L.A.

Artist to Watch: Vas Defrans

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Living in Los Angeles, where it seems new folk or indie-pop bands are born on a daily basis, can make it easy to forget about the few rock bands, which occasionally emerge through the cracks. Vas Dafrans is one of these rock bands. Except they are not abashedly emanating in some secret, dark corner – they are claiming their space and spreading their experimental-rock roots from their hometown of North Hollywood, across Los Angeles county lines. Their sound? It’s a surge of high-energy, infused with uninhibited riffs and melodic vocals that are sure to erase any doubts you had about rock still being alive. If you weren’t able to check out their show at the Troubadour this past Saturday, you can still pick-up a copy of their latest self-titled EP on itunes. – Tuesday Phillips

 

 

Philadelphia

New Video: “Zodiac Shit” => “Dead Presidents” (Jay Z Cover) – Lushlife

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Below is a live performance video from Lushlife’s album release party this past Tuesday night (April 17, 2012) at Johnny Brenda’s. The South Philly emcee/producer lays down “Zodiac Shit” off his mixtape No More Golden Days, which also goes into a cover of Jay Z’s “Dead Presidents.” Special thanks to Live Philly Concerts for sharing, and you can check out more footage from Lushlife’s set HERE.

Nashville

New Andrew Combs 7”

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I like how it’s not such a shock anymore to find good country music nowadays, speaking in this case about Andrew Combs’ new 7,” Big Bad Love (physical release May 8, 2012). “Take It From Me” is lulling and warm, brightening with organ and steel, and softening with Combs’ vocals, which don’t have the sunny, almost sour, twang of lots of country artists. Rather, his just have a grey southern lilt, and the song is reminiscent of one of Ryan Adams’ lovely, defeated let-down tunes. The title track bites harder with blues groove dug out with some rough, grated guitar parts and a feather dusting of percussion shaken over it. “Feels like getting off some mean old drug/Coming down off of big bad love.” Stream both tracks below. Combs is currently on tour with Jonny Corndawg and will be back in Nashville May 11 at The Basement. – Jessica Pace

Big Bad Love 7" by coinrecords

Philadelphia

Lightninging & Univox Opening for Fang Island at Milkboy Philly April 19

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Philly rock ‘n’ rollers Lightninging and Univox take the stage tonight at MilkBoy Philly in support of Brooklyn guitar addicts Fang Island. Lightning is a five-piece group in which all the members, with the exception of their drummer, switch instruments in between songs throughout their sets. Their tracks are rooted in the traditional indie rock format, but often expand into extended musical journeys complete with vocal harmonies, keyboards and trumpets. Univox combines fuzzy garage rock with the vocal harmonies of 60s girl groups adding a sense of harmonic texture that is usually missing from guitar bands. Back in February, the quartet recorded a 5-song live performance for XPN which included the first live performances of the 13th Floor Elevators-esque “I’m Better Off By Myself” and the noisy punk song “Eat Drink Eat Drink Sleep Sleep Sleep.” Fans can look forwarded to hearing these two tracks this evening and hopefully some more new jams that they’ve concocted in their recently built home studio. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., $10 – $12, 8pm, 21+ (Lightninging Photo by Tyler Beck) – Dan Brightcliffe

NYC

The Static Jacks tour with The Wombats + stream single preview

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Feisty and fun, New Jersey-based alt rockers The Static Jacks have an exciting Spring coming up as they embark on tour with The Wombats. Beginning next Monday, April 23, the two bands begin at the nation’s capitol and head West. In conjunction with their tour, NYC’s The Static Jacks have made their new single, “Young Guns” (streaming below) available as a sample of their forthcoming EP, “Spray Tan.” Channeling their recognizable New Wave-Indie rock energy, the track gives listeners a taste of anticipated new material. Be sure to check out their tour schedule to catch them with The Wombats this April/May. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Philadelphia

The Duality of Tutlie at KFN April 19

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Keyboards sprinkle across the landscape in a playful whimsical daydream sort of manner. Then sun-kissed vocals creep into the picture. A single voice that is quickly accompanied by the drums creating a marching beat, and gradually the duality takes on the appeal of a crowd as if the voices have echoed a call that beckons for others to follow. Begging with the simple idea of a small gathering, it takes on a magnitude of its own. Tutlie is that harmless thought that when given space gains strength and therefore becomes more than you initially envisioned. The xylophone sounds, which at first seem nostalgic and almost novelty-like, play off the keys in an eerie yet comfortable way. The vocals, which are gentle and inviting, morph taking on a level of seriousness that is highlighted by the backing of the instrumentals. At first, the sun is bright, but blink your eyes, and a storm will appear on the horizon. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $12, 21+ (Photo by David Turcotte) – Michael Colavita

Chicago

Mucca Pazza Returns

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This summer will bring the return of the big band sounds of Mucca Pazza. The band is releasing their lastest effort, Safety Fifth on June 12th through Electric Cowbell Records. As the album’s sampler below will beautifully illustrate, Mucca Pazza is a wild cross-roads of circus band, marching band, swing band, and garage band. Their performances are epic and sound is one of a kind.

You can catch Mucca Pazza at Auditorium Theatre on May 12th as they open for Andrew Bird at 7pm. They will also be performing on the Studs Terkel Bridge at Division and Halsted on May 12th at 12pm for free.