“No More Bad News” is Worriers‘ contribution to Kevin Devine’s Devinyl Split series. There’s a perpetual bleakness that hovers in the universal ether, with the song matriculating as a form of resilience. Gathering steam, it sits in a comfortable, personal space, warding off the negativity, as best as Lauren Denitzio and company possibly can. Despite the bad times, one has to hold out hope for a better tomorrow. You can catch Worriers, with Tigers Jaw and Tiny Moving Parts, on June 8 and 9 at The Fillmore, opening for The Wonder Years. (Photo by Andrew Bisdale)
Chicago
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Nicky Flowers and The Smynths
Electronic music producer Nicky Flowers will be releasing a new project called “The Smynths” on June 16th (32 years after the release of The Queen is Dead). This is collection of 8 Smiths covers by Nicky, and if the three that currently available are representative of the whole project it will be amazing.
Nicky’s take on the classic "Bigmouth Strikes Again” turns the song into a lush synth-pop track with computerized vocals and must be heard to be believed.
In Nicky’s tweet announcing the album last week she admits she may be sued by a famous singer this summer, but clearly had to put this project into the world anyway.
NYC
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Poetic Thrust get their feet wet with WATER ep.
Where much live band Hip Hop too often falls prey to the Jazzmatazz school of composition, Poetic Thrust utilizes inventive musicianship to distinguish themselves. Sumptuous soundscapes provide lift and shimmy to MCs Yoh the Shaolin and ENxVE the Nameless Vagrant’s virtuosic lyricism. It would be remiss to consider the group devoid of jazz influence altogether. However, rather than falling into the easy trap of “writing samples” where many groups merely affect the loop style of early Hip Hop production, Poetic Thrust creates music worth sampling. You can sample their most recent WATER ep here. – BrokeMc
NYC
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A Deli Premiere: Locus Pocus’s apocalyptic self-titled LP
Earlier this year, The Deli SF had the pleasure of premiering the single “Doctor’s Doctor” from San Francisco’s jangly psych outfit Locus Pocus. Now, the five-piece is back — but this time, with a full-length, self-titled LP, which The Deli SF is happy to be premiering once again.
Collectively, the band explained: “Locus Pocus (originally titled Cool Color Happiness) is about finding meaning and wellness amidst feelings of isolation and doom.” Although the same psychedelic side that appears in earlier releases comes out in tracks like “Game To Lose” and “Cool Color Happiness,” others — like opening track “Getting Creepy” or the central “Big White Car” — set a decidedly more punk tone for this apocalyptic record (note: the release date, June 6 at 6 a.m.) This fast-paced, frenzied release is a very welcome surprise from a band that has already managed to create a name for itself in the Bay Area scene. Locus Pocus will be playing an album release show at Cafe du Nord on June 29. – Lilly Milman
Stream the record in its entirety below, before it becomes available on all streaming platforms later today.
NYC
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The Happy Fits share new single “Grow Back”
Any fan of Vampire Weekend or The Black Keys will recognize and enjoy the dance-friendly, angular indie pop of The Happy Fits. The trio of Jersey-based youngsters have released their latest single "Grow Back" (streaming), a song that will appear on the band’s upcoming debut record Concentrate, out this June. "Grow Back" is a hard-driving track about a character named Mrs. Mae who is trying to escape a lobotomy by using a pair of scissors she snuck into her pocket. Musically, it packs more of a punch dynamics-wise than previous singles "Best Tears" and "Achey Bones", also included in the upcoming LP. A music video for "Grow Back" is on its way, but in the mean time you can catch the band live at The Saint in Asbury Park on May 28th.. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Meant to Bend stun with eclectic debut EP ‘Minimum Frowny’ + play Milk Bar (6.6)
On their debut EP Minimum Frowny, the San Francisco-based trio Meant to Bend make the unpredictable accessible. Each track attests to the band’s impeccable musicianship, making heavy use of key changes, frantic guitar licks, and intricate harmonies. From the wonderfully crunchy punk sensibilities of “With the Slope” to the earnest and emotional “Crystal Intent,” Meant to Bend cram in something for everyone in a span of only four tracks. With this project, Nathan Driver (percussion,) Gaku Kelliher (bass/vox,) and Aamir Mauladad (guitar/vox) have beautifully reimagined post-punk, leaving listeners with just one question: When’s the full-length LP coming out? Stream the full EP below in preparation for their show at Milk Bar on June 6. – Lilly Milman
Nashville
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The Hollow Roots’ “Moonlight” is a dark, anthemic blues rock tune
When the chorus of "Moonlight" hit, all I wanted to do was head bang. You can hear the Hollow Roots go all out in this song- in the grit of the vocals, smashing wall of percussion and mighty electric guitar hooks. Perhaps the most surprising thing is how adept they are at reigning in the energy when needed to create nuanced, full-throttle builds- especially check out that wild third chorus after a reduced bridge. This song must leave you sweating when the Hollow Roots play live- catch them June 11th at the Local. I’m already trying to catch my breath. -Geena Kloeppel
Chicago
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Deeper “Pavement” Video
Deeper has released a sad and somewhat dark video for their latest single “Pavement”. The track is taken from their self-titled debut LP which is out now via Fire Talk Records.
You can catch Deeper at Shuga Records on June 9th for a 2pm In-Store Performance and on August 3rd at The Hideout with Clearance.
Chicago
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Shuttle Run @ Empty Bottle (6/7)
Shuttle Run is the minimal disco of Sandra Yau (Vocals), Steven Stoll (Keys, Guitar, & Bongo), Kahuna Smalls (Bass), and Collin Diederich (Synths, Keys, Percussion). They are releasing their debut full-length album, All These Lights, on the Dark Matter Coffee Label, Press Pot Recordings, on June 7th. The album Is formatted for cassette with Side A consisting for 4 new songs from the band and side B is a continuous mix of song ideas and abstractions.
You can help Shuttle Run celebrate their new album on June 7th at Empty Bottle with Jnana and Robotboot.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Half-Light” (Feat. Kelly Zutrau) (Instupendo Remix) – Rostam
Philly sound sculptor Instupendo, a.k.a. Aidan Peterson, recently shared a remix of former Vampire Weekend member Rostam’s “Half Light,” the title track off his new album, which is out now via Nonesuch Records. It is featured on EP1, a remix collection of songs from his debut release. While retaining its intimate illumination, additional futuristic warmth enters the fray, bubbling to the surface. The delicate march of keys circles and serves as a further catalyst of motion. That tight, ballad groove transitions into a spacious, shimmering dreamscape that manages to outshine the original.
NYC
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Nighttime brings melodic folk to Northside at The Gutter on 06.08
Northside Festival is on its way, which means yet another chance to catch all of Brooklyn’s quirky, up-and-coming, and unique acts playing at just about every venue between Greenpoint and Bushwick. At The Gutter on June 8th — the festival’s third evening — you can catch Nighttime, the melodic folk act of Eva Louise Goodman. The Vermont native released her latest EP back in 2015, but she’s kept busy gigging over the past few years in towns and cities across the States and Canada. She continues to release music online; stream her track "Dreams", an example of her atmospheric explorations, below. Her Northside show will accompany a potpourri of other great Brooklyn artists on the same stage, including experimental synth act Painted Faces, darkwave composer Nick Skrobisz, grunge rocker Maneka, and the noise pop wonder of Mezzanine Swimmers. – Will Sisskind
L.A.
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Smokescreens release lively new single “Someone New,” tour around LA in June/July
Smokescreens came together over a shared love for the Flying Nun scene of the 1980’s. And "Someone New," their latest single, is representative of that sound – there’s the driving rhythm section, the circling guitar leads, and the tuneful chorus you can’t forget for days. The four-piece may have dutifully done their homework, but there’s no mimicry involved, as they make use of a classic pop sensibility that sounds as fresh as when The Clean shouted, "Tally Ho!"
"Someone New" is the latest single off of Smokescreens’ forthcoming debut LP, Used to Yesterday, which is out on July 13 via Slumberland. Check them out on any of the following LA tour dates:
06/09 – Redwood Bar
06/22 – Love Song
07/13 – Monty Bar (Record Release)
07/19 – The Echoplex