L.A.

Inspired and the Sleep lure you into their labyrinth mind

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San Diego indie pop outfit Inspired & the Sleep are all about sustaining a sly groove in lockstep. Their latest single, "In My Labyrinth Mind", is a swanky stomper with a suave, horn-led chorus that exhibits songwriting duo Max Greenhalgh and Byrce Outcault’s knack for a crisp pop hook, comparable to the likes of other breezy, atmospheric jazz-inspired bands like The Sea & Cake and The American Analog Set. 

"In My Labyrinth Mind" is the latest single off the band’s upcoming release, entitled Eyelid Kid, which makes its way to all digital outlets this coming October. – Juan Rodríguez

NYC

Dreampop group Nightjacket releases video for Right Way To Fall

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While folk singer-songwriter Holland Belle takes melody by the horns in her solo output, her collaborative work in Nightjacket goes a different way. Like Mazzy Star (which they’re oft-compared to), Belle and guitarist Jordan Wiggins are the creative force behind Nightjacket’s work, but they don’t mimic the aetheric qualities of Hope Sandoval and David Roback. The familiar acoustic strum ripples with each of Belle’s refrain, aptly paired with Wiggins’ cavernous reverb, inebriating modulation, or slapback fuzz. Backed by veterans Steve Lucarelli (Wounds, Gasoline Heart), Louie Schultz (Army Navy), and Diego Guerrero (Red Cortez), Nightjacket emanates a quaint, calming sound that can chill your spine like a twilight breeze through a desert highway.

Their debut EP "Eternal Phase" is available to stream in full on their Bandcamp. Watch their music video for "The Right Way To Fall" below. – Ryan Mo

Portland

Soft Kill drop new album, play Star Theater on Sept. 18

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"Heresy," released early last month, is the latest album from the Portland based post-punk group Soft Kill. The LP, which contains 6 tracks and runs for just under thirty minutes, is a collection of tight, polished, gothic post-punk with unmistakable influence from groups like Interpol and The Cure. The spectral vocals blanket the eerie guitars and the pulsing drums like a fog, giving the record a definite haunting appeal. The title track (streaming below) closes out the LP with 7 minutes of dark, trance-inducing music that begins with some ghostly guitar play, building into a fuller and heavier sound as the song goes on. The album is currently available on Bandcamp for a limited time, and a 12" physical release is expected sometime this fall. Soft Kill will be performing at Star Theater on September 18. Check ’em out! – Patrick Wolff 

Chicago

Faintlife

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Faintlife have released a hazy b-side, "Headaches", to their 2015 debut album, UV. Faintlife is fronted by Sam Shaffer and Nate Bucher and they combine dream and Psych pop. UV was released back in May, but is absolutely worth a listen if you missed it.

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, September 4 – 7

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Ok, so we admittedly were one the harshest critics of Made in America last year because of their unbelievable exclusion of talented homegrown Philly acts. Well, it seems that they are working on making it up to our city for the error of their ways with what might be the most local acts ever invited to the two-day festival.  Saturday is without a doubt when the Jay-Z-curated event brings out its heavy artillery with national and local names. If you want to find where your Philly peeps at, hanging at the Skate Stage will certainly be the place to see some familiar faces with Creepoid, Hop Along, Waxahatchee, Strand of Oaks, and Ground Up doing us proud. Meek Mill will also have the pleasure of sharing the Rocky Stage with heavy hitters Beyoncé, Modest Mouse, and De La Soul. On Sunday, you’ll find the lone Philly act Marian Hill bringing its sweet beats and alluring vocals to the Skate Stage. Ex-patriot Santigold is always a highlight of any bill that she appears on, and it’s certainly been way too long since we’ve heard anything from her. (Fingers crossed for a new album in works.) Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend, and sneak in some good drugs and drinks so you don’t have to consume any crappy, overpriced Budweiser – cheers! Made in America, Ben Franklin Parkway, 1pm, $150 (Sold Out), All Ages – Q.D. Tran
 
More places to enjoy your Labor Day Weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Charles Cohen, SAT QQQ
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The Silence Kit, Jackie Thousand, SUN Pulling Punches, Phet Phet
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Seeing Snakes, Erika Trophy, MON Buzzherd, Brontide/The Tough Shits, Groovy Movies/YDI, Legally F**ked
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Field Mouse, The Guests
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI The Lid: A New Musical by Pat Finnerty/(After party) Black Landlord, SAT The Lid: A New Musical by Pat Finnerty, SUN The Lid: A New Musical by Pat Finnerty
 
TLA (334 South St.) FRI Money June, Chick Raw
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Christopher Davis-Shannon/(Downstairs) Wild Orphan, SAT (Upstairs) Phiddledelphia, Gabriel Donohue, SUN (Upstairs) Mary Lattimore
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Teef, Steve Young, Wildcard, Torito, SAT Derek Anthony, Nobody Yet, Above The Mendoza, Sunblaze Lane, Audio Impulse, First Of Autumn, SUN Above The Mendoza, Uncle/Father Oscar, Sister City, Amora
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Sonnder
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) FRI Deviant Philly Launch Party: Sad Actor
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Waiting, Science Club, Twin 55, SAT The Mountain Chiefs (CD Release), X-Hunters
 
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN DJ Junior, DJ Lil Dave, Skeme Richards, Ian St. Laurent
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Hired Guns Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT The Pam Knight Show, SUN Cliff Hillis
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St) FRI Morgan Pinkstone, Ryn Pascale, Emily Mineo, Rachael Rota, Kristin Sharonstone/Generation Empty, Little War Twins, Raleaf, SAT (1st Floor) The Mysteries, StarSkream, Them Jones, SUN Death DaVinci
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Line Leader, The Escape, Stetson Rose
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Mic Stewart, Ill Doots, Visitor 10, Darko The Super, Torito
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Groove Merchants, Mesmeria, Woven In, SAT Los Campeones
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Shy Boyz, SAT August John Lutz II (EP Release), New Sweden, Song Dogs, SUN Hanging Hills, Sympathy & The Lion, Rosu Lup
 
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Mr. Sonny James, SUN (2pm) DJ Jugo w/percussionist Josh Robinson/(9:30pm) DJ Royale
 
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Franky’s Foxes, DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Carl Michaels
 
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) FRI Shannen Moser, Willow Talk
 
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SUN +HIRS+, Heavy Medical, Harsh Vibes
 
Eris Temple Arts (602 S. 52nd St.) FRI Radio Eris, Dave Marley
 
Bamboo Bar (927 Delaware Ave) SUN Making Time Labor Day Weekend BBQ
 
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Hivelords, Die Coking, Bardus
 
Milhouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Shakai Mondai, Floam, Katana Girl (Solo)
 
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Drums Like Machine Guns, Neo Libz, Lip Service
 
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT 1 Year Anniversary: Mumblr, The Mellowells, Abi Reimold, Cornelius the Third, Curtis Cooper
 
Full House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Second Marriage
 
Wolf Cycles (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Hot Tears, Space Chumpy
Philadelphia

Shannen Moser Burns Brightly at The Pharmacy Sept. 4

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Tonight, Shannen Moser performs at The Pharmacy with a full band. Moser has honed a recipe of sonic ingredients that couples the tender elegance of stripped-down instrumentation with gentle, transfixing vocal melody. The overall approach may sound simple; however, the reality is intricate. It allows the pieces to fit together in a subtle illuminating manner that burns brightest up close, but also provides intrigue from a distance. With hypnotic vocals canvassed over enticing experimental beats, the duo of Willow Talk magnetically get things started. A pair of Brooklyn-based outfits is sandwiched in between, including Half Waif, whose ever-alluring vocals are complimented by a diverse musical spectrum, establishing a far reach. The free-flowing, avant-garde sounds of Ben Seretan Group round this bill into form. The Pharmacy, 1300/02 S. 18th St., 8pm, $8, All Ages – Michael Colavita

NYC

A NYC band that deserves more attention: Elysian Fields work on new album

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In our restless quest for the best possible artists to book for our upcoming CMJ shows, we stumbled upon NYC based duo Elysian Fields, who have been around for a while (1995!) and lately have been busy working on a new album – and also on opening a new venue! On their website’s "news" page we noticed this 2014 video for single "Channeling" – which we somehow missed at the time – and instantly fell in love with it. Directed by visionary illustrator/cartoonist Steven Mertens, this is a psych pop gem with imaginative, top notch production and a subtle but also moving alternation of tension and release moments. Lead singer Jennifer Charles’ incredibly seductive vocals are supported by melodies that are catchy and edgy at once. This is what we call a great song – and it made our week. 

Chicago

Verbal Kent

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Verbal Kent is releasing his 9th studio album, Anesthesia, this month via Mello Music Group. Kent has been a staple in the Chicago hip hop scene for well over a decade and is one of the founding members Giraffe Nuts. This new album will feature appearances by Freddie Gibs, Skyzoo, Red Pill, and Torae, along with production from Kaz 1, Oh No, Apollo Brown, Marco Polo, and others. You can preorder the album digitally through bandcamp or physically (CD or Vinyl) through Mellow Music. Below is the album first single, "Add Anesthesia" and the Peter Stepnoski directed video for "Notes"

Philadelphia

New Track: “Somewhere Else” – Littler

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On Littler‘s new single, "Somewhere Else," Madeline Meyer drags us through the muck and mire that blocks our path towards adulthood. While some gracefully make this transition, the reality that most of us face isn’t that easy, and Littler manages to capture that relatable angst with their latest, which was recorded and mixed by Swearin’s Kyle Gilbride. "Somewhere Else" will find its place on the band’s forthcoming album Of Wandering. They’ll be performing next in Philly on Sunday, September 13 at Hong Kong Garden with Bad Canoes, Moor Mother Goddess, and Pill.

NYC

NYC electro pop duo Cafuné release new single ‘Fall Asleep Now’

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"Fall Asleep Slow," the latest single from the Brooklyn duo Cafuné, is a laid-back track of summery electro-pop that brings to mind rooftop sunsets over the city skyline. The duo’s mixture of an uptempo beat with dreamy instrumentation, and singer Sedona Schat’s soothing vocals, results in a charmingly chill song that’ll have you reaching for the replay button whenever you’re in the mood to lounge around. Although "Fall Asleep Now" marks the band’s fourth release, it is in fact the first song they wrote together, penned just over a year ago, and it deals with the loneliness that one can sometimes feel in a city as large as New York. Released only one month ago, the track has already racked up close to 20,000 hits on Souncloud, and has been getting a bunch of positive reception around the web. Check it out! – Patrick Wolff 

San Francisco

Exclusive Album Stream: Crooked – Crooked Cuts Vol. 1 EP

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We always have our ears pressed to the ground for brand new music! We also get excited when we learn about new emerging bands from the Bay Area as well!

Crooked is a new and heavy electro soul band with deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene. The Crooked Cuts Vol. 1 EP, mixed by Joel Hamilton (Black Keys, Lettuce, Highly Suspect), consists of four unique tracks that set a vibey and slightly haunting stage for a collection of additional songs to be released this fall. With a heavy drum and bass foundation, the tracks are accented throughout with spacious keys and a deeply soulful yet edgy voice. The four piece draws upon a wide spectrum of influences and merges them into a hypnotic feel that dynamically shifts from spacey soul to driving electronic and distorted alternative anthems.

Crooked’s style is sultry and a bit innovative. It’s R&B you can take seriously. We recommend you give this band’s new album a spin and enjoy what they have to offer. It’s refreshing to see new projects arise in the Bay!

Nashville

Wildwood Revival Shines Through the Rain

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 Most folks need a good couple days of heavy sleep and electrolytes to recover from a weekend-long music festival binge. But after a two-day visit to Cloverleaf Farm outside Athens, GA, for the second summer installment of Wildwood Revival, we’re feeling more refreshed, replenished and inspired than ever. And even through the rain (BOY, did it rain,) the festival was the event of the season.

Above all else, Wildwood Revival focuses on community. Serving locally grown and prepared meals alongside cold Georgia-brewed beer, inviting local artisans to set up shop displaying handmade leather goods, jewelry and vintage clothing, and procuring a solid musical lineup including several Southeastern favorites, the farm was buzzing with positivity and patronage. With only a few hundred attendees, guests were able to avoid lengthy lines, meander through common areas with ease and always find a good spot for enjoying the live entertainment. Keeping the festival relatively small (and friendly for all ages) also encouraged environmental conscientiousness, as drinks were served in mason jars and other reusable containers and food on biodegradable plates, and each guest made an effort to keep the farm as pleasant as it was when ze arrived.

Nashville was well represented, with Electric Western (the guys behind KEEP ON MOVIN’ Mondays at The 5 Spot) spinning the records at the Saturday night dance party, Hot Yoga of East Nashville instructing a Saturday morning class and hometown heroes Blackfoot Gypsies supplying the bluesy rock ‘n’ roll.

Other standout bluegrass/Americana acts included Darnell Boys, Lindi Ortega, Water Liars, Tall Tall Trees, Strung Like a Horse and American Aquarium, although honestly, there wasn’t a weak link in the entire lineup.

This review wouldn’t be complete without mention of the scenic campsite, tintype photography, Gospel brunch (complete with biscuit bar and Bloody Marys,) wiffle ball tournament and communal bonfire under a full moon. And our plans for next summer won’t be complete without a revisit to Wildwood Revival. -Caroline Bowman