Portland

Polyrhythmics: Live From The Banana Stand

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Portland’s most beloved underground house venue and record label has released another fantastic live recording to its ever growing collection. Banana Stand Media has been hosting and recording local bands in their basement studio for several years, documenting the continuously evolving landscape of the music scene. The newest addition to the Banana Stand archive of live recordings features the instrumental funk arrangements of the Polyrhythmics.

Polyrhythmics are an insanely talented eight-piece band with a massive sound blending funk, jazz, and soul melodies that are carried out by afro-beat rhythms. Through a main framework of funk, the songs progressively extend as seasoned musicians transition in and out of solos with each other. If you like funk music and long technical arrangements, then this is the Banana Stand album for you. Here’s the breakdown.

It opens with a hard-hitting number set in a mildly high tempo and plays a true representation to what the Polyrythmics do as a band. They are horn heavy but in a subtle way. The trumpet is in front of the music but the trombone keeps it from taking over. This first track, “Labrador” features a long and impressive saxaphone solo that smoothly works it’s way back into the rhythm. Changeing the pace slightly, the next song “Le Hustle” is a slower funk groove that is brought alive by a vibrant horn section and prominent bass tone. While it’s well known that songs in any subcategory of funk are heavily bass driven, halfway through the album, the songs reach a high level of bass-driven-ness. Let’s just say that if the bass on "The Octagon" were a chicken wing sauce at Fire On The Mountain, it would rank in at El Jefe. Which is fitting because the final track on the album is called “El Fuego.” There is a definite mariachi influence on this one with bright use of trumpet and a weirdly driving rhythm.

A polyrhythm by definition is more than one rhythm working together within a single beat. It’s a part of music that often gets lost in the art of songwriting when things get too overly simplified. Polyrhythmics have not let go of the little technical things when making their music, and when executed perfectly like on this record, you come away with some of the best genuine art. Not only that, this band, and their time capsuled recording from the Banana Stand will make you move a little to boot. Also check out the video for "Labrador" shot during the set! 

– Colin Hudson

Polyrhythmics – "Labrador" from Banana Stand Media on Vimeo.

NYC

Hypercolor’s Resonate.

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I’ve been listening to Hypercolor’s second EP Resonate a lot since it was released. I was led to it while covering (DC Deli Band of the Month for April) Avers. Hypercolor is the project of Avers’ bass player Alexandra, and Adrian, one of the (many) guitar players. It shares Avers’ technical proficiency, both with the instruments, and in the studio, and the sound is reminiscent to Avers in a psychedelic/shoegazey kind of way. I think where Avers is “rock,” one would call Hypercolor “folk.”

Perhaps psych-folk? I dunno. It’s pretty, and soft, kinda chill, but purely, almost aggressively, analog, with soaring, screeching guitar riffs lifting above clouds of background harmonies, chiming and buzzing layers of rhythm guitar, fuzzy bass and occasionally thunderous drums accented tastefully with reverb. Alexandra’s voice is sweet and comforting. Hypercolor is a good name for the band; the sound is vibrant. The definition of resonate is “produce or fill with a deep, full, reverberating sound.” No false advertising here. This EP is a refreshing thunderstorm passing by too quickly under a hot summer sunset. I think it’s gonna be a favorite of mine all summer, and I can’t wait for what’s next. –Natan Press 

L.A.

Stream: Monogem, “Wait and See”

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Much like pizza, we can never get enough electro pop. Monogem is the newest kid on these slick, dreamy streets. The moniker of singer/songwriter, Jen Hirsch, Monogem played their first show this past September and made a huge splash with their single, "Wait and See." The production is bass heavy with buzzing synth lines and dance-y beats. The track is undeniably pop, but the true interest lies in Hirsch’s laid-back, sultry vocals and blissfully catchy melodies. Plus, it’s perfectly timed for this steamy summer weather. May 4, 11 and 25, Monogem, backed by a full band, will be the featured Sunday Residency artist at The Bootleg. Stream "Wait and See" below. – Jacqueline Caruso

Philadelphia

New Video: “Rock Bottom” (Live – Acoustic) – Modern Baseball

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Below is an acoustic performance by Modern Baseball‘s Brendan Lukens and Jacob Ewald of "Rock Bottom," off the band’s latest LP You’re Gonna Miss It All. It was record at the group’s house for Philly-based Space Jam Sessions, which was created by Ally Newbold & Zac Suskevich. You can also view the duo performing "Two Good Things" from the same album HERE. The whole band will be performing next in Philly on June 1 at The Barbary.

Chicago

The Kickback

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The Kickback have released a video for their new track "Sting’s Teacher Years" from their forthcoming album Sorry All Over The Place which is due out this summer.

You can catch The Kickback on May 14th at The Empty Bottle.

Philadelphia

City Rain Record Release Party at Underground Arts May 1

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Indie electronic duo City Rain has been on quite a journey ever since frontman Ben Runyan first started performing with Jarrett Zerrer (now with Dokument) a few years ago. After finding a new groove with guitarist Scott Cumpstone and achieving internet success – thanks to the cinematic music video that was made for "The Optimist," the project has taken that journey to a whole new level. The stories behind the tracks from the group’s new album Songs for a High School Dance manage to reveal fragmented puzzle pieces of this journey – from "The Dreamer" being about Runyan going from doing bedroom recordings to playing on a national stage while being with someone who didn’t believe in that dream, to "Don’t Choke" being about the uncertainty he felt for his creative future after Zerrer left the group, and then some. The end result is a bold and revealing LP that is worthy of the celebration that it will receive at tonight’s album release party at Underground Arts. They’ll be joined by Tutlie, who still have much to be joyful about, after releasing their debut LP Young Cries a month ago. Rounding out this electronically charged lineup will be Galvanize. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 9PM, $7, 21+ – Bill McThrill

New England

The Lowbred Watts reveal “This American Hide” LP

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The Lowbred Watts is the solo project of Ryan Stapler, a Rhode Islander that’s made his way into the Boston music scene. The lo-fi folk artist released his first full-length, This American Hide, in April. On “Not Sleeping Outdoors,” Stapler sounds like Alex Turner playing a Nirvana cover on an 8-track recorder, while he gets more experimental and ambient on “Ectopic Vibrations.” The ambitious full-length takes on yet another style on the country-twanging ballad “Get Home,” its melody euphonic and its mix of guitar and layered vocals just the right amount of muddled. Download This American Hide on Bandcamp now. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

New England

The Dirty Looks release an EP you won’t hear on “Catholic Radio”

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Boston punk/garage rockers The Dirty Looks released their latest EP, Line of Sight, on April 15. The set’s first single, “Catholic Radio,” explores the pains of a relationship that feels phoned-in, its high-intensity chorus kicking off with the line, “If you aren’t mine, I think it’s finally time that you say so.” “Skin/Bones” is yin to the single’s yang, proving that the band can still cut like a knife with an indie ballad. Get the band in your line of sight at Great Scott in Allston, MA, on May 29. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

 

NYC

Bands to check out this weekend: Lodro at Brooklyn Bazaar on 05.03

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Brooklyn psych rockers LODRO seem to be getting more intensely noir by the minute – or rather by the song. Their latest single "Snake Song" (streaming) is a sparse bluesy track full of suspense and character, pierced by a distorted guitar Blixa Bargeld would be proud of. Speaking of which, go see these guys open for Pictureplane this Saturday May 3rd to see if they are ready to tour with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – it would make perfect sense!

New England

The Okay Win keep going forward with ‘Nothing’s Not Moving’

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You can’t replicate the rawness of recording an album in a garage. Released on April 15, The Okay Win’s Nothing’s Not Moving kicks off with the slow burning “Shift” before picking things up with the catchy number “In A Way.” The lazy, laid back vibe of “The Glass” is perfect for a beach barbeque, and the song switches things up with main vocalist Stephen MacDonald handing off vocal duties to percussionist Adam McElreath. Later, on “Legion (When Coming Home),” noodling guitars wrap themselves around MacDonald’s barebones vocal melody. Make sure to catch the Bostonites at the Arts Marathon at OnStage Dance Company in Somerville this Saturday, May 3, or celebrate the record’s release with the band at Cambridge’s T.T. the Bear’s on May 17. – Jake Reed, @jakejreed

Philadelphia

New Track: “Got Your Back” – Worshyper

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Here’s a sexy new track from electro-R&B/soul crew Worshyper, who’s "Got Your Back." It’s off their full-length album Keeps, which was released towards the end of last year via AMDISCS, but will finally be put on vinyl. They’ll be celebrating the availability of the hard copies tomorrow night at Bourbon & Branch.