As far as genre descriptors are concerned, ‘country’ is one that has the most divisive effect on city-dwelling purveyors of alternative music, one that causes most folks to do an about face and run for the safety of less homespun tunes. Brooklyn band / art collective Irrevery, however, do not care for your classist associations with the genre and channel a distinctly rural energy into their self described ‘country punk noise.’ Lead track “Just Like Me” from their most recent full-length Irrevery Volume I is strengthened most by lead singer Paige Johnson-Brown’s lyrics and vocal delivery, rife with imagery of dogs on ropes, flowers in bouquets, and fists full of mud, drawled against a backdrop of discordant punk noise and heavy slide guitars. While such a pairing of seemingly unrelated genres may appear as odd bedfellows, Irrevery shows that the two have more in common than you think, uniting them in an emotionally raw, honest tour de force that encapsulates the most visceral elements of both. Watch the video for "Just Like Me" below and see for yourself – Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
Yacht Punk dig deep into their musical soul on “New Wave Denier”
Yacht Punk search for a meaningful connection on "New Wave Denier." On their exultant new single, the indie rock quartet reflect on what it means to be out of touch with your peers, when your soul yearns for musical ideas that don’t fall into what’s currently in the zeitgeist. But instead of accepting that it’s just a sign of the times, an irrevocable change, they channel that lament and turn it into a fiery protest that converts the muscular post-punk of War-era U2 with the optimistic energy of today’s trendy, mainstream rock radio.
"New Wave Denier" is out now on all streaming services. Listen to it below. Juan Rodríguez
Released December 31st, Facsimiles’ New “Details” Refreshing Start to New Year
Listening to the entirety of Facsimiles’ latest EP, “Details,” is like watching a film that leaves you quiet and changed by its closing scene. Each track of this anti-folk, gentle pop album has its own feel, its own layering of electro reverberations and changing paces, all accompanied by Rob Voigt’s vocals, which range anywhere from a James Russel Mercer-esq charm to a Jeff Mangum-like backing, but quieter. Opening with the expansive track “Faint Signals,” we’re taken into the landscape of Voigt’s magic: the quiet reverberation of the baseline partners with a guitar plucked crisply as a harp. The next song we’re strummed into offers a much quieter reflection, a solid holding point for the center of the album. The last track, “One Thin String,” is a personal favorite. Filled with catchy little hooks and more of those late 90’s indie rock influences (there’s that Shins feel again), we’re provided an uplifting end to this quiet saga of an album. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Family Vacation
Family Vacation has released their debut full-length album, America. This light-hearted indie rock that will make you smile and, depending on your age, feel a little nostalgic for your early twenties.
This is the work Libertyville friends Jake Chatfield, Max Niemann, Bob Crandell, Alex Niemann, and Pete Cimbalo.
Superdrag’s John Davis and Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws reunite for new single
John Davis of Superdrag and The Lees of Memory runs a four-track cassette production label out of Nashville. He and Nada Surf’s own Matthew Caws — old pals from the scene — happened to touch base last May after Caws wrapped up a tour in Music City. Their new release "We Are In The Wild And We Are Home", is the result of their hangout, and it emanates pure delight. Indian instruments phasing over a motorik bass and drums with Caws’ and Davis’s voices chiming lyrics of love and self-care makes this a must-play track for the beginning of 2019, a year which — let’s face it — follows a few pretty down ones. Davis and Caws seem to have their eyes on something brighter for the next twelve months; even if it’s something far out of reach, this song will make you feel like it’s possible to catch it.
Take a listen to "We Are In The Wild And We Are Home" below; should you decide to purchase it, all proceeds from the single go to disaster relief organization Americares. Side note: The cover art for this single — painted by Davis himself — bears the title "Remember To Look For Beauty When Christmas Shopping (Especially Then)". – Will Sisskind
Weekend Warrior, January 4 – 6
Cool, composed, cultural commentary, approached at an energetic yet cruising speed, The Guests create music that balances a dynamic of deep thought, whilst in a casual, intimate mobility. Mysterious, mercurial synthpop engages describing the bleakness of the world in which we currently live, with a compact bright open air instrumentation. Acknowledging the disturbing dreariness, it’s as though a grey cloud perpetually hangs over our heads and the compact precision of the music gracefully attempts to out race it in search of hope. This Saturday evening at Boot & Saddle, The Guests will be headlining a benefit for the Philadelphia Tenants Union, supported by art-punk quartet JUICE, whose enchanting, chaotic, contagiously kinetic EP 100% was our December Record of the Month, as well as the beguiling psych-punk of Madalean Gauze. (Photo by Sam Pellegringo) – Michael Colavita
Other places that you can hang at for the first weekend of 2019…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Mothers, Empath, Corey Flood, SAT Philly Loves Philly: DJ Mike Nyce, Rich Medina, SUN Eric Slick
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The Guests, Madalean Gauze, Juice
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Queen Jesus, Sandcastle, Weekend Athlete/DJ Deejay, SAT DJ Lean Wit It, SUN BLK MGC
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Candy Volcano presents: Bowie Birthday Bash! Ziggy vs. The Thin White Duke
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI A Night of Stardust – Celebrating Bowie
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto Philadelphia/(Downstairs) Kuf Knotz, SAT (Upstairs) School Of Rock/(Downstairs) Breakwater
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Haxon, Earth 7, SAT Allarms, SUN SEB, Ascension Drive, Enigmyst, Cardinal Sin, Infinity
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Mixed People, My Funky Brethren, SAT Baby Berlin, Elijvh Vrms
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Elison Jackson, Pouring Silver, Shadow Band (Solo), SAT VoirVoir, Morgan Pinkstone
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT A Scent Like Wolves, Last Minute Hero, Zombie Shark, SUN Mage Hand, Dean
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN The Jawn, Mercury Retrograde
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Paul Green Rock Academy Punk Rock Brunch, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Adventure Lost, Jesse Gimbel, SAT Melt With You, 7@7
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Limm, ShawnWeTrust, Ignant Yuth
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Samantha Rise, Brother Martin, The People, SAT Cubbage, Emily Drinker
Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Fairfield Project, New Alone
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Cabaret Sauvignon/DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI All-star Graceland Tribute Band: Ryan Tennis, Stella Ruze, Looseleaf, Emily Drinker, SAT Steal Your Peach, The Newspaper Taxis
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Floor Space, Socko, Andross, Menace of the Canvas
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SUN So Totally, Knifeplay, Yung Sham
Hubris House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Puppy Angst, Feel Something
Lizard Lounge 215 (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Blubird, Americanadian, Swim Camp
The Glass Onion (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Lazy Eye (Album Release), Gorpho, Bona To Vada
The Sankofa House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Masie Blu, Interminable
Smashed Plastic Pressing Grand Opening February 2nd
Smashed Plastic is a new vinyl pressing plant located at 4200 W. Diversey, and run by Stephen Polutnik, John Lombardo, and Andy Weber. They are kicking off their business in style with a Grand Opening event on February 2nd that will feature a diverse line-up that includes Bleach Party, Diagonal, Lawerence Peters Outfit and Serengeti.
Smashed will be the first vinyl pressing plant in Chicago in nearly 40 years, and hope to create a path for Chicago band’s, and artist’s from around the country, to get their music out in the beloved vinyl format. The plant will be utilizing a fairly new type of technology for making this vintage format, the Steamless WarmTone vinyl press. You can read more about the technique and Smashed Plastic here.
Girl Fest 2019
By Avril Carrillo
Bethlehem Steel brings powerful live performance to Bowery Ballroom 01.18
Bethlehem Steel is a force. Yes, they’re punk, and yes, they’re loud but the members of Bethlehem Steel perform with purpose and propulsion. Listen to “Fake Sweater,” a cut from the group’s split with Porky near the end of 2018, for reference. The classic alt-rock loud-soft dynamic establishes the song but it’s the howling bridge section in which the members yell at the seeming brink of desperation “will I be alright?” that earns a need for repeated listens. You can see Bethlehem Steel next at Bowery Ballroom when the band opens for Big Ups’ final show. – Cameron Carr
Claire Bryant @ Elbo Room (1/5)
2018 saw the emergence of many of strong, soulful, dynamic female artists, and one that may have not received the attention she deserves is Claire Bryant. She released her album, Somebody New, back in July, and through out the albums effortlessly blends R&B, Funk, and soul with lyrics that present someone who has fun, but is always in control.
Lake Shore Dive posted a fun video interview with Claire this week that you can check out below.
You can catch Claire Bryant on January 5th at Elbo Room.
New BANDIT Album Available for Streaming & Purchase
Warsaw, the latest album from grindcore trio BANDIT, was recently released via Cricket Cemetery. Brutal instrumentation tears ahead as raw, rapid-fire lyricism cuts to the core.The songs diffuse the pressure in cathartic bursts. The album eventually closes with the blunt force of grief and the calming beauty of a Polish folk song.
Chicago Soul Jazz Collection
Chicago Soul Jazz Collection recently released their latest album, Soulophone. This is detailed jazz of John Fournier, Marques Carroll, Andrew Vogt, Keith Brooks, Kyle Asche and Amr Marcin Fahmy.
The group is throwing a free release party for Soulophone on February 13th at Wire in Berwyn.