NYC

From the Open Blog: Dead Professional to Play IOTA 4/25

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€œ"I’ve got nothing to hide behind,"€ goes the opening line of one of Dead Professional‘€™s wry, Nick Lowe-esque alt-pop songs. And indeed what you hear is what you get throughout all of this VA-based one-man band’€™s work. The soulful vocals and old-school simplicity of the songwriting are boldly underlined by brutally stark arrangements (usually just vocals, guitar and a simple drum machine). But while the songs may be short and the arrangements lean, they can pack a surprising emotional punch.

Dead Professional will be at Iota in Arlington on Thursday April 25th.

(as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

 

Dead Professional – "Don’t Be Cruel"

NYC

From the Open Blog: Fiction 20 Down New Album out 4/30

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The Baltimore based alt rock/hip-hop quintet Fiction 20 Down have come a long way since the inception of the band in 2010. Boasting a repertoire of 2 EPs and several music videos, the band shows no signs of slowing down with the announcement of a new full length album, Where€’s The Levity? and an East Coast tour. Set for release on April 30th, 2013, the album will be made available as a free download to fans via the Fiction 20 Down website.

(as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here).

Fiction 20 Down – "Down Like Hip Hop"

NYC

We Are The Wilderness announces debut LP + releases video

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Shanda Woods exists in two different places at once. There’s the realist: a character that wears the hard-bitten reality of hometown Brooklyn in her comforting soprano. At the same time, all of this is pumped through an electro rock blur that wraps an artificial atmosphere around her charged energy. One half of We Are The Wilderness, latest video ‘Just For Now’ (song streaming below) plays with these alternating realities by placing Shanda as a coin-collecting, body-suit wearing heroine in an adventure that needs to be seen to be believed. All part of upcoming record ‘Descending From Paramount,’ slated for May. Perfect for any fan of boundary-breaking soul… or of old-school video games. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This track was added to our SoundCloud playlist of "mellow" emerging NYC artists here.

Philadelphia

FESTIVUS MAXIMUS Making Time at Voyeur April 12

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Dave P and the Making Time crew have put together their own mini-festival tonight at Voyeur. Featured this evening will be Making Time alums Delorean, buzzing R&B/electro-pop artist Autre Ne Veut (a.k.a. Arthur Ashin), Canadian art-popster Doldrums (a.k.a. Airick Woodhead), and barely-legal-to-drink-in-the-U.S., Montreal house producer Jacques Greene. Bang for the buck – you can’t really go wrong with this hyper-rager! Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., 9pm, $12 adv/$15 door, 21+ – Alexis V.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Clover” – Bad Braids

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Ugh…where did all the sunshine go? Well, we were reminded in our interview yesterday with On the Water’s Fletcher VanVliet that one of the most promising folk acts in Philly, Bad Braids, a.k.a. Megan Biscieglia, has a new record entitled Supreme Parallel coming out this spring on May 1 via Haute Magie. The Austin indie label recently shared a new track from the album called “Clover,” which we thought might be appropriate to bring a little hope to you on this dreary day. 

L.A.

Stream: Touché, “I’m A Man Not A Machine”

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Touché, the duo of Alex Lilly and Bram Inscore, create electro pop that touches on both the dreamy and the danceable. Deliciously synth-heavy, beat driven pop tunes with just the right amount of winking and nodding to ensure you’re having a good time, their debut LP It’s Fate is set for release May 1. With a string of tour dates supporting Twin Shadow, the buzz is sure to be high leading up to their glorious hometown return at The Fonda on June 29. Having just had the pleasure of catching their live set at the Echoplex on Monday, this is certainly a duo to watch. Their light-hearted, quirky showmanship belies the intricate and inspired craftsmanship that is required to pull off a project that could easily become campy or stale. The single, “I’m A Man Not A Machine,” is a clear standout with just the right amount of referential stylings and one of the best hooks that have come across our desks this year. Stream the track below and catch them if you can at what are sure to be sold out shows at the Echoplex May 10 or The Fonda June 29. – Jacqueline Caruso

Chicago

On An On “Panic”

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On An On have released another track from their debut album Give In which was released back in January via Roll Call Records. The band will be touring relentlessly for the next two months, but current do not have any local shows scheduled.

Chicago

Concert Review: Facing Winter & Steph Yeager

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Sometimes the best shows are the ones you expect the least of. A small garage in the far Western Suburbs, 20 people gathered around Justin Birchard and Jeff Goluszka of Facing Winter, acoustic guitar and wooden bongo, the night began. Facing Winter has been around for several years, but I had never seen them perform. They released their latest ep, Opt Out, last fall, and now I was at their home/recording studio/concert venue. The stripped down set featured several new songs, and was the perfect way to start the evening.

Steph Yeager, celebrating the physical release of her debut album, took stage next. Facing Winter’s label 7SidedRecords released Campfire Songs so it seemed fitting that they would host the release. Steph’s set was energetic and wild featuring contributions from members of Facing Winter and others on several songs. The highlights of the set were a passionate version of Radiohead’s "Creep" and a foot-stompin’ version of Steph’s own "Western Sky".

It was an intimate setting for a big sound, and wonderful homecoming for a talent musician.

San Francisco

The Asteroid # 4 Plays First Official Show in the Bay Area TONIGHT – Brick and Mortar Music Hall 4/11

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Newly relocated San Francisco based neo psych veterans, The Asteroid #4 will be playing their first official show in the Bay Area tonight at Brick and Mortar Music Hall! The Asteroid #4 will be headlining an amazing local line up which includes: Cellar Doors, The Spyrals, and Mammoth Life. All of these bands have strong psych and alternative sounds, and their music will flow into each other as the night progresses. If the bands don’t completely drive you to the show tonight, check out Joel Gion, longtime member of The Brian Jonestown Massacre DJing between sets.

This is a show we’re really excited about and highly recommend you attend. For more details about the event, click here.

Austin

Interview with The Awkward Robot

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There isn’t anything “awkward” about Awkward Robot, but their music is just as quirky as their name. These Austin indie poppers break out the banjo, uke, and old school synth sounds frequently in their lighthearted, danceable tracks.  We had the chance to ask frontman Jason Martins a few questions, which you can read here.