NYC

NYC Year End Poll 2015: the forgotten juror votes

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Although being human is a wonderful thing (at least most days), unfortunately it’s a condition that implies imperfection – so hopefully you’ll keep this in mind while reading the following post…

When tallying up the votes of the jurors, we unfortunately overlooked two of them. This led to six bands being excluded from the best of NYC readers poll. That sucks, we know, and we hope bands and jurors will accept our sincerest apology. Honest to God, running twelve of these polls is something we won’t wish to our worst enemy, so many details, so many potential pitfalls. Anyway, to make up for our mistake not only we added the bands back in the Best of NYC 2014 list, but we’ll post their streaming music right here, and we’ll give them the opportunity to get their fans involved in our upcoming Artist of the Month Poll, whose results will be taken into account for the Best of NYC chart.

Needless to say, these artists will be featured in the Best of NYC issue in the spring.

Big Huge (Garage Pop)


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Black Diamondz – (Alt Soul)


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Feral Foster (Folk+Blues)


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Fern Mayo – (lo-fi)


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Flagland (Slacker Rock)


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Michael Daves (Folk)

NYC

NYC/Athens supergroup Kuroma announces debut LP ‘Kuromarama’

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Feel-good riffs and a dancy rhythm section constitute the majority of Kuroma’s first full-band record, ‘Kuromarama,’ out April 7 on Votiv Music. The Athens/Brooklyn based band was conceptualized in 2008 by MGMT’s current guitarist Hank Sullivant, but was only recently fully realized, having signed on James Richardson and Will Berman (also of MGMT), and Simon O’Connor of Amazing Baby as permanent members. The result is an almost reggae-infused funk-rock that is danceable, yet soulful. Their first single, “Love is on the Way,” approaches the retro minimalistic structure of 80’s pop (with almost an islander feel thrown in), but it breathes fresh life into any preconceptions with a cool layering of keys, steadily novel percussion, and vocal brilliance that oscillates between hearty substantiality and far-out falsetto. Check out also the video for single 20+Centuries here. – JP Basileo

Philadelphia

New Track: “Fresh Tourniquets” – Torito

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Produced by YLXA, “Fresh Tourniquets,” the latest from rhyme-slayer Torito, is a torrential tirade, seamlessly transitioning between ideas in a flash. The leather bull mask-adorned wordsmith comes at you full bore yet maintains an ease in effort and tone – a sprinter so well conditioned that he burns the competition without breaking a sweat. Sit back, flip that play switch, and find out what happens when you mess with the bull. (Obviously, "you’ll get the horns." – Assistant Principal "Dick" Vernon, The Breakfast Club)

Nashville

Tickets Now Available Online for The Last Chance Dance 2.27!

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 We hope you are just as excited as we are for The Last Chance Dance this Friday. We’ve teamed up with Kelly Ruth to put on a pop-up show at Lucky Bamboo China Bistro (5855 Charlotte Pike), an unlikely but then again totally perfect venue to catch a night of great music, giveaways, and fun. In addition to Kelly Ruth and her band, we have Twiggs, Blackfoot Gypsies, and Korby Lenker in the lineup, as well as DJ AyDamn spinning between sets.  We’ve even made if Valentine’s Day-themed for all those lacking the huevos to ask out their crushes on the 14th. To sweeten the deal even more, tickets are up for sale via Soundstamp for a cool $6, saving you a couple bucks from door price of $10. Need another reason to get out on Friday night? How about the fact that this show is BYOB? Come on out, booze it up and maybe even get down. Do you have a crush like Korby Lenker’s "Book Nerd?" This could be your last chance to make a move! -Terra James-Jura

 

Philadelphia

New Track: “Forecasting” – Heyward Howkins

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Heyward Howkins can sound so polished yet effortless that his recordings oftentimes have a timeless elegance to them. Melodies flow from his finger tips and lips as if you are having an evening of great coversations over drinks with an old friend. Well, that’s exactly what we’re feeling with his track "Forecasting," which is off his new double A-side single that also includes the song "Midway." There are currently plans in the works to make the release available on 7" vinyl.

New England

The Sun Parade’s Heart’s Out EP

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The Sun Parade’s Hearts Out EP feels like a care-free walk through the woods of Western Mass. The light hearted single “Hearts Out” showcases the vocal prowess of lead singer Chris Jennings, with a smooth and bright tone and surprisingly rich falsetto. They’re in the midst of tour right now and will be playing Great Scott in Allston, along with the ladies of And The Kids, this Wednesday February 25th, and again in New Haven, CT on the 26th. So Eastern MA and South Eastern CT, be sure not to miss these killer showcases what’s coming out of the Amherst area. You can download the EP here.

New England

Show Alert: Gymshorts, The TeleVibes, and Randos at Dover Brickhouse

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Come February 27th, Dover Brickhouse will be heated up by three premium local New England Psych acts. Gymshorts grabbed the #3 slot in our end of year poll with their scuzzy Surf-Punk. They’re being joined by The Televibes and Randos, from Massachusetts and New Hampshire respectively. The Televibes have a bright punchy sound with absurd amounts of reverb and delay on the vocals. When they all start shouting the chorus of their tune “Washed Up” it makes your head spin in the best way. And if the bands weren’t already trippy enough, there will be a old school liquid light show while the bands play. Check out the Brickhouse’s website for more details. – Paul Jordan Talbot

Philadelphia

Thom McCarthy Opening for Timber Timbre at MilkBoy Philly Feb. 22

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If capping your weekend with some heart-warming folk-rock that has a vibrant propensity to tap into other genres all the while carrying an authentic gravitational energy sounds like fun to you, then all you have to do is head to MilkBoy Philly where Thom McCarthy will be performing as the opener for Timber Timbre. McCarthy’s classic crooning style interlocks with his decidedly open musical canvas, allowing for a wide range of sonic ideas and experiments to flourish. So, while it begins in a familiar traditional realm, where McCarthy ends up is entirely unpredictable, but it will sound good along the way. Haunting Canadian psych-folk group Timber Timbre headlines the evening. Milkboy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 7:30pm, $17, 21+ (Photo by Seth Klinger) – Michael Colavita

Nashville

Fable Cry Release Single “Onion Grin”

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 Remember last fall when we we blown away by the weird, grotesque, grease-painted antics of "scamp-rock" troupe Fable Cry? It took us their entire 8 off 8th set to  realize we liked them, but when it his, it stuck. Well, they just premeired their latest single "Onion Grin" on Popmatters, and it is every bit the same ghoulish take on chamber music that we could only hope for. This go-round covers the pursuit and eventual murder of an ingénue-cum-entree, rather than visions of one’s impending hanging. It goes without saying that their upcoming album is going to keep things light. Get sucked into their universe a fablecry.com. –Terra James-Jura

Toronto

Run Coyote @ the Cavern

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Run Coyote, runs through us with a bite. A savvy combination of swinging 50’s beats, country twang and hometown rock n’ roll, Run Coyote sets an eclectic alt- folk-blues mood with their latest album, Youth Haunts. The entire album is diverse and colorful. “Only Human” is a dynamic spaghetti western, “Love like a River” beats to your heart with smooth rhythm, and “Neighbors” circles chanting melodies and spooky harmonies. Kicking off their Winter 2015 tour from Kitchener to Windsor, get to see them tonight @ the Cavern!

Philadelphia

Illinois Record Release Show at JB’s Feb. 21

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Genre-spanning, local area elder statesmen of indie rock Illinois are set to celebrate the release of their fifth album Shine at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. The bold, multi-layered project was over three years in the making for the Bucks County natives, and the end result is a carefree blend that’s equal parts indie-folk and pop-rock. The latest track from Satellite Hearts, “Doing Things Right,” is another new song that piqued my interest recently. And tonight will be a good time to catch the trio before they open for Dean Ween next month. The show will also feature a savvy member of the Philly DJ crew Illvibe Collective, DJ Skipmode, who will pulling double duty as part of the hip-hop duo, Electric City. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201. N Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Bill McThrill