NYC

Album review: The Clementines – Someday/Over (EP)

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If one had not seen this band live, one would think that with the name The Clementines, this would be a roots country or bluegrass band. When you cue up the first song of their new EP Someday/Over, the first sounds you hear are a bass intro that sounds vaguely reggae-like, then the first song "Afraid" kicks in with a definite reggae feel. The next, "In Yesterday," changes the mood with some quiet folky acoustic guitar picking and understated vocal by Nicole Springer, then moves into a country shuffle. The addition of the rhythm section of Aaron Derrington and Travis Earnshaw has broadened the reach of this band, which started as an acoustic duo with Springer on vocals and guitar and Tim Jenkins on lead guitar.
 
The next song shifts gears once again with the instrumental portion of "Misery" sounding a little like middle-period Fairport Convention, with a driving beat and excellent vocals from Springer. This is followed by a quiet but passionate acoustic love song called "Only in The Darkness."
 
The EP ends with the sonic blast of the title track, which begins with some nice acoustic guitar and ethereal vocals, then builds to a galloping beat with lots of tasty lead guitar from Jenkins and a slight Spanish/flamenco feel.
 
Lots of bands lately are doing EP releases. Not only does this save them money, it’s a good idea to keep new material coming out every few months in EP form instead of releasing a full-length album that would not likely be followed up for another year or so. This keeps bands in the public’s eye (and ears) every few months with new releases, much like bands used to put out singles every three or four months back in the ‘60s. This new EP showcases The Clementines’ versatility and works well as a nice introductory sampler for those not familiar with their work.
 
 
The Deli KC is helping present The Clementines’ album release show at Voodoo this Friday, May 9. Show starts at 8 p.m. The B’Dinas and Katy Guillen & the Girls will also be playing. Facebook event page. See below for a video of "In Yesterday," the first single off the EP. 

—Barry Lee

 
Barry is host of KKFI 90.1’s Signal To Noise Sundays at 8 p.m. During the day he’s Station Manager at KKFI. 
 
 
 
Philadelphia

New Track: “Something I Found” – Three Man Cannon

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Three Man Cannon just premiered a new track called "Something I Found," via Brooklyn Vegan. The pop-infused, lazy-day rocker is the second single off their forthcoming album Pretty Many People, which will be released on May 27 by local indie label Lame-O Records. They’ll be hitting the orad with pals Kite Party later this month, but first, Three Man Cannon will help them celebrate the release of their new LP tomorrow evening at PhilaMOCA.

Nashville

Grass Root Kids to Record First Full-Length Album

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As a follow-up to their debut EP "Loose Change," Grass Root Kids are preparing to record their first full-length album. Preparation translates into some hardcore hustling in their fundraising department, including a pre-order drive that has 6 days left before it closes.  The band made an impression with their spirited and razor-sharp set during the final round of 8 off 8th in March, and the way their exuberant meshing of folk and punk rock has matured since 2012 is all but begging for its own platform.  Check out their website for more infomation, and listen to "Boxes" if you need a little convincing in parting ways with that $5. -Terra James-Jura

Portland

In Review: Party Boyz Anniversary with Genders, And And And, and Sama Dams

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Last Tuesday night, Portland music podcasters, Party Boyz, hosted one hell of an event at Bunk Bar. The night marked the one year anniversary for the podcast, as well as the release of their first printed Zine and first compilation album on compact disc. The Zines looked great and featured content by local artists and musicians. Wearing handmade, screenprinted covers, the compilations feature bands that have been guests on the podcast during it’s first year, including some unreleased tracks by a few artists. To help celebrate this great night, the girls of Party Boyz gathered three portland powerhouses, Genders, And And And, and Sama Dams, to play some rock ‘n roll. Here’s a brief recap. 

opening the night, Sama Dams awed the crowd with their sheer musical virtuosity, featuring intricate drum rhythms, haunting and bassy organ chops, and beautiful almost seizure-like guitar soloing. Switching between playing his guitar, bass and keys, Sam played some of the most shredding synthesizer solos I’ve ever heard.

 

Up next was And And And, who were in full partyboy rock mode. Drummer Bim Ditson’s shirt came off right away per usual, Bassist Jonathan Sallas was fed beer during a song, beehive guitarist Berg sported a rocker’s spike bracelet, and Nathan sang his heart out. The energy was static in the packed room, and the boys played flawlessly. 

 

Genders closed down the night with their brilliant shoegaze garage pop. Their rhythm section alone amazes me to the point of jealousy, but with Stephen’s excellent guitar tone and styling and Maggie’s gentle voice and knack for songwriting, it’s no surprise why they are one of Portland’s favorite bands. 

 

– Travis Leipzig

Portland

The Hill Dogs Tour Kick Off at Kelly’s Olympian 5.6.14

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Tonight, the Deli Portland’s current Artist of the Month, The Hill Dogs, play a tour kick off show at Kelly’s Olympian. Catch the beautiful and badass folk rock tunes that earned The Hill Dogs your votes and some free ad space on our website. Sing with them, party with them, cellebrate a hopeful Blazers playoff win with them, and send them off on tour after such a good night that they’re dying to be home the whole time they’re away. There is a $5 cover for the show, doors are at 8:30, Device Grips open the night at 9pm.  

– Travis Leipzig

NYC

Amos Piper opens for Amen Dunes at Sixth & I on May 14th.

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Baltimore’s Amos Piper won our recent Band of the Month Poll, and they’re just getting started. They will be opening for enchanting new alt-folk star Amen Dunes at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on May 14th. It’s a great lineup that will highlight Amos Piper’s chill, jazzy, dream-pop, both sets being full of soft tones and warm drones, and should make for a perfect warm Wednesday evening of music in a beautiful space. You can check out Amen Dunes’ album Love streaming on Pitchfork, and some Amos Piper tracks on Soundcloud.

San Francisco

The Deli SF Giveaway – Void Boys Limited Edition Vinyl – Starfish

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Oh Boy…we’re giving away an awesome release by the San Francisco based garage – surf rock – psych band, Void Boys! The auspicious limited edition collection of the band’s new single, Starfish is creating a buzz around the Bay Area because of the single’s intricate vinyl covers. They’re so beautifully designed, we suggest you jump at the opportunity to get your hands on one of 100 limited copies of Starfish. These 10 inch pressings are going for $20 a pop (as they should), so we’re down to give away a copy (or a few) on us! We love it when bands share their unique style and secret artistic gifts with the world!

Email sfeditor@thedelimagazine.com to enter to receive a Void Boys’ Starfish single!

If you want to buy a copy and support this hard working emerging band, check out Pretty Penny Records, and buy this album direct from the label!

More About the Album:

"(Each record is hand painted and printed by Shannon Bodrogi and Jian Giannini. They were created using Photocopy lithography, an alternative photographic printmaking technique. Additional mediums include watercolor, acrylic, collage, and ink. All are varnished and come with an insert silkscreened by Shannon.)

The one hundred covers of unique and varying styles, mediums and themes, reflect the single they are housing. “Starfish” is loosely about the perceived metamorphosing of humanity, both figuratively and literally. How at times, people can seem to lose their human form with enough distance, whether physical or emotional, and the new shapes and associations that are brought to light with this space. Starfish, being invertebrates, are always changing form, twisting their bodies into an illimitable amount of shapes and contortions. We paralleled this idea of infinite distortion of form using scans of our hands, arms, faces, hair, etc. As a whole the body of work has a feeling of deliberate chaos and grungy intricacies, much like the single itself."

1-100 L-R Pretty Penny Records

San Francisco

Electric Shepherd Buzzmutt and Linear Downfall Play the El Rio -5/7

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San Francisco based heavy psych band, Electric Shepherd will be headlining a great line up on May 7th at El Rio in SF. They’ll be sharing the bill with the awesome local post-noise band Buzzmutt, and Tennessee based experimental psych band, Linear Downfall.

This is one of those classic San Francisco shows that represents what the local music scene truly has to offer. Buzzmutt and Electric Shepherd are creative, seasoned (but still wild has hell), hardworking underground bands that always put on a loud and eccentrically fulfilling show.

Make sure you make it out to the El Rio to get your local underground fix. –je

San Francisco

Brian Jonestown Massacre and Joel Gion and the Primary Colours Play the Fox Theater -5/8

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Make sure you buy your tickets to the upcoming Brian Jonestown Massacre show at the Fox Theater in Oakland. On May 8th, BJM will be performing in the Bay Area to promote their new album, Revelation, which is set for release on May 19th. This legendary Bay Area based psych revivalist band will be performing classic and post era songs, which will make for an amazing show.

One of the "longest serving" members of BJM, percussionist extraordinaire, Joel Gion has recently created another direct descendent of Anton Newcombe’s visionary tribe of neo psych and shoegaze offspring, called Joel Gion and the Primary Colours. Gion and his band will be opening the show and giving the Bay Area a double dose of his musical talent.

Brian Jonestown Massacre only rolls into town once every couple of years so don’t miss this event. You won’t regret it. –je

L.A.

Devon Williams Announces New Album, ‘Gilding The Lily,’ out June 3

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If dream pop could be melancholic and a ballad feel manic, Devon Williams would be its personification. "Flowers," the first single off Williams’ forthcoming third LP titled, ‘Gilding The Lily,’ displays his enigmatic power wrapped in a gentle ethereal touch. There are flourishes of soft 60s pop, with Pet Sounds-style backing vocals and a pulsing organ. But there’s an undeniable early Shins feeling erupting from the very first vocal line that I can’t shake. That is to say, he references the best of pop’s past and creates something refreshingly personal. Overall, there’s a maturity in Williams’ ability to delicately display such raw emotion through clever pop melodies and lush arrangements. ‘Gilding the Lily’ is due out June 3 on Slumberland Records. – Jacqueline Caruso

NYC

A new band from Brooklyn: Truthers plays Silent Barn on 05.17

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Truthers is a brand new psychedelic project involving members from Phone Tag / DIIV and Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk. The band played one of its first live show at Brooklyn Bazaar on May 3rd opening for Pictureplane. The only song available online – "Calm Canaries," streaming below – is a purposefully chaotic mish-mash of genres from lo- fi to garage, dream pop and even ambient, and features a melody that fearlessly – and at times almost aimlessly – climbs through higher and higher falsetto notes. They’ll be performing againat Silent Barn on May 17.