Nashville

Another Afternoon takes us down home with “South”

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Psyched-out and starry-eyed, Another Afternoon‘s South is an impressive debut effort from a band that’s been lurking around for the better part of a year teasing us with singles and appearances on YouTube series that we may have mentioned a time or two in the past. Aside from the closing number, a fairly traditional ballad duet, the M.O. here is to-the-point laid back space folk that isn’t interested in hemming and hawing and wasting your time. Less than 20 minutes in length, South feels completely satisfying due to its sheer density. We’ll be looking forward to more from these guys in the future. –Austin Phy

Philadelphia

New Track: “The Mirror” – Field Mouse

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Brooklyn/Philly outfit Field Mouse recently announced that it will be releasing a new LP, titled Episodic, due out August 5 via Topshelf Records. The album was produced by Joe Reihart (Hop Along) of Headroom Philly and features guest appearances from Allison Crutchfield (Swearin’), Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz), and Joseph D’Agostino (Cymbals Eats Guitars). Take a listen to the record’s fiery first single, "The Mirror" (below), which premiered over at NPR. Frontwoman Rachel Browne describes it as one of the album’s "dissolution-of-relationship" songs. (Photo by Shervin Lainez)

Portland

Rare Diagram debut new live lineup

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 Rare Diagram‘s latest release, Secret Shot, boasts an elevated sound from the band. Taking a more orchestral route to their already voluminous chamber-esque indie pop, Secret Shot shows Rare Diagram in their next phase.

To properly express their higher level, Rare Diagram’s next show will be ramped up for proper execution. Their live set will now feature two additional backup singers and a trombone quartet, enhancing the beauty of the stage performance to match the album’s grace.

Also on the June 8th Bunk Bar show bill is Astro Tan, who are dropping their new psych tinged r&b cut Whiskey + Water EP and Old Wave, who will be rounding out the night with their twee, Of Montreal like indie pop.

Come witness the new bloom of Rare Diagram, pick up a new tape and sway about.

NYC

Cloud Becomes Your Hand celebrates release of ‘Rest In Fleas’ LP at SPR on 06.18

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Artistic freedom is an exhilarating but daunting mission: it requires discipline, competence, broad-mindedness, constant self-reinvention, and can only be pursued in depth through the acceptance of very modest financial rewards – although that’s true for any artistic endeavor. Brooklyn sextet Cloud Becomes Your Hand (already a NYC Record of the Month in this very blog in 2014) is obviously fully dedicated to this cause, within the coordinates of the psychedelic and progressive rock genre (or, as we call it, here at The Deli, ‘Avant-Indie"). As cliche` as this may sound, their new album ‘Rest In Fleas’ truly sounds like kaleidoscope of ideas and sounds. The sonic palette is incredibly diverse, ranging from effected keyboards of all kinds, to detuned electric guitars and unexpected orchestral interruptions. But the record is not a scattered conglomeration of ideas; on the contrary, it sounds more organic than its predecessor, with song structure often prevailing over the band’s quirky "digressing impulses." This contributes to making in one of those records that rewards multiple listens. Those who love this kind of stuff shouldn’t miss the band’s record release party at Secret Project Robot on 06.18, nor the video for ‘Hermit’ streaming below.

Philadelphia

The Writing Squares Opening for NYMPH at Everybody Hits June 5

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Hard-churning, covering large expanse, pushing the cosmic pedal to the floor, and hitting an array of spaces, The Writhing Squares‘ sonic shape is an interesting one. Stepping into Everybody Hits this evening, the duo fuses psych and free jazz in a fuzzy, deep-diving union. Finding rhythmic footing while integrating textured openings, it’s a world that’s accessible yet adventurous. Tonight’s show also features the twisting, territorial, out-there jams of Igneous Eyes and the enchanting psych/shoegazing daydream of Myrrias. The joyous, wandering jazz-psych combination of Brooklyn’s NYMPH completes this headie night. Everybody Hits, 529 W. Girard Ave., 8:30pm, All Ages – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

The Sundrop Music & Arts Festival’s All-Day Block Party at The Fire June 4

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The sixth annual Sundrop Music and Arts Festival is centered around the all-day block party happening today outside The Fire with 13 musical acts, 30+ food & craft vendors, a photo booth, and more. I am very excited to see The Original Crooks and Nannies, who was The Deli Philly’s April Record of the Month and the most recent featured artists in our In the Cut interview series. They’ll be pre-empted by the lovely, ethereal electropop sounds of Little Strike, a.k.a. Tamar Dart, and indie rockers The Mellowell. Headlining the outdoor stage will be local area indie stalwarts Illinois, and you’ll also find the bluesy psych rock of power trio Ill Fated Natives helping to welcome the sun drop into the evening festivities. Looks like the forecasted rain will be holding off so come out and enjoy the day! The Sundrop Music and Arts Festival, Leithgow St. & Girard Ave., 12pm – 9:30pm, Free, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman 

NYC

Xenia Rubinos releases new LP ‘Black Terry Cat’ + plays Baby’s All Right on 06.04

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It was 2011 when, browsing through the submissions we received for our Best of NYC 2010 Year End Poll, we stumbled upon a track by Xenia Rubinos and couldn’t help but write immediately about it. Two years later, Pitchfork said this about her debut album. Sadly, as you can see from the link to our old post, that track is not available for streaming anymore, but we can console ourselves with Xenia’s new video for ‘Lonely Lover,’ which once again shows us an artist that defies categorizations within the traditional pop song structure, which isn’t something easy to do.  Xenia will celebrate the release of her new album ‘Black Terry Cat’ with a show at Baby’s All Right tomorrow, June 4th – do not miss!

Nashville

Dream Wave translates raw feeling to sound on “Living for Moments of Beauty”

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Living for Moments of Beauty is a scattered project, comprising of a couple dominant sounds organized in a stream-of-consciousness flow with no obvious rhyme or reason. Is that a bad thing? Not at all. The album reads like a smattering of bedroom ideas presented as they were conceived; it’s a picture of a person at a certain time, free of pretense or pressure. The result is honest, to-the-point, and most importantly, an enjoyable listen. Ranging from guitar-centered soundscapes to Mac Demarco by way of The Strokes, Living for Moments of Beauty is one small taste of a large—and largely unnoticed, it seems—discography. Do some digging. You’ll like what you uncover. –Austin Phy