L.A.

Lauren Lakis captures a relationship in the fritz of corruption on “Mourn the Dead”

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With one foot in the electronic genre and the other in folk, singer songwriter Lauren Lakis releases her latest single,  “Mourn The Dead”. Lakis has been categorized as an electric doom folk artist, hitting multiple different platforms of music styles and listeners with her unique disposition. “Mourn The Dead” captures a relationship in the fritz of corruption, and what it is like to suffer through it but still, somehow coming out stronger. Her moody and dark stylings are exactly what one needs when buried in a funk, as she’ll pull you out and suck you right back in (in every good way possible).

"Mourn the Dead" is the first preview off of her forthcoming full-length album, entitled Ferocious. We have to wait until February of 2018 to hear the whole album, but it will be well worth the wait. – Kayla Hay

Portland

The 5th Annual Freakout! Fest comes back tonight

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Triple city-based indie label Freakout Records has been churning out some pretty fine electronic, psych and lively rock from three out of the four corners of the states. Operating out of Seattle, Los Angeles and New York, Freakout has taken to occupying various venues in Ballard for its festival since 2012, with artists of their own catalog, as well as other artists scattered around the Northwest and the country. Freakout! Festival returns again tonight, and its bill is as stacked as ever.

Co-presented by The Stranger, Audioasis on KEXP and supported by Killroom Records, Treefort Music Fest and Artist Home Record Club, Freakout! Fest will be hitting up its usual Ballard staples like Conor Byrne and Tractor Tavern, with Sarah Gerritsen and Roadkill Ghost Choir kicking things off with some early sets. Tonight’s hip hop will be fulfilled by up and coming lyricist Taylar Elizza Beth, with some dark stoner psych coming from Blackwater Holy Light. Energetically folky blues comes from Battleme, who are out on tour supporting their new Cult Psychotica release, while Charms and FKL bring more of a dancey feel to a couple of the headlining spots.

Much of Saturday’s bill recalls a warmer, more carefree season thanks to some surf-drenched sets from Baywitch, The Shivas and Guantanamo Baywatch, The White Tears and Pearl Dragon is Dead are collaborating on their performance at the Conor Byrne, Porter Ray and Jus Moni killing it in the rhythm and rhymes department, and Kelli Schaefer and Maiah Manser representing for solo noir pop.

There’s so many more acts to see, thank goodness they’re all playing on the same street. You can find more information about the artists, venues and tickets over at the Freakout Records site.

NYC

Abbi Press dances with herself and lemons in new video “Butterfly Effect”

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Abbi Press has released a stunning video for her song "Butterfly Effect," a danceable indie-electronic tune chock-full of whimsical synth textures and accentuated by lightly, sparse percussive elements. The video, gorgeously colored and filmed almost entirely in slow-motion is dreamlike and mysterious. The integral recurring motif of the lemon is both striking and haunting- though I can’t decide which feeling leaves more of an impact. One thing’s for sure: this video is seriously cool, and a real treat to watch. –Geena Kloeppel

Austin

Wonderbitch Enters Another Reality On “Run Ya”

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After two EPs, Oceansoft is Wonderbitch’s first full length LP.  True to their unique sound, Oceansoft is a stylish, adventurous throwback to the clean sophistication and calculated funk of yacht rock and 80s RnB/Pop, but with modern sensibility and production in mind.  A couple new members and new influences bring new facets to the smart, the smooth, and the shiny.

"Run Ya" is the first single off the new album which is loosely based around a wild story Wonderbitch dreamed up: 

A group of rich folks out on a yacht in the 1980s hit a storm and get warped to an alternate dimension where money doesn’t matter and nature is taking over civilization. A type of Waterworld/American Psycho hybrid that influences a nuanced and experimental sound.

 

Check Wonderbitch perform for their vinyl release tonight at the Mohawk.  More info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1534300743327195

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, November 17 – 19

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Passionately personal songs, which complimentarily cross between the traditional country/folk realms, exploring modern ambiance, Shock Out Of Season (Orindal Records), the new album from Friendship, delves into personal depths. Dan Wiggins’ vocals subtlety drip with emotion, as the scenes presented, seem stitched into one’s consciousness, presenting an image and then digging into its layers of meaning. The reverberating tightly woven instrumental fabric allows those words space to breath as one collects their thoughts. Tonight, Friendship celebrates its arrival at Everybody Hits, where Power Animal will also be commemorating a fresh, new album, Good Wind Pt. 1 (Human Kindness Overflowing), which inhabits a close, lyrical proximity that simultaneously pedals toward the future. Engaging tones and tempo line the periphery, while sensitive, soothing, stacked vocals unite in illuminating harmony. The co-headliners will also be joined by the invigorating storytelling of Free Cake For Every Creature, setting this billing up as one whose candle burns from beginning to end. (Friendship Photo by Michelle Goodwin) – Michael Colavita

More places to hang this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Church Girls, The Vernes, Grayling, SUN Rosali

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Summer Fiction

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Bardo Pond/DJ Deejay/Brian Creswell, SarahCuda, DecoSoul, SAT Hurry/Entellekt, A.Rob, Corey Lee/Matthew Law,DJ Hvnlee, SUN Shawn Kilroy, Lightninging

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT RFA

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Back to Black: A Philly Tribute to Amy Winehouse, SUN Tiedye Ky

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI Mt. Joy

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Downstairs) Dee Dee Sharp

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The Captain The Pilot The Driver, Commonwealth Choir, Slomo Sapiens, SAT Davey and the Chains, Haunted Homes, The Fantastic Imagination, Mr. Unloved, SUN Lady Parts (Album Release), Brackish, Brother Martin

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Chris Gennett, Lucida, SUN Slenko & McKeys, The Russells, Tapes & Tubes

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Funky T, Walt Lafty, Judah Kim & The Assassination, SAT The Core, Brown Sugar, SUN Catullus

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Wolf Dem, Teknacolor Ninja, KT Caustic, SAT A.M. Mills, Mark Lanky, SUN Kirby & the VibeTribe, Scantron

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Gene Wildest, Lucida, Ronald Reagan? The Actor?/Behind The Grandstand, Swwik, Sonny Knockout

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SAT Philadelphia Burlesque Academy Student Showcase

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Cabin Dogs, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Holy Smoke, The Age Of Truth, Moons, SAT Live Not On Evil, The Droogettes, Cowbell Superstar, Lonesome Crow, The Pink Angels

Century (1350 S. 29th St.)) FRI Hellrad, Traitor, Night Raids

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Common Ground, SAT Cookie Rabinowitz, Haywood Trout (CD Release), The New Peter Fonda Experience, Paul Keen

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Darla, SAT Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, Dynagroove, SUN The Whiskeyhickon Boys, Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio/The Urban Guerilla Orchestra

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Friendship & Power Animal (Record Release), Free Cake For Every Creature, SAT Petal, Tombo Crush

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Rasan In The Heyday, Pro Post Time, Ganou/Earth Telephone, SAT Madam Data, Michael Bailey

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Flamingo Chicks, S.R. Frost, Rachel Andie

Double HH Ranch (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Molly Rhythm, Sun Hat, Secret Nudist Friends, Mavis The Dog

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI AllegrA (Record Release), Tombo Crush, Snake Boy Gang, SUN Yowler, Florry

Inconvenience Store (Please contact of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Jesse Bark, Rentboy, Chloe Likes Olivia

The Lighthouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Pilkington, Spelling Reform, Twin Beds, Buddie, PeakXV

Philadelphia

New Sun Organ Album Available for Streaming & Purchase

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On Halloween, Dub Sum released a plethora of new material, including Your Doomed, the latest album from the Tim Jordan-captained musical vehicle, Sun Organ. With the help of Dan Angel, Josh Mackie and Zack Robbins (both of Dark Mtns), as well as Maura Adams and Julia Peters, the project finds an enticing blend of discovery-oriented ambiance and heavier fuzz-forward melodies. An otherworldly atmosphere permeates, while one wanders further into the unknown specks of familiarity shimmering in the sand. Soak in the sounds, and reorient to the surroundings. (Photo by Jersey Boy Photo)

NYC

Psych rockers Color Tongue release visual album “Us and the Bugs”

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Technology continues to expand the realm of what’s doable and psych rock bands such as Color Tongue take full advantage of the possibilities. While the Bushwick quartet’s next LP doesn’t come out until later in 2018, they’ve released a visual album in the meantime called Us and the Bugs, a YouTube video of four songs set to an ocular feast of clips of mashed-up old cartoons, found footage of landscapes, warped dancers in bubble suits, and of course, bugs. It should hold you over through the winter while you wait for the album to drop; just project the video on your wall, turn off all the lights, and bundle up in your warmest blankets for the full effect. Watch Us and the Bugs in full below. – Will Sisskind

Nashville

Early Humans’ debut is chock-full of pop punk excitement

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The process of recording and releasing a debut album can feel like an eternity for bands. For Early Humans, that eternity was 21 long months. But when the fruit produced is as good as Early Humans’ self-titled debut, it’s worth the wait. Bringing to mind the early days of pop punk with a grittier lo-fi sound akin to The Offspring, Early Humans is sure to delight listeners, especially those with a nostalgic ear. Listen to their track "Time Bomb" off the new release below! 

Philadelphia

New AllegrA LP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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The self-titled debut full-length album from Pittsburgh transplant AllegrA was recently released via Sad Cactus. There’s a delightful balance of casual-swaying instrumentation, fortified by poignant lyricism, which is focused but not forced. Allegra Eidinger’s vocals exude an air of reassuring confidence, while inhabiting a cozy space. They’ll be holding their record release show tonight at Planet Phitness with Tombo Crush and Snake Boy Gang. (Photo by A.W. Klass.)

Portland

Visual Vices: Brown Calculus – “Self Care”

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 Back in June, we shared one of the first recordings of "Self Care" by Brown Calculus. They had just hit our radar and thankfully so, because they haven’t left it since. Last month they released a lovingly and beautifully shot video for the track and tonight, they’re marking another moment; the drop of a new EP titled Live at the Map Room.

Live at the Map Room will actually be played by Brown Calculus live at Mississippi Pizza right around now, following a set from Just Pretend. It’s going to be packed, so consider peeping the video for "Self Care" below. It’s the opposite of disappointment. 

Portland

Battleme celebrates Cult Psychotica tonight

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 *photo credit to Emilianos Ap.

Battleme have been keeping quite busy with their driving, energetic blues and psych tinged rock. As if to never really take a break, Battleme, led by main member Matt Drenik, have been churning out releases just about every hear since becoming Drenik’s main project back in 2010. Becoming one of TV series Sons of Anarchy‘s go-to soundtrack artists (and even appearing before the camera) and now, Battleme’s acclaim has brought them to yet another release. And it’s happening tonight.

In just a few hours, Battleme will be taking to The Know‘s stage for their only Portland show this tour, supporting their newest album Cult Psychotica. From just the name alone the album promises the same ferocious zest. Playing with them will be Acid Tongue and The Furies, so it’ll be a true night of getting loud. Tickets will be available at the door for $8, with music starting at 9pm. 

NYC

George Clanton plays Brooklyn Bazaar with Negative Gemini on 11.18 to celebrate new LP

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Vaporwave artist George Clanton is performing at Brooklyn Bazaar on November 18 to celebrate the release of his latest LP, "200% Electronica," under his ESPRIT moniker. The album will be released on November 17 and comes packaged as a double LP with a re-release of Clanton’s "100% Electronica."

Released in 2016, "100% Electronica" was a stark and forceful album that defined the vaporwave genre at its highest form of expression. Cuts like "Bleed," "Make You Cry," and "Warmspot" were synth-laden, emotionally haunting epics. Clanton will be joined at Brooklyn Bazaar by Negative Gemini. -juan leon