L.A.

Video: The Dead Ships “Golden Room”

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Rabble-rousing garage rock trio The Dead Ships have just released a video for their new single, Golden Room, a fiery new track that follows on the tracks of their attention-grabbing full length debut, Electric Ahab, back in 2012. The no-frills video is just as expected for a band of this caliber – three slightly unkempt, yet passionate garage rockers bangin’ a tune in a ratty setting without any concerns about buttering or sensibilizing their surroundings. Oh, and there’s a human crow that seems to disturb their jam, or is it the other way around? Though more details about their sophomore effort are still forthcoming, they did reveal that they just wrapped up the mastering of the record with Broken Social Scene scribe Brendan Canning in the helm of the recording. For those who happen to be in New York City this week, they’re playing tonight at Glasslands Gallery.

 

Nashville

Renee-Louise Carafice “I Have Some Problems”

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Anyone hanging out at The Basement Sunday night would have had the opportunity to catch Renee-Louise Carafice.  Fresh from a visit to her native soil of New Zealand, Carafice made her return known by knocking out a set during The Basement’s Sunday Post. May saw the release of her latest album, "Power Animals." It’s a catharsis cocooned in an orchestra’s worth of odd and obscure instruments (ocarinas, anyone?). Track 2, "I Have Some Problems" lays the groundwork for the rest of the recording, a dense tangle of noise of which Carafice even warns "-these are not songs that you would sing in the shower." However, somehow, out of the dated synth and drum machines and droning repetition of the title line comes something stark and beautiful.  So, if you think you’re ready for the journey into Carafice’s head, check out "Power Animals." -Terra James-Jura

San Francisco

Future Twin and Sweat Lodge support The Garden at Bottom of the Hill – 6/24

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Future Twin will be supporting The Garden tomorrow night at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, along with Austin, TX based Sweat Lodge.

This is going to be thrilling show. The line up is well curated, and will flow well throughout the night. While Sweat Lodge’s sound is closer to doom and stoner rock, San Francisco based Future Twin embodies a crisp post punk sound, touched with dark and twisted musical undertones. The Garden has a similar style, and this combination will make the energy and sounds of the night swell and blend in and through your ears and the venue. We recommend you check out this show! You won’t regret it.

Portland

Premier: Orquestra Pacifico Tropical’s Rio Frio

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Before I dive into describing the intoxicating mix of sounds that Orquestra Pacifico Tropical have etched onto their debut record, Rio Frio (cold river), I would like to offer a brief history of the music they play so passionately, Cumbia. Cumbia has been around for hundreds of years, historians believe that the pulsing rhythms in which the genre is founded originated in African tribes and brought to Central America by slaves during the Spanish colonization in what is now Columbia. There these rhythms met claves, flutes, guitars and, eventually, accordions to create the cross-cultural dance music that we now call Cumbia.

The rhythms of Cumbia have been evolving since their inception, yet always retaining a groove that makes the style universally danceable. Orquestro Pacifico Tropical have taken this groove and added hazy guitar tones, roaring horns and a storm of percussive dexterity to create an album that is completely contagious. The opening track, “Macondo” sets an energetic tone with sweeping rhythms, blasting horns and anthemic vocal shouts. It got me dancing around my apartment immediately, and I didn’t stop moving my feet until the last note was hit and the cacophonic introduction to “Andalucia” began. From here the album moves through surfy guitar leads (“Petrolero"), hypnotic drumming (“Negra”) and vocal shouts that made me wish I spoke more Spanish so that I could sing along. The music that Orquestra Pacifico Tropical have created on Rio Frio is equally traditional, novel and undeniably fun. Join them for their record release show with 1939 Ensemble and Point Juncture, WA at Doug Fir Lounge on Wednesday, June 25th to pick up a copy on vinyl for yourself. 

– Ben Toledo 

NYC

From the NYC submissions: Casey Holford plays Barbes on 06.25

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Many people criticize books when they’re made into movies, complaining about parts missing or misrepresented when shown through a projector lens. When books are made into song however, the translation seems to work a whole lot better or at least it does when placed in the sure hands of Brooklyn singer/songwriter Casey Holford, whose latest EP ‘Made of Words‘ finds inspiration from literature including ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Slaughterhouse Five.’ The songs are both universally catchy and deeply personal folk gems, all told in a baritone deeply interested in pouring new meaning into the idea of ‘audio books.’ Check out his adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’ below in EP opener ‘Five Plus One,’ and see him when he plays this Wednesday, June 25th at Barbes. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Philadelphia

New Video: “Last to Swim” (Strand of Oaks Cover) – Our Griffins

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We already knew that Strand of Oaks‘ "Last to Swim" is a powerful tune, making it one of our favorites. Well, Our Griffins recently stopped by Nomad Recording Studio to lay down his take on the heart-wrenching track, with such a hushed intesity, for Root Down in the Shadow‘s #CoverClub. You can catch Our Griffins live this Friday, June 27 at Bourbon & Branch. Also, don’t forget to grab your copy of Strand of Oaks’ new LP HEAL tomorrow, and he’ll be making an appearance at World Cafe Live this Friday as well for WXPN’s Free at Noon.

New England

Magic Man Bound for West Coast in July

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A little over a month after a strong performance at this year’s Boston Calling, Boston natives Magic Man are hitting the road for a string of headlining dates on the West Coast. The tour kicks-off with a show at The Casbah in San Diego on July 8, then meanders north up the coast for a week before ending with a gig at Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver on July 16. Weeks before the start of the tour, the band had already generated intense interest from their fans. “I’m in shock that we sold out [The Troubador in Los Angeles on July 10] in the first week of sales,” says guitarist Sam Lee. “It’s cool to go back and play a headline show at a place that has a lot of history”, he added.

 

Magic Man are no strangers to the road–they’ve played dozens of shows and spent a considerable amount of time booking their own shows and managing their own tours before they received major-label support. “Sam and Joey [Sulkowski, drums] are the ‘tour dads’,” remarks lead singer Alex Caplow. “They’re the power couple of tour managing.”


For more updates about the tour (and the release of their new album, Before the Waves) visit the Magic Man website.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Photo Credit: Gavin Thomas

 

Philadelphia

Son Little Opening for Small Black & Snowmine at JB’s June 23

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Aaron Livingston, a.k.a. ANTI- recording artist Son Little, the opening act for tonight’s show at Johnny Brenda’s, has the type of natural soul-gripping vocals that make you stop what you’re doing, hone-in, and ask, "Who’s that?" Already having worked with such accomplished artists as The Roots and rjd2, Son Little’s neo-soul pulls from the toolbox of his predecessors, using his vocals as a means to skillfully express a full palette of emotion from pleasure to perseverance, giving listeners a zoomed-in view of his inner workings – a personal proximity that exudes strength. The sleek synth & string-layered indie pop of Snowmine will bridge the gap to the electro-dance pop of fellow Brooklynites Small Black. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita

NYC

Livewires premiere new songs + play Arlene’s Grocery on 06.28

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From what we can hear online, Saddle Brook, NJ rockers Livewires are a tough band to pin down. Single ‘Young Prayer‘ blends the blue power and sonic attack of pre-punk heroes The Stooges with some good old rock’n’roll guitar riff a la’ Chuck Berry. But ‘The Weight I’m Feeling‘ (streaming) paints a completely different picture, flirting with the poppier and more laid back side of the 60s. Either way, this sounds like summer music – play the driven tracks while you’re dripping with sweat on your skateboard, risking your life in the middle of the NYC traffic, and tune in to the slower songs to recharge your battery for the next life threatening adventure. The quartet is set to release their debut album called ‘Onfim Goes To War’ on July 1st. You can also catch them live at Arlene’s Grocery on 6/28 and Shea Stadium on 8/4. – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor)

Nashville

Nashville Pride Recap

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This past weekend, Nashville had its annual pride festival. It was wonderful! Publice Square Park transformed into a sea of people coming together for the same great cause. The two nights featured food trucks, businesses, and local as well as not-so-local musicians. It really was truly amazing. The Nashville artists consisted of The Harmaleighs, Ponychase, and the QDP DJs. The Harmaleighs are soulful and sweet, and will next be playing Murfreesboro Folk’n’Art Festival on July 26th. As always, Ponychase was awesome and the DJs kept things lively both days. –Amanda Aydelott

NYC

Frances Cone releases new self-titled EP + plays Rough Trade on 07.23

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Christina Cone, Andrew Doherty, and Jeff Malinowsy (aka Frances Cone, a band we booked at SXSW in 2013) create ephemeral and yet poignant music that will leave you in a wonder. The Brooklyn based trio’s newly released self-titled EP is dreamy and tender, landing in a musical territory shared by other mellow pop female fronted artists with orchestral inclinations like Frou Frou and A Fine Frenzy. It’s perfect music for a fantastical and ambitious summer, check out the EP’s opener ‘JUNE.’ If you dig it, mark your calendars: live at Rough Trade on July 23. – Rebecca Blandon

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