Toronto

RETURN FOR REFUND – “LIFT YOU UP”

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Toronto based hard rock band Return for Refund have released a brand new video for the title track from their latest release “Lift You Up”. This tune kicks off with some nice guitar licks that remind me of some Jerry Cantrell moves. The whole tune goes in that direction with its heavy riffs and controlled pace. Add in a fiery solo and you got yourself a rock tune. Sweaty noisy rock like the way it used to be. Your next chance to see Return for Refund is August 26th at the Horseshoe Tavern – Kris Gies

Austin

Spectral Sea Drops New Single “Three Vultures” From Debut EP

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The infectious guitars and pop-infused rhythms of mid-2000’s rock continues to reintroduce itself through the charismatic incarnate bands like Spectral Sea. Tenured musicians who cycled through a slew of different acts throughout the years, Spectral Sea brings together an eclectic amalgam of rock n’ roll talent. This local quartet has found their voice as they ride the release of their debut Ep Stop/Start. Their first single "Three Vultures" tips the hat to the popular SoCal sounding, emo vocal stylings of the 2000’s pop-punk scene. Singer, Al Behnke, navigates the song structure with a creative discipline that emphasizes the pounding chorus’ zeniths and isolates the fragile and jangled guitar work.  Spectral Sea plays 9:30 PM on Sunday, August 6th at the Mohawk as they continue to pound the pavement, making sure their name stays on the tips of Austinite’s lips.

 

 

Chicago

Cat Daiquiri

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Cat Daiquiri is the trio of Sarah Sterling (Videotape, Astrobrite), Steve Rajewski (Canada, Little Midnight) and Graham Bauerle (Carbon Dioxide). They released their second EP, “Kill The Password”, last month. It is the mixture of styles, backgrounds, and approaches like make this trio a true pleasure.

Chicago

Bonzie

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Bonzie has released a behind the scenes video for the making of the song “Combback”. The song is taken from her recently released LP, Zone On Nine.

NYC

NYC artist on the rise: Blood Cultures celebrates debut LP at Rough Trade 08.09

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Mysterious electro-pop prpject Blood Cultures released their debut album this past month, titled Happy Birthday. It features four tracks previously released on Soundcloud, ranging from their successful 2013 single “Indian Summer”, a track we highlighted on this very blog at the time and which has now accumulated nearly 2 million plays, to their most recent single, "Detroit" (streaming below), a track that keeps faith with the signature calm, soothing falsetto vocals over sparse electronic arrangements. The New Jersey based artist will be performing at Rough Trade on August 9th, opening up for Australian rapper Allday at 9PM. – Pearse Devlin

We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, August 4 – 6

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Eric Slick (Dr. Dog, Lithuania) opens for Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble and Art Feynman this Saturday at Johnny Brenda’s. Exploring and evaluating one’s internal monologue and balancing that against the openness afforded by nature, Slick finds a happy medium. While one is continuously harmonizing conceptual ideals and realities, Slick ventures into the thicket, tapping into a somber sense of key/percussive-oriented calm and peaceful acceptance. However, the mood isn’t one of resignation; there are upbeat, attitude-adjusting points, in which clarifying, melodic pop shines through. Slick leads the way to Art Feynman, a.k.a. Luke Temple (Here We Go Magic), whom recently released a new album, Blast Off Through the Wicker, via Western Vinyl, and multi-textured, thought-provoking Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble. – Michael Colavita

More places to enjoy your summer this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Eric Slick, SUN Dream Safari

The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Ben Kessler, SAT Evan Wize

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Sun Hat, Rat Daddy/DJ Deejay, SAT Lito and the Shepherds, John Dominy/DJ Baby Berlin, DJ Jem, Voltheque/Rob Diioia, Cliph, Musho, SUN The Tough Shits, The Little Kicks

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Shy Boyz (Record Release), Ali Wadsworth, Charley Coin

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Mars Parker, Aleana, Troi Lauren, Camp Candle, Orion Sun

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Andrew Meoray, Jermie Falcone

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Box of Rain

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Taylor Kelly, The Phonies, SAT Hambone Relay

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Crazy Bull, Along The Way, Tiny Hueman, Jason Jeffries and The Talltrees/(Downstairs) Conjunto, Sat (Upstairs) Beta Hi-Fi Emerging Music Festival Finals, SUN (Upstairs) Darlingtyn, Dino Petaccio & The Intruders/Nijah, The Soundcheck, Maria Leonetti, Pariadin, The Fridays, Hemispheres, Casual Friday, Marchi

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Tre Way and The Now Generation, GR Stone Band, The Chronic Project, SAT Cole Brightbill, Mariano/Echo Lad, Telyscopes

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Suzie Brown (CD Release), Scot Sax Soul Revue, SAT Black Horse Motel

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI PHL 4 Change Benefit Show (David Bowie Night): Justin Pellecchia, Erin Fox, SAT Wyldflowers, Chvnce, Dear Forbidden

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay

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

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Noise and Silence, Hueman Garbij, SUN Carolyn Thorn, Lady Parts, Brother Martin, Liz Fulmer Band

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SUN ACTiVATE, No Gods

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Pierson, SAT DJ Beatstreet, SUN Burnt Sienna

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Telyscopes, Something Divine, Bazmati Vice, Granz (EP Release), The Classic Hunt, SAT Mat Burke

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Freeway, Scholito, Frankie Vado, Ayo, SUN Jeff Washington Band, Swamp Ash

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) SAT Mauled By A Bear, Commencement, Uncle Dan, Avestial, Catharsis/The Keystones, The Pink Angels, SUN The Dirty Queen

LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Julia Rainer, Puppy Angst, Timothy Tebordo

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Busy Bee, Elaine Rasnake

 

NYC

Lulu Lewis brings noir pop to Bowery Electric tomorrow (08.05)

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Even though NYC band Lulu Lewis claims to play "Harlem Punk," we believe the term "noir-garage pop" better describes their music, which, however, is not entirely devoid of a punk vein. Fronted by magnetic and clear voiced actress, producer, visual artist and songwriter Dylan Hundley, the quartet released stylish debut video "All Just Pretending" (streaming below) earlier in 2017, a stripped down, abrasive track featuring an intriguingly grainy and sophisticated production. We suspect Argentinian lead guitarist Pablo Martin (previously in Tom Tom Club) had a role in it. The band will carry their sound to Bowery Electric on 08.05. – Tafari Lemma

Philadelphia

New Track: “Readjust” – Addie Pray

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The Le Sigh just released its third compilation installment, which is available via Father/Daughter Records. In “Readjust,” Addie Pray delves into the process of moving forward and leaving the past and sometimes the people associated with it behind. While an exposed authenticity endears, the illuminating synth/percussion backing serves as a catalyst of optimistic progress. You can stream and purchase the album HERE, and a portion of sales today will go to the Transgender Law Center.

NYC

Listen to gods epic track “Wash” + catch Parlor Mob at Asbury Park’s Indian Summer Fest

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At the end of 2016, psychedelic rockers gods released the first new tracks since their outstanding debut EP Endless Stunner (reviewed on The Deli here).  Epic track “Wash” (streaming below) builds off the lyrical hook “I got a feeling that I can’t believe.”  Exotic sounding guitar parts set a middle-eastern sitar vibe – or is that really a sitar? A powerful, droney bass, slashing cymbals and stomping drums conjure up an image of a caravan marching across mystical desert landscapes.  Deliberate and methodical, elaborate progressive instrumental sections reveal a tight interplay.  “Wash away this light that shines on me” becomes the emotional takeaway, as a dominant guitar lick mingling with whooshy rising synth rushes concludes this journey.  While gods have no live dates listed at the moment, parent band The Parlor Mob (which include a number of the same members) will headline the Saturday portion of Asbury Parks upcoming Indian Summer Fest next month. – Dave Cromwell

Philadelphia

New RahZweL LP Available for Streaming & Download

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Local emcee RahZweL’s latest album, Abstract Paintings, evades pretense in lieu of pouncing, present tense lyricism. Coupling refined cinematic backdrops with prowling bass/percussion-oriented beats, a relaxed intensity pushes forward. Swiftly delivering without rushing the process, the recordings tap back into basics, without looking in the rearview.

L.A.

zenxienz revisits the mind-bending allure of drum n’ bass on “Missing California”

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zenxienz, the nom de plume of Cameron Williamson, unfolds a rich tapestry of sounds on his latest single, "Missing California." The tireless IDM producer/songwriter doesn’t limit himself to a singular style, given that his brief, though, expansive collection explores the limitless boundaries of nu jazz with soothing, psychedelic grooves. The vibrant physicality of the track adopts a bolting breakbeat that weaves seamlessly with its shape-shifting textures, a mishmash of restless experimentation that never ceases to test your senses.

"Missing California" is the first reveal off of zenxienz’s upcoming full-length, Brainforest. It is out tomorrow, August 4, on all streaming platforms. – Juan Rodríguez