New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
The two teaser tracks from the forthcoming Hand Grenade Job album highlight the band’s minimalist punk sound. Eerie, mystical, and somewhat mournful, the tracks feature the unusual instrumentation and solemn vocals that defined earlier HGJ releases. Often vocally monotone, but always harmonically tonal, the music is evocative, and pleasing for the ear.
Here’s “July” from the album Devotionals, set to be released February 22nd.
-Written by Michael Dranove
Sensuality takes center stage on Stalgia’s latest video for their indie-electronic fused single “BDY.” The Los Angeles duo highlights desire and pairs the synergism with a back-bone of alternative R&B, resulting in a simple shot build directed by Nova Rockafella. As Lauren Day falls into the immersion of what is felt when “The rhythms of my body feed off you,” the after math becomes a sensory exploration. Focusing on intimate shots fueling the build of the video, Rockafella’s direction maintains a fresh feel by mirroring Stalgia’s sound. Jumping from party scenes, to stripped-down shots of Day understanding the meaning of touch, “BDY” embodies everything it is to carry a heartfelt desire. – Janette Ayub
NYC psych rockers Steady Sun‘s latest single, which we are premiering below, bears the aquatic title "Benthos," a term used to describe the flora and fauna found on the bottom of a body of water. Music and water have many things in common, in particular a fluid, "streamy" nature. But the concept of underwater recalls an extra set of attributes (like "dreamy, calm, slow-moving") that perfectly fit the profile of a mellow, psychedelic song. The track, with its plodding pace and dreamy atmosphere, certainly keeps faith to its title. Dylan Nowik’s warm falsetto draws semi-unintelligible but arresting melodies, while ghostly strings and backing vocals float in a pool of reverb, creating a sonic environment that’s as surreal as it is serene. If you dig this tune, check out the quintet’s 2016 EP ‘FLORA‘ and don’t miss their upcoming show at Arlene’s Grocery on March 10, opening for Indigo King. Check out also their previous single "Life At One Twenty Two," at the bottom of this page.
We are now into a couple of genres in The Deli’s Yearly Best Emerging Philly Artists Poll that we are quite fond of – Psych Rock/Psych Pop! We love how Philly continues to keep things weird with acts whose music you want to explore. You can now take a listen to this year’s list of nominees HERE, and vote for your favorite artist!
Citris might just sound like what their name implies—sweet, but with a serious bite. The Brooklyn-based band melds psych elements with the grit of mid-90’s grunge to create tunes that kick, but are immediately compelling. You can catch Citris live at Arlene’s Grocery 2/21 as part of their month residency alongside Caretaker, Wreath, Itamar, and Jak the Lizard, but also be sure to keep your eyes peeled for their new LP dropping 2/24.-Olivia Sisinni
With soulful vocals and mezmorizing instrumentals, Bronx-based Maxine Ashley, serves up a slice of 90’s R&B heaven. Her latest EP, Paranoid, is five-tracks worth of warm, sultry tunes with some serious old-school vibes, but Ashley delivers confidence and swagger that are all her own. Keep your eyes on this girl, because we’d hedge are bets that she’s going places. Stream the title track from the new EP below.-Olivia Sisinni
We’re always pleased to premiere new Bay Area music! The Bay Area based band, Nine Pound Shadow has released a brand music video entitled, Tell Me Why. The band is comprised of brothers, Breandain and Christopher Langlois who create a very California sort of sound, one whose lineage and mythology goes as far back as, well, a family tree. Tell Me Why hinges on orchestral piano chords before building into a chantable refrain. This track is haunting and touching to no end.
Nine Pound Shadow will perform live in San Francisco at The Independent on February 21st.
Take a listen and make sure you support local artists!
While all of us have had to bear the brunt of bewildering winter climates and the regular barrage of perplexing national news, Sun Organ’s Timothy Jordan has been hard at work putting together their newest album, Something Doesn’t Feel Right. The EP wastes no time showing off its ability to transport listeners to a world of undulating tones, swaying behind mellow machine drumming, acoustic guitar, and melancholic verbal ruminations. Whereas previous releases operated within a larger group dynamic, Something Doesn’t Feel Right carries the intimacy of a one on one conversation, stripped of a cautious revisionism often present in social dynamics. What lets this record stand out from their previous work is its ability to be forthcoming while not giving off an air of urgency, wounded from torment but insistent on addressing one’s woes with an unforgiving clarity. Sun Organ are currently on the road with fellow Philadelphians Clasp. (Photo by Jersey Boy Photo)
Tombo Crush puts an airy, ghostly spin on their rendition of Kississippi‘s "Greyhound". The track was recorded for Heart Hitter Vol. 1, a covers compilation that will give 100% of its proceeds to The Trevor Project, "the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24." Your donation will go towards running suicide-prevention hotlines, text lines, training/workshops, and community centers. You can take a listen to the rest of the compilation HERE, and give what you can.
