We blogged about Foxygen guitarist Jonathan Rado‘s new upcoming solo album just a few weeks ago – here’s a new single that sounds very "Eno-esque" to us, although also a little psychedelic, which is an influence Brian Eno – one of the most brainy human beings to ever exist – would probably abhor.
NYC
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School of Nights announces debut EP
Brainchild of The Antlers’ producer/multi-instrumentalist Darby Cicci (that’s a cute last name of probable Italian origins – that’s how some people call their lovers over there!), School of Night marries lyrical depth and intimate atmospheres with an imaginative electronic production ripe with textured sonics and interesting ideas. In preview single Lying (streaming below) Cicci’s vocals sing along to a cascade of arpeggiators and other more or less random (but extremely well organized) electronic sounds, while a ghostly counter melody successfully hijacks our attention from everything else.
The group’s self-titled EP is out October 15 in the U.S. via Minus Green Records and October 14 in the rest of the world on Transgressive Records. We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out! – photo by Shervin Lainez
Portland
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Magic Mouth and Onuinu at Alberta Rose Theater 8.23
Flight 64 Printmaking Studio has put together a show that is sure to be one of the highlights of the summer, featuring Magic Mouth and Onuinu. After an energetic performance at PDX Pop Now!, Magic Mouth has been taking the Portland music scene by storm. Their sound is composed of Motown and a little bit of hip hop, but is grounded in raw rock and roll. They thrive with an unspeakable amount of band chemistry that lasts from the first note to the last. Onuinu has made a name for himself in the past few years as a producer and now has a backing band to complete the music. The songs have a vibe similar to chillwave, but dive in and out of smooth rock and always often land in an a futuristic soul groove that will make you dance. Head to Alberta Rose Theater this Friday to do just that. – Colin Hudson
NYC
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Well tempered NYC lo fi: Unicycle Loves You plays Rock Shop on 8.24
Unicycle Loves You – per the lyrics of their song “Wow Wave Cinema,” streaming below – claims nothing new, just a new name. At least they’re being honest? We think they actually stand out in the crowd. Hailing from the Indie epicenter of Brooklyn, the former Chicago residents tackle the noise pop genre with catchy rhythms and instrumentals that are both grating yet well-tempered. They recently completed their third LP titled "Failure" which they will give out for free (your choice of vinyl or CD with download card) at their upcoming show this Saturday 8/24 at The Rock Shop. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “My Very Own You” – Little Big League
Little Big League premiered their new skateboarding/music video for the track "My Very Own You" earlier today via Pitchfork. It was produced by Out Of Town Films.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Mojito Overflow” – Killer Bangs
Here’s a new music video from Killer Bangs for their debut single "Mojito Overflow." The band consists of former Cold Fronts member Shaky Jake and Dylan Hammill, and the video features cameos from Circa Survive‘s Stephen Clifford and Ruby The Hatchet‘s Jillian Taylor. Killer Bangs will be making their live performance debut by taking on a residency at Kung Fu Necktie that will span the Thursdays on October 10, 17 and 24. The group promises "all the guitar attraction and pop-sensibilities of Cold Fronts with more rock & roll integrity." We think them sound like a fightin’ words.
Philadelphia
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New Video: “Pearls Dissolve in Vinegar” (On the Hill Session) – Mitch Esparza
Below is an in-studio performance video of the song "Pearls Dissolve in Vinegar" by Mitch Esparza, a.k.a. The Love Club‘s (((taco))), for Kettle Pot Tracks‘ On the Hill. You can stream and purchase the entire session HERE. The Love Club will be performing next in Philly on Friday, August 30 at Connie’s Ric Rac.
Mitch Esparza – Pearls Dissolve in Vinegar from Jason Stewart on Vimeo.
Philadelphia
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West Philadelphia Orchestra Providing Balkan Grooves for All at Penn Museum Aug. 21
At this year’s 2nd Street Festival, you could see that West Philadelphia Orchestra is continuing to build an eclectic fan base. Whether you’re hippie-ish Deadhead, affluent yuppie, or even a young child just learning the freedoms of standing on your own two feet, it’s hard to resist dancing to their infectious Balkan grooves. If you don’t believe me, come see for yourself this evening at Penn Museum. And if you can’t make it tonight, you also have another free opportunity this Saturday at Liberty Lands Park when they join a fine bill of locals acts for Rock to the Future’s Rally for Rock: Benefit for Music Education. Penn Museum, 3260 South St., 5pm – 8pm, Free, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
NYC
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The Meaning of LIfe debuts new video
Try as I might, it’s not easy to pin down exactly what’s going on inside singer/songwriter Marta DeLeon’s head. The Meaning of LIfe, the Brooklyn art rock band she fronts, contains such an unexpected mixture of rock’s building blocks, that only a video as bizarrely fun as ”Laura V" would do. From directors Jeremiah McVay and Steven Huber, the band creates a world where people get eaten when dates go wrong, and guitarists run around the beach shouting psychedelic wisdom…. just check it out for yourself to see what I mean. Intensely artful, yet easily accessible, singer Marta DeLeon makes us believe in the experience. And pretty soon, you’ll be chanting ‘like gloves’ along with her too. Taken from their just released debut EP ‘Play Fuego,’ the music is fun, soaring, and surreal all at once.
See them on Sep 27 at Bushwick Shorewave Haus. And check out their new EP ‘Play Fuego’ here. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets).
NYC
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Album review: David Hasselhoff on Acid – Eudaimonia
The name David Hasselhoff on Acid grabs you. Unless you are from Germany, where he’s considered a rock god, David Hasselhoff is the dude that ran down the beach to judge “talented” people while sitting in his talking car drunkenly eating a cheeseburger off the floor mats. Wait, I got some shows mixed up there. Oh well.
The latest from the KC band David Hasselhoff on Acid Eudaimonia is a trip—a rapid-fire jazz-rock fire fight, blasting out of the blocks with “Breakfast,” a jam that must be of supernatural origin. It comes on like something The Sword would do if they spent quality hang time with Frank Zappa and Yes while expanding their imaginations to impressive heights.
Therein lies the rub. I sit listening, eating a burnt English muffin, lounging in flannel pants, needing desperately to shave. I love this record. What has happened to me? Historically, I am not a fan of long, self-important, drawn-out, seemingly improvised jams. I hate Phish, The Dead was overrated, I detest Widespread Panic, and Dave Matthews is the Antichrist.
I grew up listening to punk rock where if you could not get it done in three minutes or less, do not play it. On occasion, if the mood struck me, I would indulge a bit in progressive rock, but those times were as rare as seeing Bigfoot at a keg party.
However, DHOA has struck me differently; there is method to the madness, melody in the chaos—not just “look-what-I-can-do!” wankery. There is beauty lying in the eye of the storm.
“Tiny Bubbles” is an 8 minute, 8 second extravaganza that plays like a threesome between Primus, Metallica, and Carlos Santana. It just should not work in this or any other universe, but it does. However, it does push the limits of my ADD, so if you have similar issues, double up on the Adderall before pushing play.
“Someone Just Caught a Unicorn” is just plain cool. An interstellar trip on par with ‘70s tripout artists Captain Beyond, this is one of the most spaced-out tracks on Eudaimonia—Adrian Belew and Syd Barrett would be so very proud. Although, at over thirteen minutes, even the most dedicated Dungeons & Dragons player would reach their limit. Immediately following is “Noodly Appendages,” the 3:36 jam with Zach Legler doing his best Gene Krupa/Buddy Rich drum fill attack, bassist Erich Thomas blowing the funk out and guitarists Phil Wolf and Brandon Bamesberger alternating between subtlety and rocket blasts. This is a real gem among gems.
The closer “Sheep Led By Wolves Owned by Pigs” is straight-up weird; at times, creepy. DHOA is clearly the Mothership for some of the best musicians I’ve ever heard. Ever. Period. The players make their instruments do things that a precious few could or can do. KC, you should be glowing with city pride to have these prog champions in your borders. That said, my friends, be in the right headspace for Eudaimonia; wait until you are sufficiently lubricated to get sucked in, to get lost. Do not get in a hurry, enjoy it, and let it get under your skin, to take you away, as any good acid trip should.
Eudaimonia was recorded at Level Select Productions in Lee’s Summit, and produced, mixed, and mastered by guitarist Brandon Bamesberger. It was engineered by the band: Phil Wolf, Zach Legler, Erich Thomas, and Brandon Bamesberger.
Physical copies of Eudaimonia will be released on Friday, September 6, at The Riot Room. The inside stage show kicks off at 9 with Opossum Trot, then Instant Empire (Denver), Janet the Planet, and DHOA. The patio starts at 8 with See the Elephant, Conflicts, and then Troglodyte. Facebook event page. Also, check out their Kickstarter page and help them print off CDs at the link here. Only four days left!
–Danny R. Phillips
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Danny R. Phillips has been reporting on music of all types and covering the St. Joseph, MO music scene for well over a decade. He is a regular contributor to the nationally circulated BLURT Magazine and his work has appeared in The Pitch, The Omaha Reader, Missouri Life, The Regular Joe, Skyscraper Magazine, Popshifter, Hybrid Magazine, the websites Vocals on Top and Tuning Fork TV, Perfect Sound Forever, The Fader, and many others. |
NYC
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Album review: Red Kate – When The Troubles Come
I had a conversation with a friend the other night over drinks. The majority of the talk is unimportant, but the meat of it was how much we miss rock ‘n roll. I, like my musician friend, have grown weary of bearded bands trading in their amps and Telecasters for banjos, washboards, and glockenspiel. What boat did I miss here?
Legendary folk singer Pete Seeger posed the question, “Where have all the flowers gone?”. I say, “To hell with the flowers. Where’s the riffs?”
Well, I have discovered some of the sadly endangered rock ‘n roll species on Red Kate’s When the Troubles Come. The Kansas City-based band (L. Ron Drunkard, Desmond Poirier, Brad Huhmann, and Andrew Whelan. Original guitarist Scot Squatch, who appears on a few of the album’s tracks, left Red Kate while recording Troubles) has laid down a superb LP packed with ‘70s rock aggression. The band’s one-two punch guitar work of Desmond Poirier and Brad Huhmann should make Angus Young and Marc Bolan fans very, very happy.
Red Kate indeed mines the 1970s for gold but stays clear of the cheese that marred the latter part of the decade. Red Kate plays big and aggressive but at the same time is more than capable of producing songs with great pop sensibilities (“Pink Sweater”). Have no fear, my friends; the schmaltz of bands like Boston and Foreigner are nowhere near Red Kate’s sound—thank god. Think more Stranglers and The Saints than STYX and Kansas.
Extolling the virtues of standing up for something and questioning the motives of the government, Troubles is chock full of calls to actions under the cover of rock ‘n roll. On the exceptional lead off track “Union Voice,” Drunkard cries out: “The boss is not your friend / now it’s time to make a choice / stand up and raise your voice.” In “Hypnotized,” he snarls: “I won’t pledge allegiance to the flag or company / there ain’t no way in hell you’re gonna pacify me.”
Too few bands put their beliefs out there for the entire world to see, and even fewer still are capable of doing so while kicking ass. Troubles is what rock and punk used to be before being invaded by Creed worshippers and Hot Topic. Red Kate brings a message without being heavy handed, self-important, or preachy. The band does not tell the listener to overthrow the government or become a radical anarchist. What it does is plant a seed of curiosity, of standing up for what you believe in and for being an individual.
When The Troubles Come is passionate record made by people who clearly believe in the words they’ve laid in wax. It is a record for people who believe that it is their right as humans to stand up for something, to question the beliefs put upon them by church and the state, to demand answers to their questions, and to do so while rockin’ like their heads are on fire.
When The Troubles Come was recorded and engineered at Weights and Measures Soundlab by Duane Trower. It was mixed by Trower and L. Ron Drunkard, digitally mastered by Trower, vinyl mastered at Sae Mastering (Phoenix) by Roger Seibel. Released by Replay Records.
Red Kate’s KC album release party will be at Davey’s Uptown this Friday, August 23. The Bad Ideas kick the show off at 9 pm, followed by Steady States, The Quivers, and topped off by Red Kate. Sure to be a loud, rowdy, boisterous evening. Facebook event page.
–Danny R. Phillips
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Danny R. Phillips has been reporting on music of all types and covering the St. Joseph, MO music scene for well over a decade. He is a regular contributor to the nationally circulated BLURT Magazine and his work has appeared in The Pitch, The Omaha Reader, Missouri Life, The Regular Joe, Skyscraper Magazine, Popshifter, Hybrid Magazine, the websites Vocals on Top and Tuning Fork TV, Perfect Sound Forever, The Fader, and many others. |