San Francisco

The Union Trade Release New Album After Three Year Hiatus

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San Francisco based post rock band, The Union Trade is releasing a new album entitled, A Place of Long Years. After a three year hiatus, this new album is a follow up to the bands, 2011 EP, Why We Need Night. Make sure to take a listen to the beautiful, eerie new single, Murmurations from A Place of Long Years below.

On this album which will be released on February 3, 2015 you can hear guest contributions from Tricycle Records label mates Nate Blaz of Geographer on Cello and vocals from Ann Yu of Silver Swans.

We’re excited that The Union Trade is back and putting out amazing, haunting music.

Nashville

Congratulations to Dustin Sellers, Our New Artist of the Month!

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Just when we thought this poll had quieted down, Dustin Sellers pulled a final campaign that earned him the vote in the last few days. While he may be known for cutting a figure stage right on background vocals for Magnolia Sons, Dustin Sellers has been quietly building his solo career. Last winter saw the release of EP "The Valley," with a full-length tenatively planned for this December. Sellers keen sense of songwriting combines a homespun familiarity with a 90’s alternative edge, and it is no small feat to present something organic that hits rock, folk and soul in one breath. Sellers also puts on an impressive, professional-grade live show, two of which are on the horizon: October 28th at The Basement, and November 19th at The Stone Fox with Kelly Ruth and Kylie Rothfield. -Terra James-Jura

Austin

La Migra

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Sometimes you just need feel good music to take you away from the realities of the world. Songs that will make you bounce up and down and let out the occasional “woo.” La Migra is a recommended listen when you wanna shove your troubles to the side and focus on rocking.  “Feels Like Summer” is a surf-punk gem that you want to last longer…just like summer. The under three minute romp sets up the energy of the band – carefree happy dudes – and that’s always a combination for a good time. -Allison Mayoral

 

Philadelphia

8static Festival 2014 at FUC Oct. 16, 17 & 18

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The second annual 8static Festival, which champions lo-fi electronic music and the creation of art and music using what has been considered old video game technology and computers, begins its 3-night run this evening at First Unitarian Church. The event coincides with the 6th anniversary of 8Static, the premier Philly monthly chip music event, and features 32 artists from around the world. This innovative and imaginative genre/scene ushers in an air of fun and includes some local artists in Cheap Dinosaurs, Void Vision, Animal Style, defiantsystems and Dain Saint, generating a thriving dance-oriented community for the next three nights with daily tickets running you $20 and 3-day passes going for $50. Get out to the Church, and embrace the innovation! First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., Beginning at 6pm (THURS-SAT), $20-$50, All Ages – Michael Colavita

NYC

Dreamers play The Deli’s CMJ Pop Stage on 10.25 + unveil video for “Waste My Night”

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Dreamers‘ noisy guitars (especially the intro of single "Waste My Night," whose new video is streaming below) can’t hide the band’s melodic essence, which is one of the factors that led The Deli to book them for its upcoming CMJ Indie PopStage next Saturday 10.25 at Spike Hill. The Brooklyn pop rock trio is slated to release their debut EP on November 18.

Read Dave Cromwell‘s interview with DREAMERS.

NYC

From the digital submissions: The Amigos play the Bell House on 10.23

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Names generate expectations, and a band called The Amigos conjures up evenings spent al fresco, somewhere by the Mexican border, with friendly and funny people – just what the doctor ordered for your average over-worked New Yorker. Armed with just an acoustic guitar, an accordion, and – but of course! – cowboy hats, the NYC based duo plays a charming blend of Americana, Cajun music and pop that can bring a smile to the most stoic of hipsters. If you feel like it’s time to (re)discover the healing power of music, don’t miss their upcoming performance at The Bell House on October 23.

This band submitted their music for coverage here.

Nashville

Meet Future Thieves

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Today, I would like to introduce you to another up and coming Nashville act, Future Thieves. They  formed about a year ago when long time collaborators Elliot Collet (vocals and rhythm guitar) and Stan Nickell (lead guitar) teamed up with Nick Goss (bass), Austin McCool (lead guitar), and Gianni Gibson (drums).

You may have heard their song "Secret" on the radio recently. They were featured as Lightning 100’s local artist of the week last month.

They are definitely a rock act with bluesy influences and a nice blend of indie and classic rock. Collett pens the lyrics and hails from the hills of Kentucky. Before forming the band, he studied audio engineering and ran live sound at shows. Nickell, also a native Kentuckian, has a strong blues background. He can not only play the hell out of a guitar, but he also loves fixing them and performing other technical modifications. McCool and Goss are longtime friends from Indiana and Gibson comes from a musical family in Los Angeles. They all joined forces in Nashville where they are living and making music together. Their first EP is tightly and masterfully engineered and comes from their own home studio.
 
The band writes and arranges the music together to share Collett’s stories in a powerful way. There is a big sound, but you can still pick out great guitar melodies and tight vocal harmonies. 

Last Tuesday evening the guys played a rare, stripped-down acoustic set at Two Old Hippies as an unofficial kick-off to some East Coast tour dates. Stay tuned for an exciting Future Thieves announcement next month!​ –Jared Godar

Chicago

Lever @ Take 20

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Crystal Lake’s Lever released their debut ep, Brainwashed, last month. The band is on the heavier side of basement rock with roaring guitars and occasional screaming vocals from Jon Babin and Jeff Aquino.

You can catch Lever at Take 20 (438 U.S. 20) in Cherry Valley on October 15th.

Portland

A Portland State of Mind 10.18

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There is not enough room on our humble blog to rave about each of the amazing acts playing at Portland State University on Saturday. At the risk of sounding like Stefon from SNL, it has EVERYTHING. The lineup is a delightful sampler of some of Portland’s best acts in a variety of genres, put together by our buddies at Banana Stand Media.

DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid offer a Bollywood/world beat DJ set that will get everyone dancing–they’ll probably even teach you some new steps.

TxE (the “x” means “and,” DAD!) put together some of the hottest hip-hop in town, hands-down. Check out their rad album Vs. Portland where they sample a bunch of killer local indie acts.

Hustle & Drone, who last week relased a new track and Instagram-style video featuring raps by Portland Trailblazer Damian Lillard (unbeknownst to him), will bring their ridiculous energy and giant synth pop to the stage as well as some pretty rad lights that make you feel like you’ve just smoked a rainbow.

Top it all off with the enfatuatingly hazy love-pop/rock of dream babes Radiation City, and it’s bound to be one of the best shows you’ll see all year.

So skip a trip to the pub and invest in local music. Or if you go to PSU it’s free, and you’re all definitely studying and not drinking, anyways. Saturday, October 18, from 7pm-11pm in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, room 355, 1825 SW Broadway Ave. The show is free for PSU students, $10 advance for the general public, or $15 at the door. Reserve your ticket at the PSU Box Office.

-Chandler Strutz

Portland

Lose Yr Mind This Weekend!

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I’d be lying through my teeth if I told you there wasn’t much going on this weekend. What I can genuinely state is that the Lose Yr Mind music fest should take highest priority. Over the course of two days, the AudioCinema warehouse located in industrial southeast will host a memorable party with an amazing lineup full of psychedelic, garage, lo-fi, alternative and grunge. 

This brand new event kicks off Friday, October 17th with Sun Angle, And And And, Talkative and Summer Cannibals. Saturday night, The Ghost Ease, Wooden Indian Burial Ground, Clarke and the Himselfs and Naomi Punk will conclude the festivities. All mentioned above have created their own following for different reasons, but they all share in that none are forgettable. 
 
Beer will be served and spilled. People will thrash. Maybe someone will pray or whatever. Maybe that someone will be you once you realize how crazy things get. Maybe you don’t even believe in god and this might be the one thing you can ever believe in. Either way, trust me on this. $10 each night, 21+, 8pm, cop yr tickets ahead of time here.
 
– Colette Pomerleau