Harnessing the power of her weathered yet powerful voice, Felicity channels emotional turmoil into triumph on “Pilot with a Fear of Heights”. The new single from the Australian-born, South African-raised New York resident mirrors her anxieties about destiny’s role in love, both sonically and lyrically. Opening with haunting vocals before being jolted alive with grandiose production flourishes and a gospel-tinged chorus, the artist fatally remarks about the anxieties that come with falling in love. However, instead of wallowing in this emotional conflict, she surrenders to whatever her fate may be as she boldly sings about free-falling through life. This moment is rapturous and heart-racing, and she sounds fearless when the chorus builds up one final time. It’s reminiscent of Kesha’s 2017 single “Praying”, but Felicity’s vocals combined with the dynamic production offer something more vibrant without losing any of its radiance or catharsis. – Tucker Pennington
Gentle J release surreal video for “Smoking”
Jordan Thomas just had a rough day on "Smoking." The desert locale is a curious setting for Thomas, the main songwriter of Gentle J, and his bandmates to give their ode to the New Hollywood seventies movement with a grubby cinematic flair. The resplendent guitar arpeggios of the track give a faint glimmer of hope for Thomas, transforming an otherwise grim outcome with an impressionistic, even transporting form. Just like the scene that replays in Thomas’s journey, "Smoking" possesses a dazzling hook that will also linger in your mind for days. Juan Rodríguez
New Music Video: “Intent” – Blowdryer
The trio of Blowdryer recently shared a eye-catching video for “Intent,” featured on their new self-titled release. Director Dawn Riddle (of Bad Canoes) creates a visual spectacle that taps into a sense of retro oddity. What is its "intent"? Hmm…fuck if we know! But we are definitely digging the dance moves, which are absolutely playful and endearing. We’ll have a good time trying to replicate them next Thursday, June 7 at Kung Fu Necktie, where they’ll be performing with Michael Beach and Storks. (Photo by Scott Troyan)
quest?onmarc brings chaotic club music to Elsewhere’s Rooftop on 06/02
quest?onmarc’s brand of house music balanced moments of wild fervor and restrained beauty, creating tracks that can be as uneasy as they are energetic. The Qween Beat affiliate describes their music as ballroom house, a mixture of traditional house music with theatrical elements traditionally found in vogue performance. With their new single “Ok!”, however, they set their sights on a more traditional and uptempo sound without losing the heart-racing nature of their previous releases. Skipping along with tight synths and an off-kilter drums, there are traces of footwork and juke, but the consistently thunderous beat marks a distinct shift towards a more danceable and bigger sound. With the only vocals being periodic interruptions from a monotone voice saying “ok”, the artist has crafted a song that sounds like it was forged in clubs but meant for arenas. quest?onmarc will be performing their unique blend of club and footwork as a part of Jubilee’s Magic City on the rooftop of Elsewhere on Saturday, June 2. Check out their newest single “Ok!” below. – Tucker Pennington
New St. Brendan EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Recorded and mixed at The Headroom with Kyle Pulley, St. Brendan recently shared a trio of tracks packaged as The Talk EP. Raunchy riffs and tunnel-transmitted, emotive vocals interact, creating an aggressive/somber dichotomy. A melancholy isolation meets the release of pent up energy via an onslaught of rockin’ instrumentation. Feel free to find catharsis in its heartbreak.
Jared Rabin @ SPACE (6/8)
Jared Rabin is back with a EP called “Wondering About The Weather”. This is the follow-up to his acclaimed 2015 debut LP, Something Left To Say. Rabin has a warm and slightly rock-tinged take on Americana.
“Wondering About The Weather” was released on May 11th and will be celebrated on June 8th at SPACE in Evanston with Ten Patrick.
Surfer Rosie June 30th at Black Water
Surfer Rosie, a slacker-rock garage band, has been gaining popularity in Portland for a number of reasons. The band’s members Gillian Brase, Gillian Avina, Laura Daegling, Noah Johanson have all cut their teeth in the DIY scene over the years, and that experience shows in Surfer Rosie’s music. Their first EP released last June, simply titled EP 1, is an excellent example of alt-pop done right. The band’s strength lies in their combination of emo-inspired lyricism with deceptively minimalistic guitar riffs and beats. Surfer Rosie’s latest single “Worms” came out this May. The track feels driven and focused, but still makes room for the band’s signature moodiness. Surfer Rosie’s next show is June 30th at the Black Water Bar with Little Star, Alien Boy, and Vari Vice. – by Avril Carrillo, Photo by Natalie Eagan
Showcase Alert: Throwin’ Bo’s at The Elbo Room (6.7) ft. Mr. Yote, Just Rese, & more
Throwin’ Bo’s is shaking it up this month, with an R&B and hip-hop influenced lineup that leans heavily towards the experimental. From the moody and mesmerizing avant-soul of LA-via-Boston-via-UK-via-Hong Kong songstress Cehryl (pronounced Cheryl), to the eerie and unsettling flow of San Francisco’s own Mr. Yote, to the infectious bounce of Oakland’s Just Rese, this may be the best showcase yet. If you’re still unconvinced, the proof is in the playlist, which you can stream below. – Lilly Milman
This event will be on Thursday, June 7 at 9 pm. Throwin’ Bo’s is a monthly 21+ showcase held at The Elbo Room. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. RSVP on Facebook here.
From the digital submissions: the triumphant pop-punk of Chousand
“I’m so dumb / I don’t think before I speak,” proclaim the opening lines of “Cool Me,” the first track off the self-titled debut LP by Stamford, Connecticut’s Chousand. The rest of the 10 track debut follows the same route of self-deprecation so blunt that it inexplicably makes you smile, in true pop punk fashion. From the aggressively careless “Subaru” to the anxiety-ridden “I’m All Gums,” this album is a triumph — a tongue-in-cheek salute to shouting with a beer in your hand and a smile on your face. They will be playing their album release show at The Shamrock in Waterbury, CT on June 16th at 7 pm. Until then, stream all of Chousand below. – Lilly Milman
The Dreebs (members of PC Worship) play album release at Secret Project Robot 05.31
There are currently three singles out from The Dreebs‘ upcoming album Forest Of A Crew and each is a dark, musically mysterious taste of the band. The three members have all spent time with New York avant-punk group PC Worship and it shows. Adam Markiewicz fronts with half-shouted, half-rapped vocals and dissonant, droning violin that would make John Cale and the Velvet Underground proud, Jordan Bernstein’s guitar contributions are twisted into metallic clangs, and Shannon Sigley’s drums thump with a dark fervor. The Dreebs will co-headline a release show at Secret Project Robot on May 31, the day before Forest Of A Crew is released via Ramp Local Records, alongside The Sediment Club, who released Stucco Theives on May 25. – Cameron Carr
Crime Nite
Crime Nite (F.K.A Time Machine Death Squad) is the Synth-Pop duo of Judah Dylan and Andy Mars. They have been together and working on their debut album, Can’t Kill The Beat, since 2014. The album is available now on most streaming platforms and will be officially released on June 4th.
Below is the video for the single “Memories” which features a contribution from Nashville’s Internet Boyfriend.
Bonzo Terks
Experimental Free Jazz group Bonzo Terks are prepping to release a new cassette called We Bought A Boat. This is the follow-up to their 2014 LP, People You Should Know Vol. 1, and is their fourth studio album. The first track on the album is call “Blow My Job” and can be streamed below.
Bonzo Turks will be celebrating the release of their new tape on June 9th at aliveOne (2683 N Halsted St)with Hanging Hearts.