Just a year ago, Nashville indie rock band Staying for the Weekend was gearing up to release their first EP with their then-new singer, Mitch Davis. He and the rest of the band, bassist Wade Luplow, guitarists Carson Mays and Kurt Krafft, and drummer Mac Gibbons, worked hard to release "Camp Empathy" (available for free download here.) This hard work did not go unrewarded. After establishing a reputation in the local music scene, the band went on to play Bonnaroo in June 2013 and is set to release a string of singles. Staying for the Weekend will be playing 8 Off 8th August 26th and continuing their festival circuit with WARMfest in Indianapolis on August 31st. – Jack Smith
L.A.
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Artist to Watch: DEBT
Fuzzed-out garage is the norm in the local LA scene, but sometimes don’t you wish those guitars sounded sparkling and vibrant? Palisades quintet DEBT are ones who focus on evoking melody over discord, and the over-too-quickly six minutes that makes up their EP Iceland hits with both slick precision and hooks that are right on the surface. Circling arpeggios and minor-key chords abound over breakneck drum patterns, dominated by a melliflous approach reminiscent of mid-eighties SST Records. For those of us who may be coming up on thirty shortly like myself, it does bring back the good ol’ days of MTV 2 when it actually meant something. Only time will tell if DEBT ends up changing the life of some youngster whose just discovering his or her favorite band. But as their still-nascent discography proves, they’re certainly doing their homework by working from some fine sources.
New England
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Quilt Builds Buzz for New Album
Boston three-piece Quilt first took the scene with their first demo back in 2009, and John Andrews, Anna Rochinski, and Shane Butler have been touring the northeast and building their fanbase almost nonstop, and fans are starting to itch for their new release. Their self-titled debut on the Mexican Summer label in 2011 was recorded and released all within a T’s ride distance along with new material has gotten them attention in Paste, Stereogum, and every local publication you can shake a stick at. With a sound that fits a basement party as well as it does a rainy afternoon walk, they’ve been teasing fans with new tracks and a music video for "Open Eyes", but no release date to speak of (their cryptic Facebook answer: "soooon").
Where does that leave their loyal devotees? Following them around, more or less– Quilt has played everything from a free Middle East show to Northside festival in Brooklyn to a New Hampshire wedding, and an upcoming date on August 2nd at Montague Bookmill. Until then, friends, join hands with us in embracing the wait.
–Jamie Loftus (@hamburgerphone)
San Francisco
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Wallpaper. Release Debut Full Length Album – Ricky Reed Is Real
Popular Bay Area based lyricist, singer and producer, Ricky Reed – better known as Wallpaper. has released his anticipated debut album. On July 23rd, Reed released Ricky Reed is Real, which is a collection of songs that were produced after he obained a major label record deal. Wallpaper. emerged from cult success and popularity by releasing an independent EP, #STUPIDFACEDD and grabbed the attention of massive amounts of fans and social media followers.
This self proclaimed "blue collar pop record" is an exciting, humorous and well produced album that should be obtained immediately. To order Ricky Reed is Real, click here.
Nashville
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AJ & The Jiggawatts at the High Watt 8.16
AJ and the Jiggawatts is a mix of rock and classic soul. This band’s music brings a modern spark to an old-school feel. Lead singer AJ Eason leads a captivating crew, including members on horns, trombone, trumpet, flute, and other trendy jams into a jazzy groove of intensity and depth. This music is sure to get you on your feet and take you in a time machine back to the classic funk era of the 80’s. They will be part of the G.E.D. Soul Revue lineup at the High Watt on August 16th. – Maria Hartfield
Austin
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Thanks Light Plays Beerland, 7/31/13, 11pm
Thanks Light is an eclectic quintet that released their album, Pop Rox, this past April. Their influences are as diverse as the songs on their soundcloud playlist, which is full of awesome ear candy. In “Bones”, lead singer Zane’s melancholy wailing is reminiscent of The Highwaymen, as are the solid country guitar riffs. Yet in “Starting Up” and “Re::Evolution”, their songs take on a more cosmic feel, similar to Gauntlet Hair.
Whether you’re in the mood to folk out or mellow out, Thanks Light will be performing on July 31st in Austin at Beerland. Joining them will be: After Hours, Those Howlings, Alma Forrer, Baptiste W. Hamon, and The Navasota String Gang. Check it out! –Written by Faith Braverman
NYC
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The Mean Season & America Hearts @ Black Cat Sat. Aug 3
This Saturday, get your rock on with DC’s America Hearts and The Mean Season taking to the mainstage at the Black Cat. The Mean Season (pictured above) are about to head into the studio by August’s end to record a new album, second to their S/T debut EP released last April. America Hearts also unveiled a new track to the indie world a couple months ago about an experience we all may have gone through at some point, "I Like Bad Music." Joining the DC kin are two bands from NY: Jackpot Tiger and Teen Girl Scientist Monthly. The four groups collaborated in a cute promo for the show, check it out below.
It all goes down at the Black Cat on 8/3, $12, Doors @ 9PM.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Son Lux Meet D’Angelo” (Remix) – DJ Bearbeat
DJ Bearbeat (a.k.a. Chris Ward from Pattern Is Movement) just shared a gorgeously headie, sexified remix of Son Lux’s "Flickers" and D’Angelo’s "Lady," which he calls "Son Lux Meet D’Angelo." We’re guessing that you’ll be able to hear it this Saturday, August 3 when he deejays at Lost Bar for the last time before he takes off to Europe backing Strand of Oaks.
NYC
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Brothertiger releases single “In Mind” from upcoming LP + plays Pianos
Of all the instruments and effects out there, analog synths and reverbs are the best ones to render sonically this sticky, hazy thing called the NYC summer. These two elements abound in the music of Brooklyn’s electro-pop one man project Brothertiger, and, in single "In Mind" (a preview from the upcoming, sophomore full length "Future Splendors"), they conjure up a melancholic, breezy track that’s a perfect companion for a slow walk under the scorching sun.
The band is playing Pianos tonight with Tiny Victories.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Her Majesty’s Socialist Request” – rjd2
Here’s a badass groove and the first single, "Her Majesty’s Socialist Request," off DJ/producer/multi-instrumentalist rjd2‘s upcoming album More Is Than Isn’t, which will be released on October 8 via his own record label RJ’s Electrical Connections. You can catch him spinning this Thursday, August 1 at Morgan’s Pier.
NYC
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New single by Butter the Children: “Spit it out”
Butter the Children – the new Downtown Records signees we blogged about just a few days ago – just released the first single under their new label, entitled "Spit it Out" which can be streamed here. The song is part of an upcoming EP entitled "True Crime" scheduled for an August 20 release.
Chicago
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Pillars & Tongues “Knifelike”
Earlier this month we announced that Pillars & Tongues would be releasing their new album, End-Dances (Empty Cellar Records), on Sept. 17th and shared the video for their track "Dogs".
Now we have the a new track from the album, "Knifelike".
Pillars & Tongues will be performing at The Chicago Cultural Center on Sept. 20th and at The Burlington on Oct. 12th.