Nashville

Congratulations to The House United, Our Newest Artist of the Month!

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Congratulations to The House United for sweeping this month’s poll with 54% of the vote. The pop punk outfit owes their origin to teenaged, Alaska-born frontwoman Carmel Buckingham, who arrived in Nashville from a childhood spent in Slovakia and promptly assembled a band of Belmont students. The group draws influence from My Chemical Romance and Switchfoot, and crafts some pretty sharp, tight numbers that show a sophistication beyond their collective years. The title track of their spring-released EP, "Made of Matches" is a prime example of this finesse. The House United just had a killer show at The Rutledge on November 7th; keep up with their future dates HERE. -Terra James-Jura

 

Philadelphia

New Cherokee Red Cassingle Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Dream-pop/folk five-piece Cherokee Red recently went on an East Coast tour in support of their latest cassingle The World Is My Oyster, You’re the Pearl. You’ll also find another new track entitled "Far From It" on its B-side. The release is available on cassette via Philly-based indie label Magic Death Sounds, and you can stream and purchase it below.

Portland

Nature Thief to Release Debut EP ‘Moon’ 11.19

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Ready to take on the cold weather and darkest days of Portland with a debut EP is the mystical wonderland known as Nature Thief. It is a seasonably fitting name seeing how we just got our warmth stolen from us, but what they take from our weather, they give back with a plentiful amount of soulful musicianship that sails along the lines of acoustical psych rock. It is derived in Pacific NW indie-pop but holds a vintage tone in the wallowing melodies and their greatest weapon is something you don’t see too often in these categories, strong lead vocals.

The band came about this past summer and released their first song, “Docks.” A guitar driven ballad style tune with vocalist, Emma Browne’s pipes leading over its soft drive and smooth transitions. This week, they will release their first EP, Moon, featuring four songs that follow the suit of their single and bring a fresh look at a new Portland treat. The release show is slated for this Wednesday the 19th at the Holocene along with Big Haunt and Coma Serfs. 8:30PM; $5

– Colin Hudson

Philadelphia

Banned Books Opening for Dustin Wong & Takako Minekawa at JB’s Nov. 16

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Sonic exploration comes to the forefront tonight with a pairing of artists cut from similar fabric tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. The evolving lineup of noise-pop outfit Banned Books currently rests as a trio. With a looming full-length recording in the works, the band may be ready to test/experiment some material. Either way, Banned Books is always interesting, taking surprising turns – sometimes aggressive, others playful and always stretching the fabric as they turn away from norm and look in another direction. Tonight, they set the table for Dustin Wong & Takako Minekawa, whose combination is a whimsically light yet intricate endeavor – one that gravitationally pulls you in and once there, you won’t try to pull away. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9:15pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

The Mellowells Providing a Natural Ease at Lavender Town Nov. 15

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There’s a natural ease to The Mellowells, a gentle steady climb of sound piecing together a denser/stronger overall product along the way. So, when a song reaches the top looking down, you don’t realize how far you’ve traveled. That fluid, rolling energetic groove and vocals that have a stream of consciousness, spoken-diary/observation feel with just enough aches to squeeze into your house and a raw outpouring of instrumentation once the band reaches the pinnacle. Tonight, The Mellowells are a part of the birthday celebration at Lavender Town. Speaking of which, Mumblr has that manner of developing catchy pop-punk tunes that form around Nick Morrison’s versatile vocals and then explode with instrumental fervor. The show also features the emotive-lined rock of Clique and intentionally rough around the edges, single candle illuminated catharsis of Abi Reimold with its jagged cutting guitars and smooth but penetrating vocals. Lavender Town, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info),7pm, $3-$5, All Ages – Michael Colavita

Portland

Preview: PWRHAUS Release ‘Magic Spell’ 11.17

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The reclusive and prolific anonymous composer Tonality*Star is putting out his first full length album backed by a band; he calls this incarnation of the project PWRHAUS. PWRHAUS stays true to the descending pop melodies, ambling pace, and linear songwriting approach typical of Tonality*Star releases, complete with Mr. Star’s classic air, whisper-voice, which bears resemblance to the throaty resonance of vocalists like Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow. However, unlike a Tonality*Star show, at a PWRHAUS show you’re likely to see the stage overloaded with musicians and instruments: guitar, bass drums, piano, sax, even the possibility of a cello. In light of this lineup of instruments, don’t expect the crazy electronic texture pads present in Tonality*Star shows, but instead a more organic and earthy approach to nu-pop. Imagine if his old sound melted itself in a pot with a hunk of ’60s beachy love songs and stirred itself around a bit. PWRHAUS will release their first full length recording, Magic Spell, Monday night at Mississippi Studios. 

To keep with the surreal, meandering indie-pop energy, Lady Lazarus will make an appearance to bolster the lineup. Her music is intimate and minimalist in terms of accompaniment–most songs are just piano and a single voice–but is reinforced with a brilliant wash of reverb that puts its grandiosity level at even with early Grizzly Bear, while the tone curbs and balances this effect with a melancholia that deviates the sound in the direction of Grouper.

– Bryce Woodcock

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, November 14 – 16

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Just before SideOneDummy released Restorations‘ latest album LP3 the indie post-punk quintet embarked on a big tour of the US. The impressive nine-track album that was cut at Miner Street Studios and the bands homecoming is certainly worthy of a big celebration, which is happening at First Unitarian Church this Saturday, and they’ll be joined by a great supporting cast of locals. Pop-punk femme fatales Cayetana have had a huge year that culminated with the release of their debut full-length, Nervous Like Me, and a spot on the Brooklyn Vegan CMJ Showcase. And the girls are poised to move onto an even bigger 2015. What started out as a one-man project by Everyone Everywhere’s Matthew Scottoline has evolved into the lush power-pop trio that is Hurry. The show will also feature Three Man Cannon, who will be playing tunes from their latest, Pretty Many People. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8pm, $13, All Ages – Bill McThrill
 
Other places to escape the chill this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI JJL, Gondola, The Improbables, SAT Modern Inventors, Commonwealth Choir, SUN Banned Books
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Black Horse Motel, New Sweden Music/Truant Minds, Strawman, SAT The Bad Bees, SUN Cheap Dinosaurs, X-Hunters, Chronicles of Sound/Destroying Angel
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Ground Up, Mazon, Rone, SAT Hemming
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Bad Braids
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Cycle, Pseudologic, Rocky VII, Public Noise
 
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SUN Reward, Able Moving Hearts
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Tara Hendricks, SUN (Upstairs) Almshouse, Deep City Healers, Jefferson Berry & Urban Acoustic Coalition
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Maitland, In Place, Josh Miller, SAT (Early) Hanna Paige, Megan Knight, Kai Botak/(Late) Roof Doctor, Glitter, The Phosphenes, SUN Down With Homework (EP Release), Teenage Bigfoot, Lamplighters, Sinking Ocean Gods
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Chelsea Kills
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI The Silence Kit
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI August Lutz, TJ Kong
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Joshua Thomas, Jennifer Pague (of Vita & The Woolf), Cape Wrath
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Christopher Davis Shannon
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI 12horse, 13 to 1, Citadel/ Elspeth Tremblay, The Boiled Owls, Inconsiderate Bastards SAT Working Class Villains (CD Release), Hoochie Coochie Men, Chowder/Raleaf, Sacred Cube, Natural Black SUN (Afternoon) Elspeth Tremblay
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Goddamnit!, Paths 2 Glory, Down With Homework, SUN Man Illuminated, Overfield
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Blacklisted
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Montoj, Matt Gauss Band, The Barren Wells, Los Festingos, SAT Morse Coda, Spotted Atrocious, Saint Elouise, A Reckless Darling
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI You Do You (EP Release), The Racket Boys, The Extraordinaires, SAT Static Mountain
 
Ardmore Music Hall FRI Scott McClatchy
 
Eris Temple Arts (602 S. 52nd St.) FRI Mike Bell & The Movies, 1994!, Forever Lesbians, Blue Smiley, SAT Sylvia Platypus, Green Cathedral, Horsey, Dental Dames
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) SAT Danger O’s, Scuzbot, Mike Bell & The Movies, SUN The Cloth, Space Drugs, Push Ups
 
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) SAT Mumblr, The Mellowells, Clique, Abi Reimold
 
Fort Tender (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) SAT Bike Crash, Seethroughgirls, Marlo Reynolds
 
Great Indoors (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info) SAT The Goodbye Party, Marge
San Francisco

Balms Streams Full EP

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The San Francisco based shoegaze band, Balms has released their debut self titled EP. The album is euphoric and we definitely consider them to be one of the best underground bands in town.

The album was mixed and recorded by Balms throughout the better part of the year. Their debut single, Golden Hair got a lot of attention this summer and we’re excited to share the final manifestation of the entire album. Give Balms EP your close attention and care, we think this album will make it to your regular rotation. Purchase a digital copy if you can. Support independent bands!

NYC

NYC (Via Toronto) Artist on the Rise: Foxes in Fiction tour Europe

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The brainchild of Torontonian composer Warren Hildebrand, who recently relocated to NYC, Foxes in Fiction has been creating its own brand of atmospheric mellow pop since 2010. Latest album "Ontario Gothic" offers a collection of invariably downtempo songs featuring a lush production and an arsenal of intriguing melodies and sounds. The album’s running theme is Warren’s recovery from the death of his younger brother Drew in 2008, which probably inspired also his previous three records. Foxes in Fiction will be touring Europe this fall, and then play Music Hall of Williamsburg on January 29.

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

Chicago

Hayes & Conner

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Hayes & Conner released their debut project this week. A project a year in the making called "Talking To Myself".

You can stream the entire album and follow the story on their beautifully designed website. Each month a new story will be released for each track. In October the track "Alive" was accompanied by a video and a story called "The Old Soul".

It is a project that will keep you coming back for new and creative releases.

Philadelphia

All Swag & Blunts w/Ground Up at Union Transfer Nov. 14

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It’s gonna be all swag and blunts at Union Transfer tonight. Temple University’s own Ground Up, who have been making beats since Freshman Orientation in 2008, produce the kind of pop-y hip hop (think Taylor Gang) that hardcore rappers are sometimes quick to dismiss. However, it’s not easy to write off the guys who have opened for the likes of Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Chiddy Bang, released an impressive nine mixtapes in just three years, collaborated with the likes of Action Bronson, and have their hands in their own clothing company, MDCCXI Cloth. The collective has some talented openers from across the country, like the ultra-cool Harrisburg-based rapper Mazon (who they’ve collaborated with for tracks like “I Remember” and “Filthy”) and MAVi & Christian Express, coming all the way in from Cali. Local battle rapper Rone is also slated on the bill. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8pm, $15, All Ages – Emily DiCicco

Chicago

White Bronco

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White Bronco released their debut EP, White Bronco Lives, last month. The band’s raw, aggressive sound is available for Name Your Own Price now through bandcamp.