STRNGRS celebrate EP release at Pianos on 06.14
Brooklyn’s STRNGRS (is the lack of vowels the new "Bear" as far as band names?) is giving us a healthy dose of what a ton of rock and roll (emphasis on the “roll”) has been missing lately. These guys take the blues-rock vibe and make it even grittier with some of the noisiest guitar work I’ve heard in a while. Carson Kelly’s vocals are spot on, with wailing and howling that would make Robert Plant proud. You hear off the wall energy from every member of this trio. The band is leading our current artist of the month poll and will celebrate their EP Release Show at Pianos on Friday 6/14. Don’t miss! – Paul Jordan Talbot
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Alt Rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Firehorse releases ‘Pills From Strangers’ – Live at Mercury on 06.28
NYC’s Firehorse are picking up steam, and rightly so – their first record, ‘And so they ran faster…’ surfaced to blogosphere acclaim, building up expectations for the sophomore release ‘Pills From Strangers,’ out in a few weeks. The preview single "Good" (streaming) keeps the promise, delivers a crescendo of tension through a paradoxically danceable odd time signature (the fragmanted 5/4), building towards dissonant peaks and satisfying choruses; Leah Siegel’s signature smoky vocals rest effortlessly atop popleaning synth melodies, and the record’s high points will no doubt get crowds moving. ‘Pills’ is set for release on June 25, and they’ll be officially releasing it at Mercury Lounge on June 28 – don’t miss out! – Zack Kraimer
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
New Cough Cool LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Embrace the fuzz while indulging in some sweet pop melodies on this fine morning. Take a listen to Cough Cool‘s new full-length album 29 below, and purchase your very own copy via Bathetic Records or grab one at his record release show on Saturday, June 22 at Kung Fu Necktie.
Serengeti “Crush Em”
Serengeti released a new single from the forthcoming self-titled Kenny Dennis LP dropping June 25th on Anticon. The track is called "Crush Em" and features contributions from Ders from Workaholics and production from Odd Nosdam.
Stream: Dream Panther, “Chutes and The Ladder”
The self-proclaimed “post-gangster soul wave” duo, Dream Panther, are offering some dreamy, chilled out soulful tunes for you on their debut EP, ‘Beyonce’s Child.’ The first single, “Chutes and The Ladder,” has that laid back R&B feel that’s been blowing west this year, adding elements of world music and atmospheric electronica to make this new genre all their own. The latest act to emerge from the local DIY collective, FMLY, these guys have an obvious sense of humor and complete lack of pretension that makes them even more endearing. Stream the track below and pre-order the cassette from Chill Mega Chill Records. – Jacqueline Caruso
Pangea: Live at Jubilee Fest
You can’t take yourself too seriously when you’re having a rad time. Los Angeles garage rockers Pangea look and sound like they could throw an awesome party. Pangea rocked the first day crowd at Jubilee fest in downtown’s arts district with a set of catchy fuzzed out tracks including “Night of the Living Dummy” and “Too Drunk to Cum”. Other highlights were the fast paced punk-inspired “River” from The Killer Dreams EP released last year and even when they slowed things down with a screechy cover of The Ronnette’s “Be My Baby”, the crowd kept moshing on. – Richard Kim
Safe Haven “Leave Me Where I Want to Be”
Safe Haven have released a new video for their track "Leave Me Where I Want to Be" which appears on their recently released full-length album Sermon For No One.
Maps & Atlases “Old Ash”
The headline should read "Dave Davison has shaved his beard!". Maps & Atlases have released a video for their track "Old Ash", which appears on their latest album Beware & Be Grateful, out now on Barsuk Records. The video was directed by drummer Christopher Hainey and shot through a two-way mirror. The video features the band’s frontman Dave Davison sharing his iconic beard for the first time in four years.
You can catch Maps & Atlases at Riot Fest this September and at Dirty Nellie’s in Palatine on August 22nd.
Skinny Bones at Discovery Zone, Thursday 6/13
Along with nearly everything in the digital age, the song writers’ instrument of choice has shifted from the guitar to the computer. The result is polarization of electronic innovators and the acoustic purists. Stuck in the beautiful and mysterious place in between, is Skinny Bones. The duo’s psychadellic release “Skinni Dip” is available now. Its first track “A Moment or Two,” puts out a lure with a beautiful acoustic guitar riff, and then surprises you with the tasteful and inventive electronic effects. By combining environmental percussion, and subtle electronics the duo gives us some sounds I can say I’ve never heard before, all supported by solid songwriting. Check out “Skinni Dip” on their Facebook. – Paul Jordan Talbot
Dungeonesse’s New Video for “Nightlight”
Baltimore’s indie pop duo Dungeoness are back with another amazing video for the lushy track "Nightlight" from their s/t debut (out now via Secretly Canadian.) Jenn Wasner’s vocals soar like a smooth blend of Annie Lennox and Elizabeth Fraser while Jon Ehrens’ beatscapes provide the perfect score to that period of sleep where your dreams blend with reality. Check it out below.
Thick Wild’s creepy folk album “O Sinister Force”
Thick Wild’s latest release, “O Sinister Force,” is loaded with songs to creep you out. Boston/Brooklyn based Amelia Emmet’s voice has the sound of some alien time and place. It cracks and slips consistently, but she sells every sound. The imaginative lyrics on the record show glimses of a monster lurking beneath that light voice. She embraces those horrifying thoughts, and instead of shaking them off, she revels in them to make this wonderfully unsettling album. – Paul Jordan Talbot