NYC

PREMIERE: Fair Visions dream of a pleasant afternoon outdoors on “Lay Out in the Sun”

Posted on:

Listening to “Lay Out in the Sun,” the latest single by New York post-punk band Fair Visions, feels like a daydream had while staring out the window of a cramped three-bedroom apartment. Tightly compressed drums and hazy, analogue keys vibe alongside easygoing acoustic strumming, as singer and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Work envisions a sunny afternoon in greener pastures, “away from everyone.” Avoiding getting caught in the claustrophobia of bedroom pop, the song expands outwards, providing a verdant, minimalist synth solo and lush chorus harmonies, pining lyrically for a new start, a contrast to the perpetually overcast nature of quotidian routines. While most of the city remains anxiously stuck indoors, Fair Visions encourages us to dream, if only for a moment, about a better life that’s just over the horizon — give it a listen the next time you find yourself requiring a brief escape. —Connor Beckett McInerney

 

Chicago

Fess Grandiose “Phasing Out”

Posted on:

Fess Grandiose dropped his latest Phasing Out via ETC Records today, April 3rd. This is the first new music from Fess since his 2018 album Front Room Methodology.

This album is uptempo Afrofuturism filled with synths and beats that will get you off the couch and make you dance.

Chicago

Concrete Graves “Shards Of Light”

Posted on:

Artist Arturo Fresán has put a much needed project into the world today called "Shards of Light". On the surface this ambient music built upon field recordings that include the following; CTA announcer, "L" train, Boing 737, O’Hare Airport, Col. Letran-Valle Knife sharpener, Benito Juarez Airport, Petco, Brewing Process, Street Preacher, 4th of July Fireworks, Freight Train, Metra Train, and a Dollar Tree Cashier.

However, when exploring this album through the lens of shelter-in-place it becomes a meditative look back a what day to day life was like a month ago. It is a slowly shifting dream of what once may have been mundane, but now is a highly anticipated return to normalcy.

Chicago

RXM Reality

Posted on:

The latest album from Experimental Electronic artist RXM Reality, Blood Blood Blood Blood, will be released tomorrow, April 3rd, via Hausu Mountain. You can currently stream the album’s lead single, "B4", below.

What is always so impressive about RXM is his ability to constantly walk that line between beauty and chaos and he builds addictive sonic collages.

Below is video footage of his recent set at Subt that you can watch in lieu of an actual live release event at a place like Subt.

Chicago

Beneath The Hollow “Spellbound”

Posted on:

Experimental Metal Group Beneath The Hollow is preparing to release their latest EP, "Indoctrination", on April 10th. The album’s lead single is called "Spellbound" and is accompanied by the TapeDeckTV created visuals below.

This is the work of Jewell Yocum (Vocals), Jesse DeGroot (Guitar), Dan Pacheco (Bass), and Matt DeGroot (Drums).

NYC

Burger Boogaloo moves to spooky dates

Posted on:

In light of the current closures the 11th annual Burger Boogaloo festival just announced it will be moving their July dates to Halloween weekend to best accommodate the artists on this year’s phat lineup. Host John Waters shares, “A virus may scare the punk rock world out of Oakland in July but we’ll scare it right back on Halloween weekend! Trick or treat, we can’t be beat! Burger Boogaloo 2020: a Monster Mash to top them all!” That’s the attitude we like to hear! Playing their first show in 25 years, we’re thrilled Bikini Kill is taking the stage, along with Belgian super punk star Plastic Bertrand for their first ever Bay Area show. Oakland favorites like Shannon Shaw (who’s playing a solo set, though we’re wondering if any of the Clams might sneak on stage?) and The Younger Lovers. Secure your Burger Boogaloo tickets now, and if you’re already snagged ‘em, all tickets will still be honored. Let’s all plunk something to look forward to on the calendar for October 31 and November 1st and start thinking of your costumes while you’re at it. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

New England

Alex and the People debut contrasting singles “Broken Elevator” and “Waitin’ for My Train to Come”

Posted on:

Boston’s Alex and the People are grooving their way toward the light at the end of the tunnel, loud as can be. The group has a dual single release that is one side dance-crazed rock ‘n’ roll and one side folk acoustic serenity. One could say the music provides a much-needed duality for the varying mood shifts we face these days. “Waitin’ for My Train to Come” is short and sincere, revealing in each lyric patience and acceptance that only wisdom grants. “Broken Elevator” is a heightened song, laced with funky electric guitar riffs and even funkier rhythms. The song is an anthem for whatever you want to relate it to, with slick solos for your imagination. The release, begs you to choose your current mood, for us, it is “Broken Elevator” streaming below. – Rene Cobar

Chicago

Mako Sica & Hamid Drake

Posted on:

Experimental trio Mako Sica has teamed up the legendary jazz drummer Hamid Drake for on a new album called Balancing Star. The album is due out via Astral Spirit on April 17th and lead single and opening track, "Trapeze", can be heard below.

Mako Sica is the work of Przemyslaw Krys Drazek, Brent J Fuscaldo, and Chaetan Newell.

Chicago

Steve Dawson & Funeral Bonsai Wedding “Last Flight Out”

Posted on:

Steve Dawson (of Dolly Varden) & Funeral Bonsai Wedding are returning on May 8th with their latest album, Last Flight Out, on May 8th. They recently released the album’s title and opening tracking which is accompanied by the Joel Benjamin and Diane Christiansen animated video below.

The core of the Funeral Bonsai Wedding are the talented local jazz greats Jason Adasiewicz (vibraphone), Charles Rumback (drums), Jason Roebke (bass and string arrangements). Through out the album he is also joined by a string section consisting of Inger Carle, Andra Kulans, Vannia Phillips, and Melissa Bach.

When asked about the album’s title track Dawson had this to say; "The more I think about this song, and the whole album, really, it seems to be about the feeling that we are all living through a giant collective ending. With climate change, global rage and violence, the undoing of the fabric of society it feels like an ending. So, the next thought is, “how can I best use the time that’s left?” This song feels like an acknowledgement of the situation. The song purposely has no tonic – no clear home base chord – and the strings wind through it like vines searching for places to hang on."

Photo by Matthew Gilson

Chicago

Wills McKenna “Clover”

Posted on:

Multi-instrumentalist Wills McKenna recently released a surprising and beautiful new single called "Clover". On the all too brief track he plays tenor sax and acoustic guitar over a droning cello track. This is the first new music from McKenna since his 2017 EP "Nothing Left".

McKenna is a member of the noisy Hip Hop and Jazz Fusion band Je’raf who recently released a a new album via Amalgam called Throw Neck.