Remember that amazing gig last month at The Neptune, featuring the soulful stylings of Pickwick, the engaging melodies of Campfire OK, and the stirring talents of Deep Sea Diver’s Jessica Dobson? That sold out and talked-about show that saw two of the city’s fastest rising acts come together on Dec. 8? Well, if you were lucky enough to snag a ticket, you’ll be able to relive the night soon – and if you were one of those not fortunate enough to see it the first time around, you’ll finally have a chance to experience the action. One Night at the Neptune, a full-length concert film produced by ThisCityRocks, takes viewers inside the event and is currently in the final stages of production. Captured on six cameras, the film boasts both vivid onstage footage and behind the scenes sequences with the artists involved. While the site’s teaser trailer has been getting hits online, the finished version should be available in the coming weeks, and promises to bring the energy of that night’s show to the masses.
When I spoke with Bradley Carter and Sean Stentz of NO a mere month ago, not many people knew who they were. The band had recently released its debut EP, Don’t Worry, We’ll Be Here Forever, and played only one legitimate show at Silverlake’s iconic venue, The Satellite. Since then, the anthematic quintet has been stealing the hearts of Angelinos with its powerful, larger-than-life sound (not to mention a damn good live show). The band also found it important to make its debut a free download, encouraging music fans to listen without paying, and, thus, rapidly growing its fanbase. As a result, the indie rockers have landed gigs at staple LA venues such as The Echoplex, Bootleg Bar, and a Monday residency at The Echo in March. You can catch them in action on Friday, January 6th, at The Echoplex. Doors open at 8 pm. $10. 18+. – Katrina Nattress
Strange Day, the EP by Jared Mann’s project The Great Western States, contains five songs of emotionally-charged, angst-ridden lo-fi. The collection of demos (all songs that Mann had created within the last year) was released by Providence label Blanketfort Records on December 7, 2011.
Mann’s vocals on Strange Day demonstrate bipolarity throughout, as he jumps back and forth between tense, whispery singing and outright screaming. But these extremes come together to form a sound that is vulnerable and honest. Mann ropes the listener in with his sweet, gloomy lyricism as he takes a forlorn look at the tolls of love and loneliness and combines a lo-fi style with experimental, ambient, and indie rock.
Coming Home sets up the EP’s moody vibe with overtones of regret, and Mother (pride) begins quietly, simply, and with tenderness, full of swelling emotions and just enough ambiguity. Gravitational Diseases opens with acoustic strumming and glowing background noise which leads into lofty, echoing voices. The song soon picks up pace, adding drums and more ambience, followed by Mann wailing “Where the hell am I going? Where the hell am I going?”
The changing beat patterns and breaks make Physical stand out, along with lyrics like, “There’s only so much I can do for you physically / Tomorrow when you wake, this will wash away.” On this track, Mann’s vocals go from muffled lo-fi to clean just in time for him to straightforwardly outline his misery. Finally, with its slow piano and murky vocals, Resignation times out at just over a minute, closing the set with just as much disconsolation as it started with.
It seems that part of Mann’s pain comes from the pain of those around him, and not being able to completely heal anybody, including himself. Strange Day explores these complex feelings without wallowing and without feeling contrived. Mann’s efforts as The Great Western States are perfect for a Debbie Downer mood, but Strange Day also makes hints at finding hope somewhere along the way.–Sarah Ruggiero
The Lights Out, announced they will enter the studio at the end of this month to record their first full-length album since 2011’s Primetime.
Back with award-winning producer, Benny Grotto (Aerosmith, The Dresden Dolls), at Boston’s Mad Oak Studios, the band is exploring new textures to make On Fire their most sonically rich effort to date.
The band will test new material on Friday, Jan. 13 at Church of Boston, performing with Paranoid Social Club (featuring members of the Rustic Overtones) and Portland Phoenix “Best Live Act of 2011” winners, The Mallett Brothers Band. It is a 21+ event, tickets are $10.
This March, The Lights Out will travel to Austin, T.X. to preview On Fire at South By Southwest, in preparation for an official album release in the spring of 2012.
More results from our NYC Best of 2011 for emerging artists poll, people! It’s time for the Singer Songwriter category…
NYC YEAR END POLL 2011 OPEN SUBMISSIONS RESULTS FOR SINGER SONGWRITER
Jurors: Mike Harper (Deli Portland), Juan Rodriguez (Deli LA), QD Tran (Deli Philly
– QUALIFIED TO THE POLL’S NEXT ROUND
The artists in this list qualify for the final phase of the poll, and will be added to the bands nominated by our jury of local scenemakers.
Robin Bacior‘s intimate, honest lyrics and complex, ever evolving orchestral arrangements, show us a musician who is well beyond her twenty four years. Her comforting folk music is perfect for the winter season: a time of nostalgia and self-awareness yet utmost beauty.
Bird Call is that breath of fresh air the morning after your crazy night out. Equal parts regret and resolve, singer Chiara Angelicola lays it all out plainly with her mellifluous voice and softly pedaled piano. In tracks like ‘Waltz in the Snow’ and her revealing cover of Beck’s ‘Lost Cause,’ Angelicola’s torch song beauty reminds us of why the caged bird sings.
Mal is that hyper-kinetic, fun-loving girl who everyone wants to be friends with. Full of humour and sweetness in songs like "Baltimore, San Cristobal," and her heartfelt contribution to the "It Gets Better" campaign, she is here to brighten your day and make you appreciate the little things a little bit more. As much as she loves her ukulele, you’ll love Mal too.
– ALMOST QUALIFIED TO THE POLL’S NEXT ROUND
These artists had good ratings from our jurors but won’t qualify to the next round of our year end poll.
4. Spottiswoode & His Enemies
Maybe you haven’t heard yet, but Spottiswoode & His Enemies have been quietly channeling New York’s late night spirit for well over a decade now. The band knows how to tell a story, because they’ve probably lived it before you had your first drink. With a voice carving a space between Warren Zevon and Ian dury, singer/songwriter Young Spott’s work takes you on a journey to a place inhabitated by hedonism and romance, but few regrets.
5a. Sydney Wayser
Expect big things from Sydney in 2012. At our Deli CMJ show in October we heard a few songs from her upcoming album – out in a few weeks – and were very impressed with them, without mentioning her beautiful voice, confident stage presence and… adorable red cheeks! This is a very talented young singer songwriter who is just about to reach her creative peak, keep an ear on her!
5b. Pat Hull
Soft and confessional, Pat Hull has something few singer/songwriters bother with these days: unfiltered vulnerability. Like Elliott Smith or Jeff Buckley, he somehow sounds his most explosive when at his most intimate. This is a rare gift, and considering how young this folk singer is, will only take him far.
On January 19th Dastardly will be releasing their second EP, Bury Me In The Country. The Americana band with a modern twist recorded the ep after a recent tour, and is sure to kick off 2012 is style. 2011 was a great year that saw the band complete four nation-wide tours, take SWSW by storm, and supported frontman Gade Liebowitz quitting his day job.
You can catch Dastardly at Lincoln Hall with Brighton, MA and Santah on January 19th.
EP3 has arrived and Secret Colours are back in full force. You grab your copy (physical or digital) here, and you can catch the band at Empty Bottle on Jan. 7th and Feb. 10th, and at Schubas on Jan. 25th.
Alt-Soul, Brooklyn based artist Doe Paoro (former Sonia’s Party) played her debut live show at Lower East Side bar Pianos on Tuesday. She soon made clear that this new project – miles away from her previous party band – is mostly centered around vocal experimentation. Accompanied by piano, drums and cello, Doe Paoro opened singing into 2 microphones with different vocal effects, which created an ethereal reverberation around her stunning voice. Throughout the show, the singer’s vocal exploration ranged from a soulful croon, to guttural cries, to rasping whispers. She controlled the room with an effortless calm, staring into the eyes of the audience, and reinforcing the songs’ feeling with undeniable stage presence. – Chelsea Eriksen (photo by Emily Ullrich)
South Philly’s Neighborhood Bike Works a.k.a. The Bikery are always happy to lend you their tools or advise to help get your bike running smoothly on Philly’s rough terrain. Well, the nice folks at the shop are proving to be even nicer by welcoming in a badass hardcore punk show tonight in their modest space. There will be plenty of brotherly shoves when Sickoids unleash a can of whoopass. The relatively new band features members from Witch Hunt and Government Warning. Sickoids is set to release a 12” EP in February. Also on the bill and making their live performance debut is The Brood with folks from Lost Cause, Witch Hunt, etc. They’ll be hosting San Fran’s No Statik who is currently on tour with members of Artimus Pyle, Look Back And Laugh, Scrotum Grinder, Memento Mori, Destroy, Scholastic Deth, etc. Shit’s about to crazy just off of South Street! The Bikery, 508 S. 5th St., 7pm, $5 – $10, All Ages – Alexis V.
MWE: they may be Oakland-based, but within three seconds of hearing overlapping scaling clarinet squeals (they use three clarinets!), the listener is transported to the Middle East. The six-piece group also uses instruments not-often featured here on the Deli SF, like the zurna, davul and riqq. My living room is feeling pretty international with the sounds from MWE’s demo, which you can stream or download below.
And, bonus, MWE performs in skeleton costumes (see picture above). Hope they dress the same for their next Bay Area show. I wanna see me some zurna live!
Young Man has released a beautiful cover of "After Is Always Before" by Lia Ices. Hopefully this can hold us over to part two of his album trilogy coming this May.
Tonight (1/4/12) at Lincoln Hall, Young Jesus celebrates the release of their full-length debut Home. The show also includes Canasta, Brontosaurus, and Hemmingbirds.
The album is a triumph in garage rock and the albums first single, "Away" is a perfect example of the sound.
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