New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
The free jazz trio Hearts & Minds will be releasing their latest LP, Electroradiance, via Astral Spirits on October 5th. These are the explorations of Jason Stein (Bass Clarinet), Paul Giallorenzo (Synth, Keyboards), and Chad Taylor (Percussion). The LP’s first single is called “Back and Forth” and can be streamed below.
You can catch Hearts & Minds at Elastic Arts on October 20th.
Feels Unreal (Hits Direct Records), the new EP from SOLD, was produced/recorded by Kyle Pulley at Headroom Studios. A haunting, personal recollection is captured in the band’s darkwave, which is drenched in suspense. The immediacy of necessary movement creates an ominous yet free-flowing sound as the importance of the moment brings a heaviness; however, the precision of the music at that pressurized point stabilizes the situation. You can catch the trio at Boot & Saddle on Tuesday, October 23, in support of The Life and Times and Spotlights.
Like a zombie risen from the soil of CBGB, Public Practice have all the markings of a great New York punk outfit. On their breakout single "Fate/Glory," there’s the effortlessly cool poetry found in the lyrics, the manic energy that kicks into overdrive in the second half, and the precise instrumentation that simultaneously feels off-the-cuff. But once the dust finally settles, it’s clear there’s a lot more going on than a tribute to a bygone era; the frenzy the group has crafted is remarkably danceable, and feels like a more polished cut from The Sonics rather than a Talking Heads track. With just one single out, we look forward to hearing what else this group has to offer when their EP Distance is a Mirror drops at their release show at Alphaville on Oct. 26. – Tucker Pennington
Meat Wave (Chris Sutter, Joe Gac, and Ryan Wizniak) announced this week that they will be releasing a split single with fellow local DIY Supergroup Lifestyles (members of Foul Tip, Lil Tits, Touched by Ghoul, and Hitter). The 7” will be released via No Trend Records on October 26th but can be preorder now.
The single will be Meat Wave’s second single release of 2018, both following up their 2017 LP, The Incessant.
You can catch Meat Wave at Thalia Hall with Campdogzz and Cursive on November 15th.
“Curse These Metal Hands” is featured on Sleep Debt, the debut album from the band Cheer Up, which consists of members from No Thank You, The Superweaks, and Thin Lips. The track captures a controlled, explosive, communally-emotive experience. Releasing the pressure in anthemic harmony, there’s a crisp, cathartic swell of feelings/thoughts. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together. Sleep Debt is out now via Take This To Heart Records.
Dry Eyes is the outlet for the Dark Ambient creations of the founder of Siccum Records. Last week, Dry Eyes release a new track called “Drown” with a subtitle of “Drown in your own funeral bells”. Dark, chilling, disturbing, yes on all three counts, but this track is oddly compelling.
Laura Jean Anderson’s commanding voice immediately captures your attention without a second glance. The singer-songwriter delivered a knockout performance with her powerful anthem "Silence Won’t Help Me Now," where she sent out an effective call-to-arms for those whose faith has felt compromised by cultural norms. She softens her delivery dramatically with "Thinkin Bout You," but it’s no less effective, a classic pop song with a wondrous chamber feel where her cherubic tonality asks for at least some respite. It’s not exactly a love song for someone else, but for herself, where she seeks for some personal space caused by a relationship that is still fresh in her mind.
"Thinkin Bout You" is the latest single off of Anderson’s promising new EP, Lonesome No More, which is due out on October 12. Juan Rodríguez
Sophistipop melodies and vaporwave undercurrents ride through Corbo‘s new album Love & Productivity, now out on Chewing Foil Records. A member of Los Angeles psych-beat group Bür Gür, Corbin Clarke released his label debut on beat scene imprint New Los Angeles and has spent considerable time navigating introspective passages of Adrift to come out with 20 piecemeal tracks of big hyperreal mood.
Corbo performs tomorrow at Chewing Foil’s AFTER HOURS VHS Virtual Release Show, watch a preview of the show and the music video to "if you only knew…" here.
King Beez are celebrating a decade of destruction this year. 10 years of pure surf rock madness. Their new single “Tsunami” is classic King Beez. It ain’t your grandpa’s surf rock. These guys crank it up and infuse it with all kinds punk, metal, and grease. You can witness the Beez unleash all hell across Ontario on their Decade of Destruction tour which includes a stop at their homebase of Cherry Cola’s on October 20th along with Black Magic Flower Power, NLP and On The Verge. – Kris Gies
Daniel Knox announced this week that he will be releasing an new album called “CHASESCENE” on December 7th. The album will feature contributions from Jarvis Cocker and Nina Nastasia. Below is the W.S. Beasley directed video for the album’s first single “Cut From The Belly”.
Knox will be departing for a European Tour on January 22nd that will take him to the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, and more.
Indie Rock trio Microcosms are preparing to release their latest EP, “Fairytale”, in October 5th. This is the work of Andrew Tschiltsch (Guitar/Vocals), Bryan Emer (Bass), and Jered Piepenbrink (Drums). They recently released a video for the EP’s lead single “Omnipotence”.
You can catch Microcosms on October 5th at The Gallery Caberet with Doctor Death Crush.
Brooklyn-based alt/indie folk artist Nathan Xander was not always so acquainted with the New York City music scene. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, this singer-songwriter brought to the big apple his psychedelic brand of alt folk alt-folk that cuts through the harsher city soundscapes. With the release of his fourth full-length LP, Blue House, Xander set himself apart from the noise with humbled attitude and grounded lyrical content. Akin to the dreamy repertoire of Dr. Dog or Neutral Milk Hotel, Xander’s music possesses a melancholic nostalgia that indulges in the reminiscence of his previous lifestyle and the conflict of feeling torn between identities. Often examining the complexities of urban culture, this coming-of-age album traces the growth of this musician, both artistically as well as personally. With meditative tracks such as “Over You, Over Me” and “(What It Takes) To Make a Man”, Nathan’s stunning sonic atmospheres, combined with his musings on change, create a beautiful account of overcoming imperfection and insecurity. Watch his stories come alive during his live performance at Union Pool on October 11, featuring special NYC guests Quicksilver Daydream and Pecas.
