New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Jazz Rock group Marbin has released their latest album, Strong Thing. This is the band’s Eighth album and follow-up to 2018’s Israeli Jazz.
Marbin is the work of Danny Markovitch (saxophone), Everette Benton Jr. (drums), Dani Rabin (guitar), and Jon Nadel (bass)
You can catch Marbin at John Brown’s On The Square in Marion on January 10th.
J.Soliday released a new collection of computer music last month called Music for Speech Synthesis. This is "real time manual and generative manipulation of digital speech synthesizers” and a truly unique approach to sound and music.
Brooklyn psych rock outfit Early Spring’s music is an impressionistic, watercolored soundscape, replete with hazy vocals and bright, verdant guitar work. Their latest split single hang around + hurt me bad disorients from the start, inviting the listener to let the band’s screaming riffs wash over them; despite the apparent intensity of the group’s gain heavy instruments, their coupling with the Early Spring’s meandering, echoing vox induces a strange calm, a sort-of meditative calm in the eye of a tropical storm. Tune in below, and catch Early Spring at the Kingsland on December 12th, supporting Squeegee Men.
Offset by Fincheresque lighting and massive Phil Collins’ alt-rock instrumental hits, new Nicotine Dolls video “Burning a Good Thing” ruminates on the wandering thoughts that can ruin an otherwise healthy relationship: namely, the desire to be with someone else. In the eyes of of singer-songwriter Sam Cieri, such thoughts as contemplations (and perhaps unintended actions) have a tendency to undo otherwise stable relationships and, in so many words, “burn a good thing.” Against this metaphorical fire, the track’s visuals feature actual flames, not to mention a manifestation of the psyche in the form of physical blackmail; exacerbating the tension of the music video are Nicotine Doll’s massive percussive hits and muted, tactile string work, building to stadium-filling riffs evocative of 80s guitar pop. It’s a dramatic ride from start to finish — watch it below.
Today the folks at Burger Boogaloo announced the 2020 line up with a nice holiday ticket special. The Oakland punk festival takes place again at Mosswood Park in Oakland and will feature our beloved host, Mr. John Waters. This year’s lineup is full of some oldies and goodies. After not having played a Bay Area show in 25 years Bikini Kill brings their feminist punk to the evening stage, alongside folks like San Francisco punk legends Flipper. Sweet and solid Oakland cuties The Younger Lovers are coming along and they’re worth the trip right there. The delightful Plastic Bertrand is gracing our good ol’ fashioned Ameican stage and let’s hope he plays a little “Hula Hoop,” baby. Stay tuned for more on the festival and in the meantime, please practice your hula hooping. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Three piece instrumental rock group Graphics is preparing to release their debut cassette, Meaninglessnessless, this weekend via Planted Tapes. Earlier this year the trio released a live recording called “Orotund” which can give you sense of the complex rhythms they manage to create on just guitar, bass, and drums.
You can help Graphics celebrate the release on December 12th at Cafe Mustache with Norman Long and Drosophila.
Nick Ferrio is a singer/songwriter based in Peterborough. Often compared to the likes of Blue Rodeo; Ferrio makes solid roots rock tunes but adds a modern indie twist. You can hear this on “Anxiety” from his 2018 album “Have A Nice Day”. It’s a mellow folk rock tune with jangly guitars and relatable lyrics in today’s world. Ferrio will be in Toronto at the Rivoli on December 14th with Lenny Bull and Side Hustle. – Kris Gies
Axons are preparing to release the first single from their forthcoming album, I Object to Everything. This is the trio’s first album since 2014 when this was just a solo project of Adele Nicholas. Axons is now the work of Adele Nicholas (songs and guitars), Neal Conrad (drums), and Princess Ojiaku (bass).
Below is a demo of a song called “Past, Present and Future” to give you sense of what can be expected from the new album.
You can catch Axons on December 14th at Tone Deaf Records (4356 N. Milwaukee) with Jessica Risker and Thomas Comerford Band.
Lindsay Kay produces thought-out and graceful musical art pieces tied to her multi-faceted personality. In her new video for "Clean & Fair", the single from Kay’s 2018 album For the Feminine, By the Feminine, the feminist singer-songwriter sings of reclaiming female personal space and identity. Much of the political turmoil and anger from women during the 2016 election influenced Kay’s songwriting, and as we go into a new decade, her words continue to ring relevant even today. But you would not know of the chaos that formed "Clean & Fair", for the song is nothing more than Kay’s crystalline voice over a somber piano. Nonetheless, that’s all the song really needs; it’s a beautiful piece of work. Take a look at the music video for "Clean & Fair" below. – Will Sisskind
The Darling Suns recently released a new single called “Afterglow”. This follows the release of the band’s 2019 album, Midnight Feelings.
You can catch The Darling Suns on January 18th at Emporium Arcade Bar with The Cordial and Tiny Kingdoms.
A defining characteristic of modern musicians today is that they do not only create tunes to jam to but entire worlds to immerse in, atmospheres rich with their personalities. Amy Beauregard and Corey Zwart, known to some as AB/CZ, have done just that with their December single “Yellow Into Blue,” which takes traditional Americana instrumentation and blends it slowly with lingering distorted guitar-chords for an ever-quaking track that is a feast of sonic delicacies. You have an assertive drum beat, distant guitar solos, mighty vocals, and the best part, which is how one can truly appreciate each thanks to the track’s length: bask in the composition. The debut single is a fine introduction to the duo’s psych-Americana vibe; the Lowell, Massachusetts duo gets extra points for blending New England’s folk history with a more modern feel. Stream “Yellow Into Blue” below for a much-deserved Monday pick-me-up treat. – Rene Cobar
V.V. Lightbody (aka Vivian McConnell) recently released a video for “Baby, Honestly”. This was one of the two single Lightbody released this year, and the video was directed by Alex Babbitt.
You can Vivan performing on December 20th at Sleeping Village as part of a new duo called Valeboi with Daniel Villarreal of Dos Santos. She will also be performing with V.V. Lightbody on January 17th at Lincoln Hall as an opening act for Stella Donnelly, and as a part of Tomorrow Never Knows.
