Many Arms – a sublime piece of musical schizophrenia – will be celebrating the debut of their 4th album Suspended Definitions (Tzadik) at the Kung Fu Necktie tonight. A blend of alt-punk aesthetics and a jazz compositional style, their sound is basically what would happen if someone handed Miles Davis an electric guitar and said "surprise me." Each song is essentially a prolonged, furious guitar solo over already breakneck instrumentals, all able to turn on a dime; the band manages to weave a wry, ominous voice without even thinking about vocals. Many Arms’ latest release has already earned them a spot in Spin‘s list of "50 Best Albums of 2014…So Far." They’ll be joined by Toronto saxophonist Colin Fisher of Caribou Vibration Ensemble, who also joined the group for the recordings of Suspened Definitions, for a special late night performance. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 11pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Matt Hurst) – Daniel Ludwig
W.C. Lindsay Record Release Show at The Fire June 6
Celebrate W.C. Lindsay’s release of Easy Victim, Charitable Deceptions (available via Big Footprints Records) tonight at The Fire. Lindsay has crafted a record whose songs mesh well with the warm weather; they stick while also incorporating a clean refreshing pop sound. It’s easy to fall for the steady, breezing bass/percussion grooves that accelerate at opportune moments, backed by corresponding clear vocals, which temporarily deviate as a means of expressing emotion. The album’s radio-friendly base enables W.C. Lindsay to touch down on varying genres, from pop-rock to electro-pop, to more of a R&B groove, all while maintaining a cruise control pace. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 7pm, $10, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Weekend Roundup
Here are some events going on away from that thing downtown…
Friday:
The By Gods celebrate the release of their new record at the High Watt with Twin Bed and Naveah opening. 8pm, free.
Perfect Pussy, Waxed, and Chainshot at The Stone Fox, 9pm,$8
Valerie and David Mayfield at The Basement, 7pm, $5
Saturday:
Space Machine, Heavy Sole, Frances and the Foundation, The Lower Caves are the lineup for the East Side Hootenanny in East Park. 4pm, free.
Penicillin Baby, Forlorn Strangers, Wooly Mamas, and Kevin Johnson play fooBar, 8pm,$5
The Deli has already recommended catching Split Wigs, Roadclock, Of Archers, Couched, The Royal Family at The End, 8pm, $5
Sunday:
Former Deli Artist of the Month Guthrie Brown opens for L.P. at 3rd and Lindsley, 8pm, $10
Ravenhill, Kennedy Noell, Radar Vs. Wolf, Saturday Night Special, and Death and Taxes play Rocketown, 9pm, $8.
The Basement’s Sunday Post features a record release set from Matt Butcher and the Schoolyard Band, along with performances by Josh Scutella, Burning Daylight, The Violet Hours, and Gale. 8pm, free.
Exclusive Premiere: Sexy Girls spends a day “At The Beach Alone”
Following the video for “I Don’t Care,” Sexy Girls has unveiled a second song from the upcoming Satan’s Hands. Set for release on July 1, the set is the band’s first proper album, following The Collection’s roundup of odds and ends written by lead singer Alex Whitelaw – but like The Collection, Whitelaw’s bandmates were absent in the writing process of Satan’s Hands. (It’s something he hopes to change on the band’s third release.)
“At The Beach Alone” carries on Sexy Girls’ tradition of nonchalant surf rock with funky syncopation – but let’s talk about the beautiful, wavy chords on the song’s chorus. The single’s gloss and greater attention to detail bodes well for Satan’s Hands, while its lyrics promise further exploration into the "dark side of [Whitelaw’s] mind."
If you can’t get enough Sexy Girls, come see the band play a cover-free show at Two Boots in Bridgeport, CT, this Friday at 8 p.m. – Jake Reed (@jakejreed)
Noble Firs Release ‘Floating Fortress’ EP
On June 7th, Noble Firs will release their fourth EP since just 2013. Opening title track "Floating Fortress" is a warm, dancy pop number that gives playfull nods to the ofttimes drabness of reality – I’ll likely never own a vacation home in the woods with a big ass tv, and my college debt isn’t going to take care of itself. Immediately following, "Elephant Suit" boasts verbed-out surfy guitar riffs suitable for a summer day on the beach. "Arcane Books" is a strong indy rock number number with powerful drums, harmonizing vocal melodies and a twangy guitar solo finale.
Join in the celebration this Saturday at the Firkin Tavern as Noble Firs release Floating Fortress. Sharing the stage with them are local favorites and friends of the Deli Portland, Hands In, Psychomagic and Cambrian Explosion. The show begins at 9pm and is free, so you’ll have more money for tall boys and band merch.
– Travis Leipzig
Check out a slew of emerging NYC bands at Slack Fest on June 20-21-22 (all ages)
Are you ready for more 90’s panache? Good because that’s exactly how Slackgaze, the "lifestyle/archival/everything-coolthat’s-worth-knowing-about-unless-you’re-a-square-or-something" zine from Brooklyn, describes themselves. Slackfest is being held the weekend of June 20th equipped with headliners including Brooklyn psych royalty, Turnip King (streaming), the one-FB-fan-at-a-time guy ONWE, and the extremely enjoyable experimental folk crew, The Adventures of Silver Spaceman.
The bill is chalk full of local gems from god knows where, but that matters little because all we want to do this summer is space out to some jams that these artists have been pumping out day and night just for our very own ears to explore! Oooh, can you feel it!? There’s summer in the air and the sounds that have been leaking out of this great city are thriving and alive with colors and re-imaginations from every corner of the musical realm into which we delve.
Particular favorites on this bill include Tribal Days (streaming above), whose easygoing jams reminisce bands from our slacker-rock phase of the 90’s (I hear Bedhead, Sonic Youth, etc.); Malatese, a promising noise-punk outfit from Virginia; and Palm (streaming below), whose sound ranges from hardcore to noise rock to prog rock… they’re so all over the place it’s too hard for us to pin them down, but damn does it feel good listening to them. Regardless, we urge you all to check out the bands on the line-up because it’s going to be a good one. – Jake Saunders
New Video: “Anybody’s Girl” -> “25w A19 120v Blues” (Live) – The Lawsuits
Below is a live performance video of The Lawsuits from this past April’s Communion Night at Underground Arts. The band smoothly transitions from "Anybody’s Girl" into "25w A19 120v Blues," which are also found next to each other on their critically-acclaimed LP Cool Cool Cool. The footage was captured in black & white by videographer Bob Sweeney. (Photo by Caitlin McCann)
Ace Reporter Shares St. Vincent Cover
Ace Reporter recently released a cover of St. Vincent’s song "Year of The Tiger". The band, fronted by Chris Synder, released their latest album Yearling XL back in April.
You can catch Ace Report at Milwaukee’s Summerfest in July and at Schubas on August 23rd.
The Jordan Years and 18th Street Brewery
As we discuss daily Chicago has so many amazing bands, but it is not often that we get to discuss the local craft beer scene. Great beer and great music seem to go hand in hand as recently seen with the Dogfish Head and Julianna Barwick collaboration on Rosabi. Not to be out done Drew Fox’s 18th Street Brewing has teamed with one of the funkiest band’s in Chicago, The Jordan Years to create Homemade Hustler Session IPA. The band had one request for the new beer: That its color should resemble that of the cheap beer they drank exclusively during the sessions for the “Homemade Hustler” album. Drew agreed, making sure to note, though, that the beer’s resemblance to macro brewed American lagers would end at its color.
Homemade Hustler is the name of The Jordan Years 2013 album and now it is a tasty looking brew as well. There will be two release events for the new collaborative beer, both on June 14th. One will take place at 18th Street Brewery’s Gary location and will start at noon. Every beer bought from the brewery comes with a download of the band’s album.
The Jordan Years will be performing along with Chicago artists Phal and Cojack. The limited edition “Homemade Hustler” beer will be available for purchase in 22oz. bottles. Later that night, The Jordan Years will perform at The Tonic Room in Chicago. The bar will have “Homemade Hustler” on tap. The show starts at 11pm and MC ADaD will also perform.
Let Literature Get Trapped in Your Skull at PhilaMOCA June 5
Tonight, put aside whatever mediocre plans that you might have and replace them with the much better idea. Spend your Thursday evening rockin’ out at PhilaMOCA, the multi-purpose DIY space will be host to local indie popsters Literature, who create a sublime intersection between bouncy, guitar-centric math rock and suburban melancholy, all with a liberal glaze of surf. A unique combination of hazy and upbeat, it’s the kind of stuff you’ll find trapped in your skull weeks, if not months, later. Between them, Los Angeles outfit Heathers’ distinctive coffee and cigarettes brand of guitar shredding, local all-female post-punk trio No Other, and "Scottish scallywags" The Spook School, the show promises to be a damn fine way to spend a night. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $7 – $10 Donation, All Ages – Daniel Ludwig
The Fox & The Hounds @ Underground Wonder Bar
The Fox & The Hounds is a unique combination of theater, burlesque, and rock. Fronted by the talented Kendel Lester, the band blends a dramatic and at times seductive aesthetic with sounds ranging from classic rock to cabaret. Back in 2012 the sextet released their self-titled debut album and now they are releasing a ’40’s detective noire style video for the track "Desert Spring Rose". Below is the track and we will have the video for you tomorrow.
The band will be celebrating the release of the video tomorrow night, June 6th, at Underground Wonder Bar (710 N Clark St) with Local Motive.
Weekly Feature: Whiskey Bitches play The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F./Northside “Everything Stage” at Silent Barn on 06.15
Since forming at the beginning of 2013, Bushwick based all girl punk rock band Whiskey Bitches (who placed fourth in our recent Year End Poll for emerging NYC artists) has released a single entitled “Wasted” while keeping a busy live show schedule in the NYC area. Founding members Madge and Kate Black have solidified their current lineup with Eli Lopez on drums, and have plans to unveil new material in the coming months.
LINKS: Dave Cromwell’s interview with Whiskey Bitches
EVENTS: Whiskey Bitches live at The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F./Northside Fest Everything Stage on 06.15 at Silent Barn