NYC

Artists on Trial: Is Paris Burning

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We will be highlighting some of the artists playing The Deli KC’s showcase for Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3 on the Seen Merch Stage at The Riot Room patio. Today’s Artist on Trial is Is Paris Burning.
 
With a pop sound influenced by post-punk bands like The Smiths, Is Paris Burning brings an upbeat, driving indie rock presence to Kansas City music. We talk with frontman Neal Dyrkcaz to find out more about the band.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
 
Dyrkcaz: Do that thing with your guitar again…
 
The Deli: Give us some background on the band.
 
Dyrkcaz: Matt [Cole] and I jammed around for a bit a long time ago and were just trying to figure out a sound we both liked. We had some songs, jammed with some drummers, and even tried to record a small demo. Ultimately it fell apart and we let our music fall into the void. Through talking with Corey Vitt of Rooms Without Windows (who are also on our showcase!), he told us that Brian [Jewell] was looking around to jam with a band and told us to hit him up. So somewhere in the middle of 2012 we started jamming, and by the end of the year honed our sound and felt comfortable enough to record a single that we released for free at the beginning of 2013.
 
The Deli: What would you say your biggest accomplishments been as a band?
 
Dyrkcaz: Just being able to play and actually enjoying the music we make and getting excited to play our own music is an accomplishment to me. I also feel very humbled by the fact that blogs around the world have picked up our single and posted about it. It doesn’t matter how big or small the blog is—someone not within 1,000 miles of KC is hearing our music. That’s something to me.
 
The Deli: What do you have coming up?
 
Dyrkcaz: We are trying to find someone to record us! I am very picky about sounds and how a record sounds, and I am very weary of other people’s ideas of how our music should sound. So it’s a slow process for us.
 
The Deli: Who are you most looking forward to seeing at Middle of the Map this year?
 
Dyrkcaz: So many. Gary Numan, Ski Lodge, FanFarlo, William Elliott Whitmore… on and on and on. It’s going to be a grand time.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Dyrkcaz: I came up through the ranks of the Chicago/KC DIY punk/hardcore scene. So a lot of my local music support happens in basements, houses, and DIY venue shows. IPB is a much different sound than hardcore, but I feel my DIY spirit is rooted in its music and ideals. I’ll play anywhere. It would be cool to play a huge venue with our sound, but I feel right at home in a cramped basement that smells of beer, sweat, and piss.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Dyrkcaz: I’m way into stoner rock sooooo probably Keef Mountain and Blood Shaman. Matt and Brian are really busy right now so I don’t know what their answers would be, but KC has a very thriving local scene, and gets a lot of support.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
 
Dyrkcaz: Honestly, I’m forced to help out at my girlfriend’s horse barn on my off hours….recently I have been listening exclusively to CCR. YES! Keep on Chooglin…
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Dyrkcaz: Concert bill? It would have to be a fest, too many to name! It would be a huge mashup of sounds.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there? 
 
Dyrkcaz: Van Morrison, Phil Lynott, Toni Iommi, Freddie Mercury.
 
The Deli: What other goals does Is Paris Burning have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Dyrkcaz: Singles, EPs, full-lengths, splits, aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Dyrkcaz: Smoke Acid and Freak the Fuck out. (No one else in the band will probably like this answer.)
 
Is Paris Burning is:
Neal Dyrkcaz – bass, vocals
Matt Cole – guitar, vocals
Brian K. Jewell – drums
 
 
 
Don’t forget to check out Is Paris Burning at The Deli KC’s showcase at Middle of the Map Fest next Thursday, April 3. They will take the Seen Merch stage on The Riot Room patio at 8:00 p.m.
 
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays bass in The Philistines and Dolls on Fire, and drums in Drew Black & Dirty Electric.

 

 

Free Counters

Austin

New Flavor Raid Single

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If you’re looking to dance, look no further than Flavor Raid. The Austin duo deliver hard thumping tracks with catchy and clever lyrics that guarantee a good time, be it out on the dance floor or at a house party.

While the synth beats definitely appeal to EDM ears, the Austin duo has way more going on than your typical EDM artist. Combining samples, vocals and instruments like trumpet and bass, Flavor Raid has a style that’s all their own.

Check out their recently released single “Dreams We Never Had” and be sure not to miss their next gig. If you’re looking to rage, Flavor Raid won’t let you down. -Written by Gillian Driscoll

Philadelphia

New Video: “Mind Games” – The War on Drugs w/ Jim James

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The War on Drugs are currently trekking the country behind their fantastic new LP. Lost In The Dream. Recently, they have been doing their own spaced-out version of John Lennon’s Mind Games, but their stop in Portland included a cameo by one Jim James on vocals.  The band is touring all around the world the next few months, so maybe we will get some more cool guest vocals, but until then, enjoy the video below. 

NYC

Vows releases video for “Ghost Years”

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Since the weather is finally giving us a break today after what felt like a decade long winter, this is probably not the ideal time to play this colorless, icy video by NYC via Australia electro goths Vows. Problem is, it’s a well done video for a well written song, and when something is beautiful you shouldn’t miss it, no matter if it’s sad, weird, or gray. Check out the band’s full self titled 2013 EP here, and see them Friday April 25th at Radio Bushwick in Brooklyn.

NYC

NJ Psych Pop from The Deli NYC’s submissions: The Anderson Council

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The Anderson Council is that missing link between flower power and thundering arena rock. From discussions about the rainbow and ufos in the psychedelic burner ‘Pinkerton’s Assorted Colours,’ to utopian visions of everlasting love in ‘Love Bomb,’ the New Brunswick group may have one of their feet planted in all things hippie dippy, but beware: there’s a dark side hiding in their tracks. Check out ‘Hole in the Sky’ below and get your own summer of love started when they announce more dates soon. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

NYC

NYC Alt Soul artist on the rise: Lewis, unveils video for “Hunter”

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In the last few years – probably inspired by influential Brooklynites TV on the Radio – more and more emerging non-African American NYC bands have been embracing the influence of soul music, something that in the past was often discarded by "creative types" on the basis of its implicit connection to chart climbing aspirations. As it often happens, these Caucasian musicians are now stripping some of the passion and energy out of the African American traditional genre, replacing it with darkness, tension and varying degrees of experimentation. This musical phenomenon has already found a brand new label (Alt’n’B) – althought in our charts we simply call it Alt Soul.

Brooklyn based chanteuse Katherine Smith, under the moniker Lewis, has released a single track so far – but a good one – titled "Hunter." The song caught none other than Jay Z’s ear. This led to a remix version featuring his vocals, which is climbing the Hypem charts. Then Eric Weiner from The Wild Honey Pie – with whom we share a passion for intense and mellow female fronted artists – produced this video for the single, which was unveiled today.

We don’t know much more about Lewis – from a quick glance at the Facebook wall there aren’t any shows scheduled nor there seem to be plans for other releases – but the potential of this project can’t be ignored.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Philadelphia

New Video: “Dig” (Live at The FADER FORT) – Nothing

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Here we have a new video of local shoegazers Nothing performing within the walls of the The FADER FORT at this years SXSW.  The band was warming up the crowd for Migos, Travi$ Scott, and Rick Ross, so a good portion of the audience looks lost during Nothing’s performance. Nonetheless, they rocked out to a packed fort, even if the sound mix was the opposite of what they are used to. The band is on tour for a while, so quench your Nothing thirst with this video until the boys are back in town. 

NYC

Norman Rockwell to play farewell show in May.

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Norman Rockwell originally played a more organic progressive folk rock in their album Fare Thee Well, released in October of 2012. After their album, Norman Rockwell began to blend a variety of genres in order to reach its own unique sound. The band owned innumerable pedals, and knew how to use them. Their funky bass-lines combined with the psychedelic-rock influenced guitar riffs, as drums play below. Joshua Johnson’s gruff vocals felt suppressed, as if they were just waiting for the right moment to have an eruption of honesty and emotion. Norman Rockwell’s live performance was as fantastic as their recorded material. The members’ technical knowledge and natural talent had given them ability to create something unique to the DC scene. Unfortunately, their album title foreshadowed their Farewell show show on May 3rd (at Jammin Java). Fare thee well, Norman Rockwell. –Hannah Brady

Portland

Sound Select Portland: Big Freedia, Magic Mouth, Thanks

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The first Tuesday of each month has never been more exciting in Portland, thanks to Red Bull’s new concert series Sound Select Presents: Portland. Each month, the concerts are curated by different local music aficionados, and showcase one national headlining act and two local up and comers. Past headliners of the series include Maps and Atlases, Portugal. The Man and Helio Sequence. This month’s showcase at Mississippi Studios features New Orleans’ Big Freedia, the undisputed Queen of bounce, supported by Magic Mouth and Thanks.

Main support of the evening, Magic Mouth are a hard hitting four piece that plays soulful funk music in the most rock and roll way possible. With an enthusiastic front man whose vocal range is off the musical map, the group delivers a raw and simple but huge sound. Thanks offer a soulful take on psychedelic rock. The erie, reverb soaked guitar hooks and thundering drum and bass lines are beautifully rounded out by lead singer Jimi Hendrix’s piercing vocal ability. Her jazzy voice reminisces the English soul scene (Amy Winehouse, Wayne Allen, ect.) making Thanks a truly exciting live band.

All this local music greatness leads up to one of the best rap acts in the country. Big Freedia has starred on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and made herself famous this past summer by prompting a twerking feat that made the Guiness’ Book of World Records. Freedia’s unique musical styling ‘bounce,’ is like trap but more twerktastic and bouncy. 

April 1, the show starts at 9pm and costs $3 if you RSVP here in advance, or $15 at the door. – Colin Hudson

Nashville

Tour De Fun 4.12.14

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Consider this fair warning to get your chain greased and your tires pumped up; the Tour de Fun is less than two weeks away! The bike ride/rolling music festival is scheduled for April 12th. By the end of the day riders will have visited 15 venues to watch 30 bands, many of which have been featured on the Deli Nashville in some form or another (Churchyard, Chalaxy, The Prophet Nathan, kidDEAD, Meth Dad, The Joy of Painting, Josephine and the Wildfront). The event starts with a cookout at Riverside Village at 11 am, and the ride begins at 1pm, and the best part, besides promoting bicycle advocacy, fostering the local music scene, and nurturing Nashville’s community spirit, is that it’s FREE! To get more information on the schedule, artists, and locations, visit tourdefun.net. In the meantime, get a taste of the lineup by checking out "Echo On," the latest single from prog-rockers The Subnovas. -Terra James-Jura