I picked up a new word while reading up on PUJOL. A kludge is “a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem; an ill assortment of poorly matched parts, forming a distressing whole,” and also the title of the band’s new album. Slated for a May 20th release, it’s a follow-up to the acclaimed debut album “The United States of Being,” that won over listeners with smartass lyrics and Daniel Pujol’s bratty snarl. Judging by the vinegar in the shambling single “Pitch Black,” “Kludge” is sure to deliver the same punk in the face. Pujol will be at the Parish Underground On March 14th. –Terra James-Jura
NYC
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Alex Vans and the Hide Away at Iota, March 22nd.
Alex Vans is becoming a centerpiece in the DC scene, often recruiting local favorites like Margot MacDonald and Will Rast, amongst many others, to join him and his band, The Hide Away, for rollicking indie rock jam parties that leave the band and audience sweaty and gleeful. All that fun boils down to Alex and his superlative guitar skills, and you can catch the experience at Iota in Arlington, VA on March 22nd with The Beanstalk Library. –Natan Press
NYC
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Modern Ruins at Holy Frijoles on March 15th
Baltimore’s Modern Ruins features local power-pop/alt-country savant Andy Bopp (Lovenut, Myracle Brah, Bleaker Street Cowboys) on baritone guitar, Ken Shopf (Slide, Ligature) on cocktail drum, and Niall Hood (Sixty Acres, DREN Records) on bass. Modern Ruins is like a stripped down Big Star, with clever bare bones arrangements dressing perfect pop skeletons, or a raw roots-rock combo version of the Beatles, relying on strange instrument choices rather than studio magic to lure the audience into their catchy, and heartfelt, embrace. You can catch them at Holy Frijoles in Baltimore on March 15th. –Natan Press
Portland
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KZME Presents: Tango Alpha Tango 3.13.2014
Tango Alpha Tango headline the Doug Fir this Thursday with their high-energy, bluesy classic rock sounds–watch frontman Nathan Trueb for shredding guitar solos. Main support Fox and the Law have long been infiltrating the Portland scene with their hard-hitting rock n roll, including a recent live performance recorded at Banana Stand Media to be released in the near future. The Lower 48 open the night, trading guitar solos for harmonies and rad Beatles esque pop tunes.
Sponsored by the wonderful folks at KZME, expect catchy hooks and some in-your-face cool guy stuff Thursday 3.13.2014. The show starts at 9pm and costs $12 at the door or $10 in advance here. – Chandler Strutz
NYC
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Bear Hands unveils video for “Giants” + plays SXSW
Bear Hands, who graced the cover of the 23rd issue of The Deli NYC back in 2010 just came out with this new video for single "Giants" from the new album "Distraction." The band is currently co-headlining a US tour with fellow Brooklynites Miniature Tigers (coincidentially a Deli CD of the month that same year), with support from Total Slacker. The band is also performing at five showcases at this year’s South By Southwest in Austin, TX, including appearances at the KCRW Showcase and at Stubbs with The 1975.
Portland
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Malt Ball 2014 Brews in Review
I arrived at the Wonder Ballroom after work ready to enjoy the Friday edition of Malt Ball 2014. 24 brewers were on hand, 12 of which collaborated with the weekends bands to create a beer/band line-up. With friends I tasted each and every one of the beers. This year seemed IPA heavy, but all were delicious.
Here were some favorites:
Gigantic Brewing’s "Emergency"– a Ameri-Belgian Barrel Sour, super dark and subtly tangy. Designed with Summer Cannibals in mind.
Ambacht Brewing’s "Matzobrau" -Dark, Sweet, and Holy Sh*t! Get this for Passover (not a collaboration brew with a local band).
Lompoc Brewing’s "Dry Hop Victory Dry Hopped Golden Ale" -Hoppy, Hoppy, Joy, Joy for Hot Victory.
And the winner is: Claim 52 Brewing’s "Run Wild Radler" – So this beer hits you hard–It’s super light and smooth but then you get a punch of citrus and floral–floral like a glass full of peonies, floral. It was as I was tasting this when I realized the band it was made for, Thanks, was one the stage. They crooned with a display of deep soul vocals, rock, jazz, and as I heard many audience members say "..a HUGE guitarist". "Run Wild Radler" was a little untamed, and tasted like spring. It was great to compare the taste to the sound.
Give your ears the taste of Thanks as well. – Brandy Crowe
NYC
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Brooklyn punks Tournament opened for Japanther at Brooklynvegan show
There’s nothing like some raw, ragged punk rock to revive you from your slouchy, beginning of the week blues. Tournament will do just that. Their in-your-face, muffled and razor sharp tunes will take you back to the days of Black Flag and the old school Hermosa Beach punk rock scene. The muffled vocals of Montana Masback will kind of remind you of Lee Ving from Fear. Listen to their infectious track titled "Scattered" that they leaked last month from their newest unreleased EP. The band just played a loud BrooklynVegan show at St. Vitus with Japanther and Tiny Moving parts. Stay tuned for upcoming live performances. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
San Francisco
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Review: Split Screens – The Sinner
In Split Screens’ new 7 inch single entitled, The Sinner, Jesse Cafiero takes an experimental twist on psychedelic, feel-good vibes. The title track tenderly greets you, as cool effortless guitar leads flow with warm basslines, and a clean cut production value. Clear and soft vocals gently coo a one-sided conversation, bursting with a struggle of contained passion, ever so delicately accented with cymbal crashes. An echoey chorus leads into a reverberating organ-touched ending. The B side, Meeker Hollow, features a simple piano melody and a slow, steady beat that is joined by components of an orchestra as well as a hint of electronic inspiration. The smooth quality of sound shines through to the lyrics, and segues into a wave of a melodic jam.
This new 7 inch release from Split Screens fails to disappoint and pushes the boundaries of chillwave psychedelia. – Kat Collins
Philadelphia
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New Night Panther EP Available for Streaming
Synthpop crew Night Panther shared a new three-song EP this weekend entitled Kiss, which you can check out below. The band also collectively worked on the score for ABC sitcom Mixology that premiered last week. We’ll be announcing more details soon about the group’s Deli-presented month-long residency at Bourbon & Branch in April. (Photo by Kelly Kurteson)
Philadelphia
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The Powerful Sisterhood of Bad Canoes at LAVA Space March 10
Philly/New Jersey no-wave, all-female outfit Bad Canoes, featuring Screaming Females’ Marissa Paternoster on lead vocals, will be releasing some aggression tonight at LAVA Space. In tow will be the four-piece’s debut seven-song EP Sisterhood Is Power, which will be available on limited-edition cassettes (150 copies). However, if you can’t make it out this evening to grab one, you can stream and purchase the release below. You can also grab the latest edition of BROS FALL BACK (with new design and content). Joining Bad Canoes on this evening’s lineup will be Appleton, WI shoegaze outfit Technicolor Teeth (who will have their tour-only tape Can You Keep Me Out Of Hell) as well as Philly’s own Michael Cantor and Dreambook (who replaced Amanda X on the bill). LAVA Space, (Please contact grace.ambrose@gmail.com for more info.), 8pm, $7, All Ages – Alexis V.
NYC
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5J Barrow is the Best Manhattan emerging band according to WNYC’s Battle of the Boroughs
Any Broadway fan (singers Eryn Murman and Jason Hite performed in Spring Awakening and Bare) should check out 5J Barrow for their fill of drama-tinged folk music. The band was selected as Best Manhattan Artist at WNYC’s latest Battle of the Boroughs. Taking their everyday experiences as evidence of the magic we overlook too often in NYC, first single ‘Talking My Soul’ discusses streets named after wheeping trees, and why it’s better to discuss your life while at sea… not to mention a fiddle freakout halfway through that could raise the dead.
Taken from their upcoming debut LP ‘From the Dim, Sweet Light,’ the track should help you see the city for the stage it really is. The record is scheduled for a June release – just in time for the final round of the battle! – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best rootsy songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
New England
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Ladyhips releases B-side, previews upcoming EP
Hartford funk-pop-jazz quintet Ladyhips started off the year with two new releases for its loyal fans – with even more soon to come. The first is “The Crows,” a B-side from 2012’s Best Friends that deviates from the upbeat sound that encapsulated the album. The track is slow-burning, with lyrics to match its apocalyptic, world-is-ending climax: “It’s scary to think that the sand in our hands is fading away,” sings vocalist Sean Rubin, later quipping, “We cannot be trusted … we must stop our beasts from getting the best of us.” The band’s latest release came earlier this month in the form of a music video for “In the Ballroom,” shot in a Connecticut farm that makes for an unorthodox but beautiful setting for a performance. “In the Ballroom” is the first of two videos that will preview the band’s upcoming Live at Farmtone EP, set for release on April 22, and given what we’ve seen so far, you’ll want to mark that date on your calendar. – Jake Reed
In the Ballroom from Ladyhips on Vimeo.