Some bands take time to build up speed choosing to methodically move from gear to gear before the moment comes to throw caution aside and see how well they can maneuver at high speeds. The Quelle Source appears to have an understanding of how to drive their musical vehicle, taking tight groove generating pop rock and stomping the accelerator to the floor. However, the force hasn’t compromised their thought-provoking lyrics delivered with an air of friendly confidence. The band continues to refine and tweak their sound, and those subtle tweaks have made them a high-performance music machine with the ability to ramp it up at a moments notice. Tonight they’ll open at Johnny Brenda’s for a pair of up-and-coming European artists. Dan Croll brings an electro pop-rock vibe that combines smooth vocals backed with bass-led percussive beats. Dublin’s Little Green Cars is headlining the show performing harmony-laden folk that ventures into a rocking frontier. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Speedy Ortiz announce Pringle Break
Whether your spring break was this week, or it starts next week, or maybe you just don’t have one because you no longer live in the fantasy lands of “high school” and “college” and have a real gundamn job, or you just aren’t ready to hear the term “spring break” because you’re still all partied out from SXSW – listen to some sage advice. If you’re working, not working, have class for 8 hours, laying in bed bemoaning last weekend: just stop. Spring break is a great excuse to have some awesome shows. Check out the lineup Speedy Ortiz has going for this weekend with plenty of locals and out-of-towners playing some righteous jams. – Hillary Anderson
3/21: WMUA 91.1 FM spring break show (amherst, ma) w/ Krill, Squarehead, Spelling Bee RSVP
3/22: Machines With Magnets (pawtucket, ri) w/ Radical Dads, Plates of Cake link
3/23: bs (allston, ma) w/ arvid noe, spelling bee, rad dads, plates of cake link
Steph Yeager “Campfire Sessions”
Chicago native and constant traveler, Steph Yeager has released her debut album Campfire Sessions. Steph calls her her sound "Root Music", and in a way it does break down both song and life to its roots. Campfire Sessions is a collection of songs that she has written and perfected over several years, and Steph finally had the opportunity to compile and record. The album was recorded at 7 Sided Studios A & B in West Chicago, IL and Villa Park, IL by Chris Shern and Justin Birchard. Shern and Birchard also contributed various elements to the album.
Aptly titled, Campfire Sessions will make you long for Western Skies at sunset, campfires with old friends, and the ability to find yourself in a the smallest and most inviting corners of the country.
Stream: Honeymoon, “Hail the Madmen”
A danceable psych-pop tune inspired by the homeless epidemic in our sunny city, “Hail the Madmen” is the first single from newbies, Honeymoon. Despite the heavy subject matter, this is a tune you want to blast rolling down Sunset with the top down. Layers of psychedelic synths swirl over funky bass lines and dreamy guitar licks allowing the conscious message to be an easy pill to swallow. This LA-by-way-of-Australia duo have been working on their debut full length over the past year, with an expected summer release. – Jacqueline Caruso
Intronaut release “Habitual Levitations”
Los Angeles prog metal outfit Intronaut always keep you in an addled state of unease, constantly counterpointing their intricate arrangements between ambling, burnished guitars and soaring melodic lines. "Sore Sight for Eyes" perfectly exemplifies this in how it seamlessly shifts from shock to bliss with its’ textured, multi-hued sections and outré time signatures, but it never comes off as forcefully technical. Their latest full-length, Habitual Levitations, was just released this week via Century Media Records.
From the NYC Open Blog: The Motor Tom plays Pianos on 03.30
A spanking new rock’n’roll band out of NYC (so new they don’t even have press shots!), The Motor Tom is for people who: take the subway; played videogames in the 90s; don’t get The Lumineers; like underpants (sic). They recently recorded some tracks with Gregory Lattimer (Albert Hammond Jr’s "Yours to Keep") at The Rumpus Room, which will be released on NowRecords in the late summer. You can catch The Motor Tom at Pianos on Sat, Mar 30, joined by New Beard, Hey Anna and Sky-Pony. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building.
Legs Releases New Video Entitled Two Colours From Upcoming Album Pass The Ringo Out On 4/23
Off kilter Oakland based indie pop ensemble, Legs has released a new single and music video called Two Colours. Two Colours is a mellow and jangly, Velvet Underground-esque sadcore track that is making way for the release of the band’s upcoming debut full length album, Pass The Ringo. We encourage you to follow this up and coming band as they play shows throughout the West Coast this Spring. Pass the Ringo is set for release on April 23rd on Loglady Records.
Legs – Two Colours from Loglady on Vimeo.
UPCOMING LEGS TOUR DATES:
3/24 San Francisco, CA @ The Knockout
4/26 Monterey, CA @ TBA
4/27 San Diego, CA @ Tin-Can Ale House
4/28 Los Angeles, CA @ Ham & Eggs
4/29 Merced, CA @ The Space
5/1 Olympia, WA @ Le Voyeur
5/2 Portland, OR @ TBA
5/3 Sacramento, CA @ TBA
5/4 Oakland, CA @ The Night Light
5/30 San Francisco, CA @ Knockout
Japan Soul debuts ‘Plastic Utopia’ from upcoming album
The music of Jason Paul has been through a lot of iterations since 2007 when he first started releasing material, so you really never know where he’s headed next. His most recent foray to soul-inflected rock is his new trio of producers/musicians Japan Soul also featuring Dave Lipp and David Rozner. If you could picture Bruce Springsteen getting signed to make an electronic record at DFA, you might come somewhere within the vicinity of the classic club treatment Jason gives to his warm saxes and vinyl grooves. Check out newest jam ‘Plastic Utopia’ below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Southern Garage Rockers Useless Eaters Play Two Shows in the Bay Area + US Tour Dates
Nashville by way of Memphis, Tennessee based garage rockers, Useless Eaters are playing two shows in the Bay Area to promote the release of their new album, Hypertension (Jeffery Drag Records). Seth Sutton, the band’s lead singer/ songwriter, and self proclaimed underground protege of the late Jay Reatard, has secured himself with a loyal cult following and will be performing live at Night Light in Oakland, CA on March 22nd and at Hemlock Tavern in San Francisco, CA on March 28th. The band’s new album was released on February 19th and can purchased at Jeffery Drag Records.com
Useless Eaters US Tour Dates
Mar 20th – San Diego, CA – Til Two Club*
Mar 21st – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex*
Mar 22nd – Oakland, CA – Night Light
Mar 24th – Boise, ID – Treefort Festival
Mar 25th – Portland, OR – Star Theater
Mar 26th – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
Mar 27th – Eugene, OR – Pork House
Mar 28th – San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern
Mar 30th – Los Angeles, CA – The Overpass
Apr 2nd – Denver, CO – Lost Lake
Apr 3rd – Lawrence, KS – Replay Lounge
Apr 4th – Springfield, MO – Highlife
Apr 5th – St. Louis, MO – CBGB
* w/ The Spits
SF Based Alt Jazz Band, Tin Cup Serenade Prepares to Release Second LP
San Francisco based alternative jazz band, Tin Cup Serenade is set to release their sophomore LP entitled, Tragic Songs of Hope (Tin Cup Productions) on April 23rd. This incredibly unique genre bending jazz band is said to have incorporated a melting pot of obscure American and Latin music genres like New Orleans Jazz, Calypso, Swing, Mariachi, ragtime, early Country, and traditional Cuban Music, which creates a very ecclectic and surprisingly Universal sound. You can catch Tin Cup Serenade playing live all throughout the Bay area.
Local Live Shows:
March 21st – The Rite Spot – San Francisco, CA
March 22nd – The Revolution Cafe – San Francisco, CA
EVERY FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAY
ERA art bar and lounge, Oakland, CA
Happy hour! 5:30-8:30
Free Energy: Rehearsal & Bowling Time!
New Track: “Downer Wave” – Harsh Vibes
Harsh Vibes just posted another ragin’ new track "Downer Wave" from their latest release Psychedelic Gin Blossoms. The band is also working on new tape that is currently scheduled to drop this spring via Dirty Pillows. You can catch Harsh Vibes performing live this Friday at Pi Lam. Enjoy!