If you haven’t listened to the debut EP (Y) by Saalt, the musical creation of Alisa Saario, then you need to do yourself a favor. Soon. The moody slacker pop of the Oakland songstress is fantastical in its ability to marry the lo-fi with the energetic. This release makes use of kinetic energy; despite the dreamy and distant nature of her vocals, songs like “Wasted” (streaming below) still come off as anthemic and replay-able. There’s no one doing anything quite like Saario right now in Oakland, meaning that her music video release show at the Milk Bar on May 16th is unmissable. – Lilly Milman
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, April 27 – 29
The assemblage of Port Arthur creates engaging, intimate folk. The proximity of the storytelling exhibits a trustful confidence, opening the curtains for all to see and coaxing communicable scenarios in the process. One finds joy in pensive vulnerability, which retains an elevated touch as a cavalcade of instrumentation paints the finer details. Tonight at Kung Fu Necktie, they’ll be joined by the unwavering, straight-shooting songwriting of Shannen Moser, which aches while simultaneously exuding a heartwarming resilience. Signals Midwest’s Maxwell Stern will also invite you on an observational caravan, tying together external sensations and circumstances with internal revelations. Chicago’s Friends of the Bog completes this formidable, folk lineup. (Photo by Raz Elaine) – Michael Colavita
Other places to hear more tales this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Tall Friend, SAT Tweed
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Carly Brand, SAT Pete Donnelly (Record Release), Chris Kasper, SUN Rosetta, Psychic Teens
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Port Arthur, Shannen Moser, Maxwell Stern/ialive/DJSC/Night Sweats, SAT The World At Large/Midnight Singers/Fame Lust/Speaking Parts, Plastic Ivy, Diamond Girl, Lisa, SUN Lord Crow, Yeenar/Full Bush, Neophobe, Thee Minks
The Trocadero(1003 Arch St.) FRI Nugent’s Follies
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) SAT Orchestra 2001 Celebrates Frank Zappa’s The Yellow Shark
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) Fri (Upstairs) Feels Good: A Soulidified Tribute to Raphael Saadiq, SAT School of Rock Presents Tributes to Pink Floyd & Metallica/The Side Chicks, Cara Cartney/A 75thBirthday Tribute To George Harrison:
Charlie Phillips Band, Old Baltimore Speedway, Derek Chafin, Elwood James Band, The Mighty Manatees, Justin DePaola Band, Nik Everett Band
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Young Graves, Snake Charmer, Flowercrown, SAT The Disgruntled Sherpa Project, Hootsie, Readership, Deep City Healers
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Young Friends String Quartet, SAT Center City Jazz Festival /Tpatt
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT Wax Wav, Taxes, SUN Heavy Harold
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Body Spray, Tile, Slophouse, Hover/Siravo, SAT The Jersey Corn Pickers, The White Cheddar Boys, Sam Steffen/Hypothetical, Clyde Kelly, The Separators
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2ndSt.) FRI E-Hos, XPresidents, John Bickel Band, Elizabeth Rose, Vessna Scheff/DJ Jay-Ski, SAT Dogs On Main Street, Oldermost (solo), Michael Southerton, Natalie Butts/Jacob Herschel, Dentana, ILY, Roma-Sem
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Aktive, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN The 1910 Chainsaw Company, Past Life
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT V. Shayne Fredericks, Diane Monroe & Tony Miceli, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Bern & The Bastards (EP Release), Erin Cookman
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Mike Saga, SUN Cleric, Collider
Century Bar (1350 S. 29th St.) FRI Dunning Kruger, Shit City, SAT Goddamnit!, The Barren Mary’s, Brandish, SUN Scarlet and the Degenerates, Draco The Unabomber
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAY Philadelphia Burlesque Academy Student Showcase/DJ Brian Toll
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI At Best, Primatives, SAT Sansom, Double Leo
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocketsound
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT No Thank You, Jess Sands
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Tiny Hueman, Grace Vonderkühn, Breaklite/The Stammer, Dreamswell, Rabbits to Riches, Sandcastle, SAT Pithair, Goalkeeper/Felipe Pupo (Release Show), Torito, Darko The Super
LAVA Space (4134 Lancaster Ave.) FRI Ronnie Vega, Felipe Pupo, Torito, The Magnificent ShitHawks Of The Greater Northern Americas
Colorspace Labs (1714 N. Mascher St.) FRI Abi Reimold
The Inconvenience Store (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Lazy Eye, Daydrunks (Split Release show), Pretty Words, Slow Reader
NYC
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Nate Terepka of Zula previews solo album with odd-pop single
At first glance, “Tempelhof,” the first single from the upcoming solo release by Zula’s Nate Terepka, could fit snuggly into the world of Beatles-inspired indie pop. An easy voice delivers a lazy melody over charming piano, while a cymbals-free drum beat skips along. But, as with Terepka’s work in Zula, there’s more to the track than it seems. The already syncopated beat nonchalantly meanders into irregular time signatures as the chords dance into bright but unexpected progressions. The mastery of Terepka’s songwriting is that “Tempelhof” doesn’t present itself as unusual or overly complex. It’s a cozy, welcoming track fit to a breezy summer day without playing into the common tropes of pop music. Listen to “Tempelhof” below and keep an eye out for Terepka’s Sunlight Farm EP, due May 25th from Fox Food Records. – Cameron Carr
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Different Tune” – Werwe
“Different Tune,” the debut single from Werwe, peers into a lovely frame of nostalgia. A leisurely, personal monologue reflects on points of joy – now that bonds appear broken. A dreamy twinkle of keys elicits an ideal/naïve nature. There’s an ache and an appeal to focusing on the pleasant times as a means of closure. The song is featured on Werwe’s forthcoming EP Birthday.
NYC
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A Valley Son’s “Warm Mexican Beer” is a beautiful, twangy alt-country tune
I never thought there’d be a day where a country band could give me shivers. But A Valley Son’s newest single "Warm Mexican Beer" has succeeded in shattering this particular glass ceiling with a nuanced, brooding indie/alt-country tune. "Warm Mexican Beer" is atmospheric, soft and genuine. A Valley Son has clearly mastered their ethereal sound, with stunning harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills and Nash, and tasteful, twangy electric guitar solos. This is a tune for a rainy day, and when the weather gets warmer, it’ll sound great on a summer evening. We are very excited to hear what’s next for the band. Hopefully more tunes that carry us like a warm breeze and pull at our heartstrings. –Geena Kloeppel
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Dreams” (The Cranberries Cover) – Japanese Breakfast
For better or worse, we’ll always associate The Cranberries’ “Dreams” with a scene from The Next Karate Kid. Known for including the 90’s staple in their live sets, Michelle Zauner & her Japanese Breakfast brethren recently recorded the song (paired with “Road Head”) as part of the Spotify Singles Series. An homage to the late Dolores O’Riordan, the group embraces the head-clearing climbs, with a bit of raw guitar thrown in for good measure, creating a powerful performance. You can catch Japanese Breakfast on Sunday, June 3 at Union Transfer, supported by Radiator Hospital and LVL UP.
NYC
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Peaer headlines Trans-Pecos with slacker emo 04.29
Spindly and tender, Peaer approaches often over-cooked genres with tact. Led by Peter Katz, the group plays with understated complexity. On Peaer’s most recent release, 2016’s self-titled full-length, the math rock rhythmic variation and generous swings in intensity become discrete and accessible thanks to the subtlety of the performances. It’s that care for dynamics and precision that makes Peaer such a persuasive live act. Katz sings with a modest delivery more in line with ‘90s slacker rock than his emo-tinged guitar work would lead one to expect. You can catch the band next headlining Trans-Pecos on April 29th alongside Sinai Vessel and Jelani Sei. – Cameron Carr
NYC
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Album premiere: Krantz ‘The Pennock Tapes’
If the good old rock’n’roll sound and antics aren’t lost on you, Nashville’s Krantz has a whole lot to give you. Fronted by Jeffrey “Danger” Krantz, a finalist in MTV’s American Supergroup competition, the band certainly knows how to deliver hooks with a punch. Their new EP ‘The Pennock Tapes’ is actually inspired by Jeffrey’s real-life experience of playing in cover bands and side gigs on Broadway in Nashville and realizing he had the voice to front his own band. Check it out, streaming below.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Crypt” – Corey Flood
The new video for “Crypt,” which is featured on Corey Flood’s EP Wish You Hadn’t (Fire Talk), reinforces the tone of the recording. Interspersing traveling and performance footage with strange, enlightening imagery, a haunting haze envelops. That cozy/creepy dynamic puts one on edge, but feels eerily familiar. The quartet is scheduled to appear at All Night Diner this Saturday, April 28, alongside Patio, Sieve, and Lester.
NYC
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Huck releases “Does It?” and plays Elsewhere 4/29
Huck’s latest single "Does It?" is a trippy meditation on what hurts and what doesn’t. The song opens with a bell-like keyboard that floats in late-night thoughts and moments of longing, but the whole course of the song is changed with the drop of the first synth and the slow hits of a drum machine. This song moves from a low-key tune to a synth jam in the space of three minutes, fading out with soft, re-pitched vocals, reminiscent of the ending of Frank Ocean’s "White Ferrari." Catch Huck live at Elsewhere on Sunday, 4/29. -Geena Kloeppel
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Nematode
Nematode are proof that the sounds of classic psych rock/pop are alive and well in the minds and hearts of the next generation of local musicians. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Aaron Mughannam brought the spirit of his hometown, San Francisco, to Philly’s Drexel University, and his ideas have taken root, with help from collaborators Larry Flatley (Blind Lion), Mike Downey, and Kazim Zaidi. Below is their latest single, "Friends," and you can learn more about the fledgling quartet HERE.
Philadelphia
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New Black Melanite LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
The pairing of Timothy Haw and Lizi Colliflower, a.k.a. Black Melanite, have released their first full-length album Evening Glow. The collection of recordings induces a dreamy, melodic calm, with the ability to ignite an instrumental fuse at any moment. The twinkle of stars lights ones path, as a slow-burning, emotive journey unfolds. Gradually creating a comfortable, multi-layered environment, the potential for volatility looms, breaking through at key intervals.