Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, March 16 – 18

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This Saturday evening, the garage-rock trio of Tom McHugh, Anthony Fulginitti, and Andy Silverman, a.k.a. The Retinas, will be commemorating the release of their new EP ANDY (Pho Realz Records), with a rip-roaring performance at Ortlieb’s. The band tools within a diverse-range of sonic textures from loose exuberance, to a more personal scaled-back yet powerful reverb-shaking discharge of emotion. Working the sliding scale, gearing up to break free, and gathering those of a similar mind within united-infectious melodies stoked with a psychedelic candle, The Retinas launch into the psych-pop stratosphere that still feels comfortably at home. Joining in the festivities, the quartet of Stoops stitch together tight melodic turns of phrase, gradually heating up as those words stick in one’s head and the body’s tension dissipates. With a new EP Glow Worm set for release on April 1, the electro-folk hybrid of Seth Carpenter, a.k.a. Bucolic, will set things into motion. – Michael Colavita

More places to avoid really drunk people in green this weekend…

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Lightninging, SAT The Retinas (Release Show), Stoops, SUN Levee Drivers, Cherry

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI DJ Aura, Tsehaitu, Orion Sun, DJ Hvnlee, SAT Langor, Davey & The Chains, The Homophones

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Rover Rover, Pulgas, Zinske, SAT Beard-o-Bees, SUN King Britt

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Line Leader, Mavis The Dog/ S.T.O.P./DJ Deejay, SAT Sharkbullet, No Gods/Twin Beds, Social Norms/DJ PHSH, DJ Aktive

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI The Bigness, Alyssa Joseph (EP Release), Sleepy Freak, Colonial Williamsburg, SAT Del Sur, Americanadian (Release Show), Port Lucian

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Joey Crakk, LJ Sauve. Roi Lush, SUN (Balcony) Probably Gonna Suck, Calm Down, Vhybrid, Knightlife, Forever Vista

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SUN Darlingtyn

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Apache Trails

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Division, MRJR, Socko, Shots Called, SAT Tortuga/Sex with Rollercoasters, Mob Mentality, Uncle Dan, Loafass, The Heels, SUN Earth7, The Soundcheck, Zupang/Teef

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Swift Technique

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.) SAT OT, Mad Squablz, Buddy Leezle

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SUN Rude Boi

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Sing, Bird of Prey, Harlowe Jones, Soldier On, SAT Steve (the band), Somata

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Parlour Noir, SUN Joshua Chase Miller, Deep City Healers

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI The Beating, SAT Gerald Veasley, Pablo Batista

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Backwoods Payback, SAT Goodnight Lights, Spelling Reform, Sun Hat

LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Snake Boy Gang, Deer Scout

JJ’s Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Past Life, Sleepy Freak

Pilam (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Masie Blu

Nashville

The Arcadian Wild bid you “Look Around” on new EP

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For those who like the bluegrassy side of indie folk (think The Punch Brothers or maybe Sufjan at his most stripped down), you should already be familiar with Nashville’s The Arcadian Wild. If you’re not, today they have released their newest 2-song EP, Look Around. The organically beautiful tracks "The Poet" and "Millstatt" are the first looks at the trio with new member, violinist Machaela Nesler. Their fine-tuned folk arrangements, poetic lyricism, and heartwarming harmonies make The Arcadian Wild a standout outfit in Music City. Check out Look Around below! – Chris Thiessen

Philadelphia

New Track: “Bad Feeling” – Fur Church

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“Bad Feeling,” the debut single from Fur Church, sears itself into your brain. The relentless rhythm section barrels ahead, while the vocal intensity orchestrates a primal effect. That high-speed, runaway-train vibe hits another gear when halfway through, a fuse is lit, and white-hot guitar riffs ensue. However, the cavernous, backend tone once again assumes the reins as the song concludes.

NYC

B Boys open for Shame at Market Hotel 03.23, playing Coachella

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Last year’s Dada was a mission statement from B Boys, highlighting the group’s late ‘70s-early ‘80s art-punk influences and earning the band some well-deserved critical praise (ours included). It’s 30 minutes of sharply cut punk dressed in the disjointed musings of its titular dada philosophy. Since then, the Brooklyn trio has kept busy and, so far, 2018 looks to be no different. On March 23rd, B Boys will open for UK post-punkers Shame before heading west next month to play both weekends of Coachella along with a handful of dates around the region. ­– Cameron Carr

NYC

Trace Mountains brings hypnotic indie-pop to Alphaville 03.30

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Trace Mountains, fronted by LVL UP’s Dave Benton, is a local act you want to keep your ears on: just listen to "Cary’s Dreams" off their forthcoming LP, A Partner to Lean On, dropping March 30th on Figure 2 RC. "Cary’s Dreams" is at once subtle and upfront, humming with muted emotion and the crackling-yet-contained energy of a thundercloud. Benton’s lyrics have a quality of magical realism, infusing mundane social observations (by an unreliable narrator) with a sense of profound clarity, all the while imploring the listener to follow him into a state of mystical, ineffable otherness. "And while Robert opened his mouth to me/She was crawling in the carpet/Deep in disbelief of me/And right there I could see/That Bobby and her friends were part of me/In Cary’s dreams there are always animals in the greenery." On their own, the lyrics may not carry much significance, but combined with Benton’s alluring pop melodicism and the song’s fuzzy, synth-pop arrangement, the total package is downright compelling. Trace Mountains is playing a record release show at Alphaville on March 30th, with support from Operator Music Band and Spirit Was. Listen to "Cary’s Dreams" below! – Ethan Ames

 

Philadelphia

New Track: “Troublemaker” (Chrissy Zebby Tembo Cover) – Ecstatic Vision

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While creativity and originality are often linked, music can also branch out from past roots. Once we dig into a band, tracing the elements that formed the foundation of its sound, it can give us clues into the musical mystery. Ecstatic Vision pay homage to their psych-rock forefathers with a collection of covers, titled Under The Influence, which is set for release on May 5 via Heavy Psych Sounds. The first sampling, a spin of “Troublemaker” by Chrissy Zebby Tembo & Ngozi Family, elevates the raw fury, so to speak, of the original, as the band provides its personal stamp.

NYC

Los Angeles Bands and Artists: Win $18K-$72K through Creator Awards

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WeWork’s Creator Awards, in partnership with our friends at Sofar Sounds, is looking for innovative musical performers (solo or groups) based in the Los Angeles 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.

NYC

SF Bay Area Bands and Artists: Win $18K-$72K through Creator Awards

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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.

NYC

Buzz Bulletin: Akinyemi plays Mercury Lounge 03.28

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Akinyemi, the hip-hop sensation out of Queens, is playing at Mercury Lounge on March 28th, in support of Sylvan LaCue. Akinyemi’s music is a captivating blend of R&B and hip hop that hearkens to the likes of Drake and Frank Ocean. On "Dust Calling," the opening track and first single off his 2017 EP, Summers, Akinyemi opens the door to a lush soundscape of longing and ambition. "Dust calling, waiting for the wind/Doors unopened, hopefully they let me in/Scribble this thought down, patented with a pen/Living room tragic, I’m asking ’em again," he muses on the song’s refrain, evoking images of a scrabbling dreamer who’s determined to bring his dream to reality, even at the risk of failure. Ultimately, Akinyemi holds his own on this promising release. Listen to "Dust Calling" below! – Ethan Ames

NYC

Brooklyn folk duo Skout plays Rockwood Music Hall 03.20

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Skout, the New York indie-folk duo consisting of Laura Valk and Connor Gladney, is playing Rockwood Music Hall on March 20th, as part of a tour in support of their latest single, "These Bones." A raw and moving song, its arrangement is alternatingly thunderous and intimate, a portrait of vulnerability and its accompanying ambivalence. Valk sings, "Please don’t touch me/I know you’re only here to help/But I’m so scared." She seems to know that salvation lies in her opening up to another person, yet fear remains nonetheless. Listen to the single below! – Ethan Ames

 

Philadelphia

New Family Volleyball Album Available for Streaming & Download

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One hopes for winter to quickly evaporate into spring; however, this year – it stubbornly hangs on. Meanwhile, Juliana, the new album from the quintet of Family Volleyball, whimsically flourishes in the face of the freeze. The tranquil, jangly delicacy covers you in a snuggly soft blanket along the seashore. Drift into a daydream, and temporarily escape. (Drawing by Molly Dwyer)