Brooklyn’s psych band TEEN, online searches’ public enemy #1 and one of the most creative Brooklyn groups of the moment – which also happens to be fully composed of female musicians – will be celebrating the release of their latest full length "The Way And Color" with a show at Baby’s All Right on May 22. Check out album opener "A Rose for You" (we can’t find a stream, but here’s the Spotify link) to get an idea of how enterteingly weird things can get with these ladies. The video streaming below is for the first single "Not For Long," which belongs to the underexplored "avant-ballad" musical category.
MaoTzu
Back in December we introduced you to the side project of Jamarcus Drake of Evasive Backflip, MaoTzu. Last week he released a split cassette with This is Lorelei (Nate Amos of Opposites) via the local label Grandpa’s Bay Recordings.
New Hound Albums Available for Streaming & Purchase
Recently, Hound (one of Perry Shall’s numerous creative outlets) released a pair of individual LPs entitled Out of Time and Out of Space respectively. These dark-shaded heavy-punch sounding albums feature Chris Wilson (Ted Leo and the Pharmacists) on drums, and were recorded, mixed, and mastered at Studio 4 as well as co-produced by renowned producer/engineer Will Yip (Circa Survive, Balance & Composure, Title Fight, Ms. Lauryn Hill, etc.), while the sequencing duties were handled by none other than Ted Leo. Out of Time also includes a cover of “Nothing Achieving” a B-side by The Police. You can take a listen to both of Hound’s records below, and the cassettes will be available via Burger Records.
Raiders of the Lost Art
Raiders of the Lost Art have shared the first track, "Belarus", from their self-titled debut album. The album will be released on June 3rd, and as the band puts it, it was "created under the dictum of plug/record". This is their opening statement and instead of laboring for months and months they hit the studio for two days and cranked it out. They know they will grow and change and they develop as a band. It is a refreshing approach and you can judge for yourself whether or not it works.
The band’s sound is surprisingly on the jazz or lounge side of things skewing them in a Morphine-esque direction.
City States
Last week saw the release of the debut full-length album from City States, Geography. City States is primarily the work of Joel Ebner who has been toiling away as City States since 2008. The 10 tracks on Geography were masterfully mixed by John McEntire (Tortoise, Sea And Cake).
Cardboard Kids Album Release Show at The High Watt 5.23
Cardboard Kids have been toiling away on their debut release for several months, and the fruit of their labor, “Echo Boomer” is about to meet the public on May 20th. Their music has an unabashed swagger to it thanks to their Texas upbringing, countered by a pop-punk sneer borrowed by their 90’s influences. Title track “Echo Boomer” showcases the grit and attitude that makes up the album. The band will have their release party at The High Watt this Friday with Golden Youth, Lenachka and Poema. -Terra James-Jura
New Video: “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Joan Jett and the Black Hearts Cover) – Katie Frank & the Pheromones
Katie Frank & the Pheromones recently laid down a cover of Joan Jett and the Black Hearts’ classic "I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll" for Root Down in the Shadow’s #CoverClub. The session was recorded at Bucks County’s Sluice Box, the home of Joshua Britton (a.k.a. Psalmships) and Brad Hinton. The band will also be part of next month’s Communion night on Thursday, June 5 at Underground Arts, and Katie Frank & the Pheromones will be making their debut at Philly Folk Fest this year.
New Music Video: “As Always” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah recently premiered their new music video for the track "As Always," over at Pitchfork, as well as announced dates for their upcoming tour. It was directed by David M. Helman and features actor Wil Daniels. The single is off the band’s forthcoming album Only Run, which is due out June 3. CYHSY will be performing next in Philly on Friday, June 27 at Johnny Brenda’s.
Birdie Busch Opening for Luke Temple at Ortlieb’s May 18
This Weekend: The Acid Test Part II at SUB/Mission + Meatbodies Zig Zags & Male Gaze at Brick and Mortar Music Hall
There are a couple of events The Deli Magazine San Francisco would like to shout out: The Acid Test Part II at SUB/Mission and Fuzz Box SF Presents: Meatbodies, Zig Zag and Male Gaze at Brick and Mortar Music Hall. Both events are TONIGHT and we hope you’ll make an effort to make it out and support homegrown independent parties.
Mod revivalist bands, TOY and The Electric Magpie will be playing The Acid Test Part II. Get dressed up in your fave 60s retro attire and dance the night away at SUB/Mission.
If you’re into underground garage rock, you can make your way to Brick and Mortar Music Hall where local DJ extraordinaire, Al Lover will be spinning records while Meatbodies, Zig Zag and Male Gaze perform live.
We’ve given you a couple of great options, and both venues are in walking distance of one another, so we encourage you to go forth and party. –je
The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, Trenton Avenue Arts Fest & More
Philly summer festival season kicks into overdrive today. For the Italian Market Festival, Connie’s Ric Rac sponsors two days of music that features the likes of Johnny Showcase, Thee, Idea Men, Toy Cannons, and Lovers League. Meanwhile South Philadelphia Taproom plays host to their 9th Annual Wheat Beer Festival which features music from West Philadelphia Orchestra, St. James & The Apostles, Arrah Fisher and The Jawnz.
But the big festival event of the afternoon might just be in Fishtown, which plays host to its annual Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and the always-interesting Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. While over 200 local art and food vendors sell their goods, the streets will be filled with several bicycle powered moving sculptures racing through mud to compete for best in show. But for the first time in awhile, the timeless art fest will also feature live music curated by Cloud Entertainment. The Deadeyes will bring a stripped-down version of their violin-fueled rock, while Conversations will bring some vibrant danceable indie pop. Brian Fitzy is sure to put fun spin on familiar tunes with his electric violin. The event will also be followed by an afterparty at Bottle Bar East that benefits Rock to the Future. BTW: It’s going to be beautiful out so make it out somewhere today. Trenton Avenue Arts Festival, Trenton Avenue (btwn Norris St. and Frankford Ave.), 12pm, Free, All Ages – Bill McThrill
Psych-folk duo Cashew & Cleary plan series of EPs
Cashew & Cleary is the project of Eric "Cashew" Harding and Patrick Cleary, a songwriting duo inspired by a wide array of sixties psychedelia in the vein of the Paisley Underground and British folk. The Echo Park reisdents are both veterans in the LA music scene, having played with acts like Eagle Winged palace and the Digs, and it shows – the lead single off their latest EP Husbands, "When Smiling CC Frowns", is an elegant baroque pop number that incorporates an artful composition of strings and a familiar, yet still evocative jangly melody.
Husbands is the first in a series of forthcoming EPs, which promises to extend their leanings into sunshine pop even further. A cassette version of Husbands is currently being distributed via Burger Records.