Kurt Vile made a guest appearance on the latest single from Toronto’s The Sadies called "It’s Easy (Like Walking)". Vile had toured with the alt-country group many moons ago, and they’ve "been friends ever since." The track will appear on the band’s forthcoming LP Northern Passages (Yep Roc), and Kurt has a big show this New Year’s Eve with Woods and Nathan Bowles at The Fillmore Philly so grab your tix ASAP.
NYC
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Maggie Rogers takes things to the next level with trilogy of videos and tour
After being blessed by Pharrell Williams’ seal of approval, which got a lot of eyes on her and ears on her track ‘Alaska,’ NYC’s songwriter Maggie Rogers is trying to capitalize on the attention by unveiling a trilogy of videos featuring that single and two new songs. The second one of the series, ‘Dog Years’ (streaming below), resumes the atmospheric, electronic-pop-soul sound of ‘Alaska’, including the subtle African music influences. Maggie has also announced three legs of a winter/early spring tour that will take her – between January and April 2017 – from the east coast to Europe to the west coast and back, with a final date at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom on April 11. We are sure the third video will drop just before the tour begins, in early January.
Philadelphia
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Spill Record Release Show at Boot & Saddle Dec. 20
The beginning of the week often suffers from a monotony of motion as individually one falls back into a robot-like routine. However, Boot & Saddle offers a temporary respite this evening. Celebrating their newly released full-length debut Top Ten, available via No Sleep Records, Spill headlines a stacked show. Balancing the explosive force of emotive energy, which spikes in sparks of anthem-esque choruses and downhill instrumental surges, with melody-oriented laments, the sound fleshes reflective anecdotes in catchy, polished flourishes. Riding the riff-and-rumble, pop-and-punch feel, Thin Lips infectiously slip into a casually precise groove, lifting with their locked-in raw refinement. The fuzz-ringing possessive thunder of Straw Hats and the stretching shimmering emotives of Lancaster’s Seasonal help to shape an evening that will be further sweetened by the serene sincerity of an acoustic Kississippi set. Boot & Saddle 1131 S. Broad St., 7:15pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Chicago
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Mikey to the P
Mikey to the P has released a video for his track “Big City”. The video was shot all over Chicago and highlights both the beauty and violence of the city.
You can catch Mikey to the P at Cubby Bear Wrigleyville on December 30th.
Portland
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Dr. Something Writes the Folky Prescriptions We Need
Atmospheric in every sense of the word, Dr. Something‘s minimalist chamber folk pop takes on strange artistic sensibilities with aural novelty mixed with a slight cat-crazy Tumblr aesthetic. Clarinet, keys and accordian are the gold, silver and bronze winners of her instrumental outfit. Yet it’s the eclectically toned pitch of Miss Dr. Something herself, Alison Dennis, that elevates its sapid qualities.
Since Dennis is well versed in all things musically weird (previously coming from the strange Dr. Something & the Pipin’ Hot Love Engines and Coney Island Cartel), the ways in which Dr. Something satiates this oft empty hole left in the market make sense. Her self described "sad bastard piano pop" could very well inspire some bummer feelings if you’re in the headspace for such, but it’s tracks like the indelilble "Imperfect Skull" off of 2015’s Tomorrow’s Just Fiction, to the hauntingly fun filled "Here Comes Count Dracula" from October of this year, that make it hard to be sad.
Having a sound unlike that of run-of-the-mill folk pop, Dr. Something holds high regard in local odd sounds, making music integral to keeping Portland weird.
San Francisco
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Con Brio Returns to the Bay Area for a Special Three-Night New Year’s Eve
Con Brio is going to play three nights in San Francisco for New Year’s Eve! The San Francisco based 7-piece band will showcase music from their electrifying album, Paradise (produced by Mario Caldato Jr.), with three Bay Area shows leading up to New Year’s Eve, including at City National Civic (San Jose) on December 29, 2016 and two back-to-back nights at The Chapel (San Francisco) on December 30 & 31, 2016.Lead singer, Ziek McCarter’s magnetic live performances with his swiveling hips, splits and backflips, have earned him frequent comparisons to a young Michael Jackson and James Brown.
On Paradise, McCarter’s lyrics tell stories about modern life through its contradictions. Narratives highlight police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement (the band’s first single, "Free & Brave"), the struggles of city life ("Hard Times"), the rejection of societal pressure to equate success with a paycheck and abandon one’s dreams ("Money"), and of course love ("Honey").
Don’t miss them live this New Year’s season!
12/29 — City National Civic — San Jose, CA
12/30 — The Chapel — San Francisco, CA
12/31 — The Chapel — San Francisco, CA
Chicago
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Pink Frost Returns
It has been a year since Pink Frost released their latest album, Gargoyle Days, and many months since they have performed live. The band has been hidden away working on their next album which is scheduled to be released in early 2017.
You can catch Pink Frost on December 21st at Empty Bottle.
Philadelphia
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Krust Toons: “Swamp Gas” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "Swamp Gas" by Tedd 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.
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: The Vernes
The Vernes came together because its members lacked “anything else going on.” So guitarist Fabian Mera and bassist Robert Sesma took what sounds like a ridiculously long trip on a Greyhound bus, from Oakland to New York City, to come stay in frontman Matthew Gragg’s apartment. NYC didn’t turn out to be the “right fit” for them, which is lucky for us. Together, with Pat Degan on drums, the garage-pop foursome is part of the welcomed migration of talented, young artists continuing to flow into our City of Brotherly Love. Take a listen to The Vernes, and get to know our new Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner a little better HERE! (Photo by Cara Stefchak)
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “A Message to Your Jealous Boyfriend” – Sad13
We recently shared the ’90s-style group dance video for the consent-pop anthem, "Get A Yes," from Sad13, a.k.a. Sadie Dupuis of Spedy Ortiz, earlier this month. Well, she’s already back with more visual stimulation and her touring bandmates for "a message to your jealous boyfriend". The single "is about how important it is to trust your partner’s friends, regardless of those friends’ gender identity (because to do anything else is some heteronormative toxic B.S.!)." She also recruited BuzzFeed Video’s Sara Rubin, whom Sadie befriended as a child at Buck’s Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp in Central Connnecticut, to direct the video. "A Message to Your Jealous Boyfriend" can be found on Dupuis’ solo debut LP, Slugger, out now via Carpark Records.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Painted Bones” – Sing, Bird of Prey
Sing, Bird of Prey surprised us this year with their impressive debut full-length album, Crystal Embryo (Killer Tofu/Yam Yam). The band’s futture seems bright; hopefully the demise of its members in the group’s creepy new video for "Painted Bones" isn’t a sign of things to come. It was created by Anthony Cundro Media with asistance from Michael Angelo Delmonico.
NYC
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Emanuel and the Fear play Knitting Factory on January 10th
Ring in the new year with eclectic orchestral six-piece Emanuel and the Fear at Knitting Factory on January 10th. The band had quite a productive 2016, between releasing their latest EP Primitive Smile and going on a trailblazing tour through Europe last November. They posted an Instagram in early December stating that they were "Back in the office. Lots of exciting things to come. Stay tuned." This can only mean more music and electric live performances from the group. If you’re a fan of orchestral pop drawing from the styles of Arcade Fire, ELO, or Sufjan Stevens, jump on the bandwagon and treat yourself to Emanuel and the Fear’s body of work.
The opener for this show is indie pop artist Frances Cone, who released her single "Arizona" last January and set off from there on a whirlwind year of playing around NYC and the Northeast. Head to Knitting Factory on January 10th to hear both her and Emanuel and the Fear perform. – Will Sisskind