NYC

From our NYC digital submissions: The Midnight Hollow

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When most people get out of a long relationship, they usually take some time off to get familiar again with life lived solo.

Not so for Spencer Draeger. After breaking up his 9 year old band, he immediately jumped into a wellspring of material that has now materialized into latest project The Midnight Hollow. The group takes Draeger’s dark melancholy mindstate, and couples it with tribal drums and hissing synths. The trio have just started playing and their new EP follows close behind. In case you had any doubts of how many ideas Draeger has stuck in his ears, the record boasts only one song under four minutes. But as testified in opener ‘The Midnight Hollow’ (streaming below) this is testament to a band setting down some large ideas. Time will tell what’s next for the brand new group. Check out their EP on the group’s bandcamp. – This band submitted their music for review here – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

 

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Ebony Rose” – The Lawsuits

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Check out the new music video from The Lawsuits for their track "Ebony Rose." The charming little ditty is off their new EP Numbers, which the band just released today HERE. The video interestingly creates the feeling of a rudimentary stop motion film from humourous clips of the ensemble. If you didn’t catch their surprise set on "Blackout Wednesday" at Fergie’s for Ron Gallo‘s Revue or if you did and simply can’t get enough of the rootsy five-piece, they’ll be performing Saturday, December 15 at MilkBoy Philly.

NYC

Takka Takka is back with a new album

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A lot has happened since NYC Takka Takka‘s 2008 album release "Migration" – which was very well received. The band members followed different paths for awhile, but the core duo of vocalist/guitarist Gabe Levine and drummer Conrad Doucette didn’t lose touch, involved a new bassist (Craig Montoro) and kept working on a new release, which can be now streamed online here. The album keeps faith to the band’s textured, angular but sensual and vaguely melancholic sound, with an added orchestral element brought by Levine’s long time collaborator Michael P. Atkinson. Entitled "A.M. Landscapes," the album is out now on Earnst Jennings, the opener track "A Bad Sign (High and Lows) is streaming below and was added to our SoundCloud compilation of the best new tracks by emerging NYC bands here. Stay tuned for upcoming shows in the NYC area.

Philadelphia

STS Opening for Cypress Hill at The Troc Nov. 27

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There should be quite a battle at The Trocadero tonight when Cypress Hill rolls into the Victorian theatre. However, it won’t be among emcees. I’m guessing the notoriously tough security staff will have their hands full keeping control of the wild 420-friendly crowd. Well, if you plan on getting blunted outside and strolling in just in time for Cypress Hill’s set, I’d suggest that you make it in to catch this evening’s direct support Sugar Tongue Slim (STS). The Philly transplant, by way of Atlanta, has been building plenty of buzz and a following as well as showing off his versatility with his series of mixtapes flipping works of indie and mainstream artists and making the tracks his own. Though you may find him on stage opening sold out shows for notable acts like The Roots and Yelawolf, STS still continues to fly under the radar in his adopted hometown. It might be because you’ll more likely find him on the road making the rest of the world take notice than in the smaller local venues, but don’t sleep on this hidden gem in the hip-hop community. The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 9pm, $27, All Ages – Q.D. Tran

Nashville

Review: Will Hoge Plays 3rd & Lindsley

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Saving his special guests for the Saturday show, Will Hoge‘s sold-out Friday night benefit for Vanderbilt University Medical Center was predictable to any weathered Hoge fan. Playing a wide and varied collection of songs from his storied discography, Will Hoge did exactly what Will Hoge does best: put on a solid and heartfelt rock set that leaves the audience nearly as exhausted as the artist putting on the show. Gone (or hibernating) are the days when Hoge would stop a show entirely to quiet a chatty crowd, but the singer-songwriter can still subdue an audience by telling them that "this song sounds a whole lot better when it’s quiet in here." If you buy a ticket to one of his shows expecting the same sweaty rock show you got the last time, the Franklin native will make sure you get your money’s worth.

Though the Saturday set featured appearances by Vince Gill in addition to cameos from seemingly the entire cast of ABC’s Nashville, Friday’s benefit was intimate, with Josh Hoge opening and Will filling the quiet moments with stories and anecdotes about his journey as a musician.

After seven albums, countless tours, and a life-threatening accident that seemed to put it all into perspective, Will Hoge’s live show continues to prove that substance and talent trump publicity stunts and wardrobe changes. –Brianne Turner

NYC

New tracks: “#fire” and “#16monkies” by Everyday/Everynight

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Since emerging in 2009, Everyday/Everynight has managed to make a lot of noise in the Kansas City scene. With a full length release in 2011, a two-week tour and a best emerging act nomination under its belt, the band has effectively punched the clock and done the necessary time needed to grind out a respectable reputation as a working-class band.

Assuming that the Mayans don’t fuck us over, the band will ride that reputation into 2013 on the strength of their new single “#fire.” The track positions itself nicely with plenty of build and atmospheric noise to gather mystique. Easing in with passive drums over porno sounds, “#fire” climbs upwards into a full Radiohead frenzy. Perfectly paced and patterned flawlessly underneath mellow and melodic vocals, the song takes a simple approach to its structure with repetitive guitar and bass riffs blended with reasonably adjusted floor tom drumming.  If time travel were possible, “#fire” could easily spark up the flux capacitor and find its way snuggled into the set list of several classic 1990’s movie soundtracks. Local nerds: think Flick’s The Perfect Kellulight with this track.

As a bonus, the release packages “#fire” with a free t-shirt and an additional cut titled “#16monkies.” The bonus track takes on a heavier demeanor than the single, opening with straightforward and aggressive drum and guitar beats before shifting into a 2004-era Modest Mouse-like jam session. However, the track jumps ship, bolting at the vocal break for a Purple Rain-inspired rant that effectively swells into an epic arena rock chorus. The song absolutely doesn’t fuck around and pairs with the single in a manner that makes it just as worthy a purchase as “#fire.” While it might be the free toy in your Happy Meal release, it absolutely is not a throw away.

Overall, I only have one minor complaint regarding the release. Collectively coming in at 10 minutes, the tracks are a little on the long-winded side considering most full-lengths linger around 35 to 40 minutes. However, considering the sound and manner in which the time is used, the tracks deserve a free pass for this. They’re efficient in their aim and gather enough momentum to stir excitement toward whatever project the band tackles next.

 
Therefore this release has done its job. Gold stars will be had by all.
 

You can download "#fire" and "#16monkies" at the link right here. The songs were recorded by Ross Brown at Rock Jack Studios.

–Joshua Hammond

After stints drumming for both The Afternoons and Jenny Carr and the Waiting List in the Lawrence/Kansas City music scene, Joshua Hammond found his footing as a music journalist, launching the national publication Popwreckoning. After running the show as Editor in Chief for 6 years, Hammond stepped away from the reigns to freelance for other publications like Under The Gun Review and High Voltage Magazine. This shift allowed the adequate amount of time for him to write passionately, allow the Kansas City Royals to break his heart on a daily basis and spoon his cats just enough that they don’t shred his vinyl. 

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NYC

NYC droners Dull Edges release “Half Shattered” EP at Cake Shop on 12.14

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Admittedly, it’s been an awful long time since I’ve heard an album-oriented drone record. While Sonic Youth certainly blazed a trail of noisy electricity years ago, it’s high time for some new blood in this genre. Dull Edges have taken five perfectly composed pop tunes, and turned them into epic jams of staggering proportions. Just when you think you’ve heard the last melody wind its way out in track opener Washed Out (from new EP ‘Half Shattered’), the song picks up again and reveals a whole new dimension to the staggered wall of haze emanating from this colorful trio. Throughout the EP, the band just seems to get louder and louder, especially in my fave ‘Space Jam.’ Built for anyone looking to escape Earth’s orbit by amp wattage alone, Dull Edges’s Half Shattered is just what you need for the trip. Check out the new record here, and come out to their album release Friday, December 14th at Cakeshop. – This band submitted their music for review here

NYC

In Memoriam: Sean Meyers of VA Folkrock’s Norman Rockwell

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Virginia lost a talented bass player this month, Sean Meyers of the folk rock band Norman Rockwell. In memoriam, we would like to share NR’s message with you. "We are deeply, deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of our dear friend and bassist Sean Meyers. He brought so many of us together and truly loved each and everyone of us with all his heart. His jovial charm and unabashed humor will be forever missed. We are thankful to have had such a timeless and caring soul as a bandmate, but more importantly, as a friend. He was a good man to ride the river with."