New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
"If you know me, you know that I like nothing more than a high energy hip hop song that I can blare in my car with the windows rolled down. A-Class’ newest song "Polarcaps" (an unreleased track from his Deathsuit EP) is an excellent addition to the portfolio of this Baltimore based hip-hop artist. Turn it up; blow your speakers out." -Karl Dobias
It’s been a bit quiet in the Creepoid camp lately with only a handful of shows in the last few months. However, all that is about to change with the return of guitarist Pete Joe Urban from San Antonio, TX, where he’s been living for the last year while his girlfriend finished up her graduate studies. The band has also returned to its original four-piece lineup with the amicable departure of lap steel guitarist Jeff White. Creepoid has a new self-titled album that is due out this summer, but you can hear some of the new tunes tonight when the group opens for Seattle’s Night Beats. Also on the bill are Philly’s own noisy acid rockers Harsh Vibes. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Alexis V.
Imagine Saves the Day mixed with Tigers Jaw and Transit; Long Island’s State Lines sound like a smooth Indie/Punk blend of the three, but also with their own kick. Formed in 2010, their raw, rustic turns and sharp edges combined with the raspy vocals of singer/songwriter Jonathan Dimitri keep them on the frontlines of today’s LI scene. They even dress for the part, hoodies and all! They just recently released their sophomore full-length album titled “For The Boats” via Tiny Engines. You can listen to "Linger below" and three other new songs from the album here, and see them live at NYU’s Strawberry Festival this Friday May 10 with Mission of Burma. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
We blogged a few months ago about emerging NYC band Drowners, a quartet that can count on a fair amount of flair both in the songwriting and looks department – we love pictures that remind us of those black wearing bands from the late 70s – early 80s, you can’t go wrong with that!
From a quick glance at their Facebook "about us" page, it seems like a bunch of industry people have already taken notice – and action: Frenchkiss Records is mentioned as one of their labels, together with The Agency Group booking, while Tell All Your Friends’ top dog Kip Kouri is their publicist. That’s a team that can take this Morrisey influenced quartet places, so keep an ear on them. Check out their recent video for "Long Hair" here – mp3 streaming below. If The Smiths have a special place in your heart, you should check them out live when they headline Pianos on May 8th.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
It’s the first Tuesday of May, and that means it’s the beginning of a new cycle for Tuesday Tune-Out at PhilaMOCA. This month Philly-based music blog YVYNYL (a.k.a. Mark Schoneveld) will be curating the series. While Schoneveld has recently decided to take a break from blogging for life reasons, his passion for music will always go way beyond any website. Tonight YVYNYL will be bringing you a doubleheader that will start off with the infectious jangly indie pop of Austin transplants Literature and closing out the music portion of the evening is the emotive noise-pop project from Everyone Everywhere’s Matt Scottoline, Hurry. There will also be the screening of a “secret” film that Scottoline has chosen so you’ll just have to show up to find out what it is. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $5, All Ages (Hurry Photo by Allison Newbold) – H.M. Kauffman
San Francisco based rock band, Cool Ghouls have just released a new music video. The video highlights the band’s uber optimistic, vegan pop track, Natural Life from Cool Ghouls’ debut self titled LP which has been released on cassette today, through Burger Records.
Cool Ghouls also perform tonight at Brick and Morter Music Hall, and will continue to play live throughout the Northwest this spring.
Cool Ghouls – Natural Life from Robert Thomas on Vimeo.
TOUR DATES:
5-7 San Francisco, CA – Brick and Mortar (Woodshoppe Presents)
5-15 San Francisco, CA – The Depot w/ FUZZ (Ty Segall + Charles Moothart)
6-2 Portland, OR – The Know
6-3 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
6-5 Santa Rosa, CA – House Show
6-6 Santa Cruz, CA – Jury Room
6-7 Fullerton, CA – Burger Records
6-8 Los Angeles, CA – The Smell
7-13 San Francisco, CA – Phono Del Sol Festival
8-3 San Francisco, CA – San Frandelic Psych Fest
(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
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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. |
Tiny Horse "Ride" from Jetpack Pictures on Vimeo.
This Saturday, May 11, Drek will appear at The Roxy in Overland Park with Mad Libby, Unwritten Rulz and Cronus for a fundraiser for a girl named Izzy, who is battling leukemia. Facebook event page.
–Cassiopia "KC Cassi" DeMars
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KC Cassi believes that with true local music support, you can do great things. I grew up somewhere that way and have been in Kansas City since 2005. Music can change the world and support can help spread the jams. |
A packed house came out of nowhere last night as the Satellite played host to Los Angeles based duo PYYRAMIDS, musical project of (OK Go’s) Tim Nordwind and Drea Smith (formerly of He Say, She Say). PYYRAMIDS’ latest musical offering “Brightest Darkest Day” is, as the name may suggest, a sweet-sour mix of grungy/moody 90’s reminiscent rock buoyed by sultry-sweet highlights betraying what is, ultimately, a smart little pop album. I went in to the show wondering if they’d be able to match the oh-so-sharp production of their album – and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. Noticeably, there weren’t any visuals or fancy light displays – but they weren’t overly missed. A cool, confident stage presence was set against a snare-drum tight sound – betraying an undoubtedly serious practice regimen. Nordwind, bespectacled as ever, hopped and swayed with his guitar while Smith kept her feet planted – coolly standing vigil at her mic-stand she rarely let venture more than a few inches away. The regular motley crowd at the Satellite served as a visual metaphor for the set’s undulating tone – one minute swaying slowly, the next thinking about dancing but (correctly) deciding to just bounce in place. In all fairness, the occasional dance-happy hipster may have been excused: PYYRAMIDS put on a dang great show. Armed with great songs and serious musical chops, they kept me and a room full of fellow East-siders happily rapt in cocoons of moody pop-rock for the 40-ish minutes of their set. Driven by Nordwind’s guitar and held aloft by Smith’s raspy, honeyed voice, they are a definite must-see when they come to your local corner of the universe. – Leslie Andrew Ridings
We first blogged about Brooklyn psych rockers Cardboard a few weeks ago, here’s their latest video for the single "Card", which will surely arouse the interest of those who are in love with the LSD infused scene launched by London’s UFO Club in the late 60s.
The Oarsmen have accomplished a lot since forming last September. They’ve released an outstanding EP, Easel, and recorded their debut album coming later this year via Tandem Shop. Now they are trying raised enough funds to purchase a van to help them take their sound national. The campaign ends on May 13th so go and chip in today.
You can catch The Oarsmen at Schubas on May 22nd.
“Dying to Start Again” (streaming below) is the latest single by Brooklyn newcomers Lovelife and it’s all about second chances. As those types of songs go, it’s lyrically a tad mopey. You want her back… you wish you could start again. We get it. The reason why this song actually works so well is because it’s musically quite evocative. From the pong-like synth loops to the slow-creeping beat to the heavenly falsetto vocals, you get the sense that, despite the singer’s sadness, the whole experience was worth every effort. That’s wisdom, yo.- See the band at Irving Plaza on 05.09 with Gold Fields and Capital Cities. – Brian Chidester
