NYC

Bianca Muñiz unveils video for “Scary Dreams” + plays at Terra Firma on 12/2

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Bianca Muñiz is a NYC songwriter that has just released her new EP, “Scary Dreams” and a music video which artfully projects the eerie title track. In this video we observe Bianca in the midst of her nightmare, tossing and turning restlessly, while dreaming of running down a lonesome path consumed by darkness. Tense, at times dissonant jazzy and noise-rock elements, and unpredictable, nervous rhythms swallow the dulcet tone of Bianca’s voice, which bellows in the chorus and simmers down into a low, fearful croak at its end. If you enjoy the thrill, come down to Brooklyn’s Terra Firma on Friday, December 2nd and experience Bianca live. – Ashley Muniz 

Philadelphia

New Track: “Qiet” – Vita and the Woolf

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Jennifer Pague’s vocal usher in an air of commanding power, while touching on the softer, slightly fragile context provided in Vita and the Woolf’s latest single “Qiet.” Anticipatory percussions open the song as Pague’s voice accompanies varying instrumental tones, sitting in a strong, rough-around-the-edges, synthpop power ballad that is elegantly exposed and reassuringly resilient. Their new album, Tunnels, is slated for a January 20th release. However, they’ll be performing at Everybody Hits on Thursday, December 8, as part of lineup that also includes Grayling.

NYC

Blond Ambition’s new video for “Shasta” + debut album coming soon

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LA’s Blond Ambition, the solo project of Brian Harding from Ex Cops, is taking us back to the warm summer sun with his new video for “Shasta”. Brian’s nonchalant vocals and funky psychedelic groove perfectly matches the clips of happy beach goers soaking in the sun, skaters trying out slick moves, and surfers getting ready to take on the waves, all with a neat vintage film aesthetic. Look out for Blond Ambition’s debut album in spring 2017. – Ashley Muniz

NYC

Bronx’s slack rockers Your Dog release ‘Talking To Bob’ EP at Shea Stadium on 11.28

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In these trying times, bare-bones chill-out music seems like the best cure. Enter Your Dog, a trio featuring Bronx-based rockers Ian, Kate, and Julius. The indie pop group describes themselves as "somewhere between Adam Levine’s old stuff & his new stuff." Your Dog releases their new EP Talking To Bob on November 28th with a show at Shea Stadium. The four-track record includes the excellent songs "Saurkraut" ("I can’t get through the day without feeling like sauerkraut") and the more melodic "Droool" ("I’ve been tryin’ to get you gone/But I’m just scrapin’ by/I don’t wanna die with you still in my head"); both feature a lot of character.

The Shea Stadium release party also features indie group Rhea and experimental group Rita Fishbone New Jersey, as well as Brooklyn’s Ghost King, whom we covered earlier re: the release of their new single "Melting Sky/Inside Out". Head on over to Shea Stadium on 11/28 to hear some great new tunes and to support rising local acts.

NYC

Lo-fi duo Puppy Soul release debut EP, Release Party at Beatnik Bandito 11/16

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In Orange County, Trevor Magaña’s main squeeze has always been his mathrock affair Hollow Ran, but lately he’s been branching out, exploring directions from sensibile bedroom pop to jazzy slowcore through guitar and voice. If the name Puppy Soul doesn’t confer the spirit of Magaña’s project, then you probably haven’t browsed enough doge memes. With help from Jonathan Modell (The Human Machine, Panoramic, Tririla Recordings)Magaña was able to self-record the debut EP live with minimal overdubs (thank you smartphone Voice Memos) amidst a hazy ambiance of Maj9 chords and deliberately chilled rhythms.

Puppy Soul’s debut EP releases through Pacific Nature Records on November 16th, 2016, with an extremely limited run of 25 red foil cassettes in lavender-scented cases. You probably missed their supporting set for Avi Buffalo tonight, so watch Trevor and Jonathan throw their EP release party tomorrow at Beatnik Bandito along with Slice, love birds, and the equally prolific Arden Klawitter.

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Bad Catholics” – The Menzingers

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The Menzingers forthcoming album, After The Party, is scheduled to arrive on February 3, 2017 via Epitaph. The video for its single "Bad Catholics" was directed by Kevin Haus, and begins at an innocent church picnic, before a few rowdy youngsters crash the affair, stirring things up and culminating with an all out food fight. The band will be rolling back into town on Friday, March 31 at The Fillmore in support of the new record.

Austin

Leopold and His Fiction Expose Inner Turmoil in Video For “I’m Caving In”

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 Daniel Leopold has come to the existential crossroads that nearly every musician has had to confront at some point in their journey- whether to continue pursuing musical aspirations or to stick the proverbial "fork in it". The front man of Leopold and His Fiction wrote the new single "I’m Caving In" at a time when continuing to play music was brought into question. The saturated lighting, swirls of ethereal colors, and out-of-focus shots in the music video reflect the turmoil and indecision in the song’s lyrcis. Self-reflection also emerges as a dominant theme, as Daniel is shown quiically staring at different versions of himself playing music on outdated televisions. Success is rarely found without a healthy dose of adversity, and Leopold and His Fiction seem to have conquered their demons, at least for now, as they prepare to release their fourth album, Darling Destroyer, on January 20th, 2017.

-Lee Ackerley 

 

NYC

Saint Marilyn releases single “Frustrate Me” + plays Mercury Lounge on 11.15

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Last month, Brooklyn’s Saint Marilyn released an enthralling synthy single called “Frustrate Me”. Its freely pitch bending synths seems to mimic the unavoidable flux and flow of emotions in a relationship: one second you can’t stand the sight of him, the next you can’t stand to see him go. The soft, seductive vocals of Che Houston layer over this dreamy synth bed to create a slow-moving atmosphere of love and hate. Experience the emotional ride live at The Mercury Lounge on November 15. -Ashley Muniz

NYC

Buzz Alert: RadaR crafts indie rock for the dancefloor

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With smooth vocals and punchy, danceable riffs punctuated by synths, DC-based RadaR offers infectious indie rock that’s guaranteed to grip you on the dancefloor. Featuring soaring hooks, catchy melodies, and an electro-britpop sensibility, the band’s music is instantly compelling, but their deeper lyricism offers even more for listeners to engage with beyond a first-blush pass through. Listen to RadaR streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni


NYC

Jaw Gems bring trippy neo-soul to House of Blues

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Jaw Gems, a group of four guys hailing from the upper reaches of New England–Portland, Maine–are producing some of the most refreshing neo-soul music out there. Planting themselves in the same vein as artists like Thundercat and Flying Lotus, the group crafts fat and funky instrumentals that edge toward the experimental side. They band effortlessly laces their trippy hip hop beats with strong jazz influences, and maybe the occasional transmission from Mars. Catch the band opening for Lettuce at the House of Blues 12/31, and in the meantime, stream them below.-Olivia Sisinni


Philadelphia

New Video: Sounds Local (Mapquest Series) – Creepoid

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A few months ago, grunge-psych rockers Creepoid took the folks at Mapquest on a tour of Philly’s "Fish Town" area for their Sounds Local video series. Members of the group hung out with the crew at some of their favorite local spots like Everybody Hits, Johnny Brenda’s, and Kung Fu Necktie. The band also met up at Graffiti Pier, a.k.a. Port Richmond Coal Pier, for a live performance of the yet-to-be-released "Gutter Jeweler". You can check out the entire video HERE! Creepoid also has a new self-produced EP, Burner, coming out via WavePOP Records, and they’ll be celebrating its release on Friday, November 25 at KFN.