There’s something unsettling about Signals’ latest music video for "In the Middle of the Night." A stoic mannequin sings along to the towering, synth-laden electro-rock of Brendan Byrnes and Ian Vargo. The cut has a grainy film look that adds a certain menacing effect—as if we’re watching some futuristic art installation unfold—where a projected image attempts to personalize the duo’s heart-rending lyrical effusions. Perhaps it’s that contrast of melodic buoyancy and mechanical expression that makes it all the more confounding. It’s best to leave it to open interpretation, after all, though it does add another layer to a sonically textured song that is otherwise pouring with optimism (though behind the joyful intent it describes a romantic dissolution with chilling effect).
"In the Middle of the Night" is featured on Signals’ self-titled EP, out now via their official SoundCloud page and all streaming platforms. Juan Rodríguez
Garage rockers Sharkmuffin will release their latest EP “Gamma Gardening” on April 5th via Exploding In Sound Records. The five track’s depict an outlandish sci-fi rock opera centered around a character named Serpentina who is pursued by The Atomic Gardening Society. EP opener “Receptionist” sets the sonic tone for the entire record with its loose, live-in-the-studio vibe. Overall, the songs are built around an angular bass-lines, a loose, busy hi-hat, chunky guitar chords and Tarra Thiessen’s trademark caterwauling vocal style. “Designer Baby” drops down into a more sinister, echo-heavy tone breaking off into multiple tempos and b-movie-stylke outerspace effects. Current single “Serpentina” (streaming below) chugs along via Jordyn Blakely’s syncopated percussion, pitch-bended guitar strokes and Natalie Kirch’s rubbery bassline. “Too Many Knobs” is an over six minute raveup that sounds like Fun House-era Stooges. Final track “Fate” (their first single) brings things back to earth with a strolling, guitar-heavy love-tinged theme. The band will play their EP release show at Alphaville on 4/5 with Haybaby, CATTY and Gustaf. –Dave Cromwell
Joybird is the graceful American of Jess McIntosh, and she released her latest album, Landing, last month. For this album she is joined by Bil Harris (percussion, drums), Aaron Smith (bass, banjo, guitar, vocals), Emily Nott (guitar, vocals), Sara Leginsky (banjo, vocals), Anna S. Jacobson (trumpet, French horn), Cass Pautler (clarinet), Dan Andree (fiddle), and Steve Doyle (dobro, electric guitar).
You can catch Joybird on April 17th at Tonic Room with Meadow Mountain.
Will Yip’s Memory Music recently dropped Better, the new Caracara EP. The three-song collection is intimately brought to life through setting-shaping lyricism. Compact instrumentation builds and bursts putting a spectrum of emotions on full display. You can catch the band’s EP release show at Everybody Hits on Friday, May 3, brought to you by Home Outgrown Presents. (Photo by Emily Dubin)
The old adage goes: Couples who rock together stay together. And The Smoking Flowers, made up of Kim and Scott Collins, have rocked together in love and in music for two decades. Anyone close to Nashville’s underground scene knows the Collins’ rootsy music, and probably knows the recent story of Kim’s battle and triumph over breast cancer. Her holistic recovery, along with a tour with Scott across the country in their Volvo 240 station wagon, led to two albums: 2018’s rousing release Let’s Die Together, and the upcoming juxtaposing acoustic album Snowball Out Of Hell. After a few years of bouncing from state to state, the Smoking Flowers are coming home to Nashville to play a set at The 5 Spot on April 13. It will be a celebration of Kim’s good health, of the Smoking Flowers’ new tunes, and of the love the Collinses share for music, for life, and for each other. Check out the music video for "Here 4 U Now" from Let’s Die Together below. – Will Sisskind
Drama Moth recently dropped an amazing new single called “Jaded”. The track blends pop, R&B, and with powerful lyrics to create a track that is not getting the attention it deserves.
You can catch Drama Moth at GMan Tavern tomorrow, April 3rd, with Joshua Powell, Kacie Swierk, and The Outside Voices. They will also be performing at Bohemian Grove McKinley on April 20th with Cold Beaches, Uazit, Bailie, and Boys vs Girls.
If you had already been onto one of these five bands, that’s great, feel free to hipster shame me online or in person since your music radar supersedes my own. However, if you haven’t gotten down with any of these beautiful gems, then I beseech you to bathe in the purifying waters of SXSW discovery. The music from these bands will undoubtedly supplement your music playlists like an anabolic into the gluteus maximus.
Memory Keepers(Austin, TX) Fuzzy, scuzzy and psychedelic with a strong undertow of addictive melodies, Memory Keepers is a local band that has flow stealthily under the radar yet clearly has the goods to emerge as a force. Literally the first band to play on a 30 band bill at Hotel Vegas for the Side One Track One vs. Austin Town Hall showcase, Memory Keepers played an amazing set that impressed the eight people present.
Castlecomer(Sydney, Australia) First appearing like a burned out and haggard arrangement of Aussie musicians nursing a hangover, Castlecomer ended up being a daytime highlight at the Aussie house. Power pop with winding guitars and a pulsing rhythm section, Castlecomer emanated charisma and a livewire energy that started a dance party in an unlikely place.
Drama (Chicago, IL) Heaven is waiting until 1am at an obscure SXSW venue and then getting hit with the best performance of SXSW 2019. DRAMA is a soul electronica duo that I knew I would like within 30 seconds of their first song, but ended up worshipping by the end of their set. Had every other note of music at SXSW been terrible, this set would have made the hell week well worth it.
Haiku Hands (Melbourne, Australia) Brash and bawdy with afrobeat rhythms cascading around Spice Girls-esque delivery, Haiku Hands brings in your face power pop with some feminine thunder from down under (meaning Australia). A high energy stage presence with dance-laden beats gave this trio an extra glossy sheen at the Do512 showcase at Barracuda.
Bixiga 70 (Sao Paulo, Brazil) A 9-member group crammed onto a tiny stage at Lucille on Rainey for the Brazilian showcase ended up being one of the most bombastic and funkadelic performances at SXSW. Afro-Brazilian dance and an empowered horns section brought an urban and unfiltered energy which caused a pseudo-samba dance party bursting with posi-vibes.
The Off Days recently released a the first single, “Kiss Of Death”, from their forthcoming LP, Only Human, which is due out this June. The single is accompanied by the strange party video below.
This is the melodic indie rock of Pauly Murphy (Vocals, Lead Guitar), Ulysses Robledo (Bass, Vocals), Nathan Nager (Drums, Vocals), and Eddie Torrez (Rhythm Guitar).
Lois Volta (formerly of Adam & Dave’s Bloodline) recently shared a new single release. “Feels So Good” stirs with an earnest, spiritual appreciation. The vocals rain down in relaxed yet powerful harmonies as a mantra of maturity naturally results. A gentle, folk sway and groove rolls in on its B-side, “I’m Alright,” as the song lyrically describes how altering one’s point of view and learning from past experiences can lead to contentment. The power of change rests in your own hands.
Portland born and raised artist Covi released Escalate With Me last November, and he deserves some serious props for it. Covi’s voice is deep and cynical as he raps and croons his way through the album. He approaches about serious subject matter while maintaining a laid back, west-coast vibe. The song “Better Days” is a lyrical whirlwind in which Covi boldly claims the recognition he deserves for his talent. In fact, he recently released a music video for it. Directed by Riley Brown and produced by Austin Chapline, the video shows Covi decked out in full Western gear. It’s fitting for the song, and makes for a great watch. Check it out below!
You heard it here first! The Deli is proud to premiere a new single on this foolish April 1st. Keith Sweaty took Step Children’s “The Ballad of Lea Meadows” and transformed it from post-punk dance rock with a Mountain Goats feel into an intergalactic trip. It feels like the track took a dip in the Stranger Things pond and we’re into the vibes. See what other shenanigans the Step Children guys are brewing and check them live at Hotel Utah with Credit Electric (really lovely Americana with electric infusions) and We Arsons (surrealist folk with a true 90’s appreciation) on the 6th of April. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
