As we mentioned last week, The War on Drugs‘ new full-length album Lost In The Dream is now available for streaming over at NPR’s First Listen. The LP officially comes out March 18 via Secretly Canadian, and the band will be celebrating its release that evening at Union Transfer. The War on Drugs will also be performing at WXPN’s "Free at Noon" on Friday, March 14 at Wolrd Cafe Live, and you can RSVP HERE.
NYC
Posted on:
Weekly Features: Azar Swan
Emerging from the ashes of previous incarnation Religious to Damn, ZorahAtash and Joshua Strawn have spent the last year creating a compelling new sound and image as Azar Swan. Their recently released full length album “Dance Before the War,” available from Handmade Birds Records, presents a technically modern sound that at times pays homage to the 90’s goth rock canon. The band recently toured the West Coast with NYC witch rock project Delphic Oracle and opened for Suuns at a memorable Death by Audio show on February 21.
LINKS: Dave Cromwell’s interview with Azar Swan. – We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Free Download: “Halo” – Damn Right
Since the weather has been warming up, we’ve been catching a little spring fever so we wanted to start the week off on a fun, upbeat note. Damn Right, who have been shifting from an electronic jam-band sound to more of an electro-pop feel, recently received some TV time on Comedy Central’s Broad City (a most excellent show that you should be checking out) with their latest single, "Halo," which is available for streaming and free download below. Just press play, and you have our permission to bop through the rest of your workday.
Nashville
Posted on:
Congratulations to The Modern Royals, Our New Artist of the Month!
Congratulations to The Modern Royals, our newest Artist of the Month! The Deli is operating on good faith that the band did not fall back on their Chicago roots with the democratic credo of "vote early, vote often," but instead allowed fans of their psychedelic sex-rock to make it happen. It was a tight race with modern harpist Natalie Salzman for a moment before The Modern Royals cleaned house. The band is playing The End on Tuesday, March 11th with Creature Comfort, Kid Freud and Amanda Cramer. The show starts at 8pm, and cover is $5. -Terra James-Jura
Nashville
Posted on:
Humming House Heads to SXSW
Humming House threw a WWII-era newsboy cap into the mess of swing revivalists with their self-titled release in 2012. Since then they have toured the world, warming up crowds with their blend of Irish folk and backwoods stomp for the likes of Jason Isbell, Justin Townes Earl and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Their most recent live album “Live at the Red Clay Theater” is available for free download here. SXSW appearances include Twangfest and Rowdy’s Saloon on the 15th. This video for “Fly On (Forever is Better With You)” portrays the fun-loving sentimentality that makes the band so entertaining to hear. –Terra James-Jura
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Elegant, Refined Sounds From Cuddle Magic & Birdie Busch at The Boot & Saddle March 9
A trio of artists that perform with an ear on elegant, refined sound will be taking the stage tonight at The Boot & Saddle. Brooklyn/Philly’s hybrid six-piece Cuddle Magic craftily interweave an array of instruments while simultaneously layering vocal harmonies, creating a sound that harnesses its multidimensionality and sharpens the finer details to reveal the beauty in their music as a whole. Renowned local songstress, Birdie Busch, who combines skilled narrative lyricism with folk/Americana-based instrumentation, will follow them, Her set will raise one’s spirit while still maintaining a sense of the here and now. The show will also serve as a celebration for Rachel Ries’ latest offering and third LP Ghost of a Gardener that features members of Cuddle Magic among many others. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Catch a Matinee w/The Bad Doctors at The Slow Cub March 8
Get off to a quick start today with a matinee show at The Slow Club. With their new LP Burning City, due out in May via FDH Records (currently in its’ preorder phase), the trio of The Bad Doctors will likely feature some fresh material. The group moved closer to synth-laced dance-pop on their most recent EP Re Animate, altering the overall tone with injections of post-punk grit. The outcome is resoundingly positive while still acknowledging a darker, shadowy undercurrent. The Bad Doctors will be sharing the bill this afternoon with a pair of Boston-based punk outfits St. Ripper, who released a volatile five-song EP Agony of the Mind last month, and the relentless intensity of Animal Mother. The Slow Club, (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for more info.), 3pm, $5, All Ages, – Michael Colavita
Update: The Bad Doctors have dropped off the lineup, and have been replaced by Bad Side, which probably matches better sonically.
L.A.
Posted on:
Gardens & Villa Play the El Rey March 8
Santa Barbara natives and Secretly Canadian signees, Gardens & Villa are riding high on the release of their sophomore album, Dunes. The band brought their dreamy, seaside affinities to a studio in the frozen tundra of Michigan to record with producer, Tim Goldsworthy (Cut Copy, LCD Soundsystem). The results stayed true to the dreamy pop we’ve come to know from the group, but with more depth and maturity. Where their self-titled debut was youthful, like dipping your toes in the sand as waves crash on the shore – Dunes explores the deep recesses of the open ocean; an uncharted, mysterious and more solitary place to dwell. Currently on tour, Gardens & Villa are coming through LA to play the El Rey tomorrow, March 8 with Jonathan Rado (of Foxygen), and Waterstrider. Peep the video for their second single, "Colony Glen," below, filled with hypnotic beats and moody lighting. – Jacqueline Caruso
NYC
Posted on:
Weekly Feature: Sam Fermin plays SXSW + tours US and Europe
Don’t call it a rock opera. Despite his orchestral composition, lyrics that are a dialogue between characters and a “necessary” song order, Ellis Ludwig-Leone, mastermind behind San Fermin, says their self-titled debut is just, “…a sort-of indie-pop record, that’s thoroughly composed.” The band had a hell of 2013, and it’s ripping the rewards with a two month tour that will take them from the US to Europe, with a single appeareance at SXSW on March 15 at Latitude 30. They’ll be playing the BRIC house in Brooklyn on March 28.
Links: Bianca Seidman’s interview with San Fermin.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Weekend Warrior, March 7 – 9
This Saturday, Cold Fronts wil be headlining Johnny Brenda’s for the first time! The band has spent most of this winter working on their major label debut for Warner Bros. Records with Fancy Time Studio’s Kyle “Slick” Johnson so expect some new jams to fill the second floor of JB’s. Cold Fronts will be accompanied by recording studio mates Cruiser and Weekender, who are currently hauling ass back from tour down south. The Philly-heavy lineup of up-and-comers will also be hosting a Deli NYC favorite, Brooklyn-based Cultfever, who will be stopping through on its way down to SXSW. It’s going to be an evening of feel-good tunes so no party poopers allowed. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H. M. Kauffman
Other places to get out and about this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Trophy Wife, The Pretty Greens, Pushin’ It 2 The Limit, SAT Cold Fronts, Cruiser, Weekender
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Black Horse Motel, Song Dogs, Spirit & Dust, SAT Flyermile Thrills, Younger Me, SUN Cuddle Magic, Birdie Busch, Rachel Ries
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI (Downstairs) Sore Saints, (Upstairs) Let It Out Matt, Be Water, Commonwealth, SAT (Upstairs) Mischief Brew, The Minor Arcana, (Downstairs) Retreevers, Push Ups, Janelle
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Needle Points, Hlep
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SUN Mohican
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Gillie Da Kid, Ape Gang, Al 1thing
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Soldier On, The Lux, Uhh Yeah Dude, SAT Memphis Hat, Karikatura, Paul Byrom, SUN Tin Bird, Jen Creed, Kevin Killen, Lizanne Knott
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Nocturnal Jocks, Todd Fausnacht and the Well Whiskey Wind Whistlers, Super Bonanza, Chestnut Grove, SAT Mike Bell and The Movies, The Dead Eyes, Sidewalk Atlas, SUN Pro Post Time, Snagwing, Candice Martello, SUN The Phosphenes, Thief, Steal Me A Peach, Tribute,
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI John the Conqueror (Release Show!)
Blayer Pointdujour & The Rockers Galore, Thee, Idea Men
Blayer Pointdujour & The Rockers Galore, Thee, Idea Men
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Serial Killers, Deadspot, Trained Attack Dogs, Live Not On Evil
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Voltheque, Spectral Lines, Mickle Blvd., Dead Stop
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT Lera Lynn
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Johnny Showcase
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) SAT WaveRadio, Magnificent Birds of Prey, Delco Pacers, Life on the Horizon
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Jacopo De Nicola
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Royal Noise, SAT The Revere, Levels on Flight, You You Dark Forest, Anxiety Drive
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Jeff Thomas’ All-Volunteer Army, The Fleeting Ends, Hatchets & Hammers
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SUN Cadet
Glitoria (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Little Big League, Bad Side, Cry Baby, The Spirit of the Beehive
The Slow Club (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT The Bad Doctors, Dingus
The Mitten (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Lowlife, Population Zero, Occult 45
Freedom 35 (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Everyone Except Me, SUN Goddamnit, Let It Out Matt
Italian Market Broccoli Row (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Snow Caps, Blown Away, Dave Marley, Intensely Staring
NYC
Posted on:
Cheap Blue Yonder releases debut LP “Light Sleeper” at Mercury on 03.13
NYC’s alt-folk quartet Cheap Blue Yonder spices up the traditional form of folk music with slacker rock influences a la` Pavement, although Troy Chryssos’ vocals have a Paul Banks sorta twist. They’ve put out a few singles and EPs since forming in 2011, but they are set to release their anticipated debut LP "Light Sleeper" on March 10th. Preview single "I’m Not Trying," which will appear on the album, is calm and textural until a dissonant and loud chorus kicks in to take you… back where you started. The band is scheduled to play at Mercury Lounge on 3/13 in support of the album release, and you can also check them out at Pianos on 3.27. You can stream the entire album here. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Chicago
Posted on:
How To Dress Well “Words I Don’t Remember”
How To Dress Well (aka Tom Krell) released a new single and video today, "Words I Don’t Remember". With each release Krell seems to move further down the R&B spectrum and advance in production and overall quality. This new single is radio and mixtape ready.
How To Dress Well will be wrapping up his March tour on March 30th with a show Lincoln Hall.