Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, November 30 – December 2

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PhilaMOCA is hosting a rad eclectic lineup this Sunday that you don’t want to miss. Deli NYC fave Delicate Steve (a.k.a. Steve Marion) will be headlining the evening so come out and watch him tear up the pop music rulebook. He’ll be supported by three local acts that will be a good representation of the talent and diversity you’ll find in Philly’s music community. Arc in Round are back from their most recent Left Coast tour with Frightened Rabbit to fill the room with their rhythmic blasts and swirling synths and guitar, while Banned Books assault you with their barrage of avant-pop tunes. And opening the festivities will be the mesmerizingly beautiful folk of Megan Biscieglia’s Bad Braids (whom I’ve been absolutely smittened with as of late). PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 7pm, $10, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

 
Other things to get you out this weekend since the weather should be quite pleasant…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SUN Blues Control
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT (Early) MACH22, MoonStriker, (Late) Rainbow Destroyer EP Release Party, SUN Madalean Gauze, Vilebred, The Pretty Dittys
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Chris Kasper, Ross Bellenoit (EP Release Show), Levee Drivers, SUN Sonic Spank, Bonsai Balls, Double D, Crouse
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Title Fight, Tiger Jaw
 
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Lotus
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Grand Nationals, Cold Roses, SAT Dot Square, Brethren
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI I&I, Blayer Pointdujour and the Rockers Galore, Joe Jordan Experiment, SAT Keepers, Family Vacation, The Reflexes, SUN The Lizards From Mars Trio
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Joe Bachman, The Quixote Project, Garce Bernicker, SAT Les Professionnels
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Grime Status, Ratkicker, Indefinite Dyad, Cop Problem, SAT A Distant Second, Devil’s Triangle, Hopscotch Injury, De Fu
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Alia Ady
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI The Naked Sun, Chris Ricco
 
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Cheers Elephant, SAT Sonni Shine & The Underwater Sounds, Close to Good, SUN Nicky Egan Band
 
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SUN World Peace Festival w/The Really Cooks, Ella Dars, Alien Architect, John Byrne Band, Bible Whales
 
Ortlieb’s (847 N. 3rd St.) Bohemian Sunrise
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Nicky Egan Band, SAT Cabin Dogs Benefit for Hurricane Sandy Relief, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN Boy Wonder, PhunkyMan, Samantha Gongol, Damien Anthony, Classic, Catherine Mundy, Brianna Cash
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Dayseam, The Late Ancients, Above Connecticut, SAT Carfax Abbey, Generation Empty, My Son Bison, (Upstairs) Satellite Hearts, The World at Large
 
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI Jack Light Move, SAT Dave Steel Blues Band, SUN Elliott Levin Jazz Trio
 
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SUN Luther
 
The Barbary (951 N. Frankford St.) SUN Mother of Mercy, Suburban Scum, Dead End Path
 
The El Bar (1356 N. Front St.) SAT Harsh Vibes Record Release Show w/Psychic Teens
 
The Hevel (1820 Wharton St.) FRI Mantra, Eureka Driver, These Polar Opposites
 
Church of the Advocate (1801 W. Diamond St.) FRI Smoother, Brown Rainbow, MOSS, Snoozer
 
The Bikery (508 S. 5th St.) FRI Jaime Pannone, SAT Sadgiqacea
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for more info.) SAT Dry Feet, Slutever, Push Ups
 
NYC

Weekly Feature: Il Abanico plays Rockwood on 11.30

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Transplants Nicolas Losada and Julianna Ronderos have brought the vibrant colors of their native Columbia from their country, to our backyard. The duo – under the name Il Abanico –  has made Brooklyn their new home, and just might make things here a little more con vida for the rest of us. From the balloon-toting, floor tom stomping bear in latest video ‘Keep Calling,’ to the bilingual inventions of lead singer Juliana, their new EP ‘Crossing Colors’ weaves a cultural rainbow of shapes and sounds together that you won’t need a passport to experience. – Read Mike Levine’s interview with the band here, and see the band live on Friday November 11 at Rockwood Music Hall.

NYC

NEXT FRIDAY: The Deli’s BK Bazaar show with Emily Wells, Devin, Swear & Shake and Live Footage

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Mark your calendar folks! On December 7th, The Deli is presenting a night of music at Brooklyn Bazar, a free event inspired by night markets across Asia.

Headlining the show at 11pm will be talented Texan turned Newyorker Emily Wells, who has taken the concept of modern one-(wo)man-band to new heights: this young lady uses electronic looping devices and other effects to construct ethereal tunes which blend elements of folk, hip hop, orchestral and post-rock. Most important, she knows how to replicate them live through a dynamic live performance that sees her alternate through a noteworthy number of instruments, including violin, drums, glockenspiel, guitar and banjo. Her remarkable voice and beautiful, melancholic melodies glue these sonic constructions together and bring them to life. Check out her latest album Mama here.

At 10 pm, stylish crooner Devin will bring some fun to the crowd with some quality Rock’n’Roll. This is a guy who has the material and the flair to stand up to the haunting presence of the Big Apple’s legends of the genre. Like a more handsome Elvis Costello from his rocking period, Devin threads a rockabilly sound with quality songwriting and an image that’s at once edgy and reassuring. His performance at BK Bazar is definitely going to get some bodies moving – stream his new album here.

Fans of folk music will not want to miss Swear and Shake‘s performance at 9pm. This is a Brooklyn band that charmed us inside out at our Rootsy CMJ Stage this past October. Their feel good, quality alt-country is greatly enhanced by Kari Spieler’s adorable stage presence, which includes (among other things) a stunning voice, lots of smiling, and natural curls to kill for. All things that surely helped Sheryl Crow become the pop icon we all know by the way…

NYC experinstrumental  duo Live Footage – featuring also headliner Emily Wells as a guest on violin – will be opening the festivities at 8pm with their pleasant post-orchestral tracks, quite incredibly forged only using drums, a cello and a bunch of guitar pedal effects connected to the 4 string instrument. No wonder Emily Wells is into it!

Brooklyn Bazar is a free event that spreads through 4 weekends from November 23 to December 22. More info about the other nights can be found here.

NYC

Rap from NYC: 100dbs & Ryan-O’Neil

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Straight rap rarely works with reggae beats; Nas did it with Damian Marley, but talents of their caliber, once combined, are not to be f*’d with. Enter 100dbs and MC Ryan O’Neil (a.k.a.”The One-Handed Bandit” because literally only has one full arm); fresh vibes are immediately generated through dignified execution. With a delivery at times reminiscent of Abstract Rude, Ryan explores his role in the status quo of the rap game. His lighthearted approach complements his deep insight into human nature so that listeners feel more like they are learning with him than from him. 100dbs, known for his head-knocking seasonal mixes and love for dancehall, really digs into the production and comes out swinging on tracks like “Beautiful People.” With a history of solid releases simmering on their wake, “Tea and Spliffs” is a strong follow-up and a soothing meditation true to the title. – BrokeMc

Philadelphia

New Track: “Move!” (Psychemagik Remix) – Les Professionnels

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Take a listen to the mind-warping remix of Les Professionnels‘ "Move!" by UK duo Psychemagik, which appears on the Philly production/DJ collective’s latest EP that also features contributions from Lushlife, Eliot Lipp (of Pretty Lights) and Pete Herbert. You can catch them tomorrow night opening for Keys N Krates at Milkboy Philly.

Update: Young Gliss will also be performing a few songs with Les Professionnels as a special guest.

Philadelphia

Free Download: “Shake It Off” – The Spinto Band

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Philly’s adopted sons The Spinto Band just premiered a new single called “Shake It Off” via Self-Titled Mag. You can check it out below, and download the song for free HERE (well, for the cost of your email, but that’s for free in our books these days). It’s the opening track from their upcoming LP Cool Cocoon, which is scheduled for release February 5 via the band’s own label Spintonic Recordings. The group is currently on a mini-tour in Europe.

Portland

The Catharsis of Glassbones

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As a soundtrack for late ’90s college rock or grunge of the Pacific Northwest, Glassbones would be a wonderful hybrid of The Crow and the all-American nuance of Varsity Blues. This year’s debut EP There’s Still Time Left deals with issues of detachment and personal apocalypse but with determination to hold steadfast. On the track "Sink or Swim", Colin Johnson’s scruffy vocals peacefully deal with twisted wreckage and the earth cracking. They are ominous yet optimistic. The bass foreshadows dire circumstances with fat strides, the drumming is steady like heartbeats of anticipation, and the energy of the lead guitar is upbeat in the breakdown. The track "Raise The Glass" changes it up a bit, starting out as a dark minstrel style tune then warping into a carnival ride of warning about conformity and being a slave to the almighty dollar. Make your way into the crowd or onto the comfy couches of The Tonic Lounge on Saturday, December 1st for the full experience of Glassbones with Nice Shootin’ Tex and Lydian Gray. – Brandy Crowe

Portland

Y La Bamba Play Crystal Ballroom 12.2

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     The music of Y La Bamba is steeped in mysticism, in part by the Mexican American heritage of silvery-haired raven Luz Elena Mendoza. As front woman, Mendoza tells stories with the spirits of her voice. Smoky and strong at one moment and rising to delicate cries of emotion the next. As a band, the members unify to create harmonies. On their first release, Lupon, "My Love is a Forest Fire" showcases the vocals of many members, while the track "Juniper" holds attention as Mendoza and bassist Ben Meyercord call out to each other like songbirds in the dusk. 

     After an enigmatic recognition of Lupon, producer and Los Lobos member and Steve Berlin took notice and stepped on board with the band to create this year’s Court the Storm. Storm continues to conjure melodic intimacy, orchestrating classical guitar, foot stomping and sometimes calypso sounding beats with trumpet and accordion. The album still picks from indie folk such as the road trip romance track "Ponce Pilato", but also pulls deeper from traditional mariachi and Latin folk including tracks such as "Michoagan”, in which Mendoza sings in a flawless cascade of the Spanish language. – Brandy Crowe

NYC

NYC shoegazers Lazyeyes play Pianos on 12.08

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Though relative newcomers to the burgeoning Brooklyn music scene, Lazyeyes features former Twees frontman Jason Abrishami on lead vocals, and presumably some guitar too. Though likable as his former band was, this project’s new direction is a welcome development. Current release "Wait" (streaming below) wraps itself in a lush atmospheric bed, as butterfly high-hat percussion syncopates between dueling open note arpeggios and rising guitar melody lines. The vocals are impressionist colors against pastel blue and pink skies. Previous track "Nostalgia" is paced a bit quicker as more distinctly dominant guitar riffs drive to a delightful instrumental conclusion. Iconic 90’s bands like Ride through present day jammers Diiv act as reference points. Lazyeyes will play Pianos on December 08. – Dave Cromwell

Philadelphia

New Track: “Cherry” – Vintage Kicks

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Below is the latest single from Vintage Kicks called "Cherry." It’s off their split EP with New Jersey’s SCOOBA titled Copycats that contains a new original song and a cover by each of the bands. 

NYC

Album review: Ernest James Zydeco – 3 Steps From La La

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(Photo by Bill McKelvey)

The sounds of zydeco are catchy, instantly danceable, and tell stories of a culture that long ago adopted southern Louisiana as its American foothold. For a great many of the music-loving populace of the Kansas City area, the most consistent exposure to the music of New Orleans can be found Friday and Saturday nights on KCUR’s The Fish Fry. The diverse musical tablet of KC doesn’t include very many practitioners of the Cajun soundtrack; Louisiana Grammy-Award winner Chubby Carrier plays at Knucklehead’s so frequently, he may have been given honorary citizenship status here. There is one gentleman, however, who strives to share the sounds of the Crescent City with his fellow Kansas Citians: Ernest James, leader of Ernest James Zydeco, who is releasing the band’s third CD, 3 Steps from La La.

The Ernest James Zydeco version of Cajun music relies less on the flamboyant showmanship of such legends of the form as Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco, and more on the roots-and-folk-music influence of the hill country. This approach seems better suited for a Midwesterner’s touch, as James and his band incorporate jazz and blues in this festive mix. The result may be a little more contemporary than one would expect to hear on Bourbon Street, but it’s no less faithful to the genre.
 
3 Steps From La La kicks off with “Shake It Sugaree,” the kind of song one would expect to hear walking into the door of a jumpin’ and jivin’ fais do-do; no dance floor would be left unattended with the sounds of Ernest James Zydeco pouring through the speakers. The traditional jump-shuffle of the accordion leads a band with a solid rhythm and brass section (featuring über-musician Mike Stover on bass, banjo, and slide guitar), as James beseeches the listener to get their dancing shoes on (“all that I want / all that I need / shake it right now, sugaree”), and anyone with a pulse would have no choice but to comply. “Lookin” and “Whoa Sally” will keep the party movin’ and groovin’, and when it’s time to put a slowdown on things, James follows with “Supposed To Do,” a grimy blues burner that tells of one’s decision to put their needs ahead of another’s (“I know what you want from me / but this ol’ boy’s gotta be free”). The rest of the album spotlights the diversity and variety of music that James and his band are capable of: a straight-up Howlin’ Wolf-inspired blues (“Zydeco Mother’s Day”), music of lament and longing (“Man Across the Street”), zydeco-meets-The-Wilders (“Pearlie Pearl”, with the fiddle and vocal stylings of the indomitable and inimitable Betse Ellis), and the closer, the gospel standard “Glory Glory,” which James retooled a bit to reflect his own views. “I had to rearrange the lyrics to be comfortable singing them,” he said. “I’m not a Bible thumper; they’re kind of a ‘I don’t know where I’m going … if there’s a God, have some mercy!’ kind of message.”
 
Whether there’s a message contained within the music of 3 Steps from La La is up to the listener. If so, it’s being delivered by a tight, authentic, fervent group of musicians led by a man who has been sharing the joyful noise of the Big Easy for years. Ernest James Zydeco delivers on their new CD, and they have a history of bringing it home during their live performances as well, whether they be in a quiet bookstore or a raucous club. Lovers of well-crafted and no-pretense music of any style or genre would do well to add this to their audio libraries.
 
As Ernest James might reply, “Yeah, you right!”
 
Ernest James and his band will be releasing 3 Steps From La La tomorrow, November 30, with a show at B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ. Join them for a fun evening; they will be performing the album in its entirety.
 
 
–-Michael Byars
 
After much soul-searching and contemplation, Michael Byars has decided not to run for office in 2016. If there had been any money left from his SuperPAC, he would have given it all to the Midwest Music Foundation—but there was only enough to buy a candy bar, so there you go.

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Chicago

Cold Blue Kid Free EP

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Cold Blue Kid released their latest EP, Mimic, back in February, but this week they decided to give it away for free. The six-track ep is filled with solid indie pop and well constructed lyrics.

You can catch Cold Blue Kid at Beat Kitchen on Dec 15th