Krust Toons: "This Isn’t a Coffee Table!" 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.
Philadelphia
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Ticket Giveaway: Ex Hex with Moaning & The Smarthearts at Union Transfer Next Wednesday
Merge Records’s Ex Hex will be rolling into next Wednesday, April 3 at Union Transfer. Mary Timony (Helium, Wild Flag) and company will be in town in support of their latest LP It’s Real, the follow-up to 2014’s critically-acclaimed Rips. They’ll also be joined by tourmates Moaning and Philly’s own The Smarthearts. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "It’s Really Real". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!
Chicago
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Death of Self @ Reggie’s (4/7)
Hardcore Speed Punk band Death of Self have released a new album called Look Elsewhere. This is the work of Nick Feltes (Guitar/Vocals), Jeffrey Finnegan (Guitar), Joe Ott (Drums/Backing Vocals), and Wade Hall (Bass/Backing Vocals).
You can catch Death of Self on April 7th at Reggie’s Rock Club with Okilly Dokilly, Playboy Manbaby, and Black Bear Rodeo.
NYC
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Sailor Boyfriend embrace the void on “Shapes & Colors”
A post-modern philosophy informs “Shapes & Colors,” the latest single by new wave duo Sailor Boyfriend. The product of Andy Waldron and Alex Mercuri’s joint effort to comprehend the absurdity of modern existence, “Shapes” finds the two Jersey City multi-instrumentalists channeling an existential angst into blissful dance-punk – reacting not with scorn, but with joyous celebration against the Meaningless Void. Waldron’s four-on-the-floor percussion weaves around Mercuri’s syncopated guitar work, delivering a solid four minute jam accentuated by gang vocals and references to Samuel Beckett. Overall, what makes “Shapes & Colors” such an enjoyable listen is the realism of Sailor Boyfriend’s worldview that, though our lives may seem a Sisyphisian struggle, there’s still space dance ourselves clean of fatalism, even if for one fleeting moment.
“Shapes & Colors” is the title track of Sailor Boyfriend’s forthcoming sophomore effort, out April 12th on Make Believe Records. Take a listen below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt), Photo via thesmallsoviet
Chicago
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Viet Rahm “Jaw Grinder”
Viet Rahm has released their latest album Jaw Grinder. This is the Psych Surf Trash Rock trio that formed back in 2015.
The band recently returned from SXSW where they have performed each of the last four years.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “T.U.F. (Trust Ur Friends)” (Feat. Abi Reimold) – Wyndwood
Wyndwood recently shared its new full-length album Defense. The LP couples earnest, exposed vocals and lyricism with a contagious energy. “T.U.F. (Trust Ur Friends)” captures the ache of being let down and making the difficult decision to move on, cutting someone out of your life. Composed yet vulnerable vocals dig their nails into your skin as the instrumentation reaches a tumultuous yet cathartic peak. Featuring Abi Reimold on backing vocals, the song exhibits the emotive force of heartbreak and the strength needed to step away. (Photo by Abi Reimold)
NYC
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LPX (ex MS MR) releases new EP “Junk of the Heart
You may remember NYC-based Electro-soul band MS MR, who conquered our ears and hearts in the early aughts with a couple of uber-catchy singles. The voice and half of the songwriting engine behind that project, Lizzie Plapinger, is back under the LPX moniker with a new EP entitled "Junk of the Heart," and time seems to have stopped. The sound is slightly punchier and guitar-based, but not widely dissimilar from the previous project, also because the lady’s (gorgeous) vocals and melodies are easily recognizable. Check out the EP below and read an interview with Lizzie about the new record here.
NYC
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Son of Cloud celebrates debut LP on 03.23 at The Brooklyn Friends Meeting House
Finalizing a record can take a lot longer than expected, and, paradoxically, being good at making records can interfere with it. That’s the story of Jonathan Seale, the NYC based producer of Feist, Lucius, Fleet Foxes, Andrew Bird and more, who goes under the stage name os Son of Cloud. "When I started making records professionally at age 20, I decided that I wanted to focus on supporting the writing of other artists because I felt that I hadn’t lived enough life to make a meaningful contribution to the world as a songwriter" – he says – and what happened then, we guess, is that the recording business took over his life. It’s hard for busy producers to go back to the potentially zero-money-making entreprise that is the band biz after experiencing success in a different and still creative area of the music industry, so it is remarkable to see Seale’s commitment to finish this record and disclose to the world his thoughtful songwriting and incredibly deep and soulful tenor. In support of the upcoming album, Seale will perform his debut concert as Son of Cloud on March 23rd, 2019, at The Brooklyn Friends Meeting House, playing with a full band.
Chicago
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Ric Wilson “Yellowbrick”
Ric Wilson relesaed a new single this week called “Yellowbrick” b/w “Dan Ryan Traffic”. This is Wilson’s second single since the release of his 2018 EP "BANBA".
“Yellowbrick” features contributions from Australia’s Jia Lih and local trumpeter Sam Veren and is a jazzy torch song.
Wilson was just one of the several talented Chicago musicians on the recently announced Pitchfork Music Festival 2019 line-up coming to Union Park this July. He was scheduled to perform at Bottom Lounge on April 13th, but that show has been postponed with no rescheduled date as of yet.
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, March 22 – 24
This Saturday night, Underground Arts will play host to Lizedelise’s belated album release celebration for Holy Matrimony, The Deli Philly’s March Record of the Month. A graceful, internal monologue of thoughts meets the external instrumental realization of emotion in the band’s complex, cathartic contemplations. Those bright, buoyant tones are contrasted by the thundercrack of reality, balancing the hypnotic and the heavy. They’ll be supported by the at ease, ethereal, melodic folk-pop of Strawberry Runners. Madeline Rafter (Sieve, formerly of The Original Crooks and Nannies) will also be taking the stage with material from her project Snake Boy Gang, melding genuine, observational lyricism with playfully scattered instrumental backdrops creating a poignant, personal, pop sound. The evening is presented by House Cat & The Key, as part of The House Key Showcase, and is sponsored by Founders Brewing Co. – Michael Colavita
More places where you can escape March Madness this weekend…
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Lizdelise (Album Release), Strawberry Runners, Snake Boy Gang
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Philly Loves De La Soul: DJ Mike Nyce
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI TRL Dance Party: DJ Dame Luz, SAT Catbite/Fame Lust, SUN Moons
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Karaoke Gung Show
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Jermaine Dolly
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI So Far Gone: Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) AllegrA (Record Release), Beach Bod, Boosegumps
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Heavensake, SAT Spinechain, Rollin Loaded, Disaster Committee, Tough Shit, SUN Project 3², Menace Of The Canvas, Theory of a King, As Annie Falls
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Jurks, The Valets, SUN Sad Actor
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Westboro Baptist Choir
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Joey Stix, Dahi Divine, Ty Lemar, SAT Rosu Lup, The Lunar Year, SUN Birthday Boy
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Paul Green Rock Academy (Adult Program Gig), SUN Paul Green Rock Academy (Adult Program Gig)/Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Blackjack Rose, Dave Cope, South on Sunday
The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT The Becoming (A NIN Tribute), Lust For Nothing
Century (1350 S. 29th St.) FRI The Stone Eye, Adder, Kingsnake, Double Planet, SAT King Slender (Tape Release), Iffy, Cocordion, Oh, Are They?
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Agent Zero, Shapesift, TheBusiness, BITSKY
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SUN WEPA! Latinx Burlesque
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Apple Juice Jones, Aquatic Ape Theory, Kingsound Vibration, SAT Kissing the Klepto, Dune Puma, Merit, Moment to Capitalize, Jac w/No K
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Darla, SUN Whiskeyhickon Boys, Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Wax Wav, Party Muscles
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SAT Camp Candle, Gender Work, Computer Dating
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Broke Body, Kelsey Cork and the Swigs, The Russells, SAT CVGES, SUN Paul Harrold and the Winston Churchills, Lucky House
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Bleary Eyed, Kenduskeg, SUN So Totally
Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) SAT Cyber G
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Screamcloud, Blushed, Sleepy Freak
The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Internal Rhyme, OG Juan Shinobi
Lizard Lounge 215 (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Coping Skills, Absinthe Father, Bleary Eyed
Chicago
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Pivot Gang “Studio Ground Rules”
Pivot Gang dropped a new single over night called “Studio ground Rules”. This track features Saba, Frsh Waters and MfnMelo flowing over a beat by Daoud and daedaePIVOT.
This is the crew’s third single of 2019 and I believe everyone in the city is hoping this is building to a full-length album.
NYC
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The Fixins release new EP, Screens, Greens and Flying Machines March 21
There’s a purity in The Fixins’ latest EP, Screens, Greens and Flying Machines. Tracks have a beachy folk rock feeling that are like a Jack Johnson-Neutral Milk Hotel hybrid but with more country feel-good vibes. Track “Dropping Bombs” has a sweet melody and lovely plucking for such a political song, which is perhaps why it’s effective. It’s not in your face–nor is the rest of the album. “Can’t Find a Reason” has a classic country baseline with a nice melody and some softer beach rock. The EP’s sweetest track is the last, “Same Old Story,” which closes out the EP with a quieter folk-pop lullaby and a guitar solo done nice n fine. Catch them at Neck of the Woods on April 6. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor