Power pop group Beach Bunny kicked of 2018 by releasing a catchy new single called “Sports”. This is the groups follow-up to their 2017 EP, Crybaby.
You can catch Beach Bunny at Uncommon Ground with Minor Poet and Daymaker on January 27th.
Philadelphia
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Krust Toons: “An All Nerd Punk Band” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "An All Nerd Punk Band" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
NYC
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QuazztheKid, SKYES, and Michael Mayo Play Revolution #23 on 01.27
This Saturday on January 27th at 10:00 PM, National Sawdust will be hosting the 23rd installment of their emerging artists spotlight series "The Revolution." As with every month, the event will feature live performances from three forward-thinking and boundary-pushing NYC-based artists representing three different genres. The artists being highlighted this month are rapper and saxophonist QuazztheKid, who is as equally influenced by jazz as he is by trap rap, psychedelic synthpop outfit SKYES, and internationally renowned jazz vocalist Michael Mayo. – Alexander Beebe
Chicago
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Company of Thieves @ Aragon Ballroom (1/26)
Back in July we shared shared the announcement that Company of Theives had reunited and their new single (the first in six years) “Treasure”. Since that time the band has been working on their new EP, Better Together, which is due out on February 28th. Leading up the EP release the band will be touring the country and opening up for Walk The Moon in several cities.
Below is the trio performing “Treasure” live for Reverb Sessions.
You can catch Company of Thieves opening for Walk The Moon at Aragon Ballroom on January 26th.
Chicago
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HIDE “Wildfire”
Industrial duo HIDE (Heather Gabel and Seth Sher) have released the first single, “Wildfire”, from their debut LP, Castration Anxiety. The album is set to be released on March 23rd via Dais Records.
You can help HIDE celebrate the new album at Empty Bottle on March 23rd with Lilac and Forced Into Femininity.
NYC
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The Lovemakers are your new favorite synth-pop band
The precision with which Oakland indie rockers The Lovemakers attack the often butchered genre of 1980s inspired synth-pop is almost unbelievable. The opening track on their double single Cassingles, entitled “Lost and Profound” (streaming below) is high-energy, hypnotic pop at its finest, slapping listeners across the face with its nostalgic sounds and advanced production value. In one breath, founding member Lisa Light’s vocals are feminine and fatalistic. It is safe to say that The Lovemakers are masters at crafting sultry, summery synth-pop that hits hard on record and even harder live. Catch them playing next on February 14th at Great American Music Hall. Until then, just put your headphones in and put Cassingle on repeat because that’s what we’ll be doing here at the Deli. – Lilly Milman
Nashville
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Third Man’s Brendan Benson is “Half a Boy (and Half a Man)”
While Jack White is getting to release his next major album, other former Raconteur Brendan Benson is releasing a slice of identity-seeking alt rock with "Half a Boy (and Half a Man)". Though Benson has been around for more than two decades, this is his first solo single on White’s Third Man Records. The recent signee is sure to be in the works for more material in 2018, we’ll just have to wait and see! In the meantime, listen to the new single below!
NYC
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The Nectars share video, play The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ on 1/27
Emerging from the restless suburban sprawl of New Jersey, The Nectars find inspiration across the Hudson River (and beyond) in developing their alt-punk sound. Making a sticky impression with their debut single and video “Heaven” (streaming below), elements of classic 90’s and early aughts female fronted rock can be gleaned through both the audio and visual performance. While Gwen Stefani and No Doubt provide an obvious visual reference, other sonic elements emerge as the song progresses. “I should have never started looking at you – should have never started getting so close” serves as the essential sonic bridge through to its explosive chorus, which reveals how the beauty all around us is rediscovered once freed from a toxic relationship. The band embraces Sonic Youth’s forceful abandon, but soaring vocals bring to mind Amy Lee‘s range and quality with Evanescence. The Nectars will play The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ on 1/27 with a stacked lineup of upcoming artists. – Dave Cromwell
L.A.
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Warsaw Pact brings back early post-punk on “Day By Day”
Melt into euphoria with the laid back and intoxicating sound of Warsaw Pact. Band frontrunner, Ivan Delint, originally from The Eleventh Frequency, has successfully launched his solo career. Delint began from the early age of 13 with interests first stemming from Deep House, Franz Ferdinand and The Cure, with growing enthusiasm for artists like Cold Cave, She Past Away, and Lebanon Hannover. A modern take on the influential cold wave genre, Warsaw Pact brings back the early post-punk era with ease. Necessities for this song include noise-cancelling headphones, a dark room with an excessive amount of Christmas lights and, of course, no pants (at least that’s how I listened and danced to this song.) “Day by Day” floats you along a blissful nirvana that cultivates for a musical experience separate from what we hear on the radio. Something is to be said about a musician who can accurately and beautifully bring back a lost genre; something is to be said about Warsaw Pact, so here I am to say it.
We can expect new things to come in the following months, including a remix to “Day by Day” and a music video, both which can be found on their streaming sites. You can follow their facebook page to stay up to date on further releases. Kayla Hay
New England
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Savannah Stopover lineup announced, three acts from NE head south
Every year prior to the unsigned artist mecca that is SXSW, Georgia’s Savannah Stopover festival announces its lineup, with this year’s headlining acts including of Montreal, Nikki Lane, Wild Child, and Larkin Poe. According to Stopover’s website:
“Savannah Stopover Music Festival capitalizes on the logistical good fortune of Savannah, Georgia’s proximity to interstates 95 and 10 by presenting traveling musicians with a welcoming place to play en route to Austin’s prestigious SXSW Music Conference.”
New England will be represented by three local acts at this year’s Savannah Stopover: Caroline Rose from Burlington, VT, Sun Parade from Northampton, MA, and Vundabar from Boston. Be sure to check out the new videos from Caroline Rose and Sun Parade, as well as the new single from Vundabar, and be sure to check the bands’ tour dates to see a show near you. –Charley Ruddell
Philadelphia
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New Johnny Utah EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Issued via Slovakian label Z Tapes, Johnny Utah, a.k.a. Jacob Sullenger, recently shared a new self-titled EP. Draped in the fabric of acoustic bedroom tones, the songs blossom into bright, melodically exuberant pop. Inhabiting a personal, penetrating space with smooth, surprising transitions and a sugary stickiness, there’s an undeniably infectious creativity. Integrating layers of sonics while retaining an overall lightness allows these tracks to perculate, bringing to mind contemporary artists such as (Sandy) Alex G and Beck.
Austin
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5 Austin Bands to Keep An Eye On In 2018
Trouble In The Streets – Shot out of a cannon into the Austin music scene, this eclectic electronic trio has already played with esteemed artists like George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, the Rebirth Brass Band, and Grupo Fantasma. Lead singer, Nnedi Nebula Agbaroji, is a force of nature as a front woman and her vocal talent and charisma make Trouble In The Streets a band to watch in 2018.
Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad – William Reynolds and Cam Wren are two friends who played music together for years until they finally formed Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad in 2017 and knocked audiences off their feet with fast, theatrical hits like "Werewolf of Love" and "Night Terror." Playing bigger shows and fine-tuning an already electric live shows, Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad have a promising 2018 ahead of them.
Annabelle Chairlegs – A menacing and insane aura emanates from this psych-rock quartet that features a fiery front woman, Lindsey Mackin. Their music is entrancing and the band’s mystique only serves to heighten the undeniable allure of such a delightful throwback sound. Their trajectory should keep them aimed for an exciting 2018.
Los Coast – Soulful vocals, intricate instrumentation, and a symbiosis of good vibes has made Los Coast a favorite in the Austin live-music circuit. A residency at C-boys nightclub and a slew of festival bookings elevated their profile and a new record deal is making this band’s 2018 look brighter and brighter.
Magna Carda – Sprung from the college campus of St Edwards, this hip-hop trio is bringing a focus to the tragically neglected Austin rap scene. Beats and clever lyrics collide with MC, Megz Kelli, and the beat maker, Dougie Do, as they continue to impress with highly addictive and stylized songs that can only grow stronger in this new year.