After taking a short hiatus to work on other projects, Of Archers is back and more focused than ever. The first track on the newest EP, “Don’t Look,” opens with rolling arpeggios and shimmering guitar. Briefly tipping its cap to the likes of Coldplay, “Don’t Look” breaks into a thumping groove that shows the band has begun to find its own niche. The writing is an improvement from past releases, tastefully working the songs theme of walls caving in with the cascading walls of sound. “Roots,” the most impressive track, is a catchy Fall favorite that will remind you why you first liked Death Cab for Cutie. The three song EP is promising and leaves me excited for a full release. -Michael Perry
L.A.
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Zak Waters Celebrates Album Release during September Satellite Residency
Electro-funk-pop neo-soul singer, Zak Waters, will be celebrating the release of his new album, “Lip Service,” every Monday, starting tonight, during his residency at The Satellite. His first single, “Penelope,” is a radio-ready dance-inducing pop explosion that is sure to set the room on fire. It’s a light-hearted, sugary teen-pop tune with an autotuned breakdown and one of the catchiest choruses of the summer. The charismatic energy transmitted through Waters’ vocal stylings is palpable as he trills out runs like a seasoned pro ready to take on the world of stadium-filling and VMA presenting. Stream the song below as you put on your dancing shoes to head to The Satellite every Monday this month. – Jacqueline Caruso
NYC
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Mission South, Dirty Names, and Tauk @ Rock’n’Roll Hotel 9/13
This Friday, make your way over to Rock’n’Roll Hotel for an awesome local line-up featuring headliners Mission South joined by Dirty Names, and NYC’s Tauk. Mission South (an outstanding contender in our yearly Best Emerging Artist campaign) is a DC trio of best friends dishing out an alternative indie sound, and are currently on an extended US tour going on now through November. Check out their latest video for "Peaches" below. Maryland rock and rollers Dirty Names will be unveiling new music to the masses on Friday, and rumor has it- if they win this month’s Deli poll, they’ll release a new song! NYC’s experimental rock-fusion Tauk will no doubt lay out some key instrumental tracks from their latest release Homunculus, a record in which Grammy winning producer Robert Carranza was on board.
It all goes down Friday Sept 13 @ Rock’n’Roll Hotel. Doors @ 8 PM
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Forget How It Used to Be” – Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers just premiered an upbeat, bluesy new tune called "Forget How It Used to Be" earlier today via Guitar World. Their LP The Maybe Boys officially drops tomorrow, and they’ll be celebrating its release this Friday, September 13 at Johnny Brenda’s.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Crucial Companion” – Kate Faust
Kate Faust (formerly of Toy Soldiers) recently shared a mystical music video for the title track to her latest EP Crucial Companion. It contains a choreographed dance routine with Faust and featured dancer Kingsley Ibeneche as the "companion." Its was filmed in her hometown of Denver, PA and directed by Herman Jean-Noel and Tafadza Chiriga of Naglakay Productions. She’ll be performing next in Philly this Saturday, September 14 at MilkBoy Philly with Elegant Animals and former Toy Soldiers bandmate Vichelle Woods. Special thanks to The Key for bringing it to our attention.
Philadelphia
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Starlight Ballroom Re-opening as EDM Club Called District Nine
The world of EDM continues to grow in popularity, and now, the kids have a new venue in Philly to freak out at with their glow toys and over-the-top club outfits. Starlight Ballrom will be re-opening and reinventing itself as District Nine with a lauch party this Friday featuring a set by DJ Shadow. Expect to see upgrades with lighting and decor in the former roller rink. We’re guessing that it’s about to get even louder and weirder in the Eraserhood.
NYC
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ERAAS announces LP “Initiation” + play Death By Audio on 09.21
Brooklyn darkwave texturalists ERAAS have announced the follow-up to their highly regarded self-titled debut with the soon to be released “Initiation.” The full length is set to hit the streets November 12 on Felte Records’ imprint. First single “Old Magic” reveals how the band’s sound continues to evolve. Built on a steady percussive beat and progression-defining bass line, initial surrounding spaces come filled with what sounds like the subtle crackling noises of an old vinyl record. Ominous falsetto vocals – rather melodic compared to the band’s previous material – present the song’s lyrical content as sleigh bells enter the mix, giving the percussive element additional focus. Later, muted synth textures further contribute to a disquieting atmosphere. The next opportunities to catch them live is September 21 at Death By Audio and the 26th at Bowery Electric. – Dave Cromwell
NYC
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Alice BrightSky releases album “Box of Me” – with (pre-) Lana Del Rey guest appearance
Singer-songwriter Alice BrightSky carts a heavy load around. Latest record ‘Box of Me’ packs the emotive import and lyrical punch of Miranda Lambert with the melodic range of Jeff Buckley. My fave track here is the torpid thunder of ‘I Am.’ The song has all the makings of a hard rock tune, but delivered instead with an acoustic brawl. The NYC artist has everything you’d ever want from the loudest music you’ll ever hear, but delivered from such an intimate place, you’ll pull your ear in closer to find out just what exactly she’s lost and loves.
Listen to ‘Lover’s Fate’ below – a song that features none other than Lizzy Grant (now also known as Lana Del Rey) on backing vocals – the two met at the 2006 Williamsburg Live Songwriting Competition. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Philadelphia
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New Elvis Costello and The Roots LP Available for Streaming
It’s hard to ignore when two legendary acts like Elvis Costello and Philly’s own The Roots join forces. Born from their collaborative work on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, their forthcoming album Wise Up Ghost is due out on September 17 via Blue Note Records; however, you can stream the reord in its entirety over at NPR’s First Listen.
Austin
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Review – Wave by La Vega
Summer is mostly gone, but the season never ends in the impossibly optimistic, ne’er-say-die "surf rock" that can be found on our scorched and shore-less environs. And you can’t find a better example of said genre than Wave, the brand-new, tanning-oil-shiny release from La Vega, the off-shoot for Wild Child‘s Evan Magers and Manateam‘s Daniel Vega. But tighten up that drawstring and lock your toes into your flip flops before proceeding; despite the "side project" roots, this is one wipe-out-inducing bomb.
Spot-on, sand-encrusted production grunge on brilliant poppish, fire-side-possible numbers; pulled along with 60-ish reverb, beachy choruses, acoustic strumming, and pushed down drum kits. Check out the surf with "Do The Surfer Girl Limbo!", "Love Ya Self", and "Where You Normally Go". Watch them channel "Wipe Out" with "Shade", Nick Lowe with "Slow Down", and The Everly Brothers with "Exit Tax" and "Jackie". Then go all Alt Rock with "Key West" and "Minor Nightmares".
Classify this as one set of far out gnarly numbers, Walter Styled and clean. Magers and Vega have been going off on this collection, and releasing such a sick nug is enough to turn this tubular side project into an epic headliner. –Written by Scott Osborn
Chicago
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Peoples Temple of America
The garage-punk band Peoples Temple of America has released the first single, "Mark Gonzales (I Can’t Ride)" from their upcoming EP.
Chicago
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My Gold Mask “Severed”
My Gold Mask has released a new single called "Severed". This is the second of a series of new digi singles from the band.
You can catch My Gold Mask at Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier with Gel Set on Sept 13th.