Philadelphia

Make The World Better Benefit w/Kurt Vile, The Districts & More at Union Transfer June 20

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Connor Barwin’s Make The World Better Foundation, R5 Productions, and WXPN host a special fundraiser for the revitalization of Ralph Brooks Park in South Philly tonight. The big project will feature a state of the art basketball court, an urban farm, and a mural made by renowned artist, Steve “ESPO” Powers. The show features a stellar lineup that includes a headlining set from “constant hitmaker” Kurt Vile & his Violators. Vile will be joined by our most recent Philly Best Emerging Artist of the Year Poll Winners, The Districts, who have had a breakout year with their Fat Possum release and hefty touring schedule, which includes stints with Dr. Dog and White Denim. Rounding out the lineup will be Houston’s The Tontons. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 9pm, $25 – $300, All Ages – Bill McThrill

NYC

Baked releases single “Don’t Trip” from upcoming LP “Debt”

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Brooklyn psych-rockers Baked – who recently toured with Titus Andronicus – present their official lead single “Don’t Trip” as a teaser for the full-length album “Debt,” scheduled for an August release. The track emerges via a slow, languid pace, as casual pitch-bended guitar chords meander over loose, live-sounding drums. Boy/girl tandem vocals tell a tale of how “It’s a second coming Christ, and the kids they are screaming.” A well placed minor chord throughout the verse cycle holds the listeners interest by avoiding predicable sonic patterns. The whole thing is capped off with nearly a minute of extended coda stuffed with early 70s era guitar textures reminiscent of Pink Floyd at their most psychedelic. Imagine Dean Wareham & Galaxie 500 having a taco with Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks on a sun-drenched afternoon. If you’d like to get even more “baked,” head over to their Bandcamp and pre-order the album. – Dave Cromwell

NYC

From the NYC submissions: Nikhil P. Yerawadekar and Low Mentality

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In the name of all combinations, fusions, mixtures and meldings: long live Nikhil P. Yerawadekar and Low Mentality. We am so happy that we came across this band when we did because now we have something to look forward to this summer besides having my wisdom teeth removed. Nikhil P. Yerawadekar is a multi-instrumentalist who comes from an afro-beat background; his fusion of slow-dub music and catchy indie-pop riffs provide a remarkably smooth and textured atmosphere. we have yet to catch a live performance of the band, but the video for their track “Run Fast” (mp3 streaming below) has got us itching to see them on the stage. Definitely stay posted for their upcoming debut record. – Jake Saunders

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Philadelphia

Debut Peter Matthew Bauer LP Available for Streaming

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Peter Matthew Bauer‘s debut LP Liberation! is available for streaming over at Pitchfork Advance. "Liberation! is the soundtrack of one man’s journey inside himself, in preparation for the rest of the world to follow." It’s by far the most interesting and promising post-Walkmen project of the three in the works. The album officially comes out June 24 via Mexican Summer, and Bauer will be celebrating its release that evening at Johnny Brenda’s.

NYC

Album review: John Velghe & the Prodigal Sons – Organ Donor Blues

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(Photos by J. Winn and Todd Zimmer)
 
The beautiful thing about art is that each person’s perception is valid. The artist certainly had a message he or she was trying to convey to us. We might even get that message, but it is colored, tarnished, and brightened by our own experiences. The relationship between musician and listener is the exchange of these experiences and perceptions and, boy, do John Velghe and the Prodigal Sons have some experiences to offer to us with Organ Donor Blues.
 
The first single, “Beaten By Pretenders,” has received heavy play on 90.9 The Bridge and features Alejandro Escovedo. Mike Alexander’s vaulting guitar weaves through Velghe and Escovedo’s vocals. There is a pleading in Escovedo’s voice that belies the “Oh, oh, oh,” of the chorus. “They can bring the wolf, but we don’t have to let them in”; a sad song in a happy key.
 
“You made some mistakes in your own hometown,” Velghe peels out the opening lines of “Don’t Understand Your Hometown” following insistent horns played by Hermon Mehari, Mike Walker, and Sam Hughes. Listeners, at least the fallible among us, are immediately connected.
 
The hits keep coming. Each song on this record reaches right into you and delicately and incessantly demands your attention. And you happily give it. Matt Anderson’s resolute beat and Chris Wagner’s bass line welcome you to “Gold Guitar.” Growling guitars press right into your sternum as Velghe laments the position of the modern musician: “It’s like the songs, never made a sound.” After I shared this song with Jon Dee Graham, whom Velghe mentions by name in it, Graham commented, “Can I get these lyrics engraved on my headstone?”
 
“Set It Fire” sounds like what I imagine the Beach Boys would have put out if they were an Americana band. Tight harmonies and a melody that will have you bobbing along without intending to, Kirsten Paludan and Velghe’s voices twist around each other and join together to make this a track you return to over and over.
 
There are records we meet and immediately become part of our lives. We listen to them through our forever. This is one of those records.
 
—Angela Lupton
 
 
 

Organ Donor Blues will be officially released on Tuesday, June 24, but is now available at Bandcamp on pre-order and for digital download. Stay tuned for info on the band’s upcoming shows.   

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NYC

The Cave Girls are our June Artist of the Month!

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The Cave Girls are our June artist of the month! Robin Campbell and Stone Age Sara have gotten down the art of creating simple, upbeat, fun Neanderthal garage rock. With bassist Lizz Weiler as the band’s newest addition, the trio is returning to the KC music scene with a primordial vengeance. 
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
 
Stone Age Sara: Stripped-down rock ‘n roll with a prehistoric punch.
 
The Deli: Give us some background on the band. How long have you had this particular lineup?
 
Sara: Liz Lightning (Weiler) joined us on bass in the summer of 2013. Before Liz, Stephanie Williams (Katy Guillen & The Girls, Claire and the Crowded Stage) played bass with us for a couple years, and is on our first CD. Our original bass player was Nikki Love. Liz and Robin have played music together for years, so Liz is a natural fit. We are really grateful to have her!
 
We have worked with a couple really cool lead guitarists: Meredith McGrade (Wick and the Tricks, Morningglories) and most recently Kelly Nightengale (The Spook Lights). Kelly recorded with us on a song we’re about to release called “Let’s Go!”
 
The Deli: What do you have coming up?
 
Sara: This summer is pretty busy! We are playing at the Free State Film Festival in Lawrence. Our music is featured in the film Replay by Marlo Angell with WOLF (Women of Lawrence Film), which is showing at the festival, and our set will be at The Granada on Sunday, June 29.
 
We’ll also be featured on a CD compilation of The Pandoras’ covers by garage rock bands from all over the world. It’ll be released sometime this year for the 30th anniversary of their It’s About Time record. We’re excited to be a part of something so global!
 
And we’re releasing a 3 song EP this summer too. Can’t wait!
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Sara: As musicians, keeping up with what fellow musicians are up to and being sincere and encouraging of each other. Everyone knows how good it can feel when someone acknowledges your work in a positive way. That can go a long way for a musician. We put a lot of ourselves out there.
 
Liz: I would say supporting the local scene, supporting fellow musicians, friends, etc.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Robin: Whichever I am watching at a given time… I am blown away at how good the local bands are around here. This must be what Detroit felt like in the ‘70s. I’m really impressed with Expo 70’s meditative heavy rock with no lyrics. Also, recently I caught The Big Iron and The Philistines at recordBar; both were excellent! The Big Iron’s new record is 4 stars!!
 
Sara: Too many to list, so many I need to catch up on.
 
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?
 
Robin: Those Darlins. They’re playing recordBar in August… GO! Their show is great! I am also really digging some instrumental music from an artist called Bonobo.
 
Sara: I freakin LOVE Dinero out of Fort Collins.
 
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Robin: I would love to play a festival with other KC/Lawrence bands/musicians for 3 days and camp out! I’ve always wanted to try playing a big multiple-day music festival.

Sara: I don’t have one… But I sometimes think it would have been fun to be a back-up singer for the Kinks… except for the fighting.

 
Liz: The Runaways.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there? 
 
Robin: Hmm. I always try not to choose artists over each other, they all bring their own special gifts, but I guess I’d say John Lennon, George Harrison, Aretha Franklin & Loretta Lynn. John & George for their sincere love preaching and spiritual awareness. Aretha for her empowering woman essence. Loretta Lynn for her authenticity, and her courageous and sincere songwriting.
 
Sara: Chuck Berry, Ray Davies, Harry Nilsson, Tiny Tim. All dudes and no drummers, I know, but that’s who comes to mind. They’re personal favorites, and I find them to be largely undervalued.
 
Liz: Lemmy, Joan Jett, King Buzzo (just to see if they could get his hair right), and Dimebag Darrell.
 
The Deli: What other goals do The Cave Girls have for 2014?
 
Sara: We talk sometimes at practice about just having made it through another crazy week. There’s so much everyone is up against these days: personally, locally, globally. Liz put it really well at our last practice. She said “I just wanna rock!” and we were all like “YEAH!”, so that sounds like a good goal!
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
Girls:We’re most up to date on Facebook, though we’d sure love to find a better way! Like a lot of bands, we feel pretty bummed when we post something on our page and less than 10% of our fans even see it. We’re also on Bandcamp.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
The Cave Girls: Ooga ooga Ug!Ug!
 
The Cave Girls are:
Robin Campbell: vocals, guitar
Stone Age Sara: vocals, drums
Lizz Weiler: bass, vocals
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in a bunch of bands.
 
 

Take in a movie and catch The Cave Girls at The Granada on Sunday, June 29 for the Free State Film Festival. Their set will follow the Nick Cave film 20,000 Days on Earth. Kirsten Paludan & the Key Party will also play. The film starts at 7:30 pm. 

 

 

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NYC

Upcoming: Soul Revival 1.0 at Green Lady Lounge, 6.20.14

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It’s a movement fueled by one musician’s passion to see soul and R&B come alive in Kansas City.
 
While attending the recent Ledisi / Robert Glasper Experiment double bill at The Midland, Derick Cunigan was taken aback by the size—or lack thereof—of the gathered crowd.
 
“I was watching such great talent on the stage, and couldn’t believe more people didn’t show up,” he said. “That’s when I knew I had to do something for the music. I had to do my part for the genre.”
 
Cunigan wants to introduce KC music aficionados to the sounds and styles he was raised with, while highlighting how the genre continues to evolve and flourish. The revolution begins Friday, June 20 when, backed by a stacked eight-piece band, Cunigan will weave his way through a series of modern-day classics from John Legend, Maxwell Anthony Hamilton, Robert Glasper, and more.
 
Cunigan aside, here’s the lineup for Soul Revival 1.0:
Keys: Desmond Mason (Shades of Jade, Groove 101)
Keys: Robert Tribitt III (Those Trib Boys Music)
Bass: Kevin Payton (Bill Crain Quartet, Will Crain Trio, New Vintage Big Band) 
Guitar: Kirk Scott (Elaine McMilian, Scott Hrabko, Kirk Scott and Trio, JFK)
Drums: Jerod Rivers (Claire and The Crowded Stage, Ashley Jones Band, Vi Tran Band)
Vocals: Ashley Jones (Ashley Jones Band, Ragtime at Theatre in the Park)
Vocals: Bryan Woodson (Mark Hubbard & The Voices, Timothy Wright)
 
This will be a gathering of some of our area’s most talented vocalists and musicians, making it one of this summer’s “can’t miss” events.
 
–Miguel Caraballo
 
Miguel Caraballo is a Puerto Rican who can’t speak Spanish, and the frontman of Kansas City-based rock-soul band, Run With It. He believes the arts can change the world, and loves meeting people who believe the same. If you want to contact him about your world-changing ideas, or simply want to purchase the Rosetta Stone Spanish Edition for him, email Miguel at info@gottarunwithit.com.
  

Soul Revival 1.0 is today, June 20, in The Orion Room (downstairs at Green Lady Lounge). Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 8:30. $5 cover. Facebook event page. 

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NYC

Album review: The Blessed Broke – Ladders Out of Purgatory

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Kansas City’s Blessed Broke has a beautifully crafted American Gothic sound. Ladders Out of Purgatory is the band’s second album. This is music at once dark and lovely. Singer and songwriter Brian Frame is something of a sad bastard—not of the sparkling pop Elliott Smith variety—but more from the Woven Hand, or Bill Callahan school of glum. But his songs, while all characterized by a mid-tempo andante, are nonetheless appealing, and the band’s playing is at once sanguine and austere.
 
Frame’s lyrics are not as detailed as Townes Van Zandt’s (a clear inspiration), nor is his singing as enunciated, but in mood and tone he’s clearly taken succor from Townes. And like a Jay Farrar without the faux Walker Evans sepia tone sound, his world-weary vocals suit the resignation of his lyrics. “The Stain” opens Purgatory with these representative lines: “We were all waiting in line to get a little blood on our hands.” And in that line the listener remains.
 
Five of Purgatory’s nine songs feature the full band, while four are Frame’s solo vehicles. But rather than sounding like a half-finished record, Purgatory reminds of Mark Kozelek’s Sun Kil Moon recordings; the full band tracks simply sound like expansions of Frame’s solo visions, expanding the songs’ musicality while sustaining the contained, melancholy moods, which rarely lift. From the “just a small shot to kill the pain” of “Black Spring,” to the slightly more eros-driven likes of “Moriah’s Eyes,” Frame’s songs are melancholy devils. After all, as the album’s closer expresses, Frames has a “Helpless Heart.”
 
Frame and guitarist Andrew Luker anchor the band, having worked together for several years. Luker’s dobro work is the band’s chief ornamentation; he gives Frame’s songs just the right high, lonesome embellishment. Betse Ellis joined on bass just before these sessions. She’s known from bands like The Wilders for her soaring violin work. Her bass playing fits perfectly with drummer Matt Richey; together they lock in like Charlie McCoy and Kenny Buttrey, respectively, on Dylan’s fabled John Wesley Harding.
 
The band’s vitality would be enhanced by a little more variety in tempo. Sometimes the melancholy thud of The Blessed Broke’s music can be relentless. But credit them for sustaining tension and mood. With quality material and beautiful playing, Brian Frame and The Blessed Broke engage us fully, however somber the fare they serve on Ladders Out of Purgatory.
 
—Steve Wilson
 

Be sure to catch The Blessed Broke this Saturday at The Ship, 1217 Union Ave, in the West Bottoms. Facebook event page.

 

 

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Nashville

Weekend Roundup

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 This weekend is packed with some Deli favorites here, so if you’re recovered from Bonnaroo, we strongly encourage you to venture out for some local music!

Friday: 

Thelma and the Sleaze, The Dead Deads, Flesh Wounds, and That’s My Kid at The Basement, 9pm, $5

Deluxin’, Bully, Dimples at The Stone Fox, 9pm, $5

The Vegabonds and Soul Mechanic play The End, 9pm, $8

Arkansas Elvis, Naveah and Blaine the Mono at Springwater Supper Club, 8pm, $5

Saturday: 

The Whigs, Penicillin Baby and Moseley are at Mercy Lounge, 9pm, $12

Next door at the High Watt has Stagolee, Feedback Revival and Smooth Dialects, 9pm, $7

Mystery Twins, The Joy Kills, The Wooly Mamas, and The Switchmen play The 5 Spot, 9pm, $5

Tweens, No Regrets Coyote, and Fox Fun at The End, 9pm, $8

Brandon Brain’s Album Release Party will be at Cafe Coco, with Korey Jejuan Parker, 9pm, $5

Sunday: 

Moth of the South, Silent Planet, Rivera, Monroe play Rocketown, 6pm, $8

The Basement’s Sunday Post includes Bow and Arrows, Idle Bloom, Mom and Dad, Ttotals and Renee Sparkles, 9pm, free

 

 

NYC

Wanted Man release “Live at DC9” plus extra goodies.

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(photo by Nigel Lyons) DC’s Wanted Man made a nice recording of their recent DC9 show (available on Bandcamp). The performance featured some amazing local guest performers, including Anthony Pirog (Janel and Anthony), Adam Orlando (Acme, RDGLDGRN) and Andrew Grossman (The North Country). The recording of the show is free, but a few dollars will get you a whole lot more. I’ll let the band explain:

"This performance features brilliant guitar playing by Anthony Pirog and a tight rhythm section made up of Adam Orlando and Andrew Grossman. Pay what you like, or nothing at all, but $7 will get you the recording from our acoustic show and a $double-digit purchase will grant you access to a super secret site where you can hear some rough mixes of the forthcoming studio album."

You can catch Wanted Man at Rock and Roll Hotel on July 9th on an incredible bill with DC’s Pree and Richmond’s Avers. –Natan Press

L.A.

Download: Sanglorians, “Everybody Likes a Pretty Girl”

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Baroque pop outfit Sanglorians first caught our attention last year with their debut full-length Initiation, which we previously honored the title of Artist of Watch last year for their vigorous, yet mirthful take on classic power pop. One of the most commanding tracks off Initation, "Everybody Likes a Pretty Girl", will soon get the full treatment with a music video that complements the song’s powerful message. It’s one of the more musing moments on the album, a snarky assessment on how American society places physical beauty on a pedestal. We’ll be posting up the video shortly, and starting today we’re offering a free mp3 of the track that you can download by clicking the link below.