Chicago

Martin Van Ruin “Current Day”

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Martin Van Ruin is preparing to release their next album, Current Day, on August 17th. This is the band’s long-awaited follow-up to their highly praised 2014 debut album, Every Man A King. They released the first single, and title track, from the new LP back in October, and you can stream that below.

Tonight (7/5) at 7:05pm, you can hear Martin van Ruin discuss the new album and play a few new songs on 88.7 FM, WLUW.

You can help the band celebrate the release of Current Day on August 17th at Fitzgeralds in Berwyn.

Philadelphia

New Teef LP Available for Streaming & Download

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Hip Hop On Purpose II is the new LP from Philly emcee Teef. A laidback, smooth-talking confidence permeates in these personal narratives. Turning phrases on dimes and connecting dots in succinct yet diversely themed lines, the album feels close to the vest, with an amplified net of resources and ramifications. You can stream and download it for free below.

Chicago

Fess Grandiose @ Lincoln Hall (7/20)

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Beat Maker Fess Grandiose will be releasing his next album, Front Room Methodology, via ETC Records and Maximum Pelt on July 13th. Below you can preorder and stream two great beats, “Kimball House” and “Cards Against Insanity”. This is Fess’ first new LP since his self-titled debut back in 2016.

You can catch Fess Grandiose opening for Open Mike Eagle’s Pitchfork after show at Lincoln Hall on July 20th.

NYC

Balún brings their unique island-inspired electronic sound to Rough Trade 07.12

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Indie electronic band Balún is quickly making their presence known – in their current home base of Brooklyn and globally. Their 2016 single “La Nueva Ciudad” was on Spotify’s US Viral Top 50 playlist as well as in eight Latin American countries. “El Espanto,” their most recent single, is inspired by the dembow and reggae heartbeat of their hometown, San Juan, Puerto Rico, reinterpreted through the lens of the creative local DIY scene. The breadth of the genres they encompass is representative of their transnational experience; of their two homes and how they complement each other. The result is a harmonious, transportive blend of island rhythm and city edge, a style they call “dreambow.” Balún’s unique style is one not to miss, catch them live at Rough Trade on July 12th. – Lily Crandall

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Find” – Fleabite

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NVM, the new EP from Fleabite, was recently released via Salinas Records. The new video for the EP’s closer, “Find,” offers a quick-hitting montage,  casting a candid, wide-ranging view of tour life. It’s a whirlwind of closely-knit individuals and a series of scenic stops, providing a visual scrapbook of memorable moments along the quartet’s adventures. Fleabite will be holding a belated record release celebration this Tuesday, July 10 at LAVA Space, which will double as a benefit for the venue and Morris Home, "a residential recovery program providing affirming and culturally competent services for the trans community." They will also be joined on the bill by Pinkwash, Jenna Pup, and Juice.

Chicago

Paper Hero “HFTL”

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Prog Metal band Paper Hero will be releasing a new EP, “HFTL”, on July 20th. The EP’s first single is “Hide From The Light” and can be streamed (or purchased) below.

Paper Hero is Tristan Zemtseff (Drums/Vocals), Maru Martinez (Guitar), Giovanni Franceschi (Vocals), Brycen Doby (Guitar) and Austin Ramsey (Bass).

You can help Paper Hero celebrate the release of their EP at Subterranean on July 24th with Farseer, and Oni and Rising Deity. They will also be playing at The House Cafe in Dekalb on July 12th.

Nashville

Cave Mode Shake’s “Good Girl” is the sound of sneaking out at night

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 "Good Girl" sounds like a song that’s about to explode. The chorus builds with a pulsing eighth-note stomp-y kick-drum and a hefty load of guitars mimicking that same rhythm. It sounds a bit like sneaking out of the house on a summer night, driving a getaway car to the outskirts of town with that person your parents told you to stop seeing. Cave Mode Shake are able to keep you interested and on the edge of your seat for a full four minutes, even with a sparsity of lyrics and tangible melodies. The band has inserted a certain urgency into a genre that sometimes feels generic and is produces bands that sound like they’re trying too hard. While the title of the song feels a bit outworn, "Good Girl" actually has a giddy effortlessness to it, like a ticking time bomb ready to burst. –Geena Kloeppel

 

Nashville

Creamer releases trippy, throwback-ish music video “Drugs No More”

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 If one were to describe a sound that is ABBA meets the Doors meets Freddie Mercury, you’d be left with… Creamer. Or, at least, Creamer’s new visual for their song "Drugs No More," which features a naked headless mannequin, the use of green screen, and frontman Philip Creamer in a mighty strange disco prince costume… and all this is set on a fake tv show. There’s plenty of room for missteps here, but the band’s new music video is honestly one of the most authentic visuals I’ve seen in quite a long time. The nostalgia is so palpable that it’s genuine, and Creamer’s passion and honesty shines through from start to finish. –Geena Kloeppel

 

Chicago

Single Premiere: Mock Nine

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We are proud to premiere the new single, “Fair”, from Indie Pop group Mock Nine. This the band’s second single and follow-up to last month’s “Work”. Both singles are building to a debut album later this year.

Mock Nine is Tommy Langford (Lead Vocals), Franklin Brady (Rhythm Guitar-Harmonies), Mac Campbell (Bass), James Bruce (Lead guitar) and Sam Grosman (Drums).

NYC

Lola Kirke announces new LP, releases video, lands Union Pool residency

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Actress and singer-songwriter Lola Kirke dropped a double-whammy of news over the past week; she released the music video for her latest single "Supposed To" on Thursday, and announced that her first full-length album "Heart Head West" will see the light on August 10. Both the single and the album deal with matters personal to Kirke; self-doubt, family matters, and pressures from society bubble to the surface in her lyrics. In the video for "Supposed To", which Kirke directed herself, an older woman allows herself to let loose. Kirke says of the track: "How rebellious would you feel if you had spent your life just doing things that you felt that you were supposed to do? That society told you to do?" Kirke explores that theme and more on the upcoming LP; she’ll support its release with three shows at Union Pool on August 21, 22, and 23. Watch the video for "Supposed To" below. – Will Sisskind

Toronto

Kapri – Soulful Dance Single “Deeper”

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Born in Edmonton, now living in Toronto; Kapri is a soulful dance artist known for her passionate performances and show stopping charisma. Last year she released her first single “Deeper”. The video is shot in a cool area of Toronto around Dundas/Bathurst known for its international food stalls and shows Kapri showing off her style and dance moves with the local crowd. The tune has a real throwback vibe to 90’s RnB with inspirations from Janet Jackson and Kylie Minogue. All around great track/video worthy of radio spins around the country. – Kris Gies