Gentle Temper, a self-described “Ocean Folk” duo comprised of guitarist/vocalist Ryan Meier and bassist/vocalist Marion Earley, have released Sleep It Off, a charming documentary/live EP that captures the songwriters performing live in the studio, and follows them through the streets of Boston with a series of short interviews. Between elegant performances of the harmony laced “Mouthful of Saltwater” and the earnest, smokey folk of “Heavy Handed”, Meier and Earley describe how they met, their creative process, and their interpretation of Ocean Folk, ultimately concluding Sleep It Off with a spirited performance of the epic “Sunnyside.” Check out the video below. -Charley Ruddell
NYC
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Revolution #22 returns with Soul Science Lab, Meridian Lights, The Experi3nce
Tomorrow’s 22nd installment of The Revolution, a Deli-sponsored monthly showcase highlighting the best emerging local artists with a particular focus on Soul, Hip Hop and Funk, will deliver a lineup that’s bound to lift souls. Yes, because soul is the common thread found in the three acts performing in the stylish architecture of Williamsburg’s National Sawdust.
Soul Science Lab is a collective of incredible musicians able to seamlessly combine afrobeat, funk, pop and hip hop into wonderfully produced tunes even the most static of New Yorkers will be hard press not to move to.
The lineup, co-curated by Soul Science Lab, alongside Katie Jones, founder + producer of The Revolution series, will also feature the mellow pop of Meridian Lights‘ and The Experi3nce‘s inventive soul/hip-hop.
The night will start at 10pm, tickets can be found here.
New England
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Service release brash, expansive EP “CHARM”
Experimental-noise newcomers Service have released an aggressive debut EP, cheekily titled CHARM. The Boston quartet covers plenty of ground in the three track release, shifting from assertive punk dudes to meandering noise-heads by opening up tight, mathy structures into longform explorations. Though the momentum of CHARM dips from intensely focused to wayward abstraction, the volume is always up to 10, and there’s a great deal of integrity behind every note. Check out Service on December 17th at Deep Thoughts in Jamaica Plain, doors at 8pm. -Charley Ruddell
Portland
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Caustic Touch, EMS, House of Low Culture and Daniel Menche share new 4-way split
Harsh noise enthusiasts rejoice, as today a 4-way split from some of the most deft musicians in that genre field. Featuring dynamically skilled artist Aaron Turner (Sumac, Old Man Gloom, Isis) and Faith Coloccia of Seattle’s Mamiffer as House of Low Culture, Daniel Menche, Andrea K.’s of Vice Device solo project Caustic Touch and EMS, the split showcases each artists’ ability to make even the most grating of sounds appealing.
Each artist got at least one track on the split, but Caustic Touch surely commanded much of the album having contributed three. The album carries itself almost like a grating tale, with House of Low Culture’s "The Pervasive Mind" as the album’s exposition, Caustic Touch’s "Desiccating Wind" beginning the rising action, "Is She Ectoplasm?" by Daniel Menche as the falling action, and "Hierarchy of Bodies" by EMS ending it as the resolution.
There’s a beauty to its discordance that makes the album gripping. What will be even more interesting to see is how each of these artist’s translates these tracks into live performances. See how each of them does it at the release show for the split tonight 12.15 at Modular 8.
Portland
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The Toads drop ‘It’s for You’ today
*photo by Heather Hanson
The Toads have been a crowd pleaser since they bursted onto the scene almost three years ago. First, their self-titled full length gave us a taste of their callback to 90s alternative and pop punk back in 2016. The Toads, still unsigned, have got a completely and fully supported DIY method of existing as a band that’s contributed to what’s made them such a delight so far. With Time having already been released earlier this year, band appreciators are lucky enough to get another one just as it’s coming to a close. Today, The Toads dropped "It’s for You."
Part of what makes The Toads so great is their reliability in sound. Even in welcoming new drummer Dylan Valentine to the mix The Toads haven’t stumbled or faltered, the Weezer-esque "You Don’t Deserve Me" and the raw punk feels of "Never a Good Time" for the new EP staying true to the band’s capacity.
The Toads are offering up two chances this weekend to see them perform all the songs from "It’s for You" live — at tonight’s release show at Clinton Street Theater with Cry Babe and Fire Nuns, and tomorrow night at the Turn Turn Turn for the Sounds Illustrated art opening with Piefight and Dr. Something.
Give "It’s for You" a listen below.
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, December 15 – 17
If you’re looking for soulful, pertinent, lo-fi rock that simultaneously exhibits grace and grit, Las Vegas transplant Shamir delivers the goods. Bailey’s latest record, Revelations (Father/Daughter Records), traverses a diverse sonic spectrum. Digging into one’s introspective depths in free-floating fashion or meshing those smoothly sincere vocals with grimy guitar, there’s an innate combination of accessibility and raw power at play. With elegance and ease, the multi-talented artist delivers powerful messages, striking a chord with oh so many and creating a formidable force to be reckoned with. This Saturday evening, Shamir steps into the basement of First Unitarian Church, supported by the Canadian tandem Partner, whose bright brand of riff-laced powerpop cultivates a potently fun, “not taking yourself too seriously” relatability. – Michael Colavita
Brrrrr…
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Shamir
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Muscle Tough, Minka, SAT DJ Delish
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Something Like A Monument (Record Release), Chalk & The Beige Americans, SAT Work Drugs 7thAnnual Holiday Spectacle: The City And Horses, The Chairman Dances
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Scars Like These, The Famous & Fallen/Goddamnit, Wax Wav, I Am Not The Universe/Night Drive: DJ Paul T., Sean Hearn/Ekim Navillus, BeeTee Beats, Adam East, SAT Burnout Star, Chris Sneade, The Echogenic/Entellekt, A.Rob/Matthew Law, SUN Tulpa, Spellbinder, Heavy Harold/Louie Louie
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Al-Tarik, SAT Marah
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI Hoots & Hellmouth, Johnny Showcase
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Philly Hip-Hop Awards
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI Graycale
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SAT Chynna
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN The Peek-A-Boo Revue: Peek-At-Nite, a vintage holiday burlesque show
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Step 13, Sub Sober, Felipe Pupo, SAT Bazmati Vice. Naps Past Noon
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Rad and Kell, SAT Boat House Row Band
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI New Sound Brass, Mark Lanky, SAT St. James and The Apostles, SUN Graffiti Wisdom, Taylor Kelly, Orion Tango
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Kingfisher, Will Brown and the Jamboree Band, Evan Scheerer
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI DJ Ricochet, SAT Teen Dads, A.M. Mills, 56 Men, SUN Reece Stacks
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Fitzwater, SAT The Prisoners, Decontrol, Missile Toads, Disoriental, SUN A Retrospective of The Artistic Works of Connie Tartaglia Fundraiser: The Spinning Leaves, Katie Barbato, Daniel Collins, Kelvin Cochrane, The Discount Heroes
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Mohican, SUN Left To Vanish (Record Release), Young Graves, Collider
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof, SUN Merry Christmas Or Else: A Holiday Cabaret
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Under This Fire, The Jointer Blues, The Agoraphobix, Kalaedi, SAT Night Mission, Cowbell Superstar, P-Rents
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Beru Revue 21st Christmas Show & Benefit, SUN Whiskeyhickon Boys, Nik Greeley & Friends
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Weekend Athlete, Bungler/Sold, SAT Auburn Row, Dot.gov, Flounder Warehouse, Menace Canvas, SUN Rentboy. Thunder Thighs
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Sunchoke
The Tusk (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Faringwell
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Swim Camp, Busy Bee, Blushed
Crouch House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Family Volleyball, Jawncarlo
All Night Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI AllegrA, Ellen Siberian-Tiger, Corey Flood
NYC
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Fresh Buzz: Anna Shoemaker’s soul mashup is worth the hype
Who has the guts to mash up Big Sean, Kendrick, and Chance the Rapper, AND perform said-mashup with an acoustic guitar? Anna Shoemaker does. The pop artist’s downtempo cover has garnered almost 700,000 plays, and she’s just released the VHS-filmed music video. shoemaker has quietly released covers on SoundCloud over the last 4 years, and the buzz surrounding her definitely isn’t undeserved. She recently signed with Steve Madden’s 5Towns Records, and plans to release new music next year. Anna Shoemaker’s striking voice holds its own even without production elements, but we are interested and excited to hear her with a fuller pop sound. – Geena Kloeppel
[Skip to 53" for music]
L.A.
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Soulful synth pop duo Lesser Pieces lay their feelings bare on “Texas”
The sullen, monochromatic synth pop of Lesser Pieces takes a melancholic turn on "Texas," a solemn meditation on moving on after a relationship ends. The duo of Diane Badie and Mike Slott have their hearts entwined as a fractured rhythm carries its inner monologue with an aloof sultriness.
"Texas" is the first we’ve heard of the duo after last year’s release, "You and I (No Emergency)." It is out on all streaming platforms via OCSNL.
NYC
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From the Digital Submissions: Miserable Chillers makes lush dream pop
The album artwork for Brooklyn-based Miserable chillers‘ A Flower You Would Like to Eat, looks as if it was torn from the pages of an abbot’s musical manuscripts, so it makes sense that there’s something almost cathedral-like to the EP. The collection of songs starts with "Love Theme (For the Wilderness)," a track that kicks off with Miguel Gallego’s vocals accompanied by the starkness of a clean church organ. As the track continues, the organ begins to oscillate until the song explodes into a lush, dream pop landscape. There’s a lot to chew on in this album, as Miserable Chillers propel the listener through carefully constructed soundscapes that are certainly not of this earth. Take a listen below. – Olivia Sisinni
This artist submitted music for coverage here.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Leopard Stealth (I’m Gone)” – Narcos Family Band
Pink Blues is the forthcoming EP from Narcos Family Band, and is scheduled for a New Year’s Eve release via Brooklyn indie label King Pizza Records. Its lead single, “Leopard Stealth (I’m Gone),” lights a fuse as a raunchy guitar riff lays the groundwork. The full band soon kicks into gear as slithering lines of saxophone and a compact, locked-in groove serve as counterpart to the unrelenting vocal aggression. Balancing quick-hitting punk with a joyous, rock ‘n’ roll flare, you’ll find a family that plays together stays together.
NYC
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Tall Juan celebrates new EP of peppy garage rock at Brooklyn Bazaar 12.17
In life, there are some things that we can almost always be certain of. The sun will rise, the commute will take longer than expected, and the weekend will not be long enough. Tall Juan is likely one of those things. His pace is quick, his songs are simple, and he rarely strays from his core influences. His latest EP, Joya Nedo, continues his peppy punk homage to The Ramones with four lo-fi tracks fated to make heads bob. The EP is out now digitally and Brooklyn Bazaar will host Tall Juan’s release show on December 17th. We are premiering here single "Out of Town." – Cameron Carr, photo by Audrey Del Piccolo.
Philadelphia
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New Damn Right Album Available for Streaming & Purchase
The duo of Damn Right recently shared its new full-length album Zeitgeist. Relaxing, electro-dance rhythms wash over you as a dream state emerges. Transporting listeners to a stress-free environment, the collection of tracks produces a refreshing reprieve. You can catch Tom Bradel and John Fissinger performing live next Friday, January 19 at MilkBoy, where they’ll be celebrating the LP’s release, with support from American Dinosaur and Greg D.