As the release of their LP Before The World Was Big via Wichita Recordings on June 2 rapidly approaches, Girlpool (the pairing of Cleo Tucker & Harmony Tividad) have shared a new music video for its title track. Shot on Coney Island, Allyssa Yohana captures the joyful essence of youth that the song’s lyrics embody, and the vintage film reel effect is an excellent touch. Step into summer! (Photo by Alice Baxley)
NYC
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Garage rockers Nancy play The Acheron on June 25
We blogged about Brooklyn transplants (via Chicago) Nancy about a year ago, after their move to the city, and were thoroughly impressed with their fast paced garage rock. Even though the duo hasn’t released anything new since then, it came to our attention that they are playing a show at The Acheron on June 25. This, in turn, brought to our attention that The Acheron is now an official venue with a rather busy calendar of live shows – and a new website. The Nancy’s show, also featuring hardcore locals Warthog, might be a good opportunity to check out the Bushwick spot, whose calendar looks like a good place to parse for obscure up and coming local acts.
Portland
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Guantanamo Baywatch defies genre with new album
Portland’s favorite power trio Guantanamo Baywatch has made a big leap since the days of their previous album, Chest Crawl. Most notably, there is an almost complete disappearance of their trademark surf sound. On their new record, Darling…It’s Too Late, the band has made the transition so easily it’s as if this shift of direction was where they have always been headed.
The album is a myriad of varying genres and styles, sounding like a tribute to the golden age of early Rock ‘n’ Roll. There are still quite a few instrumentals here, even the occasional glimpse of their old selves as on “Raunch Stomp” or “Mr. Rebel,” but even then they’re injected with a grittiness closer to country-fried Rockabilly.
The production is bigger and cleaner, and the band sounds more confident than ever, with Jason Powell’s vocals coming to the forefront for the first time where it had previously been buried or served a secondary role to his guitars. The guitars, as always, still play an integral part to their sound as does the thunderous rhythm section, especially shining on “Beat Has Changed” with a solo not unlike something from early Ricky Nelson.
The record feels like a glimpse into the world of pop music and Rock ‘n’ Roll in America during the late 50s and early 60s. The band explores everything from Country gospel à la Don Gibson on “Boy Like Me” to R&B torch songs on “Too Late,” and the Live at The Whiskey a Go Go swing of Johnny Rivers on “Sea of Love.” In fact, it’s like the band’s history lesson ends just before the advent of the British Invasion. The album even closes with what appears to be the sound of the Fab Four on the not-so-distant horizon with “Do What Want You Want.”
While their albums and singles have always been stellar, Guantanamo Baywatch up until now has always been best experienced as a live band. But Darling…It’s Too Late is a statement, proving they can be just as potent of a force in the studio. Every second of the record feels like it was handled with care and made with a deep enthusiasm and love for music. Darling…It’s Too Late is out now on Suicide Squeeze.
-Cody Alexander
NYC
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No Voltage Night at Pehrspace feat. Young Lovers, Matt Kivel, Sacred Destinies, Sienna Moffitt, Littlest Sister
Pehrspace is holding its second ever No Voltage Night to coincide with Young Lovers’ second night of residency. All acts will perform their sets acoustically with only candles to light the venue.
Young Lovers have arranged their dreamy post-rock songs especially for the night, backed by a chamber orchestra with very special guests. Diverse musician Matt Kivel, (of Princeton, ex-Gap Dream) who just finished his newest album Janus, will perform along with back-to-back girl-boy duos: folk-inspired Sacred Destinies and acoustic instrumental rock Littlest Sister. Folk singer-songwriter Sienna Moffitt will make an appearance too; stream and download her recently released demo on Bandcamp!
Come tomorrow, May 18, and enjoy an intimate evening with friends and loved ones. The show is all-ages and completely free! Doors open at 7:30 pm.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Ten Feet Tall” – Plainview
Here’s a neat music video from the band Plainview for for its single "Ten Feet Tall." Most of the footage was done in one take as a typical party night of acoustic serenades, waterboarding and ladies just having some fun cuts away to the folk-tinged pop-punk quintet of Drexel students rockin’ out in the basement as we tend to do in Philly. The video was shot and edited by Evan Chapman (of Square Peg Round Hole). Plainview will be releasing their new EP I’ve Seen This Before tomorrow, and will celebrate its release on Friday, May 29 at The Brick House. (Photo by Red Beard Photography)
Philadelphia
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Birds of Maya Sighting at KFN May 17
It’s about that time when the stars align, and we are treated to another Birds of Maya sighting. The PSYCH-ROCK power trio appears at a handful of shows a year, but hopeful these jam sessions will come more frequently once they release their upcoming album. Yup – a new Birds of Maya record does exist! They’re co-headlining Kung Fu Necktie tonight with the Bay Area’s CCR Headcleaner. You know what you need to do. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, All Ages (Photo by Dan Cohoon) – Alexis V.
Toronto
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DOOMSQUAD-“Pageantry Suite”
Electronic rhythm, electric guitars, eclectic groove. Altogether lightning and extremely striking. Doomsquad brings together digital ambience, with velvet-smooth melodies and a serious funk. Three siblings and a metric ton of musical talent. Their new EP ”Pageantry Suite” contains some tunes that are good for getting around, getting down, or just kicking back and learning all the layers and nuances that are hidden within. Two Way Mirror is reminiscent of the B52’s over a crispy-cool baseline and light drone-pop percussion. The half shout lead made vocals relay a sincere sense of urgency and frustration, and the new-wave vogue in the female leads serve as a perfect counterweight. Apocalypso recalls Talking Heads, with a wave of ambience sitting behind a perfectly subdued minimalist rhythm. The accenting, effect-laden guitar lines recall both disco and a relaxing island calypso, like a dream sequence during the rapture. Ice Storm opens with a sustaining organ and tribal-sounding drums, to the tempo of a slow trudge through a frozen tundra. The tension builds with each element added, bringing dissonance and space, drops it off at the midway point, and does it all over again in a completely different tone for an extended cataclysmic groove that seems to carry on forever, and you’ll enjoy every savoury bit. Though there is so much going on throughout the record, it never feels dense or forced, and every swell, chord and synth feels essential, organs keeping a body alive.-Cody Wright
Philadelphia
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Italian Market Festival at 9th St. May 16 & 17
It’s pretty hard not to attend the annual Italian Market Festival (now in its 100th year of existence) and indulge upon treats from spots like Termini Bros. and Paesano’s, street vendors selling arts & crafts, ice-cold Peronis, and an endless amount of people dancing and having fun all down 9th Street. There will also be four stages worth of live music, and this year, Connie’s Ric Rac and Gaslight Radio pulled together an eclectic music lineup of local talents. Saturday will be headlined by psych rockers Out of the Beardspace and punks FTS, and Sunday will close out with the hip-hop stylings of Ill Doots and the funky psychedelic cabaret rock of Johnny Showcase & the Mystic Ticket. You’ll also hear the sounds of Satellite Hearts, Vilebred, Lovers League and so much more filling the streets of the historic neighborhood. Now, you have another thing to do this weekend. Italian Market, 9th St. between Christian & Ellsworth Sts., 12pm, Free, All Ages – Bill McThrill
Philadelphia
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Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Fest at Trenton Ave. May 16
The annual Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival returns for its 9th year! Trenton Avenue will be abuzz with plenty of exciting arts & crafts vendors, neighborhood business demonstrations, and food trucks. However, the main attraction is the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, which features movable works of art made from all kinds of materials, which are powered by bikes, carts, and other contraptions, racing through mud and multiple obstacles to see who wins best in show. Another part of the festivities will be live music that kicks off with a special presentation from the kids of Rock to the Future, and will culminate with the rockabilly, country swagger of the Levee Drivers. It will also feature the glorious alt-pop/rock tunes of DRGN King, and the psychedelic instrumentals of Air is Human. Trenton Avenue Arts Festival/Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, Trenton Avenue Between Norris & Dauphin, 12pm, Free, All Ages – Bill McThrill
NYC
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Make Music Pasadena 2015 only 3 weeks away
The 8th annual non-profit festival Make Music Pasadena is nearly upon us! On June 6th, over 150 acts in alternative, jazz, folk, electronic, and more will be playing in downtown Pasadena from 11am til 11pm. Over 50,000 attendees are expected for this all-ages event located right outside of restaurants, gastropubs, and boutiques. And best of all: entry is 100% free!
Make Music Pasadena will span 20 city blocks in Pasadena, offering five main stages and over 30 supporting venues from IX-Tapa to the Old Town Pub. To help festival attendees cover so much ground, MMP and DoLA have created an interactive schedule to track the performances. Get from stage to stage more quickly with free rides on the Pasadena ARTS buses all day, and listen to the live sets on board.
If you’ve been itching for an outdoors music event without breaking the bank, then this is your chance to see rising Los Angeles notables like bipolar folk act Kera and the Lesbians, South Central synthwave revivalist Autumn in June, psych-pop team Kid Bloom, art rock outfit The Moth & the Flame, and indie funk jam brothers Jr.! Performances will also include renowned acts like Kishi Bashi, How To Dress Well, Hundred Waters, Lydia Ainsworth, Sir Sly, Hidden Charms, Opus Orange, Caroline Smith, and many more to be announced, with a special set by the Pasadena Symphony/The Pasadena POPs in the evening.
Check out Make Music Pasadena’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and cool giveaways! – Ryan Mo, Photo Credit: Chris Molina
Chicago
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Monobody
The local label Naked Alley released the self-titled debut album from experimental jazz, math rock quintet Monobody last month. Consisting of Al Costis, Steve Marek, Conor Mackey, Collin Clauson, and Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, Monobody creates a unique instrumental groove that covers multiple genes but always stay steady and focused.
Below is their video for "Gilgamesh (R-Teaxs)" filmed in the basement of Naked Alley.
NYC
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Eskimeaux releases LP “O.K.” tonight (05.15) at Shea Stadium
The Deli has enjoyed following the prolific progression of Gabrille Smith’s sharp and intimate songwriting/arranging project, Eskimeaux. Over the years this songstress has gathered up hearts in butterfly nets with achingly insightful and narrative lyrics set into refreshingly inventive sounds and structures. Her newest record, “O.K.”, is a bit more smoothly produced, hyper, and traditionally written than her previous glo-fi records— fortunately, this transition hasn’t sacrificed the soul of the project. Along with new tunes, she’s brought some older favorites into the new soundscape. It’s great to hear “While you were breaking your neck trying to keep your head up, I was breaking my neck just to stick it out for you” again with some added punch, along with versions of "Everything You Love" and "The Thunder Answered Back". Nostalgia aside, we’re excited to give this record some time in our players and see which tracks will nuzzle their way into the repeat-button this time. Celebrate the release of "O.K." with Eskimeaux, Emily Reo, Free Cake for Every Creature, and other musicians in the lo-fi neighborhood tonight (May 15th) at Shea Stadium! – Leora Mandel