Strand of Oaks, a.k.a. Timothy Showalter, taps into his inner confesssional 60-Mintutes world in his latest music video for "Shut In." The single is off Showalter’s forthcoming LP HEAL, due out June 24 via Dead Oceans. The video parody was directed by Zia Anger. Strand of Oaks will be performing next in Philly on Friday, September 19 at The Boot & Saddle.
Austin
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:: Wildcat Apollo :: Call Austin Home
Originally based in Brooklyn, Wildcat Apollo have come to call Austin home as of recent. Formed in 2012 and spending most of that time honing their sound and craft quietly in a Bushwick basement, the band is on the verge of having Austin claim them as one of their own. The self-titled LP has warranted much attention with it’s lush, psych-pop sensibilities strewn over vocalists; Cat Tassini and Taylor Eichenseer’s seraphic cadence. While not much is known about the group here in Austin, they are already making a name for themselves nationally by recently winning the Rock Category Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition for Session II of 2013 with the winning track “Colorado” featured below. Wildcat Apollo is also set to appear on several dates of the Warped Tour, June 13th – June 19th and here in Austin at Holy Mountain June 29th. – Michael Maly
Philadelphia
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Lushlife Opening for Homeboy Sandman at JB’s June 11
Lushlife, a.k.a. Raj Haldar, has been way too quiet for me. I’m just hoping that it’s the calm before the storm. I’ve been waiting patiently for the release of his collaborative album with CSLSX, but I recent learned the other night that the fate of the electronic group is suspect. I’m really hoping that isn’t true for many reasons. However, Lush did share that he just wrapped up work on a new album, and will be taking the stage with some "new jams" this evening at Johnny Brenda’s when he opens for Stones Throw’s talented wordsmith Homeboy Sandman. It’s going to be a welcomed night of cerebral hip hop in Philly. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $15, 21+ – Q.D. Tran
NYC
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Recommended show tonight (06.11): PORCHES and Frankie Cosmos live at Baby’s All Right
Band mates and friends Porches and Frankie Cosmos – whose latest releases were recently The Deli’s Record of the Month (here and here) – will be performing live tonight at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg together with Kevin Morby from The Babies. Lots of true and fresh talent here, definitely a show not to miss for those seeking new music.
NYC
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No Shoes play The Deli’s B.E.A.F./Northside Punk Stage tomorrow at Silent Barn
There’s a B.E.A.F.(Y) rock’n’roll party happening tomorrow night at Silent Barn in Bushwick and No Shoes are part of it! These Brooklyn guys lay down thick delays on top of twinged out melodies and rockin’ beats to create a story within every song. You can feel the wind at your back with each measure, it’s almost like being tossed down a mountain of guitars, bass and drums. Just imagine if The Books, The Boredoms and Japandroids did a project together… Yet somehow, it comes together in the end and is thoroughly satisfying. – Joe Fish
Philadelphia
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New Video: “It’s a Shame I Know” (Honey Watts Cover) – Psalmships
Yesterday’s downpour and today’s overcast has us in a bit of somber mood. Psalmships recent performance of Honey Watts‘ "It’s a Shame I Know" for Root Down In The Shadow‘s #CoverClub seems to be going well with our morning coffee. Cheers! (Photo by M. Batchelor)
L.A.
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Artist To Watch: Wartime Recitals
Translating emotion through brimming exuberance is not an easy task. Baroque pop outfit Wartime Recitals aren’t really up for this challenge, but only because it already comes so natural to them. The incredibly mirthful sextet write fun-loving, piano-driven tunes that are sharp and tuneful, carefully tailored and encompassed with an elated grin even when they find the need to pound a somber minor key. Seeing as they’re an ensemble of many moods, their rippling harmonies front-and-center, there’s a necessity to function in perfect synchronicity through those highs and lows. The equivalent of a seasoned handbell school band, there’s hardly a false note in their impenetrable, mainly classicist approach. Those gleeful voices are what elevate each of the six tracks in their self-titled debut EP – comparisons to AC Newman and the New Pornographers will be inevitable, since their vigorous search for that pitch-perfect, glistening pop song is handled with a precision that’s meticulous and passionate. But they convey that jubilance with a very personal touch, coming together with a driving force that bursts with life even they sing that sad song.
Wartime Recitals are playing at dba 256 Gallery & Wine Bar on Friday, June 13.
L.A.
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Stream : Raw Fabrics, “Down The Drain”
The delicious melodies of Raw Fabrics create a sound no one is used to. The uniquely talented singer and guitarist Jack Franco has a creative twist on the electric/indie music genre, injecting raw, live performances to give the listeners an authentic representation of their stimulating reverberation. Their newest hit single, "Down The Drain", reveals the ingenious inner workings of this up and coming band, one that should be a hard act to follow any day of the week.
Raw Farics are playing a string of shows throughout the month of June, making a stop at Viper Room on June 22. – Kayla Hay
Nashville
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The Paranormals Album Release Show at The High Watt 7.5
Few bands put a Southern spin on classic rock as The Paranormals. The East Nashvillians have a 90’s-minded approach to clean and tight songwriting, attacked with enough raw energy as a pack of dirty punk rockers. The band is about to release the follow-up to their 2012 debut "American Spirit" with "Tomahawk" on July 5th. The release show will be at The High Watt, with friends The Cunning and Commitment Bells joining the lineup, but opportunities to pick up an advanced copy and see the band get sweaty and gross before that abound: they’re playing fooBar on June 12th, and The 5 Spot June 18th. The fresh, urgent clarity and poignant lyrics of single "Carolina" are just a teaser of the overwhelming depth of their new material. Listen, enjoy, and attend; you got three chances. -Terra James-Jura
Portland
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Ah God, Tender Age, Heavy Hawaii at Bunk Bar 6.12
We’ve been talking about local lo-fi shredders Ah God a lot lately. They’re still up for a vote in our current Artist of the Month poll. If you’re still out of the loop, it would be wise to come check them out this Thursday at Bunk Bar. The duo will be supporting a stellar lineup including Portland’s very own slowgazers Tender Age and San Diego based jangle surfers Heavy Hawaii. It’s sure to be a night so full of reverb and ethereal texture that when the last song ends you won’t be sure whether the ringing in your ears is the tapering last note or, you know, permanent hearing damage.
Ah God will be taking it to you hard as always with the energy and tenacity of grunge tempered by the lo-fi DIY sensibilities of bands like No Age and Abe Vigoda. Tender Age will add some starch to the mix and slow things way down without sacrificing any density of sound. Their style is similar to the pacing and texture of Cocteau Twins with Seapony’s knack for a catchy hook. Heavy Hawaii will take us to the beach with their reverb-smeared summer jams. Their sound is like Olivia Tremor Control or Ariel Pink weirdo-rock plus bubblegum surf pop and a So-Cal tan.
With ambassadors from every corner of 90s-influenced reverb pop, this show isn’t one you can’t afford to not miss.
– Bryce Woodcock
NYC
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Opal Rose’s Universal Soul
Opal Rose’s release Universal Soul, shows an entire universe of sound. Nice beats and Opal Rose’s beautifully ranged voice create a trance-filled album. Reggae, jazz, latin, hip hop and R&B influences mix into an intoxicating concoction. The album is appropriately named, since it can bring together worlds of sound into a cohesive and alluring universe that I , for one, would love to live in. Opal will perform at Tree House Lounge on June 25th. –Hannah Brady
San Francisco
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Street Eaters Releases New Album – BLOOD::MUSCLES::BONES
San Francisco based doom punk band, Street Eaters has released a new full length album. This new 10 track album entitled, Blood::Muscles::Bones is a disturbing, heavy punk album that is evened out by fearless female vocals, and clean interludes and changes within the songs. The album sounds like a post modern apololyptic Dead Kennedys record. There’s a lot of anger and anarchist spirit, but the production of the record is clean and well mastered.
We’re into Street Eaters’ sophomore album because it is completely unapologetic and a great example of what the Bay Area has to offer in regards to pumping out music that exhudes free wielding, out of the box intensity. We don’t want our underground music to come soft or easy.
Make sure you check out Blood::Muscles::Bones in its entirety via Soundcloud.