We Could Have Been Anywhere, the new release from Lester, occupies a cozy, mercurial dynamic. As though rocketing through space with a clear singular focus, while the tumultuous nature of the outside world occurs within sight, these songs have an allaying effect. Uniting vulnerable vocals with volatile instrumentation, the band creates an ebb and flow that pulls you in and then pushes you away. It’s heavy, and it still feels like home. (Photo by Kevin Riley)
NYC
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Verdigirls play Trans-Pecos 05.18 to mark new EP release
Sisters Catherine and Anna Wolk have played music together as Verdigrls for years now, and The Deli once again takes great pride in covering another new release from one of New York’s rising indie pop acts. Verdigrls’ new EP Small Moves comes out on May 17th; the title track, which we’ve featured below, has the Wolks’ voices echoing over a repeating synth, the squeaking of a cello, and a minimal drum track. The track’s detached feeling matches the subject matter of the lyrics, which go into the ennui of being at a party where everyone else is having fun but you. Verdigrls will mark the release of Small Moves at Trans-Pecos on May 18th; Anna Altman and Den-Mate will perform on the bill as well. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Spooled Up serves up agile indie fuzzrock
A big trebly sound with fuzzy edges greets the listener on “Landmine”, the opening track of Spooled Up’s Strange World EP. The name of the game is speed, and it feels like Spooled Up is throwing energy at the listener, providing just a single verse/buildup into a chorus before arriving at an instrumental breakdown. All of this a mere one minute into the track.
The dizzying, engaging twists and turns of the first track are replicated throughout the release, and always seems to be rooted in 90s sounds. Just as the frenetic energy of the first track moved into a heavy instrumental breakdown, the second track, “Scab”, goes from being a straight up Pavement indie lament to fuzzy Guided by Voices bounce pop.
The 90s is strong with this release, and every track is defined by vague emotional detachment and subdued lo-fi effects. In short, a recommended listen for any fans of 90s indie.
-Mike Dranove
NYC
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Snakeskin find balance on “Hangnail,” play Mercury Lounge 5.13
At the core of Hangnail, the debut EP by New York multi instrumentalist Shanna Polley (known professionally as Snakeskin) is a feeling of modulation; the way Polley shifts between major and minor keys, how the vocals change from soft-spoken mumble to an explosive falsetto, and how the effort’s instrumentation goes from clean to discordant, all contribute to a feeling of unease throughout the release’s six tracks. In doing so, Snakeskin plays to its strengths in a dynamic quality, balancing tender lyrical attributes against crunchy, lofi production, creating a release that’s both hard and soft, tender and heavy. It’s a defiantly iconic effort that demonstrates Polley’s ability to find balance in the storm. Stream it below, and catch them live at Mercury Lounge on May 13th, performing alongside Hypoluxo and Nanami Ozone. –Connor Beckett McInerney
NYC
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Jackie Greene’s new single, Fillmore benefit show June 8th
On June 8th the Fillmore is hosting a benefit concert for The Blue Rose Foundation, started by the Blue Rose Music label. The foundation offers scholarships to socially and economically disadvantaged youth. The night’s host and headliner, Jackie Greene, just released a new single that we’re proud to debut! Cris Jacobs & Bailey Ingle are opening up the night. Please join us, for a great evening and a great cause. – Lucille Faulkner
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, May 10 – 12
Spring is in full bloom, and that means a day of music and BBQing is in order. This Saturday, the Haus of Yarga will be hosting its BBYQ (where vegan options will be available as well). Fourteen acts are slated to appear at the annual event that will be starting in the early afternoon. The brutal, blitzing punk of Dialer will roar and menacingly rip, integrating synth & saxophone. Trash Knife will also immediately jump into high gear, sprinting in a tenaciously catchy, shredding circumstance. Unleashing a subdued slacker vibe that can ramp up in a moment’s notice, while escalating into heavier, fuzz-forward tones, the trio of Apt A weaves between genres as internalized monologues are released to the outside world. John Galm, a.k.a. Bad Heaven LTD, will deliver some mesmerizing folk that wraps you in its spellbinding words as the instruments comfortably warp around you. And to add yet another layer of intrigue, Shamir is also listed as a special guest. – Michael Colavita
More places where you can enjoy this spring weekend…
Haus of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT BBYQ: Dialer, Das Alpaca, Gait, Zyme, Trash Knife, Apt A, Drift, Copley Woods, Chava, Huey the Cosmonaut, Eat, Bad Heaven Ltd., Shamir
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Shannen Moser, SAT Shannen Moser, SUN Girls Rock Philly: Spring 2019 ARC Showcase
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Among Criminals/Fame Lust, SAT Grimace Federation/Riot Nerd: TRL Dance Party, SUN Gibbous Moon, Brick Nova, Girl Science
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI The Ire
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Stephen Maglio, SAT Travel Lanes
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Strand Of Oaks
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT The Last Gasp A Zombie Dance Party: DJ Dave Ghoul, DJ Kiltboy
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) SAT Balance & Composure
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz, SAT (Upstairs) Nothing Wrong, Open Hand
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Mojo Machine, Kitty Rotten, The Tone Bandits, SAT HypeCity Presents: #511Show
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Dry Reef, Cookie Rabinowitz, Apple Juice Jones, SAT Tom Mackell (EP Release), The Naked Sun, Ami Yares
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Lady HD, Kingsley Ibeneche, Kirby Sybert, SAT Hotbed, Joe Harkanson
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Dominy/The Cheddar Boys, Dogs On Main Street/Transmission, SAT The Shakedown: Rob Paine, Willyum, SUN Worst Ones, Desert Hands
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Sylo, Astro 8000, SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT LUNCH, The Smoking Lightbulb, SUN Reece Ratliff, Jason Ager, Meghan Cary
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Fallible Being (EP Release Show), Wormtooth, SAT BrainFest 2019: Kahlil Ali, Full Bush, Babe Grenade, Alright Junior, Vilebred, Dear Forbidden, The Good Mess, JAY SKULL IN SPADES, School of Rock Philadelphia, Andorra, Built From Chaos
The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Blessed Muthas, Instant Smile, The Barren Marys, SAT Lust for Nothing, DJ Archangel Angelo
Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Tile, Body Spray, Desperate Living, Hover, SAT Toxic Malt
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Royale, SUN Wepa! An All Latinx Burlesque Showcase
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Barker Brothers, Tyler Sensenig, SAT My Familiar, Jac with No K, Blackjack Rose
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute, Minka
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SUN One Step Closer
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Hurry, Gladie
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI ialive, Torito
Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI XL, Lame Brains
Gay Baby Jail (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Mechanical Canine, Puppy Angst, Faucet, SAT Godcaster, Tall Child, Diaphane, Sad Sinderella
Brewerytown Living Room (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Holy Gifts, Elaine Rasnake
Cousin Danny’s (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Sour Spirit
Nashville
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Video: Pop up-and-comer Brother Sundance releases new single “Monsters”
Though he joined the Nashville scene just a couple of years ago, 20-year-old Rylan Talerico a.k.a. Brother Sundance has made a splash in the city’s and national pop scene. His 2018 EP Honey got him millions of streams on Apple Music and nationwide attention, and his first major-label debut, called I HURT YOU, I MADE THIS., will come out this fall. Talerico’s first single from the album called "Monsters" — on which he sings and plays all of the instruments — showcases the dark anti-pop that sounds like it could have come from a studio filled with producers. But aside from contributing vocalist Ella Boh, Talerico’s work as Brother Sundance remains a solo project which seeks to push limits. Check out the video for "Monsters" below. – Will Sisskind
Philadelphia
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New Radiator Hospital LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Radiator Hospital returns to a stripped-down, intimate sound on its latest release, Sings "Music for Daydreaming", which just dropped today via Salinas Records. Graceful melodies roll and bounce in an easy-going manner as the endearing nature of the lyrics strikes an exposed, relatable chord. The band is set to hold its record release celebration on Tuesday, May 21 at PhilaMOCA, supported by Cherry, Swanning, and Big Nothing.
NYC
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The Mystery Lights release new video for “Too Much Tension,” new album out 05.10
Unpretentious and ridiculously tight, The Mystery Lights continue to cruise along as one of rock’n’roll’s most noteworthy acts. The piercing riffs of their latest single “Too Much Tension” are cut from the same cloth as acid rock bands of the ‘60s like Count Five. The staunch drum beat that propels the song forward hypnotizes with flair and helps drive home the track’s poised vocals. The confidence that exudes from the NYC quintet is true to the bravado of the golden era of rock’n’roll and contributes to the group’s allure. The track’s accompanying lo-fi-styled video pays homage to their urban roots and garage rock sound. Their new album Too Much Tension! will be released on May 10. We got the music video for you below. – Rene Cobar
Philadelphia
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New Hemming EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Waiting/Wasting is the new EP from Candice Martello-led Hemming. A pensive, piano-anchored, personal journey unfolds. These songs occupy a solemn, isolating space that gathers and exhibits a resilient strength. You can catch Hemming performing next in Philly on Friday, May 31 at Ortlieb’s.
L.A.
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Take a break with Annabelle Maginnis’ “Steady”, performs at The Echo on 5/13
Annabelle Maginnis is driven by the spirit of collaboration on “Steady.” On her latest single, the singer/multi-instrumentalist takes a moment to take a break from all the noise and rush of everyday life. The smooth slow jam—which features prolific hip-hop rapper Def Sound—tucks you like a warm blanket, on which her mellifluous vocal delivery dances around his slippery flow. Combined with the sleek chord progressions of keyboardist Smiley, the blissful track invites listeners to sit back and unwind.
“Steady” is the second single off her forthcoming project, Free Debris. Watch her perform at The Echo this coming Monday, May 13. Juan Rodríguez
Toronto
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Pink Acid Wash – Psych/Noise Rock CMW Set 05.10 at Monarch Tavern
Toronto psych band Pink Acid Wash has released a new single “Grinning”. This noise rock track has a lot going on including a deep drawling vocal over top of a thumping drum beat and dirty bassline. The droning guitar will make your head spin which makes the vocals speak directly to your brain. Pink Acid Wash play a CMW Set on Friday May 10th @ The Monarch Tavern with Brenda, World News and Red Mass. – Kris Gies