In their debut album, And Now.., The Moonshine have crafted eight songs reminiscent of a trip across country, capturing the beauty of traditional sounds with banjos, fiddles and harmonizing vocal chords. Opening with banjo, stomps and hand claps, “Never Know” starts the album off on an uplifting note; the interplay between the calling vocals leave the listener needing to sing along. This energy moves and transforms to fit into range of folk-inspired song structures, changing in an almost cinematic way. “Hard Times” comes off with an undercurrent of noir, “Shadow Song” as a bluesy and poetic confessional and the powerful closer, “Enough” has enough emotional punch to give you chills. And Now… is an example of the folk genre at its most dynamic, the nostalgic sounds within balanced by a crystal clear production. The next time you’re getting ready for a trip out of town be sure that you have this album to keep you company. – Benjamin Toledo
L.A.
Posted on:
The Cold And Lovely Runner-Up in The Deli’s 2013 Best of LA Year End Readers’ Poll
Third place in our Readers Poll goes to Alt-Rockers, The Cold and Lovely. Fronted by Megan Toohey and formed along with Nicole Fiorentino (who spends her spare time playing with The Smashing Pumpkins and Veruca Salt), the female powered group shape every tone with intention and precision. As if calling forth the goddesses of earth and sky, they layer gritty, biting guitars, with hard-hitting electro-style drums, spacey synth lines, and the vocals of a dark angel. With the intensity ready to fill an arena or simply blow the PA at your local club, The Cold and Lovely are filling a musical space left vacant for far too long. Stream "Doll" from their ‘Ellis Bell’ EP released today and catch them at The Viper Room on Feb. 6 with Nightmare Air (who seem to be making the rounds with the best of the best in LA this winter).
NYC
Posted on:
Kenny Wesley is The Real Thing.
DC based Kenny Wesley, the “Soulful Nerd,” is the most exciting artist since Prince. Woah. What did I just say? I don’t want to put too much pressure on him or anything, but the way he mixes genres, a smorgasbord of rnb, funk, alt-rock and love into a tight pop extravaganza denies any other comparison. His first full length, The Real Thing, was released in May 2013, and the title is no lie; Kenny is undeniable, and he’s about to explode into the national public consciousness. Already featured on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” and 2nd prize winner as the U.S. representative for the 2013 Montreux Jazz Festival’s Shure Vocal Competition (in Montreux, Switzerland), Kenny is up for 6 Wammies this year (Washington Area Music Awards: Record Design, Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Urban Contemporary Recording, Urban Contemporary Vocalist). Kenny will performing at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, MD, on 2/6, and will appear with an all-star lineup at the Hamilton in DC on 2/14. –Natan Press
Nashville
Posted on:
Feedback Revival’s New Video, “Carry On” and Album Release Show 1.30
Feedback Revival just released this video for “Carry On,” which should touch those certain our downfall is in our tethers to technology and fans of neck tattoos alike. It’s a heavy-hearted love song with as much grit and emotion in the guitars as Dan Fenton’s vocals. He could probably sing the phone book and have me convinced it was my fault he’s broken. The band is preparing to bring their onslaught of Southern rock to the High Watt this Thursday, 1/30 for their album release show. El El, Queens Boulevard, Bones Owens, and Kim Logan join in on the brawl. The show starts at 7 and will be very well worth the $5 cover, especially for anyone who’s ever wanted to smash a laptop. –Terra James-Jura
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Track: “Have a Starry Eyed Day You Shit” – Idiot Kid
On again, off again, on again emo-ish noise-pop project Idiot Kid (featuring members of Kite Party) just shared their debut EP Stick Your Head in the Water. Below is a standout track from the release called "Have a Starry Eyed Day You Shit." You can stream and download the rest of the EP HERE.
NYC
Posted on:
STRNGRS premiere new single ’17 Letters,’ play February residency at Spike Hill
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: you can’t trust math. For brawling blues rock trio STRNGRS new single ’17 Letters,’ this is exactly what’s been making life so difficult for them lately. The track counts the ways that singer Carson Kelley’s been having trouble recently, from writing letters to digging graves. Shouted over shit kicking rhythms that should satisfy the pent-up needs of any White Stripes fan… or anyone else who doesn’t trust math either. Check out the track below and see them when they play with the Von Shakes as part of their free February residency all Wednesdays in February at Spike Hill, on Feb 26th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Music Video: “Distant Light” – Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog premiered a kaleidoscopic, acid-soaked new music video for the track "Distant Light" early today via Stereogum. They’ll be doing a two-night run this weekend in Phlly at the E Factory – Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1. The second performance with Saint Rich is already sold out, but you can still get tickets for the first evening with opener The Districts.
Dr. Dog – "Distant Light" from stereogum on Vimeo.
NYC
Posted on:
NYC Artists on the rise: power trio Libel plays The Knit on 02.18
Taking from the likes of Jawbox and Sunny Day Real Estate with a British twinge, the juiced-up post-grunge Brooklyn power-trio Libel brings to the table a sound that could be described like a summary of what happened in the 90s, with an added glam attitude. Singer Gavin Dunaway’s solid tenor, with its Bowiesque tinges, can croon and scream at will, and would be an asset for any band. Speaking about Bowie… as you may know, he’s a huge fan of The Pixies, so much so that he had them open for him and even used to play some of their songs live. Libel’s single and standout track “This Is Love” (streaming here) from their latest, well-produced LP "Music For Car Commercials," sounds exactly like the fruit of an imaginary collaboration between the Bostonian band and the Thin White Duke – we dig it! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Track: “Raincheck” – Marge
We’ve been noticing a rise in female-fronted garage-twee acts who are creating some adorably charming, lo-fi tunes. Below is a new track called "Raincheck" from local fledgling all-female four-piece Marge. They’ll be performing this Sunday, February 2 at the Golden Tea House if you’d like to catch them live. Enjoy!
Chicago
Posted on:
Chris Coleslaw “Supermoon”
Chris Coleslaw is a singer/songwriter with an incredible voice and a "Weak Foundation". His latest album, Supermoon, is collection of beautifully sad songs that if you are in the right mood can make this chilling winter a little warmer. This is something about a shared heartbreak or shared sadness that makes our journey a little easier.
You can catch Chris at Rock Island Brewing on Feb. 20th.
L.A.
Posted on:
Video: Kevin Morby “Harlem River”
Kevin Morby has been a quiet, yet prevalent presence in the Brooklyn local scene, making major contributions to psychedelic folk band Woods and noise pop duo The Babies. Morby is now a resident of Los Angeles, but the city of New York is still vividly alive in his creative endeavors. He most recently set his own course by releasing his first solo effort, Harlem River, presented as a homage to his temporary home for the past five years. The ruminative title track has now been turned into a music video, which displays randomized snapshots of Morby and presumably his partner (played by Jena Malone) making small gestures that depict their mundane eveyday experiences. It rumbles along leisurely akin to the steady rhythm of the track, spiritually entwined with the sensible wander of bustling folk. Morby will be performing at Carpenter House on Long Beach next Monday, February 3rd. – Juan Rodríguez
San Francisco
Posted on:
Street Eaters and Baus Support Ultra Bide at The Knockout TONIGHT
Some bands need four or five people to create a wall of sound. But when it comes to Street Eaters, a truewave East Bay punk band, there are only two people needed to create a full, enveloping sound. With Meagan March on drums and John No on bass, this husband and wife duo takes an approach similar to that of The Evens – Ian Mackaye’s and Amy Farina’s project. By splitting the duties 50/50, Street Eaters posseses post-punk sensibilities and riot grrrrl influences.
Baus is an Oakland-based trio with a sound that’s derivative of no-wave and post-punk. In true no-wave style, Baus makes music that is not consistent with any solid music genre. Employing noisy vocals and guitar, amidst funk-influenced drum stylings the band creates music that cannot be weighed down by the expectations or cliches of a set genre.
Many punk bands lose their “bite” after a while. But this isn’t the case for Ultra Bide, a Japanese band that blends elements of noise rock and post-hardcore. Getting their start in 1978, they still haven’t gotten rid of their aggressive and primal nature that made them so popular in the first place. Last year they released “DNA vs. DNA-c” on longstanding Bay Area label, Alternative Tentacles.
Be sure to check out Ultra Bide, Street Eaters, and Baus at the Knockout tonight. –Erin Dage