Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, December 8 – 10

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Tonight, Strand of Oaks begins a weekend-long stay at Boot & Saddle, billed as Winter Classic 2017. Each evening’s billing includes a different ascending opening act, doubling down on the local lines. Unfortunately, Friday and Saturday’s shows with Slaughter Beach, Dog and John Dyer Baizley are already sold out. However, that leaves Sunday night’s twin billing with Hemming. An earnest ease materializes within; heart-worn stories tap into a time-tested folk-Americana grit and resilience. Whether pared-down to its soulful singer/songwriter essence, or pushed to volatile instrumental ends, Candice Martello can shake one down to the core. – Michael Colavita

More places to be warm in this weekend…

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Strand Of Oaks, Shannen Moser, SAT Strand Of Oaks, John Dyer Baizley, SUN Strand Of Oaks, Hemming

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Young Statues, Steady Hands, SAT Orion Sun

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Drones for Queens, Atomic Cretins/Lamplighters/DJ Deejay, SAT All This Huxley, Kid Felix/Darko The Super, Mahatma X, Sudo Williams/Fame Lust/Night Sweats, SUN Caracara

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT The Morelings, The Silence Kit, Hidden Lights, SUN Joy Again, Ursula, Sitcom

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SUN Desoto Jones: 10th Anniversary of Aurora – A Benefit for Adam & Tracey Francois, Cassettes

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI The York Street Hustle

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN Stealing From Thieves

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Civil Youth

Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Get The Led Out, SAT Running Of The Santas: Split Decision, LeCompt, Shot of Southern, Lovekilledkurt, Flannel, TrainWreck, Romeo Delight

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Philadelphia School Of Rock, SUN (Downstairs) Cartoon Christmas Trio

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Elissa Janelle Velveteen, Lauren Scott, Vessna Scheff, Rachel Andie, SAT John Morrison, DJ Skipmode, DJ Caliph Now, Bo Bliz +Emynd, SUN Snake Charmer

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Harvey Cash, Stevie Rogers, Reseyolo, Lil Pill, Morskamo, SUN Christine Irizarry, Erin Fox, Lisa Chosed, Vessna Scheff

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Line Leader, Local Honey, Tiny Hueman, The Cold Spring, SAT Ryan Tennis (Album Release Show), The West Powelton Drumline

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) FRI Mo Lowda and the Humble, Commonwealth Choir, SAT Mercury Retrograde, Solar Circuit

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Kingfisher, Will Brown and the Jamboree Band, Evan Scheerer

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT John Byrne and Mass Folk Commons, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT The Twilights, Urban Resist, Fucksake

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Bree and the Reeds, Peace & the City Grease, Gobble Ghoul, SAT Kate Says,Megan Ann Saville, Paige Sawin,Julie Miller,Justin DePaola,Whackbat, SUN Sonni Shine, Katie Burke

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Everyone Orchestra (Including Aron Magner, Claude Coleman Jr)., Hezekiah Jones, SAT Everyone Orchestra  (including Claude Coleman Jr, Marc Brownstein, Nik Greeley), Nik Greeley& Friends, SUN Tapes & Tubes

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Radiator Hospital

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Aphra, Tygerstrype, Heatmap, SAT S.T.O.P., Lightninging, SUN Carcara

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Iamlive (Release Show), Career Crooks, Shane Great, SUN Canine10

Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Jason Killinger

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Control Top, Corey Flood

JJ’s Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Henri Tyler (EP Release), James Barrett, Tessellations, Alyssa Joseph, Blueroom

LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Camp Candle

NYC

Record of the Month: Sandcatchers – See them at Berlin on Mondays in December

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If, when faced with the prospect of listening to world music, you can’t help but going "meh" (it’s a shared prejudice!) you owe it to yourself to check out Brooklyn’s Sandcatchers, both live (they are currently holding a Monday residency at Berlin) and on record. In sophomore LP "What We Found Along the Way" this quartet manage to effortlessly assemble tracks that blend middle eastern influences with Americana, post rock and noise rock as well. Based on an impossible time signature (what’s that, a 9/4 tempo?), streamiing single Flees Fast Singing is groovy, tense and unpredictable. A lot of their repertoire is softer, like opening track Sky Stirs (which betrays folky pasts) or favorite Drop Stars Like Memories, but the band seems to catch fire whenever the BPM revs up, like in Washed and Wild, where a twangy distorted lap steel and an oud compete for attention on top of a breakneck fast paced rhythm section. The group is composed of veteran musicians, and you can hear it in the top notch execution, which – as so rarely happens – is matched by a sound that is as original as it’s entertaining. Don’t miss the next performance at Berlin on Monday 12.11. – PDG

Philadelphia

New Track: “Richie Tozier” – OK Otter

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“Richie Tozier” is the first single from Dad Rock, the forthcoming album from OK Otter. A loose, exuberant tale of returning to one’s roots, the song ascribes to a newfound focus. Heartfelt-harmonies marry with a dedicated backend. Sprinting from the jolt of a fresh start, the song injects energy with a nostalgic backdrop.

Philadelphia

Debut MINT Demo EP Available for Streaming & Download

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Simply titled Demo serves as the introduction to fledgling punk quartet MINT. Melding agitation/aggression lyrically and vocally with a raw instrumental tenacity, the band becomes instantly gripping. Those blitzing, unabashed quick-hitters really rip. 

L.A.

Mt. Joy announce self-titled debut, take their amiable folk rock to The Lodge Room on 12/8

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Folk rock band Mt. Joy’s early singles had an amiable folk sound with a bedroom recording aesthetic. But even if they sounded brittle, they were really bursting with life, just begging for a warmer and more expansive treatment. New single "Silver Lining" fulfills that purpose – the lush and homey harmony, which packs a familiar folk-meets-roots combo, has a big-hearted, anthemic quality that, even if a tad too slick for its own good, does harbor an inviting air..

"Silver Lining" can be found on Mt. Joy’s self-titled debut, which is out on March 2nd through reputable folk/Americana label Dualtone Records. You can catch them perform a hometown town – before they head out on tour with Neko Case next year – at the Lodge Room in Highland Park on December 8. Juan Rodríguez

 

 
 
Chicago

Water Taxi to Pluto

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Water Taxi to Pluto has released a new demo called “Destination Nowhere”. The single features the newest band member Nick Ibarra.

You can catch Water Taxi to Pluto at Quenchers on December 22nd.

New England

Caroline Rose releases blistering single “Money” from upcoming album “Loner”

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Burlington’s Caroline Rose has released a new single from her upcoming album Loner, the sophomoric follow up to 2014’s I Will Not Be Afraid. The single, a blistering garage-fueled banger called “Money”, sparks, flares, and burns out in under two and a half minutes. “We did it for the money!” shouts Rose in a shameless, chaotic confession, either poking fun at our money obsessed society, or perhaps pointing out the irony in a fetishized, but dry-bled music biz. Or maybe I’m just looking too deep into it. Either way, it’s a lot of fun. Loner is out February 23rd on New West Records. –Charley Ruddell

Philadelphia

New Black Zone Myth Chant Album Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Feng Shen (which is Chinese for "wind spirit") is the newest release by Maxime Primault, under his moniker Black Zone Myth Chant. Primault has released music over the years under a variety of projects such as High Wolf and Enfer Boreal; his repertoire has expanded from psychedelic drone to synth-laden dance tracks. The album’s transcendental nature is revealed through seamless transitions, from fluorescent rhythmic barrages to serene ambience. Feng Shen is out on vinyl via French label Editions Gravats, and will be made into a limited batch of cassettes by Hospital Productions. – Josh Kelly

NYC

A Deli premiere: The Echo Friendly – “Surveying the Damage” – LP Release Party at Rough Trade on 12.10

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The Echo Friendly‘s 2014 debut LP Love Panic was a rather mellow indie pop-rock record filled with timeless melodies and moody atmospheres. The duo today is releasing the long awaited sophomore LP, called Surveying The Damage, and its first single is a testament to rising above anxiety called "Power Through". In keeping with that theme, the timely title track (premiered below) navigates breaking through feelings of insecurity in a hostile world, while revealing a sound that’s faster and rawer – a clue confirmed by the other single available for streaming. You can hear The Echo Friendly play both singles from the album and more during their record release show at Rough Trade on December 10th. – Will Sisskind

Philadelphia

New Track: “Apple Cider Vinegar” – Americanadian

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Americanadian have a new single out; it’s their last before their debut EP arrives. “Apple Cider Vinegar” hovers in a breezy, contemplative state. Guided by a pleasant, low-key rhythm, the song sits on the threshold of being individually unsettled yet soothing, at the same time. Americanadian will be appearing at Dimmadome on Friday, January 12, where they’ll be joined by Grant Pavol, PhillyGreen, and Nowadays.

Austin

Ryan Salata Brings Vigor Into Songwriting

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 Native-Texan singer, songwriter Ryan Salata was surrounded by music as a child but didn’t pick up a guitar until his early years of college. Heavily influenced by his surroundings, Ryan draws inspiration from the funky urban sounds of the city leaning toward sounds with a Mo-town beat or Jack Johnson vocals. Ryan released his first EP, Thoughts on Paper, in December 2015 and has received an overwhelming response from fans. Ryan continues to tour locally while working on new music for his next release. "Devil Eyes" is one of Ryan’s new tracks that marks his progression as a musician and songwriter. Make sure to keep an eye on Ryan as he continues his musical journey! 

NYC

From OhMyRockness: New Jersey’s Fire is Motion

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Our friends at OhMyRockness introduced us to the lovely music of New Jersey’s Fire is Motion, the brainchild of Adrian Amedor – we’ll let them do the intros:

"I have not researched this (because I’m a music blobber) but Fire is Motion has to be named after that Cap’n Jazz song that goes like this.

Fire is motion! Work is repetition! This is my document. We are all, all we’ve done. We are all, all we’ve done. We are all, all defenses. Fire is motion is motion growth?

God, I love that song.

Anyway, Fire is Motion doesn’t sound like Cap’n Jazz at all (except for a few nice math rock noodles here and there). Sorry for the red herring there. My bad. My blob.

So what does this New Jersey band (the work of one man, Adrian Amador, and his pals) sound like then?

That’s a great question! Blast this lovely EP below and find out!

Please note: there will be glockenspiels / horns / harmonies / builds / plenty of pretty parts"