New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Yes, you should already know how we love hooking up our readers with free music and shows! So who wants to go to the Hot Chip/Chromatics show this Saturday at the Electric Factory!?! For a chance to win a pair of tickets, just email us at thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with “I DO!” in the subject line and include a note about why your dance moves are so hot as well as your cell number in case of emergency. Good Luck!
If someone says "California" what do you think first? I know you don’t think about the sluggish traffic, smoggy cities or ridiculous movie stars. If you’re like me, California makes you think of sun, sand in your butt cheeks, and margaritas when the sun goes down. But, hell, if you’re reading this, you probably aren’t out there– just like me. All that aside, I ran across this band– rather, solo project– called Arcadia Gardens. The dreamy, sunny music caught my interest, so I started doing some super hi-tech research: I Googled the band name. Turns out the first search results were places out in good ol’ So Cal. Coincindence? Who knows, but it would make sense if Arcadia Gardens was named after some pleasant place in San Fransisco or L.A. The sounds transport me straight to a California beach, and I don’t even have to brave the traffic to get there.
Ironically, Daniel Rutstrum (the guy behind the curtain pumping out the tunes as Arcadia Gardens) isn’t from California, but hangs in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I bet that he wishes he were there just as much as I do, and that wish inspires his music. It’s hard to describe the music itself. I could compare him to bands that you may or may not have heard of like Grimes mixed with a little MGMT and then the spaceyness of Beach House. But I think what would be best is to desribe the feelings I get when I listen. The bass beat pounds slowly. I feel like dancing– but it’s slowed down enough that the dance would be more interpretive and smooth– like Napolean Dynamite’s dove hands. Nothing would feel better than to let my hands float into the sun as white birds while I listen to "Relax Tonight," from the album Memory Machines. Dramatic, I know, but listen and you’ll understand fully. He plays a lot with reverb on melodic synths, keys and guitars, giving his music a special ambiance, and yet he doesn’t lose the space of the sound; it doesn’t get muddy or mixed up. Well done. His vocals are airy, simple. And they’re as they should be. Simple tunes over spacey music– lovely. His voice reminds me a little of Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses. It’s not perfect, but this is his second album. I look forward to him playing a show near me soon so I can check him out and have that sunny beach right in front of me. –Ben Dunn
The magic hour is that one time of day when shadows get sharper, light gets more intense, and everything is perfect to take great photos. The debut video for Wilsen’s first release seems to recall this mood in its sharp instrumentation and dizzying lights. Shot in the band’s rehearsal space, ‘Dusk’ highlights the differing shapes and sizes this time of day creates. From Tamsin Wilson, a singer/songwriter usually associated with country twang, comes a surprisingly commanding voice backed by an ambitious folk trio. The song channels the heavens in its haunting refrain “dusk is rolling in,” and I’m excited to see what vision develops from here. Check it yourself when they play their debut album release show at Union Pool on July 25th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Sexy Neighbors is a garage band from Brooklyn with a sound that reminds me a little of one of my favorite British post punk bands – The Stranglers, "Black and White" period – I guess because of the relentless organ parts and lead singer Felix Gottdiener’s commanding attitude. Native J (the lady behind the keys) also lends her voice to the band’s tunes, adding an unexpected, occasional dreamy element, in particular in "Seeds" (streaming below). This is a band that’s fun to listen to, and should be even more fun to witness live.
We were instantly impressed when our friends at HotBox Studios shared with us a session that they did with The Districts. But then our minds were blown to learn that the band is made up of a bunch of high schoolers. We’re happy to see that they took advantage of their nomination in our Featured Artist(s) Poll, and we’re even happier to be able to give a fledgling band with obvious talent some deserved exposure. Check out the interview that we did with The Districts HERE during their lunch break – just kidding.
We’ve been following Brooklyn duo She Keeps Bees for a long time now, and it’s great to see them gaining more and more buzz (no pun intended, maybe). Their latest single “Counter Charm” (streaming below) was released this week and debuted on NPR’s All Songs Considered, and showcases an interesting development in their sound, in a direction that’s at once more atmospheric, punchy, and tense. Singer Jessica Larrabee howls over a dark, pulsating melody, pleading out “please stay” over and over. Larrabee, who is joined by drummer Andy LaPlant, possess a sinister tone throughout, at times reminiscent of Cat Power. The single also includes the track “Blue Moon,” one of the ominous forays of the 1930’s classic. She Keeps Bees is finishing up a tour overseas (for some reason it seems like every time we blog about them they are in Europe), but will return for US this fall for a string of shows in the… west coast – dudes, NYC shows??? – Devon Antonetti
1939 Ensemble have one of the most unique set ups I’ve heard in recent years. The group consists of a drummer, a vibraphone player and droning noise which provides an ominous backdrop for the percussive duo. The two create instrumental songs that range from passive, ambient soundscapes to violent crescendos and use the spaces in between to build and deconstruct transient melodies within each piece. Their first release, Howl & Bite, was released last April is an assault of spacey compositions that are as enticing as they are eerie. See the two perform at PDX Pop Now on Friday night for what’s sure to be a memorable show- Benjamin Toledo
Sons of Huns rock in a way a lot of bands in this city wish they did. Their heavy guitar riffs, explosive drumming and lo-fi vocals channel some of the most visceral elements of rock music and inspire a live show full of banging heads and friendly mosh pits. It’s the sort of music that could move even the most timid of listeners to rock out without even the slightest bit of apprehension. Sons of Huns will be playing the final night of the fantastic PDX Pop Now festival at 5:30 pm; go for what’s sure to be a face-melting performance.- Benjamin Toledo
Photo Source: Amelia G.
Blood Orange Paradise will be performing at the Black Lodge this upcoming Friday, July 20th. The lineup also includes Prizerog, Tropical Punk, and Ubu Roi.
The band self-released their debut record earlier this year, an eight track affair eponymously titled Blood Orange Paradise. In the span of its length, they manage to distill many of their Discord Records ’90’s era influences into a unique concoction that may be the cure listeners have been searching for. Their songs unfurl by their own accord, alternatively driving and pulsing or pensive and disquieting.
"The Other End" is a notable example that refuses to stick with any one flavor. Beginning with a whistling patch of feedback, the bass riff subtly hums itself into the mix, breaking into a post-punk groove kept in check by the full crack of the snare beat. The last minute of the track channels the best of bands like Fugazi and Malady, raising the stakes energy-wise without sacrificing melodic complexity.
Lead track "Gene Roddenberry Had A Vision" is guided by thoughtful, introspective vocals that deserve praise for their confidence and versatility. Genres aside, this song and others on the album reflect a band emboldened by their predecessors rather than hindered by them.
Check out BOP – (such a beboppin good acronym for a band) – on the 20th of July at the Black Lodge starting at 9pm. Listen to "With All Due Respect" below and continue onto their bandcamp to stream the entire release. It is also available for convenient digital purchase for only $4!
– Cameron LaFlam
Since their release of 2011’s “Celebration, Florida,” The Felice Brothers have had a rough go of it. Their home was hit by a hurricane, their tour Winnebago broke down, and their singer/lead guitarist was hospitalized. Yet the Americana band persevered through the adversity to deliver a new collection of songs. Entitled “God Bless You, Amigo,” the collection consists of twelve’s original songs and eight covers of traditional folk songs. The proceeds from “God Bless You, Amigo,” which can be downloaded exclusively from the band’s website, will go towards an official follow-up to “Celebration, Florida” and a new touring vehicle. The Felice Brothers will be opening for Modest Mouse at the sold out July 20 Montclair, NJ’s Wellmont Theatre, and “Lincoln Continental is streaming below. – Josh Johnson
Xu Xu Fang have been lighting up the LA music scene over the last couple of years with various EPs and compilations. Now, the band is ready to give the world a full-length album. Ethan Allen (not to be confused with the American Revolution hero of the same name) will produce the currently untitled debut. Allen will undoubtedly bring his experience with psych-rock bands, including LA’s Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, to properly foster a sound fitting of Xu Xu Fang’s large musical ambitions. The band has yet to release an official single, but they have provided an eight-minute preview that includes snippets of prospective songs and a spoken-word vignette about a guy who really doesn’t want to hear his fortune. Check out the preview below. – Joshua S. Johnson
