on december 27th, 2011 with the flying cars (from new york) and local duo nervous cloud (which includes travis from schizophrenic pop band essex chanel). after playing with a trio of live strings players for over two years, shalloboi has pared back down to the core duo of singer/guitarist/songwriter tyler ritter and singer/percussionist stefanie goodwin with some very pleasing (and loud) results. the band will play a few new tracks, a few from their last three releases as well as some old surprises that haven’t been played in years. the show is free w/ rsvp through the empty bottle’s website and costs $8 at the door.

L.A.

Stone Darling Release Debut EP

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Although the Los Angeles-based Stone Darling have already acquired an ever-growing fan base in the City of Angels by releasing 7” singles and hosting a summer residency at the iconic Satellite, it wasn’t until last week that the songstresses released their debut self-titled EP. Led by singer/songwriter Paige Stark, the all-female rock outfit pulls from the legendary doo-wop girl-group sound of the ‘50s and ‘60s, cashing in on an extraordinary talent to harmonize. The quartet pairs this with twangy guitar riffs, creating lovelorn ballads meant to be heard in the Midwest. You can stream the full EP here. – Katrina Nattress

Philadelphia

Phongraphic Arts No Longer Booking at Little Bar Moving to The Level Room

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WTF!?! Got a phone call earlier today from Phonographic Arts’ Pat Troxell (who also drums for Creepoid). Well, there has been a shakeup at Little Bar due to a change of direction by its owner from rock club to dance club in which he terminated all the management so that means Phonographic Arts will no longer be booking at the South Philly establishment, which is an absolute bummer since we were lovin’ having them in our hood. But the Phonographic Arts crew and the entire staff from the Little Bar has already found a new home to continue their work of spreading the rock. Previously booked Little Bar events will now be held at The Level Room (2102 Market St.) in Center City. Tomorrow night’s show with Spacin’ and Boogie Witch will be their debut/soft opening at the new space. The official grand opening will be Phonographic Arts’ New Year’s Eve bash with Creepoid, Bleeding Rainbow, Eternal Summers, Pink Skull, Slutever, and more. Come out and show your support!
 
Philadelphia

Machine Gun Joe May Feel Like Shit at The Fire Dec. 21

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Machine Gun Joe will be bringing their wintry mix of alt-country/Americana sounds to The Fire tonight. The band recently released an album of live recordings (from April 21, 2007 in Ithaca, NY) last month entitled Feels Like Shit. The EP was the result of being a school project of their buddy. You can download the album for free HERE, or just swing on by Girard Ave. this evening to hear Machine Gun Joe in the flesh where they’ll be sharing a bill with Polar Ice Caps, The Beggar’s Son, and Strawman. The Fire, 412 Girard Ave., 9pm, $7, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

NYC

Fun benefit for Jonathan Toubin tonight (12.21) at Glasslands with Hopewell, Wild Yaks + more.

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As you may have heard, NYC DIY promoter Jonathan Toubin had a crazy accident in Portland a couple of weeks ago. He is now stable, but needs a lot of hospital care and various surgeries. The local community of friends and musicians he booked are organizing several benefit shows to help him out financially. Tonight’s show at Glasslands is a particularly interesting show, involving awesome NYC mainstays psych rock Hopewell (pictured, who graced the Deli’s cover of The Deli Mag’s second issue back in 2005), crazy punk-folkers Wild Yaks, and promising up and comers The Can’t Tells (recent Deli Artist of the Month), This Frontier Needs Heroes and Broke and Rollin’. Apparently there will be two ladies giving professional haircuts for $30 (which is a deal for North Brooklyn) and that money will also be sent to Jonathan Toubin and his family.

Philadelphia

Free Download: “Possessed by the Devil” (Xaphoon Jones’ Version) – Xaphoon Jones

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Chiddy Bang’s Xaphoon Jones (a.k.a. Noah Beresin) dropped a new track that you can download below called “Possessed by the Devil” last night remixing the jam “Possessed” by Elbee Thrie (of Phony Ppl). Jones explains, “The rapping is from Elbee Thrie’s ‘Creative Zone’ and the voices are me singing into the mic on my MacBook and then re sampling it 2x faster.” He’ll be performing next in Philly on December 29 at Union Transfer opening for Diplo while in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume provided by R5. If you are interested in seeing this happen, then grab your tix HERE soon because last week Diplo did tweet, “O gosh my philly show is gonna sell out presale at union transfer..Plz don’t text my 215 number askin for guestlist” so you’ve been warned.

Possessed By The Devil (Xaphoon Jones’ Version) by Xaphoon Jones

San Francisco

Album Download: Lady Lazarus’ ‘Mantic’

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Lady Lazarus, SF’s resident haunting singer-songwriter Melissa Ann Sweat, is capping off an amazing year by offering fans her latest album Mantic for free on Bandcamp. Released in January, Mantic received a 7.8 from Pitchfork and praise from Stereogum upon its release. 

In addition, Sweat has released two new videos for “Lake Pontchartrain” and “Kurosawa’s Dreams and Me” and will embark on a mini West Coast tour including the FMLY fests in both LA and Oakland:

December 21 – Luna’s Cafe – Sacramento, CA 

December 29-30 – FMLY Fest LA 2011 – Los Angeles, CA

January 5-6 – FMLY Fest Oakland 2012 – Oakland, CA

–Amanda Dissinger

Chicago

The Buddies @ Empty Bottle

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Up from the ashes of Welcome to Ashley and Pale Blue Dot comes The Buddies. This band has been everywhere lately following the release of their new album F*** The Buddies. The band is performing at Empty Bottle on December 22nd and the show is free with an rsvp sent to rsvp@emptybottle.com. (photo by Kari Terzino)