The impressionistic musical project of Seattle songwriter Erin Birgy – who recently moved to NYC – Mega Bog has been releasing intimate records flirting with folk, lo-fi and ambient since 2008. Her latest, entitled ‘Gone Banana,’ is a sleepy yet provocative LP that blends Joni Mitchell’s delicately jazzy inclinations with Syd Barrett’s dreamy, child-like preference for the unfinished draft. Check out our favorite song ‘Gone Banana’ below, and don’t miss her upcoming live shows at Shea Stadium (04.30) and Rough Trade (05.05), after which she will leave for a US tour.
NYC
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Butcher Knives unveils video + plays live at Pianos on 04.29
A little too often, the musical ingredient of what we highlight in this blog are very limited – ranging from traditional roots music to the more contemporary genres of rock and pop derivatives. That’s why it’s refreshing to stumble, every now and then, upon a band like NYC’s Butcher Knives. Inspired to multi-cultural European acts like Mano Negra and Les Negresses Vertes, this collective uses a mix of ska and rockabilly as a frame for their world music influences, which are heavy on the Gypsy side of things – hence the adoption of the "Gyspybilly" label. Colombian vocalists Nacho Segura and Nikko Matiz also confer a certain Goth element to their songs. The group will be performing at Pianos on April 29th, taking the opportunity to unveil their new video for single ‘American Dream,’ streaming below, from their latest album ‘Misery‘.
Nashville
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Caleb Groh has a little something for everyone on “Ocelot”
Ocelot by Caleb Groh is the kind of music you forget you love because not enough people are doing anything similar. There’s the smooth electronic current that runs through the entire album, but Groh knows when to break convention a la the out-there folk leanings of revered freakpop headmaster Karl Blau. There’s a delicate balance of being too weird for to be accesible and too vanilla to be memorable, and Ocelot confidently establishes a space for itself in the sweet spot between. –Austin Phy
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Slippery” – Littler
Below is a new music video from Littler for their track "Slippery," off Of Wandering. The lo-fi production was directed and edited by band member Dan Colanduno. It plays out like an homage to LaCroix Sparkling Water and flowers. Littler will be performing this Friday, April 29 at Underground Arts with Dilly Dally and Fat White family.
Chicago
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Crown Larks @ Empty Bottle
Crown Larkes will be returning home from a 7 week tour to open for Besnard Lakes and J Fernandez at Empty Bottle on May 4th. Crown Larkes released their latest album, Blood Dancer, a year ago and has been relentlessly touring since. Last month Already Dead Tapes & Records released a limited anniversary run of tapes of Blood Dancer that you can still purchase here or at the show.
NYC
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The Beaches play CMW on 05.06 + talk about guitar pedals
Power girl band (or girl power band?) The Beaches made quite a splash last year in Toronto, they are scheduled to play Bovine Sex Club on May 6th withint CMW. In honor of our upcoming, first Toronto Stompbox Exhibit, we asked guitarist Kylie Miller to tell us about her favorite guitar pedals… here’s what she had to say!
NYC
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Cheena puts the twang in punk + plays Baby’s All Right on 06.05
The words "twangy" and "punk" rarely appear together in the same sentence, but Brooklyn band Cheena is here to dispel of that prejudice. With spiteful vocals reminiscent of Johnny Rotten and a slide guitar a la’ Ry Cooder drawing curvy lines under the band’s wall of distorted sound, the quintet blends two elements at the antipodes of the musical culture, with intriguing results. They have a (just released) self-titled three song EP under their belt and will be performing at Baby'[s All Right on June 05.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Microwave” – Mumblr
The Never Ending Get Down, the sophomore LP from Mumblr, is scheduled for release on June 10 via Fleeting Youth. Its first single, “Microwave,” has an isolated-kitchen bareness, initiated by a fraying guitar riff meeting a booming catchy vibe reminiscent of Weezer. You’ll find the quartet performing this Saturday, April 30 at Ortlieb’s, along with Museyroom and Pine Barons.
Portland
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PREMIERE: the Zags – “Dada Plan”
The Zags are one of the city’s hidden gems, straight up. Their pop sensibiliities may be a reminder of pop’s past, but are more so an energized take on pop’s present and future. Their powerpop indie meld is nearly impossible to not enjoy.
That’s why today, we’re debuting the Zags’ new video for "Dada Plan," the first track to come off their new Icy Red record. The video is a visual trip, much like the random feed you’d see late night on Adult Swim, except much more pleasant.
Catch them this Saturday at the Kenton Club with Big Feelings and Whisperer. It’s free! But until then, get sucked into their "Dada Plan" video below.
Philadelphia
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Debut The Pretties EP Available for Streaming & Download
With a stick-to-your-ears, unrefined-lingering, riff-rock feel, The Pretties‘ debut EP Control has a possessing sound, churning in a fuzzy accessible-through-the-side-window manner that’s heavy without holding you down, tearing through the mundane. You can catch them live tomorrow night at Kung Fu Necktie with Acid Dad and OOLALA.
NYC
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The Boobies release debut video for “Hard to See” + play House of Yes on 05.04
A band with a name like The Boobies either have your strict attention or your quick dismissal. Either way their hashtag game has them poised for imminent internet fame. A fourtet transplanted to Brooklyn by way of several points south, they conjure an engaging mix of southern soul with surf rock elements, equal parts Talking Heads and Everclear. They’ll be rocking Bushwick venue House of Yes on May 4th for the Gathering of the Elements with other locals Hey Anna., Pool Cosby and Bandits on the Run. – BrokeMc