Chicago

MAMA

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Power Punk band MAMA is releasing their new EP Speed Trap on September 20th via their own label Postcaring Recordings. The release will be available digitally, on cassette and on CD.

You can help the band celebrate the release on at The Auxiliary Art Center (3012 W. Belmont Ave.) on September 20th.

Chicago

Santah @ The Empty Bottle

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Yesterday, Uncommon Ground released a new rooftop farm session with Santah. This was fourth video in their summer series, The Rooftop Farm Sessions, and it was fillmed on the "first Urban Organic Rooftop Farm in the country at Chicago’s greenest restaurant, Uncommon Ground".

You can catch Santah on Sept. 26th at The Empty Bottle opening for Gardens & Villa.

Philadelphia

Son Step EP Release Show at Boot & Saddle Sept. 18

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It’s understandable to see why Son Step is a favorite among pockets of local musicians. The band combines what seems to be a learned background in avant-garde jazz with a unique approach to songwriting and attacks it with such conviction and ferocity that it’s hard not to appreciate what they are doing from an artist’s perspective. However, that club always felt a bit exclusive, but judging by the initial offerings from their new EP Ova Nova, which is out today, the band seems to have found more of a balance between cerebral jazz and pop accessibility, which might just find them more appealing to a wider audience. Son Step will celebrate the release of their latest evening this evening at Boot & Saddle with electro-acoustic orchestral-pop outfit Grandchildren and psych-rockers Drone Ranger. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 9pm, $10, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

NYC

Lilly Wolf premieres video for “Pop Dream” at Hail Hail Bar tomorrow (09.19)

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Lilly Wolf is the electro pop brainchild of Lilly Wolfson and (invisible) producer Alex Neuhausen, who recently relocated to NYC from the San Francisco Bay Area. Described as “pop music for pop music snobs,” the duo crafts melodic, sophisticated tunes that don’t shy away from melancholy or sadness, like in single ‘Pop Dream," whose video we are premièring here. Entirely shot in the big apple, the video contrasts the deep greenery of an empty Forest Park, Queens, with the concrete, graffiti-covered landscape of East Williamsburg. Video release party tomorrow (09.19) at Hail Hail Bar at 10.30.

NYC

Weekly Feature: Elaphant plays CMJ on 10.23 at Rockwood

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Bandmates Andrew James, Aynsley Powell, James Cleare, Tom Deis, and Grant Zubritsky have come together to form the elusive Elaphant, an edgy quintet with rock and roll at its heart. The group kicked off the summer of 2014 with their self-titled debut EP, a short but powerful collection of raw and genuine musicality. While Andrew is the songwriter and mastermind behind the project, it is his bandmates who translate the compositions and transform them into something truly compelling. The result is a big band sound threaded with authentic blues and commanding instrumental interludes, and we’re dying to hear what they have in store for their next release. Elaphant is scheduled to play the CMJ Music Marathon at Rockwood Music Hall on 10.23. 

LINKS: Read Jillian Dooley Interview with Elaphant

Philadelphia

New Lawsuits EP Available for Streaming

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The Lawsuits made their new EP Tumbled available for streaming at Culture Collide. Frontman Brian Dale Allen Strouse shares: "I think we were trying to make universally relatable songs that sound like they were created in a studio. We feel strongly attached to this project because it serves as a snapshot for what the future album is gonna look like." The band will be releasing it on September 23, and will celebrate its arrival on Friday, September 26 at Johnny Brenda’s with DRGN King and Tutlie.

NYC

Spotlight on Plaza Art Fair artist: Key Party

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(Photo by Jeremy Rockwell)
 
This week, we’ll be highlighting some of the artists playing INK’s stage at the Plaza Art Fair this weekend, September 19-21.
 
With a well-established and acclaimed musical career, Kirsten Paludan has proven to be an invaluable asset across various facets of the local music community. From the haunting, celestial sounds of Olympic Size to the country charm of Starhaven Rounders to her catalog of solo work, Paludan possesses a versatility unlike other vocalists and songwriters.
 
Earlier this year, Paludan wrote and released an album with Key Party, a project that began with her and bandmate Jessica Gomez, eventually becoming a five-piece. We talk with Paludan about her music and the evolution of her group.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Paludan: Ethereal, soulful, dynamic, and dreamlike music interwoven with stories of life, love, loss, and everything that happens in between.
 
The Deli: Give us some background on Key Party. What’s the lineup?
 
Paludan: Currently, the lineup is yours truly (vox, acoustic guitar, keys), Jessica Gomez (electric guitar, keys, background vox), Dalin Horner of Black Christmas (electric guitar), Garret Brown (bass), and Ryan Pope of The Get Up Kids (drums). Key Party started as just me and Jessica in the winter of 2010. I had recently moved back to Lawrence from KC—where I had been living for 10 years—due to a family tragedy, and hadn’t been playing much music. I was offered a show at the Jackpot and was without a band at the time. Jessica and I were good friends and she mentioned that she used to play. I said, “What the heck, join me for this show!” I had to twist her arm since we only had like two practices, but she did it, and the rest is history.
 
The current lineup has only been together since early spring of this year. There have been several different incarnations since 2010, but this group of people is like family. We all collaborate on a separate project together (LongShadows—our first show will happen this winter) and it’s like we have this little music collective of our own.
 
The Deli: You’re an accomplished songwriter who’s done a lot of solo work and has been in several notable bands in the area. What is your approach to Key Party’s music? And what are you learning through this experience as a songwriter and musician?
 
Paludan: When this incarnation of the band first got together earlier this year, I was asking them to recreate the songs from my album Up All Night (recorded with Dave Gaume at Element Recording with an entirely different lineup, other than Jessica). As I continue to bring in new material, the band is giving more and more input.
 
I really appreciate having people on my side whose opinions I can trust. Sometimes when you are the songwriter, it’s hard to be unbiased and objective about a song, and that’s where having a deep bench really helps. Ryan and Garret are a great rhythm section and always have awesome ideas about arrangement. Dalin is an amazingly versatile and soulful guitarist and one of the nicest guys on the planet. Jessica’s simple yet incredibly tasteful approach to her playing makes her one of the band’s secret weapons. Everyone has taken the songs from the record to another level and has really made them their own. When you have such smart and talented people on your team, it only makes sense to use the knowledge they bring to the table. I’ve found that when you can let go and release the need to control the outcome, the results can be better than you ever imagined.
 
The Deli: Tell us more about Up All Night, your latest release.
 
Paludan: I released Up All Night in Spring 2014; it is available on Bandcamp, iTunes, and all other major online retailers. It was recorded and co-produced with Dave Gaume and features John Anderson on drums, Dave Gaume on bass, Jessica on guitar and keys, plus guest appearances by Hermon Mehari, Wade Williamson (guitar), Mike Harte (cello), Chris Tolle (guitar), and Adam Stafford (guitar, pedal steel, background vox).
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest accomplishments as a band?
 
Paludan: Well, since this is a fairly new band, I would say our greatest accomplishment so far is having a great time playing music. It may sound silly, but it is very hard to find that right balance in a band. Where egos don’t get in the way and everyone is there to give their all to the songs. At this point, I’d say I’m the happiest about finding a group of people who I feel really get me and the songs I’m writing. From here, everything else is gravy.
 
The Deli: What does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Paludan: To me, it’s not just about supporting local music—it’s about supporting the community. Most people know that a vibrant art scene is the pulse of any city worth its weight, and making the effort to cultivate and elevate that element is just common sense. I am grateful to be a part of a culturally rich area that understands how important this is.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now?
 
Paludan: I don’t like to play favorites, because I think we have an amazingly talented group of people creating music in our scene and unfortunately, I don’t get out to see bands as much as I’d like (usually because I’m performing myself). However, there are a couple of bands/singers that I always love listening to: The Hips, Drakkar Sauna, The Caves, The Belles, Your Friend, Ghosty, Lauren Krum… to name a few. Also, I am a fan of all of the people I play music with—every single one is a talented artist in their own right. I am damn lucky!!
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite non-local musicians right now?
 
Paludan: I’m attracted to a mix of genres and eras when it comes to non-local listening. Currently on my playlist: Loretta Lynn, Ella Fitzgerald, cast recording of The Nervous Set, Lower Dens, Warpaint, Sharon Von Etten, Neko Case, The National, Leonard Cohen, Blonde Redhead, Prince, Emmy Lou Harris, Ray Price, Wye Oak, Fleetwood Mac, Cat Power, Patsy Cline, Sade, the list goes on…
 
The Deli: Who are you looking forward to seeing at Plaza Art Fair?
 
Paludan: I’m looking forward to seeing everyone! It’s an event that attracts so many types of people, and it’s great to have a spotlight on local music. Thanks to Ink, a lot of Plaza Art Fair goers are being introduced to the great music being made in their community.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Paludan: Current: Warpaint + Sharon Von Etten + Neko Case
Super duper fantasy bill where time and space don’t matter: Fleetwood Mac (Tusk era) + Sade (of any era, because she is a goddess).
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
Paludan: This is a really tough question! I’ve been mulling it over and decided on these four (and I cheated a little) for what they have contributed to music overall.
Beethoven: His music is like the primer for all music that followed it.
Prince: He is a bad ass. That is all.
Lennon/McCartney: No one can deny their influence on popular music and their ability to inspire generations of songwriters and bands.
Loretta Lynn: A force of nature with the voice and personality to match. To me, she is the undeniable queen of country music.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web?
 
 
The Deli: What other goals does Key Party have for 2014, and beyond?
 
Paludan: We have plans to begin recording sometime this winter starting with demos in Dalin’s basement studio and more than likely working with Dave Gaume on the final product (as long as he is available, busy as he is these days). Future plans include continuing to have a great time and playing awesome shows. Hopefully, having that as our goal will lead to greater success. If not, we still win.
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Paludan: These are things I’ve learned from my family, my bandmates, and friends over the years: Learn as much as you can from other people, even those with different opinions than you. Be open to alternate possibilities. Live your truth. Always try to do your best and you’ll never be disappointed. Be kind. Don’t forget to say please and thank you.
 
Key Party is:
Kirsten Paludan: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, keys
Garret Brown: bass
Jessica Gomez: electric guitar, keys, vocals
Dalin Horner: electric guitar
Ryan Pope: drums
 
 
Key Party will be playing on INK’s stage at Plaza Art Fair on Saturday, September 20 at 12:00 p.m. The stage is located at Ward Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, next to Gram & Dun and Plaza III. Facebook event page.
 
You can also catch Paludan in a production of The Nervous Set—a Beat Generation jazz musical—at the Lawrence Arts Center. It runs the first three weekends in October, Thursday through Saturday. Ticket link.
 
–Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle Bacon is editor of The Deli KC and plays in bands.
 
 

Free Counters

San Francisco

Down and Outlaws Open for The Silent Comedy and Strange Vine at Bottom of the Hill – 9/18

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San Francisco heavy garage rock band, Down and Outlaws are playing a show with influential San Diego based rock/folk band, The Silent Comedy and the Fresno based band, Strange Vine. This strong line up promises to be a show that will totally be worth your while. This is going to be a great California drenched rock and roll event, so head out and have a great time!

NYC

Black Bananas drop music video for “Creeping The Line” featuring a gigantic teddy bear and strippers!

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Black Bananas, the alternative rock band lead by the fur-adorned, aviator-wearing, erstwhile DC heroine Jennifer Herrema, has released the music video for "Creeping The Line" on September 11th. The band formerly known for their rock roots as RTX, garnishes laid-back auto-tuned melodies sung over an electric guitar. The Jess Holzworth directed video is creatively intriguing- prepare your eyes for crazy pops of color, 1 gigantic teddy bear, 2 very-skilled pole dancers, and 3 chic-looking dogs! Be sure to check out the rest of the tracks off their summer album Electric Brick Wall, out now. And if you’re heading to Los Angeles, catch them October 23rd at Los Globos in Hollywood. – Sade A. Spence

Chicago

G “Outer Space”

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G is the new collaboration between Jimmy Giannopoulos (LOLAWOLF, Reputante) and Genevieve (Company of Thieves). The duo’s first single is called "Outer Space" and the duo released the single and video this week. Their debut EP will be released later this year via Innit Recordings.

The sound is a beautiful change of pace for Genevieve musically into a much more electronic and beat driven sound.

Chicago

Tom Schraeder & His Ego “Gush”

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Gush is the forthcoming release from Tom Schraeder & His Ego. The album with be released on October 10th and Schraeder has released two singles from Gush thus far. Last month the band performed the album in full at The Hideout to give fans a sneak peak at the refreshing Brit Pop sound on the new project.

The record release show for Tom Schraeder & His Ego’s new album "Gush" will take place on October 10th at Schubas with Ryan Joseph Anderson