VÉRITÉ is a new electropop project based in NYC – although for some obscure reason this piece of information is not revealed in artist’s website and social media pages – lucky we have friends who know! Very little info has leaked about this act – is it actually a band or a solo effort? – but the simple but tasteful video of debut single "Heartbeat" (streaming) gives us a beautiful face and an intriguing song, split between a moody, atmospheric verse and a radio ready pop explosion in the chorus – and that’s more than enough for now. This seems like a studio born effort, although Rockwood Music Hall back in December hosted what seems to be the only VÉRITÉ live show to date. An announcement of a new release should be around the corner, since the profile picture of the band’s Facebook page was changed a few days ago to an image that looks like the cover of a record entitled "Wild Regrets."
NYC
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Album review: Forrester – Antithesis (EP)
Forrester is a band based out of Lawrence, with Brian Rogers, Joe Newman, Connor Creighton, Will Chertoff, and Steven LaCour. Its debut EP Antithesis carries us through an instrumental rock experience, one not to miss.
With the initial sound on the opening track, "I Was With You To The End,” the four-song EP announces that it is not just another instrumental album. The talent behind each member is evident as Antithesis journeys from note to note, emotion to emotion. It is filled with bold guitars and sultry bass lines that walk from innocence into the depths of melancholy.
There’s a haunting section in "Anywhere But Here" that doesn’t rush its message, yet twists into a steady progression of tempo that takes us into unexpected planes. The thrill behind the drums is undeniable as the heavy-hitting track "Fishes" weaves into eclectic samples and blissful guitar. The final sound of "The Forgotten" is a solid eight-minute track with an uncanny groove and irresistible energy.
Forrester has crafted a breathing work of art with Antithesis. It is that of electro rock ‘n roll, dripping with mood.
–Rolanda Woods
Ro is the general manager of Datura Records.
Forrester will be performing tonight at Jackpot Music Hall as part of I Heart Local Music’s Stop Day Eve Party. Psychic Heat and Middle Twin will also be performing. Stop by and see some of the coolest acts in Lawrence. Facebook event page.
Portland
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New Moss Records Celebrates “Hits Vol 1” with Three Release Parties
Portland’s infamous New Moss Records are rolling out a new compilation cassette series titled "HITS." Featuring songs the label’s favorite bands from Portland and beyond, the first installment of the series, "HITS Volume 1," features thirteen tracks including six unreleased tracks by Grandparents, Wimps, Old Light, Spookies, Summer Cannibals and Natural Blonde. Also featured on the compilation are tracks by Charts, The We Shared Milk, XDS, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Still Caves, And And And, and Sad Horse. The cassettes are priced at $6, but only 300 copies will be made so don’t be a slow-poke in picking one up. You can pre-order HITS Vol. 1 here, or, if you’re the smart type you can go to one, two or all three of New Moss Records’ masterfully curated compilation release parties this weekend to pick up a cassette in person.
Release Parties:
Friday, May 9th at the Firkin Tavern (no cover): Summer Canniblas, Sad Horse, Charts
Saturday, May 10th at the Know ($5 cover): And And And, Old Light, XDS
Sunday, May 11th at Rontoms (no cover): Grandparents, Spookies
Official Todd Walberg photos from the release parties to come!
– Travis Leipzig
NYC
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Review: Love Garden’s 24th Anniversary Show
Love Garden Sounds celebrated its 24th anniversary this past Sunday at The Granada, with an impressive lineup of local and national acts.
1. Oils – Oils kicked off the anniversary party with a bang, bringing the people a composed set of upbeat and rhythmic progression, a build-up style characteristic of the crew. So it was no surprise Taryn Blake Miller of Your Friend joined in playing some extra percussion for the group. They really set a comfort zone for the rest of the evening as people started showing up for the event.
2. No Magic – No Magic’s solo act followed Oils opening set, introducing the side stage where 3 other bands would later play. His crispy vocals and folky guitar tone drew the main stage crowd toward him but may not have kept their attention. Though you’ve got to give him kudos for playing the second slot amongst such an ambitious local lineup.
3. CS Luxem (solo) – After a thirty-minute halftime, Chris Luxem took the main stage again with his solo act, taking control of the crowd almost immediately with his light and harmonic guitar melody. His undeniable energy and, at times, gritty and gut-wrenching vocals, ring genuine and heartfelt. He really hit the mark ending his set by looping and layering his guitar and vocals, allowing him to put down his instrument and keel over with the microphone nearly to his knees while belting out his final few verses.
4. Psychic Heat – There’s nothing really more capturing and exciting than a band comprised of a bunch of best dude friends, and this foursome rings tried and true in that department. Like a starter pistol at a footrace, Psychic Heat took off in full speed with no intention of looking back to see who they’d left in the dust. The foursome’s set was made up of drum-drilling, back-to-back hits with heavy reverb on the guitar. They showed up, they played, they kind of left you wanting more and they liked it.
5. Brooke Tuley – Brooke Tuley of Bloodbirds was the second artist to take the side stage on Sunday, celebrating the record release of her debut solo album, First Midnight. One of the only acts representing Kansas City, husband Mike Tuley accompanied Brooke as she serenaded the crowd with stripped down, lo-fi melodies and haunting, youthful vocals. First Midnight is a collection of songs she’s recorded over the years, a side project she’s pulled to the forefront now that Bloodbirds is on temporary hiatus.
6. Your Friend – Taryn Blake Miller, better known as Your Friend, has more or less become the unofficial sweetheart of Lawrence. After signing with Domino Records last year, Miller’s performance and confidence level have been on the rise, bringing in bigger and bigger audiences. Playing with her full band, Miller ended her rather quick set writhing and lashing on the floor with guitar in hand, losing her chunky black frames on the way down. She still managed to thank the crowd as the lights went up, out of breath and still not recovering her glasses.
7. Gnarly Davidson – Gnarly Davidson could really give a shit, but in the best way. This trio took back the side stage with a vengeance, explaining to the crowd that they played "beer rock." Beer rock, motorcycle metal, whatever the case may be, they prefaced their radical set with, "We’re Gnarly Davidson, and this is our last song!" The crowd either watched with dropped jaws or gave in to the madness and moshed/danced their set away.
8. Quilt – Quilt from Boston was the first touring band to see the stage that evening. Their light and harmonic tone with a tinge of psychedelia hinted at some definite Fleetwood Mac influences. The lead singer told the crowd that she and the drummer had officially visited all 50 states now that they were in Lawrence. "We saved the best for last," she said. In hindsight, the band could have been lined up behind Woods rather than squeezed between Gnarly Davidson and Blood On The Wall to give them a better transition.
9. Blood On The Wall – It was pretty clear who showed up for Blood On The Wall reunion, even more so where their best friends were in the crowd based on the amount of head banging, hollering and beer cheers-ing in air. The drummer of Gnarly Davidson could be found behind the stage, hugging a friend and fist pumping through the entirety of the set. It truly was one of those Lawrence throwback shows, like a high school reunion. Brad and Courtney Shanks took the crowd by storm with shrieking vocals and a commanding stage presence.
10. Woods – Based out of New York and Vermont, Woods headlined the show as the big wig touring band, but they honestly had some work cut out for them, considering the local theme of the evening. Kevin Morby’s name was being dropped and overheard all over the venue but was a surprising no-show as Woods took the stage, seeing that he would be the Kansas City connection to the show. Morby or no Morby, the band performed a pretty solid set but were ultimately a little somber toward the crowd.
–Leslie Kinsman
Leslie is a freelance writer and blogger. A founding member of the music venue FOKL Center, Kinsman also runs her own blog wunderhub, where she features local fashion, music, and art pieces. Keep your eye out for wunderhub Radio, a weekly collaborated playlist released for free by Rory Cameron of The Conquerors.
NYC
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Lily & The Parlour Tricks unveils “Requiem” video, announces full length + plays Bonnaroo
Rather unusually, indie rock Brooklyn collective Lily & The Parlour Tricks just premiered their new video for single "Requiem" on our favorite web source of biased information, the Wall Street Journal (it’s true, we read it to hurt ourselves). This instantly opens a gigantic can of political worms: tough questions must be asked, and we won’t shy away from them!
Are those "sexy" dance moves (first two seconds of the video in particular) appropriate for a publication that caters to an audience that predominantly shares a conflictual relationship with sex? (FYI, the band is famous for their "sinful" press pictures). Will the Journal lose some of the coveted Tea Party readership for premiering a video featuring music and images of young NYC hipsters, who very likely contributed to elect "the Devil" to the highest office, and almost certainly had all sorts of pre-marital – and probably also some version of homosexual – sex? And finally, can or should music unite left and right in today’s divisive political atmosphere? To quote The Cardigans: "Well I sure hope so. I really hope so. But I don’t think so."
Are we being serious you ask? Not really.
This single will be featured in Lily & The Parlour Tricks’ upcoming album, to be released later this year. The band is scheduled to play Bonnaroo and Summer Fest in June.
P.S. In case you are wondering, those two links are meant to go to the same destination.
Philadelphia
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New Videos: “Absent Year” (Live) & “You Call That a Kiss” (Live) – Radiator Hospital
Sam Cook-Parrott, a.k.a. Radiator Hospital, doesn’t really need much to move an audience, as you will see/hear in the latest Space Jam Session. His lyrics conjure up hidden feelings towards long, lost loves whom you’ve told yourself that you’ve forgotten, but know in your heart that they will always be part of who you are today, while his melodies effortlessly guide you through these journeys of discovery. Below is the premiere of an acoustic version of a new song entitled "Absent Year," and you’ll also find him performing "You Call That a Kiss" from 2012’s Can You Feel My Heart Beating? Enjoy! (Photo by Ally Newbold)
NYC
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New NYC music to shake your booty to: Kent Odessa
If you haven’t gotten your rump moving yet to sexy-cool R&B songster Kent Odessa, then honestly… you might as well not shake your butt at all. Odessa’s brand of eclectic dance pop is a lot of different things, but you can always be sure of at least one thing when you throw on his tracks: you’re not sitting down any longer. Promoting his first new album since Odessa’s 2011 debut ‘Silverdome,’ latest track ‘Physical Genius’ documents the world’s most fantastic lover by convincing us he knows a thing or two about this delicate subject, applying the most honey-dripping, sexy-sweet electro-pop we’ve heard from him yet, while striking an interesting middle ground between Robert Palmer’s ‘Simply Irresistible’ and John Lennon’s ‘Instant Karma.’ ‘Physical Genius’ looks backwards to Odessa’s Detroit roots while keeping an eye towards topping tomorrow’s charts. Check it out below, and look forward to the full-length record of the same name dropping later this summer. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electro songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
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Kite Party LP Release Show at PhilaMOCA May 8
Just in time for summer, Kite Party have released a new full-length with plenty of vibrant indie-rock anthems that are perfect for the season. Long before they mixed Come on Wandering, the quintet have been previewing songs like “Halflife” and “Summery Dream” at shows and through their social media channels. And the end result has increased the anticipation for their sophomore LP that gives them much to celebrate during tonight’s release party at PhilaMOCA. It will also be a good opportunity to catch Kite Party and their friends Three Man Cannon before they embark on tour together later this month. The Scranton/Philly outfit that features former members of Tigers Jaw have much to celebrate as well since they will also be releasing their next album, Pretty Many People, on May 27 via Lame-O Records. The show also features Thin Lips (ex-Dangerous Ponies, ex-Tigers Jaw), GUNK, and The Spirit of the Beehive. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $7, All Age – Bill McThrill
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “She’s on a Different Trip” – I IM EYE MY
I IM EYE MY shared another hypnotic track, "She’s on a Different Trip," from their new album 7 Transmissions, which is now available for purchase on cassette via Not Not Fun. This time around the journey touches the realm of sci-trance, and is accompanied by a kaleidoscopic video, created by Dan Papa, that recycles some images from the film Where The Sun Has a Mustache by Phil Rached. We definitely want what "she’s" having.
Nashville
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Show Alert: Roman Polanski’s Baby at The Stone Fox 5.9
Upholding Nashville’s proud tradition of great bands with quesitonable names, Roman Polanski’s Baby is a bonafide riot grrrl steamroller. The trio combines fat guitar distorion with an unapologetic attitude that sets a benchmark for what should be coming out of Music City garages. "Shakin’ All Over" posesses a depth beyond the initial punk fizz: that first riff cracks like a whip in the opening of the song, and the satisfaction never diminishes each time the band returns to it between their steady surf creep. Things are sure to get messy, sweaty, and definitely weird this Friday night, when RPB joins Deli faves Thelma and the Sleaze and River City Tanlines at The Stone Fox. If ever there was a proper place and time to raise some hell after a crappy week, it would be 9pm May 9th at 712 51st Ave. N. -Terra James-Jura
NYC
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The NRIs’ Playground EP: indiegogo campaign and release show.
The NRIs are working towards the release of their third EP, Playground EP, and they need your help! Their indiegogo campaign is nearing completion, and there are some great rewards beyond the normal copy of the EP. Many of the members of the bands are teachers of music and you can get a lesson, or you can splurge and get on the band’s guest list for life! There’s even the option to attend a Nationals game. It’s all very exciting. You can check out the world premiere of “The Streets” on the April 29th edition of the Hometown Sounds Podcast along with lots of other great music (as usual). And don’t miss the NRIs record release show at Iota on May 31st; it’s a special one, with an early all-ages version (for the kiddies, and folks with kiddies) at 5PM, and a 21+ version at 9PM. Check out their promo-video below.
San Francisco
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The Deli SF Benefit Show with Spider Heart Void Boys Sea Dramas and Vollmer is TONIGHT at the Elbo Room
Spider Heart, Void Boys, Sea Dramas along with the brand new San Francisco based musical outfit, Vollmer will be celebrating the growth and community involvement of The Deli SF! SF based community and intercultural advocate Jason Wyman will also grace us with a reading celebrating the Bay Area and our amazing music community.
We have a little folk rock, some dream pop, experimental garage and heavy psych waiting for you at the Elbo Room TONIGHT. Be there by 9 pm!
COME JOIN THE DELI MAGAZINE SAN FRANCISCO TONIGHT. We’re gonnah party!!!!!!