These days, I generally don’t get out much in the day because I’m usually writing and/or editing for a bunch of sites that I work for, except when I occasionally get a chance to meet friends for lunch. One of my pals (who is a gifted music producer that lives in the neighborhood) and I will take his newborn for a bite and a walk whenever it’s his turn to watch the kid while his wife is at work. (My girlfriend generally cracks up when I tell her that we had lunch because she imagines us looking like an interracial gay couple out for a stroll with our adopted or artificially inseminated child. I can see the humor in that.) Well, we occasionally meet up with his friend from a mommy/daddy playgroup, who also lives in the hood, and she happens to be the girlfriend of Matt Korvette (a.k.a. Matt Kosloff) from Pissed Jeans so it was a rather odd situation for me when I was preparing for my interview with him this week. We’ve never met, but I do know bits and pieces of his life that generally come up in casual conversation – the way things tend to do when people talk about their significant others. I do admit that I find the non-stereotypical (and sometimes mundane) things that he does in contrast to fronting a badass noise-punk rock band signed to Sub Pop like Pissed Jeans rather fascinating. So while doing research to put together my questions for our interview, it didn’t really appeal to me to make him re-explain the thought processes and meanings behind the songs on Pissed Jeans’ new album Honeys that have already been covered in multiple interviews lately. I did touch on a few music questions that I didn’t come across in the pieces about Matt and the band. However, I was really more interested in asking him more personal questions that probably have popped into my head while having lunch with his girlfriend and son, but unfortunately, he wasn’t around to answer. You can read my recent interview with Pissed Jeans’ Matt Korvette HERE.
New Music Video: “Optic Trends” – Work Drugs
Below is a new music video from Work Drugs for the track "Optic Trends." It’s the first single off their new EP Amore, which was release just in time to get you in the mood for some sweet, sweet lovin’ tonight.
Free Download: “One Night Stand” (Live) – The Homophones
Check out an awesome sounding live version of The Homophones’ "One Night Stand" that they just released and made available for free download for Valentine’s Day! It was recorded at a living room in Lafayette Hill. The band will be coming out of hiding soon with a couple shows in March. Yay! (Photo by Shadowscene)
Video Premiere: Loveskills’ “Flash in the Dark” + Release Party at Mercury on 02.15
Loveskills is a perfect marriage of sentimental indie pop and deep booty groove shaking. Because no matter how much stuff singer Richard Spitzer goes through each day, he always finds a way to bounce right back to the dance floor. And good for him. The latest video for ‘Flash in the Dark’ has him making his way to what’s probably the most awesomest club in heaven, all to the stop-start cadence of blank. It’s a perfect distillation of sentiment molding to wax. See Loveskills live at his release party at Mercury Lounge tomorrow night (Friday 02.15). First 50 people in the doors get a free 12". – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Steer Into the Storm w/Bleeding Rainbow at JB’s Feb. 14
When a musical duo doubles in size, listeners would naturally expect a bigger, more intricate sound. That’s exactly what bandmates/spouses Sarah Everton and Rob Garcia decided to do. The additions of Al Creedon and Greg Frantz for their third album, the recently released Yeah Right, have certainly rounded this duo turned quartet into form, and if Yeah Right is an indication of the decided path for their sonic evolution, then Bleeding Rainbow will be an intriguing group to follow. Right now, the group pushes Frantz’s heavy thumping percussion, and throws it in a pot with dueling distorted buzz-saw guitars building a thick, murky haze that isn’t just a musical atmosphere but also an attitude. Everton’s vocals often met with harmonies shine through like a guiding light among the fog; however, this is one storm you may want to steer into. The versatile Barrett Lindgren-fronted Ghost Light opens the evening adding a textured form of folk rock. Noise-pop outfit Pet Milk fall second in line with new lead singer Sarah Schimeneck. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Update: Here’s a new music video for "Waking Dream," which was directed by Sarah Everton. Bleading Rainbow will be heading on tour in April/May with Cave Singers.
Show recap: MidCoast Takeover Fundraiser #2 at Czar, 2.1.13
(All photos by Randy Pace)
The night was gently prodded into motion by the serene sounds of Eyelit. This more Civil-Wars-than-The-Civil-Wars duo skillfully bounced from tender folk ballad to ballad, much to the delight of the already large crowd. Backed by a group of varied instrumentalists, the songs were at their best when allowed to become luxuriant and a little more upbeat, while at the same time not detracting from the lovely simplicity of Dansare and Austin Mark’s constantly harmonized vocals.
–-Zach Hodson
|
Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until "Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings" begins production. He is also in Dolls on Fire and Drew Black & Dirty Electric, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects. |
Fletcher “Open Arms”
Forming in early 2012, Fletcher (Oscar and Harvey Baker and Tom Fry) are set to release their debut ep, Open Arms, on April 9th. Despite calling Chicago home, Fletcher plays a unique brand of Brit Pop thanks in part to the the Baker’s originating originating in England. The trio has been gaining buzz throughout the Midwest over the last year, and are hoping to gain much deserved national recognition with this release.
You can catch Fletcher at Martyrs’ on March 2nd, Elbo Room on March 15th, and at Subt on April 5th.
The Resolectrics and Steelhead CD Release Party at Mississippi Studios 2.15
A soulful night and rocking party is set for two bands to release new albums this Friday at Mississippi Studios. Portland jammers, The Resolectrics will headline the bill with their bluesy-reggae sound that always gets the crowd moving. The songs are based around flawless instrumental work, but they can sing some sweet harmonies as well. Electric guitar solos combined with easy Sunday morning piano choruses define their tone while surf rock rhythms explain what the band is all about. Providing complementary grooves will be Steelhead. Similar to The Resolectrics, this group is heavy in soul and can also carry a vocal tune that stretches into R&B. Behind these vocals is a pop rock undertone that blends a big city (from LA originally) force into laid-back, wintertime Portland songwriters. – Colin Hudson
Big Black Delta announces self-titled debut
Highland Park native Jonathan Bates, otherwise known by his moniker Big Black Delta, made quite a splash last year with IFUCKINGLOVEYOU, a psych-freakout whirlwind of raw, unfettered emotion that immediately caught your attention. Though quiet for the past few months, Bates has finally come out of the dark to unveil his long-awaited self-titled debut, which is set to release on April 9th. He’s also released the album’s first single "Side of the Road", in which a sleazy, glitched-out torrent of synths are nestled with a thumping melodic grime; though his vocals are processed to the nth degree, it’s in the chorus where he discloses a charm akin to the spoken word projection of David Byrne.
HORSEHANDS RELEASES “SIRS” EP
If you want to hear a good example of a category of music specific to the 21st century, and probably specific even to 2013, check out Horsehands’ “Sirs” EP. Rhythmically and melodically dense but with quick, upbeat songs and plucky guitar lines; “Sirs” doesn’t remind me of anything so much as music that’s coming out right now. The singer sounds to me like a bizarro-world David Bowie on Ziggy Stardust. If for no other reason, check out the album for the cool cover art, which is a picture of two men speed-walking away from a wall of lava that’s coming down the street. Picks include Ocho, Shirts and Skins, and A Spat. – Geoff Noble
The Deli Philly’s Best of 2012 Poll Top Performer: Work Drugs
New Music Video: “Novelty” – Catnaps
Here’s an adorable new prom-themed music video from Catnaps for the track "Novelty" that premiered today via Alter the Press. The song is off their latest EP Shuteye, which is available for free download or a generous donation HERE.