Krust Toons: "Sweet Home Alabama" 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.
NYC
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From the NYC submissions: Birch
We stumbled upon Birch (not to be confused with songwriter Diane Birch) a couple of times while blogging about other artists (and that’s a good thing in itself), so finding the band’s debut EP among the digital NYC submissions allowed us for a more in depth exposure to their music. Led by singer-songwriter/synth player Michelle Birsky and her expressive alto, the trio plays an edgy brand of electro pop, where buzzy synths and fuzzy guitars contribute in equal measure to a sound that’s as full as it is articulated. Opener ‘Fighting Words’ (streaming) marries a Devoesque drum/buzzy synth pattern with Eastern sounding guitar riffs and Michelle’s saturated vocals, while featuring a structure that delays the pop explosion until minute 1’40". Fans of early Best Coast will enjoy the evocative second and third tracks "Carolyn" and ‘Halfway.’ Birch just released a cover song/video combo of Pixies’ ‘Where is my mind?"
This artist submitted music for coverage here.
Philadelphia
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Hello Shark Engages at All Night Diner Dec. 14
Hello Shark‘s Linc Halloran has a lot of polarizing opinions about the world around him. His uninhibited thoughts flow out into melodic verses and choruses with a raw, earnest vocal deliver that draws to mind works of indie-rock heroes Pavement. Whether solo or backed by a group of his musician pals, a performance by Halloran is always an engaging experience, and he’ll be kicking things off this evening at West Philly’s All Nite Diner. Hello Shark will also be joined by fellow New England transplants Friendship, who have been touring in support of their latest LP You’re Going to Have To Trust Me. They’ll be hosting Maryland mellow-pop trio Viking Moses and New Hampshire’s Tiger Saw. All Night Diner, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
NYC
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A Deli NYC premiere: Battle Ave’s video for “Aleph”
Sometimes, random circumstances make a video, or a song, or a movie, particularly significant for the times we are living. Watching this simple, beautifully shot video for single "Aleph," by dark pop band Battle Ave, we immediately started longing for snow, while wondering if we’ll ever experience it again in NYC – after an insanely warm fall and a week in December with temperatures averaging 60 degrees. But the development of the video’s story line also introduced another extremely current, even more stirring issue, related to carrying weapons, the temptation to actually use them, and the endless regret coming after that. But then again, on top of these already powerful thoughts, came the realization that this is a song about solitude and the insanity it can potentially trigger: the track develops along comfortingly catchy electric guitar arpeggios and an orderly rhythm section, but Jesse Alexander’s subtly deranged vocal tone bears and almost announces the seed of madness, in a pop environment that, otherwise, almost exudes domestic tranquility. This paradox is eerily reminiscent of the strident familiarity screamed by the images of the house of the San Bernardino terrorists, and in particular the absurd and disturbing thought of a young couple, teaching their six month old "manners" from a book, a few hours before committing a mass murder…
As disturbing as art like this might be, when it’s this well executed, it’s certainly more powerful and intellectually rewarding than your average escapist pop – even though recent episodes certainly contributed in making this video more relevant (the song was released in May 2015, as part of the band’s debut full length "Year of Nod"). Our feeling is that our times require a renewed attention to reality, and that art should serve that purpose.
P.S. Battle Ave is mostly based in upstate NY, but their NYC based drummer makes them eligible for coverage in this blog.
NYC
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Brooklyn singer/songwriter Hannah Sumner’s ferocious ambient-pop
As heard in the songs “How to Stop” and “Waste Time” (streaming below), Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Hannah Sumner’s November-released effort, ‘To the Almost,’ is stubbornly beautiful. Impressive in its graceful gathering of folk, minimilasim, and pop, these drum-based tracks ferociously blast the soul’s inner blues while providing uplift in their very passion. The elegance of such contemporary acts as Doe Paoro and Dirty Projectors may be an influence on Sumner but her ability to update Fleetwood Mac’s wildness is possibly more remarkable. While Hannah Sumner does’t currently have forthcoming shows listed, keep posted on her Facebook page. – Zach Weg
This artist submitted music for coverage here.
Philadelphia
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New Kurt Vile/Steve Gunn EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Longtime music pals Kurt Vile and Steve Gunn have collaborated for the first time in the studio with their new EP, which is part of Three Lobed Recordings’s Paralellogram series. The album was recorded and mixed by Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording. The six-song release features covers of John Prine’s "Way Back When," Randy Newman’s "Pretty Boy," & Nico’s "60/40" along with originals, and contributions from Mike Sneeringer on drums and Mary Lattimore on harp and piano/synth.
Toronto
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HORMOANS Grind And Sweat Through The Holidays
God damn, do I ever love HORMOANS.
I first listened to the Toronto based 3 piece rock band sometime before they released their new album, Slander, earlier this year. Time has only made their sound harder, grungier and overall better than I could have imagined. They combine the sounds of punk with classic alternative and just a hint of upbeat surf to make a sound that truly resonates and makes you want to bop your head to it. If you haven’t already listened to Slander, you absolutely have to at least listen to “Made of Stone” and “Crowbar”, two of my favourite tracks off the album that showcase the variety and smooth mixing of styles of Hormoans that remind me of bands like The Distillers or even Pavement. Punchy drum beats, upbeat and catchy guitar riffs peppered with some really smooth bass lines make this whole album a gem in my books. Make sure to listen to Slander and their 2013 album, Millar.
Mike B
Philadelphia
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Grandchildren Help You Escape at Bourbon & Branch Dec. 13
Grandchildren take intricate orchestration, giving it an omnipresent percussive backdrop. The resulting sound is synchronized. Layered to establish complex grooves, rejecting gravitational force and instilling a floating ethereal quality. Providing a natural lift, this well-oiled machine offers palatable precision that can be broken down by the connections of its parts but succeeds in unification. Tonight at Bourbon & Branch, the casual folk/surf melodic warmth of Outside Eyes and Canadian indie-rock vets The Stills complete a lineup that will help you escape the weight of the week ahead. Bourbon & Branch, 705 N. 2nd St., 8pm $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Portland
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Show your cat love with Moshow
In all things deemed "typical Portland," a slew of our news outlets, including KGW and Willamette Week, have covered local rap artist Moshow over the past couple days. Setting aside Moshow’s ability to flow at the drop of a hat, his particularly adorable schtick is the predominant facet of his viral appeal. Winning the most clever approach to music ever, Moshow is Portland’s feminist cat rapper. Just let that sink in for a minute.
Yes, a feminist cat rapper. Those three words could not be more Portland once they’re put all together. He climbed the viral ladder quickly on his Instagram, posting clips of himself spitting that fire with his main ladies, three Sphynx kitties named Sushi, MegaMam and Tali, along with cat memes and pictures of other cat lovers. He says he identifies with the hairless beauties. "They kind of remind me of myself. I’m kind of a human Sphynx," he told KGW, also stating how much he loves "crazy cat ladies."
Moshow supports cat lovers of all varieties, but shouts out men specifically with his "Men Love Cats Monday" theme on his Instagram. "I want guys to man up and show your love for cats," he says.
Since our gloomy town reigns when it comes to cat owning residents, I imagine most of you will enjoy his YouTube channel.
-Cervante Pope
Austin
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Wildcat Apollo at Hole in the Wall December 15, Plus a Shimmering New Track with Layers to Spare
For those of y’all lookin’ to squeeze just a little more live music out of yer homebase before fuckin’ off to someplace dismal for the holidays, Austin psychpop outfit Wildcat Apollo is playing an end of the year show at Hole in the Wall on December 15 with Whiteman Dancing, The Wheel Workers and The Sunshine Feels. As a nice lil prep for that, here’s the first track released by the group online in some time, which is some good genre colliding stuff. There’s something a little Pixies and a little MGMT about Wildcat Apollo’s new track “Kaleidoscopic.” Layered, floating vocals and shimmering guitars sit on a bed of crunchy, tight electronic-style beats, taking as much from the world of recent indie electropop as from classic psychedelic music, but with the result being a song that feels more like a Pixies “Wave of Mutilation”-esque track (complete with big, twanging bass and lyrics about going “into the ocean”) in a way that takes that spirit and does its own, more modern thing with it. It’s pretty and full of little moments of balance that bely a lot of talent here, so get a listen on, and check out the show if you need yer Austin fix one last time before the Yuletide drowns us all.
Toronto
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The Dearly Bereft Host Holiday Matinee With Blissfully Dark Record
The Dearly Bereft have put together a great piece of laid-back, beautiful art. Funeral Music, while dark and haunting, and sometimes completely terrifying, is a unique collection of music. Made up of pieces of several long standing bands from the Peel Region, the band really came together with a hard hitting record. From Laura Palmer, taking musical cues and title from the murder-mystery show Twin Peaks, to the ambient-folk of Some Devil, the Afghan Whigs-meets-country of Radio In The Funeral Parlour, and the rock-out finale of So It Goes, this record was short, sweet, and not a moment of filler to be found. I really loved these 7 songs, and can’t wait to see what’s still to come. December 27th, come out for a holiday matinee show at The Central, starts at 1pm sharp.
Cody W
L.A.
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Sonns share video for “Teacher”, new EP out now
Electronic producer Sonns has just released a music video for "Teacher", an entrancingly mysterious cut that fuses some kosmische-inspired elements into a steady, sultry groove. It makes sense considering German label Kompakt is handling the distribution for "Teacher", making for a fruitful liaison that should further expose Sonns’ talents. The video for the track is no less enigmatic, splicing together an array of underexposed images alongside the phantom-like appearance of singer Tobias Buch.