The Districts‘ snowball continues to get bigger as it’s pushed up the steep slope of the music industry, and deservedly so. (Sorry, we couldn’t help it, being surrounded by all this snow.) If you’ve caught the band live, then you’ve definitely taken notice of Rob Grote’s impassioned, guttural vocal delivery and foot-stompin’ intensity. We also really dig Mark Larson’s poised guitar work. Well, the group polished off a few older tunes from Telephone and revealed a couple of new ones on their label debut that don’t show any signs of the momentum lessening any time soon for the youthful crew. You can stream their splendid self-titled EP over at Rolling Stone. Enjoy!
Nashville
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The Ascent of Everest at The Stone Fox Tonight, 1.24
Experimental rockers The Ascent of Everest’s last undertaking was the soundtrack they were meant to compose for the short film “The Devil’s Damned to Try” (available to hear HERE). Their sense of tension and dark orchestrations made them a natural fit for the project, which was released September of 2013. Their Facebook profile promises “a stellar set in the works-“ which may see its first audience in 2014 at the Stone Fox this Friday, 1/24. Rounding out the bill is The Inscape and Hollow Ox (this may be their last performance, so it would behoove you to be in attendance just to say you were); the show starts at 9pm. –Terra James-Jura
L.A.
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The Deli Presents Kan Wakan at The Echoplex 2/10
In the simplest terms, Kan Wakan can be described as Orchestral Pop, but that would diminish the true breadth of their inventiveness. Their debut ‘Forever Found’ EP is filled with lush arrangements, and a soulfulness that creeps in like a whisper on songs like "Midnight Moon Pt. 1" or with a more forceful blast on "Forever Found." Kristianne Bautista’s sultry vocals are the constant throughout the band’s instrumental swells, containing the power to seduce any crowd. For those of us lucky enough to live in LA, we have the honor and privilege of witnessing their musical prowess live on the Echoplex stage for free every Monday in February. Proudly, The Deli LA will be presenting their show on February 10 with performances by MyPet, J. Laser and Tien. Stream the upbeat, spacey funk jam "Moving On," which could easily be the next James Bond theme song, below and head to the Echoplex Monday, Feb. 10 for an unforgettable night. – Jacqueline Caruso
Philadelphia
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The Weaks Sign to Lame-O Records & Announce Release Date for Debut EP
Congrats to The Weaks, the latest project from ex-Dangerous Ponies members Evan Bernard and Chris Baglivo, who have signed to Lame-O Records! What started as an experiment to record a song a week has blossomed into an actual release on vinyl. The group’s 12" EP The World Is A Terrible Place and I Hate Myself and Want To Die is scheduled to drop February 11 via the Philly indie startup label that has housed recordings from homegrown rising acts Modern Baseball and The Hundred Acre Woods. Cheers, fellas!
Chicago
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Bubbles Brown
Bubbles Brown (aka Christopher Lawrence Brown) released an EP last month themed around the passenger pigeon and filled with stripped down traditional roots rock music. He is joined by "Washboard" Ben Brundage and together the duo has created a very impressed collection of songs. It is available for whatever you would like to pay currently, and will be mastered into an official release early this year.
You can catch Bubbles Brown at The Hungry Brain on Feb. 24th at 8pm for free.
Philadelphia
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Free Download: The Illvolution – Ill Clinton
While Drake might have found a way to become rich and famous writing hip-hop tracks for "the ladies," that is certainly not the reason why we love the genre. Check out this ominous, hard-hitting LP from sound sculptor Ill Clinton entitled The Illvolution! The Philly producer assembled this way rad fifteen-track album by recruiting a fine collection of underground emcees, which also includes local up-and-comers like Carl Kavorkian and Firm Taqtics as well as Army of the Pharoahs vets Crypt The Warchild and King Syze. Special thanks to The Key for bringing this record to our attention.
Chicago
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Me Jane @ Burlington
Me Jane are currently raising funds to help complete their debut album ISON. Their kickstarter campaign has only 10 days left but they are close to meeting their goal. The quartet has three demo tracks posted on their bandcamp page demonstrating their garage-girl pop sound.
You can catch Me Jane at The Burlington on Feb. 1st with The Pamphleteers and Innkeepers.
NYC
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Margot MacDonald: Second Place in The Deli’s 2013 Best of DC Area’s Year End Readers’ Poll
The beautiful voice and loop pedal mastery of DC favorite Margot MacDonald have propelled her to national acclaim in the past year. NPR’s All Songs Considered featured her as one of their favorite discoveries at the 2013 CMJ Music Festival, and she is the current Washington Area Music Association "Artist of the Year." Her new self-released album, Canvas, includes an incredible cover of Massive Attack’s Teardrop, which is about the ballsiest thing I’ve heard all year (also “oh that’s what the lyrics are”). Check out the lead single, Speed of Sound, below.
Chicago
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Lykanthea
Lykanthea is Lakshmi Ramgopal and under this moniker she she create ethereal electronic sounds. She just release a free ep called Sundowned with Savage Sister.
You can catch both Savage Sister and Lykanthea with Architecture and Magicks at The Burlington on Jan. 25th.
Portland
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Magic Mouth and Minden at White Owl Social Club 1.24
If two Portland bands were born to play shows together, it would be these two. And not because they sound like twin lineups, rather their matching energy and pazazz that pair alongside both bands’ strong, soulful undertones that can give any righteous hipster something to smile about. Minden will start off the night as their soft keyboard, smooth rhythm section, and harmonious back and forth vocals come together with an intriguing complexity that always ends on the right note. Following this, is the root driven rock stars, Magic Mouth. They play funk music with punk attitude and screeching soul-filled vocals with an ability to speak to a crowd through their high energy, fun-filled songs. Both Magic Mouth and Minden are set to have huge years in 2014 plus they both start with “m” so that’s kinda rad too. – Colin Hudson
Philadelphia
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Residuels & Killer Bangs Opening for The Detroit Cobras at JB’s Jan. 23
Coming out from behind a veil of pot smoke, you’ll find Killer Bangs unleashing some good time rock ‘n’ roll from below the waist. The band, fronted by “Shakey” Jake Hammill (formerly of Cold Fronts) and his brother Dylan Hammill with Stephen Clifford (Circa Survive) on drums and Chris Wehy (The Makes) on guitar, will be kicking out their party anthems at Johnny Brenda’s tonight for the first time. They’ll be warming up the stage for the garage-psych explosions of Residuels, who are made up of Moon Women frontman Justin Pittney and Creepoid drummer Pat Troxell, who also scares small children as lead screamer in noisy hardcore outfit Heathen Reign. Closing the evening out will be garage rock cover band The Detroit Cobras. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $15, 21+ – Alexis V.
Nashville
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The Chewers “Chuckle Change and Also”
The Chewers could possibly Nashville’s most fearless band. Their unique take on avant-garde expression invokes the satirical plight of Zappa and layers it with a fumbling rhythm similar to that of Captain Beefheart’s more experimental releases. "Chuckle Change and Also" is their latest lengthy release, boasting 22 tracks of captivating noises and melodies that are off-putting butoddly catchy. It’s like catching Shel Silverstein in a bad mood while he’s on an enormous amount of hallucinogens. “Can’t Sleep” is a mix of eerie humor that won’t leave your head for a few hours after listening. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a moment to peer into the Chewers’ world. -Michael Perry