Nashville

Kaycie Satterfield’s “Paper Cranes” is a soft, jazzy tune for your summer afternoons

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 "Do you remember when we traded double dutch for pearls / started straightening our curls just to look like all the other girls?" If there are two things Kaycie Satterfield knows how to do, it’s how to tell a story, and how to harmonize. "Paper Cranes," the soulful singer-songwriter’s newest single is a whimsical ode to girlhood, carefree summers and most importantly, friendship. The song sounds downright pleasant– Satterfield’s voice sits atop a beautifully jazzy soundscape of groovy guitars/bass and finger snaps and the chorus of harmonies sounds almost angelic. The Nashville artist will be playing at PIANOS in New York on 9/1. –Geena Kloeppel

 

NYC

Big Bliss are a beacon of light on “Contact”, perform at Baby’s on 07.29

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Sometimes it can feel like shouting into an endless void trying to get your music heard. There are thousands of new artists each day and there are even more who give up before they find an audience. Bands like Big Bliss have tapped into that raw overwhelming feeling with their spectacular and concise style of post-punk. Comprised of a simple three-piece, this outfit takes the simple components that make tight-knit, reliable rock and loosen some of the constraints to unleash a bolder statement. On their most recent single “Contact”, the reverb-soaked guitars and unrestrained drums form this bright, shimmering wall of sound that claws its way upward with each ascending repetition of the chorus. The bass is the steady hand that drives this track forward, halting any detours that could lead this song astray toward a more dream pop inspired route. It’s a song aware of its circumstances, acknowledging that grand system we could all get lost in and fighting to find the connections to keep us alive. A powerful statement like this could only be found in a precise and uncomplicated song made by a band at this juncture in their career, and it’s exhilarating to witness. You can see Big Bliss perform at Baby’s All Right on July 29 and stream “Contact” below. – Tucker Pennington

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, July 20 – 22

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Enveloped in a heavy-psych haze, Purling Hiss shreds in a primal, untamed fury. With jarring blazes of guitar-anchored glory, the band navigates through simmering and smoking hot sonic pockets. Relentless rhythms pace the ship, as it veers into unknown yet intriguing territories. Tomorrow night at Johnny Brenda’s, they’ll be headlining a locals-only bill, reinforced by the raw, grunge, syncopated stampede of Fight Amp–Legendary Divorce offshoot, Low Dose, who will be performing live for the first time. The fuzz-rattling post-punk of Plot will help to lay the groundwork for the evening’s festivities. – Michael Colavita

More of the haps this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N Frankford Ave.) FRI Pilkington, SAT Purling Hiss, Low Dose, Plot, SUN Scantron

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Andrew Victor

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI Blubird, Americanadian, Sterling Duns & Aqeel Aadam and Friends, Well Room, SAT Laser Background, Mavis the Dog, Luxe

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Ken, The Improbables/DJ Deejay, SAT Crazy Bull, Mota/DJ PHSH, SUN Botis, Decap Attak

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Masie Blu, Ty Lemar, Lenora Elaine

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Mr. Brightside: Fame Lust

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dark Waters End, World Below, SAT Legion 76, Duffy’s Cut, The Bad Ups, SUN Big Handsome, The Band Ariel

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.)  FRI John Vettese/Beta Hi-Fi Emerging Music Festival

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Siravo, Skyline the City, Famous & Fallen, SAT Chris Day (Album Release), Super Bonanza

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Uncle Dan, Party Muscles, Sleep Tactics, SAT Moonwalker, SUN Julia Rainer, Eliza Edens

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Teenage Bigfoot, Yeenar, SAT Frost Giant, Bone Hive

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Peace & the City Grease, Dominy, Too Many Talk Shows, SAT Water Temple, Joshua Chase Miller

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT David Cope, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Punk Hands, Sara Henya, Reverend TJ McGlinchey

Tara Hernon

Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Manikineter, Felipe Pupo, SAT Disoriental, Pink Angels, Scars Like These, Decontrol

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Judex, The KMX Band, Big Stall, SAT Misfit Holiday

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet

Franky Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Mike Saga, Elijvh Vrms, SUN Civil Youth, Heavensake

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Delmont, Stealing from Thieves, SAT Pravda, Canyon, Bohemian Mule

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Conversations

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Chino, SUN Little Bear

LAVA Space (4134 Lancaster Ave.) SAT  Manikineter, Bumsweat 

The Mothership (602 S. 52nd St.) SAT Great Weights, The Invasive Species

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Nancy Strong

NYC

ackermen debut refreshing new single “Loverboy”

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The indie/psychedelic/dream-pop trio known as ackerman are that special type of band that seem to capture songs in their entirerty out of thin air. Their process is impossible to discern when listening to their music; the harmonies and melodies emerge effortlessly and fully formed. The newest single “Loverboy” is sweet sounding and starry-eyed, finding the breezy elements in the disparate pieces of the track. Starting with a muffled intro before the ambient guitar licks and snappy bass lines pop into the forefront, each instrument sounds like it was stripped from summer mixtapes of yesteryear to create an anachronistic playground. These bright moments juxtapose the somewhat heartbreaking themes of the song to instill a sense of impending autumnal grief, but as the instruments fade out, the ethereal hook bleeds through. ”Loverboy” is over in just over three minutes yet feels like a brief respite from the heat waves of this year and will be something you’ll want to replay over and over. The sophomore EP from ackerman will drop sometime this fall and you can stream “Loverboy” below. –Tucker Pennington

Philadelphia

New Vindetta EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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With a controlled aggression, Vindetta, a.k.a. Vinny Wit Da Swag/Vincent Brown, recently dropped his new album, Rachmaninoffs’ RATHE! Propped up by boom-bap beats, Vinny delivers cold-blooded lines, aimed at his competitors. Setting an ominous/dramatic stage, the emcee moves stealthily through the streets, showcasing a calm under pressure and an undeniable presence. Thematically united, the EP announces its intentions, arrives, delivers, and swiftly exits.

Chicago

Grapetooth Signs to Polyvinyl

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Polyvinyl announced yesterday that they had signed Grapetooth (aka Clay Frankel and Chris Bailoni of Twin Peaks). In a released statement the duo said that they are"very stirred and excited to be a part of the honorable Polyvinyl family”. They have been building hype for nearly year with the release of two infectious singles, “Violent” and “Trouble”, and according to the label we should be expecting a debut album this fall.

You can catch Grapetooth on July 21st at Lincoln Hall with Rookie and James Swanberg.

Chicago

Smug Joe

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Smug Joe is the electro-pop solo project from Joey Lieberman of Bad Bad Meow. This week he released his latest EP, “Surface Level Feelings”. The EP’s lead single is called “Faker” and has a crazy bounce castle based video below. The is a departure from his work with Bad Bad Meow being much more beat driven and synth-laden.

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Bern & the Bastards

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Folk-punk satirist Bern the Bastard has always embraced his “illegitimacy as an artist”. Finding inspiration from the local music community, Bern & the Bastards dropped their politically-charged You’re Only As Good As Your Propaganda! EP this past spring. And while Bern continues to self-loathe about his part in the gentrification of Philadelphia, he has also picked up guitar duty with theatrical alt rockers Molly Rhythm. To learn more about the origins of this music-loving, George R. R. Martin-reading “bastard,” you can check out our recent interview with The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist Poll Winner below.

The Deli: How did you start making music? 

Bern the Bastard: I started playing guitar in high school. When I moved to Philly, my band from college had just broken up, and a friend took me to go see Molly Rhythm at Connie’s Ric Rac.  

The day after, I wrote “Lobotomy Blues,” and the following Monday, I went to the singer’s open mic at The Fire to perform it. I spent the next few months writing and testing out songs at open mics with my acoustic guitar as Bern the Bastard.

TD: Where did the name Bern & the Bastards come from? 

BtB: Well… I really like alliteration. It started as Bern the Bastard, though I always intended to make Bern AND the Bastards if the backing band ever showed up… and they did at the jam sessions organized by Mike Ortiz. 

I was reading A Song of Ice and Fire when I came up with the name… probably why the title "bastard" seemed so appealing. Btw, my Dad is actually an illegitimate child named Bernard, so there’s that. As a musician, I felt like a Bastard. I had no clout, no connections, and a rowdy ugly delivery, but I didn’t care. I embraced my illegitimacy as an artist, and well, here we are.

TD: What are your biggest musical influences?

BtB: Playing folk punk in Philadelphia, Mischief Brew has been a big influence. My latest release, You’re Only As Good As Your Propaganda!, probably sounds like a bad Leftover Crack EP. Jello Biafra’s another big influence… I’ve always been fond of satire. 

TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently 

listening to?

BtB: Let’s see… we’ll start with the homies, Molly Rhythm and Moron Girls from Trenton, fellow Philadelphians Trash Boy, Felipe Pupo, Malcolm Culleton, Erin Incoherent, The Plibmen, Dirty Soap, Rasan in the Hey Day, Assemble and The Lot. 

Will Wood and the Tapeworms, The Apes of The State, Escape from the Zoo. Our friends from Quebec, Cirrhose et Cendrier and Bucky Harris. Definitely leaving some stuff out here, but list could probably go on ad infinitum… 

TD: What’s the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?

BtB: My Dad took me to go see The Who when I was a kid, and gave me a copy of Pink Floyd’s The Wall. He definitely taught me about the finer points of Dad rock. 

I honestly can’t remember the first album I bought… we burnt a lot of CDs back in those days. Don Chin gave me a ska mix once, that was cool #donchin… it was Streetlight Manefesto, Reel Big Fish, and Sublime if I remember correctly.

TD: What do you love about Philly?

BtB: Bongo Billy.

TD: What do you hate about Philly?

BtB: Gentrification and my unfortunate place in it.

TD: What are your plans for 2018?

BtB: I wanna get writing again… just not sure what the next thing is yet. Been meaning to do an acoustic album at some point, so there’s that.

I started playing guitar with Molly Rhythm recently, so I’m excited to play and write with them. We’re going back up to Canada at the end of the summer.

So yeah, more music stuff.

TD: What was your most memorable live show?

BtB: Our EP release show in April got pretty crazy. We crammed 6 acts onto the bill following a play performed earlier that night. By the time we got on the stage, people were just ready to lose their shit. Friends were singing lyrics back to me, keeping the pit going, jumping on stage. I broke a string during the encore, ditched the guitar, ran into the crowd, and the homies picked me up and surfed me for the final chorus. Yeah, it was fun.

TD: What’s your favorite thing to get at the deli?

BtB: Loosies.

L.A.

Night Shop share video for rockabilly-informed new single “The One I Love”

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Justin Sullivan conveys the sad-hearted romance of a classic crooner on "The One I Love." But Sullivan, who goes by the collaborative project Night Shop, doesn’t just create a pastiche of a golden era of pop. His recondite references to empty convenience stores and writers like John Keats mingle with his cool and troublemaker character, a statement that resonates with the song’s swinging, rootsy arrangement. And yet, all he wants is for his object of affection to give him a chance as he gallivants on a lively night around the city.

"The One I Love" is the latest single off of Sullivan’s upcoming full-length effort In The Break, which will be released via longtime bandmate Kevin Morby’s label Mare Records. Juan Rodríguez

NYC

Jason Bemis Lawren cereleases debut LP at Rockwood 3 on 09.07

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Touring can be a disorienting experience. Shuttling from one place to the next, day after day, can make musicians feel like perpetual guests in whatever town they’re visiting. But it rewards hearty travelers able to find beauty in constant change. Singer/songwriter Jason Bemis‘ new single "How Fast Can You Pack?" embraces this peripatetic lifestyle, finding solace in a hard-won understanding that life’s journeys can be both exhausting and illuminating at once. 

In the song, Bemis walks the length of Las Vegas’ glittering downtown strip, an endless series of hotel hallways, and wanders around other architectural mysteries inside a breezy, acoustic folk tapestry. There’s a sense of fatigue here, but also of mystery of what might be found hiding around the next bend. The song gains a sharp charge from guest vocalist Heather Woods Broderick (of Efterklang, Sharon van Etten), who raises the tension just enough to leave listeners comforted, while wanting more. 

The song is a preview from Bemis’ upcoming debut album Another Hotel Hallway. Stream the single below, and see him at Rockwood Music Hall, stage 3 with opener Lauren Balthrop for his album release party on September 7. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

Chicago

Pitchfork Music Fest: A Chicago Showcase

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There are always a few slots on any music festival for local acts, but this year Pitchfork has really gone above and beyond. Not only have they put together diverse line-up, they have crafted a line-up that will truly showcase the diversity of Chicago music today.

You have an array of Hip Hop and R&B, with SABA, Rayvn Lenae, Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, Kweku Collins, Noname, and Open Mike Eagle, that the city on a larger scale has become known for. However, you have a strong presence of the DIY scene represented by Melkbelly, The Curls, Circuit Des Yeux and Paul Cherry.

While there are so many more acts from the city that could fit perfectly with the sound and feel of this Fest, they have done a remarkable job pulling National touring acts, obscure Avant-Jazz group, and talented Chicago musicians to create what should be the best festival this Summer.

Pitchfork Music Fest is this weekend, July 20th to the 22nd, at Union Park in Chicago. 

 

Philadelphia

New Past Life EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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The Loudest Sound, the new EP from Past Life, is out now via Mad Dragon Records. Over the course of three tracks, the band navigates through emotive-driven pop-rock, pushing the tempo to effectively articulate a level of personal suspense. Instrumental rushes paired with the guttural vocal outpouring assist in making this a roaring and raucous release. The melodic bridge that both tears you up inside and joyously relieves the pressure valve becomes an infectious combination. (Photo by Michelle Baumval)