New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Ben LaMar Gay has released a collection of beats, soundscapes, home recordings & field recordings called “Grapes” via International Anthem. All of these tracks were created between 2013 and 2014, and they give the listening a peak into the Gay’s creative process.
According to the label, this is a love letter to the Southside, and the first of six back catalogue releases coming from Gay over the next five months.
Mollow is the indie rock of Jaclyn Nora, Glenn Francisco, and Kevin Portelli. The trio released their debut EP, “Small”, bvia the local label Worry Records last week.
You can catch Mollow at Subterranean on December 8th with Mush, Shed, and Good Brother.
Philly’s own Don’t Stop Now series just shared its second compilation in time for this oh so important Election Day. "Let it serve as a reminder that the fight for justice is not over, that the celebration of diversity is essential to progress, that we must work together for what is fair and good." Stacked mostly with kick-ass local artists like Tom May (The Menzingers), Cherry, Augusta Koch (Cayetana), No Thank You, SOUL GLO, Greg Mendez, and many, many more covering beloved artists (Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Fugazi, The Beastie Boys, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Sharon Van Etten, etc.), you now have plenty of entertainment on your way to the voting booth. All proceeds from the compilation will be donated to RAICES (Refugee & Immigrant Center for Education & Legal Services), "a nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees in Texas."
Sam Hale came to Nashville from Los Angeles in order to record and release his third album, titled Somewhere Between Love & War. This collection of songs written and performed by Hale came to life with the production expertise of Sam Kassirer, known for recording with Josh Ritter. The new album showcases Hale’s blend of sounds, taking inspiration from standard fare indie rock and mixing in shades of EDM, classical, baroque pop, and emo. The title of the album sounds not just like an observation about the times we live in, but about Hale’s own inner turmoil about uprooting his life to chase music in Nashville. But having listened to Somewhere Between Love & War, the end result sounds like it was worth it. Listen to the album below. – Will Sisskind
80 Foots is the throwback Americana trio of Emmy Bean, T-Roy Martin, and Chris Schoen. The group recently released the first single, “Let’s Blow Up The Moon”, from their forthcoming debut LP, And That Will Be How It Will Be.
The LP is due out on December 21st, and you can help the band celebrate at The Hideout with Angela James.
A consistent New York sound pervades the entirety of For The Rest To Rest, the newest release by Brooklyn trio Veda Rays; it’s one that reads like a sly nod to records like Room On Fire and Antics and a continuation of the very same raucous hellraising indie that characterizes the Big Apple’s sonic aesthetic. That isn’t to say that Veda Rays don’t have some tricks of their own up their sleeves – Rest’s eleven songs provide a fresh take on driving, guitar-based post-new wave through fuzzed-out production and subtle synth parts, bringing an additional depth to their tracks that fills the entire record with a sound that’s simultaneously dark and dreamy. In doing so, Veda Rays solidify themselves as expert purveyors of indie, pushing NYC’s sound in a direction that develops the city’s sonic traditions while quoting them.
You can catch Veda Rays at The Footlight on November 17th alongside Little Hustle, Gracie Mansion and Le Guin. Until then, stream For The Rest To Rest below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt), Photo by Lydia Gammill
Francis Luke Accord has released the first single, “Honeyguide”, from their forthcoming EP, “Silver & Gold”, which is due out on January 25th.
This is folk-pop duo of Brian Powers and Nicholas Gunty, and on “Honeyguide” they are joined by Minneapolis’ Humbird.
You can catch Frances Luke Accord on Feb. 14th at Schubas.
Anemone Red, the sophomore release from local instrumental collective Hour, is out now via Lily Tapes and Discs. Naturally refined layers of sonic ruminations unfold. Bringing the subtler details to the surface, an organic, contemplative complexity emerges. You can join Hour at their record release show this Thursday, November 8 at Beach Church, where they’ll be supported by Wendy Eisenberg, Greg Jamie (formerly of O’Death), and fellow bandmate Abi Reimold. Now, go out & VOTE!!!
Neek aptly expresses the sinking feeling of unrequited love in "but why?" Echoed with downcast isolation, the electronic producer asks herself that question over some heavily chopped-up vocals. But the plea is unheard, vacant and unresponsive, a technique that works marvelously over the track’s lavish, dreamlike ambiance. Hers is an unpresuming bedroom recording with a big heart, one whose otherwise universal message resonates brightly.
"But Why?" is the leadoff track off of neek’s debut EP, words i shouldn’t have, which is out now on all streaming platforms via Mateo Sound. Juan Rodríguez
Terry Robb, Portland’s own world-renowned guitarist, will be playing a show at the Skyline Tavern November 16th. Robb’s masterfully skilled fingerpicking style has landed him a spot amongst the world’s best acoustic blues guitarists. His fingers dance nimbly across the fretboard, moving with such subtle speed that you lose track of their movement within the music. Robb’s last release, Cool on the Bloom, was nominated for the 2017 Best Acoustic Album by Blues Blast Music Awards. Make sure you don’t miss your chance to see him in person.
-By Nick Hartman
Rapper and Producer TrashKitten (aka Johnny Darge) is preparing to release his latest album, JD’s Jukehouse, on November 26th via Sooper Records. The album features contributions from Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, Jair Robinson, and Luscious Duncan.
The first single is called “BopBop” and can be streamed below.
Sister Sparrow embodies a new type of femme fatale in her new video “Ghost” – not one of a last century Bond girl, but of a 21st century woman who knows her worth, and better yet, the tools at her disposal.
Sparrow sings over the track’s chorus that she’s “gonna give you the ghost,” referring to the act of severing communication entirely with a (now former) romantic partner; this ear worm refrain is further accented in the music video by an entourage of choreographed dancers clad in black, body rolling at the costume party while the aforementioned scorned lover searches the room for Sister Sparrow as she evades him through the crowd. As the scene concludes, Sparrow’s ex-bae turns around to find the party has disappeared entirely, transitioning the subject matter from figurative to literal in a Gone Girl-by-way-of-Sixth Sense twist – fittingly spooky for the video’s release on Halloween earlier this week.
The whole production is a fun, wordplay-laden track that juxtaposes themes of modern dating with the idea of actual spirits, accented by the track’s upbeat style and playful instrumental accents. If you’re already missing last week’s scary energy, “Ghost” provides an avenue to extend the autumnal spooks as you dance your way into November. Watch the video below, and catch Sister Sparrow at Irving Plaza December 1st. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
