NYC

Pomdip Presides over Pacific Beats in “Jamaica and the Good Bones”

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Like his longtime collaborator and friend Corbin Clarke, Bür Gür’s Makan Negahban has always dabbled in the arts, jumping between mediums and projects to flex and realize those lights and sounds in his head. And while Negahban has invariably leaned towards the visual, his personal outlet Pomdip is certainly not to be overlooked: a woven basket of electronic and acapella rhythms sure to receive nods from Merrill Garbus and THC-era Jhameel Kim.

Listen to “Jamaica and the Good Bones” off Pomdip’s newest album A Jar in the Jamboree, out now on New Los Angeles.

Portland

Born Upset do the most with their feelings

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Around Portland, it’s easy to think that most of its inhabitants were born upset about something. Comment sections and beer-fueled bar discussions would prove this much to be true, but there’s one duo out here that do a little something more with their frustrations. 

Made up of Kylee Glover on guitar, Hayden Alminiana on drums and both sharing vocal forte, Born Upset list their complaints through punky yells, snarky lyrics and raw hooks. One could easily get caught up in the catchiness of tracks without getting immediately caught up in the expressive aggression, but that’s part of what makes the duo’s music so infectious. It has a point, but the point isn’t so blatant that it detracts from the actual product, which is likely part of why you voted the one of your favorite bands of the month.

Catch Born Upset along with Way Worse and a mystery guest over at The Chum Bucket on 8.24 for $5. Until then, listen to their self titled March release below.

Portland

Matthew Fountain and the Whereabouts share new single “This Is Kneeling”

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 With southern charm and a penchant for finger picking to boot, Matthew Fountain and his band the Whereabouts have released the second single from their album Born On The Hook. "This Is Kneeling" nods heavily at Fountain’s religious tutelage, vulnerability expressed through a trope of prayer.

The song is a slow roller, beautifully building on itself as it lyrically progresses. Fountain’s voice is low and supple, coupling wonderfully with the sedative, folky pattern the song takes. A video for "This Is Kneeling" was also released, featuring a ballet dancer and choreographer named Candace Bouchard illustrating the progression of the song through her movements. The song, dance and video itself all bloom into a work of art that is pretty sonically and visually pleasing.

Give "This Is Kneeling" a listen below and check out the video where it premiered, over on Impose.

Austin

The Savage Poor Prepare to Release “Grown Ups”

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Birthed from members of Shiny Ribs and Roxy Roca, The Savage Poor embrace alternative rock guided by social idealism with a fervent undercurrent of angst. The brothers, Jeff and Ben Brown, elicit a cinematic magnetism that infects the totality of their new debut album, The Grown Ups. Plotting to release their debut at One 2 One bar on July 26th, The Savage Poor explores the gamut of emotions from drab hopelessness, to inspiring exuberance. What brings each of their songs together, is the passion found behind each guitar lick and vocal which harkens back to a simpler time. With a reputable and talented lineage, the members of The Savage Poor are set on blazing through Austin eardrums on July 26th.

NYC

Minor Poet’s single “River Days” from debut album, releasing 08.25

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It’s difficult not to get lost in the lush, lucid indie-rock of Minor Poet. Set to release his debut solo album, And How!, next month, the Richmond-native songwriter sets lyrics inspired by his personal narratives and pairs them with stoic and steady instrumentals. On the recently released single “River Days”, the artist serves a melodic flow that travels and swirls, providing a touchstone for the rest of the album. Listen to the single, “River Days” below. – Tafari Lemma

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, July 14 – 16

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Today was a good day for Philly music with the release of new records from Sheer Mag (Need to Feel Your Love) and Japanese Breakfast (Soft Sounds From Another Planet). And we are happy for the arrival of another new one from our featured Weekend Warrior pick, Waxahatchee. Out In The Storm, the fourth album from Katie Crutchfield, is now available via Merge Records, and you can also check out its stripped-down demos that are included with the deluxe version of the most excellent breakup album (below). Crutchfield will be bringing the tunes to life this evening, joined by her full band, when she headlines Union Transfer. They’ll be supported by Philly DIY gals Cayetana and Baltimore’s Snail Mail so don’t be afraid to weather the flash flood warnings tonight to get there early enough to catch this stacked bill. – H.M. Kauffman

More places to see new Philly music this weekend…

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI Waxahatchee, Cayetana

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Camp Candle, Max Swan, SAT The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret, Judith Priest, Mary Radzinski, SUN The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret, Johnny Showcase And Rumi Kitchen, The Flannel Chucks

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI The Spinto Band, Suburban Living, SAT Cranes Are Flying, Decent, Danafox

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Rubber, Decap Attak/Heavy Temple, Moons/Dev79, Sideswipe/DJ Deejay, SAT S.R. Frost & The Sanctuary Band/DJ PHSH, Mr. Sonny James, SUN Mob Terror

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI Speaking Parts, DJ Shari Vari, SAT Jake Bernard, Sophie Coran

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Bored As Hell, SAT MAGNIFEEQ, Reece Stacks, Ace Malachi, Rellrap, Scoob Roc MIA, M.B.M., Tae Da Kid

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Splintered Sunlight

Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Dayne Jordan

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Dukes of Destiny, Nothing Wrong, SAT (Upstairs) Gnarbot

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Storm Blooper, Oven Rake, SAT DJ Jem, DJ Baby Berlin, Remote Control, DJ UFO, SUN Malcolm Culleton

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Thrills, The Orange Drop, SAT The Superweaks, In The Pines, SUN Taylor Kelly, Max Swan, My Funky Brethren/MG & Swayzie, Sleepy Dahi, Mason, OHM, No Headliner

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Looseleaf (CD Release), Vilebred, Emily Drinker, SAT Ellen Siberian-Tiger

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) SAT Brackish (Release Show)

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) Lee Mayjahs?, DJ Everyday, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Sean Hoots, Joey Sweeney & the Neon Grease, OOLALA, SAT Manikineter, The Magnificent ShitHawks Of The Greater Northern Americas, Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Counterfeit, SUN Young Gravy

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT DJ Lean Wit It, SUN Sunset Live with Slainte

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Trap Rabbit, Joe Kenney, SAT Mesmeria, Age of Truth, Madeline Haze, The Royal Ghosts

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Tom Hamilton’s American Babies, SAT HR (Bad Brains) with Kingsound Vibration, Hezekiah Jones, Mason Porter, HighKick (Album Release), Chris Grunwald & The Slow Response, West Philadelphia Orchestra

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Narra

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Space Drugs, Space Waster, SAT Anomie, A Day Without Love/Suburban White Males, I Am Not The Universe, SUN Yeenar, Sleepy Limbs, Heavenward

University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St.) SAT Ghost in Salad, Sirius JuJu

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Lev Ziskind, Cerulean Blue, Witch H(c)unt

Trash House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Bahdeavn, Tombo Crush, Fan Dancer

The Inconvenience Store (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Broken Beak

Little Italy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Pauline, Short Milani, Soft Idiot

NYC

Future Generations release single “One More Problem” + head out on tour

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Inspired by their first time at SXSW, Brooklyn-based quintet Future Generations wrote the melodic, guitar-driven single “One More Problem” (streaming below). The use of a catchy hook and a dynamic, fast-paced chorus with a semi-electronic production could be compared to indie pop stars like Walk the Moon. This single is notable for the band because it is the first to be written collectively by the five members and its release is also providing momentum for their brief tour. Starting in Chicago, the northeast circuit ends with a show at Brooklyn’s own Knitting Factory on August 5th. –Lilly Milman, photo by Nico Schinco 

NYC

Yours Are the Only Ears brings bittersweet nostalgia to Alphaville on 8.02

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Some of the first songs Susannah Cutler ever wrote ended up on her newest EP friendship porn, a nostalgic collection released under the pseudonym Yours Are the Only Ears. Her soft voice, coupled with her minimalistic and concise lyricism, is reminiscent of Gregory and the Hawk—the songwriting on this EP is intimate, mysterious, and (most notably) raw. The EP plays out like a bittersweet daydream, filled with fragments of memories (“I watch / as you climb a tree / sitting patiently / your tireless flame / conquers everything,”) that are conveyed through airy and distant vocals. This EP, which is available in digital and cassette form, cements Yours Are the Only Ears’ spot in the NYC scene—they can be found playing at Alphaville on August 2nd. Until then, listen to the EP, streaming below. – Lilly Milman, photograph by Julia Leiby 

Philadelphia

New Japanese Breakfast LP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Michelle Zauner has had our attention since the Post Post days, when she first burst on the Philly music scene with her endearing, child-like vocals and ability to write ear-borrowing hooks. (How many of you out there still miss that band?) It was apparent to us then that after Post Post’s disbandment, we would certainly be hearing more from the talented songstress. Well, you can now check out the latest release from bedroom-pop solo project Japanese Breakfast, Soft Sounds From Another Planet (Dead Oceans), an album whose origins began as a science fiction concept musical. Though the concept was never fully realized, it remains the foundation of another heartbreakingly honest record of her new and reworked older compositions.

NYC

Big Sticky Mess plays Boom Boom Room 07.22

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Bay area funk sensation, Big Sticky Mess, is playing Boom Boom Room on July 22nd in support of Victor Little’s Big Hit. Big Sticky Mess is at once a tongue-in-cheek homage to ’70s funk, and an impressive display of musicianship, with wah-laden guitars, saxophones and punchy percussion abounding on their 2016 full-length release, "It All Looks the Same in the Dark." Listen to the title track below! – Ethan Ames

NYC

New Guitar-Pop Project Brother Toaster to play The Great Scott July 18th

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Brother Toaster, a new solo project by Boston local, Sean Galbraith, brings a new appreciation for music that is genuine. Zen Riddles, his June 2017 album release is exactly that. While it is in some ways classic guitar pop in its catchy melodies, garage-y rhythms, and a wandering, psych influence, it is not intense in any of these characteristics. The music sits somewhat quietly behind the vocals, showing a clear presentation of lyrics. In this subtle decision, Brother Toaster shows a pride in lyricism and personal creation similar to singer-songwriter stylings. Still, it remains a fun guitar project, only enhanced by Galbraith’s pride in his own work. See the band live at The Great Scott July 18th. -Allie Miller

NYC

AIERS playing at Pianos 07.30

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Hoboken-based post-punk band, AIERS, will be hitting the stage at Pianos on July 30th. The band’s only shared track is a Youtube clip of their song, "Forever Comes", an impressive blend of alternative sounds. In the video, the band plays untidy, post-punk guitar riffs against a backdrop of thick, green fog, bringing to mind the enigmatic performances of Joy Division and the syncopated and ominous style of early Interpol. With blunt but driving drums and spacey guitar riffs, “Forever Comes” takes a surprisingly melodic turn, drawing on elements from new wave and modern alt-rock. Be sure to check out the band’s performance and the live song below. -Pearse Devlin