NYC

Live Review: TÜLIPS at Non Plus Ultra 11/14

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The TÜLIPS release party last Saturday night was DIY tight — a full Doom & Bloom experience from dizzying start to shoegazing finish. L.A. Girlfriend Sydney Banta DJ’d and slipped in some new tracks from her upcoming LP Neon Grey, while San Pedro girlfriends Bombón worked the house with some frothy surf rock jams. As Angie and Taleen took the stage, they gave shoutouts to their producer Greg Katz way back in the audience, and introduced Jen Spazmaster to dance as the crowd got up close and cozy. And then TÜLIPS roared, had everyone spinning from "Vertigo" to the oscillating dregs of "Hopefully Hopefully". 

Terminal A‘s heavy synthpunk noise closed Non Plus Ultra, and we walked home feeling pretty sweaty. TÜLIPS are currently on tour; stream and purchase their new album Doom & Bloom, cassettes available via Lolipop Records. – Ryan Mo

NYC

Album review: Thunderclaps – Cookin’ Up A Good Time

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Before listening to the new Thunderclaps’ Cookin’ Up a Good Time EP, I had never actually heard the band. I knew a little bit about them—mostly that they’re a two-piece comprised of cousins Bryce Jones (guitar and vocals) and Colin Blunt (drums). As a bass player, I must admit that I tend to lose interest when I find out a band is sans bass. This probably isn’t fair. The first of the record’s three tracks, “So Lonesome,” begins with isolated laughter. I wondered why, until I heard the rest of the EP. Now I get it…the joke’s on me. This is great stuff.
 
“So Lonesome” is a song your grandparents wish they could have heard at the sock hop. A true throwback to the ‘50s, when rock and roll was still being defined, it is full-throttle rockabilly that has a simply irresistible energy. Jones’ guitar and vocals share a gritty but warm distorted twang. Blunt’s tenacious yet tight drumming is on the mark and fills the sound. You’ll be tapping your toes—if not dancing—to this ditty.
 
The closing track, “Shake It,” shares the verve and vigor of “So Lonesome,” but the driving beat and even gooier guitar tone gives it an almost surf sound. This may be the most potent tune on the record, thanks to the drums and guitar quieting to a whisper while Jones chants, “Oh ah a whoppa bam boom mama,” leading into a crescendo consisting only of sticky, reverb-dripping vocals. Despite sounding like it came from an old album purchased at an estate sale, “Shake It” could easily create an impromptu mosh pit in a live setting. It’s fun. It’s fast. It’s cool, daddy-o.
 
Between these two offerings is the slow dance number, “You Got a Hold On Me.” It’s a love song and a breath of fresh air strategically placed inside of two powerhouses. Jones softly sings about love from afar with someone he can’t have—or who won’t have him. “You got a hold on me / But I never held you.” Much more than a filler, the music is nicely crafted with a gentle pulse and smooth guitar punctuated with full ringing chords. It is literally and figuratively the heart of the EP.
 
Cookin’ Up a Good Time will appeal to multiple generations. It will be a blast from the past to some, and something totally new to others. At the end of the day it’s just good music—and good music is timeless. Pablo Picasso said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” Maybe one could argue that the best artists inspire others. Thunderclaps have clearly been inspired by past artists, and have borrowed from them to create something very relevant today.
 
 
—Brad Scott
Brad loves music, Boulevard beer, and his family. Not necessarily in that order.
 
 

Shake it with Thunderclaps this Saturday at Jackpot Saloon in Lawrence. They’ll be there with The Quivers and Old Grey Dog. Facebook event page.  

Philadelphia

Ween Reuniting!

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Goods news – beloved local area alt rockers Ween are reuniting! They just anounced that they have booked a couple of shows on February 12 & 13 (President’s Day Weekend) at 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, CO. Single-day tickets and two-day passes will be available. An online two-day ticket request period is currently happening now HERE, and will go on until this Wednesday, November 18 at 3pm MT. General public tickets go on sale Friday, November 20 at 10am MT HERE. We’re not sure if there are any plans for future shows and recordings, but this is certainly a good sign for Ween fans. Good luck!

Chicago

Bloodshot Six Pack to Go

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Local label Bloodshot Records announced last week that they will be releasing a six pack of 7" single on December 4th. These singles are themed around drinking songs for the working class. Now that the label has turned 21 they are celebrating in the way you would imagine, by drinking!

The collection features six 7" singles featuring songs by Deer Tick, Elizabeth Cook, Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), Bobby Bare Jr, Dale Watson, Al Sorch, Joe Pug, and more. The first 500 copies sold will also feature a 7th single featuring Chicago’s Devil in a Woodpile and Tijuana Hercules. Preorder here.

NYC

Teeth People bring Lou Reed’s voice (and more) back to Webster Hall on 12.03

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If – like us – you still can’t get over the loss of NYC’s one and only Lou, you might find some relief in the music of NYC’s Teeth People, and in particular in Colin Keane’s vocals. His casual tenor can be strikingly similar to Reed’s one, like in streaming song "French Entrance," which sounds pretty much like a (quite brilliant) tribute to the influential NYC songwriter. But the band is obviously much more than that: their peculiarly devious and quirky brand of classic rock draws a parallel with the creative revival of bands like Foxygen – which we dug to the point of putting them on the cover of our mag very early on. Teeth People has been on a roll in the past twelve month, releasing four EPs that illustrate the development towards a more mature sound. Debut "Teething‘ is a lo-fi three song sampler that showcases a band open to anything from indie rock to ska and even jazzy chord progressions. Sophomore EP "Rich Man" and third effort "Cavities" furtherly expand the band’s genre palette, with African rythms, funk and soul thrown in the mix. Latest release "Let’s Go" showcases an improved production and a more coesive and focused sound. It’s a fun listen, that – if translated well on stage – has great entertainment potential. You can find our if that’s the case when Teeth People play Webster Hall on December 3rd.

L.A.

Dream of TWINKIDS with soul-filled single “ACBTY”

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A dark palate of electronic sounds drip-drop across the new TWINKIDS track, "ACBTY". Scattered beats and sleepy synths delicately frame a soulful falsetto, while unsettling static permeates the background. The song feels light as air, grounded only by the haunting melody. There’s a subtle build up that feels incredibly intimate; don’t get distracted, or you might miss it. 

The self-proclaimed "laptop pop" duo shroud themselves in mystery. Despite living in the live music mecca of Echo Park, they have yet to play any shows, but we hope they reveal themselves to the night owls of LA soon. – Brittany Scheffler 

NYC

Empress Of unveils video for “Icon”

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Brooklyn avant-pop lady Empress of just unveiled this new video for single "Icon". Directed by Eli Born, it was a very collaborative process with a cinematographer the singer had grown to admire: "…we talked about what the song meant, how I wanted it to look, where we wanted to shoot, and how we would get the feeling of the song out of these locations. It is by far my favorite music video I’ve made." Empress Of recently completed a headline tour of North America and some support dates with Purity Ring in Europe.

Philadelphia

Taiwan Housing Project Opening for U.S. Girls at JB’s Nov. 16

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The beginning of the week can feel like a zombie-like sleepwalking state as residual vibes persist but seemingly fit nowhere. However, Johnny Brenda’s will provide the fitting space this evening when Taiwan Housing Project rips right to the emotive center. With an ambushing noise-punk aesthetic, the band’s unrelenting sound naturally gathers momentum, vocally offering a dichotomy of commanding leadership, while also exhibiting a closer personal edge, using a heavy stampede of noise to shake the surroundings into submission. Escape-ISM, the latest project from Ian Svenonius (Chain & the Gang, The Make-Up, Weird War), catches you in a web of simplistic adhesion – parts raw buzzing rock with underlying pop nostalgia. In support of their new record, Half Free, former Philly native Meghan Remy and her project U.S. Girls headline. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita

NYC

Providence indie pop trio Roz and the Rice Cakes plays at New Urban Arts on Friday (11.20)

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The title track off Providence trio Roz and the Rice Cakes‘ June-released EP ‘CLOSE ENCOUNTER’ steams with affection. Like TV On the Radio’s sublime ‘Dear Science’ closer "Lover’s Day," the keys-steeped experimental pop song (streaming below) is an unabashed yet respectful letter to a romantic partner, any reservations flung out the window. The interplay of lead singer Roz Raskin’s compassionate vocals and her bassist’s steady zaps is so moving, though, that it elevates the song from an ode to affection to that of personal redemption. Roz and the Rice Cakes play at New Urban Arts in Providence, Rhode Island on Friday (11.20). – Zach Weg

Philadelphia

New Track: “Looking Out For You” – Joy Again

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It doesn’t feel like too long ago local high school crew Forever Lesbians emerged victorious in our Featured Artist(s) Poll. Like most young artists, their creations eventually evolved and changed, and so did the group’s name, which is now Joy Again. They caught the attention of renaissance man Shamir Bailey, who is currently managing them. The group has also signed to London-based indie label Lucky Number, and you can take a listen to Joy Again’s lighthearted, lo-fi debut single "Looking Out For You" below, which recently premiered at NME. (Photo by Dylan Pearce)

NYC

October Artist of the Month: Ivory Black

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Congratulations to our October Artist of the Month, Ivory Black! A fairly new transplant to Kansas City’s music scene, Black has been honing an identity as a songwriter for years. The budding performer moved to Kansas City from Seattle 6 years ago, and began adapting acoustic songs to include full band arrangements. Black recently assembled a band (consisting of Glen Hockemeier on drums and Keenan Franklin on bass) to fully execute their thoughtful, reflective brand of songs. With the release of their EP Ready Get Set this summer, the songwriter has gained some well-deserved attention locally and beyond.
 
The Deli: Down and dirty: 1 sentence to describe your music.
 
Ivory Black: I call it primo alternative, as in, it’s got this easy listening vibe but with upbeat rhythms, making it possible to move to.
 
The Deli: Give me some info on your musical background. Why did you decide to put a band together?
 
Black: My story musically is a simple one. I started writing as young as 12 years old when I got my first guitar. I’ve had bands over the years, but performed alone due to the simplicity of my acoustic songwriting. It wasn’t till I moved to KC that I started writing more intricate parts that required other musicians to play them along with me live and in the studio.
 
The Deli: What inspires your music and songwriting? What is your songwriting process?
 
Black: Literally everything inspires me artistically. It’s a dice roll of how I’ll write a song, depending on my mood, what I’m thinking or what happened that day or even years before. I don’t believe I’ve ever written a song with the same exact process I did on previous ones.
 
The Deli: What have been your greatest musical accomplishments?
 
Black: I’d have to say the greatest achievement so far has been the spike in my writing abilities, as in getting the point across. Listening to songs I wrote so many years ago, it’s mind-blowing to realize how far someone can come from where they first started.
 
The Deli: Tell us about your latest album Ready Get Set. What can listeners expect? What future plans do you have for recording?
 
Black: Ready Get Set is a compilation EP that I threw together so everyone that has ever asked has something physical and official of mine that they can finally hold in their hands. The future, however, holds many opportunities! The things I’m working on now, I’m very excited to get out as soon as recording opportunities arise in my favor again.
 
The Deli: What brought you to KC, and what do you think about the music scene here? Possibly related: what does supporting local music mean to you?
 
Black: I came to KC to focus primarily on a dream I’ve been chasing since I was little. Music is so influential, and can change people’s lives when they’re open to it. I really wanted to be part of that movement in a positive way. What I’ve found about KC is the abundant acceptance and appreciation that supporters and musicians alike have for local music. This scene isn’t possible without the support to push it forward, and KC is very supportive in that respect.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite local musicians right now? Non-local?
 
Black: You develop a sort of kinship, or at least intend to, with people you relate to on an artistic level wherever you go. I’ve been a fan of My Brothers and Sisters for some time and have mad respect for what Jamie Searle has done and is still doing for his band and the community. I recently attended the Macabre KC show and was very entertained with the talent that was there. Calvin Arsenia has always had a spot in my heart, due to his passion in what he does vocal wise and with the harp. Jessica Paige has an incredible talent as well. Amazing voice. Erica Joy is easily a favorite.
 
Astounding attitude on both ends of the scene; even lesser known musicians I catch at open mics. The passion that people have to share their love for what they do is always inspiring, and of course the songs are as well.
 
Non-local, I’ve been a big fan of Diane Coffee lately. I don’t follow a lot of music but that artist is on point. I like music with psychedelic vibes in it that bring back the ‘70s and the music I grew up with. You won’t hear that on the EP, and it’s probable in the future, but I like it on other people’s material right now when it’s executed well. 
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?
 
Black: To be honest, I think it’s mind-blowing to play with any artist. I’m just starting out, so I’m pretty psyched every chance I get. The big dream of course is to have my name in those big letters on a marquee or something, with some huge band everyone knows about, but right now I’m taking it one step at a time.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?
 
I kinda like it the way it is though. How about John Lennon? He’s been a huge inspiration to many! Maybe Mick Jagger for some flair. Since we’re going down the road of long-haired rock stars, you gotta have legend Stevie Nicks on there. Fleetwood Mac was a huge inspiration to me on that note. We’ll end it with Jim Morrison, cause you know, when the music’s over…
 
The Deli: What other goals do you have for 2015 and beyond?
 
Black: Well, to be frank, all the goals I wanted for this year have been fulfilled! Got the band going, started playing out, and finished the EP. Things went very well this year! It wouldn’t have been possible without my manager, Klaartje, so a big shout out to her. Next year we are banking for building up on our following so we can play places like Knuckleheads Saloon, The Brick, and venturing out to other states with well known venues. Just gotta take little steps at a time.
 
The Deli: Where can we find you on the web? Also, provide a link to streaming music and/or video.
 
Black: I ask that everyone checks out my personal site out where everything, including links to my EPK, EP and pictures can be found: www.ivoryblackmusic.com
 
The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?
 
Black: I don’t consider myself wise by any means, but I do know that if you put all of your heart into something good, things tend to have a way of working in favor of those that want it enough.
 
 
—Michelle Bacon
 
 

You can catch Ivory Black in just a couple weeks. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 28 at The All-Star Rock Bar, with Lauren Karr and Co., and The Accidental Project. Facebook event page.