New England

Sarah Borrello delivers catchy pop gems on live EP

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Judging by the recent events on her Facebook page – shows in NYC, a VIP pass and red carpet photos at the Boston Music Awards – Sarah Borrello is on the fast-track to fame. While her name might recall pop pianist Sara Bareilles, a similar name and well-crafted skills on the keys are all that the two share in common. Borrello’s debut album, “Exit,” is full of catchy, rock-tinged pop gems, with guitar and drums big enough to match her strong, growling vocals. In October, she released the live EP, “Sarah Borrello Live @ MIT,” which features two new songs and a cover of “Black Sheep” by Gin Wigmore. Check out both the new EP and “Exit” on Bandcamp now – Jake Reed

NYC

NYC Video of the Month: Tiny Hazard’s “In a Little House”

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Just in time for Friday the 13th (yes, we got this last Friday) comes the savage onslaught of Tiny Hazard, with some great advice: if you were ever dumb enough to believe a hot pixie chick couldn’t terrorize you… think again. For the band’s debut video ‘In A Little House,’ (taken from their debut self-titled record) singer Alena Spanger proceeds to ensure a drunken wandering fool doesn’t randomly find himself lost in the woods again. The track is at turns: either an intimate display of singer/songwriter showmanship, a full chorus chant on cultish display, or an ear-piercing noise fest. Watch the video below for yourself and see how it comes together in entirely unexpected ways. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

P.S. We don’t have a "Video of the Month" thing going on in this blog, but we liked this one so much we created it just for this circumstance.

NYC

Sursum Verbo’s power punk-pop at Otto’s on 12.21

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Finally… something has come out of Brooklyn that isn’t drenched in miles of reverb. With Sursum Verbo, there’s no need to throw in all that extra fluff. Songs like ‘Let it Go’ and ‘Photo’ from their self-titled EP take a cue from The Pixies and Hole and delivery a straightforward power punk-pop that injects their poison exactly where it needs to go. Especially powerhouse singer Lisa Hahn, who leads the Brooklyn group with all the ferocity and mania you’d ever want from a post-punk trio. It’s a nice sonic excursion for anyone a bit over dream pop. Listen below, see them at legendary dive bar Otto’s Shrunken Head on December 21st. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Nashville

Congratulations to Chalaxy, Our New Artist of the Month!

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Chalaxy cleaned house this month, as there are loads of ardent fans out there who appreciate their cosmic rock and roll. If anyone lives and breathes ‘rad,’ (I bet it smells like Blow-Pops) it would be this fourtet. Listen to “My Best” below if this is the first time you have heard of the band, and if you like it, go to www.chalaxy.bandcamp.com and pick up their album for a measly $5. –Terra James-Jura

Philadelphia

Debut Needle Points EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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It’s Monday, and a lot of you are probably sitting at work and wishing that you could turn back time. Well, we’d like to help you do that. However, we’ll be taking you back to a place where sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll ruled the land. Check out the righteous time-warping debut EP from neo-psychedelic rockers Needle Points entitled Bom Tugango below! And smoke ’em if ya got ’em.

Philadelphia

+HIRS+ Opening for F.O.D. at Golden Tea House Dec. 15

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It just makes absolute sense that Philly area hardcore legends F.O.D. (a.k.a. Flag of Democracy) are headlining Golden Tea House tonight. It’s also pretty damn amazing to have these local underground warhorses of thirty-plus years anoint the beloved West Philly DIY space. And you’ll find them in good company alongside a fine representation of the city’s next generation of basement destroyers. Philly queer thrashers +HIRS+ will be releasing rapid-fire drumbeats, slash-n-burn guitar riffs, and war-cry wails that could inspire revolution. “NO GODS // NO COPS // NO BROS” – sounds like utopia to me! Golden Tea House, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 7:30pm, All Ages – Alexis V.
 
Update: +HIRS+ dropped off the bill, and has been replaced by Ex Friends. 
 
Philadelphia

A Work Drugs Christmas Spectacle w/The City and Horses & Teen Men at JB’s Dec. 14

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If the idea of sleek, dance-inducing synth-pop is on your radar, head to Johnny Brenda’s tonight for A Work Drugs Christmas Spectacle. Work Drugs have a soothing alluring tone as if the whispered vocals are secrets shared between close acquaintances. The synth/percussion/bass union generates subtle calculated grooves that garner appreciation for the shifts and changes throughout a song. The music envelops you in an intimately intense yet cozy dancing haze – one that you may want to embrace for the evening. Tonight also marks a rare opportunity to catch the delightfully eccentric open-book, pop stylings of The City and Horses. Kicking the night off will be Teen Men, an intriguing project that looks to explore the interaction between multiple mediums using video projections throughout the performance. The group includes Nick Krill and Joe Dobson of the Spinto Band as well as photographer Catherine Maloney and local filmmaker Albert Birney. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
 
L.A.

Artist to Watch: Mean Dream

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Female-fronted bands are being celebrated tonight at The Lexington. Headliners HOTT MT will be joined by L.A. Girlfriend, Haunted Summer, as well as new artist to watch, Mean Dream. They recently released a two-song samplr on bandcamp. Mean Dream Samplr is drenched in lo-fi scuzz, 80s teenage ennui, and peppered with dreamy, listless vocals reminiscent of Chrissy Hynde. The opening song, "Swamp Thing," stutters and starts, yet maintains a hypnotic bass line that tethers you to their madness. At times the edges are so rough, you feel as though you’ve been dropped into the midst of a heroin haze. Miraculously, they seem to slide right back into the groove making you realize they never really lost their way in the first place. The band proves their true pop prowess with "Full of Holes." The lighter companion to the shadowy opener, this tune’s driving beat never quits. Just as you get lost in the rhythm, they hit you with the lines, "you can get in and out of my bed," shoving you off the seesaw of indifference. Mean Dream perfectly combine elements of the silly, the spooky, and the twee, with the ever-so-seriousness of shoegaze for a delightfully visceral experience. Catch them live tonight at The Lexington. – Jacqueline Caruso

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, December 13 – 15

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The Yah Mos Def started when Bryan Poerner began rapping over old hardcore beats to see how many ways he could intersect the two worlds. But when he linked up with Rick Mitchell and released Play Ugly for Suckers, the duo gained a cult following that was largely fueled by the energy of their live performances, where you can find them pogoing and headbanging to their beats with fervor. After reaching their peak in 2008 with the release of their full-length Excuse Me, This is The Yah Mos Def, the group went on a lengthy hiatus. Now, after five years, The Yah Mos Def will make their long-awaited return this Saturday at The Boot & Saddle tonight alongside spaced-out basement boogie outfit Prowler and the celestial electro psych-pop crew Tygerstrype. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St, 9PM, $10 21+ – Bill McThrill

Other places to hideout from the frigid weather this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI West Philadelphia Orchestra, SAT A Work Drugs Christmas Spectacle w/The City And Horses, Teen Men
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Community Service, The Adults, Stereo Coma
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Mathew K, No Stranger, Ryan Villa Nueva, SUN Everhart Release Show
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI I Yahn I Arkestra, Dirty Soap Blues Band, SAT Everhart Release Show, SUN "Dorothy Is Stuck in Kansas" Benefit Show w/Murchant, Hezekiah Jones, Sharon Little, Kevin Killen
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Wild Rompit, SAT Ronniepalooza! w/Cold Roses, SUN Ang & The Damn Band, Rob, Lately
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT Northern Arms, Jackie Paper (Record Release Show), Echo Orbiter
 
The Trocadero (103 Arch St.) FRI Luther
 
TLA (334 South St.) SUN Schooly D, Vivian Green, Gillie Da Kid, Asia Sparks
 
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Damn Right!, SAT Get The Led Out
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Dead in The Face, Corpse Hoarder, Dark Water’s End, Burial Mound
 
The Station (1554 Sansom St.) SAT The Naked Sun, This Temper, TIMBERS, Croth on the Cross Fet. Spear Ritual Hip Gnosis
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Mock Sun, Those Clever Foxes, Nervous Nikki and the Chill Pills
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Leo Minor, SAT Johnny Showcase
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Keystoned, Those People, Izimo, John Faye, SAT The Royal Noise, Chaos Thompson, Somewhere South, Matt Sturman
 
Vox Populi (319 N. 11th St. #3) FRI 185668232, SKGB, A.P. Vague
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Flag of Democracy, +HIRS+, Regular Adults, Spectrum Disorder
 
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Astronaut Your Planet, Dopestroke, Wally
 
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Dying, Boroughs, Bleach Bath
 
The Slow Club (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Batworm, Fuck SS, Drug Lust
 
Portland

KZME Presents: Duofest 12.14

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Besides the loads of raw musical talent, there’s nothing ultra-fancy about this event; which is exactly how an event celebrating the art of two-piece rock and roll should be. Duofest brings together some of the best power duos that Portland has to offer. Headlined by the root driven and blues heavy Hopeless Jack & the Handsome Devil, Kelly’s Olympian will be packed with the kind of heavy rock you need to hear to cure the bitterness of this winter weather. Starting the show is the guitar thriving soulful blend known as the Yes-And Band who will be followed by the acoustic and folk rock melodies of Bevelers. After that Machine will take the stage and showcase lead vocalist Madeline’s blissful, harmonizing singing behind beautiful songwriting. And before HJ & HD the Deli Portland’s October artist of the month winners, Bear & Moose will bring their alternative rock to the right place. Come to Kelly’s on Saturday to find out just how much sound two people can make. – Colin Hudson

San Francisco

The Spyrals Cool Ghouls Unstrung and Santoros Play Brick & Mortar Music Hall TONIGHT

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Come check out local garage-psyche rockers The Spyrals who will be sharing the bill with Cool Ghouls, Unstrung and the L.A. based band, Santoros this Friday at The Brick and Mortar Music Hall! If you’re a fan of vintage rock and roll, psychedelic guitar freak-outs and an intense amount of reverb, then we implore you check out this heavy garage rock line up. The Spyrals are bringing a new batch of tight, melodic garage rock songs reminiscent of 60’s acts like The Sonics and 13th Floor Elevators. No strangers to a good old-fashioned feedback jam, The Spyrals also know how to bring raw energy to a live performance and are sure to put on a kick ass show. –Ethan Varian

NYC

A Psychedelic Apple – Psych Rock in NYC.

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Music and drugs have always gone hand-in-hand. Take marijuana, a substance that helped inspire everything from the reefer songs of 1930s and 1940s jazz, to the blunts ‘n’ beats of modern day hip hop. Cocaine birthed David Bowie’s mid-seventies Thin White Duke alter ego, and was a cornerstone of disco culture, while heroin gripped the lives, careers and creative output of artists right across the board, from Miles Davis and Jim Morrison to Kurt Cobain and Julian Casablancas. But few musical genres have been so interlinked with drug use than the vivid explosion of psychedelic rock that occurred in the late sixties and early seventies. Needless to say, dozens of bands loiter the dives of New York City, dedicated to keeping the spirit of ‘67 alive. Read Dean Van Nguyen’s feature about Psych Rock in the NYC scene.

This article appeared on The Deli NYC"s issue #36 (Fall 2013). Listen to a playlist of emerging Psych Rock and Dream Pop NYC bands here.