After making the move to Brooklyn, former Deli New England-featured artist of the month Plastic Waves premieres brand new single “Drift” here today. Relying purely on electronic instruments, the track features verses supported by modulating synths and slap-back percussion. While an initial impression might elicit comparisons to the 80’s and 90’s sound of bands like Depeche Mode, OMD or even Gary Numan, a more soulful and emotional quality emerges within the bridge and chorus. “I don’t want to fight it, but don’t get excited if you feel it too” leads into a lush cascade of melding voices and synths. The chorus takes it one step further with buzzing, elevating melody lines between the vocal refrain “can’t seem to find another – cause I won’t take any others – you pull me right back into it – and I don’t know how you do it.” Don’t miss Plastic Waves’ live performance at Elsewhere Zone One in Brooklyn this Friday, 8/3. – Dave Cromwell
Kids’ Table: Gender Ender
Kids’ Table is, as the name would suggest, young and earnest. Made up of three queer siblings, whose mission is “to end your local gender,” the band has no qualms about who they are as musicians. They have a melancholic and bittersweet lyrical style most folk-punk bands would kill to have. “Tambourine Song” is most emblematic of this. Musically the song is lighthearted and uplifting. It sounds like what would happen if Neutral Milk Hotel was more pop oriented. The music is well-suited to the emotional lyrics, which are despondent without becoming bitter. The lead vocals are often out of key, an intentional stylistic choice that strengthens the beauty of the band’s music. It creates an off-kilter tone that highlights the emo aspects of the band’s sound. Kids’ Table is here to show the world both the beauty of being a queer kid, and the difficulties they face. They do a remarkable job.
Inho “Lightning Days”
Inho creates music that is being called “Mystic Folk”, but that might describe how otherworldly and beautiful his music actually is. On his debut album, Lightning Days, he blends elements of folk, chamber pop, and ambient music to create something between Dead Can Dance and Phosphorescent.
Below is the video for the album’s lead single, “Laruga Rain”.
L’FREAQ premieres video for “Weird Awakenings” on Billboard
L’FREAQ has recently premiered on Billboard.com a new music video for her single “Weird Awakenings,” the second released off her forthcoming EP of the same title. Her dreamy, sultry voice layered over a pulsing beat is reminiscent of LP1-era FKA twigs, mixed with the power of early 2000s R&B ballads. The lyrics are borderline disturbing as she pleads “Gimme that sweet tooth grin / hold me before I know it’s over;” Singer Lea Cappelli says that the awakening she refers to in the title happened in real life, when she finally felt “liberated from a doomed relationship.” “Weird Awakenings” is authoritative and dynamic, and is indicative of good things to come. – Lily Crandall
Krust Toons: “Warped Tweets” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "Warped Tweets" 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.
Daylighting
Daylighting returned this month from a nearly five year hiatus with a new album called Indigo Nighthawk Returns to the Sunstone City. Daylighting is the hazy dream-folk of Evan Garcia and Allen Beers. The album is filled beautiful harmonies, gentle guitar melodies, and atmospherics.
The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Forever Vista
“Forever Vista” is a term that bassist/vocalist Pat Bilodeau came up with after really needing to get away, so he did what probably most of us dream of doing – bought a one-way ticket to Australia. It “refers to the one and only perspective of life through your eyes. There will only be one version of your life for all of time.” And while lead guitarist Andrew Iannarelli might not particular care for it as a band name, it doesn’t seem like he has much of a choice now that it has been forever immortalized in our Featured Artist(s) Poll. You can learn more about the humorous (and sometimes bawdy) history, thoughts, likes, and dislikes of Forever Vista’s Bilodeau, Iannarelli, Ryan Bleaken (keyboard/rhytm guitar/vocals), and John Crowe (drums) in our recent interview with the gang HERE.
Flash Flash Comfort
Flash Flash Comfort released their latest album, Reverse Resolution, back on July 20th. This is “Drug Pop” sounds of Pasha Petrosyan, David Ellis, Ben Simpson, Jonathan Freund, and Asa Von Hagen. This album is the follow-up to their 2016 sophomore EP, “Chill Night”.
Below is the insane video for the album’s second single “Safety”.
Fuckery, Double Mint Dragon, and CENTVRY play Tender Trap on August 4th
The four members of of Fuckery have been writing music in various incarnations since their halcyon, teenage youth, but only recently decided to make noise with all their instruments together in the same room. The result: Fuckery is a band (and a name) so ridiculous, listeners will either reject the group as too absurd to take seriously, or love them for the same reason.
Lead singer Adriana DeMeo pairs lyrics of nostalgia and questionable decisions made while bored, against deep pocketed grooves, and jerky, razorblade guitars. Join the band as they debut a few new songs, and insist you participate in the fuckery yourself.
A CENTVRY gig guarantees anything from psychedelic freakouts, to monotone Lou Reed pathos, to arena rock anthems. It all depends on the night, and the audience attending. Their show is entirely improvised, which means that your presence will undoubtedly guarantee something exciting is going to happen.
Opening the bill is Double Mint Dragon (pictured), one of singer/guitarist Alex Woods’ many, many projects. The band’s set will have you unsure of where things are headed, but loving the convulsive, tug-of-war fought between dueling drums and Alex’s stompbox army of noisy fireworks exploding along the way.
Join the merriment when all bands play together at Tender Trap (66 Greenpoint Ave, BK) on Saturday, August 4th. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)
The King of Mars “Tigress”
The King of Mars has released a second single, “Tigress”, from their forthcoming EP which is due out this Fall.
You can catch The King of Mars on August 9th at Subterranean with Out The Car Window and Friday Pilots Club.
New Gene Wildest Album Available for Streaming
Spectral Terrestrial is the forthcoming album from Gene Wildest, due out on August 28. Shapeshifting psych that coasts and then accelerates into extended jams, these songs marinate within a familiar concoction, before flipping the switch. The group’s strength is in its ability to change dynamics, with a polished sheen. Gene Widest will be holding their record release celebration at Boot & Saddle on Thursday, August 30, supported by Spooky Forest and The Not Fur Longs.
“Less Than Nothing” is Jet Setting’s sly, hard-rock take-down
Get ready for some of the most savage lyrics of the summer: "When the bathroom drugs run out, and the barkeep’s taking up her count / And you find yourself alone, with the strangers in your phone / Are you happy now? I have my doubts." Jet Setting is a hard-rock band that isn’t afraid to tell it like it is- which means, they’re ready to expose the shady exes that need to be exposed. "Less Than Nothing" is a pretty harsh song title, and the distorted electric guitars, heavy bass sound and crunchy drums are in full support of that grim tone. Singer Logan Coats’ vocals are spitting and spiteful, just the way you’d sound if someone had betrayed you. Jet Setting nailed the subject matter with the most savage sonic wall of thrashing rock that you always wanted. –Geena Kloeppel