Austin based singer-songwriter Aimee Bobruk’s southern take on folk is soft yet sophisticated. Bobruk’s sweet soprano vocals are accompanied by an array of instruments that gently weave through twangy guitars. The instrumentation is simple, but the sounds are beautifully crafted together to create delicate harmonies that make for easy listening. Bobruk’s video for “Two of a Kind” (streaming below) just premiered on December 6th, and features her playing the roles of both a man and woman in a 1920’s silent movie romance. Her next album “ba•brook” will be released January 29, 2013. -Lucy Sherman
Austin
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Review: Swear To Me (That You’ll Stay) // Generator 7″ by The Gorgeous Hands
Before they were The Gorgeous Hands, back when they bore the less-gorgeous-sounding moniker of The Magnificent Snails, these guys generated some well-formed, acidic, garage pop-rock (check out the Baby Acid Trips EP ). Now they’ve put aside the stimulants and the Snail name, and have generated an irresistable pair of pop numbers for their latest 7-inch single. Nicely harmonized vox over alt rock guitar licks, propelled along some tried-and-true chord progressions and highlighted by truly righteous riffs. Two sides-worth of good stuff here.
This came out back in June, so you mighta missed it. You’ve got a few minutes, see what gorgeous hands these snails have become.
NYC
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MA band on the rise: Bella’s Bartok
Northampton, MA’s Bella’s Bartok started as a gypsy-punk band (think Gogol Bordello, they even covered a few of their songs), but as the years passed and members changed have since morphed into something different. You can still hear the oom-pa-pa klezmer beat, but their new EP, "We Are Not a Cult," features tribal drumming, sexy electric guitar riffs, wacky, unhinged vocals, a good deal of whispering, electronic elements a la Animal Collective, and just about anything else you can think of. ‘How many people are even in this band?’ you might ask? Eight, give or take a violinist. They tour extensively, and their live shows aren’t to be missed, bringing all the wide-eyed fervor you hear on the album to the stage. See here for upcaoming dates – Geoff Noble
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Young Lungs” – Work Drugs
Work Drugs recently dropped their first official album, Delta, earlier this month, which consists of remastered/remixed singles from previous self-released CD-Rs as well as a few new songs. You would think that they’d call it a wrap for 2012. Well, not so fast, because the band is back with a new track called "Young Lungs" that is also accompanied by an "extreme" video. (BTW: We can’t help screaming "extreme" like the brahs in Harold & Kumar. Childish? Yes, but also quite entertaining in the most annoying way possible. And we’re really high. ;o) The latest offering comes just in time to celebrate the group’s 2nd birfday. You can also download it for free HERE. Enjoy!
NYC
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Album review: We Are Voices – Tread Lightly
One day, We Are Voices will consistently fill rooms. Now to be clear, we are not currently talking about the recordBar, Riot Room or even Beaumont Club numbers anymore. No, this band is destined to sell tickets. If there is a single thing that can be taken away from a spin of Tread Lightly, their new full-length, it is that they were born to pack arenas. With an atmospheric aura and energetic approach to songwriting, their achieving anything else would be a disappointment.
Yeah, I said it.
Take “The Sun,” the album’s opening track, for example. With elements of soft, touching vocals placed flawlessly over an epic swell of musical peaks and valleys, the band displays a rather educated understanding of the proper use of sound. The solos and guitar work on the track are spot on and brilliantly designed, creating an environment worth every second of time and every cent spent in purchasing the cut. You’re five minutes into a disk and you’ve already recouped your expenses. Take a note kids, that’s just good economics.
The band doesn’t stop there. Track for track, the album shines. It easily could find itself highlighted as a sleeper on countless end-of-the-year lists, both locally and on a national circuit. Make no mistake; Tread Lightly has chops.
Whether it is the straightforward elements of songs like “Fighting Fires,” the alt-country influences of “Love Will Follow,” or the catchy and tricky technology-based hooks of “Difference,” the album possesses an addictive additive that will leave you not only with cravings, but diabetes. There is something buried in the mix for everyone. “End is Coming” somehow reminds me of both Bush and martinis at a jazz bar at the same time. Other tracks could easily be marketed to fans of Manchester Orchestra, Explosions in the Sky, and Mae. The album makes moves faster than a cougar on a first date. With mass appeal and the ability to transcend genre lines, Tread Lightly should have no issue finding its way into the hands of the right people.
In my humble opinion, the key track on this beautiful album is “’54-’55.” Sparkling with computerized noise blended with haunting and heart-shattering vocals over simple guitar and chimes highlights an element of songwriting often associated with an international element of the industry. Though the lyrics and music cut out about halfway through the track before shifting and sputtering into electronic noise for the better portion of two minutes, the song manages to mirror elements of song composition that the likes of Sigur Ros or Radiohead might attempt. If I do say so myself, that’s pretty good company to be associated with.
But you don’t have to take my word for it—the mixes speak for themselves. If you can spin this album once and tell me it hasn’t moved you, I’ll buy you a beer at the next show we attend. I believe that strongly in this release.
You should too, Kansas City. It has the potential to put your beautiful music scene back on the map, Vagrant Records style.
We Are Voices is The Deli KC’s December artist of the month! The band includes:
Lucas Larson – vocals, guitar, piano
Eric Baldwin – bass, vocals, piano
Joshua Greenlee – drums, percussion
Carson Land – guitars, vocals, synth, aux
–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. |
NYC
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On The Beat with Ryan Shank
(Photo by Michael Byars)
Ryan Shank has been a member of three important and stylistically diverse KC bands: The Golden Republic, Roman Numerals, and Be/Non. We get a chance to talk with him before he reunites with The Golden Republic for a special New Year’s Eve show. Catch the beat right here!
–Michelle Bacon
On The Beat is an exclusive feature from The Deli Magazine-Kansas City that showcases many of the talented drummers in the Kansas City area.
Philadelphia
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Announcing Rock to the Future’s Inaugural Rock n’ Bowl!
We wanted to let you know about a fun event happening on Friday, December 28 hosted by Rock to the Future that will be a benefit for their comprehensive music education program for at-risk Philadelphia youth. It’s RttF’s inaugural Rock n’ Bowl where you can enjoy 2 hours (8pm – 10pm) of unlimited bowling (which includes free shoe rental), pizza and beer (soft drinks and wine will also be available) provided by Pep Bowl, Pizza Brain and Yards Brewing Company. And even if you don’t like to bowl, you can still come stuff your face with plenty of delicious slices and booze. Definitely sounds like a great time to us! For more info and to purchase tickets, please go HERE.
Philadelphia
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Cousin Brian Tour Kickoff at Hong Kong Garden Dec. 15
This evening’s early all-ages show at Hong Kong Garden will be the kickoff to Cousin Brian’s upcoming tour. The antagonistic four-piece dropped one of the most underrated local releases this year in their full-length First that is available via Mallrat Records, which was started by Slutever’s Nicole Snyder. While their debut LP is filled with infectious pop hooks that may inspire impromptu sing-alongs, there is no doubt when you see the unpredictable crew live that they are punx through and through. The show will also double as a release celebration for Skate Jawn’s 15th issue, and will be catered by Hoop Jones’ Fast Food Catering. Joining Cousin Brian on a packed bill are Slutever, Slow Animal, Trepanning, Vengeance and the Feral Dogs, Cold Foamers, and Bug Chasers. Hong Kong Garden, (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for more details.), 5pm, $5, All Ages – Q.D. Tran
Philadelphia
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Blacklisted Opening for Into Another at Union Transfer Dec. 15
Hardcore mainstays Blacklisted are more indebted to grunge than any newcomer to their music would expect. They use it to craft frantic yet accessible songs that bridge the spectrum of hardcore and punk. Their latest studio release "So You Are A Magician?" comes courtesy once more of Six Feet Under Records and kicks just as much ass as we’ve grown accustomed to from these guys. Tonight will see them going head to head with openers, the equally-stories Into Another, Primitive Weapons and Gypsy. – Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8:30pm, $15 – $16, All Ages – Alyssa Greenberg
L.A.
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SO MANY WIZARDS: Video “I Like it Here”
Watch this newly released video for So Many Wizards‘ song, “I Like it Here,” off their latest album Warm Nothing, which was released this summer on JAXART Records. The video was directed by multi-talented local artist, Walt Gorecki of Walt! Productions. Sit back and enjoy the ride as the guys take you on a magical journey through the clouds and beyond. – Jacqueline Caruso
NYC
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All Ages Venue ‘9th & Beats’ Opens Doors in DC
(by Natan Press) I saw two things I had never seen before at Wednesday night’s soft open for 9th and Beats, in the Old Dominion Brewhouse at 1219 9th St. NW. I had never seen a sushi bar in a sports bar. I was pretty excited about it, but not as excited as I was when I walked into yet another, much larger room, beyond the sushi bar, and witnessed the miracle of a music venue being born.
It was, apparently, a long labor (as those things go). For the previous 48 hours, Dave Mann and partners Rachel Eisley and Greg Roth, along with a cadre of volunteers, worked non-stop to get the room ready for those of us too impatient to wait until January (when their plans will truly come to fruition). A stage was built, PA’s were procured, and the room was (sort of) made ready for show-time; all for a grand total of $2500. This might not strike some as very promising, and, at this point there’s not much to write regarding the décor. That will soon change. The stage will be extended, the floor renovated, two projectors added, and the space will likely look fantastically unique. –Check out the rest of the review here…
(Pic above of The Sea Life performing at 9th and Beats.)