The Lawsuits shared a beautiful, soulful new song called "You Won’t Love Me If You Don’t" last month at Sofar Sounds. They’ll be closing out the TJ Kong-curated free Philly Beer Week Beer Garden concert series at Headhouse Square this evening (5 – 8pm), but if the predictions of rain is deterring you, they’ll also be performing tonight at World Cafe Live for Chelsea Mitchell‘s EP Release Party.
Philadelphia
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New Video: “Two Side Roads” (Live) – Sherman
Below is Sherman performing an unreleased song called "Two Side Roads." It was filmed earlier this year at The Fire by Kustom Kitchen, a.k.a. Brian Brotman from The Stammer. You can catch the trio live tonight at Connie’s Ric Rac, and you should definitely grab yourself a copy of their latest album Ghost on Grass HERE.
NYC
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Alt Rootsy night with Mree, The Stationary Set, Streets of Laredo, Julian Fulton + more
Thursday night at Spike Hill we’ll have a really fun AND interesting bill with a lot of talented artists dedicated to bringing roots music in new directions. The very young and talented songwriter Mree – a recent Deli artist of the month – has been gathering a lot of buzz with her ethereal songs and impeccable home made recordings and videos, which got hundreds of thousands of views; don’t miss her show at 9pm. As artsy as Mree, but slightly more upbeat and soulful, The Stationary Set have become a mainstay of the Brooklyn scene and will showcase their artsy soul-pop at 10.30. Julian Fulton and the Zombie Gospel will surely be happy to be sandwiched between these two artists; this band plays rootsy pop with psychedelic tinges – we are very curious to see them live. NZ imports Streets of Laredo (pictured) will keep faith to their mission of charming Newyorkers one by one with their contagious alt country, while Derrick & The Black Sea and Great Elk will open and close the night with their intense songs flirting with Americana and alt rock.
Times, ticket prices and full B.E.A.F. schedule can be found here.
NYC
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Album review: The Latenight Callers – Songs For Stolen Moments
(Photos by Todd Zimmer)
From the first time I watched the video for “The Tease,” I succumbed to the fact that I was a fan of The Latenight Callers. Their ability to blend classic sounds with contemporary styling and a fresh approach is exactly why they are a local favorite. No doubt that TLNC has a very high ceiling. Those unfamiliar with the band will love their unique sound. They have a swanky blend of early Portishead, Garbage, and Lana Del Rey, but with an attitude that is genuinely their own.
I listened to Songs For Stolen Moments—the band’s first full LP—three times prior to initiating this review. Like a good movie, this record sucks you in and gives you a departure from the world for 53 minutes. The drum machine programming and keyboard work by Nick Combs is standout; the musicianship and vocal performances overall are top-shelf.
Songs For Stolen Moments starts off with “In Cold Blood,” which leads me to expect Humphrey Bogart stepping into a smoky bar with TLNC on stage. Classy and timeless come to mind. The journey steps to “Gypsy Moll,” which has a slight Garbage-meets-Ray Manzarek sound. The guitars are ripe with feel and the solo is perfectly suited to the song. Julie Berndsen’s voice is seducing, with or without the bullhorn effect.
The third track, “Straightrazor,” could be the next James Bond theme song. Krysztof Nemeth’s baritone guitar work on this track is catchy while maintaining a sultry feel.
Since it was the TLNC first song I heard, I’m partial to “The Tease.” The song represents the hit potential of this band. Its hypnotic nature is a consistent aspect throughout the record—it really does compel you to listen completely. The flow into “Red Bricks, White Ghosts” feels natural. “Thunderbolt” takes it up a notch, with a little nastier and dirtier sound. I appreciate how the album evolves that way.
I’m a fan of any production that uses sound effects and short titles on its albums, so “Interlude” into “Sleepless” is a perfect story to tell the listener. “Sleepless” ended up being my favorite song on the album. It has everything that you expect of TLNC’s sound. Gavin Mac’s bass line is catchy, the melody line is memorable, and Bernsden’s voice sounds amazing. “Tourniquets,” with its wild syncopation, was a fun track.
The album winds down with the cool marimba sounds and great arpeggio guitar of “The Big Sleep,” a nearly seven-minute song. It is followed by “Odessa,” another great song with nice effects and sonic landscape, which proved to be my second favorite track. Lastly, they lead us to the door of that swanky bar and bid us good night with the last cut, “Epilogue.” Overall, the production and song craftsmanship is blissful and intriguing.
Editor’s note: Songs For Stolen Moments was mixed and mastered by Duane Trower at Weights and Measures Soundlab in Kansas City. Video for “The Tease” was produced and directed by Anthony Ladesich. The version of the song for the video was on the band’s debut EP, most of which was re-recorded for this new LP.
Be sure to don your finest suit or gown and head to recordBar this Saturday, June 8, where The Latenight Callers are hosting a special release party for Songs For Stolen Moments. Thick and the Foolish and In Back Of A Black Car will also perform. Show starts at 10:00. Facebook event page.
–William Saunders
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William is a local record producer, singer/songwriter, and guitarist/singer for The Walltalkers. He is also the head monkey at Saunders Street Records and still likes movies with giant robots. |
Austin
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Little Radar Record Release, Souvenirs 8/6/13, Show 8/10/13 @ Stubb’s
After completing their first US tour in 2012, Little Radar is ready to release their debut full-length album, Souvenirs, this August. Little Radar has channeled the energy and harmonic stylings of indie bands such as Band of Horses and My Morning Jacket. Recorded at Sputnik Sound in Nashville, TN with the help of Grammy-Award winning producer, Mitch Dane, on staff, and the addition of some tasteful bells and whistles; Souvenirs is sure to excite Little Radar’s heavily bearded fans as well as the rest of the music loving world. Check them out this Friday at Stubb’s with Boyfrndz and Driver Friendly. —Written by Jodi Lang
Chicago
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Sister Crystals
The debut album from Sister Crystals is fast upon us. The four-piece has been dropping little fragments for months, from the video for the first single "White" back in April, to the second single "For So Long" below.
This week Sister Crystal released a new teaser video for the self-titled debut dropping on June 18th.
Philadelphia
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Where Is My Mind?: Norwegian Arms’ Brendan Mulvihill
I sat down for a drink and chat at Fishtown Tavern with Norwegian Arms’ Brendan Mulvihill a couple of months back to talk about his band winning The Deli Philly’s most recent Best Emerging Artist Poll, SXSW and more. Unfortunately, my crazy work schedule and life took over, and I didn’t get a chance to transcribe the interview until now. (BTW: Is there any software that can accurately do transcription for me yet?) You can read how our discussion went HERE. And don’t forget to swing by Dock Street Brewing Co. this Sunday afternoon for their free annual Philly Beer Week Music Fest with performances by Norwegian Arms, On the Water, Post Sun Times and Bomple plus plenty of tasty brews, pizzas and games!
NYC
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B.E.A.F at Spike Hill: Electro night with Manicanparty, Cultfever, Clementine & the Galaxy, Kiss Slash Crooked Smile, Lips and more.
After two folky bills on Wednesday and Thursday, Spike Hill will host a decidedly electronic, almost entirely lady fronted show on Friday June 07, featuring a lot of bands we are looking forward to seeing in a live setting.
Headlining the night at 12.30 will be Manicanparty (pictured) – a band that has built a meaningful buzz without even having an official EP or LP out – with their angelic electro-pop contaminated by tribal and exotic influences. Right before them at 11.40, Cultfever will enterntain us once again (we booked them a bunch of times!) with their upbeat indie-pop that blends synths, guitars and samples. The third headliner of the night, Clementine & The Galaxy, quite appropriately features a more sci-fi, but still very melodic sound, and Julie Hardy’s angelic voice. Stephanie Brown’s brainchild Lips will hit the stage at 10, and fill the room with their loungy and melancholic – but not necessarily slow – electronic tunes. We can’t wait to see mainstay of the NYC scene Yula Beeri’s new electro project Kiss Slash Crooked Smile – the lady can sing and has a lot of presence, you may remember her in Nanuchka and Star Fucking Hipsterz. KNTRL – on the other hand – cannot count on a talented front lady because… they are two dudes – the only dude fronted band of the night as a matter of fact! They are the rocker act on the bill though, which is a great thing to be if you ask us – stick around for them until 1.15am – it’s a Friday night! Mystery band S&M (you don’t want to miss them) and talented rapper Melissa Czarnik will kick off the night at 7.30 and 8.20 respectively.
NYC
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The Flying Eyes Music Video Premiere
Baltimore based psych rock demi gods the Flying Eyes have released a music video entitled "Under Iron Feet" from their upcoming full length LP Lowlands (Noise Solution), due out July 26th. This eerie cinematic excursion of hard psychedelic rock reveres itself as a high definition interpretation of the psychedelic silk-screened videos of Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath. Nonetheless, this video takes the viewer down a long tunnel of avant psych visuals as the band incorporates highly elaborate and costumes and the backdrop of the church turned music venue 2640 which is located in the heart of historic Baltimore City.
The Flying Eyes explore their darker experimental side as they begin to blossom with musical maturity and more complicated psych rock compositions. Keep your eyes open for performances from this band as they are embarking on an extensive European tour with fellow neo psych rockers, Golden Animals.
You can obtain The Flying Eyes/Golden Animals 7 inch split via H42 Records, and you can preorder the band’s full-length album Lowlands from German based record label Noise Solution. –Jordannah Elizabeth
San Francisco
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Vela Eyes’ Record Release Party Takes Place at the Elbo Room Tomorrow Night – 6/7
San Francisco, indie pop band, Vela Eyes is celebrating the release of their new EP tomorrow at the Elbo Room. This show’s bill embodies an amazing line up including: French Cassettes, The Trims, DJ Omar (Popscene) and Jacob Fury (Leisure SF). Make sure you make it out tomorrow night to experience this auspicious event, and to here a great group of bands all in one night.
Philadelphia
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Levee Drivers Ready to Rock at JB’s June 6
I admit that I have a serious soft spot for Levee Drivers, after they stopped me dead in my tracks as I was reaching for the door to leave the Millcreek Tavern about four years ago. I ended up booking them for The Deli Philly’s first curated showcase, which was held at Johnny Brenda’s and was most likely the first time they took its stage. The band has gone through a bunch of changes since then, but their music has always remained hard-hitting yet sensitive, a combination often lost in our current state of music. Well, they’ll be returning once again to JB’s tonight where they’ll be co-headlining with fledgling, rising local act Divers and support from Swedeland. This evening will also mark Levee Drivers return as a four-piece rock band so come out and get rowdy! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran
Philadelphia
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Cold Fronts Chilling Out the Summer Heat at KFN June 6
As the heat appears ready to take residency in our lives, balance is a skill Cold Fronts seems to have mastered. Their energetic up-tempo pop-rock picks the right moments to prove its power while still maintaining an air of laidback, chill mystique. Warner Bros./Sire Records just inked the group, who will be at KFN tonight opening for Steel City natives Nevada Color. Cold Fronts is the type of band that you’ll refreshingly hear blasting out of car windows all summer long. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita