New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Sooper Records announced yesterday that they had signed Melkbelly’s Miranda Winters and will be releasing her solo debut LP, Xobeci, What Grows Here?, on June 15th on cassette and digitally. Below is the first single from LP, “The Future District”, and you can preorder the album here.
You can help Miranda celebrate the new album on June 16th at Subt with Snail Mail and Bonny Doon.
Experimental Composer Reid Karris released two albums in May. First was “Ghost Dancers Slay Together" via the local label Lurker Bias. This was a four song EP filled with his prepared guitar and string creations.
The second release is digital only and is the recording of his April 18th performance as part of Impro Jam Series at Slate Arts.
Karris has such a creative and innovative approach to the generation of sound and music. Both of these releases have a high barrier to enter from a traditional standpoint, but if you allow yourself to be open you may find beauty in his noise.
Emerald is the latest enchanting EP installment from Sandcastle. Warping vocals encircle in a heady simplicity. A timeless minstrel tone meshes with modern twists and turns, creating an imaginative hybrid. Bending genres (even mid-song), the band creates a sound that continuously shifts and resonates.
It can be easy for artists who wield nostalgia and evoke their favorite records to get lost in the source material. Reminiscing with sounds that aren’t as widely popular as they used to be can hide flaws in their songwriting. Fortunately for Max Clarke, the driving force behind Cut Worms, he never finds himself mired in his influences. With his latest album Hollow Ground via Jagjaguwar, his songwriting feels refreshing, yet comfortable. The woozy guitars never become a hazy memory. The melodies never feel stolen. Modern production flourishes bring out the best of these songs as they glow with soft harmonies and ear-worm hooks. Despite sounding like songs heard millions of times, Hollow Ground still finds time to surprise. Songs like “Hanging Your Picture Up to Dry” offer a jangly take on Midwestern folk while “Cowards Confidence” is tinted with psychedelia. Clarke’s finely tuned songs can be heard at Industry City Courtyard 1/2 on Thursday, June 14. You can listen to the single “Don’t Want To Say Good-Bye” below. – Tucker Pennington
Fuzzy grunge rock band Lush Buffalo hang around with a lot of the great garage bands currently occupying some of the best venues in Toronto. I would say their garage sound is more Seattle and less California. By that I mean more straight up head bangin rock and less reverb and echo. Meatpuppets, Melvins and Bleach is what I’m hearing. Cool tunes on their self-titled album. Lush Buffalo plays The Baby G on Friday June 8 with Jean Daddy, D-BOY and Jeepay Lovecraft. – Kris Gies
The Father Costume is the work of Michael Hartman (TV Pow), Kent Lambert (Roommate), Gillian Lisee (Fruit Bats), Adam Vida and Sam Wagster (Mute Duo & Moon Bros.). Last month, they released a new single called “See Orange”. This is the first new music from this supergroup since their 2010 debut EP, “The Mismade Girl”.
The group is working on self-titled full-length album that will be released later this summer. Below is the track listing:
1. The Long Takes
2. Lifterschalte
3. Take Their Coats
4. The Comic
5. I Need to be Told
6. See Orange
7. Levitation Hoax
8. Water in a Circle
The band is currently scheduling a release show and an official release date for their album. We will share those details as soon as they are available.
Although singer-songwriter Rae Isla has yet to release a debut album or EP, the video for her single “Just Because” has already made the rounds on MTV Latin America, making her an artist to watch. Her Ellie-Goulding-style vocals beautifully tell a story of a deep love: “Now I know why Lennon said / Love is all you need.” "Mexico,” backed by Latin-inspired guitar and drum beats, has a similar flavor and transports you to a summer night on the beach. She is definitely one to keep an ear on, don’t miss her upcoming performance at Mercury Lounge on June 6th. – Lily Crandall
Post-Hardcore trio Lume released their debut LP, Wrung Out, back in April via Equal Vision. The video for the album’s second single, “Loss Leader”, was directed by Tom Conway and can be viewed below.
The band is hitting the road for a North American tour on June 19th and will be returning home for a show on July 11th at Schubas with Bent Knee & Gatherers.
Krust Toons: "So Hot" 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.
The New York synthpop duo Saint Marilyn has dropped a new EP called "Tangle." The duo of Saint Marilyn is comprised of Che Houston and Kevin Marksson, who began work on the album last spring as a deliberate departure from their existing drums-and-guitar arrangement. "Tangle" is synth-heavy and moody, with upfront basslines and battering-ram percussion anchoring celestial-sounding synth explorations. The compositions themselves are unconventional, hearkening to both disco and new wave, with extended instrumental sections throughout and Houston’s forceful-yet-ethereal vocals carrying the songs’ momentum. Overall, the sound of "Tangle" is a bold one, and it’s a success. Listen to "Matchless" below! – Ethan Ames
The Chicago Underground Film Festival (CUFF) has announced the line-up for their annual after party. This year it will take place on June 8th at Empty Bottle and feature three wild and unpredictable acts.
Aweful is a new trio fronted by Traci Trouble (Hotlips Messiah, Wanton Looks, Paper Bullets) and featuring Lucy Dekay (Mystery Actions) and Jaclyn Vorel (Panzer, Still Machine). This event will be their first live performance, but this three musicians are sure to impress.
Blacker Face has previously been feature on The Deli for their recently released EP “Think Piece”, and always perform with energy, rage, and chaos at their core.
The headliner is Nobunny, who has gained national attention at the Punk Rock Rabbit, who will on occasion remove his pants, but never removes his mask. Nobunny appeared twice on the recently released Dr. Demento cover album, Dr. Demento Covered In Punk. Here is his take on the now problematic Fred Schneider song, “Monster”.
