Lysten Boston invites you to relax and unwind at TT the Bear’s tonight with a night of folk-pop that will give you that extra boost to carry you to the weekend. Arielle Vakni, Box of Birds (previous nominee for The Deli New England’s Artist of the Month) and Arms and Ears will provide a warm welcome for Sister Speak (CA). Bring a friend (or two) and get nice and introspective about your life for a couple hours before heading back out into the “real world.”

 For more information about the show, check out the Facebook event.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Boston-area blues rockers Molasses Jones have released a new video into the vastness of the Internet and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll watch it, listen to it, and tell all your friends about it. Shot in-studio at Ugly Duck Recording Studios in Allston during the recording of their new single, “Hot & Heavy”, the production quality of both the song and video are extremely well-done. Carried by a ridiculously catchy main riff and strong, smooth vocals from lead singer John Zapato, this song is the perfect soundtrack for a warm-weather BBQ, lounging in your backyard, or cruisin’ down the highway to nowhere in particular.

 For more info about Molasses Jones, check them out here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Live at Ugly Duck: Molasses Jones – "Hot & Heavy" from Corey Fein on Vimeo.

It’s Monday! Isn’t that great?! Regardless of the feelings you may or may not have for this particular day of the week, Boston’s Cherry Mellow have recently released a new song that serves as the perfect distraction from whatever mundane reality you’re currently facing. The swaying arpeggios and steady bass drum of "Oddie & I" create an accurate representation of what it feels like to be alone in your apartment and drunk at 3AM. The plus side of listening to this song is that when it’s over, you aren’t left waking up with a massive headache under your dining room table.

Keep your ears open for more music and updates from the band via their Facebook page.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Skinny Bones’ released a video at the tail end of last year to accompany “Sleep In” off of their album Noise Floor. This folktronica outfit from Jamaica Plain consists of Jacob Rosati & Christopher Stoppiello, and their array of pedals, triggers, and sequencers. The new video is fits their sound really well, disjointed but organic, and always a freaky juxtaposition of natural elements and digital splices and dices. It’ll definitely make you look at your breakfast a little differently that’s for sure. Filmed by the band and edited by Peter Ferris, the video is a really cool collaboration that resulted in a cohesive pairing of video and music. You can buy their tunes here. – Paul Jordan Talbot

New England seems to have the whole lo-fi garage rock thing on lockdown recently. Burlington, VT’s Apartment 3 have added further evidence to that statement with their recent EP, Porch View. Heavily soaked in 90s indie rock sound (think Pavement or Built to Spill), these guys pump some insane energy through your headphones. I thought the vocals on these tracks were great–screams, shouts and everything in between. Most of the time it sounds like the singer drank a six pack and started belting out whatever immediately came to mind.

For more info about Apartment 3, check out their Facebook page.

 -Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Upon first listening to Ripped by Future Spa, I was immediately faced with two questions: why the hell did this band wait until now to send this to The Deli (it was released in June of 2014) and why the hell have I not heard these songs before? Surf-punk, lo-fi garage rock–I could list more random sub-genres, but no one would be interested in reading them anyway. These guys have a great sound–wicked loud, wicked fast rock n’ roll. If Raw Power isn’t a collective band favorite of theirs, I would be very surprised. They’ve got a show coming up at Club Bohemia on April 25, which will probably be pretty rad. They’ll be accompanied by Miami Doritos, Greasy Hearts and Dinoczar. You can check out the details here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

When a real drummer can imitate that slowed down and choppy groove from 90’s hip hop, it sounds like pure gold. It’s a tough pocket to master, that’s for sure. Hartford hip-hop/soul fusion group Broca’s Area grooves and sways, while Mary Corso’s smooth-like-butter vocals string you along. The interplay between her and rapper Ghazi Omair’s angular flow would be enough for a killer group, but these guys push it over the edge with a groovy drummer, Steven Cusano, whose timing creates a backbeat that puts the world in slo-mo. And that’s not even mentioning the absurdly tasty keys. They’ll be playing a show at The Spot Underground in Providence April 1st, don’t miss it! They’re new album is available here, and a portion of the proceeds from each CD goes the Connecticut Brain Tumor Association. – Paul Jordan Talbot

I was always told that the standard release date for music is supposed to be a Tuesday–who came up with that? And why? Anyway, I just saw an article in Rolling Stone today that said the “global standard” will now be Fridays, so this post won’t stand-out so much. In fact–I’d say this is cutting-edge. You heard it here first–The Deli New England is paving the way for Friday release coverage.

On that note,  “No Moon”, the title track (and first single) from Doug Wartman’s new album is–for lack of a more profound phrase–a beautiful piece of music. The guitar work sounds like Nick Drake if he played Explosions in the Sky–definitely a very soothing listen. I was most impressed by the “strings” that are played throughout the piece. I was surprised to learn that the cello-like sound is actually a bowed guitar, which I find very unique. This effect, coupled with well-timed dynamic shifts, adds intensity and a bit of tension to the music as well. Overall, I’d say Wartman is damn good at writing a complex piece of music and I’m excited to hear what the rest of his album sounds like.

The record comes out April 10 via Eye Design Records and will be celebrated at O’Brien’s in Allston, along with guests Ghosts of Sailors at Sea and Sand Reckoner.

For more information, check out Doug’s Facebook page. Updates about the release show can be found here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Album Art: Lynne Wartman

Boston pop-punk rockers Rebuilder will be releasing their debut album, Rock & Roll in America, on April 3 at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston, MA. Local punks Choke Up and Bundles will be joining-in on the raucous fun, along with solo artist/effects loop-maker extraordinaire Sun Dog. DJ Mateo Williams (WMBR’s Late Risers Club) will supply some tunes in between sets to save you from having to awkwardly interact with fellow concertgoers while the bands set up. Oh, and did I mention the festivities will be brought to you by our pals over at Bishop and Rook? Well, now you know; and knowing is half the battle.

If you’re curious about what the new Rebuilder material sounds like, you can stream “The National Bohemian”, the first track off of Rock & Roll in America, here.

For more info about the album release show, click here. For more info on Rebuilder, visit their Facebook page.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

 

The first day of spring brings with it flowers, warm weather and dreams of summertime beach hangouts–unless you live in New England; then it brings 25 degree temperatures and forecasts of snow for the weekend. Fortunately for all of you readers (within and without the Northeast), I’ve got just the thing to usher in the spring season: a new track from Boston’s beloved electro-pop duo Miss Geo. “Mouse on The Moon” is off their forthcoming EP, Shapes, due out April 19. I’ve been a fan of Miss Geo for awhile, and “Mouse on The Moon” certainly lives-up to my expectations. The track gives off a very open sound, with the listener feeling as though they’re floating in space, watching synth notes pass by on their way to a trendy intergalactic dance party.

If you’re as anxious as I am to hear the rest of the new EP, check out Miss Geo’s EP release show on April 19 at the Middle East Upstairs. The show, presented by Lysten Boston, also features ColorGrave, Casey Desmond and Child Actor.

For more updates about Miss Geo, click here. For more info about the April 19 show, visit the Facebook event page.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Photo credit: Chikage Imai

Boston Calling’s Blank Canvas generated so much interest and amazing artwork during its debut last fall that festival organizers are launching another contest this May. Artists throughout the US are welcome to submit work that will be displayed as a mural at this spring’s festival (May 22-24). According to a recent press release, the choice to bring back the contest was obvious. "[W]e were thrilled with the response we received [last year] from artists all over the country. Their creativity very much enhanced the visual appeal of the festival. We are excited to bring Blank Canvas back this May and further incorporate art into the festival layout,” says Brian Appel, co-founder of Boston Calling.  As the festival continues to grow in size, scope and notoriety, the increased focus on multiple artforms helps to strength the already dynamic event.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 10. For more information on the contest rules, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Photo of Boston locals @TigermanWOAH from last spring’s Boston Calling. Courtesy of Brendan Bowen.