Nicos Gun have a new music video for "Precious," a track off their new album Dream Vacation where they continue to explore their inner Prince. It features Lady Gaga drummer George "Spanky" McCurdy, Aaron Draper on percussion, and CJ Branch on keyboards. The video was directed by Brian Lipko. Nicos Gun will be performing this Thursday, February 13 at Johnny Brenda’s with Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket.
New England
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New England Music Awards Week: Ashley Jordan
New England Music Awards Week continues with Ashley Jordan, a country vocalist from Harvard, MA. After releasing two records, she joined forces with Big Crush Records to release her third, Nothing in Doubt, last December. The album and its lead single, “If I Had You,” helped the songstress earn her second nomination for Country Act of the Year. We spoke to Ashley to learn more about her music and how she views her success.
To read the interview, click here.
Philadelphia
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New Video: “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” (Cover Club) – Sean Hoots
We already knew that Sean Hoots (of Hoots & Hellmouth) has a lot of soul in him. Well, here’s some more proof of it. Check out his rendition of "It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by G.C. Cameron, which was popularized once again in the 90s by local legends Boyz II Men, for Root Down in the Shadows‘ Cover Club. Get your lighters ready, and enjoy!
NYC
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Dumb Waiter play Gallery 5 for New Turks send off.
Richmond’s Dumb Waiter is not the usual math-rock band and they’re not simply a jammy fusion group either. Where most math bands aim to excite (or confuse) with surprising changes, Dumb Waiter adds an unexpected element of sound. The saxophone is central to their sound, and gives every track a jazzy vibe. On their debut, Is This Chocolate, they switch from sing-songy, to dancy, to epic, often within the same song, and fans of metal or fusion or inventive and proficient indie combos will find a lot to like throughout the album. You can see their instrumental acrobatics live on February 16th at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA, as they, and fellow Richmond band Night Idea, send of drum and bass duo New Turks on their tour of the east coast. –Natan Press
Nashville
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Natalie Salzman Releases “Ebb and Flow”
Natalie Salzman released her album, “Ebb and Flow” Jan. 5th of 2014. Recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals with some of the original Swampers among the session players, it spans blues, country and pop in 7 tracks about love and loss. The album is fortified by her voice like a prodigal Judd and background as a classically-trained harpist. Though it may be the most in-organic instrument to load in, the harp finds place without ceremony, and this casual approach keeps it from veering off into the realm of gimmicky fusion or Adult Christian Contemporary. Of the whole album, “You Don’t Know What Is” has the most teeth. The next time Salzman plays Nashville will be at Ugly Mugs on March 15th. –Terra James-Jura
Philadelphia
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Album Review: You’re Gonna Miss It All – Modern Baseball
After releasing the sleeper hit, Sports, in 2012 via Lame-O Records, which eventually received the re-issue treatment from Run For Cover Records, Modern Baseball are already back with a new full-length album entitled You’re Gonna Miss It All. Like its predecessor, the record possesses the emo trait of personal, confessional lyrics but with a more self-deprecating humor that provides the LPs with their unique charm, while musically, the band demonstrates a wider range of songwriting capabilities beyond what you’d typically find in the genre, which is what could grab the attention of new and many more fans from outside the group’s close-knit DIY circle.
With the opening strums of “Fine, Great,” you get a sense of how the origin of the song and probably many others in the band’s catalogue began to find its identity – on an acoustic guitar. However, once the rest of the group comes in, you can really hear the polished leap forward in production from Sports, which may make obvious sense to some when you learn that the record was mastered by Will Yip (Title Fight, Man Overboard, etc.) and mixed by Jon Low (Restorations, Sharon Van Etten, etc.). The first half of the album certainly has its moments fueled by the group’s impressive sense of wordplay, but it’s the second half of the LP that demonstrates the signs of Modern Baseball’s possibility to reach a broader audience. “Charlie Black” is a power-pop anthem that could accidentally find its way on to modern rock mainstream radio stations (if the band decides to make a radio edit version), but the song’s transition from its ending static noise to one of the more lovelier moments on the album, “Timmy Bowers,” with its laidback guitar picking that accompanies the honest lament of “wait a minute because I’ve been living more like a piece of shit without you…”
Modern Baseball’s ability to capture the feelings of heartbreak in a poetic yet real world vernacular is what I think is the band’s strongest songwriting attribute, well, that and their earworm hooks, which will eventually snag them a larger fan base ready to immerse itself in the group’s music and sing-along to every word – a connection that most artists wish they could make with their audiences. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself doing the same. – H.M. Kauffman
New England
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New England Music Awards Week: Dan & the Wildfire
With the New England Music Awards set to take place in Lowell on February 22, we begin New England Music Awards Week with Dan & the Wildfire, a five-piece folk band from Boston nominated for Indie/Pop Act of the Year. The band released Smoke Signals, its first album under the name Dan & the Wildfire (and second overall) in 2012, and is currently hard at work on its follow-up record. To learn more about the band and what got them recognized this year, we spoke to frontman Dan Htoo-Levine himself.
To read the interview, click here.
L.A.
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Video: MYPET, “Pays To Know”
Dark and brooding, MYPET makes sultry, at times psychedelic, electro pop. Their video for "Pays to Know," is set in a fantasy-filled forest where danger lurks around every corner. I guarantee the hook will be stuck in your head for days. Peep the video below and see them live tonight as part of The Deli LA presented Kan Wakan Residency at The Echoplex with J. Laser (of M83), and Tien. – Jacqueline Caruso
New England
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Miss Geo, Rich People Food, Kitschenettes and Elsewhere at TT the Bear’s Place This Wednesday
For anyone sadly unaware of the aural bliss that will be coming from TT the Bear’s Place this Wednesday night, February 12, fear not; I will now fill you in on a show you simply cannot miss. Dance-pop duo Miss Geo will be playing their synth grooves alongside Rich People Food, Kitschenettes and Elsewhere. This bill is sure to brighten up even the most dreary of winter weekday moods. If you’re free (and why wouldn’t you be–it’s a Wednesday night!), come by Central Square in Cambridge and check it out.
Doors are at 8:30, with Elsewhere kicking it off at 9PM. $9 cover, 18+. Proper ID required.
-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
L.A.
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Tashaki Miyaki share “Cool Runnings,” play The Troubadour Feb 22
Self-actualization is an arduous, life-long task. It requires vulnerability and acceptance. Embracing this attitude towards a higher existence, Lucy Miyaki is showing us her softer side with "Cool Runnings." Based on the idea of "trying to stop the cycle of self sabotage," a pattern known all too well to those following artistic paths, Tashaki Miyaki have once again captured layered emotions in their own breezy, chilled out way. The ease with which Miyaki delivers her dreamy, heartfelt lyrics is beguilingly seductive. Her voice is like a cozy cocoon waiting to wrap you up and carry you away to an enlightened consciousness. Stream "Cool Runnings" below from their bandcamp. The single is part of a limited edition 7" colored vinyl available Feb 25. Catch them live at The Troubadour on Feb. 22. – Jacqueline Caruso
L.A.
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Stream: White Sea, “Prague”
Back in November, we shared White Sea’s video for "I Don’t Know," which was filled with heavenly production and imagery. White Sea is the moniker of Morgan Kibby, known for her work with M83, who has an undeniably angelic voice. Her latest single, "Prague," shows the darker side of her electro sound. Opening gently like a sweet caress with delicate, whispering harmonies, she catches you completely off guard with the thumping, gritty beat that kicks in with the chorus. Like a vampire, "Prague" woos you before it takes a satisfying bite. White Sea’s full length, ‘In Cold Blood’ is due out this March. Catch them live at The Palladium with Phantogram on February 22. – Jacqueline Caruso
Philadelphia
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Ticket Giveaway: Dead Meadow w/Needle Points & Brother JT at Underground Arts This Wednesday
We have another good show that we’d like to send you to this week. Our ticket giveaway features D.C. stoner rockers Dead Meadow with Deli faves Needle Points and Brother JT (who will also definitely be adding to your psychedelic adventure that evening) at Underground Arts this Friday. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line “Puff, Puff, Give." Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency).