Chicago

Album of the Month: Ryley Walker “All Kinds Of You”

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The debut album, All Kinds of You, from Ryley Walker is impressive in its thoughtful restraint and intimate sounds and lyrics. Walker has spent years in Chicago’s noise scene, but this album is a near folk masterpiece. Walker shows skill in guitar playing, singing, and writing though the album. The album opens with the track that Walker is currently known for "The West Wind". It is a solemn journey that Walker present in a video last Fall. The production value of the album shines through on a track like "Twin Oaks pt. 1" where the sounds builds into a lush down home party complete with drums, strips, and guitar picking. All Kinds of You (Tompkins Square, April 15th) presents and old soul, a journeyman in the form of this talented 24 year old singer/songwriter.

Ryley Walker will be a part of The Hideout’s SXSW Send Off Party tomorrow night, March 8th, along with many other SXSW musicians. He will be performing at SXSW on Thurs. March 13th, Stephen F’s, Intercontinental at 10 pm.

Philadelphia

John the Conqueror Record Release Show at MilkBoy Philly March 7

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For the past four years, John the Conqueror have been winning crowds over by playing a blend of southern rock inspired from their childhoods, the punk of their adolescence, and the blues and soul that they’ve always held so closely. The end result is a band that takes its name from a folkloric slave hero with no frills rock ‘n’ roll ready to make an immediate impact. Tonight, John The Conqueror will celebrate their second and biggest release to date, The Good Life (Alive Naturalsound), at MilkBoy Philly. And it’s sure to be an action-packed show with Blayer Pointdujour & the Rockers Galore, who are getting ready to release a new LP in June, and indie rockers Thee, Idea Men, who also have their second album New Level Shoes on the way (due out May 20). MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill

Philadelphia

Final Spirit & Dust Performance at The Boot & Saddle March 7

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Tonight The Boot and Saddle welcomes three Philly folk bands for a night of tender swaying and one out-with-a-bang goodbye. First up is the Kristen Sylvester-led ensemble, Spirit and Dust. Touting a polished sound with the looseness of an afterhours jam session with friends, each instrument and voice fits beautifully into a lyrical puzzle. Sadly, this will be Spirit & Dust’s final performance, but they still have a few new tunes to share alongside old favorites. They’ll be opening for headliner Black Horse Motel, who sound like they’re straight out of the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack (in a good way), and Song Dogs, a Southern rock-inspired Americana band with elements of gospel vocals and self-described “railroad tones.” The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Jen Kertis-Veit) – Maggie Grabmeier

Austin

The Nightowls’ Soulful Gift

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Upon walking into Icenhaurer’s last Sunday evening, I found myself taken aback by the energy being emitted from the back patio. It passed through my ear canal, igniting an insatiable desire to jump, shout, and dance. The Nightowls’ front man, Ryan Harkrider, calls their sound a marriage of Soul with Motown, encompassing  jazz, blues, R&B, and pop. Covering greats such as Stevie Wonder, Al Green, and Otis Redding, these guys and gal are filling shoes and well.

Covers are not the extent of their nine piece repertoire, they also have an impressive list of originals such as their title track "Good as Gold", and "You Don’t Have to Worry (I’ll be There)". Good as Gold, the Nightowls debut 2014 album, is a must listen. Catch these guys live every Sunday at Icenhaur’s on Rainey Street. And if you’re here for SXSW, be sure to check out their first SXSW “Soulcase” March 14 at Icenhaur’s. -Written by Daniel Benjamin

New England

Providence’s The Range heads to SXSW

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Providence’s The Range (aka James Hinton) released his latest album, Nonfiction, on the UK label Donky Pitch last October, gaining him recognition both in the States and across the pond. The album’s weirdest moments are its best: check out the dialogue that acts as a rap on "Metal Swing" and the slow ascent from spacious introduction to full-on electro jam. On March 25, he will release the EP Panasonic, but not before he makes the most out of a four-day stay in Austin for SXSW. Check out the full list of The Range’s SXSW stops above.  – Jake Reed

New England

Sexy Girls gets to work on second album

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Three years ago, Alex Whitelaw left the band that he was in and decided to start his own surf rock solo project called Sexy Girls. His efforts culminated in a nine-song album called The Collection, which was released on Bandcamp in 2012. "Tell Me" should give you a perfect taste of the nonchalant, summery sound that defines the album.

Today, Sexy Girls is a four-piece indie rock band comprised of Steve Kerr (drums), Sam Hatch (guitar), Ben Semeta (bass), and Whitelaw (vocals, rhythm guitar) – but Whitelaw still writes all the music. The Amherst, MA band is currently working on a new album called Satan’s Hands which they hope to release in August, and will perform at the 13th Floor Music Lounge in Florence, MA on April 24. – Mary Reines

New England

June & the Bee keep folk music fresh

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If you live in the Pioneer Valley and haven’t heard June & the Bee, well, you need to. The band is led by the spunky stage presence of lead vocalist Emma June, but its versatility is what really sets the folk trio apart. When they took to Jittery’s Live at Smith College in Northampton last night, listeners were treated not just to guitar and vocals, but mandolin, saxophone and violin as well – plus drums and cello thanks to a few extra musical friends. Make sure to check out “Spadina,” which June referred to as a “folk-rap,” and catch them on March 13 at the Habberdashery in Northampton or March 29 at the Jewish Community Center in Amherst. – Jake Reed

 

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Philadelphia

New TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb celebrated the release of their new album Kong and the kickoff to their SXSW tour last night at Kung Fu Necktie. Well, you can now stream and purchase the five-song EP below. It was produced and mixed by Bill Moriarty at Kawari Sound Recording Studio. Enjoy!

NYC

Fresh NYC buzz: The Prettiots, play Baby’s All Right on 03.15

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All-girl, ukulele-wielding, NYC band The Prettiots – featuring members of ex teen band Supercute! and the Trachtenberg Family Slideshow – is coming up on everyone’s radar, including The Village Voice and even the Huffington Post. Their folk-pop sound has feminine charm, and no-nonsense, edgy flair. Almost reminiscent of Joan Jett’s iconic kick-ass-ness, The Prettiots are full of fun, energy and fiery style. Check out their single “Dreamboy” (streaming), and their Misfits’ cover of Skulls and see them live at Baby’s All Right on 03.15. – Sammie Spector

Nashville

Weekend Itinerary

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Nashville is hopping this weekend before SXSW, and here’s a handful of what’s happening over the next three days…

Friday:

This is Night 2 of Freakin’ Weekend V at Exit/In (sorry, The Deli disqualifies Thursday as ‘the weekend,’ however unofficial it may be). Diarrhea Planet, Turbo Fruits, Cy Barkley and the Way Outsiders, Hunters, Fox Fun and Deluxin’ play, beginning at 8pm, $15.

Stagolee, The Cunning, The Allen Thompson Band and A La Carte hit the Mercy Lounge at 9pm, $8.

Ponychase throws their LP release show at The Basement with Jasmine Kaset and Pale Pools at 9pm, $5.

Saturday:

Stone Jack Jones will be giving a free in-store performance at Grimey’s at 5pm.

Night 3 of Freakin’ Weekend V. Natural Child, Ex-Cult, Cheap Time, Juan Wauters, The Paperhead, Leather Nightmare and Weekend Babes play The End beginning at 8pm, $15.

Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes throw their album release show at Exit/In, with Alanna Royale and Blank Range rounding out the bill. Party starts at 8pm, cover is $10.

Sunday:

Noah Gunderson and Armon Jay are at Mercy Lounge at 8pm, $12.

Terrific lineup for the Sunday Post at The Basement: Coyote Talk, Golden Youth, Sam Hunter, Cardboard Kids and Everyman. Show starts at 8pm, no cover.

Portland

Party Boyz Presentz: Ladiez Night

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Hey Ladieeeez!

Along with She Shreds Magazine and Kill Rock Stars, Portland’s Party Boyz have curated an event at Mississippi Studios to celebrate the guitar hoarding, keyboard slinging, howling vocals of Portland’s fairer gender. Wait, fairer? Whatever, The Party Boyz turn gender on it’s head. The pod-casting duo are actually two best girl-friends, Rachel Milbauer and Elizabeth Elder, who share laughs with all the local bands for an audience to hear. 
 
They are also putting together shows with a cause; part of ticket sales from Ladiez Night will assist musical non-profit Rock’n’Roll Camp For Girls. Speaking of Rock’n’Roll, this show is a fresh debut for Sallie Ford, who moved on from the boys at The Sound Outside to start a new all-girl band solely under her moniker. The local ladies that have joined her include members of Siren & The Sea, Viva Voce, and Point Juncture, WA. There will new songs to look forward to, and knowing Sallie, it’s bound to get a little rowdy. 
 
The line-up includes dream-pop outfit Swansea, the intriguing Luz Elena Mendoza (Y La Bamba,Tiburones), and a founding female of indie-rock, Rebecca Gates. It’s a celebration of the bad-ass, empowered women making music in PDX. Gurlz, boyz, ladiez and dudez – come one, come all. – Brandy Crowe

Nashville

ELEL wins Road to Bonnaroo Round 2!

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Congratulations to ELEL for winning Round 2 of Road to Bonnaroo this past Monday. Anyone who has caught them around Nashville will not soon forget the spectacle of 8 musicians (or, more specifically, 7 musicians and a very poppin’ Jo Jo Jackson on bass) grooving on stage to their own sexy vibes. The best part about them is that, between the synth and some well-placed hits on a wood block or cowbell, their music would not be too out of place wafting through a hotel lobby or someplace equally inoffensive. This juxtaposition somehow doubles their indie cred. Speaking of duplicates, Nashville’s coolest Muzak band is about to hit the road with *repeat repeat for Iteration Tour 2014, with stops in Austin for SXSW before returning home. “Kiss Kiss” is their latest single. –Terra James-Jura

http://www.elelmusic.com/