Moody shoegazers Nothing, known for sweeping soundscapes, are set to share the stage tonight with the legendary Swirlies, replacing Arc In Round, who had to drop off the bill at the last minute. Brooding and empathetic, tracks like “If Only” and “The Dives (Lazarus in Ashes)” with its nearly instrumental arcs that bleed into stirring vocals, Nothing’s precise instrumentation comprised of percussive hums, fuzzed-out riffs, and haunting vocals keep listeners’ attention in anticipation of their soon to be released LP Guilty of Everything. Crafting songs inspired by dead poets, childhood friends, and the complexities of the human condition, the band’s live set, much like their discography, can be expected to be emotively and audibly shaking and equally memorable – undoubtedly, a well-fitted prelude to an evening with the Swirlies. Get swept away! Johnny Brenda’s. 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $12, 8pm, 21+ – Dianca Potts
Natasha Kmeto plays PDX Pop NOW! 7.20
Through smooth production and a next level sound, Natasha Kmeto has quickly risen to the top of Portland’s music scene as a DJ, singer and producer. Her sound is backed with a heavy soul influence but stands out by the dreamy, electronic beats that can send any listener into an alternate dimension. Think Alisha Keys behind a chilwave trance synched to your own heartbeat. Natasha Kmeto comes from a fine line of Northwest producers from Portland’s label Dropping Gems. She is the shining jewel of this label and recently dropped her LP Crisis last month. She will be showcasing some of these songs and more tonight on the main stage at PDX Pop Now! Her slate begins at 10:30. –Colin Hudson
Chic Raw Spits From the Heart at the TLA July 20
Emcee Chic Raw spits from the heart, and is a veteran of the Philly hip-hop game. His first and most successful mixtape Shots For The Streets dropped in 2003, but like most artists, the real buzz didn’t come until years after, and by then, he was already incarcerated for 3 years on drug-related charges. During that time in prison, he came to realize that his arrest was a blessing, and continued to collect his thoughts and words in a notebook. And with the birth of his daughter, he left his former street life behind, but you’ll still always find traces of it in his rhymes. Now, facing the daily grind to transform his art into a way to provide for his family, Chic Raw will be taking the stage as a co-headliner tonight at the TLA with his name on the marquee for Summer Slam 2013. Join him this evening alongside a new generation of local hip-hop artists like Young Savage and his crew The Inner City Hustlers, who also have their eyes on the prize. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St., $20 (+fees), All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
Allen Thompson plays The Basement tonight (07.20)
Allen Thompson is a little bit Neil Young, a little Warren Zevon, and as American as rusty Chevys, bonfires, and Polaroids of your dad in cutoffs that are way too short. How can the piano-driven plea to a higher power ‘Everybody Knows’ not grab that little sentimental part of your bitter, hypertrophic heart? Go pretend you’re a human with real emotions and see him at the Basement tonight. – Terra James-Jura
Stream: Terraplane Sun ‘Ya Never Know’ EP
Rootsy Blues, Indie Folk, Soul, and Rock are all represented in the tasty menagerie that makes up local quintet Terraplane Sun. They’ve released an EP chock full of radio friendly tunes that are sure to top the charts before they can blink. With a heavily upbeat west coast vibe, they blend their influences in the catchiest and most irresistible ways. With plenty of bluesy organ licks, punchy horns, handclaps, and the ever-soulful, smooth vocals of frontman, Ben Rothbard, the EP is one hit after another. Listening straight through brought back memories of early Black Keys, and more recently, the Broken Bells album from Shins frontman, James Mercer. Standouts, “Get Me Golden” and “Tell Me I’m Wrong,” are sure to be crowd pleasers. The band is graciously allowing fans to stream the EP in it’s entirety for free. They are setting out on tour with several opening dates for rising stars, Imagine Dragons, and The Mowgli’s. – Jacqueline Caruso
Review of Yellabird’s Mountainosaurus, Talk of New EP Later This Summer
It seems that the best bands I’ve heard lately are deciding to only come out with short EPs and albums. Yellabird’s debut EP Mountainosaurus is yet another such piece of heavy rock n’ roll gold. The duo, consisting of guitarist/vocalist Martin Stubbs and drummer Felipe Gaviria, is capable of sounds I’ve only heard coming from 4 or 5-piece bands. Their riffs are so heavy, the drums so tight and the guitar solos are dripping in so much thick, bluesy goodness that they had me hooked after the first thirty seconds of the opening track. The EP is only four tracks long, but Stubbs and Gaviria come out swinging on the first track, “The Chase”. Fans of QOTSA will especially like this song–it has hints of Josh Homme, with a little Eagles of Death Metal mixed-in for good measure.
You can stream Mountainosaurus over at their bandcamp page. They will be releasing a new EP at The Middle East Upstairs on August 29. Check their Facebook page for more details and studio updates.
-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Weekly Feature: Laura Stevenson & The Cans – live at Bklyn Bowl on 07.24 (solo act)
Before finding her voice as an indie-pop songstress, Laura Stevenson had to sift through years of musical transformations and a diverse set of influences to reach her current, delicate signature sound. With her perfect mix of fervent, satisfying pop melodies and unpredictable sense of surprise, Laura Stevenson has gone in a few years from NYC scene spectator to NYC scene hero, headlining Bowery Ballroom and other major local venues. See her on Wednesday July 24 solo at Brooklyn Bowl and read the full Devon Antonetti’s feature from our print issue here.
Weekend Warrior, July 19 – 21
Blues music at its core drips with desperation gathering an internal strength, which is the byproduct of fearlessly exposing one’s personal tribulations, opening the curtain for all to see and in turn hear. Despite their youth, The Districts, playing upstairs at World Café Live tonight, have already learned the furtive power of harnessing raw yearning despair, etc. to create music that takes the things lodged deep down in the pit of one’s stomach and pulls them to the surface. Rob Grote delivers explosively intense vocals oozing with emotion, intertwined with guitar work that stealthily lies in the weeds, dishing out well-fitted fits of fury to create a dramatic dynamic. The coarse sandpaper Americana folk of Goodnight Texas, who strips it down and sucks you in with excellent strings and storytelling, will be joining them, as well as psych rock quartet Satellite Hearts. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7pm, $10, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Low Fat Getting High releases new EP “Bad Yoga”
The aggressive grunge punk trio known as Low Fat Getting High smacks your airwaves with a sound that is bursting with energy, catchy choruses and rough edges. Formed in Brooklyn in 2011, the band’s live presence has helped them make a name for themselves, and now they feel that they’ve captured that sort of flare on their newest 4-song EP titled Bad Yoga which was released just yesterday via Money Fire Records. Listen to the first track from the EP titled “Better Better Worse” below. It has tremendous replay value, so loop away! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
Big Black Delta + Breakdown Valentine Play The Independent TONIGHT – 7/19
San Francisco based electro- pop band, Breakdown Valentine will performing with the popular and influential electro experimental solo project of musician Jonathan Bates of Mellowdrone called Big Black Delta TONIGHT at the Independent in San Francisco. This is going to be an intensely powerful show, as both bands create music that is heavy experimental electro and ambient soundscapes, laced with sultry vocals and searing beats that make for highly charged musical ambiance. Breakdown Valentine and Big Black Delta are super competent and great sounding bands.
Make sure you make it down to The Independent in San Francisco TONIGHT. You can RSVP here.
Clifton Film Fest This Saturday 7/20 Ft. Music from Pearl and the Beard
This saturday marks the 5th Anniversary of the Clifton Film Fest, an incredible festival showcasing talented youths cinematic visions, animations, as well as local filmmakers. The fest started 5 years ago essentially as a hometown block party in the heart of downtown Clifton VA, and has increased exponentially in film submissions and crowds. So much so, that for the past few years the fest has been a staple at the Lorton based prison grounds turned art community Workhouse Arts Center.
This year, the party starts at 4 pm with a Day showing indoors, before the 7:30 showing (or when dusk sets in) on the quad- so bring a blanket to relax on. It wouldn’t be a complete fest without food, drink, and music, so on site will be a shaved ice/ice cream truck, BBQ from Uncle Freds BBQ Smoke Shack, a cash bar, and music from former locals indie Americana Pearl and the Beard (check them out below.)
Saturday 7/20 $5-$10 at 9601 Ox Road Lorton, VA starts at 4 PM. More info here.
Jared Cohen and the Future Proof Release New Music
San Francisco based singer/songwriter, Jared Cohen has released a new collection of songs this summer. His album is called Change of Shapes and has been released under his full musical moniker, Jared Cohen and the Future Proof. Cohen’s new album is calming, well produced and possesses a very natural electro acoustic feel. We recommend you check out this new album if you’re into clear cut and well written singer/songwriter music.