There’s a surprise ’round every corner and corners in plenty to be found on Brooklyn-via-New Orleans duo Callers‘ third album ‘Reviver‘. When you think you’re about to comfortably dive into some light-hearted pop the skippy beat breaks down; once you’re settled in the groove, Sara Lucas’ soulful R’n’B vocals pierce through and you’re heading towards memories of Motown classics but then, as you begin to be seduced by her sultry tones, a barely-there punk cadence or jerky rhythm kicks in and you’re in for ‘something completely different‘.

Fact is though, all twists and turns flow seamlessly, and the experimental dexterity with which Sara & Ryan drift back and forth between one another’s influences would make any middle-ground, if they were to seek one… well to put it bluntly, a waste of creative potential. The album only comes out October 9th via Partisan Records, but here’s a teaser for you, streaming below; meanwhile, you can catch Callers as they head back to NYC in the course of their current tour, on September 20th at The Music Hall Of Williamsburg. – Tracy Mamoun

Brooklyn based trio Life Size Maps have amped up the oddities on their new EP,”Weird Luck”.  Venturing off from their more traditional indie pop debut, “Magnifier,” Life Size Maps’ sound has come into its own, establishing the band in the noise pop genre.  The new, three-song record shows us a band that can employ random sounds and seamlessly incorporate them into their music, which is also fed with impressive hooks and moderate and occasional doses of math rock. They’ll be on stage at Brooklyn’s Public Assembly on Wednesday (8.22), Big Show Buffalo Lodge on Thursday (8,23), Cheap Storage next Saturday (8.25) and finally, Shea Stadium the following Friday (8.31). And that’s it (for August!). Read Jen Mergott’s interview with Life Size Maps here. 

Spirit Family Reunion released their ‘proper‘ debut album “No Separation” on June 15th , a follow-up to their widely celebrated self-titled EP. “No Separation” highlights the band’s infectious sound with a blend of bluegrass and gospel revival, poised with soulful honesty. Marked in traditional roots, few New York-based bands can achieve an authentic, banjo-laden country sound while maintaining such an effortless appeal. As of August 31st, they’ll be playing a series of shows across Northern Ireland & Ireland, kicking off at Omagh’s Bluegrass Festival; however, before they leave, you can catch a last NYC show at Brooklyn’s Sycamore on Tuesday (8.21). Read Devon Antonetti’s interview with the band here. 

Like a gospel music for urban atheists, Weeknight has created a spiritual haven for arpeggiated synths, retro drum machines and roof-raising vocals to co-exist together. It’s somewhat unclear what GOD it’s lead monks, Holly and Andy are worshipping, but it’s pretty clear it’s not far from where The Raveonettes go to church.

Their first EP ‘Dark Dark Lights‘ (the band’s less than a year old) contains three hard-hitting meditations geared toward this sort of dark transcendence. Equally appropriate in the dark or with the lights on, this is a mysterious and heavy band whose path will be interesting to chart. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

It’s the height of summer, and you know what that means. Time for some high life, and Sinkane‘s got exactly what you need. To this end, new single ‘Jeeper Creeper‘ does a fantastic job of negotiating a place for Nigeria within the psychedelic trappings of Brooklyn. The song takes its time, building a wall of endless groove before settling into a warped guitar path that slithers its way across layers of buzz and characteristically Malian delay. All this from an artist originating from Omdurman, Sudan and finding a place all his own in our humble neck of the world. You can see him every Monday for the month of August at Zebulon where he landed a residency, and when he plays with Tanlines on Tuesday (8.21) at Mercury Lounge for…drumroll please… the official 2012 CMJ ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY!! – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

It’s great to know why musicians do what they do. Why they write songs about heartache or joy. What kind of emotion they’re trying to express. Who they most look up to. That’s the magic of what they do. But then there’s the science of it. How do they make the most raw or sensual sounds come out of their instruments?

For this week’s edition of Grinding Gears, we catch up with keyboardist Nick Combs of The Latenight Callers. He’s a madman on the keys, and a recovering drummer. 

Read our interview at the link here!

–Michelle Bacon

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