New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Crown Lands are a 2 piece rock duo from Oshawa. They have some definite White Stripe influences with their bluesy guitar riffs and dirty vocals but they separate themselves with their individual styles. The drummer rips and sings at the same time while the guitar player also rocks a moog bass pedal with his foot so he keeps it groovy while shredding. Here’s their video for "Mantra". Keep your ears open for more from Crown Lands. – Kris Gies
Some artists are able to create music that provides the perfect accompaniment to life as we imagine it in our most hopeful moments – which in turns actually helps us live a better existence. NYC bands Beach Moon, Peach Moon and Parrot Dream (pictured) play elegant dream pop that’s just as good of a companion on the commute to work as it is during a night spent alone with our thoughts. Beach Moon, Peach Moon’s lo-fi shoegaze is filled with warm, melancholic guitars and softly lush, self-reflective vocals, and often juxtaposes melancholic instrumentation to optimistic lyrics, like in opening track ‘Philosophy at 23/at 24′ (streaming). Slightly more upbeat, the dream pop of Parrot Dream is centered around Christina Appel’s vocals and her lyrics, which heavily rely on metaphors to construct poignant and distinct imagery. Both bands will be playing at the Silent Barn on August 3rd. – John Honan
Restorations have a manner of creating multifaceted songs that dig their heels in a personal manner and then branch outward. The group has self-released a new single “See/Sea,” produced by Jonathan Low. The songs continue in that literary, resounding lyrical tradition, booming into Americana-flavored rockin’ anthems. Restorations plan to continue on releasing in this manner for the near future so make sure to pay it forward. Catch them live at The Foundry on Thursday, August 18 for the Red Bull Sound Select showcase with Thrills and Mumblr!
Alana Amram‘s songs could belong to a different era. Wielding a vocal authority that feels very Patti Smith, Amram deftly crafts narrative lyrics that paint images ranging from pastoral to wild – but always a far cry from the brick and bustle of Brooklyn where the songwriter currently resides. The sound is Americana by way of late 60’s psych-tinged folk, and is ever-present on her spellbinding 2014 release Spring River. Catch her at Union Pool on August 4th or headlining at the Cake Shop with Ian O’neill of Deertick, Reservations, and Heaven’s Jail on August 31st, and be sure to listen to the track below. – Olivia Sisinni
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best rootsy songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Let’s just go ahead and say it – the Shivas are Portland’s pride and joy. The trio, who first started at the pinnacle of their youth way back in 2006, have put hard work and a high level of talent to good use in the last decade. Backed by both K Records and Burger Records, the Shivas have four full lengths under their belt, a series of single releases and are actually returning back to PDX today from a two month long European tour in support of their latest release, February’s Better Off Dead. As a welcome home gift to us all, the Deli Portland has the pleasure of premiering the video for the album’s title track.
Better Off Dead itself shows a more mellow output from the Shivas with a heavier use of country western elements. As a track "Better Off Dead" showcases this well in its simplicity. The harmonic pairing of guitarist Jared Molyneux and drummer Kristin Leonard are the focal point of the song, with a light riff as the basis.
The video matches the track in its minimalistic beauty. Shot in black and white, it features Molyneux trudging around an industrial area alone. It’s reminiscent of old school French noir art films and couldn’t be a better fit aesthetically with the pace of the song.
It seems the Shivas will be taking some weeks off before they perform again, with their next show scheduled for September 11 at Mississippi Studios with L.A.’s Death Valley Girls. Until then, get your fix of the trio by watching the new video for "Better Off Dead" below.
Bummed that summer is slowly dwindling down before our eyes? Join the club. Luckily there’s bands like Boston’s own Aüva, whose dreamy surf-pop sound reminds us that we still can make the most of August. Their latest video for "Better," the bands first ever video, positions the band’s two vocalists, tongue-in-cheek, as a pair of exes. The male vocalist is despondent, smashing bottles and wallowing in self-pity. The female one on the other hand has moved on, and started anew with another male suitor. It’s a funny, cute take on that whole "Mr. Brightside" catergory of songs, and it reflects the lightness of the track’s nature well — which jams by the way. Aüva are releasing a new LP in a few days, and you can check them out live when they play O"Brien’s on 8/13.
We discovered Aüva through our submissions page. If your a band that’s looking to get checked out, you can send us some tunes here. – Henry Solotaroff-Webber
Episodic, the album from the quintet of Field Mouse, will be released later this week via Topshelf Records. However, one can give it a spin now over at Bandcamp Daily, where it is currently streaming. Its honest, melodic, pop-rock exhibits overt control, with flashes of instrumental attack. Boot & Saddle will host the band’s record release show this Thursday, August 4 with Swanning and Missing Earth.
The chaotic and angry nature of hardcore punk can become exhausting, causing many musicians to seek other, tamer forms of self-expression. PAWNS was formed in Brooklyn after its members felt the need for a break from full-on anger and decided to settle for just gloomy animosity – an attitude reminiscent of some early post punk bands of the late ’70s/early ’80s. On their latest seven-inch Eternal Return the band harnessed the gothic influences that were prominently featured on their first release for a more urgent sound inspired by anarcho-punk, as in “Masquerade” (streaming below) where singer Gage Allison uses a throaty shout instead of his usual deadpan vocal tone. If life is a little too good for you these days, you don’t want to miss PAWNS live at the Knitting Factory on August 16th. – John Honan
TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb offer a dose of country-blues with their new track “She Don’t Keep Time”. Those subtle swaying keys invite you into the saloon before ramping up to a stomp, then simmering into a boogie, and whistling like there’s not a worry in the world. Loosen up, listen up, and get down!
Simi Valley shoegazers SHEER are back with their latest single "Room", their first since their debut album Uneasy last November. The captivating guitar line that runs throughout the song is enough on its own to make this a stand-out track in the band’s discography. Gina Almaguer’s vocals are as ethereal and lethargic as ever, a beautiful contrast with the relentless assault of guitars. "Room" is an excellent reminder that SHEER are one of the best modern shoegaze bands in the game.
"Room" will be pressed on a made-to-order lathe 7", available to purchase until August 4th. – Justin Ashby
Krust Toons: "Dark Times" 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.
