New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Crown Larks have released a haunting new video for their song "Chapels". The video was directed by Emily Esperanza and the song comes from the band recent album Blood Dancer.
You can catch Crown Larks at Scubas on Sept. 20th with Yonatan Gat and The Avantist and at Empty Bottle on Nov. 16th with Tweak Bird, Wishgift, and Wei Zhongle.
Sean McMahon, lead singer and guitarist of Workman Song, is a self-described “meta-hippie,” whose folk-psychedelic music perfectly accompanies his beliefs. His voice, full of dynamic grit, adds depth to the atmospheric strum of his guitar as he sings of the existential and preaches the beauty of life. As a Brooklyn transplant, McMahon has made himself known within NYC’s local scene; just a month ago, Workman Song opened for Sean Lennon at the Brooklyn Bowl. In the description of his latest EP, “Ion Zelig Vol. III,” McMahon writes: “There’s no movement for you to join that I’m leading or a part of, it’s just a feeling I hope we can share. A feeling, in the sense of the word implied by this statement from some Metropolitan in a Jacob Needleman book, ‘Kill emotion. Cultivate feeling.’” Workman Song will be playing in Williamsburg at Cameo Gallery on September 23rd. – Isabel Rolston
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best rootsy songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
The popular San Francisco based indie rock band, Social Studies is returning with a new full length album entitled, Wake. Releasing their first EP in 2007, San Francisco’s own indie pop/rock outfit, Social Studies, have undergone multiple reincarnations before finding their current line-up and signature sound.
You can take a listen to a track from the band’s dreamy new album called Drifty in anticipation of the official release on September 18th. You can preorder a vinyl version of Wake at Social Studies’ record label, Aerobic International’s website. The digital version of the album is available now.
We’re totally excited for this news. Make sure you support local independent music!
Krust Toons: "Streaming Bloody Murder" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
Jimmy Whispers has released a video for his track "I Get Lost In You In The Summertime". The video was shot at Empty Bottle and around the city, and directed by Alexa Viscius and Jessica Viscius. The track comes from Whispers recent album Summer In Pain (Moniker Record, 2015), and is the perfect end of summer song.
You can catch Jimmy Whispers at The Promontory on Sept 28th and at Lincoln Hall on Nov. 4th.
Philly-by-way-of-South-Jersey rhyme-slinger Rich Quick recently signed a distribution deal with NYC music imprint Soulspazm. Check out the titled track from his upcoming album The Everywhere Man! It was produced by the gifted German hip-hop production crew, Snowgoons, whom some of you may be familiar with through their rad collaborations with Philly’s own Reef The Lost Cauze.
Up until now, Billy Polard, a.k.a. The Ghost In You, has recorded his entire catalogue in the cozy confines of his bedroom. However, he recently shared with us that he’s been going through a transition period, and his latest single, "Fear the Fall," was actually recorded in his car. And judging by the song’s lyrics, he seems to also be struggling through some relationship issues. Well, hopefully everything will work itself out, and we all know that whether it does or not, Polard should have plenty of material to work with for his next album.
When looking for a new jam with high energy and trippy vocals, apply California Death directly to the eardrums. This quartet out of Richmond makes a great addition to a road trip playlist or a good beach party jam with their masterful use of vamping, pedal switches, and using the vocals as an instrument. Give them a listen and get lost in the hypnotic flow of their music; their self-titled EP out last March is over before you know it. They’re playing the underground haven known as Strange Matter on 9/26, so don’t miss it! -Jonathan Goodwin
Los Angeles outlets commit a daily sin of overlooking promising bands simply because they exist outside the realm of Downtown LA. At The Deli, we try to make amends every once in a while: over the last several years Ventura’s quartet Captions has quietly grown a lush mane in the midst of a burgeoning shoegaze and dreampop scene in Los Angeles. Despite gaining little friction outside the coastal city, their music measures up to the lush grooves of Craft Spells and Wild Nothing, albeit with a minimalist philosophy.
The band released their first EP "Think Thunk Thought" to staid reception, quavering between crunchy indie rock and dizzying dreampop in songs like "Recording Silence", "Loops", and "A Worst Time". Since then, Captions have made appearances in their hometown and around — earlier this year they opened for Avid Dancer‘s Echo residency. Their newest single, the 50’s pop slow-burner "Two Step" was released on September 1st, the first of nine songs to their upcoming album. It’s a headrush of slow-dancing prom atmospherics, a menagerie of harmonizing vocals and spacious guitar chimes right down Captured Tracks’ alley.
Captions finished recording their as-of-yet-unnamed album with Jacob Summers and Leif Davidsen (both of Avid Dancer) last year — expect an early 2016 release, and more surprises to round out this year. – Ryan Mo
The summer festival season is quickly coming to a close, and with it, the drunken/drugged-out swarms of EDM obsessed twenty-somethings will slink back home to wait for next June. Now, at the brink of autumn, the anticipation for a more diverse sonic palette – less sunny pop ballads and antiquated bass drops and more provoking exercises in musical conflation – is palpable. It seems quite appropriate then, that Allison Crutchfield (Swearin’), along with Frankie Cosmos and Porches, will be performing at the First Unitarian Church this evening. Drenched with fuzzy guitar riffs and bedroom pop vocals, Crutchfield’s "sound" may be voyeuristic and dynamic, but she fits seamlessly into the night’s set – one of dreamy pop sensibilities and clever lyricism. Go, and enjoy! First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8pm, $12, All Ages – Blake Oetting
For a high school band that’s grown out of its garage roots, Hin Du (fka The Hindu Pirates) have come a long way in their six-year search for a definitive sound. While peeling off the surf-rock tag, the band has opened for Delta Spirit, Froth, Avid Dancer, and The Growlers and played fests from Beach Goth and Burgerama in OC to Noise Pop in SF.
Their newest self-released album When You Come In leads a straight departure from the band’s blues-tinged surf-rock Pelican Daze and the rosy-eyed pop of their recent "Hurley" EP. Austin Green’s synths and noise manipulation add grandiosity to the band’s sonic presence, now focused on towering soundscapes than dirtbox licks. The voice of Austin Ferreira, once barenaked, orates in cavernous reverb as the glassy guitars refract in songs like "December" and "In Hell". Fans of orange-swirl psych pop bands Deep Fields and Cosmonauts might have found themselves a new trip buddy.
Listen to "Wind Song" from the album below. – Ryan Mo
Laura Cole: Laura has a knack for always staying in the news. She drops a hit record, wins awards, saves children’s activities from banishment and most recently toured the East Coast. Oh yeah….and she just released a new single with Harvey Summers that was recorded in the United Kingdom. The sultry vibes ooze from this Laura Cole track as only she knows how to do. I dig the trumpet and of course the bass lines are the best. (The track features Laura Cole Band member Chris Charcios on the bass). Watch her video but more importantly go watch the Laura Cole Band at the TD Stage on Sunday at 3:15.
The Sadies: You probably know who the Sadies are already and if not…hopefully you like country, rock n roll, surf and garage rock perfectly blended. The Sadies manage to do it all. This Toronto band has been around for years, releasing a whole heap of albums and touring constantly. Maybe you’ve seen them rip it up at the Horseshoe on New Years Eve? Either way, they’re playing Supercrawl on Saturday Night! 9 bells at the Hamilton Airport Stage!
Terra Lightfoot: Terra is a Waterdown gal who’s playing music for years. She has had a successful solo career and is also a member of local favorites "The Dinner Belle’s". She’s known for her folk/country tunes and amazing voice but recently released a new record that shows that she is ready to rock! "Every time My Mind Runs Wild" has some straight rockin’ tracks like "No Hurry" and "Never Will", the latter has been getting steady play on mainstream radio. She still shows off her softer side as the album rolls on but it’s nice on the ears. Terra plays on Friday Night at the Hamilton Airport Stage at 9:15
The Vaudevillian: The Vaudevillian is one of the coolest acts around. They are straight outta the 20s. Pure rag time music that makes you feel you’re in that exact atmosphere. Brendan on guitar and whatever else he can play while sitting there, Willow on washboard. They may have some guests join them at any time on stage as well. Maybe not even on stage…these folks set up and play wherever they want. I highly recommend their album "Salty Dog" and they’ll be headlining the TD Stage at 10.
Pet Sun: Pet Sun isn’t one of my favorite local band right now…they are one of my favorite bands right now anywhere. There is a definite buzz about them right now and it’s mostly coming from their amps. They play loud and fuzzy and tight and headbangin’. They have released one single from their upcoming album. Its called "Never Quit" and it kicks ass. They’ve always had a doomier Stooges feel to me. Expect their debut full length album in October. Get to Supercrawl early and watch Pet Sun at 7 on the TD Stage. I hear the singer/guitarist Stephane likes to crowd surf….
-Kris Gies
