Where does Brooklyn and Philly meet? The answer can be as multi-layered as Cuddle Magic’s music itself. The band, which consists of members from both places, will be having their Philly album release party tonight at Tin Angel. Cuddle Magic will be celebrating and performing their latest release Info Nympho. The group self-describes themselves as a “song writing collaborative” creating their own distinct style of chamber/orchestral indie pop. Songs like “Jason” range from upbeat drumbeats one second to quiet vocal and string measures. The members all contributed their songs on the album, giving you a different perspective throughout Info Nympho. With the help of Kickstarter, they recorded the record in analog form for vinyl. Trumpets, cellos, violins, etc. – it is an orchestra filled with a variety of sounds that never once feels overkill. Opening act Lake Street Dive will get you on your feet with upbeat tunes – just remember to hang in the back or near the wall on the right at Tin Angel. It’s a listening room so listen up, and enjoy the rest of your evening. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Maura Filoromo
Interview with Fox The Cat
A few polls ago Fox The Cat took place and now they have responded to my request for an interview can read the interview here. The band recently released a new track called "Obstruct. Oppose." that you can stream below.
You can catch Fox The Cat at Live in the Dome at Vision Night Club (632 N. Dearborn St). on April 12th.
Aussie transplants Sons of Summer play 3rd & Lindsley 4/12/12
Currently in the midst of scrambling for enough votes to put them on the Road To Bonnaroo, Nashville-via-Australia’s Sons Of Summer are gearing up to release their eponymous debut album while making a name for themselves in the breakfast TV show circuit. Featured last month during a recurring Good Morning America segment, the three-piece have seen their song "The One I Love the Most" shine a light on the band’s noteworthy harmonies and organic sound.
Comprised of Clint Crighton, Jules Crighton and Luke Dolahenty, Sons Of Summer flirt with the genre boundaries of folk, rock and alt-country, creating a cohesive blend of warm, breezy melodies and reflective lyrics that feel like an essential addition to your springtime mixtape. Despite their Australian roots, the band mask their Aussie drawls behind an Americana sound, making it difficult to guess that Sons Of Summer call New South Wales, Australia their home.
Sons Of Summer have been together for roughly two years but have already secured some solid assistance in the form of their backup band. Accompanying them on stage and in the studio, Matt Sherrod (Crowded House, Beck) is featured on the drums and David Labruyere (John Mayer) stands in on bass. Luke, Clint and Jules share the role of lead vocalist and collaborate on the songwriting process, which creates a textured and occasionally non-traditional arrangement behind their traditional folk-centric format.
With only a handful of songs available online, your best chance at hearing what Sons Of Summer are capable of would be seeing them play live with Jedd Hughes at 3rd and Lindsley on April 12th. Their debut album will be available later this year. – Brianne Turner
New video from The Joy of Painting
The Joy of Painting recently posted a video of their release show for Asterisk, which captures their song “Try Try Try” live at Bonhoeffer’s in Murfreesboro. Read a review of the record published in the Murfreesboro Pulse here.
Jon DeRosa releases ‘A Wolf in Preacher’s Clothes’ at Rockwood
Jon DeRosa has been through multiple transformations over the past decade. An artist’s artist, he’s been involved with many successful NYC projects including Magnetic Fields and Aarktica. His upcoming release, ‘A Wolf in Preacher’s Clothes,’ set to drop today April 10th, finds the artist reconnecting with his Americana singer/songwriter, penning material that grabs you by the throat the way Tom Waits or Nebraska-era Springsteen will take hold of you. This is a record demanding multiple listens, with each revealing a different journey… not unlike the wandering bicyclist featured in new video ‘Anchored’ (below) from his forthcoming LP. See him at his record release party tonight at Rockwood Music Hall at 9pm.
Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Violens Releases new 7″ – “Totally True”
If anything, Violens might be one of the more straightforward shoegazer bands around Brooklyn. In a town awash with wash, the band stands out for their adherence to pop earworms even while dousing their ensemble in buckets of reverb and delay. Their latest 7" ‘Totally True,’ continues to the band’s growing songwriting concision and couples the track with the brand new "Something Falling."
It’s all in preparation for their pending May release of ‘True,’ an album appropriately titled for a sound this honest.
See them when they play Le Poisson Rouge for the record release party on May 16.
Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Bobby Conn “Macaroni”
The word unique has never been more fitting then when it is used to describe Bobby Conn. With a career dating back to the mid ’90’s Conn is always bringing something distinctive, flashy, and aggressive. His latest album, Macaroni, drops on May 1st and it blends style after style while addressing issues of greed, war, growing up in the 80’s and politics.
You can catch Bobby Conn at Empty Bottle on May 25th.
Free Download: “Empty Mind” – Spacin’
Unicycle Loves You “Garbage Dump”
Unicycle Loves You has released a new video for their track "Garbage Dump" from their recently released album Failure.
You can catch Unicycle Loves You with Terry Malts on April 24th at Empty Bottle.
Free Download: “Leap Year” – Prowler
Below is a new track from Prowler called “Leap Year.” It’s a rather chilled out offering compared to the usual spastic hyper-space funk jams that you are probably used to from the local five-piece. It’s available for free download below, and they also have freebies for their covers of INXS’ “Need You Tonight” and The Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog” HERE. (Photo by Chris Sembrot)
Wigwams Opening for Nada Surf at TLA April 9
If you were looking forward to catching Wigwams at Johnny Brenda’s this past Friday with Busses and Orbit to Leslie and were a bit bummed out about them dropping off the bill kind of last minute, then you now have a reason to get psyched and grab some tasty cheese fries from Ishkabibble’s. The local alt indie rock four-piece will be opening tonight at the TLA for 90’s alt rockers Nada Surf and Australian indie rock duo An Horse. I can’t guarantee that Wigwams will be whipping out the Gumby costume like they did last time they were in the joint opening for Battles on Halloween, but we can sure send out the positive vibes for them to do so. Or simply just harass them via Twitter. TLA, 334 South St., 7pm, $20 + fees, All Ages (Video by BITBY) – Alexis V.
New Music Video: “Sugar Sand Stitched Lip” – Heyward Howkins
Check out the new music video from singer-songwriter Heyward Howkins for the track “Sugar Sand Stitched Lip” from his forthcoming debut LP The Hale & Hearty, which is scheduled for release on June 26. Howkins is a founding member of The Silver Ages and former lead guitarist for The Trouble with Sweeney. He’ll be performing next in Philly on April 18 at Fergie’s. The video was directed and edited by BITBY’s Tyler Costill and Alex Curro. Enjoy!