Mid-tempo electro pop lends itself to a sensual experience. The three ladies of HIPS have exploited this, creating songs that feel like a chic, edgy, back alley kind of turn-on. Christina Gaillard, Drew Denny, and Natalia Rogovin are veterans of the indie scene, making them a supergroup in a way, as they seamlessly trade off taking the lead. Their blending of synths, electronic drums and three part harmonies feels less like dream pop, and more like a slow grind. "Promise Not to Fall" is the brightest shade of noir pop they have displayed from the three songs released so far. Sure, it’s catchy, but there’s a mischievous tension that is distinctly peppered with the elusive female tease. As they describe it, their music is for making out and late night drives. HIPS play The Satellite on June 4. – Jacqueline Caruso
San Francisco
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New Music Video: Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah – American Flags
The San Francisco based psych americana band, Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah have released a new music video for their single, American Flags. This hazy folk rock – americana track gives a serious nod to the musical aesthetics of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young but Gallagher’s voice upholds a particularly recognizable nod to Neil Young.
The lyrics are a bit mysterious, making it unclear in regards to if the song is actually as patriotic as the title implies. Nonetheless, the video is shot beautifully, and displays breathtaking panoramic views of the band and the American (Californian) countryside. The video also highlights all of the band member’s physical attributes, as the American Flags video is chock full of man beauty. There’s nothing but bootcut jeans, long hair, cowboy boots and tank tops, and it’s pretty great.
You can see Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah perform live at the Not Dead Yet Fest at thee Parkside on June 7th. Do your best to support this great, hardworking local band in all their endeavors. –je
Nashville
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Kim Logan Releases Single “Neighborhood” 5.25
Kim Logan burned sage on stage last night at The Basement. "Midnight is my birthday," she said, "and I’m clearing the air." Logan alluded to a 22nd year rife with the tribulations of young adulthood, then proceeded to ring in her 23rd with a visicious set of Southern-flavored blues. While most any gal with pipes and hotpants can put on a decent show, few can tie vintage rock with modern views through sharp lyrics like: "I think I love you but I don’t know if I should/ there’s already one of me in the neighborhood." Consider this new single’s gritty leveling-of-the-playing-field vibe a reverse birthday present from Logan, and be sure to give her 23 punches at the East Side Hootenany on May 31st, where she performs with bree, Them Vibes, and Lauren Farrah. -Terra James-Jura
Philadelphia
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Arc In Round Come Out of Hibernation at Everybody Hits May 25
Jeff Zeigler‘s experimental ambient noise collaboration with harpist Mary Lattimore has been in relatively high demand lately, and they are working on a debut release. And with all his production projects for rising acts like The War on Drugs, Nothing and a plethora of others, Mikele Edwards’ new band Myrrias flourishing, and bassist Josh Meakim, who should be heading on tour with A Sunny Day in Glasgow in the near future, Arc In Round performances are coming few and far between. Well, the group has come out of hibernation this Memorial Day weekend; tonight, they’ll be making their return at Girard Avenue DIY space Everybody Hits, and in tow will be drummer Steve Urgo (ex-War on Drugs, The Interest Group), who has replaced Matt Ricchini, since most of his time is spent on the road these days doing sounds for acts like Baroness. You’ll also find I IM EYE MY, who just released a new EP 7 Transmissions via Not Not Fun, BAnana Symphony, and People Skills. Everybody Hits, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
Philadelphia
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Dark Blue 7” Record Release Show at JB’s May 24
We just mentioned that former Clockcleaner drummer Richie Charles will be celebrating the release of his LP tonight at PhilaMOCA. Well, former Clockcleaner bad boy and bandmate John Sharkey III (who also fronted Puerto Rico Flowers) will be doing some celebrating of his own this evening at Johnny Brenda’s for the release of his latest project Dark Blue’s new 7” single. The group’s sound gives a particular nod to late 80’s Brit-pop. The vocals have that deep, rich tone that announces authority with a touch of cynicism. The agitated forceful (yet overall clean) instrumentation couples well with it, providing a chosen edge rather than an unfinished result. Sharkey is also backed by Andy Nelson (Paint It Black, Pet Milk, Ceremony, etc.) and Mike Sneeringer (ex-The Loved Ones, Purling Hiss). The menacing gut-checking aggressive onslaught of post-punk noise from Psychic Teens will reel listeners in with their dark-dungeon, all-encompassing sound. The power-punk trio of Maria T. (Bedroom Problems), Carly M (The Pretty Greens), and Laura C (Helmsman) collectively known as No Other round out the bill for one of a pair of shows (The other taking place at PhilaMOCA June 5) before heading north for a string of Canadian dates in June. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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Watery Love LP Release Show at PhilaMOCA May 24
Led by former Clockcleaner drummer Richie Charles, Watery Love is one basement punk outfit that has found the likes of Meg Baird and Daniel Dimaggio of Home Blitz helping to fill out its bruising sound, with Kurt Vile not making the cut to be the band’s bassist. Those are some big indie heavyweights ready to lend a hand. It’s no surprise that a full-length album has been anticipated since the group’s debut, and Watery Love has answered the call with Decorative Feeding (In The Red Records), a fast-paced, no nonsense barrage of slash-‘n’-burn tracks. The band is set to celebrate its release this evening at PhilaMOCA, and pals Montana Mordecai will be venturing over to join in the fury. Also opening the bill will be the somewhat mysterious Igneous Eyes. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $7 All Ages – Bill McThrill
Austin
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:: FIrst Listen :: MARYANN :: New LP Wylie
MARYANN went through plenty of changes musically and in personnel before they came to be the group that released Wylie, their latest and most imaginative venture to date. However, anyone interested in watching a band progress and come into their own amidst the daunting influence of the canon of western music, needs to look no further then what MARYANN has transformed into through the past four years. When you consider the group once known as Maryann And The Revival Band has dabbled in Americana, Country, Power and Baroque Pop with the same energy and unique approach they brought to their latest Nilssonesque compositions, it’s less important what genre the members of MARYANN fancy themselves and more relevant how concise and genuinely they shape their songs. The new LP is an amalgam of everything we’ve come to expect from a small group of Austin bands that don’t allow genre to define them and another reason why the emerging pop scene in Austin is becoming more interesting by the day.
San Francisco
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Win Tix to Parallels Breakdown Valentine and The Trims at DNA Lounge TONIGHT
Win two tickets to tonight’s electro psych pop show at DNA Lounge! We’re excited to give our readers a chance to experience a great line up tonight. If you’re into high quality experimental electro pop, send a message to sfeditor@thedelimagazine.com to enter to win. San Francisco based bands, Breakdown Valentine and The Trims have been making waves with their Bay Area live shows and pristine releases. DNA Lounge will be hosting the Toronto based nationally acclaimed band, Parallels to complete this enticing line up. Don’t miss this show!
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, May 23 – 26
Before they begin tracking for their next album Correct, the Andy Moholt-led psych-pop production known as Laser Background makes an appearance tonight at South Philly’s Boot and Saddle. Augmenting their set to include a pair of new (never heard before songs), which may serve as a preview of the direction that they’ll be taking with the new record. Laser Background’s accessibly warped take on pop-rock injects youthful energy while simultaneously offering a glimpse behind that creepy curtain. They’ll be joined on the bill by quick-shifting, space-rockin’, tempo-altering Brooklyn-based Celestial Shores, and eclectic genre-melding DC quartet, Deleted Scenes, who now includes Ricardo Lagomasino (Many Arms) on drums, headline the show in support of their new LP Lithium Burn, which was produced by Brian McTear and Jonathan Low. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Other places to enjoy this Memorial Day weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Cruiser, SAT Dark Blue (EP Release), Psychic Teens, No Other
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Laser Background, SAT Upholstery (Record Release), Deveykus, On the Water
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Watery Love (Record Release), Igneous Eyes
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Ecstatic Vision, Haggard, The Writhing Squares/Haethen, Decap Attak, Buzzherd, SAT Mock Suns (Record Release), The Stammer, Weekender/Baker Man, Bonfire/Pulling Punches, SUN Lifewish, Benjamin Poole, MON Humanshapes
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT Beano, Jacqueline Constance
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SUN Residuels
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Second Phase, Disclosure
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Balance & Composure SUN Balance & Composure
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Laura Brown (CD Release)
The Barbary (951 N. Frankford Ave.) SUN Goddamnit
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Sundrop Music & Arts Festival w/Mike Voss, Skrewtape, Jawnzapseven, Cornelius The III, SAT (Early) Cee Knowledge & The Cosmic Funk Orchestra, Seoul Delhi, Andrea Davalle, Conversations, Morgan Pinkstone, John Francis, Rock to the Future Band, (Night) Leana Song, Kwesi K, Jeremiah Tall, SAT (Day) I Yahn I Arkestra, Cowmuddy, Griz Band, Vilebred, Bastards of Earle, Mat Burke, Slo-Mo, Dirty Soap Blues Band, (Night) Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang, Attic Dancers, Anjuli Josephine, Katie Frank & The Pheromones
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Jaunderful SUN Chords for a Cure (Benefitting the Histiocytosis Association) Alright Junior, Corporate Hearts, The Loud Company
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT Wild Rompit
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Summer Scouts
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI Salvo, SAT MatPat
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Chris Gennett, SAT Witch Fist, The Future Race
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT Joshua Thomas, Jo Stones & Snagwing
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) SUN Ken Kweder
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT (Day) The Wanderers, (Night) The Morning Crazies
River Stage – Penn’s Plaza (601 N. Columbus Blvd.) SUN Jam on the River w/Lotus, Conspirator, Grimace Federation
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Kenny Price Caesar Live Soul, SAT The Jawn, Zymotic Flow, Lefty Logic
Ardmore Music Hall FRI Splintered Sunlight, SAT Jesse Lundy Band: Mach 4
Bourbon & Branch (707 N. 2nd St.) FRI Ninth Floor Mannequin
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Drums Like Machine Guns, Kate Ferencz, Faking, MON Radiator Hospital, The Holidays, Urine Culture
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Total Fucking Destruction, Repellers
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Dying, Boroughs, Limits
Moonbase Nix (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Bleeding Rainbow, Disinterest
The Rock Bottom XX (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Secret Plot to Destroy the Entire Universe, Leaky Soups, Will Colvin
The Bubble Bowl (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Keepers, Plainview, Alps Held, Horsecops
MT. Thrashmore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Panucci’s Pizza
Everybody Hits (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Arc in Round, I IM EYE MY, People Skills, Bananas Symphony, The Pharmacy, MON Pinkwash
Philadelphia
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Free Download: “Old Ghost” – Former Belle
"Old Ghost," a previously unreleased B-side by Former Belle, is the calm before the storm that brings the emotional element right up to the surface in a way that jostles you like no other previous song from the band has. It’s the title track off the group’s upcoming EP, due out June 23, that premiered earlier today via the UK’s Independent Music News, and is available for free download below. Former Belle will be performing next in Philly on Thursday, May 29 at Tin Angel with The Hundred Acre Woods and Steady Hands.
San Francisco
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New Music Premiere: WAG – Shed
The new San Francisco based heavy indie rock band, WAG has released an impressive single entitled, Shed. This band of young and enthusiastic musicians has really stepped their game up over the last few months, and this new single proves that they are a band to watch. With this track’s spot on tonal, genre and time signature changes, the band shows some clean and daring compositional talent.
Shed starts off as an alt folk track, but quickly changes into a heavy indie rock song, and morphing one more time into a hard rock (almost metal) climax. With simple, but very personal lyrics, the song makes a strong statement without having to push the envelope. We’re into it. You should be too.
Recorded at Tiny Telephone and produced by Brandon Eggleston (Modest Mouse / tUne-yArdS / Swans ), this song is the last track off of their upcoming debut LP, No Worries, which will be released both online and on cassette through the Los Angeles based record label, DRrecords. –je
NYC
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Niia unveils new song on Vogue + premieres album at Sleep No More on 05.27
Uber stylish, NYC based, jazz chanteuse Niia (another artist featured in our Best of 2013 list) seems to have embraced the electro-soul-ballad genre, and after unveiling first single ‘Generation Blue’ and its intriguing video, she is now disclosing – quite appropriately, on Vogue magazine – a new track entitled ‘Seeing Red’ (streaming). Both tracks will be included in a full length scheduled for later in 2014. NYC fans and industry people will be able to preview the record early at a May 27 live performance at Sleep No More in Manhattan.