Christine Tambakis might be the Rick James of soul-funk dance parties. Backed by the Party Down Boys (a criminally raging octet of loud horns, rowdy rhythms, and dangerously chic clothing choices), her band The Uptown Party Down will bring your inner freak up to the surface, shake it around on the dance floor, and leave you wondering why you haven’t seen this band live before. Going to an Uptown Party Down show is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and with a new album coming out later this year, now’s the perfect time to get out there and get weird. Check out sexy new video ‘She’ below, starring Crystal Demure from ‘Kinky Boots.’ – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Don’t Come Home Pretty Woman” – TJ Kong and The Atomic Bomb
TJ Kong and The Atomic Bomb give us a taste of how a wedding in their world might turn out in their new music video for "Don’t Come Home Pretty Woman." The track is off their latest EP KONG, which will be re-released digitally in an extended version on September 9 via local record label collective American Diamonds Recordings. The video was directed by Caitlin McCann (Dog Days Films) and TJ Kong (a.k.a. Dan Bruskewicz), and features Pig Iron Theater Company’s Dito Van Reigersberg (a.k.a. Martha Graham Cracker) and Bryan Bierman. The band will be celebrating the return of KONG tomorrow night at Underground Arts as part of Communion night.
L.A.
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Video: Nicholas Krgovich, “Along the PCH on Oscar Night”
Nicholas Krgovich, a multi-instrumentalist originally hailing from Canada, is set to release his first full-length studio album, On Sunset, on September 22nd. The album is a dynamic mix of experimental pop and modern 80’s dance rhythms with a slightly melancholy edge. Krgovich, also of No Kids, GIGI and P:ANO, has ventured out on his own for On Sunset. The standout track, "Along the PCH on Oscar Night", is a quiet night drive in off-duty LA. The video captures Los Angeles loneliness whether intentionally or not, by painting Krgovich upon a background of empty Hollywood landmarks. There’s a restlessness to this particular night which perfectly suits Krgovich’s dancey pop melodies. For a city that functions primarily around celebrity, "Along the PCH" separates Los Angeles from its’ glamourous Hollywood counterpart. There is something anxious and exciting about the city through this perspective. Krgovich laments about "going home empty-handed" in the ironic loneliness of the city’s most popular night. – Jennifer Mergott
NYC
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The DMV Represented at this year’s Afropunk Festival.
Being thrust back into the real world after taking part in a music festival is always a challenge for me mentally, physically and spiritually. This time it feels like the weight of the world and all of the things that have yet to be done haunt my psyche relentlessly. But, I wouldn’t trade Afropunk for anything.
I liken my Afropunk 2014 experience in Brooklyn this past weekend to being at a meditation retreat for music heads. Every stage that the festival goer visited allowed them to be properly baptized by the featured act’s good gospel.
Continue reading about Deli Contributor Opal Rose’s experience following DMV artists like Blaqstarr + Shawn Smallwood, and The Beard & The Fro (Mista Selecta + Mane Squeeze), at this year’s Afropunk Festival here.
NYC
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Album review: Katy Guillen & the Girls – Katy Guillen & the Girls
(Photo by Michelle Bacon)
Normally when I discover a band for the first time, I listen to their album first, then go see them live. In the case of Katy Guillen & The Girls’ new release, the situation’s been reversed. I saw them live a couple of times before the album was released, so I was interested to hear if the record was going to capture the ferocity of their live performances. I have to confess that my hearing is not in the best of shape, and, due to a poor sound mix at what shall be an unnamed Lawrence venue, I never got to hear the words or even the melodies properly live at the most recent concert I attended. But upon hearing the self-titled LP, it’s nice to hear that Guillen can write literate lyrics to these songs I’ve heard played out.
The album opener, "Don’t Get Bitter," hearkens back to the sound and feel of the Beatles’ "Taxman," with Claire Adams’ bass introducing the song. It’s short, catchy, and lasts exactly as long as it should. If there were a single release off this album, this would be it.
This record is no-frills. It’s the band pretty much as you hear them live, with the mix capturing a live in-studio sound. What strikes me listening to this record is that Katy and the Girls are not strictly a blues band. There’s certainly an infusion of the blues in what they do, but, to my ears, they hearken back to some of the late ‘60s-early ‘70s hard rock bands like Mountain and Free, but with better lyrics and songs. I also hear some White Stripes in there somewhere. The melodies and harmonies are accentuated and they help blend with the powerful playing.
Katy Guillen, Claire Adams, and Stephanie Williams fill up a lot of space in these songs. It’s obvious they are all very well in sync and have that great intuitive blend that comes from playing lots of live gigs together. I also like the changes in some of the songs, which go in directions you don’t expect, like "Woke Up In Spain," which switches tempo adroitly.
The absolute masterpiece of this album is the last song, “Earth Angel.” (Note: The Deli KC premiered this song when it was first released as a single back in January. Here’s the link.) It’s the longest tune on the album, but it doesn’t feel long. It starts out with Guillen’s dirty-sounding guitar intro, reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix’s "Little Wing," and builds in intensity as it moves along. Guillen takes one hell of a solo during this song. It’s obvious from hearing this record that she is an excellent guitarist but never overplays during the songs. But when the song calls for a lengthy solo, like "Earth Angel," sparks fly. The rest of the band is equally as adept. Adams’ bass lines are nimble and fit right in place with Williams’ active drum work. It’s a pleasure to hear a band that obviously loves to play together rolling through these songs. The album’s producer (Duane Trower at Weights & Measures Soundlab) captures the clarity of the music as well as the power of a live performance.
–Barry Lee
Barry Lee is an occasional contributor to The Deli KC and can often be found on the radio Sunday nights at 8 pm on KKFI 90.1 as host of the long-running free-form show,
Signal To Noise. In the daytime he attends to many tasks as Station Manager for KKFI.This weekend, Katy Guillen & the Girls will play two special performances at Knuckleheads. On Saturday, September 6, they will be throwing a CD release party with special guests The Old No. 5’s. Facebook event page. On Sunday, September 7, they will play an unplugged show for the first time, in Knuckleheads’ Gospel Lounge. This is a special benefit show for KKFI 90.1 FM. Facebook event page. Both shows begin at 8:00 p.m. Go see them and indulge yourselves.
NYC
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NYC Bands News: Ghastly City Sleep, Syvia, The Prettiots
September is here and our "Press Releases!" inbox is already getting out of control. Let’s deal with some news about emerging NYC bands in quick succession…
Definitely not a band lacking in intensity, Brooklyn indie rock quartet Ghastly City Sleep (pictured) will be releasing their sophomore album ‘Lulling Skulls’ in October, and have just unveiled a single from it (entitled ‘Clumsy one’) on Diffuser.fm.
We remember Syvia as an electronic band, but they just debuted this ‘no budget’ video for new single ‘Two Homes’ that definitely conflicts with that notion. The band will be releasing a full length entitled ‘FWD’ later this year, cool song and edgy video considering the budget!
The Prettiots charmed us to the core at our recent Ten Year Anniversary Parties, and this new video of single ‘Boys (That I Dated In High School)’ is further proof of lead singer Kay Kasparhauser’s appeal. We sure wish we dated as many people in high school as she did! The band has a Pianos residency in September, starting tonight! (09.02).
San Francisco
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Talk of Shamans False Priest Peachelope and bAd bAd Play Publik / Private Event at Amnesia TONIGHT
A stellar line up of some of the Bay Area’s finest garage folk and alternative bands will be performing for the first night of the San Francisco based arts and music nonprofit, Publik / Private’s Tuesday night residency at Amnesia.
Journalist and radio host, Victor Valle curated the event under the moniker Counter Culture Presents after his management firm Counter Culture Artist Management. But it’s not about business tonight, this event is for a good cause and every Tuesday in September Publik / Private will highlight a new line up from a local promoter, artist or community leader who believes in supporting the Bay Area arts community as much as Publik / Private and The Deli Magazine SF do.
We know that San Francisco has been going through a super rough time when it comes to venues and artists no longer being able to work and live in their own community. This event will help bring opportunities to artists and writers by connecting them with job and internship opportunities, it will also allow Publik / Private to continue to put on events that give exposure to young and seasoned musicians alike. We like this!
Make your way out to Amnesia tonight to see Talk of Shamans, False Priest, Peachelope and bAd bAd.
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s September Record of the Month: Great Pine – Seagulls
With spindly strings horning in the opening instrumental, “Dragoon” awakens Seagulls’ debut LP Great Pine, seamlessly transitioning into “Swimmin’,” a song that is initially given a steady-footed beat around which a more intricate and illuminating composition is built generating a peaceful yet purposeful layered sound, setting the tone for what lies ahead. “You and Me” plays like a surf-folk love letter, developing a warm, earnest vocal confession, while fitting nicely with the tug and pull groove of the scratching guitar and persistent bass. The vocal harmonies provide a sweetness accompanied by reserved bursts of trumpet and accordion-like effects offer a tease of nostalgia.
“Love, Give” follows a similar theme as vocals, strings, and snap-percussion set a pleasant, pensive, strolling pace as echoing harmonies and backing vocals reinforce, “Love give your hands to me, for someday I’ll be on bended knee.” “Old Habits” maintains an up close lo-fi aesthetic and underlying 8-bit accents, but the perspective has changed, shining a light on the dark side of relationships and a groove that has a somewhat worn and dusty ascetic, enhancing the lyrics meaning – “Old habits, die hard or they never do/so keep lying til they all catch up to you.” A well-placed take on Big Star’s “Thirteen” incorporates the honest-loving sentiments of adolescence, falling neatly inline with the group’s heartfelt vocal honesty, while simultaneously acknowledging one of their potential influences.
The record’s title-track “Great Pine” serves as a breath-catching ambiance builder before the turbulent “Holy Smokes” emerges. Enlisting peaks of aggressive kick-in-the-door instrumentation – particularly percussion between smooth stretches of vocally dominant valleys – in essence, layering pieces of clear skies between moments of violent storms.
“Distracted” concludes Great Pine with an uplifting blanket of vocals, allowing the guitar to stretch its sea legs as the backend force steers the musical ship; holding the course. This album starts on the shore, and while there are moments where it seems destined to searchingly drift out there, Seagulls appropriately demonstrate an ability to reel it in, taking a beautiful inaugural voyage. – Michael Colavita
San Francisco
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Congratulations to Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah for Winning the Deli Magazine SF Artist of the Month Poll!
Congratulations to Lee Gallagher and The Hallelujah for winning the The Deli Magazine San Francisco Artist of the Month Poll!
It was a bit of a close race, but they came out on top and have become The Deli Magazine SF’s Artist of the Month! The fans and readers have chosen their top choice and we personally love this band’s high intensity Zepplin – psych revival style of music. If you want to witness a pristine rock and roll show that will make you think in the back of your mind that you’re having a religious experience, Lee Gallagher is the band to see.
We wish them the best in all their endeavors! We dig the music!
You can catch them live at The Chapel in San Francisco on Thursday, September 4th!
Philadelphia
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Radiator Hospital Record Release Show at Golden Tea House Sept. 2
Radiator Hospital celebrates the release of their latest LP Torch Song (Salinas Records) with a show this evening at Golden Tea House, as well as the launch of a corresponding tour. Sam Cook–Parrott continues to deliver a heartfelt blend of personal, powerful tunes with no shortage of catchy pop-appeal. Building momentum on honest lyricism, his songs ride on a wave of free-flowing instrumentation, putting a positive spin on sometimes melancholy sentiments. Tonight, the duo of Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and Keith Spencer (Swearin’) team up once again as Great Thunder, dishing out a wide-ranging mix of experimental rock that can switch gears at any moment. Keeping with the friendly-familial vibe, Attendant (whose debut album, Freaking Out, includes multiple contributions from within the same excellent creative circle) are set to bring their songs out of the lab and onto the live stage, while Wild Flowers of America will be performing their second show ever. Golden Tea House, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, $5, All Ages – Michael Colavita
NYC
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Buzz Alert! Nick Hakim gets serious love from NPR
Brooklynite (via DC) Nick Hakim just ended an August residency at Baby’s All Right in support of his debut EP “Where Will We Go, Pt. 1.” The stunning collection hit New Yorkers hard, impressing local music fans with its heartbreaking sultriness and genuine soul. While the tracks are indisputably melancholic, they don’t drag – and this is a balance that is often hard to perfect. The fact that single’I Don’t Know’ (streaming) was included in a NPR playlist called ‘10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing‘ is certainly helping build the hype. Though the release was unveiled last month at the peak of summer, we have no doubt it will be the soundtrack for many this upcoming fall. As this particular release is deemed “Pt. 1,” we’re excited (and a bit impatient!) to see what Hakim has in store for Pt. 2. – Jillian Dooley
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
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Debut Cayetana LP Available for Streaming
Cayetana just premiered their debut LP Nervous Like You, over at Brooklyn Vegan. The album officially comes out next week on September 9 via Tiny Engines. The ladies will be hitting the road this week for a weekend jaunt that will wrap with a record release show on Sunday, September 7 at Golden Tea House.