With their debut five-song demo, The P’ids have got our attention. There’s an immediate impact as the tracks carry an intensity that closes the distance, backed by a swift, lyrical punch. Welding raw, revving instrumentation with a seasoned sound, an enticing energy is ever-present as the force of the band is fleshed out. And think this is just the beginning…
NYC
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PREMIERE: Explore Andrew Fox’s lipstick stained world on “John / Candy”
You’ll find a sloppy, lipstick-stained world in the video for “John / Candy,” the newest psych-rock vamp by New York songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Fox. Born from the intention of writing a track about actor and comedian John Candy, Fox’s single ended up detailing the two sides of the human condition (the facade and the impulse-ridden inner part), with Candy-inspired lurid lyrics about being a “one time call girl,” sung against acidic backdrop of garage guitars and chorus-laden vocals. The video itself – shot all around Portland, OR – showcases Andrew Fox and friends as they don makeup and wigs, hang out at the playground and eat (you guessed it) candy under the shaky lens of an iPhone 6. The whole production is rough around the edges in the best way, and promises more loose fun when Fox releases Shock By Shock on March 22nd. Until then, check out the video below. – Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt), Photo by Tonje Thilesen
Nashville
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Sensational instrumental guitars abound on William Tyler’s “Goes West”
One particular album has ranked high on the Nashville and worldwide Bandcamp charts over the last few weeks: William Tyler‘s instrumental guitar album, Goes West. The Nashville-based musician based his follow-up to 2016’s Modern Country on a trek to California; you can hear that Pacific vibe in the post-rock-like harmonies and subtle flange of the undistorted guitars on tracks like "Not in Our Stars" and "Eventual Surrender". Tyler also shows off his finger-picking chops on "Rebecca", a song that might remind Allman Brothers listeners or former Guitar Hero players of "Jessica" both in music and in title. Goes West makes for great sit-back-and-relax material in your headphones; if you’d rather see Tyler perform the songs live, his current tour will take him home to Nashville on March 10th to play 3rd and Lindsey. Listen to "Fail Safe", the second track from Goes West, below. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
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Tom Schraeder “Poise”
Tom Schraeder released a new instrumental album called Poise yesterday, February 12th. This is the second installment of Schraeder’s 2019 boxset following up December’s, Aim Higher.
This album may be just what we need right now as we fight through the ice, snow, and cold. The album is inspired by Tom’s time in California and has a warmth and airiness to it that is undeniable.
Philadelphia
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New Sam Bekt LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Sam Becht, operating under the pseudonym Sam Bekt, offers up stylish, homespun, pop melancholia on their album Selfie. A reflection on our culture of burnout and tech malaise, the LP combines field recordings and samples into songs that play cheerful despite taking on darker topics like social media validation and post-grad listlessness. The tracks touch on many genres without landing in one particular spot, giving Becht plenty of room to flex their producer chops. Tracks like “Switzerland” and “Sign Off” display an impressive range in style when put side by side, never deviating from offering a clean and full sound. You can take Selfie for a spin below. – Josh Kelly
Chicago
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Iverson @ Tonic Room (2/15)
Iverson is fully embracing the Valentine’s Day spirit that so many just overlook this time of year. The Synth Pop band is throwing a Valentine’s Day party at Tonic Room on February 15th and will be putting their spin on love songs from Prince, Queen, Britney Spears, and more. They will be joined by Carlile, Uuskhy, and Thair.
Iverson has evolved over the last six years and now consist of Alec Watson, Gene Knific, Luc Parcell, Ethan Parcell, and Charles Iverson. They released their latest album, Content 3.0, back in August.
L.A.
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Rachel Mazer channels her grief on “Home,” debut LP out 3/8
Writing and composing is a coping mechanism for Rachel Mazer on "Home." On her latest single, the soulful singer-songwriter documents the grief she underwent after she lost her brother. Her silken vocals add welcoming warmth to the song’s breezy jazz rhythm, exhibiting a more subdued take to the vigorous delivery of her previous single "Open Heart." It’s through her tempered affliction that we’re able to truly empathize with her story, which as sad as it may be, ultimately soars with a hopeful message.
"Home" is the third single off of Mazer’s forthcoming debut LP, which she will self-release on March 9. Juan Rodríguez
Toronto
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Beef Boys – As Rowdy As Their Name Suggests, Monarch Tavern on 04.01
There’s always one rowdy Peterborough band showing up on my feed. Beef Boys are a three piece garage punk band that’ll get ya flippin’ tables by the second song. They giver at a ferocious pace and still find the time to add some surfy influences. Fire up their latest album “Melted Like A Witch” on their bandcamp page. Your next chance to see them in Toronto is April 1st at the Monarch Tavern along with Bad Sports from Texas and Toronto power pop sensations First Base. – Kris Gies
Portland
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Sparkle Carpet
Feminist folk trio Sparkle Carpet are the tough, goth ladies we’ve been waiting for. Their album, We Do Stares, has such an “I don’t give a shit” attitude that reviewing it almost feels redundant. Emphasis on almost. Their music is lively and boisterous. “Mrs. Robinson Digs Me,” a playful take on the Simon & Garfunkel original, is incredibly fun to listen to. The use of triangle adds an enjoyably childlike aspect to the songs, but in no way does it make the music childish. It makes the music sharper, bringing attention to the cheeky smirks behind each word sung. Other songs, such as “You Don’t Think” reveal the steely inner core at the heart of the band. The resolve and determination in the song’s hoarse vocals are rousing.
Sparkle Carpet’s next show is Friday, April 19th at Murder Mine. Loud in the Morning, Earth of Foxes, Geophagia will also be playing sets.
-By Avril Carrillo
Chicago
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J Fernandez “Unwind” Video
J Fernandez has released a video for “Unwind” from his latest album Occasional Din, which was released back in November via Joyful Noise.
Fernandez also announced a US tour this Spring which will included SXSW and a couple of dates with The Curls.
NYC
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Olivia Reid charts her own destiny on “Norfolk Drive”
Olivia Reid’s new single “Norfolk Drive” begins recalling a specific memory – “I met you on the first day of August so many years ago.” As an invocation of people and places past, it endows her soft-spoken folk with a wistful tone before quickly transitioning into the present tense as Reid sings of “riding the train to the end of the line,” of moving forward in both a physical and metaphorical sense, just as the track picks up steam with soft percussive claps of distant synth accents. While “Norfolk Drive” may be a track mired by a painful past, its lyrical and instrumental elements showcase Reid as a powerful, driven songwriter, able to learn from experience while charting her own distinct destiny. Stream it below, together with 2018 single "Organic Bloom," which gathered close to half a million plays on Spotify. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
Nashville
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Power pop artist Sam Hoffman plays Springwater Supper Club on 02.23
Sam Hoffman released his power pop album Fairweather last fall, introducing the world to his mix of power pop and indie rock. With a little bit of soul and a touch of fire, Hoffman has pressed two of his songs from his debut album into vinyl with the help of local lathe-cut record producers Groove Family Records. Those two songs — the previously-released "Glencrest Lane" and new single "All the Places" — make a good pair for a single, and they each lend a little bit of their own to charm to Hoffman’s live shows, where he dazzles the audience with his lyrical wit and melodic expertise. You can catch Hoffman live at Springwater Supper Club on February 23rd. Take a listen to "All the Places" below. – Will Sisskind