New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
For those out there searching for an artist that perfectly balances the sounds of garage and psych while proudly wearing a strong blues influence on their sleeves, Brooklyn-based five-piece, God Tiny, might be exactly what the doctor ordered (think Blue Cheer but with a more friendly, modern facelift). We here at the Deli are excited to premiere the band’s latest single: "
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best alto rock songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Have you ever wondered what the genre "alt-cherub" sounds like? Listen to Thelma to find out – these keywords are listed as the genre on her Facebook page. It’s a pretty accurate description; her sound is sparse, though at times breaking into affected drum arrangements; falsetto gliding overlapping in canons and synths building drama make sure you never feel quite at ease in Thelma’s world. The song "Peach" highlights that conundrum and puts inner turmoil into sound form, while debut album opener"If You Let It" (streaming) methodically builds itself in ways that are at once operatic and experimental. Check out Thelma live at Alphaville in Brooklyn on April 29th. – Geena Kloppel
After an extended absence, Quinn Arlington Waters, a.k.a. Caffeine Machine, has returned with a new album, The Grey Man. Densely layered orchestration cuts through with sticky, hazy grooves akin to MMJ. Utilizing gear-shift tendencies whether ramping up or simmering to a sway, the album heads in unpredictable directions, but remains cohesively on course. Listen as the plot twists.
Even though spring is trying to add little pops of color to our lives with flowers and five seconds worth of blue skies, the dark tendencies of post punk are still the most appealing. Thankfully, there’s a new act on the scene to help fulfill our needs.
New electronic/anarcho/post-punk duo Fleshh… just dropped their debut in early March, and it’s already catching attention left and right. Vocalist and synth player Tim Iserman describes the sounds he makes with drummer Mark Onyx as being "early George Michael meets late stage Morrissey" with a bit of Fad Gadget. That designation is incredibly fitting, as it’s stripped down and minimal while still holding its intrigue. A nice blend of droney noise, electro beats and a subdued vocals, it’s exciting to see what they’ll be releasing next.
Catch Fleshh… TONIGHT at Dante’s with Terror Apart, Caustic Touch and Contact Cult or with Italy’s Horror Vacui and locals Vice Device, Bellicose Minds and Vacant Stares on 5/6 at Black Water.
PONCÉ is a twin brother duo entirely unafraid to showcase an emotional intensity and sonic variety rarely reserved for indie rock. They harness dance rhythms and guitar/synth combinations in ways that remain largely unexplored in modern contexts. The songs sit comfortably within a pop orientation, freely crossing genre with harmony-driven melodies that bring both recent electro-rock favorites like Polica and Americana classics like Tom Petty to mind.
The twins’ debut effort serves as a bold, experimental work that showcases a variety of sonic influences while remaining true to the traditions from which the songs were born. Afterglow is a collection of tunes that work well in tandem, each one serving a functional purpose that situates the piece as a complete whole. The opening track “Surrender to the Night” harkens back to 80s style dance music, with tight, chorus-heavy guitar hooks and spacey synth pads, while other works like “Whoa Dakota” incorporate the alternative country/Americana tradition with breezy acoustic guitars and beds of rhodes organ.
This is a work that, aside from being impossible to ignore, situates PONCÉ as an outfit instrumental in Nashville’s indie rock scene. Pick up a copy of the album tomorrow and be sure not to miss twins’ next show at Little Harpeth Brewing on May 6th.
-Andrew Strader
Former Cousin Brian members Sean Caruthers, Shane Olsen, and Jake Cheesseman, collectively known as The Junto, have released their debut self-titled EP. The trio embraces loose, rolling, bass grooves and infectious melodies in a calming manner, brimming with rowdy potential. It’s a joyfully sticky collection of songs that you’ll probably want to spin more than once, and we’ll be looking out for the fledgling outfit on upcoming bills.
Jackals have the reputation for being sly, wild, and dangerous, so it’s fitting that a Brooklyn-based noisy, garage-punk quintet would steal their name. With vocals that snarl, beats that kick and a delrious mashing of psych and punk aesthetics Damn Jackals deliver the type of garage rock that riles up crowds. On the band’s latest video for new single "Stop N’ Cop," singer/guitarists Beau Croxton croons his way through a surprisingly smooth melodic hook and growls through the verses with the blitzed-out filter of an am radio. This, accompanied by blistering instrumentals and visuals that reflect the playfulness of the band, make "Stop N’ Cop," a track you don’t want to sleep on. Keep your eyes peeled for the band’s new EP "That’s It" out tomorrow 4/28, and catch them live tonight at the Mercury Lounge. – Olivia Sisinni, Photo credit: Will Foster
Like most of the music community, we were absolutely devastated by the news of Prince’s passing last year. And though time may heal all wounds, we still get a bit choked up everytime we hear one of his majestic tunes. If you feel the same way too, we’d like to celebrate his life and music with you this Sunday, April 30 at the TLA with his beloved band The Revolution. We hope to bring a little joy to someone’s life this weekend. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Purple Reign". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!
We feel like recommending this bill of NYC based artists playing Union Pool pm May 02. Wilsen is a band led by amazing songwriter Tamsin Wilson, they were featured on the cover of our magazine a few years ago. Alpenglow, hailing from New England but now full Brooklynites, play similarly ghostly folk rock, and they do it well. Hite, on the other hand, is a new face in the local scene, and a compelling one: the solo act’s debut LP "Light of a Strange Day" is one of the most interesting releases we’ve heard this year, a sparse record filled with inspiring sonic ideas, edgy soul songwriting and a voice that’s impressively controlled and expressive. Do not miss!
NYC-based folk rockers Evening Darling are bringing something a little different to the city: a country vein. You can hear it in their tasteful harmonies on "Live Where You Lay," reminiscent of Lady Antebellum, and the straightforward boom-chuck country/americana drum sound. There is a darkness to the slicing guitar solos and groovy keys, however, dare to make it more of a rock tune. The band has just released their self-titled debut album and will be playing The Mercury Lounge on May 18th in support of LA indie poppers Valley Queen. – Geena Kloeppel
Trumpet-wielding Koof Ibi (West Philadelphia Orchestra, The Extraordinaires) has combined forces with songstress Vessna Scheff. While the tandem goes by the abbreviated Koof & Vessna, their sound is far from it, as seen in their video for “Echoes”. Combining colors on a musically blank slate, Scheff’s clear-strolling mandolin and pensively powerful vocals are further extracted by the increasing suspense and sonic shape, as a percussive, rhythmic intensity aided by strings and horn blasts develops keen auditory imagery. The duo is set to perform at Bourbon & Branch on Saturday, May 6 with Caroline Reese and Lizzie No.
Singer/Songwriter Shealeigh has recently released her debut EP, We All Need To Go Place. The now 19 year old Auburn Chicago teen found success early appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show at 12 and being named “Next Big Thing” by Radio Disney at just 13. While only 13 the sound this, her debut, EP is much more developed and mature.
