Do I detect a slight English-twang to Kurt Feldman’s singing voice on ‘Two Rings’? It’s hardly surprising. Judging from the track’s complex array of keyboard riffs and dramatic synth swoons, The Pains of Being Pure of Heart’s drummer is clearly a major new wave enthusiast. And if you’re going to try to emulate genre heavyweights like Prefab Sprout and The Pet Shop Boys, why not sing like them too right? Released as a single, the track and its B-side are thus far Feldman’s only ventures as Ice Choir (who placed at #58 in our latest Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll), but still deserving of a mention because, originality be damned, ‘Two Rings’ and the new freshly released single "Telestrips" (streaming below) are absolutely brilliant. The band just announced the release their of debut album "Afar" on July 31 via Underwater Peoples. – Dean Van Nguyen
Free Download: “Night Song” – Family Band
Family Band recently premiered the opening track from their forthcoming sophomore album Graces & Lies called “Night Song” via The Fader. It might very well be the perfect soundtrack for all insomniacs out there. You can take a listen to and download it for free below. Graces & Lies will be available on June 24 via No Quarter Records.
NYC rappers on the rise: Big Baby Gandhi
Swag swag swag swag swag swag swag. Swag Swag swag swag? Swag! Swag swag swag swag. Big Baby Gandhi has swag and he wants you to know it. On his first LP NO1 2 LOOK UP 2, the self-proclaimed “best rapper” unleashes furious rhymes over luxurious beats. His voice is more Ghostface than Q-tip, the beats are more M.I.A. than premier, and his swag is so bling that suckers shnuckle up for a touch of the geet. And Das Racist makes an appearance too which is pretty trill. -=brokeMC
Sweet Lights Opening for Daniel Johnston at Union Transfer May 10
A drumbeat starts the clock. Then a delicate crystal clear piano is introduced and is quickly built upon by a tiered vocal harmony. Acoustic guitars run at a sprinters-pace and the track is off to the races. There is a distinct, complex, well thought out nature about Sweet Lights. Rather than weighing down the overall sound like an anchor, each musical element lightens the load, elevating it to new heights. This is what pop is meant to sound like – crisp and clean, but also multidimensional. Instead of fitting into a box, Sweet Lights uses every tool at their disposal, and sees what it can build. Shai Halperin and crew will be opening at Union Transfer tonight for Daniel Johnston who brings his twisted yet compelling songwriting style, which has gained him significant fanfare over the years, especially since his documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston became a heart-warming cult classic. Johnston will be performing a solo set and one backed by a band. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. 8pm, $20, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Q&A with the deli’s Band of the Month: Random Variables
Deli: How did the band start and where did the band name, Random Variables, come from?
Random Variables: The three of us met in grad school and worked together as teaching assistants. Moreover, we all shared this great lab space in the bowels of our department’s building. Through the course of casual conversation, we discovered that we all not only loved rock, but could play it too. So, when our department announced a "Coffeehouse" event, we decided to put something together; mostly covers, but we also wrote a few parody songs about professors, courses, etc.
Of course, we couldn’t just be "Three Grad Students Playing Covers and Goofy Songs," so…click here to read the rest of the interview with Random Variables.
Listen: Random Variables — "Distract"
The New Highway Hymnal, Mark Sultan, Bent Shapes, Banditas, the BFs — This Sat. 5/12 @ PA’s
Blackened Hands – the New Highway Hymnal from Tim Oxton on Vimeo.
The New Highway Hymnal have been at it for around a year now and they’re a great group of musicians. Comparisons to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are called for, but unjustified. The throbbing garagey rifts are there, but lead singer Hadden Stemp is channeling some Mick Jagger-cool here in its primordial phase. Last year, I wrote something along the lines of “Good job guys, but spend a little time playing shows and getting confident,” (I would look this up but it’s not that important) but hot damn if they haven’t gone above and beyond that.
Bassist Amelia Gormley has progressed nicely and totally plays the shy babe. I chatted briefly outside PA’s Lounge with guitarist Lukas Goudreault on Friday night at Deep Heaven Now 5. It’s so awesome to talk to someone who is so passionate and enthusiastic about playing, as opposed to the too-hip disaffected musician. Drummer Travis Hagan does a damn good job of tapping out solid, sometimes poppy, most times firmly danceable-yet-dirty a la smokey lousiana blues club. Smoosh this whole sound through some reverb and it makes for some solid whiskey drinking tunes.
They join national garage giant Mark Sultan, and local giants Bent Shapes (née Girlfriends), Banditas and the BFs this Saturday, May 12, at PA’s Lounge in Somerville.–Chris Saenz
Nick Shaheen
Earlier this Spring Nick Shaheen released his new album, Don’t Give Up On Me. Nick is an enchanting singer and songwriter with an honest sound rooted in traditional folk. He will be rehearsing new songs this weekend at Tonic Room, Saturday May 12th.
Empires “We Lost Magic”
Empires have released a new single called "We Lost Magic". The track comes from a deluxe edition of their album Garage Hymns which will be released on June 12th. The band will be heading out this summer on a headlining tour that includes a spot at on this year’s Lollapalooza line-up.
HUFF THIS! Shows California Love, Wins Artist of the Month
Dividing its time between Northern California and New York City, we’re lucky enough to call HUFF THIS! our very own all summer and through Burning Man. Clearly fans are happy to have the band in the Bay Area since they just voted HUFF THIS! Artist of the Month.
"One part love, one part flight, one part nervous, one part fearless," HUFF THIS! has made a beautiful album called Tuff Love, which depicts the pain and hardship of love through lush, experimental folk pop songs. The album was made in 2010 by a collaboration between lead singer, keyboardist and guitarist Alison Clancy and electro-acoustic cellist and composer Chrissy Lancaster of the Bill T. Jones Dance Company. The band also features drummer Tony Long and bass player/producer Sonny Ratcliff.
Tuff Love is a six-song collection of ambitious, passionate songs. Opener "River" features Clancy’s haunting vocals singing "Take me, take me, take me to the river/I want to swim" and sets the theme of yearning for something that you can’t have. "Big Love" is a simple track, with just a simple guitar and Clancy’s voice, and tells the story of a girl with a big heart who will miss her lover’s tender heart that she knows so well. What’s so immediately grabbing about the album is its strings, the layering of voices and soundscapes to create music that makes you feel like you’re in a lovely dream.
Tuff Love is an album to listen to over and over in order to fully grasp the nostalgic and bittersweet tone of the music and the story of a lost love. Download Tuff Love here or stream below, and watch the music video for "Lovin’ You." –Amanda Dissinger
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Fear of Virginia’s Farewell Show @ Rock & Roll Hotel 5/11
This Friday 5/11, DC’s rockers Fear of Virginia will be hitting the Rock & Roll Hotel stage for their final performance. Formed in 2010, the crew have played nearly every club around the district to crowds feeding off their energy, one of the many attributes that crowned them a DC Deli Band of the Month in 2011. Via their press release, Bassist David Turner added, “We are pulling out all the stops for this show. I can promise this will be the most memorable concert in Washington D.C. for years to come. Basically if you don’t enjoy this show, you probably should move to Virginia.”
Friday 5/11 @ Rock & Roll Hotel, 9 PM, $10.
Lindsay Katt walks on David Bowie’s footsteps
As a follow-up to her 2009 debut album, "Picking Out Boxes", NYC artist Lindsay Katt has produced an interpretative tribute to David Bowie’s 1974 single; "Diamond Dogs". Prompted by her deeply felt respect for Mr. Bowie’s innovative, and music changing body of work, she has followed her roots into a daring exploration of creativity, and is using her influences to explore her own boundaries as an artist. This transformation has manifested in both recorded song, and photographic imagery. Utilizing her diverse range of influences, Lindsay has adopted a slightly darker and edgier medium for Diamond Dogs. As a passionate member and advocate of the LGBTQ community, she represents David Bowie’s androgynous alter-ego “Ziggy Stardust” on the cover of the digital single, pushing her own boundaries, and transforming into something familiar, yet unknown. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.
New Track: Tired of Being Cold – Norwegian Arms
