“Fight To Love,” the new single from Dark Blue, is now available via 12XU. Recorded at Uniform Recording with Jeff Zeigler, the song grimly pushes back against gentrification. A measured solemn strength resounds. On its B-side, you’ll find a cover of Anti-Nowhere League’s “For You”. The band tempers the traditional tempo, allowing the lyrics to sink in deep. On Sunday, March 11, Dark Blue is slated to share a bill with the UK’s IDLES and DJ BCBG (a.k.a. Matt Korvette of Pissed Jeans) at PhilaMOCA.
New England
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Magnolia Loft prepares to shut down, releases “Magnolia Songs Mixtape”
Three years since it’s creation, Magnolia Loft has created a reputation for being one of Boston’s top tier DIY venues. Located on the third floor of a Jamaica Plain apartment building, Magnolia Loft has provided a space for local artists and musicians to hold interactive exhibits and performances for community participants. Sadly, the staple underground venue, run and programmed by tenant Audrey Harrar, has been forced to vacate the property to make way for building development. To commemorate the venue’s legacy, Harrar has compiled a fifty-two song mixtape, titled Magnolia Songs Mixtape, compiled of artists who have performed at the space, including acts like Sidney Gish, BAERD, Izzy Heltai, and I Can Chase Dragons. Stream Magnolia Songs Mixtape below. -Charley Ruddell
Portland
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SXSW Presents: Jarv Dee
We live in an era now where the rap game is even more about how you look and not as much about the actual quality of your rhymes. To those that consider themselves rap enthusiasts, like Jarv Dee, surely find this reality saddening. Rap and hip hop aren’t currently living up to the educating, thought provoking standards its forefathers tried to set in place, and that’s something Jarv is trying to change.
"People need to understand what is really going on," Jarv Dee told local alt-weekly The Stranger. "The new generation of rappers classifies the old hiphop as corny, but old hip-hop had all the knowledge. All they talk about is how fucked up they getting, but everyone’s forgetting real life. They just make everything a party."
Even though Jarv does enjoy a party (and you can definitely still do so to his music), the Moor Gang founding member is trying to do a bit more with his tunes than provide an inebriated soundtrack. "All I do is teach my truths," Jarv says. "I can’t tell anybody anything besides what I went through. I’m not a preachy person. I’ll give game, but I don’t like to force game."
Jarv’s got the rhymes and the rhythms to make people listen, so whether you’re tuning into him for fun or for thoughtful provocation, you’ll get from it exactly what you need.
NYC
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Deli NYC Premiere: Pam Steebler’s “Noise” from upcoming EP
A couple of years ago, soul powerhouse Pam Steebler graced The Deli ‘s NYC as one of its Best Emerging NYC Artists. Now she’s back with a new track called "Noise", from her upcoming EP of the same name. "Noise" takes the Brazilian-Canadian songwriter’s soulful voice and layers it over bubbling electronic synths and drums, which add a depth to the passionate sound she released to the world on her 2015 Give In EP. It’s certainly a song to keep in your pocket for the approaching dog days of summer. More songs are on the way from Noise, but The Deli is proud to premiere the title track, which you can stream below. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Portland Bands and Artists: Win $18K-$72K through Creator Awards
WeWork’s Creator Awards, in partnership with our friends at Sofar Sounds, is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in the SF Bay Area. The initiative rewards acts that merge creativity and imagination with compelling performances, and it’s open to all genres (including performance arts, let your acting friends know about it!).
The winners will be rewarded with a cash prize between $18K and $72K, and will also secure a paid gig at the Creator Awards San Francisco event on May 10.
Applying for a Creator Award only takes a few minutes, you can start the process here (deadline is April 10th).
NYC
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Austin Bands and Artists: Win $18K-$72K through Creator Awards
WeWork’s Creator Awards, in partnership with our friends at Sofar Sounds, is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in the SF Bay Area. The initiative rewards acts that merge creativity and imagination with compelling performances, and it’s open to all genres (including performance arts, let your acting friends know about it!).
The winners will be rewarded with a cash prize between $18K and $72K, and will also secure a paid gig at the Creator Awards San Francisco event on May 10.
Applying for a Creator Award only takes a few minutes, you can start the process here (deadline April 10th).
Philadelphia
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New Track: “The Knockdown” – Jake Clarke
“The Knockdown” is the new single from Jake Clarke of Superheaven. Ruminating in a state of melancholy/distress, Clarke searches for some help to get to his feet. While an instrumental bleakness stews throughout, things start to temporarily ramp up towards the song’s conclusion. That final push offers a glimpse of light through the darkness.
Toronto
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Vypers – EP Release Party @ The Baby G 03.09
Brand new single from garage/psych band Vypers. “Deepsave” begins at a slithering pace with heavy drums and exotic noises filling the air. The energy is a more subdued than other recent releases from these guys. The change of pace is nice though as it makes you wonder what might be around the corner. This tune is still proves to be complete chaos like you would expect from Vypers. They are having an EP Release Party on March 9th at The Baby G with a stacked undercard featuring Brenda and Jean Daddy. – Kris Gies
Toronto
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F.Scott & The Nighthawks – New Single “Kiss The Sun”
Classic roadhouse rock n roll right here in Toronto. F.Scott & The Nighthawks are “northern boys steeped southwestern sounds”. Long hair and beards. These good ol’ boys have an EP on the way this year while releasing their first single “Kiss The Sun” this month. Definitely a summer tune that would go best with a beer in hand. You could even go full redneck and throw it in a koozie! Springsteen/Seger vibes all the way. The Nighthawks play The Horseshoe Tavern on March 8th. – Kris Gies
Chicago
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Ravyn Lenae @ Lincoln Hall
Tickets went on sale Friday, February 23rd, for Ravyn Lenae’s Spring tour, her first solo tour, which include a show at Lincoln Hall on April 10th.
Lenae’s new EP, Crush, came out earlier this month and below is the video for her incredible track “Sticky”.
NYC
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Caroline Rose releases “Loner” LP + plays Rough Trade on 04.03
New York-based songwriter Caroline Rose has reinvented her sound on her sophomore LP Loner. Dawning an ironically sporty aesthetic, Rose delivers poignant tales of loneliness and disillusionment with a cigarette in hand. Contrasting the americana sensibilities of 2014’s I Will Not Be Afraid, Loner combines elements of 70s punk and straight ahead pop. She’s heading to Austin for SXSW, and will be back in NYC to play Rough Trade on April 3rd. – Charley Ruddell
Philadelphia
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Krust Toons: “Sleep With A Drummer Day” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "Sleep With A Drummer Day" 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.