Philadelphia

New Track: Honey Radar “Bird Bath Math”

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Take a listen to “Bird Bath Math” off of Honey Radar’s latest EP The Cop’s Dream. Available via Milwaukee’s Stale Heat Records, the Jason Henn’s spoken from the mountain top vocals find a casual jangly guitar and snappy percussion in the psych-garage valley. Honey Radar drifts into PhilaMOCA August 28 with Sheer Mag and Royal Headache.

Chicago

The Aches @ Lincoln Hall

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The Aches released their latest EP, Your Broken Hand, back in April. The EP is an addictive blend of shoegaze and folk rock. Colin and Christiana Flanigan blend their vocals perfectly to add a complexity to the band’s storytelling.

You can catch The Arches @ Lincoln Hall on August 13th with Clip Art, The Jellies, and Art & Letters

San Francisco

Premiere: Guy Fox – Antique Furniture

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It’s an absolute pleasure for us to premiere the San Francisco based band, Guy Fox‘s new single, Antique Furniture! Guy Fox’s brand of avant indie pop music is always well produced and encompasses unique electro-pop touches that raise the bar for emerging independent artists who yearn to stand out from the crowd. Their upcoming full length album, Night Owl will be released on August 21st! Night Owl embarks into evolutionary territory for the band. Staying true to their signature sound this record is a listenable version of the energetic live set for which they’ve become known for.

Peter Granquist can be found behind the drum lending vocals along Nate Witherbee who also plays host to synthesizer, guitar, piano and song writing. Greg Waters primarily contributes guitar and saxophones, while bassist Charlie Moore accompanies on vocals and synthesizer.

"This album is the labor of nearly two years of recording at Tiny Telephone Studios in Sand Francisco’s Mission District. We sculpted each track over days of recording, using analog equipment to construct the most unusual, ear-catching sounds we could find and recording them to 2 inch tape. The album’s theme is the aimlessness and endless reinvention that is a communal trait of today’s 20-somethings. These themes are set to upbeat, dance grooves, trying to convince the listener that the answer to life’s uncertainties can be found in the release of a good dance party." -Peter Granquist

NYC

Brooklyn-via-Helsinki singer/songwriter Janita’s latest album, ‘Didn’t You, My Dear?’

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Blending such disparate genres as R&B, folk, and blues into a darkly beautiful meditation on life’s inherent dramas, ‘Didn’t You, My Dear?’ by Brooklyn-via-Helsinki singer/songwriter Janita is perhaps the most ideal kind of album: striking in both musicianship and emotion. Radiohead’s seminal ‘OK Computer’ seems to have influenced the anxious yet ultimately serene aura of these songs—particularly the guitar-guided search for peace, “Easing into Sanity” (streaming below)—but Janita’s deft ability to put ferocity atop warmth is what is remarkable. “I used to do tricks,/I used to run after sticks,/I used to play ball with all you pricks,” she brusquely sings over waltzing guitars and drums on “Who’s Gonna Tell the Wolf She’s Not a Dog,” anger giving way to calm. – Zach Weg

Philadelphia

New Sad Actor EP Available for Streaming

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Tearing down the walls, Sad Actor’s new EP Trouble Everyday exposes an erupting emotional core. Brooding physically strained vocals ride a cavalcade of storming sonic notes approaching your door. Before too long, it’s raining everywhere. Sad Actor performs at Ortlieb’s September 4 with Dirty Dishes as part of Deviant Philly’s launch party. 

L.A.

Artist to Watch: Slow Coda

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Highland Park quintet Slow Coda write spectral-sounding pop songs that are tailor-made for those transient moments worth remembering. Crisp, sparkling balladry affects most their latest EP You Again, which is the first time the project operates as a full band as opposed to their beginnings as bedroom recorders to give their live shows more resonance. Driven by lead single "Used to Know", most of the EP goes by quickly with its galloping rhythms and lush, swerving guitar lines. But it’s not all just perky abandon – there’s a graceful sophistication in their fragile passages that reveals an intent to yield their immaculate songs in a carefully-sequenced manner.

Slow Coda is currently preparing for the official physical release of You Again, which will be available in cassette form through Weiner Records. – Juan Rodríguez

Austin

Rain Collectors’ “Unless” is Wistful and Lovely

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In new track “Unless” by Rain Collectors, a simple guitar melody leads us across a bright and calm landscape. The cello, however, soon glides in beneath and we sink into a more wistful state. Vocals by duo singer/songwriter Santiago Dietche and vocalist Blair Robbins are sensual, yearning. A keyboard trails, dreamlike among the cymbals and Gary Calhoun James’ walking bass; like wandering through the memory of a past relationship, or coming aware that a present one is fading, there is a sense of comfortable resignation. With one earphone in my right ear, and the other shared with you, in your left, we walk together through a night that will not last, with “Unless” soundtracking our melancholy stroll. Give “Unless” a listen below, especially if you’re nursing a slightly nostalgic mood like I was this weekend or, if you’re in a more upbeat place, head to their Bandcamp, where I was also pleased to hear the more upbeat new track by them, “Lock The Door” released on Sunday.

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A. LaFontaine

NYC

Brooklyn act, ensemble, et al., playing at Knitting Factory tonight (8.11)

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You rarely hear the word ‘neo-classical’ describing bands coming out of Brooklyn right now, but for the progressive quartet ensemble, et al. it’s the first thing that comes to mind. For their first full length album (in its entirety below), ‘Present Point Passed‘, the band cultivates expressive, post-rock symphonies out of chimes and just about any instrument on hand, all while forgoing vocals. ensemble, et al.’s meticulous orchestration of percussive elements revives the seemingly antiquated spirit of classical genres in order to create a modern, minimalist sound in part reminiscent of post-rock masters Tortoise. Be sure to catch them in Brooklyn tonight (08.11) at the Knitting Factory. – Sam O’Hara

NYC

Don’t miss Indie NYC Hip Hop Film ‘SPIT’ tonight in Queens!

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Mtume Gant, a.k.a. Core Rhythm has been a juggernaut in the NYC Hip Hop scene for a decade.  His soundscapes always had a certain cinematic quality so his venture into film directing is no surprise.  His award-winning short SPIT is taking the film festival circuit by storm with showings at seven festivals and counting.  Don’t miss your chance to see it tonight in Queens at the Chain NYC Film Festival in Long Island City at 8;30pm. Tickets are available for purchase, trailer here. – Broke MC

Philadelphia

Lithuania Album Release Show at Boot & Saddle August 11

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Lithuania’s highly anticipated LP Hardcore Friends is being released this week via Lame-O Records. Tonight, the trio that includes DRGN King’s Dominic Angelella and Dr. Dog’s Eric Slick as well as Ricardo Lagomasino, celebrates with a record release show at Boot & Saddle. Angelella & Slick share vocal duties on songs that whose on your toes punk immediacy is leveled by melodic emotives that glimpse inward. They lay it all out there; then iron it out while reeling it in. Rachel Browne’s (Field Mouse) solo venture Anomie kicks off the festivities. While power pop quartet and Lame-O Records label mates, Year of Glad bridge the gap to the collaborative brethren. Boot & Saddle 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $10, 21+ Michael Colavita