Austin

:: First Listen :: A. Sinclair’s New EP Pretty Girls

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 It’s hard to keep up with Aaron Sinclair.  For one, he’s one of the most prolific songwriters in town and one whom consistently puts out quality and profound music.   Since he arrived in Austin in 2006, Sinclair has been one of those rare songwriters that never seemed to falter or disappoint.  For as great of a band as Frank Smith was, it’s refreshing to see Sinclair with the confidence and poise to rest on his own moniker and reputation as such.  His newest work from the upcoming EP Pretty Girls isn’t too drastic a departure from what we heard on Frank Smith’s Nineties LP. The newest single "Shiny Things" is full of the same effortless and casual muttering of great lines that sometimes take a few listens to settle in and affect you.  The full record is due out May 20th but the official relase show is not until May 22nd at The Mohawk where you can catch A. Sincliar with another great Austin band set to release a record, Otis the Destroyer.  

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, May 16 – 18

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It’s fuckin’ pourin’ out! But you should definitely still join the rest of the denim-clad longhairs ready to rock tonight at Golden Tea House. Purling Hiss will be going back to their DIY roots headlining the West Philly house show this evening. You’ll also find Mike Bell & The Movies celebrating the release of their latest album. (Wait . Isn’t this like their third record release celebration for the same album – the second of this year!?! I guess that they’re getting some serious mileage out of it.) Perry Shall’s metal outfit Hound (who also just dropped its new LP Out of Time today) and twee-tinged rock gals Marge will be holding things down as well. Get wet – it will be worth it! Golden Tea House, (Please contact guildshows@gmail.com for more info.), 8pm, $5 – $7, All Ages – Alexis V.
 
More places to rock out at this weekend…
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Joint Chiefs of Math SUN Bleach Bath, Cornelius the third
 
The Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby (Trenton & Norris Sts.) SAT The Deadeyes, Conversations, Brian Fitzy
 
Italian Market Fest (9th & Ellsworth Sts.) SAT Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, New Sound Brass Band, Leo Minor, Katie Barbato, Cold Roses, Soraia, Railroad Fever, Sonnder, James Hearn, Ryan Tennis, Echo Victory, SUN Thee, Idea Men, Lovers League, The Funky T, Daniel Collins, Fistful of Sugar, Late Saints, The Blackhawks, Wooden Hez, The Members Club, Seoul Delhi, Pulmonary Funk
 
Wheat Beer Festival (15th & Mifflin Sts.) SAT West Philadelphia Orchestra, St. James & The Apostles, Arrah Fisher, The Jawz, Ancient Creature
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI The Orange Drop, Weekender
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI The Bad Doctors, Future Primitive, SGNLS
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI (Upstairs) Why Can’t I be Robert Smith Fest: Revolution I Love You, The One2s, Audio Kings of the third world, Lapses, (Downstairs) Captain Scurvy & The S.S. Pancake, The Dirty Soap Blues Band, (Downstairs) Caravan Lineup Announcement Party: Rotary Downs, Jesus Christ Goddamnit , Beef Cherokee, SAT Jesus Older Brother, Devil’s Triangle, Marc Neibauer, SUN Snoozer
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Saosin (Featuring Anthony Green)
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI West Philadelphia Orchestra, Jeff Thomas All-Volunteer Army, SAT Mohican
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Murph, Rob Lately, SAT The Rowdies, Up Nights, Happy Accident, SUN Cop Problem, Bardus
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) Sat Commonwealth, Voletta, Underwater Country Club, Sun Rasputin’s Secret Police, Snoozer
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Black Mountainside (Tribute to Led Zeppelin) SUN Luke Temple, Birdie Busch
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Montoj, SAT Crown of Earth, The Unknowns, Sun My Son Bison
 
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Parsnip Revolt, Bear Cave Tower, SAT Roi & The Secret People
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Ghost Doctor, Agent Moosehead, SAT Rob Tait, The Late Ancients, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Vibe Deta, Andrew and The Rhythm Hounds, SAT Mach 22 (CD Release), Clashing Plaid, Bonzai
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI The Go Around, SUN Lovers League
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Jay Skull in Spades, The Rowdies
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Joe Jordan, The Black Stars, The GTV’s, Dr. Beardface and the Spaceman, Janine Toner
 
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Swift Technique
 
The Mitten (please contact the acts or venue for more info) SAT The Holidays, Hundreds and Thousands
 
Grey’s Ferry Skatepark FRI Bad Energy, SAT The Charley Few, Le Yikes Surf Club,
Salt and Pepper Deli, SUN The Goodbye Party
 
Chicago

Netherfriends “Flying Friends”

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Netherfriends (aka Shawn Rosenblatt) released a new track today called "Flying Friends" which features Jams Dean, Chandler London, and Rich Jones. The track was created live in Logan Square by sampling a few Flying Lotus beats.

Shawn also just released a mini-documentary filmed by Cole Bennett for Lyrical Lemonade which gives you a sense of a day in the life of Netherfriends.

San Francisco

Music Premiere: Mark Nelsen Band – Screwball (Change The Weather)

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San Francisco based psych soul musician, Mark Nelsen has been embarking on a unique musical journey with his new project, Mark Nelsen Band. Nelsen, who is best known for his work as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the San Francisco based heavy psych ensemble, Electric Shepherd has been celebrated for his stellar songwriting and potent psych soul riffs.

We’re excited to premiere his new single entitled, Screwball (Change The Weather), which consists of two tracks: Screwball (Change The Weather) and Takes Two.

This single sounds a bit different from Nelsen’s previous solo album which exuded a folk psych ambiance. Screwball (Change The Weather) is a heavy, almost rockabilly single, that is fast paced and resembles tones that borrow from AC/DC, with touches of pop, psych rock and metal within them. These songs should definitely be taken seriously because he has proven to be a great songwriter and arranger time and time again from his previous releases and live shows. Nelsen went down a new avenue compositionally, but it works and we like it.

You can catch Mark Nelsen Band live TONIGHT at The Deli Magazine Sponsored Event at DNA Lounge (upstairs) featuring headliners, The Dollyrots with local riot grrrl rockers, The Shanghais, and anti folk, singer/songwriter Whorhaigh Kayado. –je

NYC

Album review: Cowboy Indian Bear – Vandeventer (EP)

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(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
 
I’m constantly amazed at the level of talent throughout our local scene. Many artists are putting out music that leaves me in awe and fills me with pride to say that I’m from this area. Album after album and show after show, bands in the KC/Lawrence area are proving that they have what it takes to capture audiences and play at the highest levels. That feeling of awe welled up within me once again as I had the privilege to listen to Cowboy Indian Bear’s latest musical offering.
 
Titled Vandeventer, this EP is seven tracks of sonic goodness from this spectacular Lawrence band. The group’s five members flex their creative muscle in each and every track. The tunes lace together like a well-made sampler with a signature stamp of excellent production, impeccable tone, powerful vocal performance, and captivating lyrics. Stretching themselves artistically, they rise to meet their own challenge, crossing genres from indie pop and rap to neo-soul.
 
The first two tracks, “Figure” and “Scatterbuzz,” are a mixture of sounds reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie meets Brand New. They hold a landscape of rhythmic loops, gorgeous synth lines, and great vocals from frontman C.J. Calhoun. That similar feel takes an ominous turn in the third track, “Ruffians.” Dark synth hits with tension-building live drums set the stage for this introspective piece. I especially love the way they leverage the haunting vocals through a creative use of panning. The attention to detail demands you listen on amazing headphones to glean each piece of the arrangements.
 
The song “AC” turns the corner, featuring Katlyn Conroy’s powerful voice. The track rightfully leans into the control, gorgeous tone and out-of-the-box uniqueness of her vocal performance. “Jacob” mixes rhythmic beds and the hook of a flute loop (that’s right, I said flute loop) underneath rapper Marty Hillard dropping some fantastic lyrics.
 
After all that, you have what I think is the highlight of the EP, “Push,” which seems to draw inspiration from artists such as Robert Glasper as the band lays down a smooth R&B vibe. Conroy’s vocals pop out with distinction, highlighting her breathy tone and fast vibrato. That leads us to the bookend track, “Candy.” Here the indie pop sound comes back in full effect. Creative sounds, melancholy vocals, and catchy melodies paint a picture of all that is great about this band.

As Vandeventer ended I found myself wanting more. I couldn’t help but listen over and over again. No doubt this band will continue to raise the bar of the local scene and put this area on the map as it continues to expand its reach nationally. What’s amazing is that each and every track will be free to download for your musical pleasure. Be ready to get your copy, fall in love, and then find a way to support Cowboy Indian Bear in its next huge steps.
 
 
Vandeventer will be released on Tuesday, May 20 and you will be able to download it for FREE. Cowboy Indian Bear also released the video for “Ruffians” last week; see it below. Also, you can see them at recordBar next Saturday, May 24, with Max Justus and Nite.

–Miguel Caraballo

 

Miguel is a Puerto Rican who can’t speak Spanish and frontman of Kansas City-based rock-soul band, Run With It. He believes the arts can change the world and loves meeting people who believe the same. If you want to contact him on your world changing ideas or to simply purchase him the Rosetta Stone Spanish Edition, email him at info@gottarunwithit.com.

 

Ruffians // Cowboy Indian Bear from Micki Hadley on Vimeo.

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NYC

The Deli’s B.E.A.F. (at Northside) last show: all day party at Silent Barn!

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It’s time for The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. folks! Which is not a genetically modified version of beef, but… the Best of Emerging Artists Fest!

This year our little event – linked to our latest Year End Best of NYC Poll – will be integrated with the Northside Fest for double promotional push and triple excitment. Thanks L Mag for letting us do that!

GO HERE FOR A READABLE VERSION OF THE POSTER 

Like the everything bagel, the Deli’s Everything Stage is full of dlicious surprises – and kinda salty as well if you know what I mean. Check the playlist with most bands playing tomorrow (some we couldn’t find on Soundcloud…).

NYC

Album review: The Rainmakers – Monster Movie

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One would think that if any KC band has a right to rest on its laurels it would be The Rainmakers. Members of the Kansas Music Hall of Fame and arguably Kansas City’s best known band—both nationally and internationally—Bob Walkenhorst, Pat Tomek, Rich Ruth, and Jeff Porter don’t really have anything left to prove musically. Their catalog of songs speaks for itself. Fortunately for us all, this band has no intentions of going through the motions.
 
The Rainmakers’ latest album, Monster Movie, is a case in point. Recorded in less than two weeks at Tomek’s home studio, this is the sound of a band firing on all cylinders. The opening song (which I wish I could play on the radio) is called “Shithole Town” and it starts out like a crowd-clapping sing-along, then morphs into a country-tinged tale of backwoods/back roads folks, bad country music, and small towns. Then it shifts gears again as the music moves from a country feel to a rock and roll song; as the story changes and moves forward, the music does, too. Like other great American songwriters such as John Fogerty and Tom Petty, Walkenhorst knows how to make the words and the rhythm of a song come together in ways that complement both. He also has the unique experience of having played in venues with large audiences and he’s learned what kinds of songs are big enough to keep a large mass of people not only interested but moving to the beat of the song, and, if you listen closely to the words, you realize there’s depth and poetry there as well.
 
The title track started out as something quite different. In an interview on my radio show (Signal To Noise on KKFI) last Sunday, Walkenhorst had this to say about the title track:
 
“‘Monster Movie’ was a title I threw around. I thought ‘Monster Movie’ would be a really funny song. I thought it would end up—you know—being something about bad monsters and bad scientists and all that. Songs have a mind of their own. You can start with an idea of how a song is going to go and the song will suddenly rear its ugly head and go… ‘No, I’m gonna be THIS!’ So this became more of a very blunt, social criticism kind of song.”
 
In the tradition of songs like Creedence’ s “Fortunate Son” and Steppenwolf’s “Monster,” “Monster Movie,” to lots of folks, is an apt metaphor for America today. “In our monster movie/these monsters are real,” the song goes.
 
The album also features contributions from drummer Pat Tomek, who provided the poetry that became the lyrics to “Who’s At The Wheel,” a lovely conspiracy song with Creedence-like chooglin’ guitar work from Walkenhorst and Porter. Like fellow Missouri resident Chuck Berry, who wrote similar Americana-themed songs, this song takes a wry look at human foibles and Internet-fueled paranoia.
 
The new guy in the band, Jeff Porter, also brings a couple of tunes to the album, a co-write with Walkenhorst called “Save Some For Me,” which has a folk rock feel aided by Porter’s music and a great acoustic riff; and his own composition, “Believe In Now,” which is a mid-tempo, introspective song with a lalalala chorus that brings back memories of The Kinks from their “Arthur” period.
 
The album ends with a catchy song about a club in the town where Walkenhorst grew up, called “Swinging Shed.” Having grown up with the first generation of rock and rollers, I always like it when someone references music from the early ‘60s. This sounds as catchy as something by Chris Kenner or Freddy Cannon, and I’m a sucker for it every time.
 
This is the sound of a band that is comfortable with itself and dares to still care about what can be done musically. I asked the band on the show how they all get along after all these years. Walkenhorst responded thusly: “You may have been chasing a dream—an idea of what you thought a successful musician was—and then, when you get past that, and you’re still a human being and you’re still a musician, then you relate to each other on much better terms.”
 
The Rainmakers return to the stage Saturday night at Knuckleheads. When you hear the new songs from this album played live, I think you’ll find this band hasn’t missed a step after all these years and still has something important to say. And, you can still dance to it, too.
 
 
You’ll get a rare chance to see The Rainmakers in KC tomorrow night, May 17, at Knuckleheads Saloon. The Nace Brothers will be opening up for them. Facebook event page. Also, if you tune in to The Bridge 90.9 today at 5 p.m., you can hear an interview and an in-studio performance from the band!

—Barry Lee

Barry is the host of Signal To Noise, which airs on KKFI 90.1 FM every Sunday night at 8 p.m. In his spare time, he’s Station Manager at KKFI. 
 

  

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Chicago

Nones

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Hozac Records released the latest from Nones, Midwestern Family Values, this week. You can grab it digitally here or order the gold vinyl edition here. Below is the wonderfully frightening track "Ugly Head".

San Francisco

Breakdown Valentine Drops New Single Teaser + Plus Plays DNA Lounge – 5/23

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Breakdown Valentine is heading an earnest effort to bring electro pop to the Bay Area in a big way. This San Francisco based electro-shoegaze band will be playing a Deli Magazine San Francisco sponsored event with the likes of The Trims and Parallels at DNA Lounge May 23rd.

But before that happens, we would like to share a video teaser for Breakdown Valentine’s newest single, Breaking Visions. Their 2014 EPK, produced by Aja Pilapil of AJAPOPFILMS, has an intimate feel as it cuts rapidly from behind-the-scenes shots to performance shots. The single, which proves to be a dance-inducing number with up tempo guitar licks and synths will surely be a go-to tune for the summer. The single, Breaking Visions, will be available on Bandcamp on May 27th. –Erin Dage