Self described "sad-grl-electro-pop-sister-duo" Verdigirl recently relocated from CT to Chelsea, Manhattan to pursue their electro-pop dream. Considering the theme of single "Feeling Nervous" (video streaming below) the ladies actually seem born to live in the Big Apple, since they obvsouly have an inclination for being overly self analytical and a little neurotic – which by the way is probably one of the reasons why this city is so prolific artistically. The tune is a well produced, melancholic, mid tempo synth-pop ballad full of tasteful blippy textures and recurring layers of violin and cello (the sisters’ main instruments). If you are feeling too happy, or just want to check out a new interesting local band, go to the Rock Shop tomorrow 04.24 to see them live.
Purrple
Purrple is the work of Sky Adler and Jay Bends, and together they are preparing to release an EP this summer. The first single from the EP is called "Tide" and features a few bars from Tide K from local hip hop duo The Palmer Squares and wicked "Mr. Sandman" sample. Just breathe!
The L Magazine’s 8 NYC bands you need to hear: we missed The Flag and Cities Aviv
It’s always fun to go through The L Magazine’s yearly appointment with the "8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear." We won’t deny that we see this list like some sort of test for us, to see how many of those artists we covered already and how many we missed.
This year we did pretty well – as usual actually – with 6 hits and 2 misses. We abundantly covered in this blog and in our magazine Slothrust (Artist of the Month some time last year), Gondola, YVETTE (Deli NYC Record of the Month back in May 2011), Porches (Record of the Month a few months ago), WET (also a Record of the Month last year and 3rd best emerging NYC band in our latest Year End Poll), and Teen Girl Scientist Monthly (NYC Artist of the Month some time in 2012). So 5 out of 6 were not only covered but also rewarded with our semi-prestigius titles! A self-pat on the back is due right here, right now.
We totally missed in the blog post punk minimalists The Flag and electro rapper Cities Aviv, although our new – and rad – live listings section picked them up here and here. We’ll cover both these artists soon with dedicated posts.
Jenny Gillespie “Chamma”
It has been a year of life changes for singer/songwriter Jenny Gillespie. In the last year or so she became a mother, discoved meditation and Buddhism, relocated to California, and recorded a new album called Chamma not necessarily in that order. Chamma (June 3rd, Narooma Records) began as a collection of field recordings on Jenny’s phone as she walked around Humboldt Park. At the same time she began to experiment with beat creation and recording directly into phone. Jenny continued to build on those experiments and basically wrote the album as it was begin recorded. The result may surprise you given the process, but it is a beautifully lush and cinematic electro-folk sound.
The album’s first single is "Holi". Chamma will be released on June 3rd through Narooma Records, the label Jenny founded to help promote and release work by "established offbeat female artists from across the globe".
Tiny Victories announces LP “Haunts” + plays Baby’s All Right on May 8
Tiny Victories has a gravity in its music that’s been out of fashion for a while in the Brooklyn scene – with some rare and successful exceptions (read: The National). The band just released this unusual single, entitled "Drinking with Your Ghost," which mixes electronic elements like buzzy keyboards and effects with the cleanest of acoustic guitars. The sober, deep and uneffected sounding vocals also work in a direction that’s kind of anti-electronic, contributing to a sound that’s hard to grab – like the demons they sing about. Tiny Victory announced the release of debut LP "Haunts" and will be playing live in Brooklyn at Baby’s All Right with Big Data on May 8.
American Football Reunion
The late ’90’s trio American Football (Mike Kinsella (Cap’n Jazz, Owen, Owls), Steve Lamos, and Steve Holmes) are coming back together for two reunion shows. The first show will be on Sept. 28th at The Pygmalion Fest down in Champaign IL. The second show will be in NYC at Webster Hall on Oct. 11th. Tickets for both shows go on sale this Friday, April 25th.
The reunion will take place after the Polyvinyl reissue of the bands 1999 self-titled album on May 20th. This will be a deluxe relese on 2xLP, 2XCD, cassette, and digitally. The reissue features an album’s worth of rare live recordings, demos, and practice sessions.
Divino Niño @ Canvas
It seems like we have been talking about Divino Niño’s album Pool Jealousy for awhile now and earlier this month it was officially on vinyl and digitally by The Native Sound. The album is perfect example of the state of Pysch rock in Chicago.
The band will be celebrating the release on May 9th at Canvas and will also be performing on May 22nd at Double Door with Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas.
The Wild Family Live Video
The Wild Family recently partnered with Uncommon Ground and The Foxhole to release a unique live video.
The Wild Family also just announced that they will be performing at Schubas on May 14th.
From the Digital Submissions: the multi-faceted funk of Evolfo Doofeht
The first time I heard Boston/NYC based, funk-jazz-gypsy band Evolfo Doofeht I had one thought: the sax back! And it’s about time too. In songs like ‘You Light Me Up,’ the tenor horn solo has enough energy to pull you out into satellite orbit.
Sometimes sounding fast and furious, almost like a metal group with a horn line, other times smoother like high line klezmer jazz with a highly energetic frontman, this band never lets you down on the brass section department, and – as they say in their self-titled track – ‘You need to get down with Evolfo Doofeht.’ Solid advice. You can see these guys live on Friday, May 16th at Radio Bushwick with Bad Credit No Credit or the day after at Boston’s Harpoon Brewery – it will be fun. Check out their most recent single ‘Mechanicals’ below. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
This band submitted their music for coverage here.
New Video: “Every Day Is a Widow” (On the Hill Session) – Psalmships
Psalmships (a.k.a. Joshua Britton) stopped by Kettle Pot Tracks towards the end of last year to record an On the Hill Session. Below is a video of him performing "Every Day Is a Widow," which will be on his upcoming album I Sleep Alone. You’ll also find an impassioned rendition of "Yven," off 2008’s Sings Like A Priest. Psalmships will be performing in the area on Saturday May 3 at Newtown Square’s Burlap and Bean with Hezekiah Jones. (Photo by Mike Batchelor)
Bad Energy Raise the Dead at Golden Tea House April 23
New City Rain LP Available for Streaming
Electro-pop duo City Rain just shared their new ten-song LP Songs For a High School Dance, which premiered over at American Songwriter and is available for streaming below. Their post also comes with song-by-song videos with insights about the making of the album. The release officially comes out May 6, and they’ll be celebrating the first full-length record by the new lineup on Wednesday, May 14 at Ortlieb’s.