NYC

Show not to miss: Empress Of plays Kent 285 on 08.02

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The many Cocteau Twins orphans out there (I’m one of you!) should check out Empress Of‘s gorgeously lush dream pop. This project is the brainchild of talented 23 year old Lorely Rodriguez, whose last name (together with songs like this one) reveals a hispanic heritage – something quite rare in the indie rock community.

Empress Of debuted with a 2 song EP in 2012 featuring the melodically impressive track "Champaign" (streaming below). The follow up EP "Systems" – out earlier this year – confirmed that Lorely is not a one-hit wonder, delivering four solid tracks, improved production, and another aural gem entitled "Hat Trick."

NYC dreamers shouldn’t miss her show at Kent 285 on August 2 with Blue Hawaaii.

Portland

Summer Cannibals Record Release Show at Mississippi Studios 8.1

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The fuzzed out, driven sounds of Summer Cannibals have been working their way through Portland’s music scene for the past year; gaining attention for the magnetic style and vitalizing energy projected through their live show. Watching them evolve as a band has been exciting, and now they are set to release their debut full-length album, No Makeup, on August 6th through New Moss Records. The album captures the progression and energy of their dynamic compositions in overdriven clarity, the vocals of Jessica Boudreaux charming the listener while the instruments move between sparse hooks and distorted progressions. Summer Cannibals will be celebrating the release of No Makeup tomorrow night at Mississippi Studios with Grandparents and XDS. Go enjoy the performance and pick up a copy of the album for yourself. – Benjamin Toledo   

L.A.

Stream: Nedelle Torrisi, “Double Horizon”

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Songstress and advice columnist, Nedelle Torrisi, has been releasing music under many names over the years – with her band, Cryptacize, under simply her first name, Nedelle, and most recently under the moniker, Paradise. But her latest album of unabashed love songs, is a debut of sorts; one in which she is embracing her full self by releasing the self-titled album as simply Nedelle Torrisi. The album’s birth is a twisted tale of friendship and perseverance. Torrisi was demoing the songs that would become this album in her room, which was in a shared house with fellow musician, Kenny Gilmore. The two were working a wall apart on their own musical ideas, whilst both touring with other bands – Torrisi with Sufjan Stevens, and Gilmore with Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. The two decided to collaborate creating a new, synth-laden, R&B inspired sound for Torrisi – which took over two years to complete. The first single, “Double Horizon,” is an exuberant blend of 70s funk and 90s minimalist R&B, with a masterful hook, and the naive glow of young love. Nedelle Torrisi’s self-titled debut is set for release on Sept. 3. She will spend the month opening for fellow collaborator Julia Holter on a string of tour dates. – Jacqueline Caruso

Wed. 09-11-13   First Unitarian Church  Los Angeles, CA *    

Thu. 09-12-13    Great American Music Hall    San Francisco, CA *    

Sat. 09-14-13    Holocene    Portland, OR *    

Sun. 09-15-13    Barboza    Seattle, WA *    

Mon. 09-16-13    Biltmore Cabaret    Vancouver, BC *    

Fri. 09-20-13    Cedar Cultural Center    Minneapolis, MN *    

Sat. 09-21-13    Schubas Tavern    Chicago, IL *    

Sun. 09-22-13    Kobo    Columbus, OH *    

Tue. 09-24-13    Music Hall Of Williamsburg    Brooklyn, NY *    

Thu. 09-26-13    Rock & Roll Hotel    Washington, DC *



* = w/ Julia Holter

Portland

No More Parachutes at East End 8.1

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No More Parachutes are conduits of an explosive energy. Through their punk-infused rock anthems the trio showcase a driven kineticism balanced by dynamic arrangements and a youthful nostalgia. Vocals reminiscent of ‘90s punk revivalists offset the melodic guitar movements in tracks like “Prince William” and “Dads and Grads” while steady bass rhythms and relentless drumming dominate “Magic Jordan” and “Valentino”. Music in this vein is always better experienced live, and thankfully there is more than one opportunity to see No More Parachutes in the coming weeks. You can catch them tomorrow night at East End and on August 16th at Kenton Club. Go and enjoy the free-falling tunes that this talented trio produces. – Benjamin Toledo 

Philadelphia

New Video: Trippin’ Balls (Feat. Chris DiPinto) – Brother JT

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Feeling under the weather on this nice summer day and needing a pick-me-up, so where do you turn? That’s an easy answer: Trippin’ Balls with Brother JT. In this latest episode, he has invited local guitar-making wiz Chris DiPinto in for an always awkward chat as well as a performance with his band Creem Circus. And DiPinto is definitely decked out in his finest rock ‘n’ roll attire for this momentous appearance.

San Francisco

Mammoth Life Album Release Show w/ Giggle Party, Animal Friend at Brick & Mortar Music Hall TONIGHT – 7/31

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Indie dream pop trio, Mammoth Life will be playing their album release show tonight at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall for their self-titled LP off of Satisfying Records. This is definitely a long awaited release from Mammoth Life, and will be available at the show and can already be purchased and streamed on their BandCamp page. Other local bands involved in this show are spazzy pop Giggle Party, electronic funk band Animal Friend, and psych-synth trio Li Xi with DJ Neil Martinson (SMiLE!) filling in between with some glam, psych rock, and soul tunes.

Be sure to head on out to Brick & Mortar to catch these SF rising bands in action. Doors open at 9PM!  –Victor Casillas Valle

Philadelphia

R5’s Free Concert Series w/Waxahatchee Opening for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at Morgan’s Pier July 31

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This evening, R5’s free concert series at Morgan’s Pier will be hosting another big show with Waxahatchee opening for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. Katie Crutchfield, the mastermind behind the heavily lauded Waxahatchee, immediately pulls you in with her lyrical magnetism, as song after song seems to capture a deeply personal moment or situation with her vocals delivering these intimate stories in a straightforward unmasked manner that at times exudes confident and strength and in others reveals pain and anguish. There is a genuine aesthetic that fits Waxahatchee’s tendency toward minimalism as moments of distorted guitar and heart-thumping bass are used to accentuate and elevate each tune. Crutchfield has that innate ability to gain strength and authority over an audience by sharing her thoughts through her music fearlessly. And you should already be familiar with DIY garage-punks Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, whose live performances are legendary in the underground music community. It’s going to be another packed night of great performances and drunken debauchery on the water. Morgan’s Pier, 221 N. Columbus Blvd., 9pm, Free, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Austin

Review – Lost in Transition by Sydney Miles

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Maybe it’s obvious, but the big payoff from scouring the indie music scene is when you stumble across a release that, like Shakespeare, transcends time, style, and fads. Such is Lost in Transition, the 6-month-old release from genre-crossing, soul-voiced Sydney Miles. A compilation of (what we’ll call) acoustic soul ("Cheaper to Keep Her", "I Have a Secret", "Fall Away from Me", "A Child Sleeps"), bluesy pop ("Shorty"), and hip-hop ("Cougar Lady"); this one also manages to pop in on pop ("Karmic Ghosts", "Wading While Waiting"); and even, heaven help us, bring the occasional toe-tapping, boot-scooting country number ("A Good Man’s Love", "Crazy Hearted Whiskey").

Yet despite this collection’s genre-crazy divergence, a rock-solid center holds these numbers together – the lyrical mastery and brilliant vox of a songstress confident enough to experiment and skilled enough to bring home 11 solidly-irresistible tracks. Just back from a short European tour, Miles’ Austin residence is sure to include more forays into some of our better venues. Stay plugged in via facebook so you won’t be kicking yourself for missing the next gig. It takes a bit of scouring to uncover a gem like this one, so don’t let Lost in Transition get lost on you. –Written by Scott Osborn

NYC

NYC bands on the rise: Active Bird Community plays Highline Ballroom on 08.14

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In Active Bird Community‘s latest two song EP ‘FIreplace Song/Sega Genesis’, the alt-rock band has taken a softer approach to otherwise difficult subjects. Perhaps it’s because they recorded these songs during winter break last year, but this record holds two haunting and immersive tracks.

Opener ‘Fireplace Song’ (streaming) has the ambient thrust of Arcade Fire, along with the disenchantment of Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr. On second track ‘Sega Genesis,’ weighty lyrics like ‘I’ve got a friend that lives in the ground, I hope someday he’ll live in the clouds,’ the quartet’s unafraid to touch on weighty issues, while always keeping the party going. A band that began when members Tom D’Agustino and Andrew Wolfson were just in sixth grade (strong bonds are good for bands), they’ve come a long way in a fairly short time, and we are looking forward to checking them out when they play Highline Ballroom on August 14. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

NYC

Doley Bernays drops “Tommy & Keish” ft. James ASHLI off forthcoming EP

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Local Bronx rapper Doley Bernays who has only been in the biz for two years now, has already launched himself into the national spotlight. His smooth, yet relentless hip-hop has been enough to catch not only our attention, but also the attention of Pitchfork and SPIN. His newest track, titled “Tommy& Keish” ft. James ASHLI, is the first single off of his forthcoming EP produced by MP Williams titled ‘Just In Case,’ and it’s both captivating and fresh. The forward yet elegant piano-infused beat drags you in and the lyrics keep you listening, telling the story of the couple from the movie Belly. Listen to the track below! –Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)