Singer-songwriter Goodbye Max recently dropped a new split EP Out in the Quiet, with music brethren Half Birthday. For his part, the Philly artist counters the chill of this weather with the warmth and isolation of these recordings. It might not bring you completely out of this winter hibernation funk, but the comfort of his loneliness just might help you feel less alone. Go ahead, and give it a try.
Philadelphia
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New Ben Loomis & Flanafi EP Available for Streaming & Download
Philly’s Ben Loomis and Flanafi, a.k.a. Pulgas‘ Simon Martinez, released a collaborative EP Hoss Flat, a homespun collection of melodically rich, meticulously layered bedroom pop. Although the album was recorded over a 24-hour period, the end result is a sophisticated and captivating experience. Both artists display an affinity toward 2000’s indie pop like Grizzly Bear, Akron/Family, and Radiohead, but have synthesized these influences into a delightfully clever and aesthetically robust album. Hoss Flat is rhythmically fit and focused, successfully threading together expansive melodies into a tightly knit sonic fabric. – Josh Kelly
Chicago
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Linquency “Desurfacing”
Linquency is a electronic music project of the musician formerly known as Glocque. He found some acclaimed back in 2015 for the release of Gloves Brain Transplant, and is now back with we a new EP as Linquency called “Desurfacing”.
The sounds of the three track EP is a mixture of acid house, industrial, and vintage electronica.
Toronto
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Bryan Coffey & the Feel Good Band – Elvis Costello Cover Tune, Plays Bovine 01.10
Bryan Coffey has been workin’ the scene for a while now playing with bands Wine Lips and Jean Daddy among others. Lately he has been working on his own projects with his band “The Feel Good Band”. His most recent release is a cover of Elvis Costello’s Pump It Up. Coffey and his band simplify the track and slow it down just enough for the lyrics to be much clearer than the original. I prefer this pace and the chorus has a Green Jelly-like intensity to it. Very cool. Bryan Coffey & The Feel Good Band play Bovine Sex Club on January 10th along with Serb Superb and Dark Trip. – Kris Gies
Nashville
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Roots rocker Sarah Potenza plays upcoming album at The 5 Spot on 01.15
Maybe you know Sarah Potenza‘s name from Season 8 of NBC’s The Voice, where she wowed Blake Shelton with her bold vocals. Maybe you’ve seen her around the Nashville scene, showing off her brassy songwriting skills on stage. Whatever the case may be, you should take note: She’s coming back with a brand-new album called Road to Rome, which drops on March 8th, this year’s International Women’s Day. The album — produced at the studio of Jordan Brooke Hamlin (known for her work with the Indigo Girls) — takes inspiration from and pays homage to powerful female figures in music legend, such as Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Bette Midler. It’s an album for all artists, but particularly for those who identify as women, and it comes on a day for celebrating their achievements as loud and as raucously as possible.
If you want to hear tracks from Road to Rome before the album’s release, Potenza will perform the new record cover-to-cover — along with some old tracks — at The 5 Spot on January 15th. And if you want to refamiliarize yourself with her music now, check out her music video for her 2016 single "Monster" below. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Macseal confront human discomforts on “Map It Out,” play Baby’s 1.19
A consistent sense of uncomfortability permeates Macseal’s recent extended play, Map It Out, one that is offset only by the Long Island pop-punk five-piece’s confident and driven musicianship. Each track on Map chalks in just around three minutes, each song an inner monologue covering the tedious nature of fitting in, human intimacy, or a sense of immobility – against this fraught and anxious lyricism, Macseal interweaves triumphant major-key guitar riffs and concise sprung clock drumming with gusto. In doing so, the band’s music reads as a confrontation of these uncomfortable facets of human life, a sharp rebuke that seeks to address these pangs head on through an energetic and self-assured performance.
Macseal will lend their energy in support of Prince Daddy & The Hyena at Baby’s All Right on January 19th, alongside Strange Ranger and bad heaven. Stream Map It Out below. –Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
Chicago
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Great Deceivers album release at Empty Bottle (1/19)
Great Deceivers have released the first single, “Checked Out Forever”, from their forthcoming LP, In Spirit. This is the band’s follow-up to 2017’s Some, and it will be officially released on January 19th.
This is the throwback Indie Rock sounds of Seth Engel (Drums), Russell Harrison (Vocals/Guitar), Ben Rudolph (Bass/Vocals), and Max Green (Guitar/Vocals).
You can help Great Deceivers celebrate the release on January 19th at Empty Bottle with Floatie, Spritis Having Fun, and Grandkids.
Chicago
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Noiseferatu
Noiseferatu is the project of bedroom pop producer A.J. Hubbard. He released his debut album, You Must Get Discouraged!, on New Year’s Eve.
The album is filled with sadness, struggle, lo-fi beauty, and several surprising samples. On “What’s So Heavy?” Hubbard samples and alters “Quiet Storm” by Smokey Robinson. It adds an electronic element to what is primarily an acoustic album.
Philadelphia
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Krust Toons: “Theme Night” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "Theme Night" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
Chicago
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Flying Potion
Flying Potion released their self-titled debut album on January 1st. This is the Psych Rock band that has been together since 2015 and is fronted by the pedal steel playing Jam Cornelius. He is joined by Ross Tasch (bass), Joel Cornelius (drums), and Drew Suarez (guitar).
The album blends elements of Psych Rock with touch of Jam Band and the always present twang the pedal steel brings to the mix.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Ditches” – Grisette
Grisette just released a yearning, bluesy debut single, called “Ditches.” It was recorded and mixed by Jake Detwiler at Sleepless Sound Studios. With twilight on the horizon and the gentle, strumming pattern guiding you along the way, there’s a pleasant ache in the atmosphere. Then, that fervor ignites in a ripping, instrumental release, before returning to form and winding down.