Tonight, Cinedelphia Festival puts a soundtrack to its experimental theater at PhilaMOCA. Inspired by the production of Brooklyn artist and film enthusiast John Fell Ryan, Cinedelphia plans to re-create his The Shining, Forwards and Backwards, Simultaneously Superimposed, a re-imagining of the classic Kubrick-Nicholson movie, based on a critical analysis of The Shining as being "a film organized with logic that flows both backwards and forwards." The evening will be scored by Philly faves, gothic post-punk trio Psychic Teens, who had also created their own instrumental soundtrack for the film Dementia, as part of last October’s WKDU-curated Tuesday Tune-Out. With some of my favorite things under one roof, this event falls under the "must attend" category! PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $10, All Ages – Alexis V.
The Woolen Men Taking Off
It should not come as much surprise that momentous things are afoot for Portland’s The Woolen Men. 2013 saw the band put out 3 different releases and sign with Woodsist Records. By just March of 2014 The Woolen Men have already released a split 7" vinyl with Spookies, and a four track Quick Trips EP.
Currently on tour in promotion for their freshly released Quick Trips EP, Tuesday night The Woolen Men will play at Baby’s Allright as main support for Brooklyn based Woods, along with Weyes Blood and Cassie Ramone. Currated by Brooklyn Vegan, this show is a part of the Red Bull concert series, Sound Select Presents: New York.
Only a week following the Sound Select show, The Woolen Men will be packing up and flying over the Atlantic for a 20 show, month long tour though Europe. Have fun and good luck boys, here’s wishing you well from back home in Portland. – Travis Leipzig
Ripley Snell’s 6 Natural Flavors 4.23.14
In the five months since his November release of Fall Denim, Ripley Snell has been busy working on collaborations and clothing lines, and is already putting out his sophomore album, Natural Flavors, which is a six-course menu of imaginative lyricism. He draws inspiration from be-bop, hiphop and R&B, funk, metaphysics, and his Portland surroundings.
The titles of each track on 6 Natural Flavors are named after the often unnatural and additive ingredients listed on the back of a Coca-Cola. Tied with Snell’s lyrical content, the album serves as a metaphor for the sugarcoating of political and socioeconomic problems which have grown over time into the everyday norm. The album is said to be inspired by and dedicated to the individuals that live on W. 3rd Ave in downtown Portland.
Speaking his mind and keeping it real, Ripley Snell is a storyteller giving insight on Portland nights, homelessness, and racism with candor. Jazz infused “Caramel Colors” speaks on “gentri-fried chicken" and feeling isolated from the Portland Spirit because of his style. “Phosphoric Acid” has whirling string loops, primal urges, and some hilarious personal hygiene disclosures. “Caffeine” begins with a sub octave vocal sample of the words “easy beats" then quickly gets to tackling the topics of STD’s and dying on the street. “High Fructose Corn Syrup” begins with some good advice: “Let’s do things well… let’s do ‘em well,” then jumps into a flow of colorful metaphors about Monsanto’s lucid dreams and hanging out with fat polar bears on frozen lakes "drinking blue chip shares." While Snell is getting lyrically deep inside issues, Neill Von Tally’s beats throughout the album feature jazzy and playful instrumentation and vintage audio sampling including everything from the triangle bell to string trios and brassy melodies.
Ripley Snell will celebrate the release of Natural Flavors by performing the album in it’s entirety with a public all-ages show at the NW Portland art gallery and clothing store Upper Playground at 7pm sharp. There will be access to a free download of the album at Ripleysnell.com for a limited time when the album drops April 23rd. In the meantime, check out his album Fall Denim.
– Brandy Crowe
Album Review: Habits, ‘Unselves in Arrival’
Emerging like a phoenix from the garbage pile of the internet, Habits, the sample-based one man show created by Dustin M. Krapes, has finally released his collection of songs as a full length LP, ‘Unselves in Arrival.’ Most of the songs that make up this collection would be as much at home at a dancehall as they would be at the Church on York. To categorize this as electro rock, or synth pop, or at all for that matter, severely undercuts the scope of his work. I can merely, at my best, describe it as a chopped up, caffeinated, cut and paste collage of found sounds from music’s past tailor-made for the future. This is one of the albums that should surely be buried in 2014’s time capsule, perhaps sent in a rocket to whatever planet we end up colonizing next.
Trite as it may sound, the bombardment of submissions from kids playing music like it’s a video game, is overwhelming, and their efforts, more than underwhelming. Not only is Habits’ music commenting on this aspect of our modern age, it’s beating them all at their own game. – Jacqueline Caruso
To continue reading the full review, click here.
Foli Upstairs Downstairs and Breck Omar Brunson Play Hemlock Tavern
If you’re in the mood to see a cool show in San Francisco, The Hemlock Tavern will be hosting a showcase made up of a plethora of talent. Foli will be a refreshing treat for psychedelic soul music fans. Their sound ranges between mellow and introspective grooves to full-on rock and roll assault, which makes for an exciting show.
And for music lovers who are into a steady and washed out sound, shoegaze group, Upstairs Downstairs will give you a spiritually chill experience with their silky vocals and delicately woven instrumentals. Folk soul artist, Breck Omar Brunson will be making his San Francisco debut as a solo singer songwriter after experiencing moderate success as a band front man and contemporary artist in Washington DC. This show is going to be entertaining, intimate and down to earth. Make sure you attend this show if you’re looking for something a bit different then your average Bay Area rock show. – Kat Collins
Down and Outlaws The Electric Magpie Kirpatrick Thomas and Super 78 Play The Night Light in Oakland – 4/22
Tomorrow night, Kymberli’s Music Box Presents and The Night Light in Oakland will be hosting a killer neo psych lineup. With performances by up and coming local musical outfits, Down and Outlaws with their heavy psych rock aesthetic and energetic live show and the melodious mod rock group, The Electric Magpie, whose reminiscent, 60s revivalist sound seems to be filtered directly through a time machine, this show is not to be missed.
Salt Lake City based sextet, Super 78 will also be playing the show. Their mashed-up qualities results the creation of a New Order-gone-Gang of Four musical vibe. The lo-fi group will share the bill with the one and only, Kirpatrick Thomas of Cowboy-badboys Spindrift. He’ll be lending his killer baritone voice to his own solo acoustic psych-cowboy songs. It will be an amazing performance to experience.
Come out and celebrate Earth Day with a few beers and some killer music. – Kat Collins
A noteworthy NYC storyteller: Kate Vargas
There doesn’t seem to be very much that singer-songwriter-storyteller Kate Vargas is too afraid to reveal. Listen as her tales of love (‘If You Lose Me’) and the devil (‘Throw the Devil Back’) weave their way through a riotous brew of folk, blues and rock, delivered by an undeniably unique voice, and arrangements that sound old timey but – at a close listen – are not. It’s like the sound of a favorite bourbon come to life: gritty, but with loads of personality to spare. Check out fave track (and also title track) from debut record ‘Down To My Soul’ below, and check her out when she announces new dates soon. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets), photo by Jan La Salle
This band submitted their music for coverage here.
Sneak Peek: Ladyhips – “Live at Farmtone” EP
After releasing the videos for "In The Ballroom" and "What’s That Racket," Ladyhips is ready to unleash its full Live at Farmtone EP on April 22 – but The Deli New England got a first listen of the four-song set. You’ve already heard the triumphant brass hook of "Ballroom" and the psychedelic crunch of "Racket." On "Westmoreland," the guys slow things down and turn off the wah-wah pedals, eventually culminating the ballad-of-sorts with a two-plus minute guitar solo. "Our Consience" ends things on a high note, opting for another washed-out guitar solo after lamenting "I’m sorry for your loss" on the song’s hook.
The Deli New England chatted with Sean Rubin, the band’s bassist, to learn more about the band and what went into the making of Live at Farmtone. To read the interview, click here.
Mount Sharp begins May Pianos Residency on Tuesday 6th
Keep an ear out for Gowanus fuzz rock trio, Mount Sharp, who just announced a residency at Pianos, playing every Tuesday in May at 10pm. The band has been together for nearly two years, creating what they call “songs about science and bad decisions,” perfecting their sound as they go. A mixture of distant and echoed vocals drift in and out of ghostly, sometimes eerie pop guitar, displaying a plethora of influences, and making for an uncomfortably enjoyable (or enjoyably uncomfortable) listening experience. THey are also about to announce a summer release, so stay tuned. – JP Basileo
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best guitar rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
From the NYC submissions: Penrose plays Marlin Room at Webster on 04.26
"I don’t believe in demons but sometimes I think I should." (Apples From Your Tree) Ok, so maybe new Brooklyn residents (via Philly) Penrose is just a tad scary. And yes, they can get very loud and insane when they want to… but more often than not, they’re just as likely to bask in a snaking classical guitar every bit as eerie as any music referred to by the words ‘screaming’ or ‘core.’
Latest record ‘Circe’ goes from heavy blues (‘Every River Goes to Hell’), to piano ballads (‘The Murder of Basin Street’) and even calliope! (‘Hades’). But it’s not as heavy as it sounds.’Circe’ is a concept album full of innuendo and mystery (and quite a bit of murder), but it’s also easy to groove out to and perfect for any road trip… especially if that road trip brings you to hell. See them when they play The Marlin Room at Webster Hall on Sat, April 26th and listen below to ‘Every River Goes to Hell,’ a song reminiscent of one of the most underrated desert rock bands of the 90s, Thin White Rope. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
This band submitted their music for coverage here.
Debut Tangiers EP Available for Streaming & Download
Take a listen to the fuzzed-out, melodically enticing five-song debut EP End of the World from Tangiers! Comprised of Gabriel Simone (vocals, guitar), Lulu Cadillac (vocals, bass), Cameron Alexander (lead guitar), and Ethan Weiss (drums), you’ll find some serious too-cool-for-school swagger from each charming lo-fi pop ditty. Dig into it!
Free Download: “In Metal” (Low Cover) – Nothing
Nothing released a free download for their cover of Low’s "In Metal," the closer to 2001’s Things We Lost in the Fire, to coincide with this year’s Record Store Day. Providing welcomed subtle sonic tectures to their rendition, you can stream and download the track below. The band will be back at The Boot & Saddle on Saturday, June 8. Enjoy!