NYC

New single: “Ride” by Tiny Horse

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(Photo by Michael Forester)

Tiny Horse, the dynamic duo of husband/wife team Abigail Henderson and Chris Meck is back at it again with a new single called "Ride," featuring Zach Phillips of The Architects, Matt Richey of The Grisly Hand, and Cody Wyoming. The single was recorded this week and mastered by Chad Meise.

The duo made its triumphant return to the stage back in April, and continues to go strong with intimate but powerful live shows, showing no signs of slowing down. This new single showcases Meck’s seemingly innate talent on the guitar coupled with Henderson’s unique, captivating voice. 

You can see Tiny Horse tomorrow (Friday, August 17) at The Brick as they perform with (of) Tree. 

–Michelle Bacon

L.A.

He’s My Brother She’s My Sister announces a first album

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You might remember He’s My Brother She’s My Sister from the cover of The Deli LA’s third print edition, back in 2010; if anything, that charming way Lauren Brown adds a little tap-dancing to the beat of her drums, or even their colourful outfits will ring a bell. If none of that does, time to get acquiainted with them. Fact is, after three years of hard work and as much fun, this high energy five-piece retro-blues-folk cabaret number has landed a deal with Park The Van Records to release this winter a first full-length album, ‘Nobody Dances In This Town‘; and to introduce it, here’s a little extra dose of electric guitars on the adequately named ‘Electric Love‘ which brings a touch of rock’n’roll to their rootsy aesthetic and a swinging summer flavour to our ears. Before they set off on an extensive thirty-odd dates US tour, starting in Santa Barbara on September 15th, catch them for a last summer show at LA’s California Plaza next Friday (8.24)! 

NYC

Parquet Courts to release a first full-length album

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Now that I’ve got the story straight, Parquet Courts is a NYC-based ‘three-quarter Texan‘ four-piece, one member of which (Andrew) is also part of Fergus&Geronimo, another (Austin) of The Keepsies. The thing about their first album ‘Light Up Gold’ is that sure, they haven’t exactly tried to reinvent the wheel, but see, I’ve played it over the last week or so more times than I’ll admit; ergo it’s about time to spread the word.

On one side, there are the many influences of punk & co they’ve squeezed into these ten tracks each more nonchalantly catchy than the next, which range from Buzzcocks-style fuzzy pop-punk to groovy post-punk and stoner-folk-…well, punk, excuse the repetition. On the other, there’s the lyrical appeal of these contemporary flâneurs wandering ‘Stoned and Starving‘ the streets of NYC, who translate their observations, experiences and social critiques as mundane as they may be into prose poetry, in the simple subjective flow of some 60s Beat and New Journalism writers. That’s two thumbs up in my books. Released on Saturday (8.18) via Dull Tools, ‘Light Up Gold’ will be welcomed with a show that same evening at Death By Audio. – Tracy Mamoun

NYC

Lorelei Album Release Show Friday 8/17 @ Black Cat

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DC’s original indie preveyors Lorelei have been diligently putting in studio time for their latest album Enterprising Sidewalks which will be released this Friday 8/17. Originally formed in 1990, they grew a discography with Slumberland Records, gigged with tons of bands like Slowdive, Velocity Girl and more, disbanded in 1996, and reunited 10 years later. They continue to gig around the city occasionally, and this album has been absolutely much anticipated. (Pic by Christine Colby)

The album release show will be at the Black Cat 8/17, with Deathfix  and Sun Wolf. Doors @9 $10

San Francisco

New Release: Le Vice’s ‘Neverland’ + Local Tour

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Bay Area based indie hip-hop band Le Vice classifies itself as Urban-Indie-Rock- Electro-Funk-Hip Hop-Pop, but we just call it good music.

It is easy to fall into the pit-trap of trying to pin down their sound. Le Vice could be described in a myriad of different ways from hip-hop curators to playful grunge revivalist and nothing would sit out of place with its music. They’ve been steadily making music since 2010.

The band’s latest release, Neverland (download here), oscillates between insightful musing on city life and coy jabs at popular culture; the title is in reference to the famous Neverland of Peter Pan. Singer Alex Lee’s lyricism is a straightforward slap in the face. Leedoesn’t miss a chance to flip phrases or slip in a name drop. A stand out moment during one of their more electro-funk songs "Pho Q (We Just Wanna Dance)" is when a line from the bridge "life is too short" becomes a shout out to the rapper Too Short by adding a refrain on the end reminiscent of the rappers favorite word.

To know and love Le Vice is to see the band live. Local tour dates are listed below and on the band’s website.

–Dario Slavazza

09.07.12 | The Independent with Los Rakas | San Francisco, CA
09.22.12 | Luigi’s Fun Garden | Sacramento, CA
10.27.12 | The New Parish | Oakland, CA

NYC

DC’s Western Affiars Latest Single “Iowa”

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(Courtesy Banter Media) "Western Affairs is a three-piece dreampop group based in Washington DC. Originally founded by Alex Lee in 2009, the band has gone through an assortment of different members until finding a winning combination in 2011 consisting of additional members Davis Connors, and Andrew Monborne. Their eclectic sound comes from an array of influences from new experimental pop DC bands to bizarre avant-garde sounds. While staying true to their style, live performances turn into ambient experimental sessions, incorporating noise, orchestral key modulations, and oscillating drums you would only expect to hear in the soundtrack for Stanley Kubrick’s 2000: A Space Odyssey."

Philadelphia

Recap: KahBang Day 1: Part 2

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The first band to hit the Main Stage this year was Portland, ME standouts This Way. The vintage Americana group has been friends of KahBang for some time and never fail to bring the place alive. The revivalist, wandering lyrics and vocal delivery reminded us a bit of Willie Nelson, which is never a bad thing. Flushed out by great banjo playing and strong female vocals, the band set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Following This Way was another local favorite, The Mallett Brothers Band.  The Stetson-adorned, country-folk group were a nice mix between Old Crow Medicine Show and The Avett Brothers.  They had a total of 4 guitars on stage, and all of them, from acoustic to slide could play.

Late Cambrian played an impossibly catchy set over on the 2nd stage. Their music was power pop à la Mathew Sweet or Ozma. The energetic group could churn out a synthpop ditty as well as a disco-punk song one after another. They had a song called “Ryan Gosling,” and at one point, they played a snippet of “Blackbird,” which was pretty cool.

Lady Lamb The Beekeeper finished off the 2nd stage with a bang. Backed by The Milkman’s Union, she performed one of the most blistering sets of the festival. Aly, a.k.a. Lady Lamb, makes manic, angular indie rock that perfectly compliments her powerful voice. She may have had a small, unassuming stature, but their sound was huge. She would chirp and then scream through her paranoid, asymmetrical tracks, leaving the listener to just sit back and admire. Her set was wayyyyy too short, but she finished it with an amazing rap that made mince meet of Missy. She has a new album that is already recorded and just waiting for a release date, so make sure to keep an eye out for that.

Check out a bunch more PHOTOS from KahBang right HERE. – Adam G.

NYC

The Lost Shores’ August residency at Pete’s Candy Store

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Fitting snuggly within a loosely defined set of epic-minded solo troubadours is the solo project of Richard Aufrichtig, The Lost Shores. Constructing narratives from very personal material, tracks like ‘Blue Skies in the Afternoon’ and my fave ‘I’ll Surround You’ from his full-length ‘Green Leaves,’ attach lush but simple folk arrangements under his heartbreaking tenor. A reluctant protagonist, you know Richard’s never going to get everything he wants, but you’ll find yourself rooting for him anyway.

See him on Sundays when he plays at his residency at Pete’s Candy Store this month. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

New England

Introducing: High Pop

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Ready, set, bong! Get your fuzzed-out munchies on and prepare to receive the latest rips from Connecticut beach-punk outfit High Pop who just released their second full-length record “Hip Hip Hooray” on August 2nd. Endless foamy waves of guitar crash and swirl against the pulsating and overdriven bass, creating a broken sky of shimmering reverb clouds that hang lazily like stale smoke in the back of a speeding panel van. It’s the Dead Kennedys doing their best Beach Boys impression on April 20th. If you think you can jive with this turkey then head over to their Bandcamp and pay what you will – support underground artists and labels! You may have caught them last week on a very short and sweet tour with label mates The Guru and The Hiya Dunes, but if not then keep your ears aimed to the basements and you’ll hear it when High Pop cough their way back into town. – Dean Shakked

Philadelphia

Album Review: Pretty American – Cold Fronts

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As the drums pop to begin “Heart Attack,” the opening track to Cold Fronts’ debut EP Pretty American, the song demonstrates the group’s natural gravitational pull towards catchy hooks that hide around every corner of the album. The dual guitars play off each other providing the energy to cook up these tasty power pop morsels. While one lays down the power chord riffs – a quick flurry which sets the tone and also moves with a casual yet upfront feel, the second guitar lays down lines straying ever so distant from the group yet remaining tied in. The vocals welcome you into the party with a carefree, YOLO attitude. With that glimpse into the aesthetic framework of the band’s first release, the following track “Primetime” revels in the EP’s slackerdom vibe with its lazy drawl delivery and late night, substance-induced Philosophy 101 lyrics. “We’re all just a bunch of mistakes.” However, there is glimmer of hope (and familiarity) with the song’s anthemic chorus – “woah, we can make it better, come on, come on, let’s get together” – that could inspire an audience sing-along long after the band has stopped playing. The album closer “Catch” holds true to the previous tracks found on the record balancing clean, burrow-into-your-head guitar riffs with lyrics that speak to the listener in a straight-forward manner. “Let’s run away into a new town, let’s catch a wave, let’s find a new sound.”
 
Pretty American succeeds in its simplicity combining the steady backbeat with the driving force of relatable, vintage guitar licks and lyrics that almost instantly seem memorable. It’s classic radio-friendly pop rock from below the waist with a youthful kick. The EP opens the door to Cold Fronts, and after taking a listen, you’ll want to step inside and look around. – Michael Colavita

NYC

Unstoppable Death Machines to release ‘We Come In Peace’

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Hold on tight, ’cause it’s about to get loud up in Brooklyn. On Tuesday (8.21), sibling duo Unstoppable Death Machines will be releasing its first full-length album, the (ironically) named ‘We Come In Peace‘, and as it drills through your skull I can already picture it tipping your neighbours over the edge. Mine anyway (perfect!). Now, if amateurs might create hardly more than inaudible cacophony out of such a surge of sonic aggression where punk, metal, gritty industrial and pounding dance beats converge, the Tucci brothers are dexterous and experienced noisesmiths; their loud basslines and smashing drums have brought a unique sound to the city’s messy DIY parties for a couple of years now, and they sure know how to skilfully turn such a cocktail into a terrifically stimulating and abrasive burst of decibels that’ll get you grinding your teeth and banging your head at once.

You can already find a taste of it on their Bandcamp page, but for the full effect, get down to XPO 929 on Saturday (8.18) for the pre-release party, followed next Thursday (8.23) by the official release party at Shea Stadium.