Portland

Take some ‘Time’ out for the Toads

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The Toads were always a favorite. With their newest album, Time, they’ve solidified that even more. 

Time still operates the same pop-punk plane The Toads usually skirt on, but with a slight twist. It’s not just delightfully punky tunes anymore, but also an incorporation of more of a 90’s alternative feel to the tracks. At times, Time even touches on a Beatles-esque ’60s pop quality, like on the track "Alien Gene."

You can catch The Toads performing again 8.3 at Bunk Bar with Plastic Cactus and Slow Caves. They’ll be playing a few shows around here and Washington before taking a brief hiatus at the end of September for a few weeks, but there will be plenty of opportunities to see these bad boys live before then. In the meantime, stream Time below.

Toronto

NAKED WILD – “POCKET WHISKEY” EP

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Local pop rockers Naked Wild have released a brand new EP titled “Pocket Whiskey”. This EP contains the previously released single “Stay Girl”. It kicks off with “Funk Yourself” which naturally has a funky guitar lick for an intro. Also contains some nice solo work by lead guitarist Mitch Burton. These boy’s sound is constantly maturing with every tune I hear. They have recently signed with Trouble Town Records located at Polson Pier in Toronto and celebrated this release with a sold out show at the Garrison last weekend. Your next chance to see ‘em is July 29th at Lee’s Palace. – Kris Gies

 

NYC

Tight and tuneful, prog-rockers Deaf Scene return with new music video

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After turning heads with their 2014 release "Three Pound Universe" Baltimore’s Deaf Scene returns with a music video for the song "Acid Fight" from their upcoming album. The group adds so many crystal clean ornamentations to the groove in this track that the ornamentations seem to seamlessly build on top of each other to the point where it’s hard to tell whether the song is still in 4/4 or some other time signature altogether. The unstoppable groove and the often soulful guitar timbres result in pure head-banging bliss.

Here is the new music video for “Acid Fight” from Deaf Scene

-Michael Dranove

NYC

Brittle Brian releases new Single “Truther,” plays Middle East 8/24

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Victoria Rose began releasing music under the name "Brittle Brian" in 2014, nearing the end of her enrollment at Boston University. She began putting out two absorbing electronic tracks on "Instrumentals for Looking at Animals" an album sweetly fitting to the activity it recommends. Then her first full-length, Bony French Cathedrals, was a stripped-down acoustic album full of confession. Continuing her organic, self-recorded and produced aesthetic, she released Verisune, an album released following her graduation from college which lead her to become a staple of the Boston scene, playing everywhere from house venues to local favorites like The Great Scott. Like the stark portrait of its album art, Verisune is a personal album that is utterly unique and intense. Most recently she’s released "Truther," an eerie ballad which alternates Spanish folk guitar with Elliot Smith influences. We look forward to anything that this individual singer-songwriter brings to Boston in the future. See her alongside Horse Jumper of Love, Dust from 1000 Yrs, and Blue Smiley August 24th. -Allie Miller

NYC

Dent May to release “Across The Multiverse” LP on 8.18 + plays The Glass House 8.05

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Mississippi-born and LA-based Dent May never thought he would be singing about the 90210, but that’s exactly what happened on his upcoming album, Across the Multiverse. The singer and multi-instrumentalist has learned to love his new city, and it’s evident in every lyric and funky synth beat. Singles like the titular “Across The Multiverse,” (streaming below) which features Frankie Cosmos, have a certain groove to them thats typical of Dent May, but with a more refined production style and a pointed theme. The rest of the album will be released on August 18th, and he will be playing a show at The Glass House on August 5th.Lilly Milman

NYC

Ritual Talk releases single “Help I’ve Been Dreaming”, plays Pianos 08.04

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Psych-Rock band Ritual Talk released an extremely intriguing debut single (with video, streaming below) entitled, “Help, I’ve Been Dreaming”, and is scheduled to perform at Pianos on August 4th. The track is an art-rock song that flows through so many sounds, it becomes difficult to even categorize, yet manage to stay within tasteful boundaries, never sacrificing musical coherence for the sake of experimentation. A rather complex ¾ beat starts the song off, traveling into more psych-rock, wavier sounds from both the guitar and harmonizing female and male vocals. The lyrics are serene, succint but poetic. Then, a more indie rock sound evolves through intricate guitar pattering, slowly evolving as background organs enter the soundscape. If you dig this single, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming album and don’t miss them live!– Pearse Devlin

NYC

Loos Leaf plays album release show 09.30

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Bay area psych-funk band, Loos Leaf, recently released a new single, "Green Eyed Stare." A kaleidoscopic fusion of funk, R&B, dub, jazz and psych-rock, "Green Eyed Stare" showcases the band’s mastery of complex time signatures and a zealousness to blend diverse styles into one composition. Loos Leaf will play a record release show on September 30th at Kuumbwa Jazz. Listen to the single below! – Ethan Ames

NYC

IGBO brings the psych-funk to C’Mon Everybody on August 8

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Brooklyn-based funk group IGBO continue to share their positive spirit with their new Rooftop Cookout Series happening now at My Wicked Lady. As the first of a two-part event series, they invited fellow dance-fusion stars Buscabulla, Puck, NiDi Halum, Naimi, ignaBAE and Jaws to for a afternoon dance. Praised by both NPR and The Fader since the release of their debut EP INDIGO GREEN BROWN ORANGE, they’ve been going from one sold-out NYC show to the next. The EP is a six-track mix of every thing from psych, jazz, afrobeat, and (according to their bandcamp tags) "astro-rap." Usually, all of these different sounds will flow within the same song, with changes as natural and welcoming as the spirit of their colorful performance style. If there was any dance party we’d want to attend this summer, it would be IGBO’s. Listen to their 2017 release "Thunderlove" and don’t miss their upcoming show at C’Mon Everybody on August 8 within Elisa’s residency. -Allie Miller  

NYC

Devon Gilfillian Releases “Here and Now” Video + kicks off fall tour

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For Nashville-via-Philadelphia artist, Devon Gilfillian, soul music is all about one’s roots. In his new video for the track “Here and Now,” he infuses his Nashville surroundings into his R&B music, creating a soulful mix of folk, blues, country, and groove. According the Gilfillian, the song is about a woman who he will one day love and live in the moment with. He is currently on a southern tour, and will be back in Nashville on August 17th to play the Soulshine Music Loft. –Lilly Milman, photo by Lindsey Patkos

Philadelphia

New A Stick and A Stone Album Available for Streaming & Purchase

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It’s been over four years since A Stick and A Stone‘s last release Night Vision and debut Opal Nightly (which is way too long, in our honest opinion). But thankfully, the project’s mastermind, transgender singer-songwriter Elliott Harvey, has returned, with a partner in crime in viola player Myles Donovan (Disemballerina, Negative Queen, Ominous Cloud Ensemble), for their hauntingly captivating new album The Long Lost Art of Getting Lost, an apt title for the ethereal headspace and otherwordly places that the duo takes us during this seven-song journey, which is now available via Sentient Ruin (US vinyl/tape), Cold (EU vinyl), Breathe Plastic (EU tape), and Sprit House (CD). You can also stream the EP below, and catch A Stick and A Stone live in Philly tomorrow night at Panorama Art Studio with Nothern Liberties, Voyager, and Jesse Sparhawk.

NYC

The Revolution Vol. 17: Cross Culture, Beccs and Bridget Perez at National Sawdust on 07.29

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Brooklyn non-profit venue National Sawdust is hosting The Revolution Vol. 17 on July 29th, a monthly installment in an ongoing performance series sponsored by The Deli. The Revolution is a showcase of Brooklyn and Harlem-based performers who advocate for community empowerment, change and activism through the arts. Featured this month are the hip-hop/soul powerhouse Cross Culture, the jarring and introspective songwriting of beccs, and the smooth R&B stylings of Bridget Perez. You can listen to some of their music below! – Ethan Ames