Chicago

District 97

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The Leslie Hunt fronted rock band, District 97 announced this week that their third LP, In Vaults, will be released through Laser’s Edge on June 23rd. Hunt has released solo albums but is most well-known for being a finalist on American Idol in 2007.

The 9 tracks on In Vaults were recorded at IV Lab Studios in Chicago and promises to be band’s finest release to date. Below is the kickstarter video that helped fans fully back this project last summer.

You can help the band celebrate the release on June 19th at Martyrs with Lovely Little Girls.

L.A.

Michael Vidal announces new album, shares new video

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Couple Skate announced that they will be releasing the debut LP, Dream Center, from Michael Vidal on June 9th. Michael Vidal was previously part of punk shapeshifters Abe Vigoda, and by the sounds of his first single "Dreams (Come Back to Me), it seems to carry over the lush synths and pristine guitar work of their pre-demise album Crush. Vidal also released a rather curious video for the single, which you can watch below.

You can catch Vidal with Girl Pool and Stephen Stephen Steinbrink at Eagle Rock Center on June 1st. 

NYC

NYC electronic artist on the rise: Bosco signs to Fool’s Gold

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In 2014, Bosco — a recent NYC transplant from Atlanta who recently made our Best of NYC Emerging Artists list — released a series of well-received singles that married breathy, soulful vocals to edgy electronic experimentation. Normally outside soul music’s vocabulary (at least since the late ’80s), these results range from futuristic party tunes (“Names”) to hypnotic, abstract R&B ballads like “Slippin’,” or brand new single "Boy," streaming below, with which she announced the signing to record label Fool’s Gold.

Toronto

The Sulks @ the Handlebar

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If Kyuss listened to The Ventures instead of Black Sabbath, you’d get The Sulks. Bringing a pulsing pounding beat to ethereal howling and gypsy jazz licks, their song “Sulker” certainly sounds like one. Beefy rock with some intelligent melodic restraint. So far, the only look we have taken into their haunting future is represented by two live bootleg tracks; the aforementioned Sulking, and a Dick Dale-ian surf-punk romp called “Cabin Fever”. The slippery guitar lines, supported by a supremely slamming rhythm section paints a picture, and a slightly frightening one at that. These fine folks certainly have a flair for what they do, and we love their beautifully bizarre style. Check them out Saturday, May 16th, at Handlebar.-Cody Wright

San Francisco

Exclusive Album Stream: Survival Guide – Way to Go

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The Bay Area based band, Survival Guide, whose music falls somewhere between indie rock and electronic music, touched with descriptive, storytelling lyrics and strong vocals is giving The Deli SF the lovely opportunity to stream their brand new debut album, Way To Go! Musician Emily Whitehurst, who has recently been featured in the Deli as a collaborator on the Bay Area singer/songwriter Travis Hayes‘ recent EP, is making strides of her own as vocalist and keyboardist of Survival Guide.

The album is brave and paints broad brush strokes of electronic, pulsing instrumental overtures and heavy beats. Way to Go goes on the fringe of alternative music to share a melting pot of disco, pop and indie rock genre influences. The music is exciting because the band clearly has no regard for what’s happening on the radio or even in the local clubs.

You can celebrate the release of the Way To Go at Neck of the Woods:
5/22 – San Francisco, CA @ Neck of the Woods (Album Release Show)

"I am excited, relieved and proud to be releasing this full-length record. In a music world where there’s so much emphasis on the individual song, I truly believe in the importance of a collection of music that’s pieced together artfully to convey a journey of emotions. I’ve experienced nearly every emotion in the making of this record, and I hope it shows.” – Emily Whitehurst

Support local music!

NYC

NYC Songwriter Raye Zaragoza releases debut EP

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New York singer/songwriter Raye Zaragoza offers a set of shimmering folk with her debut EP Heroine (released last week). Throughout the four-track release, the young musician shows deeply intimate scenes of romance-searching (as in “Sleeplovers”) and innocent love (as in “Crazy Eyes”), continuing a tradition of plaintive guitar-based ballads while distinguishing herself with her voice. Comparisons to Norah Jones are almost inevitable but Zaragoza’s vocals are warmer, finding an intriguing spot between toddler-like dependence and the experience of an adult. While initially recognizable, Raye’s voice—and music, at large—has a unique elusiveness. Raye Zaragoza celebrated the release of her debut EP last Wednesday at Rockwood Music Hall with The Natalie York Band. – Zach Weg

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, May 15 – 17

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Rare MP3s, the collaborative digital label and now event production project from Noah Beresin (a.k.a. Noah Breakfast/Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang) and Ryan Schwabe, will be throwing its first of what we are sure to be many ragers this evening at Kung Fu Necktie. They also brought along some of their talented pals like instant party-starter Spank Rock, “Harlem Shake”-famed Baauer, the glitched-out R&B sounds of Moon Bounce, Grave Goods, Dirty South Joe, and many others. It’s a stacked lineup of talented beatmakers all under one roof for your dancing pleasure. Enjoy! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 9pm, $5, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
More places to wild out at this weekend…
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI The Jawn, The Royal Noise, The Racket Boys/Loafass/Ghost Heron, SAT Girl Dog, Bone Bats, SUN Drones For Queens (Record Release), Die Choking /Birds of Maya, Hanging Tongues
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Palmas, SAT Northern Arms, Mercury Radio Theater, Julia Rainer
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Skeleton Lipstick, SAT Up The Chain (Record Release), Bill McCloskey, The Bernhardt Family Band
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Shark Tape, SUN Suburban Murder
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI (Balcony) Witch Fist, North End, You You Dark Forest
 
TLA (334 South St.) FRI American Babies, SUN King Britt
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Conjunto Philadelphia
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Shy Boyz, The Phosphenes, Gorgeous Porch, SAT (7pm) Stephen Dijoseph, Second Place Champions/(9pm) Darko the Super, Mr. Manic, Torito, ialive, SUN The Ill Fated Natives, Joie Kathos
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Matermathu (Reunion Show), ILL Doots
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Needle Points
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI LeBon LeBon, Ace of Pentacles, SAT Kiska, The Burgeoning
 
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI ?uestlove, Mike Nyce, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN WKDU DJs
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) SAT John Byrne Band
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Weekday Warriors/Wild By Law, Cause of Affliction, Smarty Pants, SAT (1pm) Furhermore/Beyond Eden, Mistress, 1 Echo 1/Duders, Sucker, Cheerbleeders, Shy Boyz, The Droogettes, SUN Lupe Garu, Knoghtlife
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SUN Duffy’s Cut, Dive in the Box, Legion 76
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Laela, SAT Pure Jerry, Tree Rats
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Dear Forbidden, The Naked Sun (EP Release), Upperfields, SAT The Extraordinaires
 
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SUN Philly Gumbo
 
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Craig Dash, SUN (2pm) percussionist Josh Robinson/(9:30pm) DJ Royale
 
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI The Donuts, American Schoolyard
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) SAT 9th St. Italian Market Festival: Skinny Cool Kid, Inconsiderate Bastards, Overfield, E. Joseph, Layers & Frames, Sonny Knockout, Neat Meat, TC Cole Riot, The Members Vlub, The One2s, HighKick, Vital Stats, FTS, SUN Cicada Jade, Magnificent Birds of Prey, Steve Oakley Band, Church Girls, Paulette Branson & Mixed People, Rockers Galore, Could’ve Been Kings, Bosom Band, The Funky T, Jah People, Royal Noise, Ill Doots
 
9th & Ellsworth Italian Market Festival: SAT The Berries, Giada J, Dan Collins, Katie Barbato & Dirty Holiday, Rumi Kitchen & Ya Ya, East of the West, The Wallace Bros. The Racket Boys, SUN Tall Trees, Lovers League Vilebred, No Good Sister, The Late Saints, Dr. Beardface & The Spacemen, Satellite Hearts, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket
 
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) FRI Tango Leopard, Mad Matt Swayzie, Kyle Press, B&D Lawn Mowing Co., Visitor 10
 
Half Moon Café (4228 Lancaster Ave.) FRI Decade, The Bone Rangers
 
Wolf Cycles (4311 Lancaster Ave.) SUN Repellers, Occult 45
 
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Jenna & The Pups, Marlo Reynolds
 
The Barn on Baltimore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Window Liquor, Heavy Medical, Grower
 
Lava Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Mighty Paradocs, Sheer Mag
 
The Mitten (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) A Tree Named Turtle, Space Chumpy
 
Clark Park (43rd & Baltimore Ave) SAT Party in the Park: The Four Prophet String, Band, The Extraordinaires, Disco Hootenanny.  
 
Trenton Avenue Arts Festival (Trenton & E. Susquehanna Ave.) SAT Levee Drivers, DRGN King, Air is Human, Rock to the Future
 
Philadelphia

Drift Into the Stratosphere w/Gorgeous Porch at The Fire May 15

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As Gorgeous Porch, Chris Wood (Orbits to Leslie, Grimace Federation) threads airy, deep Casio sounds that take on organ-esque qualities, steadily moving forward, pushed by his always impressive drum work that smacks ahead as his vocals drift into the stratosphere. Wood performs tonight at The Fire, and will take those daydreaming semi-conscious vocals, aligning them with the conveyor belt of instrumental combinations, resulting in vibrant/introspective tunes. He’ll be joined by the absurd comical R&B/funk stylings of "Bulgarian transplants" Shy Boyz, pop-rock duo newly turned trio The Phosphenes, and hip-hop collective Thylacine. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

New Track: “Flowers” – Year Of Glad

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It sounds like Mimi Gallagher (ex-Nona) is fronting a new band called Year Of Glad (which is not to be mistaken for the Montreal project from A.P. Bergeron with the same name). Below is the Philly power-pop four-piece’s emo-tinged debut single "Flowers." It was recorded and mixed at Big Mama’s Studio with The Weaks‘s Evan Bernard and Chris Baglivo. They’re live performance debut will be on Wednesday, May 20 at Kung Fu Necktie with Loose Tooth, The Cats, and Jake Simmons.

NYC

NYC Alt Rockers Warn the Duke prepare new record + play Gigawatts Fest

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We found Bushwick quartet Warn The Duke in the listings of the July Gigawatts Festival, which packs a slew of emerging NYC artists (we covered most of them in this blog). They play incendiary alt rock with punk and garage overtones, and from their Facebook posts we gather that they are currently working on the follow up to their 2014 debut two track ‘Noreaster EP’ – listen to the EP’s title track below.

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best alt rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Chicago

Ratboys

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Topself Records announced today that they will be releasing the debut LP, AOID, from Ratboys on June 9th. Ratboys is now a four piece band lead by delicate vocals of Julia Steiner. On their earlier EP’s and singles the band was a duo consisting of Steiner and Dave Sagan. Now flushed out rock band, Ratboy released the single below, "Have a Heart" back in January.

 

 You can catch Ratboys with Arthur, Nice Things, and Regular Oatmeal on May 18th at Gypsy House.