Brand new electronic duo HVLLOWZ may have an unpronounceable name, but we find their soulful downtempo extremely appealing. Their debut, self titled EP came out just two months ago and is at times reminiscent of the intensely dark early Portihead records – minus the hip hop factor. Programmer DJ Wallstreet sticks to minimalistic and atmospheric arrangements, complementing singer and songwriter Skela’s sultry vocals and preference for slow tempos. The band will be performing liva at Union Pool tonight within the Audiofemme’s Northside Festival show, opening a bill featuring other noteworthy local electronic acts like ONWE, Leverage Models, and Of Clocks and Clouds.
Philadelphia
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New Summer Fiction LP Available for Streaming
Summer Fiction, a.k.a. Bill Ricchini, recently premiered his new album Himalaya via SPIN. On his sophomore effort, Ricchini delves into his sonic library pulling from favorites like Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, Belle & Sebastian, Big Star, and many other indie-pop torchbearers. The record officially drops on June 16, and Summer Fiction will be back in Philly on Saturday, June 20 at Boot & Saddle.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “High Life” – STS x RJD2
The invigorating collaboration between quick-witted emcee STS and producer extraordinaire RJD2, STS x RJD2 (RJ’s Electrical Connections), has garnered heavy rotation since its release. Now, a bonus track, “High Life,” has further tipped the scales with its funky jazz instrumentation laying the foundation for STS’s controlled, fiery delivery. Share it with someone with whom you want to get sexy with.
Philadelphia
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New Cookie Rabinowitz Single Available for Streaming
"Four-eyed soul" singer-songwriter Cookie Rabinowitz shared his latest single "Beautiful Sign." The song is a chill, breezy summertime jam that exudes such a warm positivity. The track also comes with a funktified B-Side, "Broad St. Buddha," that gives off hints of "Tell Me Something Good" vibes and is the title track to his upcoming full-length album. Enjoy!
Philadelphia
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Socialite Help Escalate the Situation at Hong Kong Garden June 11
The four-piece of Socialite featuring Ian Dykstra (Little Big League, ex-Titus Andronicus) and Perry Shall (Dry Feet, Hound) is part of a stacked billing tonight at Hong Kong Garden. Socialite arrives with an undeniable menacing intensity. Roaring vocals, an unrelenting attacking style of backend, and those raunchy guitar licks unite creating a force of sound that comes right at you, turning up the heat and escalating the situation in a fury. The earnest pop-punk of Thin Lips catches you in a web of relatable scenarios, as polished punches of instrumentation are wielded with vocals that demonstrate the threshold of strength and vulnerability. Catchy lyrics laid over smashing percussion and searing guitar create the dynamic stuck in your head when you hear power-pop duo Slow Animal, while the noise-punk of Kerosene complete a bill that may induce you to start the weekend a day early. Hong Kong Garden, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.), 8pm, $5-$7, All Ages – Michael Colavita
San Francisco
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Day Wave Releases New Single from Upcoming Debut EP
The Oakland based indie dream pop artist, Day Wave (aka Jackson Phillips) has released a new single entitled We Try But We Don’t Fit In. Day Wave is great at writing charming songs about being awkward. We Try But We Don’t Fit In is melodious and pleasing to the ears. The mix of self depricating lyrics and saccharin sweet tonal progressions can be considered a manifestation of what it’s like to posess a soft side while having to endure the prickly, if not sharp edge of the effects of city life and maintaining balance in an outgoingly aggressive social scene. This awesome artist is set to release his debut EP, Headcase on July 17th. Until then, check out this new track.
Philadelphia
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New Ma Jolie EP Available for Streaming
Jetpack Mailman, the new EP from indie-punk outfit Ma Jolie, will be released on June 16 via A-F Records. However, you can listen to it now as it streams over at Brooklyn Vegan. The EP capitalizes on a meshing of anguish and aggressive emotives with stormy instrumentation, picking you up in a tornado of sound. Catch them as their tour with Choke Up pulls into The Fire on June 28 with a bill that also includes Toys That Kill and Dogs On Acid.
NYC
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Brooklyn native Small Wonder plays The Knit on Monday (6/15)
In early 2014, Brooklynite Henry Crawford released the palpably moving ‘Wendy’ under the moniker Small Wonder. Taking inspiration from the tale of Peter Pan, the indie-pop effort balanced the intimacy of Youth Lagoon’s ‘The Year of Hibernation’ and the stateliness of Golden Suits’ self-titled debut while displaying Crawford’s own gentle power. On songs such as the alternately calm and explosive “Patron Saint of Pretty Faces” (streaming below), the songwriter sings of a lover’s lasting impact with a directness that makes his struggle towards peace that much more involving. That’s the triumph of Crawford: as with all engaging storytellers, you really see, and feel, the unraveling humanity. Small Wonder plays at The Knitting Factory on Monday june 15). – Zach Weg
Chicago
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She Rides Tigers
She Rides Tigers are releasing their debut EP, Standing On The Edge, this month. Back in March they release tracks from the EP, "Roll With It" and "Chase The Flame". The trio of Joe O’Leary, James Scott, and Matt McGuire play a gritty, blues infused brand of rock.
You can help the band celebrate the release of Standing On The Edge on June 20th at Quenchers Saloon with Hong Kong Danger Duo.
Chicago
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Pet Symmetry Summer Tour
Pet Symmetry (Erik Czaja, Evan Weiss, Marcus Nuccio) recently announced that they will touring most of the summer in support of their recently released Pet Hounds album (Asian Man Records). Below is a new track from the album, "Gone Gone Gone (Further Gone)".
You can catch Pet Symmetry in Chicago on Aug. 4th at Double Door.
Toronto
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Stuck on Planet Earth @ the Rivoli
We totally want to be Stuck on Planet Earth with these guys! Gritty, gutty alternative sound that appeals to the senses. Excellent vocals that pulls the listener right into the intense emotion of the guitar, bass and drums. Stuck on Planet Earth, takes a modern approach to 90’s alternative roots with honest lyrics and motivational songs. “Fast Forward” their latest single, comes at you like a speeding train, driving hard to stop and go rock n’ roll sounds. They will have your body moving, don’t miss Adam, Al and Andrew this Saturday 6/13 night @ the Rivoli, see them with our friends Bloody Diamonds.
NYC
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Gillian – a “Beauty and the Beast” kind of band – lands residency at Arlene’s Grocery
Following in the footsteps of the two most prominent… let’s call them "Beauty and the Beast" rock bands of all times (The B52’s and Bjork’s early band The Sugarcubes), NYC/NJ’s Gillian features the constrasting double vocals of Kym Hawkins’ pretty alto and Geoff Bennington’s manic tenor. These two characters inhabit a rather schizofrenic sonic environment where pop melodies emerge unexpectedly from a rather chaotic and heavy musical background. The best example of this is single "Spirit Night’ from their 2014 EP "The Eyes in My Head,’ a kaleidoscopic track that blends all sorts of influences: we hear Americana leaning guitars, a garage rock rhythm section, melodies reminiscent of the ’80s sophistipop wave, and vocals at times reminiscent of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The band landed a June residency at Arlene’s Grocery – the next two dates are on the 17th and 24th of the month.