Canadiana with a tinge of party-pop, Jonny Debt’s Waiting “Love” is begging you to break out the flip flops and mixed drinks, and play some hooky away from work. Really channeling his inner John Butler, his electric banjo strumming and country-jam band bring a good-times, slacker-rock meander into a fun pop song. The video, one-half party and one-half love-yearning soul search, is a fun venture split between the band jamming with some Jonny Debt-merch sporting co-eds, and a seemingly time and space traversing quest for a mythical long lost love. Wardrobe had a fun time on this shoot. If you’re looking to check this act out, they’re playing at the Midem festival in Cannes, France, and then embarking on a bar-hopping tour of southern Florida!-Cody Wright
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Music Video: “Hey Nineteen” – Work Drugs
Oh man – if we ever had beaches close to us like the ones in the new music video for Work Drugs‘s "Hey Nineteen," we might actually leave Philly for the weekend. Though the band is not shy about its love for Steely Dan, this is definitely not a cover. It’s the latest single from the group’s upcoming album Louisa, whose release has been pushed back to later this summer.
Austin
Posted on:
Mother Falcon Does the Big Band Thing with Grace on “Kid”
Mother Falcon is Austin’s premier big numbers band, which you likely already knew, but they’ve just released a new track whose strength comes from its efficiency and its singular elements, rather than from the amount of noise that a big group can make. A lot of the energy in the just-released single “Kid,” in fact, comes from the lone female voice doing the largest portion of the singing, which is all lightness-leaking breathy tones that kick the track off with just a few strummed chords and an egg shaker beat in accompaniment.
This being Mother Falcon, however, layers and instruments are quickly added, tossing in at some point everything from horns to chanting to some really nice background drones that waver from right in pitch to just off to completely dissonant and give the song a lovely off-kilter texture. There are moments where MF does do the Arcade Fire/Broken Social Scene pioneered “all of our giant band playing at once” thing, but the restraint they show as a group throughout the song and even in these moments, and the benefits that each piece in the group adds to the overall song in these cacophonous parts has Mother Falcon resembling those other influential big bands at their thoughtful song-engineering best.
Speaking of seminal 2000s bands, MF also seems to be channeling something that was going on at that time in North American music (and is much murkier these days), which was a sense of just wanting to get together with other weird kids and have a lighthearted, happy time. “Kid” has that same kind-of “temporary refuge from the suburbs,” sunny-day in the park flying kites and drinking stolen vodka in plastic cups with your also-loner friends kind-of feel to it. In this age of endless online outrage clashes and what seems like just a whole damn lot of divisions between people, this is a feeling that’s nice to see it not only expressed in MF’s newest work, but downright nailed.
The track sits here below for you to get your feel-goods from, and you can keep up with the MF at their Facebook here. This is music that’ll help you remember that sometimes it actually does stop raining, which even some of us Texas storm-lovers might need right now, and it precedes the full album release on 8/14.
NYC
Posted on:
Spanish surf shoegaze-y Crystales performing tonight at Pehrspace
Crystales are a band from Highland Park sporting that ‘60s beach vibe with fuzzy facial hair and fuzz pedals. Brothers Nick and Billy Gil go halfsies on guitar and vocals while Jason Hanakeawe and Tony Infante keep the crew rocking. Splashing through C86 guitar tones with just the right amount of reverb and kicking down walls of sound, Crystales have shimmered through Los Angeles and Pasadena nights with Roses, Michael Vidal, and Hyacinth Girl.
Join them tonight at Pehrspace as they open for Young Lovers’ night of residency with Echophonix and Judy Gloom, and next weekend at Make Music Pasadena. Listen to “I Don’t Care” below. – Ryan Mo
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Mischief Brew Record Release Doubleheader at Boot & Saddle May 30
Mischief Brew may be the only punk band out there that incorporates a fiddle, a vibraharp, a timbale and the occasional piece of scrap metal or wood. Not to say they should be classified as simply punk. When Erik Peterson confined himself to a Philadelphia basement with nothing but a couple of instruments and a four-track, he began a project that has incorporated punk, folk, swing and true protest music. Since those basement days in 2000, Mischief Brew have released a multitude of recordings, and will be celebrating their newest this Friday with an afternoon (all ages)/evening doubleheader of shows at South Philly’s Boot & Saddle. The full-length, "This Is Not For Children,” released by Alternative Tentacles Records, keeps up with the band’s themes of social protest, talking on labor rights and gentrification, as well as the simple joys like underage drinking. Mishief Brew has been known to ask audience members to help out on instruments or back-up vocals, so be ready to jump in. Boot and Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 3pm/8pm, $12-$20, All Ages/21+ – Emily DiCiccio
NYC
Posted on:
Dance and cry at Bonus Druthers’ 2nd Pity Party in Burbank
LA music & arts collective Bonus Druthers are hosting a second Pity Party tonight (wait — when was the first one?!) at the Missing Piece Theatre in Burbank. Stuck in NoHo with no plans? Start your summer break by getting intimate and sweaty with four great LA bands.
The Electric West: the post-punk blood brothers that will fog up any venue. Dig their new album Verdugo but missed them at Ghost Noise’s residency? Redeem yourself! You’ll be glad you did.
Tiny Stills: moniker of Kaitlynn West, Tiny Stills blasts easy-dancing indie pop way loud, the kind of stuff that would make Colleen Green proud.
Sullen Ray: producer Seth Eubanks’ solo-thing-that-turned-into-a-duo with singer Dee Clement. Rosy 90’s reminiscent duets and righteous jams. ‘Nuff said.
Draag: the up-and-coming quintet sporting valley fuzz and valley feels. It’s crunchy, it’s heavenly; it’s gaze-inspired rock that inspires you to mosh.
Feeling thirsty? Bonus Druthers got you covered with a pop-up the traveling Baxter’s Speakeasy: all-you-can-drink happy hour from 5-7PM while supplies last! Shoutout to Culver City’s Exposition Studios who are helping out with live sound. Acoustic sets start at 5 — get some earbuds if you bus in at 8. Tickets 10$. – Ryan Mo
L.A.
Posted on:
Teenage Wrist premieres “Summer”, announces new EP
Teenage Wrist, featuring members of Chain Gang of 1974 and Swing Hero, create stormy yet catchy post-rock, reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World before the radio years. Their latest single, "Summer," is naturally a summer tune, with big dramatic guitars made for the outdoors; that said, it still feels like a good song to get sullen to, which makes sense given the tune’s origin in a failing relationship (according to guitarist Marshall Gallagher).
You can listen to EP Dazed at their Soundcloud and then go catch them at the Silverlake Lounge on June 18th. (21+, so, unfortunately, no teenage wrists allowed.) – Brian J.K. Regan
San Francisco
Posted on:
Fine Points (Members of Sleepy Sun) and The Spiral Electric Support The Warlocks at Brick and Mortar – 6/3
The San Francisco based psych shoegaze band, The Spiral Electric and Fine Points, the new formation of a band featuring members of the successful local psych-soul band, Sleepy Sun are going to be performing live at Brick and Mortar Music Hall on June 3rd.
Fine Points are so new that they have yet to release any recorded material, so this show should be some incentive to massage your curious nature (if you possess it) and see what the band can actually do. Obviously, The Spiral Electric is a great live band, and the legendary neo psych band, The Warlocks will be in town to put on an always stellar performance. The Warlocks are an indispensable band to the Los Angeles and Bay Area neo psychedelic music scene. They’ve opened doors for countless current local bands and helped set the sonic standard for the washed out, reverb latent garage rock style that we’ve all become accustomed to knowing as a huge chuck of the local music community’s signature sound. If you want to know where current San Francisco neo psych-garage rock got born, check out this show.
Toronto
Posted on:
Huge Cosmic @ the Cavern
Two men, a galaxy of sound. From jazz-fusion to electronic fuzz-rock and back, Huge Cosmic is who you call for ambience and acuity. With songs called “Let’s Talk About The Weather” and “Interviewed By Nardwuar”, the eclectic and electric nature of the band is accepted and accentuated by the energy and intelligence of the music. “Weather” is a prime example of their blending influences and minds. Between the notes of the vocal melody is where the chops of the two take over, switching from tight progressive groove into serene rock’n’roll walls of sound and back again. Serious music listeners would take care to take notice, and keep their eyes peeled. Huge Cosmic is bringing their experimental sound to the Cavern on Saturday, May 30th, so get yourself in front of that stage.-Cody Wright
NYC
Posted on:
Brooklyn singer/songwriter Sorcha Richardson shares new track “Petrol Station” + plays Rockwood on 6/19
On past releases such as her piano-girded, subtly piercing 2012 song “Midnight Whistle” and the hushed, guitar-based ‘Sleep Will Set Me Free‘ EP that followed later that year, Brooklyn-by-way-of-Dublin singer/songwriter Sorcha Richardson quietly fought through her struggles. “There’s a runaway/Poison train/Tearing through my/Sinking veins/But this midnight whistle/Won’t remain,” she sang on “Midnight Whistle,” and one was both crushed and comforted. The early-twenties musician rises to near celebration on latest track “Petrol Station,” (streaming below), a murky yet ultimately sunny electronica piece. “You’re coming over to my house,” Richardson gently repeats to her hesitant addressee, perhaps finding her own peace in the process. Sorcha Richardson performs at Pete’s Candy Store on 6/11 as part of the Northside Festival, and plays Rockwood Music Hall on 6/19. – Zach Weg
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Weekend Warrior, May 29 – 31
The emotive punk-rock immediacy of Glocca Morra takes the stage for a final time headlining this Saturday evening at the First Unitarian Church. Though the band announced that it would be no more in late November, the group has been on a run of recent farewell dates. Individually, their creative output is now spread out in various outlets including The Spirit of the Beehive, Dogs on Acid, and Ghost Gum. While tonight’s show, which is being presented by R5 Productions & The Guild, is sold out, those lucky enough to be inside are certain to witness a rowdy bon voyage, saturated in blood, sweat and tears. Fellow emo four-piece Clique and the harmony-wielding, all-female, garage-twee group Marge will help to fill-out the lineup, which also includes New York’s LVL UP, whom thoughtfully explore a myriad of the emotions in a rockin’ fashion, and the grungy, noise-rock of Toronto’s Greys. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 7:30pm, $12 (Sold Out), All Ages – Michael Colavita
Other places to get sweaty this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Northern Liberties (Record Release), S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., Westboro Baptist Choir, SAT DJs Emynd & Bo Bliz,
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Reverend Mantis, The Downtown Club, Fine Motor, SAT (3pm) Mischief Brew (Record Release), Teenage Bigfoot/(8pm) Mischief Brew (Record Release), The Holy Mess
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) JJL, Clamfight/Heavy Medical, Sovereign, Ooze/The Blurry Nights, SAT Bryant Eugene Vazquez & The Songs (Record Release), Thom McCarthy, Maxray or Will, Friendship/Tommy Hogunz & Jackie G, SUN (4pm) Conversations/(8pm) Heavy Temple, Hellrad/Ladder Devils, Prophet Said I
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Huth & McGuinness
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Gene Ween Does Billy Joel with Souldiers of Soul, SAT The Roots Picnic Afterparty : Questlove, Cosmo Baker, Matthew Law
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Abi Reimold, Dead, Port Arthur, SAT Peek-A-Boo Revue, SUN Prima Donna, Noel Scales, DMNQ LNDN, Joie Kathos, Tomboy
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Stone, Cyanide Saints, Sacred Cube, Waterfall
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Fiona Fest: Dani Mari, Owl & Wolf, Lovers League, Chelsea Sue Allen, Allison Polans, Meg Moyer, You Do You, Annachristie Sadler, The Bigness, Jen Pague, Lisa Chosed (with Red Cedar Strings), Meg and the Right Sound, Sydney Marchiano, SAT (Upstairs) RUST – Neil Young Tribute
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Khiry Kool, Ganou, Walker, Fel Mula, SUN Cheerbleeders, Super Bonanza
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Likers, Josh Jones, Sweet Eureka, SAT Halfro
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Circadian Rhythms, Lou
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Binary Sea, Fishtown Beats, SAT The Soft Spots, Little Strike
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Ed Christof
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Anthony Michael, Dan Collins, Rob Tait
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI John Train, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St) FRI Duke Maroon/Wetware, Electric, SAT StarSkream, We…Our War, Power Theory, Ketosis, Fate 88
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Paths 2 Glory, Rodent Lord, SAT Ashton John, TR, Tangiers
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Cookie Rabinowitz, Oolala, Minka
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Mr. Sonny James, SUN (2pm) percussionist Josh Robinson/(9:30pm) DJ Royale
Festival Pier (Columbus Boulevard & Spring Garden St.) SAT Roots Picnic: The Roots, Donn T, Brianna Cash, King Britt
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI The Real Feel Band, SAT The Jawn
Ardmore Music Hall FRI You Do You, SAT Weird Hot
Little Berlin (2430 Coral St.) FRI Little Strike, Alternative McDonalds, Top Control, Laura Fisher& Sad Hana
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) FRI The Chairman Dances (EP Release), Mark Rybaltowski
Everybody Hits (529 West Girard Ave.) SAT Hurry, Blowdryer
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) FRI Our Fair City, Northern Lakes, Elder Statesmen
3rd & Girard (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Jackie Paper, Seismic Thrust, Grim Sleepers, Dulls
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Nightfall, Severed, Population Zero, Alien Dregs
Baker Bowl (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Andorra, Poster Child, Krispy Kareem
Dog House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Year of Glad, Cool Points
San Francisco
Posted on:
The She’s Union Pacific and Dazeys Play Rickshaw Stop – 6/3
Counter Culture and POW Magazine present the Nevada City, CA (we have no idea where that is) based electro-lullaby music group, Dazeys, who are set to support a couple of great San Francisco based bands next week at Rickshaw Stop on Wednesday, June 3rd. Band buddies (bands that know each other well and tend to share bills together when they can) The She’s and Union Pacific will be filling out the rest of the bill to play a comfortingly familiar local show. With all the changes going on in the Bay Area music and art scene, it’s nice to see bands being consistent and supporting local venues.
We need local bands to continue to play local venues just as much as we appreciate touring bands coming into town to join our local shows and line ups. Do your best to show up, dance around and support this show!