"I am an Israeli Yemeni American woman. I make electronic world folk music. Here I am at a carnival." It’s a nice, simple intro for the video of "Come Out Alright," which was derived from a more complex situation that found Tamar Dart, a.k.a. Little Strike, on the receiving end of an email from a close friend, who needed to reveal his heroin addiction to an understanding soul. The beautifully-crafted music video was directed, co-produced, and edited by Peter English. Little Strike will be performing next in Philly on Sunday, October 2 at Kung Fu Necktie.
Abi Reimold Opening for Ava Luna at Space 1026 Sept. 25
Raw, visceral, dreamy, anything she wants to sound like. Abi Reimold brings a sound and fury that cradles – sometimes like a loving mother, and other times like a bed of razor blades. But it is always hauntingly beautiful. And she’ll be bringing that sound and fury to Space 1026 when she opens for avant-pop Brooklynites Ava Luna. They’ll also be joined by Philly psych-popsters Laser Background. Come out for a rare performance at the Chinatown art space! Space 1026, 1026 Arch St., $10, All Ages (Photo by Skyler Burkhart) – Keith Kelley
Dear Friend Record Release Show at Ortlieb’s Sept. 24
The collective advance of Dear Friend rains down like an avalanche. The persistent, energy-gathering, instrumental interplay as smatterings of time-setting, exclamatory thuds of backend circling the soaring sear of guitar provides a well-rounded compliment. Meanwhile, Kenny Luu’s vocals slyly slip into the center with a reserved, cool demeanor. However, the songs carry infectious tenderness, integrating the intense ethereal qualities of shoegazing with the rampant immediacy of pop-punk. Tonight, they will be celebrating the release of their self-titled album at Ortlieb’s. With calm yet eruptive vocals, the melodic one-two rumble of duo Honeytiger and the ominous grit of quartet Tiny Vices will be laying down the groundwork for their Philly cohorts. Brooklyn trio Atomic Girl will also deliver a tightly spun contagious rock set that ramps up and appears ready to tear at the seams. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
The Dude Hates Cancer Afterparty w/Lushlife at Boot & Saddle Sept. 24
10 years ago, The Dude Hates Cancer started in Philly as a Big Lebowski-themed fundraiser campaign, bowling tournament, and party that was designed to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Since then, The Dude has extended to New York, Cleveland, and California, managing to raise over half a million dollars for LLS. Dudes will abide when the 10th annual bowling tournament rolls into South Bowl today. However, as soon as the winning team is crowned and people have their fill of the free tater tot bar, people will head over to Boot & Saddle for Jackie Treehorn’s After Party that features music from two local mainstays. Ever since he teamed up with CSLSX to release Ritualize, an album that many have dubbed one of the best of 2016 thus far, Lushlife has had a huge year that will hopefully find his name heavily lauded on the national/international level at its conclusion, and it’s still not over for him yet with another new mind-altering instrumental EP, No Dead Language (Western Vinyl), headed our way this October 7th. Lushlife will also be joined this evening by the always energetic jazz-funk rock collective Swift Technique. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S Broad St., 8:30pm, $10 21+ – Bill McThrill
The Shacks about to release debut EP, play BKLYN Bazaar on 09.29
Should you be in need of a magical something that can lull you to sleep during your stressful life in the city, look no further than Brooklyn’s The Shacks and their first official single "Left It With The Moon." The song employs a timeless melody, Shannon Wise’s delicate soprano, and a few other rather rudimental instruments to reach into the listener’s buried childhood – and the sleeping proneness it entails: if sleeping like a baby is your ida of happiness, The Shacks are your kind of band. Earlier this year, the duo also unveiled a collaboration with instrumental NYC band El Michels Affair, which resulted in stunning single ‘Strange Boy,’ a more produced dream pop gem with shades of doo-wop complemented by an appropriately noir video (also streaming). Their self titled debut EP is scheduled to be released on October 28. Don’t miss their Brooklyn Bazaar show on September 29!
We added both these tracks to The Deli’s playlist of Best mellow songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Jay Pray’s Chillwave is as chilled as it gets!
If the very NYC "Chillwave" phenomenon still exist, the musical output of Brooklyn via Connecticut electronic artist Jay Pray definitely belongs to it, even just for the fact that the guy has one of the most chilled and gentle voices we’ve stumbled upon in a while. His most popular single "I’d go anywhere" (streaming) blends dancey soul pop verses a la’ Hall & Oates with fuller choruses flirting with electronica. The other single available for streaming, ‘Smile,’ is even more chilled, exuding positivity and hope, as if it was srping all over again! Look out for a debut release scheduled for late October!
Soccer Mommy moves to NYC, plays Silent Barn on 10.02
Straddling the line between Suzanne Vega’s intellectual but vulnerable songwriting and Belly’s dreamy pop melodicism, Soccer Mommy, the project of songwriter Sophie Allison, recently relocated from Nashville to NYC. Since 2015, the young lady has released three strictly self-produced EPs (two of them are called ‘songs of my bedroom’) and one full length album entitled ‘for young hearts.’ Single and opening track ‘Henry’ (streaming below) shines for its imaginative lyrics, with Sophie trying to guess a loved boy’s thoughts and feelings, accompanied by a heart wrenching melody. NYC ‘young hearts’ shouldn’t miss her show at the Silent Barn on 10.02
How To Dress Well @ Bottom Lounge (tonight!)
The latest album from Tom Krell (aka How To Dress Well), Care, is being released today. The album features single single including "Lost Youth/Lost You," "What’s Up," and "Can’t You Tell," which he recently performed live for KCRW.
You can help Krell celebrate the release of Care tonight at The Bottom Lounge with Lydia Ainsworth and Ex Reyes.
Weekend Warrior, September 23 – 25
The Lawsuits Continue Their Endearing Journey at Boot & Saddle Sept. 23
Earnest, soulful emotion threads the quilted sonic fabric of The Lawsuits. Rolling into Boot & Saddle this evening, the band serves up their custom blend of Americana – parts folk-narrative, daydream inducing pop-rock, anchored by reinforcing vocal harmonies, sleekly slipping into grooves, and spiked by a blues echoing get down. With their latest album, Moon Son, available via Randm Records, the crew continues its endearing journey. Tonight, they’ll be joined by the momentous, folk-accented rock of New England’s Nemes and the earth-shaking folk-stomp of labelmate Jeremiah Tall. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
The Midnight Pine play The Satellite on 10/5
Led by Shelbi Bennett’s soulful delivery, San Diego alt country band The Midnight Pine are set to release their latest self-titled record on October 7. Prior to its release, the band are playing a show at the Satellite on October 5.
Listen to their most recent single, "Vice", below.