Buddie, the fuzzed-out Philly powerpop project of Dan Forest, just dropped its debut EP Change of Scenery. The origins of the songs began while Forest was employed as a conservation biologist in Bioko (a small island in Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa), and have been fleshed out in the Grays Ferry studio of Keith Abrams (Pine Barons, Tremellow), who is responsible for mixing the album. The cassette is now available via Super Wimpy Punch, and the band will be rockin’ the label’s South Philly headquarters tomorrow evening to celebrate its arrival. They’ll also be joined by Qwark, Swim Camp, and Vermont’s Yellowfront.
L.A.
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City of Sound reach for the rafters on anthemic “The Madhouse,” perform at El Cid on 1/11
City of Sound reach for as far as they possibly can on "The Madhouse." The North Hollywood trio’s anthemic, piano-driven sweep affects the senses with a victorious sense of triumph, as lead singer Jordan Wright elevates his vocals to operatic levels with a warm tenor. True to their grand band name, there’s not a moment throughout "Madhouse" where we feel like they’re about to soften their delivery. Every moment in this towering power ballad shines with blinding brightness, as they make their musical ambitions show with a clear intent.
"The Madhouse" is featured on City of Sound’s latest EP, Silent Empire I, the first in a trio of EP’s that will culminate into a conceptual full-length recording. Catch their headlining release show set tomorrow, January 11, at El Cid. Juan Rodríguez
NYC
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TMBOY’s new album “Steam” (out 02.08) is an kinetic exploration of isolation
When the first handful of TMBOY’s singles came out in 2018, it was clear that the electro-pop duo could pull off subtle rushes of emotion when combined with subdued, drum-heavy dance beats. On their newest album Steam, the pair doubles down on the sound of their singles, creating an album of hypnotic synths and glimmering vocals. The intricate rhythms of the electronic drums often interlace with a variety of synthesizers, offering quick jolts to a song’s groove or an atmospheric moment of meditation. The instrumentals offer hints of LCD Soundsystem, but the lyrics on Steam are unique to TMBOY. Earnest declarations and realizations of isolation make the act of touch and travel on these tracks sound otherworldly. Songs like “No One” and “Submarine” highlight how these sonic collaborations can so powerfully capture feelings of loneliness and searching for connection. You can listen to Steam when it releases on Feb. 08 and catch TMBOY live at their release show at Union Pool. -Tucker Pennington
Nashville
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Genre-benders Okey Dokey play Mercy Lounge on 01.25
As if the past several posts haven’t given enough indication, January has presented the Nashville indie music connoisseur with plenty of shows to attend. Should you consider yourself such a sommelier of tunes, head down to Mercy Lounge on January 25th to hear psych-rock genre-benders Okey Dokey play some tracks from their upcoming album Tell All Your Friend (sic), which drops on March 29th. After touring throughout 2017, the band — which consists of Aaron Martin and Johny Fisher — spent last year writing and collaborating with fellow musicians and friends such as Nick Bockrath of Cage the Elephant and Liz Cooper to create what you’ll hear on their upcoming sophomore album. Tell All Your Friend already has a few singles out; one of them, "When They Get Older", has a nice retro bop to it, and it features the funk touch of Rayland Baxter. Check out the music video for "When They Get Older" below. – Will Sisskind
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Breaklite
Breaklite have branded themselves “the stoner punks (from hell) we all know and love,” and that just might be the case after you take their debut EP Bloodshot for a spin. It gave us the feels, and we’re down to see/hear where this party bus is going. We recently caught up with frontman Johnny Germ for our Featured Artist(s) Q&A. Check it out HERE, and join the cult!
Chicago
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Ahab Rex “January Eyes”
Ahab Rex is back and has enlisted some help from several talented friends for his new album January Eyes. For this project he has enlisted Ivan Russia of Mr. Russia, Chris Connelly, Robert Hyman of [melter] & TH Inc, Sam Vicari, Brooke Cassell, Right-Eye Rita, and many more.
The album’s lead single is called “Distorted Flowers and is accompanied by the video below. Rex has a unique vocal style that may take a minute to acclimate to, but is rewarding and nostalgic. It is a low gravely whisper in the vain of Tom Waits, but in the softer side of that sounds.
The album is cinematic in a film noir sense of theater and performance, and is captivating from start to finish.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Blue In The Face” – Bridge Underwater
It’s been more than a minute since we’ve heard from Philly indie popster(s) Bridge Underwater – about three years in fact. Bringing in a glimmer of sunshine on this overcast day, the lighthearted "Blue In The Face" is providing a much-needed bounce in our step. Its the lead single off Bridge Underwater’s forthcoming self-titled album, due out on February 8. Enjoy!
NYC
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Starchild & The New Romantic brings soul pop to Elsewhere on Valentine’s Day
Whether you’re getting ahead on Valentine’s Day plans or dreading its approach, it’ll be well worth it for you to make it down to Elsewhere the night of the 14th to check out Starchild & The New Romantic. Drawing on the grooves of artists like Prince and Outkast, Starchild (otherwise known as Bryndon Cook) gracefully balances vibrant earnestness and downright addictive electro funk, making even heartbreak sound fun. Cook established himself touring with Solange and working with Blood Orange, but with last year’s debut album Language, it’s clear that Starchild deserves a stage of his own. Check out Language on Starchild & The New Romantic’s Bandcamp, and don’t miss the upcoming Brooklyn show, date or no date. – Sunny Betz
NYC
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Bird Streets takes their folky pop to the west coast
There’s no right or wrong approach to songwriting: some artists find their voice in bizarre arrangements or completely wild chord progression, while others make energy or tension or even just powerful lyrics their trademark. However, there’s only one way to write rock music with mainstream potential that sounds timeless and honest, and pulling it off is not easy feat: it consists in finding a fine balance between melody, tension, character, meaning and relatability that few artists are able to strike (Tom Petty and The Cars are among our favorites). The music of Bird Streets – the solo project of Brooklyn’s John Brodeur – features these qualities. The project released the self-titled debut album this past August and was named NPR’s 2018 slingshot artist shortly thereafter. Brodeur will leave NYC for a short west coast tour at the end of January, keep an ear on him
Toronto
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Sportsfan – “Jean Jacket Rock” hittin’ Horseshoe 01.12
Sportsfan call themselves “jean jacket rock” which means I have to listen to ‘em immediately. Their latest release was a 3 song EP titled “Holy Hell”. These tracks are solid rock n roll tunes reminiscent of American heartland rock such as Tom Petty or Mellancamp but with a more current indie-pop attitude. A good mix of jangle and fuzz. They will be supporting Fade Awaays at their EP Release Party on January 12th at the Horseshoe Tavern along with Maybelleen and Lovers Touch. – Kris Gies
Austin
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The Lewd Dudes are Lascivious and Hilarious
Are you tired of being a self-serious Austin music scenester? Do you want to fall in love? Neither of those questions matter because the Lewd Dudes have released a debut EP and their potent blend of humor and classic rock is guaranteed to elevate your mood. Infectious melodies coalesce with absurdist lyrics to keep the listener’s attention. Would a band ever add an extra member just so they could graduate from being a quintet to a ‘sex’tet? That’s silly, but the Lewd Dudes are a band of silly gooses. Track names like "69 N on the Beach" and "Me and My Bone" make sure to preserve a degree of professional poise, but then the drummer also happens to be named ‘Boner’. Whether you like their sugary choruses, the horns section, or just listening to their lively lyrics – the Lewd Dudes are having fun while playing and you can’t help but rock along yourself. The Lewd Dudes play January 10th at Hotel Vegas!
Chicago
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CabinFever
Performance company CabinFever has released a huge collection of songs that were composed by the ensemble to accompany their live dance productions across the country over the last seven years. The album is called ”Homes” and is chamber folk at its finest.
These tracks were written and performed by Evan Anderson, Doug Barber, Patrick Glennon, Anna Goren, Lia Kohl, and Gavin Price.
CabinFever has also released a 12” vinyl album called “Respire” via the Philly label Dead Definition, which features more amazing experimental folk music.
Photo by Joy Jacobs