Portland

See Shannon Entropy Perform Their Debut Live Tonight

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 Shannon Entropy popped up on our radar months ago after we fell hard for their Tamale EP. The way the band, consisting of Libby and Jesse Hamlin (guitars, vox), David Hickey (keys, vox), Roman Buermann (bass) and Kevin Wilbanks (drums), mingled elements of math rock, psych and shoegaze on their EP made their sound easily addicting, but their official debut takes their mastery to a whole other level.

Out There Ideas dropped on 6.16 and is the summation of years of songwriting and refinery, building up on a foundation of tracks from deep within the Hamlins’ arsenal. A brooding dejection that flows through the album, from the orchestral string intro that opens the album, to dark rock tracks like "VVitches" and album closer "The Ballad of Mustin Park," with Hickey’s vocals echoing a tender croon along with it. 

The band will be joined by art pop of Sheers, Mood Beach‘s synthy grooves and some indie-psych from The Wild War as part of their album release show tonight at Holocene. What better way to spend a hot evening than by chilling out with a bill of great acts. Stream the album to become even more acquainted with the Out There Ideas tracks before the show.

L.A.

Saint Blasphemer bring back no-frills alt metal on Theotokos

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Saint Blasphemer live and breathe by hard rock’s cathartic embrace. The Santa Ana foursome follow a no-frills, murky grunge sound that combines classic metal influences with Sabbath-informed metallic riffs. Led by lead singer Thomas Monroe’s effortless maxims, which veer from angst to euphoria, the band’s monochromatic power chords closely evoke the surge of early nineties alternative, an era that continues to resonate despite its slightly anachronistic form. Their aversion to facile pop song forms is commendable, though, as they build a powerful connection with an openness that’s impossible to forge.

Saint Blasphemer’s latest EP, Theotokos, is out now via their official bandcamp page. – Juan Rodríguez

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, June 23 – 25

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After a pressure cooker of a week, this weekend offers the opportunity to let out some steam, ease the tension, and let loose. This evening, Cheerleader heads the billing at Johnny Brenda’s. The quintet’s misty, refreshing melodies wash over you in a pleasantly cruising daydream. An inherent, rolling, rhythmic optimism sticks into the grooves, escaping the day-to-day grind. Tonight, they’ll be supported by Buffalo garage-rock trio Made Violent and the Brooks Brothers-led musical ensemble of Louds, whose bright, bubbling pop-rock naturally spills over on to the dance floor.

On Saturday at Johnny Brenda’s, the quirky sing-along, carnival, musical troupe of OhBree brings out all the bells and whistles, celebrating their new record Burn Bridges, Burn Pies. Orchestrating their precision-oriented, multi-faceted soundscapes, Grandchildren helps in setting the musical scene, along with the engaging, energy-rich ebb & flow of Mumblr and the subdued pop of Glenn Matthews.

And whether you simply aren’t ready for the party to end or are an early riser ready for some Sunday day-drinking, get on over to The Barbary for the first annual Psychedelic Breakfast with psych-garage trio Residuels, local grindcore three-piece Die Choking, An Albatross, and much more. – Michael Colavita

Other places to escape the chill this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Cheerleader, Louds, SAT OhBree  (Record Release), Grandchildren, Mumblr, Glenn Matthews, SUN Scantron, Matt Kelly

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Milton, SAT Oh, Are They?, Starterjacket

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Rosali, Valley Exit/Sky Valley, SAT Chvnce, Matt Arthur, Ellen Siberian Tiger/X-Hunters/Fame Lust, SUN Decap Attak, Buzzherd, Blasphemous, My Son Bison

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Palm, Palberta

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, SAT Elvin T, Siyoung, Alex Burkat, Chris B, Shawn Ryan, Fosho & Tell

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Tigers Jaw, SUN Hemming

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI 56 Men, Teen Dads, I Think Like Midnight, SAT On The Cooling Board, North Lawrence Midnight Singers, TC Cole Riot, SUN Tapes & Tubes, Jesse Gimbel

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Blac Papi, Kyte Wilson , Blum Bros., Born Cold, SUN Lee Mazin, Kur, DJ Diamond Kuts, Bri Steves, Phat Geez

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Chris Paterno Band / Joe Trainor Trio (Evening of Billy Joel)

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Geisha Façade, So Totally, SUN Die Choking, Residuels

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.)  SUN Marielle Kraft

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Cold Roses, Chalk & the Beige Americans, Christine Irizarry

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Broad St. Burlesque, SAT Family Volleyball, Salfi

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT Drama, Spazz Ripley, Xilomen/DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT The Ellipses, Wack Cheddar, The Phonies, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Riverside Odds, 66 Stitches, Seeing Snakes, Beer Me, SAT Thunder & Glory, The Charley Few

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI J.O. The Last Man, SUN Heavensake

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT DJ Kevin Kong, SUN Slainte

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Sly Foxes, Bazmati Vice, The Cultour, Jam Traffic, SAT Spicy Meatball, Adam Travis & The Soul, Brodi Valos

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI The Sermon. SAT Jah People

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Eagle Daddy, Black Dirty, Mage Hand/Disappearances, Sunstroke, Kochiyama, SAT The Stone Eye, Highburnator/Birthday Boy, SUN Clique, The Point Breeze Country Club/Truant Minds, Rentboys, Pretty Words

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Elaine Rasnake, Gravers Lane 

Glitter Galaxy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Thin Lips

The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Carroll, Cerulean Blue

NYC

Cruel Youth assists on holywater’s debut track “Hush”

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Though we’ve seen quite a few musical icons make headlines in the fashion world *coughKanyecough*, it’s quite rare to see someone from fashion make the switch to music. Enter holywater, a photographer, fashion curator and the head of creative collective Virgin Gold Cult, who is now also making her foray into music under the same name. And not content to simply get her toes wet, she has dove in head first with "Hush," a moody, yet upbeat collaboration with Cruel Youth. Over the track’s party-ready instrumental, Teddy Sinclair of CY sings with fiery passion, trying to rekindle an old flame that seems to have burned them both out long ago. "Hush" is a very promising start to holywater’s musical career, and is hopefully only the beginning of exciting collaborations in the future. —Henry Solotaroff-Webber

NYC

Mutilation Rites announces fall US tour, plays two nights at The Knit in October.

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Brooklyn-based band Mutilation Rites offers a sound that fans of most metal sub-genres can mosh to, since they fuse elements of black, thrash, and death metal. The vocals on their 2014 release Harbinger employ metal’s raspy, high pitched shrieks, while also utilizing the deep and guttural growls from death metal. “Black Pyramid” sets the tone for the album, coming out of the gate with a relentless assault from drummer Justin Ennis (ex-Tomb), however the band does know when to step back from the brutality and settle on slower and groovier moments. The band just announced a fall US tour kicking off with two dates at the Knit on October 16 and 17. – John Honan

Chicago

Song Premiere: Ryan Joseph Anderson

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We are proud to premiere the first single, “The Ragged Kind”, from the sophomore album, City of Vines, from Ryan Joseph Anderson. The album will be released on June 30th.

Anderson will be performing on July 2nd as part of the American Music Festival at Fitzgerald’s. The record release show for City of Vines will take place at The Hideout on August 4th.

Philadelphia

Debut Noise and Silence EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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The pairing of Matt Fleming and Bob Hunter, a.k.a. Noise and Silence, released their debut EP Cycle Theory, via Exotic Fever, today. Reserved contemplation with cold-glowing, inferno-blooming, blue flames, the album serves as a calming presence, which can quickly shift into engulfing, shoegazing heaviness. The duo builds anticipatory dynamics, laying low and gradually elevating the ante, until the switch flips.

Philadelphia

Debut Eliza Edens EP Available for Streaming & Download

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Retreat into the solace of nature via Lowlight, the new EP from folk songstress Eliza Edens. Its starter “Matrices” offers a nod and a wink to the Joni Mitchell gem “Woodstock,” preparing one for the musical passage to come. Swept up in feathery, bright, buoyant instrumentation, well-crafted songwriting/melody flourishes. With all proceeds being donated to Planned Parenthood, this collection benefits one’s ears and a good cause simultaneously. (Photo by Grace Clark)

NYC

Deal Casino releases debut single, “Red Balloon” & plays The Stone Pony 07.21

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Asbury Park’s Deal Casino, a promising new indie-rock quartet that made our recent list of Best of NYC Emerging Artists, has released their first single, entitled "Red Balloon," from their upcoming debut album. The track, inspired by the Oscar winning, 1956 French comedy-drama going under the same name, is an uptempo, punchy romp that will tickle the ears of fans of The Black Keys and Dr. Dog. Like the movie, it’s a playful song, but also features an underlying feeling of sadness, which the band says will be a recurring theme in their full length. Deal Casino is celebrating the record’s release at The Stony Pony in Asbury Park on July 21st with Born Cages and The Cold Seas. Listen to the new single below! – Ethan Ames

Portland

Maurice and the Stiff Sisters Thank the Fans

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*photo credit: Zim Zimmerman/Light Monkeys

Gratitude is essentially a virtue. It used to be the norm for bands and solo musicians to have a particular hubris about them-a cocky air craving the praise of their fans for oftentimes no reason at all. Thankfully artists aren’t as much like that anymore. Power pop quintet Maurice and the Stiff Sisters show this, demonstrating how farther a good relationship with the audience can take you in addition to talent.

The group hasn’t been around for very long. In about a year’s time since they’ve been a band they’ve already played to masses of people, like at the Kenton Street Fair, as well as to pretty varying crowds like patrons of the southeast country bar Landmark Saloon. Maurice and the Stiff Sisters have a type of accessible sound that’s easy for all crowds to enjoy. Their power pop is not only delightfully catchy, but also mixes in romantic soulful notes that make them even more lovable. 

Seeing Maurice and the Stiff Sisters is just as enjoyable as listening to them, which in part helped them become one of our June artists of the month. You can catch their next set at the end of July for an ACLU benefit at Dig A Pony, along with Bubblecats and Snowblind Traveler. Until then, enjoy their performance video for "Our Old Haunts" and an adoring acceptance video for their win.