Mint Lab Astronauts (M.L.A.) have been very active in 2014. The duo, j.pak and pak.one, released an ep last month called "Return of the Astros". Since then they have dropped another three outstanding tracks, "Lyle", "Hocus Focus" and the most recently the Nate Dogg tribute "Blue Dream".
Chicago
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Robot Hilarious
Robot Hilarious is the off-kilter hop hop of 2bones, Hound Dog, and Gamma Ray. The group dropped their latest album, It’s Official, digitally back in January, but now have physically copies ready to be sold. The album is mixture of experimental hip hop styles each more inventive then the last.
The CD release event for It’s Offical will take place on April 11th at Elastic (2830 N. Milwaukee 2nd Floor).
Philadelphia
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Bondage & Discipline Play Inaugural Show at Kung Fu Necktie Tonight
It came as a shock to many when supercharged, electronically-infused punk band The National Rifle announced that they were disbanding and starting a new project in late 2013. But the bands remaining members Hugh Morretta, Lynna Stancato, and Buddy Mazzenga used their downtime to create a bold new project, Bondage & Discipline, that relies more heavily on the electronic beats and female vocals that they utilized so well as The National Rifle.
If the debut track "Only Your Love" is any indication, they don’t steer too far from the melodic, stomping-good tracks of old. Tonight’s debut performance will be a good preview of even more of the tracks that they recorded at Cambridge Sound for a forthcoming album. It will also be a show that nearly marks the 5th anniversary of Revolution I Love You’s first show. It will be a good time to celebrate with the band that has been doing big things since releasing their latest EP Atlantic Ocean. The lineup will be rounded out by Sandcastle. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St, 7PM, $5 21+ – Bill McThrill
NYC
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Glass Ghost plays two shows at PS122 this weekend (03.28-29)
Glass Ghost‘s only release to date is the 2009’s stunning album "Idol Omen," which earned them a Deli Record of the Month review and our 21st issue’s cover. But this doesn’t mean that the band hasn’t been active since then: a look through their Facebook wall reveals a series of sparse but well chosen shows in support of quality NYC artists like Buke and Gase, Hospitality, Sharon Van Etten, Here We Go Magic, and Yellow Ostrich among others; which makes us think that if the Glass Ghost’s guys run this blog they would write about the same bands we do. This weekend the duo (formed by Eliot Krimsky, now a member of Here We Go Magic, and Mike Johnson, drummer for Dirty Projectors) has a residency at PS122 where they’ll showcase a new, interactive live show, during which they will display audience input (photos, personal information, Facebook/Twitter pages) on projection screens in an attempt to probe identity in the internet age questioning what a true identity is. There’s a survey the band is asking attendees to fill before the show (here – Info from the survey will appear on the projection screens) – this should be interesting, and if it won’t, the music will be worth the $10 admission ticket anyway.
Philadelphia
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New Video: “Dreams and Dreams of You” (On the Hill Session) – Chelsea Mitchell
Here’s a video via Pot Kettle Tracks of Chelsea Mitchell performing “Dreams and Dreams of You”, as part of her On the Hill Session. The song captivates with Mitchell’s strong vocals juxtaposed against the ukulele. The session is available for streaming/download here: Chelsea Mitchell – On the Hill Session
NYC
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Butcher Knives bring relentless energy to Rebel Roots Fest
Some people cannot stand (or sit) still for a second, even long after 5 years of age. When these kind of people decide to form a rock band, they become contagious. When a bunch of these people join the same band, they become dangerously viral. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why Butcher Knives‘ video for ‘Tell Me Why’ got almost 15k plays in just a few months. With a wide range of influences absorbed in the various countries they hail from (Colombia, Israel, Morocco, New Orleans… oh, there’s also a New Yorker!) and glued together by a rockabilly attitude, these guys offer great variety in all musical departments but one: breakneck speed. That’s why you want to party with them, tomorrow Saturday 29 at the Rebel Roots Fest in Brooklyn.
NYC
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Beecher’s Fault releases new singles, plays locally
The Astoria pop rock outfit Beecher’s Fault have unleashed a new single and accompanying video for their newest song titled "Heather," which you can listen to below via Soundcloud. The song takes heavy influence from the hooks in Vampire Weekend’s latest record – but in its own sonic form. The duo are set to play a few restaurant/bar dates in Astoria, the first of which will take place at Rest-au-rant on 4/3. Check them out and support the Astoria music scene so we can get a proper venue one of these days! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)
Nashville
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Weekend Roundup
This is a weekend full of multi-media events, as well as the 22nd Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, an event so glutted with talent that we don’t have enough space to do everyone justice, so go to tinpansouth.com for details.
Friday:
Future Night at the Boheme Collectif, featuring music from The Perfect Hours, Autran, Gay Vibes, and Lust & the Black Cat, 8pm, $8
That Music Thing at 3701B Gallatin Pike with Tether Ball, Pretty Ugly, Sad Baxter, and Tessla Rossa, 7pm, $25
Spoken Nerd Album Release Party at the East Room, 7pm, $5
Sunseeker, Honey Locust, and Twiggs at The Stone Fox, 9pm, $5
Saturday:
Grace and Tony with Teitur and Caleb Groh at the High Watt, 8pm, $10
JP Harris and the Tough Choices with Margo and the Price Tags and Johnny Appleseed at The Basement, 9pm, $5
Red Wine Hangover, The Wooly Mamas, That’s My Kid, and Peaceful Warriors at the 5 Spot, 9pm, $5
Sunday:
Green Jello with Thelma and the Sleaze, and Look What I Did at Exit/In, 9pm, no cover
CELLA Album Release Party with Entity Da Ghost, Tell the Wolves I’m Home, Jack the Wolf at 12th and Porter, 8pm, $10
The Dead Deads, Secret Policeman’s Ball, Babe City, One Cent Stamp, and Randal Shreve and the Sideshow at The Basement, 8pm, no cover
L.A.
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Stream Sex Helicopter “Everything As It Should Be”
Never mind the childishly droll band name, Sex Helicopter are quite an exciting new act based in DTLA that bill themselves as a retro psych-rock band. Which does makes sense, though it’d be a disservice to place them in the same context as bands like Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Tame impala. Their first single, Everything As It Should Be", doesn’t share the same sonic framework as these bands, instead opting for a more ringing sound that could be described as a lighter, more pop-oriented version of the Greateful Dead. They’re making an appearance in Tommy’s Place as part of USC Popfest tomorrow, March 28.
Chicago
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Wedding Dress
Wedding Dress, Mike Russell & Matt Lemke (Suns), Bobby Burg (Love of Everything/Joan of Arc) and Christian Dawson (Gypsyblood), signed to Lovitt Records at the start of 2014 and have been working on their debut full-length album. The band has a single, "Loom" b/w "Heavy Earth", and a video ready to be released. The album is due out this fall.
Wedding Dress will celebrate the release of their new single on April 18th at Empty Bottle.
Chicago
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Hotbreath Tea & The Invisible Branches
Hotbreath Tea & The Invisible Branches have released a new single, "All Night Jewel". It is the first released track from a forthcoming LP the band is currently working on.
San Francisco
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Mark Matos & Os Beaches Plays Farewell Show with The Love Dimension and The Risin’ Sun
Wrapping up a US tour tomorrow, March 28th at Rickshaw Stop, Mark Matos will be bidding adieu to San Francisco and his long-time collective, Os Beaches. A super group of sorts, Mark Matos & Os Beaches features some of the Bay Area’s premiere musicians, including Jeff Davies of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Josh Pollock of Acid Mothers Gong. Together, with a revolving door policy on band members, they create Mark’s imaginitive psychedelic folk sound, infusing it with San Francisco’s rock and roll history and the sandy textures of the desert rock.
For this special performance, both a homecoming and farewell show, Mark Matos will be accompanied by an all-star Os Beaches lineup featuring Roger Reidlebauerm, Dave Mihaly, Annie Girl, Peter Case guitarist Dave Glasebrook and Anna Jo. Also on the bill is The Love Dimension and Mexico City’s The Risin’ Sun with special guest Michael Musika, and the projection master behind Mad Alchemy, who will be completing the sensory experience of the night with one of his signature liquid light shows.
The Love Dimension is a positive free love-centric powerhouse of a band. Drawing directly from the influential Woodstock ’69 era, they create full and dance worthy soundscapes. Don’t miss out on this energetic and groovy ensemble. Mexico based psycobilly band, The Risin’ Sun will travel north to Cali just to play this legendary show. Their dank, lofi ’60s sound will blend perfectly with this powerful line up.
Make sure you make it to Rickshaw Stop to witness the end of a Bay Area era. –Lauren Espina