New York soft-rock quartet Office Culture liken the experience of listening to their new record to “walking into a beloved old bar in a neighborhood where you no longer live,” but it is more comparable (in this reviewer’s opinion” to a comfortable, rainy Sunday night spent at home, away from the clamor of city streets. Throughout their new LP A Life of Crime, clean synths, an easygoing percussive drive, the occasional wailing horn, and singer Winston Cook-Wilson’s laissez-faire vocal delivery congeal to embed the entire record with a relaxed energy, but there’s never a dull moment. From the moody instrumental interplay on tracks like “Diamonds” and “Hard Times in the City,” to the playful bop of “Home on High” and “Parade,” Office Culture lay down a steady groove that will immediately resonate with fans of classic pop rock outfits like Steely Dan or more contemporary fusion-focused groups like Parcels and Whitney. Stream it below, and catch them on November 20th at Elsewhere supporting Wild Nothing. —Connor Beckett McInerney
Shallow Waves – Noisy Garage Rock Release Party at The Cameron House 11.22
Shallow Waves combine elements of surf, pysch and garage for a wonderfully noisy sound. This Toronto band sounds like they are shattering their amps on the latest single “Dust”. This track appears on their album “Parallel States of Consciousness”. It is an in-your-face stoner track that’ll take you for a ride around your mind. They are hosting a release party for this album on November 22nd at Cameron House along with Psychic Void, Wave of Terror and Dark Trip. – Kris Gies
Daniprobably blooms in new record “Conditional Things,” plays Cafe Nine 12.09
Exquisitely alternative is the rich mash of confidently-strummed electric guitar chords, sharp snare snaps, and bubble-gum pop vocals that make up the music of daniprobably. The Connecticut-based singer-songwriter’s latest effort, Conditional Things, sets the tone early with Dani’s vocals becoming instantly familiar to the listener in such a way they will likely never be mistaken for someone else’s. It is, in fact, that familiarity in “Blooming,” the opening track, that allows the listener to immerse in the atmospheric song that slowly swells until it bursts to reveal the fierce and fast indie-pop signature track “Run to You.” Where compositions like “Sweeter Than the Truth” move delicately with brilliant acoustic strings resonating and harmonies lingering, other songs such as “ICU” strut confidently along with their plump basslines, cheeky electric guitar riffs, and dope breakdowns. Recorded, mixed, and produced by Addy Edward, Conditional Things captures an artist not just on the rise but more like in full bloom: her style and sound already unmistakable. For those wishing to catch daniprobably live, the opportunity beckons December 9th at Connecticut’s famous Cafe Nine. We are streaming the engaging “Critic’s Favorite,” our favorite track from the new record, below. – Rene Cobar, photo by Kaitlin Anne
Magic Magic Roses and Cindy Nov 20 at Minnesota Street
Magic Magic Roses brings us soothing, sweet folk rock with poppy beats and harmonies that make for happiness. The EP River came out this fall and the video for “River” makes me proud to be a Californian and a curly-haired lady. Magic Magic Roses are sure to put on a delight of a performance. Also on the bill is San Francisco’s Cindy. Self-described sad rock, it’s slow shoe gazey with the occasional poppier punkier touches. Their album comes out in 2020 and we’re ready, Freddy. Both groups are playing tomorrow night, November 20 at the Minnesota Street Project (presented by Lonesome Station) and we’re happily pushing you attend. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Video Premier: Glitter Moneyyy “Super K”
We are proud to be able to premiere the video for the opening track, “Super K”, from the 2019 album, Binge, from Glitter Moneyyy.
The video was shot by Elliot Vravis, edited Tyler Sanders, and features Timothy H. Bell and Sireena Yancour in addition to the duo themselves.
This video lands just days before Glitter Moneyyy’s fourth annual Glitter Fest taking place this Friday, November 22nd, at Beat Kitchen. Glitter Fest is a celebration of self, a night of jubilation, community, and love. The festival will feature music, burlesque, and drag performances highlighting performers of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. There will also be tarot card readings, vendors, and glitter face painters. In it’s 4th iteration, Glitter Fest 4 promises a night that you will never forget.
The fest will be feature music from Cxnty Mimi, Superknova, and Glitter Moneyyy.
Levitation: Chelsea Wolfe Holds Communion at Church
A dreary Saturday peers in through the stained glass at Central Presbyterian Church. The gothic arches, the ribbed vaults, the red velvet cushions lining the dark pews, along with the incredible acoustics of the church make this one of the most beautiful venues in town, especially for shows worth sitting down. The gothic architecture enhances the dark but sensuous sound. Chelsea Wolfe stood center pulpit in a glowing white dress with puffed glowing sleeves hanging from her shoulder, surrounded by orange burning candles and a paganesque set design of concentric white stick circles looking like bones.
Wolfe opened with “Flatlands;” the familiar opening chords and gentle lyrics facilitated an instant communion of music and spirit. Wolfe’s ethereal voice washes over everyone, the elevated spirit of music through her instructing the spirit of the audience to meet above in the vaulted ceiling.
The acoustic opening song was not the softest of the set, instead it was when she stepped down from her podium to take a comfortable seat to cover Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock.” When two festivals collide! Wolfe’s cover gives new life and context to the Mitchell’s golden ode. Woodstock sings about the freedom of rock and roll and the inherent stardust in us all despite the violence and uncertainty of the world outside. As the community and constituents of Levitation, we are still golden we are still stardust and we are still trying to find our way back to the garden.
The church is full of punks and fringe society here to hear Chelsea Wolfe mesmerize with “Mother Road.” A band of blue lights fan behind her like a peacock display, the swirling haze as the eyes of each feather. Geometric shapes dance on top of the stained-glass loops and parabolas. Sargent House holding mass in a dim lit gothic church on a Saturday afternoon was another sweet moment of Levitation magic, and Chelsea Wolfe beautifully expressed herself as an individual and a conduit of the spirit.
– Mel Green
Photo: Casey Holder
HOAX release new single “Unconditional” from forthcoming debut record “b?”
We continue to rush headfirst without resistance towards the future, but at least HOAX have the sense to slow down, examine the world, and put it to lyrics and song. Their Motown-influenced Queens-born indie pop-rock shines again on their newest single "Unconditional", a cut from their upcoming debut record b?, which drops next summer. Through its catchy pop hooks, "Unconditional" forces listeners to consider their own Terms of Service and decide with which parts of it they do and don’t agree. It’s a reflective track that urges all of us to take a moment and figure ourselves out before we crash and burn on our way into the next decade. Take a listen to "Unconditional" below. – Will Sisskind
Levitation: Christelle Bofale Brings Local Flavor to Levitation
If you’ve been plugged into the local Austin music scene, then you’ve heard of Christelle and you’ve witnessed her graceful come-up. She released Swim Team earlier this year and captivated everyone including the folks at Pitchfork who gave her album a glowing review. Since the album’s release in May, she’s toured, headlined her own show, and played fantastic sets alongside locals acts like Calliope Musicals at the Horror Disco this past Halloween, and now Levitation.
Bofale opened Thursday evening at Hotel Vegas, managing to facilitate an intimate performance in the midst a large-scale festival. The room was packed but her omnipresent vocals over the resounding chords made the room feel like a private show. Her songs sing of vulnerability and truth, for example, “Love Lived Here Once, speaks the universal language of heartache. Empathy brings us together, and so does Christelle’s smile. Although her songs transport you to emotional landscapes, her joy is grounding.
Catch one of her shows when you can. We can’t wait to see what gifts the universe holds for Christelle and her music in the near, near future. If you haven’t listened to Swim Team yet, listen to it and be the first to show your friends.
-Mel Green
Sugarpulp “Underwater/Outerspace”
Sugarpulp recently released a new EP called "Underwater/Outerspace”.
This is the work of Deb Chesterman (Keys/vocals/words), Sam Allyn (Guitar), and Patrick Foley (Bass).
You can catch them on November 20th at Sleeping Village with Gramps the Vamp and DotDotDot.
Photo cred: Rio Chavez
From the submissions: Good Time Mystery Vision detail love and life on “Cala Lillies”
Brooklyn-based psych-rock trio Good Time Mystery Vision detail the stabilizing quality of love and relationships on new track “Cala Lillies.” The band’s second single since their formation earlier this year, the song finds its footing through swelling instrumentation and vocalist David Jacobson’s dynamic vocal delivery; against forlorn guitar lines and various synth accents, Jacobson’s lyrics detail the turbulence of our modern lives, and the buttressing nature those close to us have as we contend with personal problems. While love songs are quick to venture into overtly sappy territory, Good Time Mystery Vision have a knack for maintaining sincerity and massive riffs in tandem. Listen below, and keep an eye out for the band’s next drop on December 4th.
NightFire Releases Haunting Single with “Spell On You”
Ambient synths, haunting vocals and an undercurrent of deep house all coalesce in NightFire’s rendition of “(I Put A) Spell On You”. Released right before Halloween, “Spell On You” is a seductive soundscape with entrancing vocals that deftly masks a brooding menace that builds steadily throughout the track. NightFire is the burgeoning bedroom pop project of Houston-based chanteuse, Rebecca Chirich, who began making music in 2014 but only recently began releasing her music. “Spell On You” is the first of a handful of singles that will begin to drop over the next few months, potentially culminating with a NightFire debut album in 2020. Understated and seemingly nonchalant, Chirich has succeeded in creating an alluring aesthetic with NightFire. Her intimate lyrics and pulsing beats are addictive as they are enjoyable.. Keep an eye out for NightFire live shows coming in 2020.
-Lee Ackerley
Levitation: The Flaming Lips Shower the Crowd With Rainbows at Stubbs
Since the Flaming Lips last played in Austin in January, the lead singer Wayne Coyne has become a father. The Flaming Lips played at the Hi, How Are You Festival on January 22, 2019, a tribute for Daniel Johnston’s birthday who passed away in September. The Hi, How Are You Project, inspired by Daniel’s art and struggles with mental health, holds space for conversations about mental health and reducing the stigma of mental illness by doing so.
The Flaming Lips drew a crowd of freak folk lovers styled in all fashions. Next to me, a couple with green hair. One said to the other, “See, you can have green hair and still be successful.”
The band took the stage, two drummers with green hair, Coyne in a white suit with his black vest/holster and Steve Drozd in a rainbow cape. The set begins with “She Don’t Use Jelly.” With each crest of the melody, confetti cannons release with oversized rainbow balloons. The vaseline chorus and rainbow rain mixing with the real precipitation felt like reality bent Levitation, surrounded by people with green hair, face paints, sequin shoulder pads, capes, berets, tangerines. Meanwhile, a crop-topped man straddling a surfboard of jello shots rides the crowd. They played many of the same songs as they did in January, including the Daniel Johnston cover, “True Love Will Find You in the End.” Since Daniel’s recent passing, one could expect the cover to be melancholy, but, instead, the song rang through as a joyful anthem.
As is their staple now, The Flaming Lips toted the huge foil all capital letters ‘FUCK YEAH LEVITATION’ onto the stage. Coyne threw the letters into the hungry crowd, who disassembled the syntax, and letters surfed through the venue like alphabet soup. Confetti still seemed to trickle from somewhere even though the cannons stopped releasing songs ago.
The encore was a little painful given that Stubbs was sold out, peoples’ bodies are touching, but Wayne rides into the audience on a rainbow unicorn with rainbow angel wings fluttering behind him. The crowd was so dense that event staff had to split the sea of people for his chariot to pass through. I don’t remember the song we sang – edit: it was “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1” – because I was levitating and seeing Wayne levitate on that unicorn, and really everyone levitating at that point even though unicorn took forever to make its dressage through the audience while the synth endlessly looped. What a lovely Levitation Fest.
-Mel Green
Photo: Casey Holder