Displaying a multifaceted talent, actress (or female actor, take your pick!) Jordan Lane Price in her debut EP Sponge shows promising signs with her musical project JLP. Released through Innit Records, the EP proves to be a nostalgic collection of songs full of fuzzy electronic pop songs dominated by organs and JLP’s bright vocals. We are streaming below opening tracks – and by far the catchiest song – In the Woods. The band landed a September residency at Pianos, during which JLP will be joined by partner (and co-writer) James Levy and his band, Reputante. While the group has not released anything since the Oceanside EP in 2013, this residency hopefully suggests the promise of something new to come in the near future. Many familiar local artists will join them on stage during the residency, including The Can’t Tells, Controller and Aunt Ange – full schedule here.
ChooChoo
ChooChoo, a five-piece fuzz-pop band, has released a new single called "More Matcha Haterade?". This is a follow-up to their 2016 ep, Over Winter.
New Track: “Be Good” – Young Pilgrims
"This song took a lot to happen; I hope you get something out of it." Young Pilgrims lay it all on the line in their latest single, "Be Good". Lost love combined with longing and regret is a theme old as time yet the universal feelings shared continue to inspire. Share it with someone you love(d).
Fierce garage rock band Big Huge to play Market Hotel 9/1
Like their name implies, Big Huge‘s sound is explosive from the get-go. On their latest EP Orama, the NYC garage rock band has a strong, early-60’s rockabilly sensibility, all the blaring fuzz and bare-knuckle dirt of early 70’s rock, and yet still delivers fresh sounding hooks destined for earworm status. The band is fun, upbeat, and the perfect companion to a late-night highway drive with the windows down. Check them out at the Market Hotel on September 1st in support of Shannon and the Clams and White Mystery. -Olivia Sisinni
PREMIERE: Melt – “Black Gold”
Melt has got a grip of good shit in the works, including an upcoming EP and a near 20 day West Coast tour, starting with their tour kick off next week on the 30th at the Liquor Store. Seeing them off properly will be Ah God, VCR and, with one of the greatest band names probably ever, EBT BBQ.
To even more delight, we’re sharing a fresh new track off Melt’s upcoming release. "Black Gold" is a quick diddy that rides on a more mellow, almost 60’s era melody with an incredibly catchy hook. With a run time of just about 2 minutes, it’ll leave you wishing it was twice that long for sure.
If you got any plans to travel before summer is officially over, glance over Melt’s tour dates while you check out "Black Gold" below. [House show info can likely be found by asking-a-punk or a social media search]
8/30 Portland, OR at The Liquor Store
9/1 Tacoma, WA at The New Frontier Lounge
9/2 Seattle, WA at a house show
9/3 Portland, OR at a house show
9/4 Eugene, OR at a house show
9/5 Chico, CA at a house show
9/6 San Fransisco at venue TBA
9/7 Santa Cruz CA at Crepe Place
9/8 San Luis Obispo, CA at venue TBA
9/9 Highland Park, CA at GnarBurger (matinee set)
9/9 Los Angeles, CA at Church of Fun
9/10 Tucson, AZ at La Cocina
9/11 Phoenix, AZ at Lost Leaf
9/12 Las Vegas, NV venue TBA
9/13 San Diego, CA
9/14 Los Angeles, CA at The Hi Hat
9/15 San Fransisco, CA at venue TBA
9/18 Portland, OR at Angelo’s
Beat the Heat with a Little Bit of Intimacy
We’re not talking about sexual intimacy here, though by all means get freaky. But tonight, a nice relaxing night will hit Bunk Bar with acoustic force.
Nick Delffs translated his mammoth aptitude for guitar playing and songwriting from his established Shakey Hands project to his work with Tiburones, but more relevantly, in his solo effort Death Songs. His rich vocal quality adds dimension to his production, and also helps keep his "one man on stage" live performances intriguing. Expect this performance to include a mixture of not yet released material as well as favorites from his vast discography.
Leaving his usual post as the frontman of the more heavier rock band And And And, Nathan Baumgartner will be sharing some of the band’s past, present and future songs in their original form, as they all begin acoustically during the writing process. Baumgartner’s knack for creating songs of emotional turmoil will only be showcased more when backed by the personal playing of them on an acoustic guitar.
Joining Delffs and Baumgartner will be Christopher Francis and his soul-infused folk, swaddled by his crooning, husky voice. You might recognize him from playing with the Portland Cello Project, but you’ll definitely remember him for his solo efforts.
Tickets to tonight’s show are only $5, with music starting at 9 pm.
Gambles to bring haunting alt-folk to Rough Trade Sept 16th
Gambles, the alt-folk project of New York-based artist, Matthew Siskin, produces ruminations on modern life that feel both dark and revelatory. His tracks are characterized by minimalist instrumentals, subtle in feel, accompanied by Matthew Siskins’s harrowing vocal accompaniment—delicate, vulnerable but decidedly resolute. The combination yeilds a sound that is as beautiful as it is haunting, and leaves the listener to contend with some serious soul-bearing. Check out the single "You Won’t Remind It" below and see Gambles headling at Rough Trade on September 16th with Roger Harvey. – Olivia Sisinni
Fences drop new EP Sept 9 + land Rockwood Hall Residency in October
Fences, aka Brooklyn based (via Seattle) songwriter Chris Mansfield, paints lush musical dreamscapes that still seem to be earnest and intimate in feel. In their latest single, "Pale Paper", Fences weave layered, upbeat instrumentals against Mansfield’s melodic vocals and poignant lyricism. The result is an emotional and uplifting pop song that exudes honesty. Fences will be releasing their new 6 track EP To the Tall Trembling Trees on Sept 9th, check out preview single Pale Paper below. You’ll be able to catch them live at Rockwood Music Hall during their October residency on the 3rd, 10th and 20th. – Olivia Sisinni
Debut The Afterglows LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
The Afterglows, the musical union of Sam Cook-Parrott (Radiator Hospital) and Michael Cantor (The Goodbye Party), recently shared their self-titled debut full-length album. The home-recordings capture the innate ability of the duo to turn heartache into melody, with Cook-Parrott’s acoustic strums and Cantor’s layered electric tones as backdrops. It’s an intimate look into the late-night, open, honest dialogue between the two housemates. You can stream and download the album below, which is also available on vinyl via Salinas Records.
Lotus Thief Releases New Song – The Book of the Dead
LOTUS THIEF is a San Francisco band that merges post-black metal, space rock and ambient music, seamlessly blending the genres into a unique and greater musical whole. Originated by two members of celebrated “green metal” group BOTANIST – drummer Otrebor and multi-instrumentalist / composer Bezaelith — LOTUS THIEF is its own entity; a project with a stated purpose of “lauding knowledge and illuminating ancient words and art through song”. The group will release its new album, Gramarye, on September 16 via Prophecy Productions.
“The Book of the Dead is a beautiful text of its time, a sort of instruction manual for the afterlife compiled over about a thousand years and often inscribed on sarcophagi or tomb walls, hence the title “coffin spells,” comments Bezaelith. "For us, the song needed to be as vast and colorful as possible to approach the text, jumping from wild passages of harsh vocals to building solos, to calm ideological eyes of the storm from one moment to the next.”
Great Apes to Release New Album + Play Oakland Metro House – 9/17
Bay Area based band Great Apes are gearing up to release a new album, California Heart.The record was recorded over four days this past spring by Jack Shirley at The Atomic Garden. Asian Man Records is releasing the material on 12” LP and in digital format in October.
California Heart is the second full length and sixth release from San Francisco’s Great Apes. The record, akin to much of the band’s earlier material, is thematic. With California Heart, the concept is a fictional one, revolving around an alienated adolescent residing in Fresno, CA. Each song is written in first person and tackles a myriad of subjects including mental illness, suburban doldrums, creativity, nature as a sanctuary, social isolation, perceptions of adulthood, cliques, bullying, drugs, suicide, and an ever-crystallizing and often cynical view of the world. In its entirety, the record is intended to be a portrait of navigating coming of age as an outcast, in a stagnant and less-than-nurturing environment. Although the writing is founded in fiction, it’s undoubtedly inspired by personal experiences, and anyone who grew up feeling weird, anxious, down, and/or angst-ridden in a place they wanted out of should have no problem finding points of relation.
Live Show:
Saturday, September 17th This is my Fest – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro House
Blood Sound Opening for Suburban Living at KFN Aug. 24
An evening of saturated dreams, fueled by a soundtrack of guitar/synth-driven nostalgia rock. Layers of dark and provocative melodies with haunted lyrics, supported by well-crafted songs with heart, this is not just one band, but a truly explosive lineup of artists. Philly’s own Blood Sound captures the pop sensibilities of 80’s UK rock, fusing well-orchestrated drum programming with shadowy guitars and vocal melodies. They’ll be opening for Suburban Living, the brainchild of Virginia transplant Wesley Bunch, which weaves a lattice of reverberant longing, ensnaring the listener to join them on their sonic quest. Manchester has much to be jealous about these days. Hailing from Brooklyn, Surf Rock is Dead have a defibrillator and a heroic dose of mushrooms for the genre, while Monograms is balls out rock that isn’t afraid to have insidiously catchy vocal melodies. Prepare your headspace accordingly. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $6, 21+ – Keith Kelley