It’s always a shame when a band decides to disband, but knowing the end is near can result in one helluva goodbye. On the heels of their newest EP, Forget About It, Catnaps will be performing their final show tonight at PhilaMOCA. The group started off playing around Philly and recording under the moniker When I Was 12, which seemed to be a fitting band name considering the oh-so-sweet twee tunes that they were churning out. However, they decided to change it in June 2011 after growing tired of being mistaken as a tween band. With their latest releases, the group began showing off a more aggressive sound that seemed to be a step in the right direction. Amidst heavy feedback and crashing symbols their songs still maintained a youthful electricity, a static shock that sometimes prompted impromptu dancing in front of bedroom mirrors (it can’t just be me, right?). Let’s properly put this kitty to bed! PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., $7 – $10, 7:30pm, All Ages – Shaylin O’Connell
NYC
Posted on:
Small Black releases video for “No Stranger” + plays Music Hall on 06.30
Here’s Small Black‘s new video for single "No Stranger" – is this nu new romanticism? The band will be hitting Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 30, at the end of a US tour that started a few days ago..
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band Live Set Available for Streaming
After paying homage to the Grateful Dead in a recent interview with the City Paper, it’s not surprising that Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band have been sharing the recordings of their live performances during the band’s residency at Ortlieb’s this month. Check out the jams from their set last week (6/13/13) streaming below, or just swing on by their show tomorrow night with local alien shredder Nick Millevoi opening for them. Special thanks to Sebastian Petsu for sharing the recordings. (Photo by Constance Mensh)
Update: You can also download the entire set, but you have to do it one song at a time.
Chicago
Posted on:
Gonzo Chicago Going Global
John Yingling is the force behind the incredible site Gonzo Chicago and has been dedicated to documenting the live music scene in Chicago since 2007. He recently launched a new project on Indiegogo called The World Underground. He is planning to launch a documentary series that attempt to document underground music from around the world. He has the first three episodes planned, China, Montana, & Chicago, and has big plans for the rest of the series.
Check out this exciting project and support John if possible.
NYC
Posted on:
The Dig releases “Tired Hearts” EP, tours + plays Knit on 07.12
We are long time fans of The Dig – we booked them at one of our CMJ shows a few years ago before they started touring – and it’s great to see them back with a new track that challenges their established sound. ‘Angeline’ (streaming below), from the new EP "Tired Hearts," in the production department is vaguely reminiscent of The Pixies’ slower tracks from their mature period – think ‘Velouria’ or ‘This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven,’ with big, open, surfy guitar chords drenched in reverb and almost whispered melody lines… except, this tune switches pace (but not necessarily atmosphere) around three quarters of the way. The other track from the EP, "Without your Love" confirms a conversion to a sound more open and psych. The band, currently touring the US, will be at The Knit on July 12.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
NYC
Posted on:
Raccoon Fighter plays 2 day residency at Cake Shop on June 20-21
Indie rockers Raccoon Fighter are set to hit the stage at Cake Shop for a 2 day residency dubbed "Summer Soulstice" that begins this Thursday, 6.20. Formed in 2010, the Brooklyn-based trio is propelled by a raw yet coercing sound that we experienced and enjoyed live in more than one occasion. Their songs range anywhere from Nirvana-esque grungy material to underground Indie fusion to upbeat, alternative rock, making for an entertaining and versatile listen. Mount Carmel, The Teen Age, and Punks On Mars will open for them on the 20th and The Denzels, Aloud, and Dead Stars on the 21st. Listen to the song “Dear Big City” below and check them out at the Cake Shop this week! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Alt Rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Light Heat Album Available for Streaming via The New York Times
Light Heat‘s new self-titled album is available for streaming now via The New York Times. It officially come out June 25, and they’ll be celebrating its arrival with a free in-store performance at AKA Music on the same day. If you can’t wait until then to see them live, Light heat will be opening for Tame Impala tomorrow night at the Electric Factory.
NYC
Posted on:
Nude Beach unveils new single “What Can Ya Do” + tours
Brooklyn rockers Nude Beach shared today the a-side from their upcoming 7" on Other Music, a rock and roll burner entitled "What Can Ya Do". They are also hitting the road this week for a string of dates ending with a show at The Knit on July 5th, and after that will be working on a new album.
NYC
Posted on:
Bleaker Street Cowboys (Free show at Rams Head Savage)
It’s time to celebrate America! A person with such refined taste in music such as you has to celebrate America with some real live Americana. You want that stripped down sound of clean analog devices on reel to reel tape because the band doesn’t need all the digital trickery; an energetic band with perfect harmonies and intricately woven guitars on the album and live. But where can you watch well done (yet oh so rare) American music while eating American burgers (well done or rare) and see old American buildings (well worn and rare) that encourage you to appreciate America’s history all at the same time? I was wondering the same thing, and I found an answer.
On July 6th (the Saturday after July 4th, after which your head will be full of patriotic Russian tunes for some reason), you can go to historic Savage Mill, Maryland (between DC and Baltimore, so all of our local readership can join in peace, love and music), where the guys from Rams Head have set up a frontier post/tavern by the old mill they call the Rams Head Tavern Savage (rawr). There, the night time will be the right time to watch the Bleaker Street Cowboys (featuring a super group of old country souls from Baltimore and beyond) play selections from their new album candidly titled New Songs for the Old Country Soul. The album “pays tribute to traditional C&W and to both American and British influenced early rock & roll. Borrowing from the great classic artists Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison and The Beatles 65, this new release is packed with big solid beats, tight vocal harmonies and stellar guitar picking that even James Burton and Scotty Moore would tip their hats to.” These guys are tight. Don’t miss it. The show is FREE! America! –Natan
Austin
Posted on:
Julandrew EP Release, Songs to Dream By 6/8/13, Local Show TBA
Julandrew, aka indie pop duo Julie and Andrew, has captivated me. I would listen to Julie Handy sing anything. Her voice alone is enough to hold my awe. Her other half, Andrew Phillip provides the instrumental everything to this dream set. Electric guitar, drums, what have you, he lays out the perfect wave of sound to carry Julie’s lovely voice from lyric to lyric.
I fell in love with Julandrew’s music from the first song, "Black Hole", where Julie’s dreamy "ooh’s" lull me into the mood of Songs to Dream By. When I reached "World Keeps Turning", I was officially a fan. The lyrics, the vocals, the instrumentals are all of fantastical quality. This is the type of music you listen to with your eyes closed, taking in every drop of sound. Download Songs to Dream By today and keep a look out for upcoming shows! —Written by Katy Glass
Philadelphia
Posted on:
The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Northern Arms
The fact that Northern Arms founding members Keith Peirce sang at the Bible Baptist Church of Christ Winter Recital as a youngster and Eric Bandel’s first concert was watching his mother perform with The Pocono Methodist Choir makes absolute sense to us. There songs sound confessional, hymnal and sacred. Northern Arms’ current lineup also consists of Travis Weissman, Jesse Short, Michael Tramontana, Heather Brann, and Mike Kennedy. They’ll be entering XPN’s studios for a Key Session this evening, and you can catch them live tomorrow night at Ortlieb’s. But first, check out our Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner interview with Peirce and Bandel HERE.
NYC
Posted on:
Sylvana Joyce & the Moment play The Cutting Room tonight (06.18)
We rarely get excited about bands devoted to classic rock or blues standards, but when we stumble upon a really good NYC act flirting with these genres we don’t shy away from highlighting it – and such is Sylvana Joyce & the Moment. Much more than a revival act, the band feeds itself with a wide variety of musical influences ranging from gypsy music to reggae and funk, allowing its charismatic front lady to showcase her remarkably versatile and expressive voice. Check out the video for single "The Break" here (although our favorite song from their latest album is ‘Life is Funny,’ streaming below) and see them live tonight (06.18) at The Cutting Room.