Bike Thief and their anti-folk anthems seem to have appeared out of thin air. The group relocated to Portland last summer and has since been weaving complex and intimate songs at a handful of venues and working up to their debut release, Ghost of Providence. The release captures sounds of deterioration and rejuvenation through crooning vocals and stirring string movements nuanced by post-rock undertones and lyrical hooks. Songs range from the eerie ballads such as, Battles and Perfect Demise to folk rock gems like Ghost of Providence pt. 1 and Look Up culminating with Ghost of Providence pt. 2, a powerful and ethereal closer which helps to frame the collection and draws the album to a close. Ghost of Providence is now available for stream and download on Bike Thief’s bandcamp page. Check it out and keep an eye out for a release show in the coming months. – Benjamin Toledo
Preview: Girls In Suede Album Release w/ Wes Leslie, Of Shape & Sound, and Coast Jumper
Santa Rosa schizophrenic garage rockers Girls in Suede demand your attention. Just when you think you can juggle the music in their debut self-titled album, they’ll toss you another sound.
Aligning closest with alt rockers like early Chili Peppers and Modest Mouse, the band also nods to jazz, call-and-response, funk, prog, and old-fashioned garage punk. That’s a lot of nodding. Listen for angst-ridden screaming choruses, soulful saxophones, and guttural, fuzzed out guitars and basses that make up the album’s teenage anthemic colors.
Girls in Suede will be making their way down to Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco for their album release on Thursday, December 20th. Joining them will be locals Wes Leslie, Of Shape and Sound, and "post-schizoid" rockers Coast Jumper. Get your tickets here.
-Daveth
New to NYC: Brothertiger, live at Bowery Electric on 12.20 with Teeel
John Jagos (a/k/a Brothertiger) is a recent Brooklyn transplant from Athens, OH, where he wrought perfectly connived and joyfully-rendered electropop that drifts from yours speakers like a feather in the wind. “Bossa” is the latest Brothertiger offering, a sexy lo-fi synthpop number that evokes the joy of wanderlust whilst recalling the obtuse electro sound of Washed Out. Though not as fun as last year’s “Be Yourself,” hopefully “Bossa” is just a taste of what Jagos will do now that he’s landed in Hipsterville. See him live at Bowery Electric on December 20 with New Jersey electronica masters Teeel. – Brian Chidester
This song was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging electronic NYC artists here.
Song Sparrow Research at Cafe Racer 12/29
Playfully incorporating elements of jazz, folk, classical, rock, and pop, Seattle’s Song Sparrow Research achieves harmonic unity through subtlety. Their use of guitars, cello, upright bass, electric bass, synth, glockenspiel, various percussion instruments, and vocals mixes electric with acoustic for a dreamy indie-pop quality. Though this band tackles many different elements and noises, their music is anything but cluttered, each instrument calculated into the song to harmonize with the rest. Song Sparrow Research has their newest, self titled album available online for purchase both digitally and on 12" vinyl. You can catch their next show in Seattle at Cafe Racer on December 29th. -Lucy Sherman
Album of the Month: So Spirited “Patterns”
Patterns is the first LP (released Oct.’12) from the VA based indietronica artist So Spirited. It reminds me a little of M83’s earliest works before he went all hippy-dippy-sleepytime-lullaby-shit. Not to stray from the point, Patterns is 10 well crafted tracks of ambient glitchtasticness.
This is one of those rare albums where an entire listen through can be successfully achieved without hitting the next button. I was lost in a sea of synths, and loved every second of it. Tracks that highlighted that journey include "Myths", "SmokeSignal", and "WildLives."
I expect to hear a lot more from this artist in the coming year, and hope to see a residency for ’em at U Hall perhaps? –Dawn
Wild Cub Debut Video for “Thunder Clatter”
Wild Cub have released the video for their standout track, "Thunder Clatter," and the video is just as upbeat as the song itself. Shot at Farmland Studios and directed by Will Holland, the clip is more stripped down and organic than the song implies, but the energy never wavers, instead escalating throughout the video’s five minutes of electro-pop. With wine and a stacked percussion section, Wild Cub have created a music video of one jam session that you’re pissed you weren’t invited to. –Brianne Turner
First Annual XMAS FEST featuring local favorites
If you’re looking for an all-day, all-out, end of the year party showcasing every local band worth your time, money and sweat, then get tickets now for the First Annual XMAS FEST presented by underStory and Galaga 2331 at The Echo Country Outpost. With a full 12 hours of live music on 2 stages, catering by Lot 1 Cafe, Go Go Dancers, and a chance to snap a photo on Santa’s lap, this is also a fundraiser for the LA Mission and Toys for Tots. The lineup features an exhaustive list of local favorites including, Races, Gothic Tropic, Raw Geronimo, LA Font, Nick Diamonds, Tommy Santee Klaws, Voice on Tape, Tes Elations, Criminal Hygiene and The Janks. Check out the Facebook event for set times, and instructions on how to buy pre-sale tickets.While you’re at it, check out our playlist filled with the best songs from some of the bands on the lineup. – Jacqueline Caruso
Radiator Hospital Heading South of the Border (of Market St.) at Jose Pistola’s Dec. 12
While I’m sure Radiator Hospital will be winning over the hearts of many performing in makeshift spaces, it always piques my interest to hear about established businesses that rarely host shows – if ever. Well, that will be happening tonight at Jose Pistola’s when the Center City Mexican restaurant/bar opens their doors to an all-ages show featuring Sam Cook-Parrott, whose current incarnation of Radiator Hospital includes some of the venue’s kitchen staff. It will also mark the live performance debut of West Philly outfit Great Thunder. So if you have no interest in seeing Paul McCartney bastardize Nirvana tunes on national television this evening, this is your opportunity to take a stand, and support some local music. I’m sure that it will be greatly appreciated. Jose Pistola’s, 263 S. 15th St., 9:30pm, Free, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
The Bixby Knolls: Release Full Length Album, “Near & Undear”
Filled with sexy and sinister rock tunes that evoke the spirit of the classic rockers that came before them, Near & Undear is the full length release from locals, The Bixby Knolls. Each song on this record oozes through the speakers with an unnerving confidence. From the soulful swagger on “Runnin’ and Runnin’” to the abrasive shouts of “It’s All A Lie” to that in-your-face guitar on the closing track, “I Want It All.” The influences are obvious, but so is the intentionality behind it. (They began recording in 2010, with the full release this week, two years later.) This album leaves you unsettled, with a strong desire to throw back some whiskey, hop on a Harley and not look back. Stream the full album on the band’s Soundcloud. – Jacqueline Caruso
NYC artists on the rise: Sinkane plays Music Hall of W’burg on 12.13 with !!!
Sinkane is the creative force behind many exciting releases by Brooklyn bands who are flirting with Afrobeat. If you listen to Yeasayer at all, chances are you’ve already heard Ahmed Gallab’s distinct vocal and drumming feel. The Sudanese export (now home in New York) nods to many of the high life flavors of his past, while stretching his muse to the future by collaborating with many of our local trendsetters. From Twin Shadow, to James Murphy, Sinkane doesn’t just have his finger on the pulse, he is the man behind much of Brooklyn’s Ivory Coast obsessions. Now he’s set out on his own journey, and has carried his international roots over to his exciting second album, ‘Mars.’ His journey comes together in new single ‘Runnin’ (streaming below) where he brings a consciousness to the Sudanese people that’s desperately needed. See him when he plays – with band – at Music Hall of Williamsburg tomorrow night (12.13) with !!! – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
This single was added to our SoundCloud playlist of emerging NYC artists here.
Cold Fronts Keepin’ Ya Young at KFN Dec. 12
Tonight the steady rolling stuck-in-your-head pop-rock vehicle known as Cold Fronts makes a visit to Kung Fu Necktie. This group has that knack for building a comfortable energetic groove, utilizing a dual guitar front that weaves between chunky power chords and slick runs. A tightly connected bass-percussion combination is the starting block, which propels the music into perpetual motion, while the lyrics tap into universal youth exuberance, making their songs ready-made crowd pleasers. They’ll be joined on the bill by all-girl pop-punk Japanese quartet the Suzan and local trio Ton-Taun for the PBR-presented showcase. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita
New Video: “Freeway’s Manbeard Lotion Infomercial” – Freeway
Have you every wanted a thick, ass-getting beard, but you just aren’t able to grow one? Well, legendary facial hair grower and Philly spitter Freeway can change all that. Below is a far-from-politically-correct infomercial for his new manbeard facial sanitizer and activating lotion, which was produced by Eric’s World TV. Get ready to go "from poon 2 goon in 21 days"!