We love alter-egos and artists who stay in character, especially when they are as downright sexy as Johnny Showcase (a.k.a. David Sweeny), which is most likely why he came out on top in our recent Featured Artist(s) Poll. (Or maybe it’s because he just simply likes to be on top, ladies – oh yeah.) Well, check out our interview HERE with the cougar magnet Johnny Showcase, and learn more about his semi-mythical past.
New England
Posted on:
Mean Creek Release New Music Video; Support Counting Crows on Fall Tour
Boston-based rock quartet Mean Creek are excited to announce the release of the music video for their new single, "Young & Wild". Directed by P. Nick Curran of Loroto Productions, the video for "Young & Wild" captures the innocence, the excitement and the carefree joy of youthful moments reflected in the song’s message.
In addition to the release of the video, Mean Creek recently announced their November tour of the U.S. supporting Counting Crows. Marking the band’s second stint with Counting Crows, the tour will begin on Tuesday, October 23 in Port Chester, NY, at The Capitol Theatre and will take in 14 evenings across the U.S., culminating in an appearance at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, on Saturday, November 24. Prior to the tour, the band will be performing as part of this year’s CMJ Music Marathon from October 16-19.
Mean Creek will be playing in Boston, MA on October 11 at Brighton Music Hall. The show is the official release of Youth Companion.
Austin
Posted on:
The Gary: New Album “Remains”
Shoe-gazing might sound like a passive activity performed by nostalgic music fans, but when you combine the rhythmically methodical drums & bass and the heavy aluminum-necked guitar of The Gary, you might be inclined to add a tributary to the genre. As jazz pianist Thelonious Monk once said, “The genius is the one most like himself,” and that’s exactly what the Gary are. When The Gary prepare to play, their iconic vocalization of “Ready Gary?!” stokes the audience for the sounds to come. Jumping across the generation gap isn’t easy but The Gary make it look like a walk in the park, that is to say, a walk in a park full of memories of how music imparts wisdom through the ages.
The Gary recently made the Texas-leg of a tour with Mission of Burma, which they were vocally excited about, and it certainly showed in their performance. Their most recent release titled “Remains” sustains an energy of thoughtful distortion among today’s clean-cut pop culture. Nothing against today’s Top 40, but when you get tired of hearing the same song rehashed for the umpteenth time, check out The Gary and join the cult of followers. –Jake Lauterstein
NYC
Posted on:
When Eric Biondo goes center stage: Beyondo
The saying ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ doesn’t apply to songwriter/producer/trumpeter/Awesomeface Eric Biondo. Not content to back up musicians from bands including TV on the Radio and Passion Pit, Biondo has carved a unique alias for himself with his ongoing project Beyondo. From towering vocalist and cornetist, Eric reveals himself a master of merging divergent genres from Baroque classical to Ivory Coast afrobeat.
Now coming off his unexpectedly ambitious full-length ‘Siren Science’ from earlier this year, he returned early August with a new single ‘Come Around’ that leaps off a walking bassline, showcasing a round of vocals suitable for any cookout/fireside jamboree. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
NYC
Posted on:
On a ride with NYC’s Sins Of The Loose Buttons
Anyone wondering what’s coming next for Brooklyn might take a look at the kids from Sins of the Loose Buttons. A high-energy quartet able to bring the party with them from Santos Party House down to last year’s Miami Music Festival, Loose Buttons wants nothing from their career but to give some of this energy back to anyone out there looking to bounce a beach ball the next show you head out to. Their debut ‘Silent Snow’ has all the potential of a group of dudes barely twenty, already tackling enormous harmonies and in some cases, complicated choreography.
The group should be announcing new dates soon. Download their record from iTunes in the meantime, and check out the band take the city by music and bicycle in their video for ‘Retrobox’ below. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Pissed Jeans Opening for Hot Snakes at Underground Arts Sept. 24
Pissed Jeans are bringing their brand of heavy/hardcore punk in the vein of SST record’s 80’s roster to Underground Arts tonight when they open for San Diego post-hardcore outfit Hot Snakes. The Philly by way of Allentown noise assassins capture the pent up aggravations and frustrations of mundane living releasing it all on stage through the volatile wails of vocalist Matt Korvette and head-banging Black Sabbath-inspired riffs. It’s been a treat to see the Sub Pop four-piece performing out at more local shows lately, and I hope that this trend continues. But you never know if it will or not so come out this evening and prepare for some brotherly shoves. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8:30pm, $21, 21+ (Photo by Shawn Brackbill) – Dan Brightcliffe
New England
Posted on:
Q&A with The Deli’s Band of the Month: Hey Ice Machine
Deli NE: How did the band start?
Hey Ice Machine: All the members of the band have been playing in the local Boston music scene for a long time in some pretty great bands (Fuzzy, Frank Smith, Mittens, Come, Muy Cansado, Thalia Zedek, Consonant, etc.). We decided to get together and jam and write some songs. We kept it relaxed and really had no expectations other than to hang out and play music. In the end we wrote a lot of great songs and decided to put out an album.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Music Video: “All You Can Eat” – 722
Local art rockers 722 have reformed and released a new music video for the first single off their upcoming EP Haunting Me called “All You Can Eat.” The album is scheduled to drop next month. They’ll be celebrating its release fittingly on Halloween at World Café Live with old pals Welcome to My Face and Franzschubert. (Photo by Mike Higgins)
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Choice/Cuts: Norwegian Arms – “Easy a Lover Goes West”
We’re back with the second installment of our Choice/Cut session with Norwegian Arms. In this footage, you get an exclusive listen of their yet-to-be-released song “Easy a Lover Goes West” (which will appear on their upcoming album Wolf Like A Stray Dog). We don’t think that you’ll be able find it anywhere on the interweb. Well, in the age of iPhones and smartphones, there might be a poorly recorded version out there somewhere. But why would you want to suffer through that? And we surely don’t want you to either. Get down to some island vibes, and check out our interview with “Keith Birthday” and “Dr. Awkward” where they get a chance to discuss their love for “vintage” gear. Special thanks to the HotBox crew. Enjoy!
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Mikele Edwards Opening for Laetita Sadier at JB’s Sept. 23
Mikele Edwards (of Arc in Round) takes the stage on her own tonight at Johnny Brenda’s when she opens for Laetita Sadier (formerly of Stereolab). Edwards’ music is a hybrid of astral synths with ritualistic crystallized vocals that hone in on the listener in an almost chant-like fashion. It’s as if a new age space ceremony is taking place, but Edwards isn’t preaching, merely embracing the trip to the stars and describing the view. And things sound quite fine from out there. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Daniel Ryan Belski Opening for Little Big League at KFN Sept. 22
The dimensions of Daniel Ryan Belski, known for his contributions to Arrah and the Ferns and the work under his former moniker The Divine Lorraine, just keep expanding. Showcasing his solo side project tonight at KFN, Belski’s folk-tinged music is far from bare bones. Building an energetic yet controlled atmosphere, Belski dishes out interesting adventurous narratives with refined guitar work that serves as a guide. However, there’s no doubt that he knows where he’s going. Speaking of multiple dimensions, Little Big League possess an equilibrium between finesse and power. Michelle Zauner’s naturally heartwarming vocals and the triad of bass, guitar, and drums peak on a united front, yet still take advantage of the opportune moment to flex some muscle. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7:30pm, $8, 21+ -Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
Posted on:
The First Annual 12th Street Art & Music Festival at PhilaMOCA (Outside) Sept. 22
We are officially into fall, and pretty soon before you know it, winter will be upon us so take advantage of this comfortable climate while you can. You can do so by heading outdoors today to the First Annual 12th Street Art & Music Festival that has been organized by PhilaMOCA and The Institute Bar. The family-friendly, art-centric event will be welcoming food and drink vendors, local arts and crafts enthusiasts, and a live music bill of Philly acts that will include S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., Thom McCarthy, Post Sun Times, The Love Club, SKGB, (((TACO))), and more. Now, I suggest that you get there sooner than later to take in the beautiful day because the weather forecasters are predicting rain towards the end of the fest, but you can always slip into PhilaMOCA this evening for some geek-tastic chiptune sounds at 8static. PhilaMOCA (Outside), 531 N. 12th St., 12pm – 8pm, Free, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman