New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Alien Thing has released a new single called “How to Build An Earthworm Farm”. These are the Post Punk sounds of Eric Pee, Vlad, and Keenan Shea Benshop.
The track is taken from the trio’s forthcoming sophomore EP, “Yum III”, which is due out this August.
You can catch Alien Thing at Earphoria: Chicago tonight, July 12th, with Krissy Booth and The Crustations.
Billy Strings has released "Taking Water", his first single from his upcoming sophomore album HOME, set to come out on September 27th. While Michigan-born Strings’ acoustic-heavy sound remains undeniably bluegrass — complete with accompaniment from the banjo, fiddles, and bass — he finds ways to add in hints of punk, ambient, and psych rock to his tunes. It results in a gripping country sound that makes a song like "Taking Water" a breathtaking listen. Strings will hit the road this month on a nationwide tour supporting the release of HOME; catch him in Nashville when he returns for a show on September 11th at Americanafest. Take a listen to "Taking Water" below. – Will Sisskind
“Cursed” is the latest single from Lexi Campion, a.k.a. Grayling, who recently signed with 6131 Records. Drums and bass converge accelerating the track aggressively forward as the vocals enter in a momentary reprieve, but then shift in an uproarious assertive chorus. One becomes invigorated by the fuzz-laced, bass-thumping, tenacious melody.
Queen of Jeans‘s forthcoming album, If you’re not afraid, I’m not afraid, is slated to arrive on August 23 via Topshelf Records. The trio recently shared a new video, co-directed by Miriam Devora & Bob Sweeney, for its lead single, “Get Lost”. It appears to also mark the departure of Nina Scotto from the group. (You can check the debut single, "Time Is Right," from her new project Pouring Silver HERE.) Addressing feelings of isolation and sadness and coming to terms with them through personal strength and acceptance, the band’s latest track gathers anthemic momentum. It’s an absolutely lovely sampling of what’s to come. You can catch Queen of Jeans headlining Boot & Saddle on Friday, September 6.
You could say Tano Brock has been living it up the last couple of years, traveling from his native San Francisco and relocating to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. While in Bean Town Brock has managed to keep busy and capture the spirit of his travels with his latest single “Live It Up” which features vocals from Brock’s Bay Area friend Lanna. “Live It Up” delivers an impressive grouping of pop elements that along with some R&B drizzle, create a track ideal for the summer. The kick drum driven song is layered with synthesizer thrusts that fill enough sonic space to create a solid foundation for Brock and Lanna’s vocal dance. Brock is confident in his vocal delivery: the singer’s lead melodies entrance and he packs surprises with rich harmonies at every turn. Brock, at a young age, is showing his acute ear for pop music’s demands by creating colorful compositions that hook listeners with serious intent. The singer/songwriter is cruising through the summer in style and prepping some shows for Boston peeps to attend. We are premiering “Live It Up” for you below. – Rene Cobar
The output of NYC-based Ghost Funk Orchestra is becoming increasingly more sophisticated, and the group is also playing more frequently this year, which is always a good sign. Their most recent LP release, A Song For Paul (a band member’s grandfather) is a complex matter propelled by a 10-piece band comprising horns, woodwinds, strings, keys, a tambourine, on top of the expected drums/bass/guitar. Their latest single "Skin I’m In" is an excersize of restrained psychedelia at times reminiscent of unforgettable British band Broadcast.
Featuring effected vocals that span layers of groovy orchestral textures, the single seemlessly blends elements from ganres as disparate as funk, noise rock and Eastern music. This is one of the coolest track we stumbled upon this year; you can check out Ghost Funk Orchestra at Elsewhere on July 30th at 8 PM. – Susan Moon
This May San Francisco’s Talkie released their latest, Everything Matters and it’s a refreshing and impressive album of good ol’ rock and roll. They’ve got a Strokes thing going on with some softer surf rock, dream pop moments (check track “Proper Way”). The album sounds great, too. Mixed, produced at Headfone Audio; mastered by Jerry Ososkie, the drums had the right amount of punch, vocals are invitingly warm and harmonies are touched in just right. Speaking of which, unless their Bandcamp is lying, one of the musician’s parents may or may not include their vocal harmonies on some tracks. Must be a musical family because mom n pop sound great. I’m an extra big fan of track “Summer Bummer.” What’s not a bummer is that Talkie will be playing at Bottom of the Hill on July 27. Now go listen to “Eraser” and feel impressed with those vocals. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Giant in the Lighthouse suggests with its music a world separate from the hustle and bustle of everyday life: the duo from Lowell, Massachusetts composes songs that one can lose themselves to with ease. Smooth vocals and ambient sounds soothe the listener away from worries while hints of alt-folk music add color and indie-rock breakdowns complete the escape. The group draws influences from bands like Tokyo Police Club and Youth Lagoon to craft its rich and easy-listening sound. The band’s latest record Waving showcases its smooth transitions from ambient folk music to vivid alt-rock. Giant in the Lighthouse will be performing at ONCE in Somerville on July 22nd. We are streaming “Sprinting” from the new EP below. – Rene Cobar
"Summer meanz guitarz!" With Purling Hiss‘s latest EP Interstellar Blue, a gravitational pull of heavy is balanced by an ethereal drift. Its languid, mind-warping, guitar grooves have arrived just in time for the dog days of summer – a sublime complement to a frosty beverage and a fat spliff. You can grab your very own copy via Drag City Records. Purling Hiss are also all set to kick off their run of July shows this evening at PhilaMOCA, supported by The Writhing Squares and Long Hots.
The quartet of Jo Kusy (Far-Out Fangtooth, The Whips), Travis Weissman (Haunted Homes), Nina Scotto (Fake Nudes, Queen of Jeans), and Adam Herndon (A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Pet Milk) have combined forces to form Pouring Silver. "Time Is Right" is the band’s debut single. One slips into a melodic, daydreamy haze as the song gently drifts and sways. With a Jeff Ziegler-produced EP in the works, this is definitely just the beginning for this gang of Philly music scene vets. Pouring Silver is slated to perform on Thursday, August 15 at Beautiful World Syndicate, on a lineup that also includes Jack Name and Elison Jackson. (Photo by Alex Philippe Cohen)
Psych Pop group Daydream Review released a new single called “Looking Glass” late last month. This is primarily of the project of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Elijah Montez. On this track he is joined by Eric Black (drums), and Kaitlyn Murphy (Vocals).
You can catch Daydream Review on August 1st at Elbo Room with LAIK.
Lima, Peru native and Percussionist Juan Pastor has spent the last 13 years living in and deeply experiencing our local music scene. His latest album, El Regreso (due out July 28th), draws from both cultures to fully encompass Pastor’s life to this point. The first single, "Callejón", draws on his youth in Lima and features Miguel Zenon on Alto Sax.
Through out the album Pastor is joined by Stu Mindeman (piano and organ), Patrick Mulcahy (bass), Rich Moore (alto saxophone), and Tito Carrillo (trumpet).
You can catch Chinchano on July 15th at Andy’s Jazz Club.
