Here’s some nice video footage from The Menzingers‘ performance at The Fest 12 this year, which was produced by Light & Noise. Well, it’s actually mislabeled, and is from their set at BIG PRE-FEST IN LITTLE YBOR. The band just announced that they’ll be heading to Australia in March to tour with The Smith Street Band and Grim Fandango.
NYC
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Album review: Reach – Live at recordBar
(Photo by Brian Slater)
It’s been a hot minute since I have come across a live album from a Kansas City local act. In all actuality, I haven’t come across many. Sure, a live track here and there, a live demo album, and so on. But a real, full-length live album? If there had to be one to listen to, it would be from local emcee Reach.
I have only seen Reach perform live on one occasion—last year at the Midwestern Audio Vol. 1 release show at recordBar, where this live album was recorded. During the set I saw, Reach played with jazz group Diverse backing him—something that is entirely different than hip-hop artists, who often perform with just a DJ. Reach’s Live at recordBar album is similar to his Midwestern Audio performance. Having a live jam band—Mouth—and adding three talented backup singers (Schelli Tolliver, Vance Ashworth, and Sausha Brooks) and DJ Ataxic sets Reach apart from the rest.
Right off the bat you are hit with the feeling that you’re actually standing in recordBar. Reach introduces his band to you, the eager showgoer, before seamlessly sliding into “Burnin,” the opening track of his just-over-an-hour performance. The 21-track, 1.2-hour-length album is quite impressive when taking into consideration the amount of energy the emcee exudes. The tempo set by the band gives no hints that the set is mellow, and Reach has a persistent energy through the duration of the album.
High-tuned, riffy guitar sets the mood of each song. Sometimes jazzy, sometimes urban, sometimes unbelievable drums build the backbone, while plucky and prominent bass lines fill out the body. The ambiance created is done with the work of the backup vocalists, beautifully harmonizing and occasionally soloing. Everything is stitched together with the flawless flow coming from Reach himself.
The sounds and content of the songs seem to take you back to the original hip-hop ethic. Selfless lyrics about trying to support his child and live life as humbly as possible fill out his repertoire. Reach writes lyrics about earning his respect, and proving that he has worked for what he has. He doesn’t get caught up discussing his swag or his game; they are occasionally mentioned, but the majority of his songs are light-hearted, with tinges of seriousness.
Emcee Reach’s flow is undeniable. He doesn’t miss a single beat while performing his extensive set. Slow songs, fast songs, and even a freestyle are not too much for Reach. The participation of the crowd drives the energy of the album throughout.
–Steven Ervay
You can catch Reach at recordBar once again on January 8, where he will host the second installment of Let The Beat Build, a collaborative, improvisational urban jam session. The opening session will include Approach, Lou Rip, Les Izmore, Brad Williams, Nate Holt, and Reach, and the following two sets will be open to the public. This is a great opportunity for artists of different styles, from emcees to poets to musicians. Facebook event page.
Nashville
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Meth Dad, “Swimmers”
Winter is here and though it’s time to bust out your itchy sweaters and worn-out Neil Young records, you don’t have to completely give up on the summer party vibes just yet. METH DAD, brain-baby of the wild child with a smile, Tyler Walker, is pumping out the perfect music to fight the cold. Walker’s latest release, "Posi Vibes," is a synth-pop explosion drenched in Fun Dip and Pixie Sticks. As of recently, METH DAD has been known to include a full band in his outlandish live performances, often featuring huge props and, of course, glittery man thongs. METH DAD ships out for tour on the 21st, but Walker is known to stay pretty busy so I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ll have a few chances to catch a show before then. -Michael Perry
New England
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The Taxonomists’s “Dolphin Ape Demo” is stuffed with catchy hooks
“I’m not a backup singer so don’t treat me like one,” Alex Handler sings on the second song from The Taxonomists’s “Dolphin Ape Demo.” Handler is right: one of the band’s biggest advantages is having two vocalists. He and keyboardist Anna Neumann harmonize or trade off, taking the reigns whenever either has the most to add to a song. The five-song EP is catchy as hell, packed with chorus hooks and earworm guitar riffs that will stay in your head for days. “Dolphin Ape Demo” has something from everyone, from crunchy indie pop opener “Phase of the Wave” to its closing track “Play It Cool,” which recalls White Denim’s 2011 ballad “No Real Reason.” Check it out on Bandcamp now – Jake Reed
New England
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Warm Thrills dreams of love on self-titled debut
The lovesick Bostonians known as Warm Thrills have just released their self-titled debut album. Loaded with lyrics about heartbreak, “Warm Thrills” oozes with the despair of a faded love. The opening track “Boyfriend” is a familiar plea for a girl to just give it a shot, but the playfully up-tempo drums and syncopated vocal line make it a feel good-tune (if you ignore the lyrics). In the emotional vein of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry,” "Boyfriend" is the stand-out track of the album. The band uses syncopation frequently, creating unsettled and slightly confused shuffles. Filled with retro psychedelic harmony, deliciously desponded lyrics and youthful charm, every song elicits the image of an awkward high school dance in the 50s. Warm Thrills has delivered an honest and dreamy album that reminds us all how confusing and generally messed up it can feel to love someone. Check it out on Bandcamp now – Paul Talbot
L.A.
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Video: Wages, “Pull Through”
If you do one thing today, it should be to watch this latest video from Wages. It will leave you with chills and the desire to hug someone you love. A visually stunning interpretation of the song’s lyrical messages, the video is inspiring from the first string embellishments to the final unexpectedly unresolved ending. The artist, Yarrow Kraner, spent days painstakingly implementing live ink techniques to create patterns in the water, setting the perfect visual mood at every moment of the song. As it swells, the images move faster as the colors collide into each other like an underwater storm. Trust me, this is a video you’ll be watching on repeat today. It is Monday after all. – Jacqueline Caruso
Nick Campbell & Wages – Pull Through from CHISEL INDUSTRIES on Vimeo.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video & Free Download: “Standard Human” – Purples
Below is the long-awaited official first single from Purples (featuring former members of beloved Philly indie-rock group The Teeth) called "Standard Human," which also comes with a music video and can be dowloaded for free HERE. The track is off their upcoming debut album Nancy, and they’ll be performing next in Philly on Saturday, December 28 at The Boot and Saddle as part of a rad lineup with Grandchildren and Night Panther.
NYC
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From The Deli NYC’s submissions: Silverbird plays Cameo on 12.10 (tomorrow)
Silverbird draws from a fairly wide palette, jotting through excavations of folksy whims and lo-fi fuzz. Like a trippier Deerhunter.. but on totally different drugs. This is the sound of well-remembered but slightly overcast memories, and their air of nostalgia should make it easy for you to find something of yourself in their silky, laid-back tones. Like in ‘Smile,’ a tender ode to a treasured gesture, that will find its way burrowed through your ears, inside your muscular reflexes, and just might make you find something to turn your cheeks up about. Check it out below. See the band live tomorrow (12.10) at Cameo Gallery in Williamsburg with Hurrah! A Bolt Of Light and Stephen Nielsen. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Portland
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The Weather Machine at Kelly’s Olympian 12.11
On December 11th Kellys Olympian will be hosting the latest band to set the interwebs abuzz, The Weather Machine. The sudden wash of attention is a result of front man Slater Smiths brilliant idea to visit all 185 Oregon National Parks in the name of creating an epic music video for his poetic tribute to leaving so you can come back again, "Back Or’e Oregon". Everyone from Portland Monthly Magazine to NPR to Buzzfeed (where you can now find good music in addition to cats that are too proud to admit they hate the snow- who knew?!) has taken note of Smiths video and not just because everyone who isn’t from Oregon was surprised to hear it pronounced correctly. Smiths journey took him 4 months, to what are arguably some of the most beautiful places in America, and garnered the attention and support of Breedlove guitars, Oregon State Parks, and Tender Loving Empire to name just a few. New fans who are lucky enough to stumble onto this video would do their ears well to go beyond "Back Or’e Oregon" and check out the newest single "Slow Dance Slow", available through Tender Loving Empire. – Joy Pearson
Philadelphia
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Introducing the Inaugural Episode of Going to Hell on Olio.fm Feat. Satellite Hearts
Our former intern and a longtime contributor to The Deli, Brandi Lukas, has a new podcast show entitled Going to Hell on Olio.fm. It’s a funny, edgy and quite raunchy (of course, she’s a Jerzey girl ;o) perspective on pop culture and internet trends. Brandi also has a segment called "First Date" where she interviews and gets to know up-and-coming music acts. On this inaugural episode, which you can listen to and download below, she talks with Justin Pellechia from local psych-rock outfit Satellite Hearts about meeting Doors’ drummer John Densmore in Canada, his show this Saturday, December 14 at the Ardmore Music Hall with Toy Soldiers and Ali Wadsworth, the band’s upcoming second album, and much more. Congrats to Brandi, and stay tuned in to Olio.fm for more!
Philadelphia
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New Night Sins LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Take a journey – To London or the Lake, the new LP from local dark wavers Night Sins. The project from the mind of Kyle Kimball (formerly of Salvation and now the drummer for Nothing) premiered their album last week over at Noisey, and the record is out now via Avant! Records, which you can take a listen to below. Enjoy or get really depressed, whichever floats your boat!
Philadelphia
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Lushlife Opening for Blackalicious at WCL Dec. 9
Philly emcee/producer Lushlife, a.k.a. Raj Haldar, released his most ambitious recording to date for Weathervane Music’s Shaking Through series last month called “Toynbee Suite,” which was inspired by the cryptic, ceramic Toynbee tiles that can be found throughout the world for over the past 20 years. The four-movement, hip-hop/orchestral masterpiece runs ten-plus minutes, and features contributions from talented peers/pals rjd2, Dave Hartley (Nightlands, The War on Drugs, etc.), YIKES the ZERO, Ricardo Lagomasino (Many Arms), Joshua Stamper, who worked on the string arrangements, and many more. Tonight, Lush will be warming up the crowd at World Café Live opening for legendary West Coast hip-hop duo Blackalicious, which consists of emcee Gift of Gab and DJ/producer Chief Xcel. I am sure that Haldar will be picking up plenty of new fans with his nimble, old school-style flow. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8pm, $17 – $28, All Ages (Photo by Phil Bradshaw) – H.M. Kauffman