New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Jimmy Whispers has released a new single from his forthcoming album, Summer In Pain. "Keeping Me High" is a lonely love song from the lo-fi crooner.
You can catch Jimmy Whispers at
Brooklyn songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Cat Martino recently unveiled her new project Stranger Cat, an electronic duo with producer Sven Britt. The band has just announced the April release of debut LP "In the Wilderness," which was written by Cat after a difficult period of disillusionment with the music world and its challenges. An accomplished vocalist and songwriter, Cat has collaborated with many noteworthy NYC artists including Sufjan Steven and Sharon Van Etten. Her new project sees her explore the creative possibilities given by electronic instruments, and features darker atmospheres, without abandoning her pop sensibility and soulful style. Stream the single "Sirens" below, and – if you dig – see Stranger Cat live at The Knit on 03.07
Drummer/producer NAH has a new track called "a man that says no," off his latest release Nobody Cares What Happens, No One’s Interested (Ranch Records). Combining skilled kit work with electronic samples, the sound sculptor continues to push the bondaries of hip hop and prove why he deserves our attention. NAH is a rare gem and a good example of what interesting hybrids you’ll find coming out of Philly’s underground.
A few weeks ago we noticed how Pianos had doubled down in inviting local talent to play monthly residencies, and that observation finds a confirmation in the fact that in March the Ludlow Street venue will host a joint residency involving two Brooklyn bands: Jangula and Ski Lodge (pictured). Both groups have been around since the early ’10s and have new releases in the works. They also share a sound that’s tastefull poppy, with an indie rock edge. Check out their latest singles below and don’t miss them live every Wednesday in March. The first show is tonight 03.04.
Darkwave-influenced duo Ultra Violent Rays are further expanding their sound with their latest single "Vegas". The track’s esoteric dub passages and wobbly synth loops are more of an open admission from their previous single "Voyeur", which recoiled into an ominous dark corner with its sinister piano strokes and monolithic drum hits. The duo will be playing a show at The Golden Box on March 11.
What do you get when you combine surf rock and dream pop with the spirit of improvisational freedom? New York City’s High Waisted appears to be hitting those three measurements with an increasingly electrifying energy. Their "Acid Tape Vol. 1" recordings resulted from a single take directly on reel-to-reel tape (in a haunted house down in Nashville no less). A somewhat refreshing approach in this often over-processed digital age. What emerged is a psyched out version of surf rock enhanced by fuzzed-out bass, reverberated guitars and catchy vocal melodies.
It kind of makes perfect sense that Son Little, a.k.a. Aaron Livingston, is headlining Communion night at MilkBoy Philly this evening. The son of a preacher, you can hear the influences of gospel choirs and sermons that might have filled his Sundays as a child. Livingston will take his place at the pulpit tonight where he’ll be joined throughout the evening by local singer-songwriter Aaron Parnell Brown, Brooklyn synth-popsters SKYES, the UK’s Bobby Long, and Brayton Bowman. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., $13, 7pm, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
"It’s 2045, as the Earth is overcome with waste and pollution, it becomes less inhabitable for the human race. You find yourself in your spacecraft heading towards galactic realms, in search of life… this plays on your stereo." That’s the scenario created by producer Ill Clinton for his latest LP Vapor Cave. Step into the future.
Ah, the ‘cool’ factor – how do you apply it to music? The Brooklyn based electronic producer behind electronic project Creature in the Woods obviously knows the answer to this million dollar question, since the act’s self titled debut EP delivers four songs of consistently gorgeous downtempo to chillax to (sorry, it’s really the only word that works for this kind of music…). Flirting with soul and hip hop, Creature in the Woods’ tunes are highly textural and groovy, but also atmospheric, often featuring a background of tense sonic elements that add a vein of mystery and creepiness to the tracks, like in our favorite single "Centuries," streaming below.
This artist submitted music for coverage here.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Hold on to yer butts guys, SXSW is nigh. We’ve got mere days before Austin turns into the creative/partiers playground it does every March, and if you didn’t know, The Deli has a lot goin’ on. We’re handing out 10,000 free print editions of The Deli to people with cool haircuts just like you, for one, and we’re also adding to the creative dreamland mix a bit with a Stompbox Exhibit at the Convention Center and a Synth Space at the same spot. If you’re into the idea of playing around and making weird noises with cool music tech, this shit is not only free and right downtown, it’s also open to anyone whether you sold a kidney to get a badge or you remained poor and multi-kidneyed.
All this thinkin’ on SXSW was on my mind when I saw somethin’ that had me remembering South Bys gone this week, in the form of a new Austin-tacular music video by hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm. My awareness and subsequent jamming of this group came about first because of SXSW, SX 2013 to be specific, when I stopped the husband side of Riders Against the Storm, Chaka Mandla Mhambi Mpeanaji, on the street to shoot his bitchin’ feather includin’ outfit for my friend ATX Streetstyle‘s blog (click through here, if you wanna see one damn well-dressed local musician). Chaka told me he was a teacher and a musician, which I typed into my phone and let him hurry on his SX way. I found RAS later when I looked him up at home, and their high-energy, big-thoughts music got me hooked real quick. But, y’know, I’m a bit of a sucker for soul, skill and some goddamn good rappin’.
And that, plus ass shakin’, is what you’ll get in the boombastic, butt-focused "Booty Sweat" music video that RAS released on YouTube on Feb. 26. That this video is pure Austin love is no surprise to me, as the people I’ve known around town that have had the love for RAS the hardest have always been the most Austin folks I know, and with the optimistic thing it seems that RAS has got goin’ on, that they love the ATX back makes sense. This vid is good, good Austin stuff, and if someone else in this town puts out another video even half this fun this year, well we’ll have one hell of a year on our hands. Get that booty sweatin’ good y’all, and come on by The Deli’s shit this SX if you got a free, mildly sober moment (perhaps too much to ask, just come on by whatever your BAC).
San Francisco based art rock band, Growwler will be performing live at their album release show at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on March 12th. The impressive psych/experimental line up will include: Cellar Doors, Golden Void and JJAAXXNN.
We’re premiering a new song from Growwler’s upcoming full length album, Even Tenor called Song of Songs pt ii (got to be-good). This song is free to stream, but if you pre-order the album on either “sunburst” colored vinyl, CD or digital format, you’ll get an instant download of this track! Sounds like a good deal!
Listen to Growwler‘s awesome new single, Song of Songs pt ii (got to be-good) and enjoy the sludgy underground rock sound that will blare from your speakers!
The organic folk duo, Tidelands has just released a new EP entitled, Old Mill Park. This San Francisco based musical outfit incorporates acoustic folk and bluegrass with a down to earth indie rock sound. Out on Redgummy Records TODAY, this new album is breathing new life into traditional folk music. You can check out their single, Dog Named Bart below.
You can also check out their album release show at Underwood Café in Oakland on March 7th!
