Mesacalifornia: A California Dream is the forthcoming album from Philly’s own Deadfellow. Reminiscent of Joseph Arthur in tone, its debut single, “Miss California,” steps out from behind the introductory, acoustic strums and longing slide guitar, gathering percussive momentum. Surrounded by the vibrant glow of strings and horns, Hayden Sammak earnestly voices an open letter of affection, while its subject hovers in the distance as a guiding light home. Mesacalifornia: A California Dream is set to drop on June 9, and Deadfellow will be welcoming its arrival that evening at MilkBoy, where he’ll be joined by The Classic Hunt. (Photo by Stef Sexton)
NYC
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Fruit & Flowers play Alphaville on April 28th
Fruit & Flowers return to ALPHAVILLE in Bushwick on April 28th, this time to headline a show after supporting Monograms’ LP release show there last week. After performing at SXSW in March, the psych rock quartet has had a busy April playing gigs with other fellow Brooklyn bands and wrapping up a tour across the Midwest. At ALPHAVILLE, they’ll share a bill with punk groups C’yotes and Teen Vice, the latter of which includes Tammy Hart of MEN and Joshua Ackley of The Dead Betties. Catch below their latest track "Way Out", written for Speak Into My Good Eye‘s 3rd Annual 24 Hour Song Writing Challenge, and the live version as the band performed it on Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s The Special Without Brett Davis, here. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Vacant Lots release new album Endless Night, confirm two US shows and European tour
Following up on their critically acclaimed 2014 debut album “Departure,” the NYC/Burlington duo Vacant Lots have released sophomore LP “Endless Night.” Building off of a previously established psych-drone base, Jared Artaud and Brian MacFadyen introduce new sonic elements to their sound. Uncharacteristically, “Night Nurse” (streaming below) adds mechanized electronics and robotic vocals to twangy guitar lines, suggesting a digitized outlaw world portrayed in sci-fi dramas like HBO’s Westworld; the Krafter-esque experiment works. “Pleasure & Pain” mimic Rolling Stones-style chords and sprinkle otherworldly keyboard elements around an attenuated vocal delivery, while “Elevation” delves further into electro-dance patterns that skirt the appeal of a band like Depeche Mode. Reaching the albums longest track at over five and a half minutes, “Empty Space” serves up a trance groove paired with spoken-word vocals. Eight new tracks in all, the inclusion of nyc underground legend Alan Vega of Suicide’s posthumous scream-of-conscious poetic howl on closer “Suicide Note” delivers the desired validation. The album can be heard in its entirety here on Spotify. – Dave Cromwell
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
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Ticket Giveaway: Lewis Del Mar at The Foundry This Thursday
Former Deli NYC cover boys and Columbia recording artists Lewis Del Mar will be bringing their electro-acoustic, experimental-pop grooves to The Foundry this Thursday, April 27. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Rockaway Beach, Queens". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!
New England
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Buzz Alert: The Rupert Selection Releases New EP, Baseball Practice
The Rupert Selection is a progressive alt-rock power trio from Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA that has curated not only a spellbinding musical vibe, but a darkly intriguing visual style, bridging the multimedia gap. They’re strong sense of narrative and technical skill is plainly apparent in their latest video for "Tree Hands", the opening track on Baseball Practice. Opening with a haunting soundscape, the EP continues with tight, mixed-meter grooves on "Moon Cats in Taxi Cabs", and consistently progresses through a tale of provocative songwriting and musical prowess. Check out The Rupert Selection on Bandcamp here, and experience "Tree Hands" below, a music video that will likely become an early favorite for our "Best of 2017" list. -Brian Varneke
Nashville
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Saint Pé’s “Fixed Focus”
Black Lips guitarist Ian Saint Pé released a solo album this month utilizing the kind of punk and garage influences that provided his parent band acclaim. Fixed Focus is twelve tracks of jangly, distorted guitars, driving rhythms, and a kind of belligerent vocal performance that instantly conjures indie rock talk-singers like Kurt Vile. The album offers a variety of song constructions, from the slower, melodic, 90s alt rock style of “As of Late” to the rapid and forceful punk aesthetic of “Spun and Spurn,” Saint Pé works within the sonic limitations of his own musical tradition to craft a collection of songs that pushes its boundaries.
-Andrew Strader
Chicago
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The Inbetween Days
Sofar Chicago released their recording of The Inbetween Days performing their track “Have You Seen Her” this week. The track was released as a single back in October as a follow-up to their 2016 LP, Stranger than Strangers.
Chicago
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Mazes
Mazes released their latest LP, The Violet Tapes, today (4/21) via Sanzimat. Below is the album’s first single “West Coast Revolution”.
New England
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R.D. King Releases Debut Album at The Rockwell Theatre 4/27
Boston guitarist R.D. King is preparing to release an album of masterfully crafted instrumentals in vs. Self, his debut effort. Comprised of nine tracks of transformative journeys of sound, King fully utilizes and expands the capabilities of the instrument, creating an ensemble sound with his fingers. It’s easy to get lost in the genre-defying work of King, with each track taking you to a different, unexpected place, from classical to pop to progressive metal and beyond. Experience it for yourself at the Rockville Theatre in Somerville, MA on 4/27, featuring Jenee Halstead. Click the link below for the first single, "An End to Wandering". -Brian Varneke
New England
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Hammydown Brings Garage-Pop to O’Brien’s 4/25
Northampton, MA based Hammydown is bringing her brand of infectious garage-pop to Allston next week in preparation of her upcoming EP, Pizzaface. Singer/songwriter Abbie Morin combines bright, catchy melodies with understated, fuzzy guitar work to create a memorable and unique style that will appeal to a diverse pool of fans. The EP is set to release this July, but we’ve heard it and can assure you it is worth the wait. Check out the video for the first single, "People You May Know", below and catch Hammydown at O’Brien’s on Tuesday, 4/25, featuring Workman Song, Honeymooner, and Fossy Jaw. –Brian Varneke
San Francisco
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Lords of Sealand Releases New Single – Motion
San Francisco’s Lords of Sealand has announced the release of Motion, a four-movement dissection of the lives of plants and whether or not they are truly animate. Following the release of 2014’s debut album Found Fiction, recorded just 3 months after the the full lineup was assembled, the band intentionally employed a more intricate and methodical group composition dynamic that is now being first unveiled on Motion.
Originally conceived as a distraction from the long production process of the upcoming full-length dream-based album Zs, Motion quickly grew into a self-contained but dense concept record in its own right. Disparate influences including, Yes, Genesis, The Mars Volta, along with the addition of synths, electronic percussion and sound design elements paint a vivid homage to the classic prog epic that feels fresh, modern and, dare we say, danceable.
"Motion, simply, is an exploration of the lives of plants, asking if plants are, in fact, animate objects. Deeper, it explores a concept that is fundamentally human: what does it mean to be living an impactful, meaningful life? It is about yin and yang. The music and lyrics together take you through the journey of a lifecycle, the ups and downs that come with living a purposeful life." –Lords of Sealand
NYC
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Shiny Wet Machine to bring their indie/punk to Webster Hall 4/23
Bewitching enough to draw you in, but posessing the raw power of an ever edging powder keg, Brooklyn-based duo, Shiny Wet Machine is a sublime blend of indie rock and punk aesthetic. A project uniting Sizzy Rocket and Alex Fitts (aka the Kickdrums), Shiny Wet Machine’s tracks are infectious, hip-shaking tunes with unapologetically jagged teeth–sugar and spice and whatever manages to fall in between. Check out what can only be an explosive set when the band plays the Studio at Webster Hall 4/23, but in the meantime stream new track "Euphoria" below. – Olivia Sisinni