San Francisco

The Asteroid #4 The Spiral Electric Federale and Dirty Denim Play Elbo Room – 9/25

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Another classic neo psych show is headed your way on September 25th at The Elbo Room. Neo psych aficionados, The Asteroid #4, Dirty Denim, The Spiral Electric and Federale will perform in celebration of the release of Federale’s new album, All The Colours Of The Dark. Don’t miss the event. DJ Joel Gion of Joel Gion & the Primary Colours and The Brian Jonestown Massacre will be spinning records all night!

Philadelphia

New Track: “H. Roark” – The Vernes

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“H. Roark,” the B-side from The Vernes new single “Summer’s Gone,” tranquilly hits the air as a strolling guitar reinforced by steady backend takes a walk. Lyrically breaking down the surrounding scenery with a melancholy undercurrent, the temperament shifts from restrained to raucous with that guitar activating an instrumental ardor. You can stream and download the track below.

NYC

Vivienne Eastwood announces new EP, plays Night of Joy on 10.06

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Modifying the brand name of an iconic British fashion designer largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream, Vivienne Eastwood is luckily more focused on sound than looks. This week they released brand new material from a new upcoming EP with single “Messy,” which explores slow-motion ambient landscapes that ebb and flow without any percussive beats. With densely layered fuzzed-out guitars leading the way, Loveless-era My Bloody Valentine and much of Slowdive’s catalog immediately come to mind. Like many of the tunes by those classic gazey bands, the track reveals more nuance with repeated listens. There is a driving bass line embedded within, along with silvery jingling around the sonic edges. Vocals come in backward masking waves, swirling up in the mix as if taking in a huge breath of air. The combined effect is both enchanting and mesmerizing. The band will host a release party on Thursday October 6 at Night Of Joy in Brooklyn where they will be DJing from 10pm on and play the EP in its entirety. – Dave Cromwell

NYC

Sharpless returns with shows at Shea Stadium (09.30) and Baby’s (10.06)

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We covered pop rock duo Sharpless in this blog in 2014, during the CMJ Music Marathon, after the release of the band’s debut album ‘The One I Wanted to Be.’ Comprised of Jack Greenleaf and Montana Levy, the band at the time was based in Chicago. Two years later, we find them back in Jack’s native NYC, involved in the community of artists called The Epoch. Even though they have no new releases under their belt, they have been gigging regularly in 2016. Their electronic power pop’s epic sound is intentionally derailed by Greenleaf’s entertainingly zany inclinations, found both in the vocal and production department. Single ‘Greater Than (>)’ (streaming below) finds the perfect balance between anthemic power, eccentric production and vocal incisivity. You can catch them live at Shea Stadium on September 30 and at Baby’s All Right on October 10.

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “The Laughing Song” – Prowler

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Archawah, a.k.a. Chris Archibald, takes Prowler’s “What Are You Laughing About?” (which appeared on their Trash Bag EP) for an electronic spin as “The Laughing Song”. The latter is included on their forthcoming EP Hand Disease. The purveyors of space-boogie will be joined by The Fantastic Imagination on Saturday, October 8 at Ortlieb’s as they celebrate the album’s release as well as the band’s signature beer Funky Prowler collaboration with Highway Manor Brewing Company. In the meantime, watch the band’s playful semi-animated video by McClept below.

NYC

Buzz Alert: serpentwithfeet to play Le Poisson Rogue Sept 30

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NYC-based artist serpentwithfeet (aka Josiah Wise) is likely a man, but he delievers vocal lines with the intensity of something that lives outside the bounds of this dimension. This month he dropped his latest single "four ethers," a track that showcases both his almighty R&B vocal prowess, and his classically trained singing background. Wise’s effortlessly florid singing would be remarkable on its own, but what’s even more gripping is the music he pairs his vocals with. The instrumentals on "four ethers" charge forward with the gravitas of a requiem piece, slowly building in suspense only to torturously cut to a muted bass drum the moment you’d expect a big auditory payout. There is something solemn, something ethereal, perhaps supernal released in serpentwithfeet’s music. Check out "four ethers" streaming below off of the newly released blisters EP, and be sure to catch him opening at Le Poisson Rouge on 9/30 for Jenny Hval.-Olivia Sisinni

Philadelphia

New Track: “In Dreams” (Roy Orbison Cover) – Queen of Jeans

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Queen of Jeans were winners of our Featured Artist(s) Poll last fall. One of the many prizes that comes with this honor is free studio time at Sleepless Sound Studio, and we are excited that they have put to good use. Check out the recording of their cover for Roy Orbison’s "In Dreams," which appears on the Summer of Sad compilation from Swell Tone & Z Tapes! (Photo by Rachel Del Sordo)

NYC

Fuzz rockers Peeling release debut EP, play Bovine Sex Club on 09.25

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 Comprised by members of Dilly DallyOdonis Odonis and Mexican Slang, Peeling is a new Toronto super-group of sorts that’s about to release their debut EP ‘Rts in Paradise’ on Buzz Records.  Single Leisure life plays with dissonance, odd tempos and seriously tense atmosphere to deliver a satisfying, modern post punk sound. Don’t miss their upcoming show at Bovine Sex Club on September 25.