L.A.

AM introduces upcoming album + tours with Shawn Lee

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Whilst working on a second album with London-based collaborator Shawn Lee,  AM is currently adding the finishing touches to his next solo project, produced by Joey Waronker. Reputed for his eclectic combinations of sounds, and a fondness for retro aesthetics, the LA DJ/composer introduced the upcoming record by releasing a couple of days ago a sweet cover of Harry Nilsson’s song Me And My Arrow. Truly faithful to the original, he re-recorded it with Waronker, softly picking up the repetitive melody and lyrics of Nilsson’s 1971 folk tale with a subtle Krautrock beat. Adding a little groove to a lovely song, and nothing more, it’s an intimate, touching homage to the American songwriter. You can catch AM & Shawn Lee on tour at The Satellite on August 24th. – Tracy Mamoun

Philadelphia

Choice/Cuts: Lushlife – “Meridian Sounds (Part Three)”

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We’re back with the second half of July’s Choice/Cuts episode featuring South Philly emcee/producer extraordinaire Lushlife (a.k.a. Raj Haldar). This one is extra special because it is the first time he will be using a theremin that he received from the innovative and good folks at Moog. We are honored to be able to capture this moment and share it with you. Check out Lushlife performing “Meridian Sounds (Part III)” with his rad, brand new theremin! Special thanks again to the HotBox Studios crew.

NYC

New to the scene: Cold Blood Club plays Manhattan Bridge Archway on 08.09

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So apparently singer Kendra is now into white guys. It’s true. Cold Blood Club’s new single ‘White Boyz’ (streaming below) reads almost like a wanted ad from some strange site where black girls look to take advantage of naive Caucasian gentlemen (ok, it sounds like an awesome site… and the kind of thing we are all for!)

While the Brooklyn act has always had a knack for biting, dance floor energy like in anthemic single ‘Ladies & Gentlemen,’ never before have they sounded this pungent. It’s a good thing for a new band that’s already played around town with members from TV on the Radio (Tunde), and set to continue burning through the club circuit when they take on CMJ this fall. See them live at the Manhattan Bridge Archway in Dumbo on August 9. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s August Album of the Month: First – Cousin Brian

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Cousin Brian’s First is a summer record, but don’t let that deter you. With the advent of chillwave and the convergence of surf rock and dream pop, “good for the summer” is just as often a compliment as it is a critical euphemism for “dull as dirt.” First is far from dull as dirt. It’s quite fun, actually, a rapid-heartbeat collection of jittery guitar jangles from the neighborhood geeks. There’s a nervous energy on this record that becomes infectious; no song lasts much longer than two minutes, but they all have pop structures, which means a lot of information gets condensed into a small amount of space. The album is a frenetic whirlwind of ideas, and each one is given just enough time to lodge itself into your skull before the next one takes over. Yes, these songs are catchy. All the instruments are playing hooks all the time, and it’s up to you to figure out which one you want to focus on, whether it be the grody bass popping constantly with the ever-bouncing drums, the dexterous guitar lines outlining high-pitched chords, or the vocals sneering over everything in a sarcastic whine. Currently, I’m focused on the oo-oohs that come so frantically and frequently you’d think Cousin Brian were meeting a quota. At any rate, First is an album begging for repeated listens in order to discover the myriad of layers that make it tick.
 
And this thing ticks anxiously, like the last band practice before a big gig. That’s what gives it charm. Cousin Brian have the songwriting chops and the talent, but they also have an earnestness about them. The brevity and geek-punk chic of First makes it sound like it was thrown together haphazardly, but Cousin Brian’s tightness and the intricate musicianship of the record indicate that the record is well thought out. In short, it manages to be awesome without sounding like it’s trying too hard. It’s a bit left field – the surreal, grotesque barbecue depicted on the album cover is a good visual representation of the album’s sound – and that only serves to help it stand out. First is an awesome rock record that wastes no time not being awesome.
 
You can grab your copy HERE or via Mallrat Records.

NYC

On The Beat with Nan Turner

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Nan Turner is one of the newest and hottest drummers to hit the Kansas City music scene. She’s one half of Schwervon!, who recently relocated to KC from Brooklyn. Nan tells us a little about her approach to the skins and her transition from the Big Apple to the ‘burbs. Catch the beat right here!

On The Beat is a weekly interview brought to you by drummer Sergio Moreno (of Hillary Watts Riot and Alacartoona), and features some of the many talented drummers in the Kansas City area.

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NYC

NYC Artist on the Rise: Vassals lands Pianos residency

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Vassals, a band that has studied at the altar of classic pop songwriting, is back with a new track (called ‘Informers’ – streaming below) that celebrates the possibilities of a warm guitar, a touching story, and what sounds like a drugged out zither.

The song shuffles its rhythms at a level on par with the most bouncy of Vampire Weekend’s tracks (but without even a touch of Cape Cod), while its story seems to take you in one direction only: awkward, adolescent love. The new song is the leading track from their upcoming record slated for later this year. I’m hoping this signals plenty of loud, raunchy guitar solos to come…

You’ll have many opportunities to see these guys live in August, since they are having a residency at Pianos on every Wednesday of the month starting from 08.08 – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Philadelphia

Dream BBQ w/Far-Out Fangtooth & Acid Kicks at PhilaMOCA Aug. 1

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I don’t know about y’all, but I, for one, have had quite enough of the heat, smelliness and swamp-ass for one summer. The good news is that today is the start August, which means autumn sits on the horizon just a month away, and what better way to celebrate the beginning of the end than with beer, barbeque, and ambient, dirty, gut-punch, echo punk? Tonight this trio of awesomeness converges at PhilaMOCA for what is aptly being called a Dream BBQ. For a reasonable donation, you get cooked foods, drinks, and the soothing musical stylings of Far-Out Fangtooth, Acid Kicks, Dope Body, and Wet Hair. Also promised are DJs, “weird video projections,” and “an ethereal, strange party vibe.” Celebrate the coming end of oppressive heat tonight with the coolest possible version of dinner and a show. Also, just kidding about the “soothing musical stylings” bit. It’s gonna be LOUD AS FUCK (well, that’s if you are doing it right). PhilaMOCA, 531 N 112th St., Party at 6pm/Bands at 7:30pm, $7 – $10 Donation, All Ages – Adam Downer

NYC

From the NYC digital submissions: Rebecca Brandt

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Can’t get out to the water this weekend? Consider popping on Rebecca Brandt‘s immersive new single, ‘Staying Silent.’ Should be all you need to push yourself into the deep end. 

Molded in the style of fellow femme composers like Juliana Barwick and Zola Jesus, Rebecca’s latest record ‘Numbers & Shapes’ is a colorful tapestry of sound collage every bit as epic as much of the film scores she’s composed over the past several years. Not for the faint of heart, tracks like the hard-hitting ‘Run’ and ‘The Clock Breaks at Three’ should give you an idea of what to expect from time spent with this runaway personality. 

Sream the new record on her bandcamp and please leave her a message telling her she needs to play live soon! – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)