New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
I Fight Dragons announced this week that their next show, their first headlining show in two years, will take place on Dec. 20th at Lincoln Hall. This will be the release show for their new album, "The Near Future". Tickets go on sale tomorrow, November 7th at Noon.
"Pretend" is one of the tracks on the upcoming album and the action-packed video for the track was released a few months ago.
Ghastly Menace have released the first single from their forthcoming debut LP, Songs from Ghastly Menace. The new track is called "Closing" and can be streamed here.
Ghastly Menace will be performing in Chicago four times over the next month. Their upcoming dates are below.
11/10 MON – Chicago, IL – The Burlington (w/ Pennicillin Baby and Bad Cop)
11/20 THU – Chicago, IL – Township (w/ Carbon Tigers)
11/25 TUE – Chicago, IL – Schubas (w/ Barber Greene and Landmarks)
12/05 FRI – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen (w/ Oshwa, Son Step and Panda Riot)
Brooklyn’s own Mesiko will be celebrating the release of their debut album "Solar Door" at Bowery Electric this coming Sunday (11.09). As you can hear from the preview single and opening track "Hamptons" (streaming below) the trio isn’t easily pigeonholeable under one genre, but it owes more to American traditional music than this song may make you think. Throughout the album, Mesiko’s effort to expand roots music’s sonic palette in a psychedelic direction is obvious, and this song – dominated by a dark funk bass line leading to unexpected openings – is no exception.
Low Swans have released their latest album "The Whole World Has No Clothes". The band’s take on electro-rock comes through on the album with the unique blend of guitar and electronics. The band is the duo of Jon Scarpelli and Scott Simon and show a ton of promise through out this album.
Black Belt Karate is certainly not lacking in musical credit, as they boast an impressive list of past musical endeavors. Ryan Hanifl, the lead singer and songwriter, has composed music featured in various television shows and national commercials. Jason Achilles Mezilis plays guitar for both Owl and Clock – with Chris Wyse and Vivian Campbell, respectively. Harry Anthony Ostrem plays bass for Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses) and Ryan Brown drums for Zappa Plays Zappa and SexTapes with Chris Pitman (Guns N’ Roses). With solid separate backgrounds, Black Belt Karate feels more like a supergroup than anything else. "Transformer", their new track, has an indie pop California ease cut with NY garage punk influences. They are nostalgic and new at the same time – with a humor and quirk reminiscent of 90’s indie rock giants Cake and Weezer, but with an edgier Queens of the Stone Age sound. The video is a clever take on a police lineup, with Hanifl, Mezilis, Ostrem and Brown acting as the usual suspects. Their charm is apparent and infectious, proving any recognition they receive is both well-earned and deserved. – Jennifer Mergott
Hypnotic, experimental goth-punk outfit Far-Out Fangtooth are in for a huge November as they get ready to embark on their first ever European tour on Friday. But before the incendiary avant-psych group leaves, they’re all set to throw a bon voyage party at Johnny Brenda’s tonight, where they’ll be joined by Brooklyn’s LODRO. The show will be opened by fast-paced art-noise group Taiwan Housing Project, which is a collaboration between Mark Feehan of Harry Pussy and Kilynn Lunsford of Little Claw. Expect things to get tripped-out and creepy once these three bands take the stage on the same night! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill
I’D DIE FOR LO-FI is three dudes playing music and looking pretty cool while they do it. Their name cements their unpolished vibes and they know how surrender themselves to the lo-fi sound. Take one listen to “Buds” and you’ll get it. The trembling vocals and the simple guitar riffs are right out of the indie-band textbook but, who cares, it sounds great. The Austin trio just wrapped up their “The Good Times” tour and are finally back in town and hopefully ready to rock. -Allison Mayoral
We couldn’t wait for this Thursday morning to roll around to show you what Them Vibes have been up to. They’ve been putting together a video for their boot-stomping tale of jealous love "Lorelei" the past few weeks, and we’re thrilled to help bring it to the public. Honestly, this video throws a new shade of sophistication in our eyes on these boys. Anyone that has heard the tune on Lightning 100 or live knows that the story of Lorelei is not neccessarily "happy" and doesn’t "not end in murder," but the video, directed by David Dutton, renders it in layer after layers of striking visuals that echo the cyclical nature of our collective shuffe along this mortal coil. It also features a favorite hometown haunt in several scenes, and yes, that is Denzel of Santa’s Pub playing a not-unfamiliar role as preacher in the death row scene. Them Vibes have been busy recording a new album between playing shows in and around the South, so keep up with the band HERE for new developments. -Terra James-Jura
On November 7 & 8, Boston Hassle Fest 6 will be taking over Cuisine en Locale in Somerville, Massachusetts, bringing with it an incredibly talented lineup of underground and not-so-underground acts from the States and abroad. After the immense success of last year’s festival (sell-out crowds gathered to see the likes of Black Dice and Lightning Bolt), this year’s offering is shaping up to be even more impressive. Headliners include No Joy, Chris Corsano/Bill Orcutt Duo and Body/Head, the latest project from Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) and Bill Nance.
The focus won’t be entirely on the nationally-known acts–local and regional favorites like Guerilla Toss, Pigeons, Couples Counseling and Pile are among the will be among the roughly 40 performers to take the stage over the two-day aural extravaganza.
Advance tickets are no longer available, but tickets will be sold at the door each night of the fest until the venue reaches capacity. $17-20 sliding scale, ALL AGES. Friday’s performances run from 6PM to 12:30AM; Saturday 3PM-12:30AM. After-parties will be held each night at a “secret” location, announced at the fest.
For more info about Hassle Fest 6 (and to check for updates about set-times, etc.) visit the Boston Hassle Facebook page or check out the Boston Hassle website.
-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Circadian Rhythms have posted another track called "Nice To Be," the third song that has seen the light of day from their forthcoming EP A Passing Thought. The seven-piece coaxes airy, up-tempo grooves that, while reminiscent of a vintage sound, maintain a fresh energetic tone, utilizing a plethora of instrumentation (including accent punctuating horns) and coupling that with clear peaceful, Beatle-esque vocals. The single is sure to brighten your day. You can stream and download "Nice To Be" for free below.
Below is the latest Shaking Through episode featuring Lewis & Clarke, a project from Pennsylvania’s Lou Rogai. It was curated by Shaking Through alum Strand of Oaks, a.k.a. Tim Showalter, who lended a hand and his voice. In the emotional footage, you get such great insight into Rogai’s life as well as the process involved in putting together his beautiful new song called "The Silver Sea," which you can stream HERE. "No one should ever have to choose between music and family. Many who have made music their lives fear this moment…" (Photo by Shaking Through)
Born Cages serve their boombastic, anthemic electronic rock-pop with a side of indie attitude. The NYC band is getting a fair amount of attention, and you can certainly blame that on their music’s extreme catchciness. Listening to "Rolling Down the Hill" (the video, streaming below, just premiered on Yahoo Music), generates sudden thoughts of arenas packed with delirious fans, strobe lights and even… fireworks! – it almost sounds as if this song was avtually recorded in a packed arena! Only time will tell if Born Cages will get to play the most capacious of music venues , for now you can catch them at NYC’s Rockwood Music Hall’s Stage 2 on December 2.
