A contemplative Timothy Showalter (a.k.a. Strand of Oaks) appears in the latest video for his J Mascis guitar-assisted track, "Goshen ’97." It’s the initial offering from his forthcoming album HEAL, due out on June 24 via Dead Oceans. The video was directed by Rick Alverson, and features some local music community pals doing a bit of rollerskating for the cameras.
Nashville
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Justin Kalk Orchestra Releases Video for “Dirty Thing”
The Justin Kalk Orchestra has tossed out this nugget in hopes of calming fans foaming at the mouth for the summer release of their second album, “Volcano.” “Dirty Thing” utilizes Gonzo artist Ralph Steadman (Christ, the cover. Give it to me.) and gets the band involved in the claymation on this new video. The result is fun, yet oddly nostalgic and unsettling at the same time. And rest assured, the giraffes make it in the video, and the band hits just as hard in this new single, and their accompanying haze of blues and psychedelia is just as impenetrable. Of course, hell is more likely to freeze over than Kalk walking into a project at anything less than a breakneck swagger. -Terra James-Jura
NYC
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Interview with Avers: DC Area Deli’s Band of the Month.
Richmond’s Avers won our Band of the Month Poll for the first half of April, and it’s no surprise. Their debut album, Empty Light will be officially released on April 22nd (this Tuesday!), and it’s a fantastic kaleidoscope of sound, light and psychedelia. The lead single, title track "Empty Light," is a gorgeous summer morning (something we’ve all been waiting for for far too long), and Avers’ rocking live shows, skillfully played electric guitars, tasteful pedal-work, and pounding drums, have amped a growing fan base that’s become impatient to take home a piece of the band. They’re everything you want out of hard-rocking and hard working indie-rock. I spoke with Adrian Olsen about the band’s formation, the Richmond scene, and the future, and you can read the interview here.
Avers is going on a short tour in support of the release, starting with a show on Wednesday, April 23rd, at the Black Cat backstage (with The Jackfields and The Beanstalk Library).
Portland
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Church Bar’s One Year Anniversary with The Lower 48
A good way to get yourself back on salvation’s path the Monday after 4.20 (and Easter in case you forgot) is to visit one of Portland’s churches. And fortunately, you won’t feel out of place if you go to Church Bar‘s one-year anniversary party this Monday. Portland’s rock and roll supernovas known as the Lower 48 will be ringing in the celebration. This band has been evolving their sound for many years and has come to give themselves a defined sound consisting of vintage pop, folk, with a grunge overtone. Their vocal harmonies and exploding bass lines reel in the listener and then they hit you with a secret weapon as Nick (the drummer) overhauls the music with a trumpet. So, there’s one way to start your week on the right track. – Colin Hudson
Philadelphia
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Moon Bounce Getting Down at Silk City April 20th
Local knob-turning maestro Moon Bounce is having a 4/20 blowout tonight at Silk City. Moon Bounce has been creating warped, multi-faceted and finely tuned electronic music for a couple years now. The R&B informed producer has released a series of increasingly impressive EP’s leading up to his most recent, Dress Rehearsal, out now on his own label Grind Select. This rare show will also include mind-bending visuals by Jason Hsu, making the trippy set that much more trippy. Joining Moon Bounce is the chill, spacey electronic artist Telequanta, who is prepping his newest release, Metaverse, which is slated to come out on Data Garden next month. Filling out the bill is synthwaver Lapses. Come get down and work all that food off. Silk City, 435 Spring Garden St., 8pm, $7, 21+ – Adam G.
NYC
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Album review: The MGDs – The MGDs
The MGDs hit the music scene in 2013 and have already secured regular rounds at venues such as The Kill Devil Club and The Phoenix. There’s no mistaking that these guys are true players, joining so many great bands in this city in offering up musical excellence. Elements of funk, soul, jazz and a splash of angsty rock are the sonic ingredients for this six-piece powerhouse.
From their debut self-titled full-length release, it’s clear that The MGDs are playing to win. The sonic spectrum of the ten-track album takes you back to bands such as Earth, Wind, and Fire and the Average White Band. The incredibly singable and memorable horn lines are right on par with local greats like The Hearts of Darkness and Diverse, not to mention the John Scofield-esque guitar lines, phat bass tone setting the groove, and the fun, gritty vocals.
All the tracks are worth the money and the time but a few jumped out as strongest. “Hey Lady” displays incredible piano work that leads up to a spectacular piano and sax solo rounding out to an incredible fadeout over the main riff. “Spicy Jane” highlights the vocals with a great distorted effect that compliments the mood of the tune. “QT” stands out as their absolute best track: the bass intro lays down a groove you can’t stop moving to, and the guitar lines are the most prominent, with riffs that fit perfectly within the horn lines in the chorus. If you only have a few minutes to spare, start with “QT”: it’s the epitome of everything this band does well.
Now for the nitty-gritty: the biggest opportunity for growth this band has is in its vocals. There are a few shaky lead lines and harmonies, but it seems to be only a matter of time before the vocals catch up, simply because of the sheer amount of overall talent this band displays.
Personally, I can’t wait to see their live show, and you should join me. At the very least you should run out and get this CD.
–Miguel Caraballo
Check out The MGDs tonight at The Riot Room. They’re playing the 8th annual 420 Fest and will be taking the indoor stage around 6:30 pm. Facebook event page. They also play at The Phoenix every fourth Friday, and will be there next Friday, April 25.
Philadelphia
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New Album: “Dream Vacation” – Nicos Gun
The funky, dance-rock party-starters in Nicos Gun have a new album that they just released on the world. Their newest LP, “Dream Vacation” is certainly a great soundtrack for chillin’ outside and sippin’ some cold ones this summer, as well as just closing your eyes and drifting to your happy place if you are stuck inside. The Prince-informed, sexified vibe can be experienced in full below. These cats are about to move to LA in May, so enjoy them now before we lose them for good.
San Francisco
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The Deli Magazine San Francisco Presents: Modern Man Buzzmutt and Baus at DNA Lounge – 4/18
As you may or may have not heard, The Deli Magazine San Francisco is spearheading a series of shows at the DNA Lounge. For the very first show (after our Riot Grrrl party we threw at SUB/Mission in February) April 18, we’ve got an excellent lineup of local bands consisting of Modern Man, Buzzmutt and Baus.
Baus is an Oakland band that made waves last month with the release of their first full-length, Idol Minds. The band blends elements of post-punk and no wave to create truly jagged and abrasive tunes. Buzzmutt is a band from San Francisco wh playing psych-tinged noise rock. And headlining is Modern Man, an Oakland-based band that weaves together drudgingly dark shoegaze. Last year the band came out with an awesome tape entitled, Small Waves.
The choice is yours: Do you want to come and celebrate a new era of The Deli Magazine San Francisco and local music, or do you want to stay at home? –Erin Dage
NYC
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Weekly Feature: Honduras – live at Radio Bushwick on 04.26
Sounding like a faster punk version of the Arctic Monkeys or a mind-blowing Deerhunter/Sex Pistols fusion, Honduras (another band that’s playing a lot these days) have really been stepping it up lately, especially with their latest single “Borders” (check out the video below). The Brit-sounding muffled vocals of Pat Phillips combined with the band’s knack for clean, well-tempered guitar work and percussion makes for a wild listen. Known for their energetic live performances, Honduras have a heavy Brooklyn presence and appear to be expanding pretty quickly, embracing the punk ideology without pretension while still letting you know they’re here. See them live at Radio Bushwick on April 26 and then at Pianos on May 10.
LINKS: Michael Haskoor interview with Honduras from The Deli’s issue #37 (Winter 2014).
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Punk/Guitar Rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
L.A.
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Stream: Priscilla Ahn, “Diana”
The new album by the soft-spoken, inventive songstress, Priscilla Ahn, ‘This Is Where We Are’, was released earlier this year. It’s a gutsy departure from her more acoustic offerings, and our ears are delighted. Lead single, "Diana," has all the sweetness, euphoria, and mystery of paragliding across a rainbow. Quirky, and at times aggressive soundscapes dance between serenading melodies. Her intimate and heartbreaking qualities are still on full display, especially on the ballad, "Remember How I Broke Your Heart." Filled with delicate instrumentation and breathless harmonies, this is Ahn in her purest form. The entire album seems to be a push and pull between comfort and exploration. Stream "Diana" below and catch her live set at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on May 30. – Jacqueline Caruso
NYC
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Weekly Feature: Erin Barra releases EP “Undefined” in stereo and multi-track
Erin Barra is a musician who thinks – at least in part – also as a technician, of the musical kind. An accomplished programmer, producer and sound engineer, Erin plays soulful pop that’s at times electronic, and at others not – like in her new single ‘Dear John’ (listen to it here) released a few days ago. Since she’s very well connected with the community of remixers, and staying true to her multi-faceted musical personality, Erin decided to make available, through a site called Blend, also the "stems" of the entire EP, i.e. not the single tracks of the recording but rather the mixed versions of the separate sections (like drums, bass, guitars, vocals, backing vocals, percussions, keys).
You’ll have a chance to see Erin Barra live at the New School on April 26 and 27.
LINK: Read Bianca Seidman’s interview with Erin Barra from the 36th issue of The Deli NYC.
Portland
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Palabra Release ‘Manos Luminosos y El Cubo Blanco’ 4.19.14
The threat of Palabra never performing again was once alluded. Now, the jazzy latin prog trio consisting of Zach Evans, Johan Wagner and Papi Fimbres are performing at Habesha Lounge this Saturday night for the release of their second album Manos Luminosos y El Cubo Blanco which mysteriously means "luminous hands & the white cube." Palabra give off effortless vibes of an openness to whatever influences cross their path. With an emphasis on jazzy rhythm, synth and psychedelia, their experimental groovy jams are destined to cloud your mindspace. Sharing the stage with Palabra Saturday night are Elfin Elephant and the SuS Quartet.
Watch Palabra’s trippy music video for the first single, "UpStepTrep," off the new album, then make plans to attend their album release Saturday. Cut ties with distractions and don’t let anyone else waste your time.
– Colette Pomerleau