NYC

Har Mar Superstar tours with Yeah Yeah Yeahs + releases “Bye Bye 17” on Julian Casablancas’ label.

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Sean Tillmann doesn’t really have the physique du role to be hip in Brooklyn – and, at 35, not even the age for that matter. But since hip he is – with his project named Har Mar Superstar – he should be an example for all the late twenty somethings who are losing hope to make it in the indie band business. What’s his secret? Good songwriting, a great voice and – in particular – a live show that cannot be go unnoticed. 

The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas saw him live at Mercury many years ago and was impressed, which influenced his decision to release HMS’ new album under his label "Cult Records." If that wasn’t enough, none other than The Yeah Yeah Yeahs picked him as an opener for a series of shows this August – even though his music is not exactly super compatible with what Karen O & co. offer. So, when they say that talent is not enough, don’t buy it.

See Har Mar Superstar at Bowery Electric on August 15.

Philadelphia

Little Big League Record Release Show at The Fire July 25

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Tonight, The Guild presents the record release party for Little Big League’s full-length debut These Are Good People, which official comes out August 6 via Tiny Engines. The album was co-produced/engineered by Craig Hendrix (Auctioneer). Although this is the local foursome’s rookie LP effort, the collective unit brings a wealth of experience that shines through. Michelle Zauner expresses the spectrum of lyrical emotion through her vocals. Whether vulnerable or aggressive, the tone is an imparting message that is always clearly reinforced with a unified instrumentation – percussion that can roll until it needs to bash and guitars that cruise smoothly laying lines until that proper moment when it kicks into overdrive revealing a jagged edge. They will be joined by the Cali-cool, easy-going sounds of Philly’s own Cruiser, the fuzzed-out, raggedly rockin’ energetic duo Slow Animal, and fledgling outfit GUNK. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita 

Philadelphia

New Track: “Jam Forever” – Harsh Vibes

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Noisy stoner-metal psych rockers Harsh Vibes aren’t afraid to keep things loose and downright evil, which is evident in their new nearly 12-minute track "Jam Forever" off their latest EP Dead Collective Soul. They’ll be attempting to melt faces once again this week laying down some heavy riffs at Kung Fu Necktie tonight.

NYC

Erin Barra takes her Electro Alt Soul to Rockwood on 07.31

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Sexes have equal rights and talent is shared evenly among them, but it’s undeniable that boys and girls tend to develop different interests. Musically speaking, ladies seem more attracted to acoustic guitars than electronic instruments, or even – for that matter – guitar pedals (we know something about that, since our stats say that 90% of the visitors of our Stompbox Exhibit Facebook page are male). This allows NYC songsmith Erin Barra to present herself like a rare example of female electro artist, and mighty manufacturers of electronic goods like Ableton and Moog have taken note by sponsoring her recent live performance at Tekserve.

Musically speaking, Erin plays what we call electronic alt-soul, and we like her edgier tunes like the streaming "Heartless Horsemen," full of tension and sonic experiments. You can see her live at Rockwood’s Stage 2 on July 31.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

New England

Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion Build Hype for Full-Length Release

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Not only does their name double as a caution, Somerville surf rockers Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion are gathering a fair amount of buzz for their upcoming release Blood Drinkers Only, slotted for release sometime in August. Although the music itself evokes a twisted 60’s feel, the band’s image is one of the weirder present in Boston’s underground, sort of reminiscent of the overly indulgent song titles and band names of mid-2000’s emo rock. They’ve done their best to shroud themselves in mystery since poking their heads out of the woodwork back in 2011, but teaser track “Satan’s Invisible World…Revealed!” is an exciting peek into what weird is coming next. With a date at Great Scott on August 3rd and a lot of new material on the way, you don’t need to get Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion to love them

–Jamie Loftus (@hamburgerphone)

 

 

NYC

From The Deli NYC’s submissions: Family Photos play Fontana on 07.26

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Alt-rockers Family Photos‘ sound mirrors somewhat what you’d get from a Husker Du/Jimmy Eat World mash and the band shows the ability to write and perform quality tracks. They just recently released a new EP last month titled “Evil is Evil,” for which you can hear the opening track "Can you be Cool" streaming below. The band is set to play at NYC’s Fontana’s on 7/26 to open for Eastbound Jesus – the Juicy Grapes will also support. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

NYC

Album review: Spirit Is The Spirit – Baktun Baby (EP)

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(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
 
It is practically inarguable to say that Sunflowers by Yellow Walrus sounds like the lost album from Death Cab for Cutie. What is a Yellow Walrus and why am I talking about it?
 
Two lives ago Spirit is the Spirit was known as the Yellow Walrus (Seafarer one life ago), of whom I had only seen once at the Mainstreet Café. Singer Austen Malone was clad in plaid, standing in replica Woody shoes from Toy Story—yes, even with “Andy” writing on the bottom. Malone’s thick-rimmed glasses draped the bridge of his nose, and the dead-ringer voice of Benjamin Gibbard echoed from his diaphragm at that show.
 
“Alright, alright, get on with it,” you’re saying. I will.
 
Spirit is the Spirit—a cog in The Record Machine—added Baktun Baby to their growing discography at the end of March. Baktun marks the sophomore release from the band—the first being the five-track Mother Mountain. And in my ears, as I’m sure it will be in yours, Baktun carries a much different vibe than Mother Mountain.
 
Plucking in with psych-rock tuned guitars, Spirit kicks off the record with spacy, indie riffs. Crisp, clean drums come in, throwing in the flavor of the four-song EP. A different flavor, mind you, than the first album, which had a more folk rhythm to it. You will not find that familiar sound here. The airy and cosmic dream sequence of home-opener “Only After Dark” will surely ignite your interest.
 
Don’t be startled, but your dream just took a wildly different turn. “45 Days” comes in fast and bouncy. A twisty and turny and unstable in terms of tempo is everything that “45 Days” is. Composed of synth racket, almost guitar solos, and an eerie effect of Malone’s prominent voice hits you hard and keeps you utterly involved through the whole song.
 
“I Believe That We Will Win”—a jam anthem. Again, embodying that same synth racket. This third track keeps your interest for a different reason. Sound bytes from public speeches blurt in and out of the first two-and-a-half minutes of the song. Soon enough, ambient, quiet vocals chime in.
 
“I feel like that train is getting closer,” says one band mate to his band mates. He is answered with a “Shhhh,” before the acoustic strumming starts in, marking the beginning of track four: “Lonely.” The brilliance of the band’s ability to harmonize shines on this track. Bringing a multitude of male voices to the sad lyrics boosts the somberness of the song. A sad way to end the dream sequence of an album.
 
There is no doubt that Spirit is the Spirit has the talent and ability to create dynamic pieces of work. Intricate instrumentation and the ebb and flow of the tempo ease the songs to an elite class of indie-rock. As I listen to Baktun Baby on repeat, I pick up something new in each song along the way.
 
Editor’s note: Baktun Baby was recorded and produced by Danny Bowersox at Spirit House Recordings in Lawrence and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording. It was released in March with The Record Machine.
 
 

 

Your last chance to see Spirit Is The Spirit is this Saturday, July 27 at Czar. The group is part of The Record Machine Summer Showcase with special guests Palace and Volcano. Facebook event page. 
 
 
–Steven Ervay 
 

Steven Ervay is super rad. 

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Portland

Rigsketball Finals – 7.24

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What is Rigsketball you ask? Why it is a mobile b-ball game in Portland that involves a bunch of bands and a hoop bolted to the back of a rad van. It is becoming a summer tradition, started three years ago by band And And And’s drummer/ripper extraordinaire Bim Ditson and his trusty Ford Aerostar. This year has been another fast tourney between 32 local bands. They have been bumper-dunking in various locations throughout Rip-city over the last few days, from space at PDX Pop Now!, to NE dead end streets, and vacant lots off of MLK Blvd. 

And then there were four:
 
Soul Ipsum vs. Rio Grands—

Newcomers Rio Grands beat Otis Heat (with a hangover), then went on to defeat Typhoon and Con Chill Bro. 
The internal "Vaporwave" of Soul Ipsom beat out Trick Sensei and Mannequinhead (no hot cheetos and takis for you!)
 
Hustle and Drone vs. Thanks—

Thanks beat out reigning rigsketball champions and hip hop team TxE, with a score of 1-0, and then won against The Morals in a closer match. 
Hustle and Drone gave A Happy Death their namesake and didn’t share victory with The We Shared Milk(even after Boone nailed that 5 point shot). Their name is on their side. 
 
It all comes down to one art-van and bands, tonight at Holocene. Players and spectators alike will enjoy the sun and shenanigans as Ed Foreman serves up commentatary for the semi-final and final game, and afterwords everyone can file inside for a FREE show with the rip-rippest of line-ups:  The Woolen Men, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Minden, Grandparents, Gaythiest, The We Shared Milk, and Mister Tang.  But wait, radder yet is the musical compilation put out by Citrus Tapes, featuring tracks by ALL of the participating bands making music here in Portland. We are all winners! This RIPS! –Brandy Crowe

Nashville

Neulore playing the High Watt Thursday 7.25

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Neulore has been busy; they’ve been on the road with The Lighthouse and The Whaler this July, released a new single, and their website promises more music coming soon. The single, “Shadow of a Man” is a nod to the arena-folk sound ruled by Mumford and Sons, and the driving, anthemic urgency to it mirrors the momentum they have been building as of late. Neulore plays The High Watt this Thursday.  – Terra James-Jura

Philadelphia

New Eric Slick Film Soundtrack Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Dr. Dog‘s Eric Slick shared a bit of performance art with us during his set in January at PhilaMOCA for Tuesday Tune-Out. The piece entitled Primal Essence consisted of an interactive short film with Slick playing a live soundtrack. He only performed the installation two other times – Big Snow Buffalo in Brooklyn and Spring House in King of Prussia, where he recorded its probable final performance. You can listen to and purchase the soundtrack below. There is also a limited edition DVD (50 copies) available for pre-order with two versions of the film, extra bonus footage and a hand-drawn picture done by Eric himself. Enjoy!

NYC

Electro NYC band Junior Prom plays Union Pool

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Perpetrators of dance-pop that – evidently – would be the perfect soundtrack for your average Junior Prom, NYC electronic duo Junior Prom will take their bouncy and cheerful tunes to Union Pool tonight (July 24). Dating tip: great opportunity for twenty or thirty somethings to ask that person you like out, for an impromptu invitation to… Junior Prom!

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!