The Democratic National Convention has come and gone, along with its business casual dress code for Philly. Ceramic Animal had the DNC on their minds when making their latest music video for "Daydreams Via Memories". The gang transports us to a happier time in American politics with found footage of folks gettin’ their Macarena on at the 1996 convention in Chicago, along with Slick Willy doing some blowing at the 1993 Arkansas Inaugural Ball. Ceramic Animal will be bringing these good vibes to MilkBoy this Saturday, Aug. 13, as part of the venue’s 5th anniversary celebration.
San Francisco
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Magik*Magik aka Minna Choi Releases New Music feat. How To Dress Well
San Francisco based artist, Minna Choi plays/composes/conducts music under the name Magik*Magik.
After 8 years of leading her very own orchestra (how many people do you know that have started their own orchestras?), she has finally written and recorded her own songs, the first of which is a slow-burning ballad called "Laugh a Lot" which features a duet with How To Dress Well’s Tom Krell, with whom Magik*Magik have collaborated on and off since 2012.
"Laugh a Lot" is Magik*Magik’s first release as a solo artist, and is highly anticipated amongst people in the know. Don’t miss this one, and stay tuned for more.
NYC
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Big Eyes release new single “Behind Your Eyes” & play Alphaville on 8.16
Somewhat contrary to the spirit of her style of choice (pop punk), 28-year-old Kait Eldridge embraces maturity and self-assurance on Big Eyes’ latest single “Behind Your Eyes.” Eldridge started the band seven years ago, and since then has developed a clear writing style that allows her relatable and level headed personality to shine through. “Behind Your Eyes” is about being able to see through a loved one’s tough exterior and knowing when they are hurting due to a strong emotional connection. In the single, the four-piece blends the catchy melodic hooks of pop influenced punk acts like The Runaways with guitar work that flirts with the power rock of the ’90s and even classic rock at times. Big Eyes will be releasing their latest album Stake My Claim on August 19th via Don Giovanni Records, and will be kicking off their upcoming tour on August 16th at Alphaville in Brooklyn. Check out also the video for the album’s title-track, streaming below. – John Honan
Philadelphia
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Debut Girls Chat Room LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Hypnotically experimental electro beats that futuristically space-out while catching you in their cavernously danceable grooves, Carolina Leis-Usher & James Weissinger (Making Time, Broadzilla) combine as Girls Chat Room. With a new self-titled album, the tandem traverses a broad spectrum, linked with steadfast percussion and injections of vocals that maintain an air of mystery. Delve into this cyber-active sound, which is available under the 100 Years of Solid Dudes umbrella.
![Second three-part [redacted] showcase with The Unending Thread at Los Globos](http://thedelimag.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/13962752_1813583408871240_471935194707390971_n.jpg)
NYC
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Second three-part [redacted] showcase with The Unending Thread at Los Globos
There are certain songs that speak to you when you’re young, and those songs are perfectly executed by The Unending Thread‘s split tape with Forget It. Perhaps it’s because they’ve had a few years to find their sound, but now that they have it is a significant voice for the young and reckless. That sound consists of strong relevant lyrics like “You never know what life has in store…I know I don’t know anything/ And that’s the best part of this journey that hasn’t happened yet” (“La Casa De Mi Padre”) and catchy choruses like “You always bring out the best of me” (“Dearest Anna”). Bassist Kim Reyes’ singing, often accompanied by guitarist Cesar Alas, drives a clear melodic path in the midst of the instrumental background.
The expertly arranged electric guitar, electric bass, and drums are so nicely played that they often compete with the vocals in the foreground, receiving much deserved attention.
Catch the Unending Thread’s performance at [redacted] Collective’s three-part showcase next week in celebration of the label’s first official mixtape. The mixtape will be released August 12 at the first show at The Smell and Saturday the 13th at Los Globos, where The Unending Thread plays with Utena, Gypsum, and Ruby Throated. First fifty guests to these two shows will receive a free physical cassette, containing 11 new and previously unreleased tracks by artists from the [redacted] roster. – Kaitlyn Tang
Portland
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A Psychedelic Night of Prince
"When Prince died, I started crying at work. He’s the only reason I picked up a guitar when I was younger and has always played a huge influence in the music my sister and I write for Skull Diver. We chose the songs we will do because The Beautiful Ones, Darling Nikki, I Would Die for You and Cream have actually inspired us during the writing process. He will always be our #1 inspiration musically." -Ally Payne, Skull Diver
"I always find inspiration through Prince. The music he plays, the actual notes, have such personality. Incredible individuality. And listening to that powerful uniqueness enables me to find inspiration in my own uniqueness. You forgive yourself when you listen to Prince. You love yourself.
We arranged a stripped down version of ‘Little Red Corvette,’ a clever spin on a classic. Then ‘Pop Life’ kicks up and gets the room movin’ and shakin’. ‘Diamonds and Pearls’ was my first "OMG I need to binge Prince" moment, so I had to do it. We close our set with a lesser known track called ‘Mountains.’ ‘There’s nothing greater/Than you and me.‘" -Mitch Wilson, Formerly Known As
“I chose these songs because they’re absolutely sexy and I like sexy songs. Prince’s music is very sexy and in turn, inspired me to approach music more sensually… maybe with a glass of wine and some chocolate and or fog.” -Febian Perez, Eclisse
These are just a few words from some of the musicians involved in Princedelic: A Psych-Rock Tribute to Prince, on exactly what Prince means to them and why they chose the songs they’re playing. It’s a pretty obvious statement to say Prince has been an influential figure to damn near everyone in the entire world basically ever, but Princedelic goes even further to show how his music transpired genres to inspire.
Presented by feminist non-profit Bitch Media and Veronica Booking, Princedelic will feature the Portland bands Skull Diver, Eclisse, Queen Chief, Murderbait and the Pining Hearts, as well as a supergroup of various musicians playing under the moniker Formerly Known As. Each will be playing 4-5 Prince tracks of their choice.
Tons of giveaways will be happening at Princedelic wiht the benefits going to Bitch Media. Some of the prizes include a local swag package with an over $1,000 value, gift certificates to Scapegoat Tattoo, Sizzle Pie and See See Motor Coffee, a night stay at Jupiter Hotel, a pair of Frends Headphones, ProCanna Cannabis accesssories and a Bitch Media subscription.
Princedelic will be held this Tuesday, August 9 at the Doug Fir Lounge. If you cop your tickets ahead of time, which can be found HERE, they’re $7, but you’ll be paying $10 if you buy at the door. A setlist of tracks can be found on the Princedelic Facebook event page.
There will never be a time when Prince’s legacy won’t be celebrated, but it’ll be amazing to see his songs transformed into a psychedelic freakout.
Philadelphia
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Fraktur Take Residence at LAVA Space Aug. 7
As guitar riffs stick with a residual sense of grit, tumbling into the pace-setting thud of bass that leads into the punctuation of percussion, the sound of Fraktur has already begun to take residence in your head. The grunge-punk trio composed of Jen Twigg (The Ambulars, Attendant), Barrett Lindgren (Ghost Light), and Derek Ludwig rattle the senses, asserting force as the gates open. Sitting in a deep, smashing groove that’s welcoming whilst aggressive, the band stews in its ability to maintain movement with a catchy give-take of exuberant yet snarly vocals, staying calm in melody as the wick grows shorter and the potential instrumental explosion sits in inevitable wait. Speaking of explosive, the hardcore quartet of Socialite serves as a fire starter, roaring with a blistering intensity. Blue Smiley establishes waves of sonic tranquility that send one coasting downstream only to be met by the exhilarating onslaught of gushing rapids. With their new LP, Electric Soul Unity, due out on August 19 via Topshelf Records, Oakland’s Happy Diving dig in supercharged, sludgy, rifftastic rock. LAVA Space, 4134 Lancaster Ave., 8pm, $6, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Portland
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Saturday Night Sounds: Myke Bogan – “How We Do (ft. Blossom)”
Not all of us were able to make it to Pickathon this weekend. For those that are feeling that pain, tonight’s Saturday Night Sounds is dedicated to you. Both Myke Bogan and Blossom had sets at this weekend’s festival and we love it every time they collaborate on a track.
Myke Bogan is like Portland’s Danny Brown and Action Bronson all wrapped up into one, with an extra dash of his own distinguished gusto. His lyrics both make you think and make you laugh and his voice is one of the more recognizable in the city. On "How We Do," he rhymes over a cool old school sounding beat with Blossom’s saintly voice.
Enjoy tonight’s Saturday Night Sounds and try not to be too bummed you’re missing the Pickathon festivities.
Portland
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Curl Up in drowse’s Memory Bed
A sonic landscape blanketed with dark overtones and glum ambiance, drowse‘s Memory Bed EP streches slightly further from is previous works of incredibly reverb-laden drone by continuing to capture the essence of mental turmoil, only now through a more minimalistic lens.
Using just a microphone, acoustic guitar and laptop, Kyle Bates (the man behind drowse) recorded the EP directly succeeding his soon asleep album, with each release acting as the conflict and the resolution to Bates’ story involving his descent into certain medications. Memory Bed is the elucidation of confusion, pain and lost intimacy expressed through processed clamor.
As drowse, Bates has made good with using female vocals as yet another instrument. On Memory Bed, Maya Stoner of Sabonis lends the serenity of her voice and personal experiences shared with Bates through lyrics in all three tracks.
Without a doubt, the Memory Bed EP is more than just an conceptual collection of songs, but it’s an emotive art form.
drowse had his album release/welcome back show last night, is having a short in-store performance today at Music Millenium and will be playing again later this month as part of Festicide.
Portland
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Join the Secret Sea in celebrating “Army Of Souls” and his upcoming tour
A couple months ago, the Secret Sea dominated and won a round of the Deli Portland’s Artist of the Month poll. We’re now pleased to share the Secret Sea’s newest single "Army Of Souls" and the release show in support of it, which happens to be kicking off his month long foray along the West Coast and beyond.
Relocating to Portland from Tel Aviv, Amit Erez, the Secret Sea’s main vein, throws himself deeply into his songwriting with an uninhibited beatific expression. Each track finds the listener more closely connecting with Erez as an artist on an emotional level and "Army Of Souls" is no different.
First premiering on Next Northwest this last Thursday, "Army Of Souls" is yet another song showcasing Erez’s ability to delicately tug at your internal strings with an Elliot Smith-ian sort of mastery.
A single release show for "Army Of Souls" will be TONIGHT at the Turn! Turn! Turn! along with two Boston artists, Annabelle Lord-Patey and Matt Minigell, and fellow Portland solo artist GLASYS, who also provided keyboards on the Secret Sea’s track.
Peep the Secret Sea’s tour dates while you listen to "Army Of Souls" below.
THE SECRET SEA TOUR DATES
8.6 TURN! TURN! TURN! (SINGLE RELEASE SHOW) – PORTLAND, OR
8.7 NNPC – TACOMA, WA
8.13 THE HATCH – OAKLAND, CA
8.14 MILK BAR – SAN FRANCISCO, CA
8.16 THE MINT – LOS ANGELES, CA
8.20 OLD TOWN PUB – PASADENA, CA
8.26 SEATTLE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL – SEATTLE, WA
9.7 THE ZONE – TEL AVIV, IL
9.16 PETE’S CANDY STORE – NEW YORK, NY
Philadelphia
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Let Brother JT Take You to Rock ‘n’ Roll Church at Ortlieb’s Aug. 6
Before he began Trippin’ Balls, you could find Brother JT filling the nighttime air with his oddball, psych-rock sermons. Laying down licks of a seemingly supernatural nature, the Brother is always ready to take us to rock ‘n’ roll church. He’ll be doing so tonight in NoLibs watering hole Ortlieb’s, and joining him will be music brethren St. James & The Apostles, who have plans to release a new full-length album, White Devil, in October. The Midnight Sun Presents… Satellite of Fuzz showcase will also include Sun Voyager, Gods, Linear North, Canyon, and Colora. That’s a whole lotta bands; hence the early start. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St., 5pm, $12, 21+ – Alexis V.
NYC
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Turnip King releases “Laika” LP + play Shea Stadium on 08.10
Turnip King’s swirling blend of psych rock and dream pop was born in Long Island’s’ coastal town of Sea Cliff, where the band hails from. The group is about to release their debut full length (or rather "mini-album, since it’s comprised of only seven songs) Laika on August 19th via Fire Talk Records. The two singles unveiled so far showcase slow burning songs reminiscent of acts such as Slowdive and The Jesus and Mary Chain. The first single off the album “Carsong” encapsulates their experiences of growing up in the suburbs, while making references to driving around aimlessly listening to music with a friend. Its sparse intro highlights Lucia Arias’ youthful vocals before breaking down into a shoegazy wall-of-sound. Second single “Metonymy” is a slower number characterized by wailing psychedelic guitars, breezy drumming, and echoing melodies. Turnip King just wrapped up an east coast tour with a show at Trans Pecos and will be performing again at Shea Stadiumon August 10th. – John Honan