I’m a sucker for stuff like this. Emotional doods, on top of tight grooves. For Brooklyn’s Isadora, that’s the way it goes. Fave track ‘Barcelona’ (only slightly ahead of ’21 1/2′) details some difficult experiences (and several types of lizards), but the slick feel will carry you away even before you’ve realized the weight of some of the material. It’s a balance hard to effect, and makes the band all the more necessary. Check out their latest and see the group live when they release their debut EP at Glasslands on Fri, Feb 22. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
NYC
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The Pine Hollows Play The Sidewalk Cafe 2.13
He might be fresh on the music scene, but Gianni Napolitano and his rotating group of musicians, The Pine Hollows, have the distinguished sound of a band that’s been around for ages. There is a warmth and familiarity to Napolitano’s voice that is reminiscent of early John Lennon. Their debut album, “The Pine Hollows” is filled with upbeat tunes comprised of easy rock riffs and vintage melodies. Standout tracks include the slightly slower-paced “Morning Sunrise” and “I Just Want to Tell You” which sounds as if it was recorded decades ago. Look for their sophomore album, “Something My Heart Understands” which is set to be released February 26, 2013, and catch them at The Sidewalk Cafe on 2.13. – Jen Mergott
NYC
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Brooklyn’s Battle of the Boroughs Finalists
Friday February 1, WNYC brought to the stage 14 Brooklyn bands to kick off the 4 th annual “Battle of the Boroughs,” during which each band performed one song live on air to garner fan votes to elect them into the next round of online voting. Each borough will be whittled down to finalists who are set to perform at the Apollo Theater on June 21 for the ultimate showdown between the winners from individual boroughs. Ranging from solo artists to bands of 18 members, the handpicked bands showcased the versatility that New York embraces and played to a panel made up of Alicia Olatuja, John Sinclair, and Wes Jackson; between sets, one band member was also interviewed by Terrance McKnight. The results are in and the final voting round from Brooklyn include trombone- heavy electro instrumental group, Super Hi Fi, progressive rock, Er-hu-led The Hsu-nami, ghostlike and improvisational Dollshot, and rhythmic infused spoken word group, Yes Noyes, and swingy and sultry Victor V. Gurbo & Co. You can vote here to select the band that will continue on to the final battle! – Meijin Bruttomesso
Philadelphia
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Cheers Elephant Making Plays at JB’s Feb. 6
The percussion has that casual snap and pop that makes your head nod like you’re giving an affirmation or an answer that comes so easily it seems instinctive. The bass lines are like offensive lineman creating pathways in space at the point of sonic attack. Cheers Elephant is a multi-faceted quartet, a team of musicians that make it happen because the go-to plays are executed at a veteran level. The vocals are crisp, harmonies where individual voices blend so well that one wonders how they were ever apart. The groove gets your heart rate and hips synched up, and then just as a matter of balance, the guitar has that way of running so smooth that you forget how fast it can go. Cheers Elephant has a retro sound, but more accurately it’s a quality refined one that comes from an understanding of what makes the plays work. They will be headlining the show tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, which also features The Explorers Club, a South Carolina, pop-rock group that also embraces the elements of harmonious retro rock, and the psychedelic-tinged Americana of locals Honeychurch. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Austin
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Review – “II” by Digital Antique
Though Digital Antique has been labeled "instrumental indie rock", we’ll call BS on that after enjoying their latest, the succinctly-named, but richly-appointed, "II".
Sparkling with cinematastique-flavored instrumentation and gestures, it bears the "Soundtrack" tag with some degree of accuracy, though we’d more likely pigeon-hole this one in the "chill" genre – there’s some fine rockeresque instrumentation in there – then try to strip away the electronica connotation. Is there such a thing as Dramatic Chill? Probably not, but if so, Digital Antique would own it with "II".
L.A.
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Stream: LA Font, “Onshore”
Echo Park Indie Rock quartet, LA Font, have released the first single off their sophomore LP, ‘Diving Man’, due out later this year. “Onshore” showcases the best the band has to offer. Frontman Danny Bobbe’s playful, yet poetic lyrics are captivating and catchy. His unique vocal delivery comes off as if he doesn’t care if anyone’s listening, but he knows that we are. He’s that rare breed of clever, charismatic and cool – he knows how to write a hook, and he’ll actually entertain you while he performs it. When you add Jon Perry’s immensely addicting guitar wails, Greg Katz’s pristine, driving bass line, and Harlow Rodriguez’s tasteful percussion elements, it’s obvious this is one radio-friendly rock tune that even mainstream haters will want to turn up with their windows down. Besides, when was the last time you heard references to Kevin Costner and Leo Dicaprio in the same song? – Jacqueline Caruso
NYC
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Mothersday Release New Tracks
With March 1 slated as the release date for their album Tree Houses, Baltimore’s experimental pop Mothersday have unveiled some pretty striking compositions on their soundcloud that are an absolute must listen for fans of impecable lush and drone. Give "Champion" a listen below and simmer in humming bass. Then go check them out live at the Sidebar in Baltimore on 3/12/13. –Dawn
Nashville
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The Wild Feathers Kick Off February Residency At the High Watt
Though you may have heard of The Wild Feathers only recently, the four piece is not new to the music business. In addition to hitting stages with the likes of Paul Simon, Delta Spirit, and Surfer Blood, the band has been signed to Interscope, dropped from Interscope, and signed again with Warner Bros. Records. And they haven’t even released their debut record yet.
Forming with the sole intention of starting a new band, the evolution of The Wild Feathers was fortunate but it was not accidental, and their backstory is as organic as their sound. Hailing from disparate corners of the South as well as eclectic backgrounds in music, Joel King, Ricky Young, Taylor Burns, and Preston Wimberly came together in Austin in 2010. "I wish we had, like, some breakthrough story. We’re not a new band, but everybody’s kind of been around for a little bit and knows how to work it so it’s helped out," says King. Having paid their dues in various musical outfits throughout the years, to the untrained eye, it seems that The Wild Feathers have been granted permission to jump the line, but in reality, they’ve simply learned to navigate it.
Overlapping the grit of rock n’ roll with an Americana twang, it makes sense that The Wild Feathers have found a home in Nashville. Embraced immediately by new and old friends within the community, you’re as likely to find King and his bandmates supporting their fellow musicians at a show as you are to find them in the studio, recording background vocals for Butch Walker‘s new album. "It makes your band better when you’re around other people who are real progressive and doin’ it up. It makes you want to step it up."
Wednesday night, The Wild Feathers will kick off their month-long residency over at The High Watt. Billed as "Feathers and Friends," the band will take the stage with a revolving door of guests each Wednesday throughout the month of February. And, to keep things interesting, the band has a few surprises up their sleeve.
The release of the band’s eponymous debut album is set tentatively for June, but you can hear the songs tomorrow night at The High Watt, starting at 8 pm. For more details on the event, click here. –Brianne Turner
Chicago
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Psychic Twin “Strangers”
Erin Fein, Brett Sanderson, Jonny Sommer (aka Psychic Twin) are preparing to release a new 7" single called "Strangers" via Polyvinyl on March 5th. There will be a video for "Strangers" coming in the next month.
Psychic Twin plays a lush and beautiful brand of electro-dream-pop and will be performing tomorrow night, Feb. 6th, at The Burlington.
NYC
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Ticket Giveaway: Crash Boom Bang @ 9:30 Club 2/9
It’s a quadruple showcase of locals this Saturday at the 9:30 Club, with NoVa’s pop rockers Crash Boom Bang headlining and unveiling their new music video for the track "Save Me." Also joining them are DC electro hip-hop act ELIM, the unique soul infused dance project from DC’s Adam E., and DC’s Best of 2012 Emerging Artists submission winner Dance For the Dying.
And 9:30 Club wants to make sure you are there to dance your ass off to some killer local music. All you have to do is email us by 12 noon on Friday 2/8 and let us know what your favorite song is from any of the artists hitting that stage. Please include your first and last name for guest list requirements. The winner will be emailed back to confirm. Don’t wanna risk missing out? There’s still time to buy tickets before they sell out here! (photo by Jessica Edwards.)
Philadelphia
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Photo Recap: DRGN King Record Release Show w/Dangerous Ponies, Walking Shapes & Idle Idols at PhilaMOCA
This past Saturday, it was a full house at PhilaMOCA for DRGN King’s Record Release Show. You had a chance to hear the five-piece’s genre-hopping tunes come to life as the band prepares to hit the road in support of their debut album Paragraph Nights, which includes the rite of passage trek to SXSW where they’ll be performing at one of the Deli showcases, and we’re sure others as well. The evening also found Dangerous Ponies bringing the crowd and their fans into the usual joyous frenzy, NYC’s Walking Shapes showed off why they’ll be a great fit with DRGN King as the bands get ready for their tour together, and Idle Idols proved to be another young, local band to keep your eye on. We have some photos from the fun night that you can view HERE. (Photo by Brandi Lukas)
Austin
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Review – “FOR SALE” by East Cameron Folkcore
East Cameron Folkcore has been gathering critical praise with their wide-open folk-based releases since day 1, busting out of the gate with "Sound & Fury", then raising the bar with last year’s "The Sun also Rises". Though famously accused of "thoughtful protest songs", these 11 dudes and dudettes provide nothing if not a full sound; rich in melody, chordage, instrumentation, and lyrical content.
So you’ll be happy to hear their latest, "FOR SALE", just out today, continues their fine tradition. From the gothic discontent of "Robin Hoods Rise" to the emotive "take me home" of "Salinger’s Dead" to the fiery conviction of "Enemy of the Times" and passionate unresolved resolution in "Director’s Cut", this collection ups the ante on what passes for Folk.
East Cameron Folkcore create the kind of music that may seem strangely intimate on first listen, but it begs to be experienced in all its shaggy glory with hundreds of your closest, drunkest friends. Blues and punk got married, and we’re all invited.
Don’t miss the FOR SALE release party on February 8 at the Scottish Rite Theatre. But pick up the CD early so you can shout along.