West Philadelphia Orchestra member/founder Gregg Mervine has branched out, releasing a collection of songs, titled Rise/Away, as G. Mervine. Percussion jumpstarts “Yeah, You’re Running Out of Time,” springing into an electro-folk hybrid. The breezy, optimistic setting is contrasted by the limited time construct of lyrics. Then, about halfway through, Yoomi Kwon’s cello and Amy Zakar’s violin venture into an expanse, aided by the bump of bass, creating a pleasant, layered effect.
Chicago
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Liska Steele @ Neverhouse (9/22)
Back in June, Liska Steele released a surprising new single and New Trash directed video called “All My Dealers”. Both the video and the song are fun but brash and slightly aggressive indie pop. It is hard to tell if Steele is mocking Tove Lo or aspiring to be her, but it is extremely enjoyable nonetheless.
You can catch Lisa Steele as part of Circus Tour: Chicago at Neverhouse (3519 W. McLean) on Sept. 22nd with Drama Moth, Headache, and UaZit.
Philadelphia
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New Greg Mendez Split EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
The new split EP between Greg Mendez & Nervous Dater’s Rachel Lightner recently hit the open airwaves. Mendez continues to negotiate through dreariness, in melodic personal narratives that reach for an escape in a relatable folk manner. These songs march in a semi-subdued, relieving ache, united in self-evaluating isolation. Lightner taps into a similar thread of delicate openness and evaluation.
NYC
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Gabrielle Smith (from Eskimeaux) new solo pop project: Gabby’s World
Known more for works of raw emotion and ambient exploration, Gabrielle Smith — performing under the moniker Gabby’s World, and formerly known as Eskimeaux and Ó — treads into poppy fields with her new single "Rear View" from her upcoming album Beast on Beast. "Rear View" continues the transition of Smith’s sound from dark, DIY, drone-based songs into a flower punk bedroom pop act; however, she loses none of the feeling and emotion in her new song. Her previous EP Year of the Rabbit provided space for Smith to feel out her pop possibilities, and, by contrast, she delivers plenty of hooks on "Rear View", tying her visual poetry to head-bopping glo-fi in a way that will make you want to dance in a sad way. Listen to "Rear View" below. The Beast on Beast album release party is scheduled for November 15 at Elsewhere’s Zone One. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
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Porcupine
Hardcore band Porcupine is preparing to release a new EP called “Zomia” on October 1st. The band released the EP’s first single “Masochist” last week and it is a force to be reckoned with.
The release event for this EP will take place on December 21st at The Waiting Room in Naperville.
Toronto
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Hot Lips – “Piranha” Video Premiere!
Hot Lips are one of the most talked about bands around Toronto right now. They have an aggressive rock sound with some electronic influences not too far off from a Death From Above style. They are able to achieve this with their bass/drums/synth instrumentation. Their whole vibe has a dark sexiness to it which is apparent in this brand new video for their track “Piranha”. This live-off-the-floor video was recorded at Playdead Cult Studios and recorded/mixed by their longtime producer Josh G. Bowman. Alex Black (bass) and Keith Heppler (drums) lay down a thunderous rhythm while vocalist Karli Forget wails throughout the whole song and even grabs a bass of her own near the end for a slammin’ double bass attack. Hot Lips have a number of shows lined up across Ontario this fall including their single release party at Junction City Music Hall on October 13th. – Kris Gies
Chicago
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Bitchin Bajas Box Set
Bitchin Bajas (Cooper Crain, Dan Quinlivan and Rob Frye) have released the first single, "Consciousness 1”, from their forthcoming 7 CD Box Set, Rebajas, which will be released on Sept. 28th via Drag City. This is collection takes you through the trio’s full catalog and back again, including their sides of three split records. It is almost 7 hours of music!
You can catch Bitchin Bajas at Sleeping Village on October 30th with TALsounds.
Chicago
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Crazy Bread “Drug Facts”
Crazy Bread is the collaboration of Ryley Walker and Max Allison (of Good Willsmith), and they are preparing to release their debut EP called “Vocoder Divorce” on Sept. 21st via Astral Spirits. The project was recorded live on one day back in March of 2017. This is the height of DIY lo-fi being recorded without overdubs with just guitar and cassette deck.
Below you can stream the EP’s first single “Drug Facts”, and from the sound of this track, this is an unqiuly expiremental project from both musicians.
NYC
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Haunted Continents releases music video for “What Were You Born For?”
Former Deli NYC Best Emerging Artist James A. M. Downes — known under the moniker Haunted Continents — has released a new track called "What Were You Born For?", along with a lyric video. In the description of the video, Downes mentions that the song’s inspiration — as well as its soaring sound — come from his experience stumbling around a New York bookstore and reading about the Left Hand Path, along with those who envision a daemon helping them down that path to answer the question asked in the title of Downes’s new song. Downes and friends shot the video in different areas of New York City, on Brooklyn rooftops and in Manhattan crosswalks, on empty trains and in busy intersections – you can stream it below. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
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Saint Bahr
Saint Bahr is the indie pop sounds of 18 year old Mia Bahr. She released her debut EP, “chi”, this week which explores her life as a queer person of color growing up in Chicago.
If that wasn’t enough to hook you in, the EP also feature production work from Illuid Haller. This EP follows a recent wave in high quality independent pop coming out of Chicago and around the world. At 18, Mia Cleary has an incredible career ahead of her and this EP is an inimate, honest, collection of lyrics over fun and inventive beats.
Philadelphia
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New Cave People EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Cave People recently dropped its new EP Salt, which was recorded by Joe Michelini (of American Trappist) at Berlin Studios. All proceeds will go to Juntos, a Philly-based organization that is fighting for immigrant rights. A folk, bare-bones vulnerability unfolds on Dave Tomaine’s latest album. An air of loneliness and regret stirs, yet there is a beauty to it all. That fragility wears into you as the music plays on.
NYC
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Coco Verde celebrates EP release at Baby’s All Right on 09.19
NYC quartet Coco Verde will headline Baby’s All Right on September 19th to celebrate the release of their debut EP Marathon. The two singles available online, the title track (streaming below) and Cinnamon Peaches, showcase a band able to work within the sonic realms of both indie rock and folky pop, adopting tense vocals and distorted guitars in the latter track, and a more melodic and lyrical approach for the former. NYC bands Roya and The Muckers will also perform that same night.