Philadelphia

New Shannen Moser LP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Let the gentle, acoustic strums and country-tinged hymnals of Shannen Moser‘s I’ll Sing take your weary heart back to the warmth and comfort of home. The reflective nature of each recording carries us to familiar places, opening up a floodgate of feels. Allow them to wash over you. I’ll Sing is out now via Lame-O Records, and you can stream and purchase it below. Moser will be performing this Saturday, September 15 at Underground Arts with Okkervil River, and don’t miss her co-headlining, dual record release celebration with labelmates Thin Lips on Saturday, September 22 at the First Unitarian Church.

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Toronto

The Mercy Now – “Because of You” Video, Bovine Show 09.13

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Power trio The Mercy Now are veterans of the Toronto indie-rock scene. Although they have been relatively quiet this year they are gettin’ back in the saddle, ready to rip some rock n roll again. On Thursday September 13th they hit the Bovine Sex Club stage to show off some brand new tracks along with Hot Kid and Garbanzo. The lead single “Because of You” from their latest self-titled record shows the band’s more soulful side. It’s a catchy tune with nice harmonies and a thoughtful sentiment. Be at the Bovine on September 13th to see what the Mercy Now has been cookin’up. – Kris Gies

L.A.

IAN SWEET unveils new single “Hiding,” new album out 10/26

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There’s nothing worse than ruminating on what you’ve done wrong. Those unproductive thoughts persist throughout IAN SWEET’s latest single, "Hiding," a mental exercise which songwriter Jilian Medford puts into elegant practice on the track’s artful music video. Medford constantly repeats "I forgot myself in you, you, you," which may imply that she’s referring to somebody else. But Medford is having a battle with herself, where she tries to figure out where or not it’s okay to accept things even if they’re not necessarily to her liking. And come to think of it, if Medford’s way of channeling this thought is through a scorching artillery of swift percussion and heavily-punctuated guitars, then that makes the self-retreat more than worth it.

"Hiding" is the first single off of IAN SWEET’s forthcoming LP, Crush Crusher, which comes out on October 26 via Hardly Art. You can also catch Medford perform at the Lodge Room in Highland Park on October 18.

Chicago

Interview with Decoy Dungeons & “Arcade Smasher” Video

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We recently had the opportunity to talk with Shannon Pounds of Decoy Dungeons about their new album, his health, and the future of this collective. Decoy Dungeons also recently released an amazingly creative video for the lead single, “Arcade Smasher”, from their debut album, Dripping With Death.

You can see that video below, and you read our full interview with Shannon Pounds here.

NYC

Culture Wars invokes futuristic wild-west themes in new video, “Bones”

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The electro-pop trio of Culture Wars has released a new music video, "Bones." Although the band’s based out of Austin, the video was shot in Los Angeles. Directed by Phillip Lopez (Kygo, Cold War Kids), the video for "Bones" is vaguely post-apocalyptic, with much of it set in and around an abandoned bowling alley. The characters alternatingly wear gas masks, futuristic-looking helmets and cowboy attire (yes, sawed-off shotguns and pistols included). The video is several homages blended into one – "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Westworld" come to mind – and it effectively syncs up well with the doom-laced, electro-pop feel of the song itself. Check out the video for "Bones" below! – Ethan Ames

 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, September 7 – 9

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Ever since garage rockers RunHideFight shared their demos with us last year, we’ve been eager to hear an official release. With Geeta Simons (Rockula, Swisher) on lead vocals and guitar, John Terlesky (Brother JT) on lead guitar and vocals, Christine Weiser (Mae Peng) on bass, and Jon Kois (The Three 4 Tens, Marah) on drums, the band is set to drop its debut 7” vinyl single, “He’s a Jerk,” on September 28 via Hidden Volume Records. However, they’ll be hosting an early celebration for its arrival tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, where attendees will get a free download code, as well as the opportunity to pre-order the limited pressing. RunHideFight will also be supported by local glam-rock outfit Creem Circus and the heavy sounds of Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds. The heatwave is breaking, but don’t be afraid to get a little sweaty this evening at the beloved Fishtown watering hole! (Photo by Chris Sikich) – Alexis V.

Other places to be out and about this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI RunHideFight (Record Release), Creem Circus, Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds, SAT Levee Drivers

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The Chairman Dances (Record Release Show), Brother Martin, Bird Watcher

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT Haunted Homes/Fame Lust

Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Mannequin Pussy

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto, DJ Rahsaan, SAT (Upstairs) Rust/(Downstairs) Grunge-A-Palooza Unplugged: Love Killed Kurt , Flannel, Purple to the Core, White Limo

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Human Shield, SAT God Forgive These Bastards, SUN God Forgive These Bastards/Fight For Your Friends

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Alright Junior, Spelling Reform, SAT Gnarbot

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Canine 10, The Rectors, SAT Jesse Gimbel,Weekend Athlete, SUN Knightlife, Nipper the Band

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Mavis the Dog, Water Temple

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.). SAT J Solomon

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Tribute to Lenny and Beebe: Decontrol, Stepping Razor, Thorazine, Disoriental, SAT The Tone Bandits, Mt Vengeance, The Mojo Machine, Mr. Unloved

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Eric Vain, SAT Thunder Snow Cone, Atomic Cretins, Narcos Family Band

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Molly Rhythm, Crossed Keys, Lamplighters, Ramona, The Up Up Ups, The Lot, SAT

Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Night Raids, Roadkiller, Trash Cats, Zombie Shark, SAT Live Not On Evil, Seeing Snakes, Teenage Bigfoot, Mid Rats, Cut the Tension

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN Michael Thompson

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ian St. Laurent

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Styrofoam Dinosaur, Hootsie (EP Release), Jake Joyce, SAT Black Cat Habitat, Grunge Puppy, Egocentric Plastic Men

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Start Making Sense, Flux Capacitor

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease, HiSoft, Ali Awan 

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Marcelyn (Album Release), A Day Without Love, Elaine Rasnake

NYC

Brooks Thomas’ brings their R’n’B clash of styles at Mercury on 09.22

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It can be difficult to add grit to R&B these days when the current trends rely on an intense devotion to the ethereal ambient music that is borderline new-age. But Brooks Thomas are determined to grind together sounds until they reach a satisfying balance on their latest album Poison. The use of live drums with surging synths and oddball instrumentation makes songs like “Fade to Black” wholly unsettling experiences. That’s not to say that there aren’t moments of clarity and pathos; the vocal harmonies on “Darkness” are sweet and melancholic as the lyrics paint a picture of unfulfilled desire, without sacrificing the dynamic collision of sounds that endlessly crawl under your skin. Poison will be released September 21, and the experimental R&B group will be playing a celebratory show the following day at Mercury Lounge. –Tucker Pennington

Chicago

Like Language “So In The End”

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Like Language is the Alt-Pop duo of Kristen Donnelly and Matthew Murray. They released their debut EP, “Keep You Here” back in 2016 and have been touring, recording, and getting married in the meantime.

This year they have release three singles in preparation of a new album coming this Fall. The latest single, “So In The End”, was released today and is a tale of living for the moment when times seems to be at their toughest.

You can catch Like Language at Fitz’s Spare Keys (Elmhurst) on Sept. 9th with Fairview, at the Egyptian Theatre (Dekalb) with Plain White T’s on Sept. 30th, and at Schubas on Oct. 28th with Hey Ocean! And Shi La Rosa.

Chicago

The North 41 Album Release @ Martyrs (9/14)

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Funk band The North 41 are preparing to release their latest LP, World on Fire, on September 14th. This is the band’s first full-length since 2015’s debut album Dancing & Praying.

Back in June the band released a collection live tracks called “N41 Live, Vol. 1”, and that collection included the fun dance track “The Funk”. You can see that video below.

You can help The North 41 celebrate the release of the new album on September 14th at Martyrs’ with Stampy.

NYC

Ritual Talk releases single “Something To Look Forward To”

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Psych-rock outlet Ritual Talk have a new single coming out on September 7th called "Something To Look Forward To". We’ve highlighted the group before for their layered harmonies and lush soundscapes; "Something To Look Forward To" brings those in full force, backed by the power of Alex DeSimine’s voice and his and Dylan Gleit’s Frippertronics-style guitars. The synths on the new track create a space-age atmosphere that will carry you away with each listen. To celebrate the new track, the trio performed a release show at Mercury Lounge last night (September 6th); they’ll set out on a nationwide tour afterwards which will take them through the next few months. Listen to "Something To Look Forward To" below. – Will Sisskind

Philadelphia

New Video: “Nightbird” (Live – Sun Porch Session) – Eliza Edens

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Last October, Chris Caulder (of Seldom Family) recorded/filmed singer-songwriter Eliza Edens performing “Nightbird” as part of the Ousted Records Sun Porch Session #11. Sunlight, an acoustic picking pattern and Edens’s elegant vocals intersect, creating a solemn, nostalgic, folk feel. As autumn begins to approach, the lullaby taps into youthful memories, making things temporarily slow-down, while serving as a marker for how fast the years move by. In the meantime, the performance is a calming force, helping to bring another busy workweek to an end. (Photo by Anthony Mulcahy)