Mixing ’70s funk with yacht rock and modern indie-soul sounds like a Pandora station gone haywire. It works for NYC’s The Rooks, who share a moniker with the ’90s power-pop quartet from Connecticut. Garth Taylor’s silky tenor recalls Frank Ocean and D’Angelo (on faster material), while the band plays tight like session men, freaky like their own thing. The Rooks recently released a new EP entitled "Wires" and will be performing at The Deli’s CMJ Roots Stage at Rockwood on 10.14. – Brian Chidester
Philadelphia
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Mr. Green Opening for Jedi Mind Tricks at The Troc Sept. 18
In Zac Efron’s most recent cinematic flop, playing a struggling DJ in the California valley, he desperately networks and fist pumps (in a profoundly uncomfortable manner, I should add) while trying to break into the competitive LA music scene. I must confess I have avoided watching the full film, but in the various trailers that I have seen, it becomes clear that his “breakthrough” is catalyzed by a journey into the “real world” to find our “everyday sonic palette” (not real quotes, I hope). This idea, no matter how poorly depicted in this movie, of utilizing “street sounds” to merge in the studio with the listener and complicate genre, adding nuance, is a necessary evolution in modern music. Philly-based hip-hop producer, Mr. Green has taken this idea to the extreme. On his latest album, Live From The Streets, he traveled the world to find the best street performers and most interesting sounds for production elements. The results are hip-hop tracks that reflect a proverbial sonic melting pot – a composition focused on innovation and true artistry. Catch his sonic wizardy tonight when he opens for Philly hip-hop stalwarts Jedi Mind Tricks and R.A. The Rugged Man! The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 7pm, $20-$22, All Ages – Blake Oetting
NYC
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Folk duo Civil Brother plays The Deli’s CMJ Roots Stage on 10.14 at Rockwood
This year’s Civil Brother "Album" (that seems to be its title) at first feels mimetic, which is comforting, though there’s something bigger going on here. Opener “Hold On” (streaming) grabs musically from Ryan Adams and John Mayer, lyrically from Death Cab’s “Follow You Into the Dark.” The same blend pervades the entire LP, which works as a distillation of roots crossover from the last few decades. The band will be performing at The Deli’s official CMJ Roots Stage at Rockwood Music Hall on 10.14. – Brian Chidester
Philadelphia
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Shelf Life Record Release Show at Lavender Town Sept. 18
The search is on in Shelf Life’s new LP Everyone Make Happy. The album, which is being released today via Lefse Records, has a confidential sound as if Scotty Leitch has subtlety unlatched the window to his inner workings. What one finds inside is a group of songs that are touched with a rain-soaked sadness, while still radiating a positive outlook. There is both a feeling of lonely wandering and an exploratory freedom. Solitary acoustic guitar and dark incisive twists of the lyrical pen strike a deep chord, yet there remains a twilight sensation. Lavender Town hosts the record release show which also features the fuzz-fueled, grungey ebb and flow of Blue Smiley, who measure calm valleys with frenzied peaks. The mercurial flashes and open-diary sounds of Anthony Leitch’s musical vehicle About A Million gets things started. Lavender Town, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 7:30pm, $3-$5, All Ages (Photo by Ethan Holland) – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Sing” – Madalean Gauze
While we patiently wait for the follow-up to Madalean Gauze‘s debut EP American War, we can now listen to the thunderous title track from her upcoming LP Sing. The majority of the album was recorded with Jeff Zeigler (Uniform Recording), and the additional final tracks were laid down with Brian McTear (Miner Street Recordings). You’ll also find guest contributions from former Roots bassist Owen Bindle, Hoots and Hellmouth‘s Todd Erk, Pat Berkery (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The War on Drugs, Danielson, etc.), and other seasoned Philly talent. You’ll find Gauze performing next on stage at Boot & Saddle on Friday, October 2 supporting Bird Watcher‘s record release show.
L.A.
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GEMS release entrancing new single “Soak”, play the Troubadour on 10/9
Lindsay Pitts and Clifford John Usher together form the avant-garde group GEMS. Their debut album, out October 30th, will include a set list of sulky, ingenious and mystical pop. Kill The Ones You Love includes the engulfing single "Soak", which starts off with dreamy guitar strums and finger snaps until it ignites into entrancing synth transitions once the chorus hits. GEMS has a way of hypnotizing their listeners with powerful lyrics on loss of love, fighting the pain and treading the water in order to save yourself. Anyone suffering or who has suffered from heartache can connect to the lyrical compassion of "Soak", trapping us in the haunting drops of every beat and capturing the essence of what it takes to move on.
GEMS begins their North American Tour on October 9th at the Troubadour. For Fall dates head on over to their website as well as their Soundcloud to hear more from Kill The Ones You Love. – Kayla Hay
NYC
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The Deli’s Record of the Month: The Great Void – Shift Age
If you’re one of the few not plagued by thoughts of mortality and burdened by self-reflection, consider yourself lucky. If you’re a brooder, however, then Shift Age, by NYC dark electro-rock project The Great Void, might be the record for you. It bears all the outwards signs of happy pop music, though the longer you listen, the more surreal it gets. Especially vivid is “Medicine Ball,” whose plunky synths and new-wave vocals divert bleakly-rendered lines like, “I know we’d have fun/But you’re much too young.” By “Shift Age (Part 2),” it’s clear the gloss is just a cover for deconstructing nostalgia itself. “Out with the days of the old ways” sings leader Josh Ascalon before a barrage of high-pitched squeals surge towards an apocalyptic finale. Or maybe that’s just the hardware inside his keyboard threatening to fry out? – Brian Chidester
NYC
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Eau Claire treated DC Daybreaker to top-notch DJing and plays Rock & Roll Hotel, 9/19
This autumn was kicked off perfectly as the incredibly popular, early-morning sensation Daybreaker made a triumphant return to DC on Wednesday, 9/16, bringing DC nu disco DJ Eau Claire to the turntable to treat the early risers to some great jams while they got their yoga and dance on. This sunrise shindig was full of happy people looking to have a party before work and it couldn’t have been better. Eau Claire’s mixes are fresh and make you wanna dance until you drop. Hosting at the Flash nightclub, this DJ of DC brought great energy to Daybreaker and you can catch her next performance at the H Street Festival in the Rock & Roll Hotel, 9/19. Keep your eyes peeled for the next Daybreaker event, as it’s sure to create more fun than you can imagine having at 7 in the morning. -Jonathan Goodwin
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Get Hurt” – Purples
We’ve been watching/hearing Purples work on their sound for a while now, ever since the demise of beloved indie-rock outfit The Teeth. As of late, with the addition of Mike Quinn (And The Moneynotes), it seems that they are finding their pocket and moving forward in the direction of a band that we always knew they could be again. Below is their latest journey into the recording studio with Craig Hendrix of Agave Studios at the helm, called "Get Hurt." Purples also recently announced that they’ve been added to The Districts‘ headlining bill on Friday, November 6 at the E Factory with Lady Lamb.
NYC
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NYC Garage Poppers Big Quiet release “Mara & Dana 7” + play CMJ
Yes, we are finding lots of local bands to write about in the list of official CMJ bands overe here – which is getting larger and larger by the hour. The second half of 2015 has been rather prolific for NYC jangly garage pop trio Big Quiet, who released in June their self-titled debut cassette, following it up in September with a 7" entitled "Maura & Dana" (streaming below). The album/tape takes us through a lo-fi journey of rediscovery of the guitar pop of the ’80s, quoting various influences ranging from early R.E.M. (Why Do We Bother?, Say Yes) to The LA’s (Ghost), with the spectrum or The (early) Bangles lingering behind Marisa Cerio’s melodies and harmonies. The 7", released under Unblinking Ear Records, is a more solid piece of jangly pop, with the title-track delivering their best and most open melody to date, and the early influences resulting less obvious.
Philadelphia
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Vita and the Woolf Pack a Unique Punch at JB’s Sept. 17
Contemporary music has benefitted from the world’s all-encompassing interaction with technology. With an increased focus on production and a burgeoning obsession with the limitless manipulations available with audio engineering, more and more people have been able to get involved in the music industry in its ever-expanding territory. In terms of the actual musicians, a new definition of artistic skill has been developed aimed to accommodate this new musical terrain, where groups can be credited for interacting with production in addition to their vocals or instrumentation. While this inclusivity is great, there is something immutably and uniquely resonant about a powerful vocal performance. Vita and the Woolf, Downington, PA native Jen Pague’s glimmering electro-soul project, exemplifies this brand of mesmerizing sonority. Pague’s wistful lyricism and commanding vocals pack a unique punch – drawing obvious connections to foundational soul and rock elements. The pervasive use of an organ-esque electric piano, however, modernize and complicate her songs, bridging the gap between Janis Joplin and Florence Welch, between rock purism and Pague’s peers, layering the classic with the millennial age. You can catch Vita and the Woolf tonight at Johnny Brenda’s with Legs Like Tree Trunks and Aphra. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Blake Oetting