"If The Police grew up on Fugazi and sang more about the financial crisis." This is how Brooklyn-based Appomattox describes their post-punk brand, which has stormed the NYC scene with one of the best live shows in town. The band’s unique take on the enormously influential punk rock genre is invigorating, and that’s just scratching the surface. The band is set to release their new EP ‘3Against2’ later this summer and will be playing Big Snow Buffalo Lodge on June 1st with Grass Is Green, Ovlov, and Miniboone. Check out the single ‘Radiator’ – from the upcoming EP – streaming below. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
Below is a new music video from Has-Lo for the track "Hindsight," off 2011’s remix album Conversation B. It was produced by Mello Music Group’s Apollo Brown. The original track is called "Limit," and appears on Has-Lo’s concept LP In Case I Don’t Make It.
For the band that loves all of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods, they seem to hold a special place in their heart for good old Billyburg. I can relate. Bridges and Powerlines’ latest video for their single ‘Williamsburg’ showcases a solitary biker going through streets, scenes of band rehearsals, and all things kaleidoscopic for an animated nocturnal adventure that finds the band at their most rocking and anthem-tastic. Check out the single ‘Greenpoint’ below, and grab the record ‘Better,’ just released last week. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
A veteran of the scene, New York based songwriter Marla Mase has been added to the bill of the annual local performance arts festival, Central Park Summerstage 2013. Other artists performing at this outdoor NYC series comprise music legends like The Zombies, Dead Prez and Rakim. She has recently received acclaim for her performance art concert experience entitled “Speak” (you can stream the entire record here), which combines dance choreography with the songs from her 2013 release, “Speak Deluxe”. Mase’s latest album is a compilation of songs that examine the oppression of women, while the live show features seven dancers who act out the series of the her musical vignettes.
Marla Mase’s will be performing “Speak” on June 15th, 2013 at Herbert Von King Park. If you cannot make that, you can catch her performing again at The East River Park on August 17th. Both concerts are free admission. – Jordannah Elizabeth
Market East’s new EP Children of Summer appropriately dropped yesterday. You can stream the album in its entirety below. The acoustic trio will be celebrating the record’s release on Saturday, June 8 at MilkBoy Philly with Joey Sweeney and The Long Hair Arkestra, Night Panther, Mohican and Former Belle.
Static Mountain enters Kung Fu Necktie this evening amid a flurry of activity. The quartet’s freshly released eponymous debut touches on a variety of musical directions from casual harmony-infused pop-rock to heavier, uptempo fuzzed-out guitar licks that give off a psychedelic grungy vibe. The band (which includes former Lightninging members Matt Williams and Greg Foran) seems to generate polished steady rockers that have a tendency to escalate toward high velocity. Static Mountain will be joined by hard-hitting trio Hound, whose addictively heavy aggression-laced garage rock is a runaway train of power and snarly attitude. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Hop Along, fresh off a victory lap from the recording of their debut album Get Disowned, are opening for cerebral pop-punk powerhouses The Thermals at Union Transfer tonight, along with jangly, exuberant newcomers Cayetana. Anyone who’s been following the trajectory of Frances Quinlan et al knows that the trio has a few styles to their name – power-folk, punk riffs, heart-rending anthemics. Get Disowned finds Hop Along throwing each of their trademark sounds up to 11, all while keeping anchored in the bruising, heart-on-sleeve quality with which they began. Cayetana, who share much of Hop Along’s immediacy and sunny-meets-pensive atmosphere, are a fitting companion, and of course, opening for The Thermals is no mean feat, one that comes with a fair measure of congratulations for the fledgling outfit who recently signed to Tiny Engines. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8:30pm, $15, 21+ – Alyssa Greenberg
Hidden City Festival 2013 kicks off in style with a nighttime block party inside the Eraserhood that features craft beer, food vendors (such as Dapper Dog, Spot Burger and Little Baby’s Ice Cream), and a dance party underneath the hopefully eventual spot of the proposed Reading Viaduct Park. While Brooklyn dance sensations Hank & Cupcakes should prove to be the main attraction, the hook-laden, electro grooves of City Rain will definitely be the perfect complement. The group is currently working on releasing a full-length album this fall/winter so you’re bound to hear some new material like their latest track “The Optimist.” The event will also feature music from New Sound Brass Band. Goldtex Building, 315 N. 12th St., 7PM, $10, All Ages – Bill McThrill
The 3rd Annual Sundrop Music & Arts Festival is back at The Fire. It kicked off yesterday, and you can enjoy some more daytime festivities today and tomorrow with free all-ages music showcases consisting of performances by local acts such as Juston Stens and The Get Real Gang, Satellite Hearts, Andrew Lipke, August John Lutz II, and many others as well as craft and food vendors. There will also be nighttime events that will conclude tomorrow evening with a tribute to Bob Dylan. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., (Please check the schedule for more info HERE), All Ages/21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Bevelers write the kind of quiet, soulful music that can draw even the most jaded listener into a peaceful daydream. Their minimal instrumentation, enchanting harmonies and endearing demeanor can silence any room and display a mature understanding of the nuances of acoustic music. This quality, in combination with the strength of their live performance has brought them recognition from Portland’s music community and lead them to the release of Be Your Own Creature, their full length debut. They’ll be celebrating the release this Saturday night at The Blue Monk alongside the indie-folk jams of Future Historians and Mike Coykendall’s prolific and original voice. Be there for what’s sure to be a stunning performance. -Benjamin Toledo
Released last year, Napoleon‘s accomplished debut album ‘Success’ was an emotive collection of spacious mid-tempo rockers and pretty indie folk ballads, expertly crafted at producer Kevin McMahon’s upstate studio, Marcata Recording. But not to be pigeonholed, their more recent releases- such as latest single "Moonlight"- have been tighter, more uptempo numbers. As frontman, Detroit native and former Harlem resident Julian Anderson explains to me, the group shares an ethos that each record should be a grand departure from the last. – The band will headline the indie stage at The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. 2013 (Best of Emerging Artist Fest) on June 8 at Spike Hill. Read Dean Van Nguyen’s interview with the band here.
The local venues are bursting at the seams with local talent this weekend, so if you’re looking for something to occupy your free time from the grind, then you’ve come to the right rundown.
Friday
If you want to hang with us tonight, get to the High Watt early because the visionaries over at OurVinyl have put together a showcase featuring Daniel Ellsworth & the Great Lakes and Sol Cat. The whole thing is being recorded, so wear your favorite dance pants or bring someone enough tall to hide behind. Show’s $5, doors are at 8:30, and the whole thing kicks off at 9.
In the same building but up the other staircase, you’ll find Night Beds and Tristen performing over in the Mercy Lounge. This one will cost you $10 with doors at 8 and the show at 9.
We told you earlier this week about Anna Haas’ Women Who Rock Nashville showcase, featuring Frances & the Foundation, Hot Mess Loves You, and Anna Haas & the Effect and now it’s happening tonight! Doors are at 8, show is at 9, cover is $10.
Over at the 5 Spot, there’s a four-band lineup, featuring Bear Cub, The Great Barrier Reefs, Andrew Leahey, and Levi Weaver. Bear Cub starts things off at 9 pm, so be sure to show up on time.
Stagolee is hosting their CD release party for The Latest Craze over at the Basement, and they’ve enlisted the help of The Weakenders, The Future, and William the Accountant. Get there at 9, $5 cover.
After you’ve finished making the rounds through the Friday night music circuit, get to the Stone Fox for the Nashville Pioneers Pep Rally, Part 2. La Force and Coach will be on deck to get people pumped about the forthcoming face-off between Lightning 100’s Wells Adams and Justin Hammel. The two local radio DJs will go head to head to find out who will represent Lightning 100 on Nashville’s official basketball team. The pep rally starts at 9 with a $5 cover at the door.
Saturday
Things are a little less crazy on Saturday because almost every musician in town will be at No Country for New Nashville‘s two-year anniversary party. Tomorrow night at the Basement, two(!) handfuls of Nashville’s best and brightest will cover selections from Beck’s Song Reader. From Daniel Ellsworth & the Great Lakes to Milktooth to Anna Haas, the lineup is stacked and the venue will be full. Currently set to perform are:
Anna Haas
Ben Elkins
Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes
Jared Corder
Milktooth
Park Chisolm
Steve Lee
& special guests
The show kicks off at 9 and tickets are $7 at the door.
If you’re looking for something a little more punk, head to Mercy Lounge. Most people will be there for out-of-towners Face To Face and Teenage Bottlerocket, but you’ll be there to catch the Joshua Black Wilkins set. Tickets are $20 and it looks like JBW is opening, so if you show up early, you’ve already gotten your money’s worth.
Happy Friday! Party responsibly, and have fun out there!
