Proceeds from Abode of the Merciful, the new release from Marit Rose Stafstrom, a.k.a. Nymphaea, is ticketed to a handful of causes, aimed at supporting those in need, which includes Houston Autonomous Relief, Philly For REAL Justice, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and friends affected by the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland. An air of cautious mystery percolates on her latest EP, as flashlights of synth and hushed vocals shine in the dimly lit corners. Propelled forward by the desire of discovery and alluring percussive beats, one keeps marching/dancing ahead. It’s an enchanting, sonic escape.
Austin
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Bad Rituals Explore Psychotropic Hip-Hop Vibes on Debut EP
Sprung from the melting pot of musical influence that can be found in the UT dorms, Bad Rituals is a quartet of varying instrumentation that have unapologetically fused hip-hop, psych-rock, reggae, and funk into their own unique sound. Zach Black and Daryl Uberoi came together to form the core songwriting engine for Bad Rituals and their rap lyrics and serrated guitars are closer to Rage Against the Machine, as opposed to Limp Bizkit or other rap/rock phonies. Having played together for five years, Bad Rituals has finally come through with a self-titled EP that was recorded at Fifth Street Studios and released on September 1st, 2017. Bad Rituals has confidence, energy, and youth on their side – and there is no reason their music won’t be reaching a larger audience anytime soon.
New England
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Tory Silver Brings Blues Rock to Allston 09.19
Observere, the debut album from Boston’s Tory Silver, is one of those records that hits you right on the first downbeat and never lets you go. It’s dirty and dance-able with a genuine vibe of self-expression. This is a record that needs to be listened to in its entirety, from the tasty licks of "There’s No Need", to the smooth Latin grooves of "I’ve Been Stressing", to the stripped down folk of "I Feel Like". You can catch Tory at Christian A Herter Park in Allston on 9/19. -Brian Varneke
New England
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Weakened Friends Drop New Single “Hate Mail” Featuring J Mascis
Noise-y pop punkers, Weakened Friends, have been busy making waves. When they’re not warming up the stage for heavy hitters like CHVRCHES and Silversun Pickups, they’re becoming a force all their own. For evidence, look no further than their new single "Hate Mail", a driving, aggressively infectious breakup/fuck you song featuring the legendary J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) on guitar. The band is currently on the road, bringing a headlining tour to a Northeast town near you. Click here for dates and check out the track below. -Brian Varneke
NYC
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Indie poppers Bien release ‘Electric Dream’ EP
Electric Dream is the new standout EP from Nashville-trio Bien, which is made up of Jessie Early and husband and wife Angela and Tim Lauer. Tim Lauer, who has previously worked with The Civil Wars and Mikky Ekko, produced the project, stylistically combining hi- and lo-fi sounds to create a unique and dynamic track list. Their brand of indie electro-pop is at once soothing and exciting, with title track “Electric Dream” being just one example of their eclectic sound. Keep your fingers crossed for a tour announcement from these up-and-comers, and in the meantime stream all six songs from the Electric Dream EP below. – Lilly Milman
NYC
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Blame Candy play Knitting Factory September 20th
With a track that will literally explode through your speaker, Blame Candy takes all the appeal of Neon Trees and brings it into 2017. A band catchy enough to be on the radio, Blame Candy deliver plenty of memorable melodies peppered with oohs aahs. This is pure pop’n’roll, with added in some heart strung lyrics and hooky electric guitars. You can catch them at Our Wicked Lady on Wednesday, September 20th. – Allie Miller
NYC
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Sapphogeist releases ‘Mar-a-Lago’ album on BANK Records NYC
Brooklyn-based Sapphogeist’s "Mar-a-Logo" (released on BANK Records NYC) is a dreamy, evocative, and potent shout of electronica that transcends the obvious political allusion in the record’s title. Standout track “Holding On” anchors an album chock full of sensuous and hazy sonic mysteries. It’s like a trip through the maze of a real pumping heart — translucent and bloody. Comparisons to Purity Ring and maybe Grimes might come easy, but are merely superficial. The grittiness of “Exodus,” the daring of the funeral march dirge-like “Mar-a-Logo” prove that what Sapphogeist is doing and has achieved is fascinatingly singular. -juan leon
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, September 15 – 17
This Saturday, the historic Electric Factory will be hosting Project Pabst Citywide Fest, where you’ll be treated to an array notable and rising indie recording artists. The fiercely open, riff-tastic tunes of Thin Lips will be catching hold of early birds with momentous melodies. Later in the day, bridging the gap between adolescent and adulthood into anthems of universal release, The Menzingers take the stage to the delight of their growing loyal fan base. Sandwiched in between, you’ll also find the fragile, cathartic, biting melodies of Nothing and the sincere, gritty, pop sensibilities of Speedy Ortiz, who has recently welcomed Laser Background’s Andy Moholt into the fold. The elegantly exposed vulnerability of Big Thief, Atlanta garage-rock gals The Coathangers, and “Mr. F*ck, That’s Delicious” Action Bronson round out this daylong hang. – Michael Colavita
More places to hang this weekend…
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Project Pabst Citywide Festival: The Menzingers, Speedy Ortiz, Nothing, Thin Lips
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI TJ Kong and The Atomic Bomb (Vinyl Release Show), Lightninging, Haunted Homes
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Parris Bowens, Kingfisher, SAT The GTVs, The Justines
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay/Maggs Bruchez, Adam East, Phil Yeah, SAT Matthew Law, DJ Lean Wit It, SUN Profligate, Lady Shame, Coord
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI Sitcom
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Hardwork Movement, Ill-Fated Natives, Aleana
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Mo Lowda & The Humble, SUN Rumi Kitchen
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Ceramic Animal
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Supefive, The Sparklers/(Downstairs) Break On Through An Evening to Benefit Abramson Cancer Center: Not Collidge Material
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Kenty Love, SAT A Black Celebration, DJ Baby Berlin
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.)FRI Dave P SAT John Dominy, Tigers + Thieves/Secret American, Katie Frank, Shy Boyz
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Montoj, Maggie Mae, SAT Paul Keen
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI The Mysteries, SAT The Bigness, Exmaid
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Bazmati Vice, The Space Cats, Local Smokes
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Athensville, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT The Founders, Bunny Savage & the Plibmen, Whiskey Effect
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Ben Aire, SAT Ed Chrisof, SUN Franky’s First Ladies
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Cain Kerner, Kid The Great, Scottie Kash, Joji Ruffin, Hollywood Kane
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Catullus, SAT Splintered Sunlight, SUN Mach22
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Computer, Whine Moms
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Jawncarlo, SAT Crayon Mischief, The Tisburys, Readership, Full Blush, SUN Mavis The Dog, Slow Reader, Yeenar
N2N Festival (5000 Baltimore Ave.) SAT Prince Tribute: DJ Questlove, PnB Rock
Broke Down Palace (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Who Loves You
Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Katie Ellen
The Waiting Room (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Great Weights, You You Dark Forest, Sloppygoop
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Pool Radio
The breezy, seductive synth-pop of this month’s Featured Artist(s) Poll winners Pool Radio is evident when spinning their new release Pool II. Unguarded, emotive intimacy is interlaced with inherent danceability, akin to fellow Philly natives Work Drugs. Founding members Justin Brady and Jonny Hart have been making music together since junior high, and we had a chance to catch up with Brady to dive a little deeper into the history, likes and dislikes of Pool Radio, which you can check out HERE.
Philadelphia
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New Hardwork Movement EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
On their first release as a fully fleshed nine-piece, Hardwork Movement develops a sonic depth. A soulful brand of hip hop is led instrumentally by the triumvirate of bass, keys, and drums. Peppered with accents of flute and trumpet, the group creates a well-rounded tone amid the confident authority of intertwined lyrically spoken and sung vocals. For The People captures a pensive, proactive place, stepping forward into the moment. You catch the collective tonight at Underground Arts, where they will be in party mode, supported by Ill Fated Natives and Aleana.
NYC
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Annie Hart releases solo album, plays two NYC shows on 9/15 and 9/25
Already known for her decade long activity in dreamy electronic three piece ensemble Au Revoir Simone, Annie Hart releases her first solo album Impossible Accomplice today. Self-recorded in true DIY basement style (with one of Fred Armisen’s rooms serving as the only other tracking location during a brief stay in Portland) first single and video "Hard To Be Still" (streaming below) celebrates oscilloscopes and devoted love. Heavy on deep bass synths, the chorus “you gave me what I want” and “I’ll never give you up” is an instant earworm. The video is simple, managing at once to be stilish and humorous – it even features a revealing "outtakes" section at the end that reveals how the DIY approach extended to the shooting process, not only the recording one. Catch Annie live on 9/15 at Main Drag Music (a free event featuring live keyboard looping and vibraphone, celebrating the record release), and supporting Matt Pond PA and Wild Pink on 9/25 at Brooklyn Night Bazaar. – Dave Cromwell
Philadelphia
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New Track: “John Wilkes Booth” – TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb
It’s been over three years since we’ve had a new album from TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb. Well, this evening at Johnny Brenda’s, you’ll have a chance to cop his new EP Dancing Out the Door at the band’s vinyl release celebration with Lightninging and Haunted Homes. The album officially drops on October 13 via Good Behavior Records, but you can take a listen to its raucous, piano-boogie lead single, "John Wilkes Booth," which is also featured on the label’s Hurricane Relief compilation. All proceeds will be going to the victims of Harvey and Irma.