NYC

NYC Record of the Month: Skull Practitioners’ “st1 (tape)”

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Where the genre of “psych rock” will usually refer to “psychedelic rock,” Skull Practitioners take it to a level where the meaning “psychosis rock” would be more appropriate, hurling harsh guitar tones and thumping bass haunts, along with an avalanche of drum fills, into a whirlwind of amplified delirium. The NYC trio produces a heavier and more diverse wall of sound than most five-piece bands out there, swelling and punching up and down scales and arpeggios, blasting through fuzz and decay, resulting in a bleakly intense look into a mind lost. With different vocalists featured on various tracks, it might be difficult to discern an established frontman, but does it matter? The sounds coming from Jason Victor and Ken Levine’s amps, back Alex Baker’s drums are the huge focus here. – JP Basileo

Portland

New Release: Jellyfish Brigade’s Diving Lessons

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Portland hip hop duo Jelyfish Brigade put out a new album this week titled Diving Lessons, which they will celebrate the release of this Saturday, June 28 at the Goodfoot. Pulling lyrical influence from traditional folk music, emcee Lucas Dix rhymes through stories about nature, the supernatural, and real life shit, while producer Jeffrey Acciaioli’s dark and melodic beats serve as the backbone of the album. Helping celebrate the album release, Mimi Naja Trio, Jay Cobb Anderson Band, MC Botzy (Minneapolis) and Stephen Sauer will be sharing the Goodfoot’s stage with the Brigade Saturday night. 

Stream Diving Lessons on Jellyfish Brigade’s bandcamp page and name your own price to download the album. Below, check out their video of a folky acoustic rendition of "Man the Riverboat" featuring members of Fruition and Brad Parsons Project. 

– Travis Leipzig

 

 

NYC

Album review: Attic Light – Different Shades of Black

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Meticulously crafted with an ear towards commercial rock radio appeal, Attic Light throws down a heavy gauntlet of ‘90s-style alternative rock with its debut album, Different Shades of Black. The music tows a fine line between reminiscent and anachronistic, featuring just enough charm to not seem entirely dated. Like rock ‘n roll hero jigsaw puzzles mod-podged and hung on the wall in the living room, these six carefully welded arrangements channel hard rock acts from many generations, tipping the cap to Black Sabbath and Deep Purple just as much as their angsty little nephews Buckcherry and Chevelle.
 
“Demigod/Holiday” kicks off the album with a very garage-tinged Sex Bob-Omb distorted bass riff, quickly turning more towards Crash & the Boys and then promptly into Collective Soul. “Help Me Darlin’” is a skanky swamp groove, the kind of tune that should be accompanied by a brassy and costumed funeral procession down the sticky streets of New Orleans. “Spotlight,” with a sound akin to Alice in Chains or any Candlebox song not named “Far Behind,” will surely make all the Overland Park soccer moms throw up the horns with fervor.
 
When allowed to breathe and wander instrumentally, the songs develop an increased dynamic punch. The jammed out bridge/outro of “Market” is some of the more interesting work amongst the six tracks, bringing some sass and emotion to an otherwise heavily regimented soundscape. Whereas at times these songs may lack raw emotion and grit, they make up for it in clarity, precision, and sanitation of sound. The bass work of Patrick Rippeto and lead guitar of Mike Pittman particularly stand out, both knowing when best to flex their musicianship and when to lay back in the trenches.
 
Attic Light is finishing up a swift nine-appearance Midwest summer concert series with a KC album release show at Davey’s Uptown tomorrow, June 27 at 8 pm. If you’ve finally gotten over your Rockfest hangover, go check ‘em out, with Uncountable Kings, Fake Fancy, and Electric Third Rail. Facebook event page.
 
–Zach Hodson
 

Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings begins production. He is also in Dolls on Fire, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, and Riot Riot Riot, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects. 

 

 

 

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NYC

Album review: Rooms Without Windows – Poncho (EP)

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(Photo by Todd Zimmer)
 
Five tracks of solid riffs, bold lyrics, and dancey jams; the five-piece indie rock band Rooms Without Windows, really brings a sense of pseudo-80’s, modern Kansas City, alternative rock to your ears with their most recent release, Poncho. With every track comes a different vibe, all under an umbrella that incorporates dreamy instrumentals and smoky vocal work.
 
The one thing that is consistent with this quintet—and what sets them apart from any other band in their genre—is the vocal work. Elsa Rae lends her voice to the group and it is like a breath of fresh air for the Lawrence and Kansas City scene. It’s airy, it’s sensual, it carries a haunting tone, and it inarguably raises the band to the next level.
 
Another facet of Rooms Without Windows is that there is only one guitar player on the roster. Many bands in scene strive for a layered guitar sound, but not Rooms Without Windows. They pass on the second guitar and instead add keys. The keys add ethereal and spacey tones that deepen the songs without over-stimulating the brain. The keys create an easy-to-digest, still complex song.
 
Rooms Without Windows comes in and hits the listener hard with “More for Me.” Guitars call and the band responds at the introduction to this song. Jaunty drums chime in and drive the song into a realm of jangly guitars and atmospheric music. “Get On The Ground” offers up some of those pseudo-‘80s tunes I mentioned earlier; something you can’t really help but tap your finger to and wiggle to in your seat. “LSDiety” brings the clean bass riffs to the front row by constructing not just a song, but a dream sequence.
 
Each song from the Poncho EP hides a different treasure. Be it hidden in the lyrics, the instrumentals, the metaphor, and so on. Rooms Without Windows is definitely carving its own way in the local scene. With fresh sounds and outrageous uniqueness, the quintet is sure to evolve and grow in an exciting capacity.
 
—Steven Ervay
 

Steven is an all-around awesome dude who works tirelessly for the KC music community.

Join Rooms Without Windows and a host of other KC/Lawrence bands at Lawrence Field Day Fest, tomorrow, June 27, at Jackpot Music Hall, 11 pm. The festival begins tonight (free!) and runs through Saturday. Tickets are $12 for Friday and Saturday. Facebook event page.

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NYC

She Keeps Bees unveils new single from upcoming LP + plays Cameo on 08.21

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We can’t call it a day over here without a Deli dose of rootsy music, and today we have a treat from you from one of NYC’s best kept folk secret, duo She Keeps Bees, who are scheduled to drop their new album ‘Eight Houses’ in September 16th on Future Gods Records. Featuring the band’s close friend Sharon Van Etten on back-up vocals, ‘Is What It Is" (streaming) reveals a new direction for the group, with a minimal use of electronic drums in the background and an overall sound stripped down to the very bone. Thing is, this is a band with beautiful bones. See them at Cameo Gallery on August 21.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Chicago

Parts of Pieces of People

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Parts of Pieces of People have released their album dream saddle love mask_ digitally. The impressive avant-pop album will be released on cassette later this summer via the Bloomington label Let’s Pretend.

Parts of Pieces of People is the work of Geoffrey Carr (Man Before Time).

Chicago

J Fernandez

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J Fernandez recently announced that his upcoming sophomore EP will be released later this year via the French label Atelier Ciseaux. The label recently included his track "Fading Out" on a 6-track compilation. The track was previously released by Chicago’s Lake Paradise Recordings.

You can catch J Fernandez at The Burlington on July 2nd with The Shy Boys.

Philadelphia

Ron Gallo Sold-out Record Release Show at Spruce Harbor Park June 26

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If you were lucky enough to snag tickets to the #whyilovephilly Summer Party before it sold out, then you’ll be treated to a sneak preview of Philadelphia’s next big waterfront park project, Spruce Harbor Park. The event will feature photo booths, on site screen printing, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, craft vendors curated by Art Star, and a plethora of park activities as well as hammocks just in case you’d like to chill out and enjoy this beautiful weather. The event will also be the release party for Ron Gallo’s “eponymous” record Ronny, which is the first album that will drop via his new collective record label American Diamond Recordings. It was recorded with a backing band that features members of Up the Chain, Levee Drivers, and Gallo’s group, Toy Soldiers. He’ll be joined by blues/folk-rock, swagger-inducing labelmates The Lawsuits, and the new band lineup debut of Up The Chain, which features Reed Kendall, who recorded Ronny. Spruce Harbor Park, Spruce St. & Columbus Blvd, 7pm, SOLD OUT, All Ages – Bill McThrill

NYC

Recommended show: Tonstartssbandht album release party at Silent Barn tomorrow (06.27)

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You haven’t experienced Tonstartssbandht until you’ve seen them on stage. Two brothers by way of Florida, Andy and Edwin White expel a presence powerful enough to bring us close to a religious experience.  Their heavily delayed vocals and precise guitar effects create an incredibly unique yet distinctly psychedelic wash of sound, but don’t pigeon-hole them into the psych-rock genre; they harness about as many different rock n’ roll aesthetics and styles as you can imagine in just one song or – in their case – medleys.  Andy, who plays a 12-string guitar and is one of the most personable front-people out there, exhibits an incredible array of guitar tones and playing styles, with colors ranging from jangling melodies to heavily distorted break-downs.  But the single most important thing about Tonstartssbandht is their incredible spirit, we have yet to see a band come to Brooklyn with as positive an energy as these two brothers. Check out their live album they just put up on bandcamp, the release show is this Friday (that’s TOMORROW), June 27th at The Silent Barn. -Jake Saunders