Stream: The Moth & the Flame “Sorry”
Talent usually goes unnoticed, and that’s certainly the case for alt-rock trio The Moth & the Flame, whose electronic-tinged pop songs caught the attention of Ultraista drummer Joey Waronker [credits include Beck, R.E.M, & Atoms of Peace] to produce their six song EP &. Structured around a rhyhtmic backbeat, the lead single off their latest EP "Sorry" confidently hovers with limber guitars alongside a prominent keyboard arrangement that gives the song a palpable sense of atmosphere. But the shuffling electronic textures never get in the way of maintaining a song-oriented approach, and its in their willingness to emphasize a keening melody where they demonstrate an ability to retain creative control while aspiring to take things to a grander scale. & comes out on October 29th via Hidden Records, and to support the release they’re making a stop at Bootleg Bar on October 25th.
Marc Neibauer Won’t Fall Apart at JB’s Sept. 27
Paper Brain at Rontoms 9.29
Paper Brain is back after enduring several lineup changes and seemingly no recorded output since their first release in 2007. The self-proclaimed “darkpop” four-piece has unearthed itself with the aptly titled, Begin Again, EP released just last year. Lead singer, Mike, says he took a step back from his micromanagement of the songwriting process to emphasize the creative input of each respective band mate. Echo heavy, mirage-like guitar shimmers over bass lines that sing buoyant and smooth one moment and slam into fuzz-crunching the next. Soaring vocals fall like fine smoke on top of it all while drummer, Phil, (also known from Genders) displays a sense of dynamics that’s sure to make a great live show. Heavy when they need to be while maintaining catchy, melodic integrity, Paper Brain listens like a cup of French press coffee: bold, rich in texture with just enough grit to keep you alert. – Ted Jamison
A Deli Video Premiere: Lily Virginia – ‘Yuriko”
Coupled with the fearless artistry of Kate Bush and the melodic openness of Annie Lennox, Lily Virginia sweeps into our ears with her uniquely danceable art pop.
Her latest single ‘pop pop pop!’ does for dance music what Tom Tom Club did for hip-hop. An unfiltered experience of art construction resting firmly on top of the catchiest grooves, and just about begging for a remix. As Lily says herself in the song: "I don’t want reality, so give me all your fantasies." Fair enough.
Her new video to ‘Yuriko’ characterizes an uncompromising spirit moving around psychedelic animations and whirling textures. Check it out below and join Lily for the music video release party, tonight (Sep 27th) at Culturefix – an experience slated to be complete with immersive media stations, a performance, and possible puppetry. Let’s hope so. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets).
Chris Kasper CD Release Party at WCL Sept. 27
Cy Barkley and The Way Outsiders at Exit/Inn Tonight
Whether you have some steam to blow off from the week, or have been reminiscing about your teenaged house show slam dancing, Nashville fixtures Cy Barkley and The Way Outsiders have you covered. They released their album “Mutability” on September 1st, and it is heavy with rapid fire drums and belligerence. They play Exit/Inn tonight with Guitar Wolf, Coward, and Coathangers, all eager to cure your nostalgia with a boot to your face. -Terra James-Jura
White Cloud Fine Points Dylan Shearer Play Hemlock Tavern Tonight – 9/26
White Cloud, who will be headlining the night at the Hemlock Tavern tonight, takes psychedelic melodies and infuses them with Ian Curtis-like vocals, filled with heavy effects and a memorable arrangement of harmonization. Their song, “Car Wreck” features a heart beat-reminiscent intro, which is fast and loud, and then, breaks off into a dreamy chorus. Fine Points, who regrettably don’t have music readily available, feature members of Sleepy Sun. Lastly, acoustic singer/songwriter, Dylan Shearer will open up the night with a simple combination of vocals and acoustic guitar. In his song, “How We Could,” his vocals are soft and longing, potentially bringing an ease into the acts for the night.
Be sure to head on out to this diverse array of local artists at the Hemlock!- Victor Casillas Valle
Canon Logic releases video + plays The Deli’s CMJ show at Rockwood on 10.16
NYC Alt Rockers Canon Logic recently released this video for single "Crocodile" (from their latest album "WYLD"). It was filmed two days after Hurricane Sandy, in a blacked out lower Manhattan and on the shut down subway tracks. The band will be playing The Deli’s Alt Rock CMJ Stage at Rockwood’s Stage 2 on Wednesday October 16 with The Stationary Set, Emmy Wildwood and Sleep Kitty. Check out the full schedule of The Deli’s Official CMJ Shows 2013.
CD of The Month: Pink Frost
Pink Frost is a rare bread, or so it seems. They are froward leaning but with a clear and strong respect for ’90’s rock. Their sophomore album, Sundowning, is a 9 track collection of anthems complete with roaring guitar solos and contagious hooks. In fact, as you listen through this album, there is a little for everyone, from Shoegaze to Pysch Rock, Pink Frost explores many aspect of rock. A shared released from BLVD Records and Notes and Bolts this September release is one of the strongest of the year.
You can catch Pink Frost with Outer Minds and Touched By Ghoul on Sept 28th at Empty Bottle.
Free Downloads: Hopscotch Fest (King’s & PoB Day Party) – Spacin’
Our favorite garage-psych band Spacin’ made the trip down to Raleigh, NC’s Hopscotch Fest last month, and NYC Taper was there to capture it. The band performed two sets during the festival – at King’s on September 6 and the Paradise of Bachelors Day Party at Louise "Scotty" Stevenson Amphitheatre on September 7. You can download both of those sets HERE, as well as stream "Ego-Go" from King’s and a new song "Gary In The Universe" from the PoB Day Party below.
The Parson Red Heads Video Premiere
The Parson Red Heads have just released the second in a four part series of promo videos featuring different members of the group in the recording studio working on their upcoming release, Orb Weaver, out October 1st on Fiesta Red Records. This video follows bassist, Charlie Hester, through his studio experiences, ending with a rocking sneak peak of a new track. Watch the video below, you can also listen to their brand new single, “Every Mile,” here via Paste. Judging by these previews, it’s safe to say that Orb Weaver is something to be excited about. – Benjamin Toledo