Brooklyn band No Chief is going to play at The Brooklyn Bowl this Thursday and we can’t tell you exactly what they’re going to sound like. The project stems from the vision of drummer/writer Bob D’Amico (he used to play with the Fiery Furnaces) and slightly changes direction every time he pulls a different gifted friend into the mix. Among these collaborators are members from bands such as That Dog, Stranger Cat, Sebadoh, and of course The Fiery Furnaces. D’Amico describes his music as “Percussion as Melody. Pitched Instruments as Percussion.” Last fall he released two songs on Bandcamp that might give you an idea of just what he means by that. "Ride" is a sound example of percussion’s ability to build songs into journeys. See what D’Amico’s been up to on 4/23 when No Chief will be sharing the stage with Celestial Shore and Delicate Steve between the great traditions of bowling lanes and beer. – Leora Mandel
Interview with Brooklyn dance pop band Lazer Cake
Brooklyn’s dance lovers scene should be ecstatic to have Lazer Cake among its ranks. The band offers some extremely catchy, shakable themes reminiscent of the 70’s, but with the added freshness of modern synth, drummed up with creative vision by a pretty cognoscente… drummer: his name is Robby Sinclair and he is also the band’s lead singer. Their songs vary in lyrical and effectual melody, using retro falsetto and soft croons and an assortment of key tones, but they all institute a fun, sometimes gorgeous, and ever beat-friendly environment. The result is an exact fulfillment of a mission statement: to get people moving, while exerting a very natural and wholesome chemistry, both in live and studio settings.
Read JP Basileo’s Q&A with Lazer Cake.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
New Track: “Dried Out” – Creepoid
We’re very excited that former Deli Philly Artist of the Year, Creepoid, are coming home to Philly after their short stint as southerners in Savannah, Georgia. You can welcome them home this Thursday, April 23 (well, before they hit the road again next week) when they headline Underground Arts. And check out their latest single, "Dried Out," which you’ll find on the band’s forthcoming album Cemetery Highrise Slum, due out June 23 via Thursday frontman Geoff Rickly’s Collect Records.
New Track: “Palace” – Commonwealth Choir
Indie rockers Commonwealth Choir has released a new single called “Palace.” The track takes a tri-fold instrumental start with melodic guitar power chords, joined by percussion that establishes a marker and synth as the song sets sail. With a unified energy and contagious lyrics, “Palace” makes an excellent addition to that springtime rotation. The group is slated to play this Thursday, April 23 at MilkBoy Philly for opening night of WXPN’s inaugural Key Fest.
Flamingo Báy- Steak n’ Eggs
Give us some Steak n’ Eggs! Yummy, greasy, deliciousness! Flamingo Báy serves it up with their second album ‘Steak n’ Eggs’, giving us plate licking rock n’ roll goodness that has us asking for more. Keeping their raw rock n’ roll sound from their first album ‘Loco Pony’; Flamingo Bay adds a little more salt and pepper to Steak n’ Eggs. The single, “Killer Flamingo Báy”, opens with a raw vocal that rhythms its way to body swaying bass tones, hard hitting drum beats and guitar riffs that take you for a ride.The entire album shows Flamingo Báy’s creative diverse rock n’ roll energy. Don’t miss their cd release party Friday 4/24 @ This Ain’t Hollywood… come get your Steak n’ Eggs!
Kate Faust EP Release Show at JB’s April 21
When we first discovered Kate Faust many years ago, she was making a name for herself as one of the backup singers in folk/blues-rock outfit Toy Soldiers. After breaking off from the pack of former Temple students, Faust set out in search of her own musical voice. Armed with a keyboard and a voice that longed for the stage, she went through an awkward phase as a jazz/cabaret singer-songwriter. It wasn’t until the release of her EP Crucial Companion when we really took notice of her as a solo artist, channeling her inner Kate Bush. Tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, you’ll find Faust journeying into the next phase of her career, and with the release of her first single, "In Bloom," from her new EP Eros, it seems that she’ll be riding the wave of electro-soul/R&B. She’ll be joined by like-minded, lauded local vet Res and Donn T, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson’s sister, who will also be celebrating the release of her new album Flight of the Donn T. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $22, 21+ (Photo by Emily Paige Townsend) – H.M. Kauffman
Holy Sons move to Brooklyn + play Brain Cave Fest on 04.25 at Baby’s All Right
Holy Sons, brainchild of psychedelic songwriter Emil Amos, doesn’t play music that will brighten your day. Emil uses this project as an outlet for dealing with his own ghosts, and his dark, thoughtful, haunted songs don’t do anything to conceal that: the process obviously represents a rather effective form of self medication, considering he’s released eleven records since 2000 (two of them in 2014). Emil recently moved to NYC (from Portland), recruited musicians to re-form his band, and has been playing several gigs in and around Brooklyn. You can catch him at the upcoming Brain Cave Festival on April 25 at Baby’s All Right.
New Sheer Mag EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
The Deli Philly’s 2014 Best Emerging Artist Poll Winners, Sheer Mag have released their second batch of songs, aptly titled II 7”, via Wilsuns RC/Katorga Works. Performing this Sunday on a billing that also includes A.M. Mills and Ex Hex at Union Transfer, the group continues to impress, balancing gritty, rifftastic rock fortified by assertive, attitude-dripping vocals. Get hooked! (Photo by Reed Dunlea)
Liphemra performing with Young Fathers 4.24 at The Echo
Blood of underground hip hop and jazz courses through her veins as she tightens her traditional grip. Radiohead and Flying Lotus color her psychedelia-coated lips as she paints haunting, hypnotic images laced with electronic beats. She’s waded deep into LA’s DIY scene, playing with bands like Gothic Tropic and Tapioca & the Flea, even interning for LA’s underground hip hop label Stones Throw. Now, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Liphemra steps out front and center to make her own way. Working with vintage drum pieces, pedals, loopers, and synths, the experimental siren has captivated onlookers with dissonant allure and breakbeat rhythms, opening for groundbreaking artists like Connan Mockasin, Blonde Redhead, and DIIV.
Liphemra will perform live at The Echo next Friday, April 24 with Young Fathers. Listen to her newest single "Magazines" below. – Ryan Mo, photo credit: Carl Pocket
Graham Czach @ Double Door
Earlier this month we announced that Graham Czach will be releasing his new EP, Star by Star, on May 2nd. He recently released the first single from the EP, "Out of the Dark".
You can catch Graham Czach at Double Door celebrating the release on May 2nd with Todd Kessler, Cellrs, and Backyard Cohort.
Essex Chanel
Travis Lee Wiggins and Essex Chanel have released a new album, Some Strange Fantasy, their first since 2009’s Love Is Proximity. The album was constructed to follow the drastically changing midwest seasons. The band recommends the listener do the following; Listen while sipping a fresh cup of medium-roast coffee. Kick back on a Saturday afternoon at home as the warm spring sun peeks in through half-drawn shades. Flavors are highlighted with a little Mary Jane. Perfect for long drives with the windows cracked.
You can pick up a physical copy of Some Strange Fantasy here.
Loppa Albon
Loppa Albon is the lo-fi dream-pop persona of Alex Lappin. He released a new cassette last week called Plumblossums via Hellhole Supermarket Records.