An exclusive premiere for Deli readers! The Duskwhales have released the first video from their forthcoming album, Sorrowful Mysteries. The single, Friday The 13th, heralds forward momentum for the DC-based trio. Recorded in a professional-grade studio, the song is mature, relative to the band’s previous efforts. Where once the energy was unbridled, it now feels tamed – almost simmering and ready to burst forth like a stalking panther. Stirring lyrics and keys reminiscents of The Animals’ Alan Price, the band masterfully builds and releases the musical tension, revealing the honed craft of their melodies. Capping the mood is somber video art by Outlet Mall Brain Asylum. Catch The Duskwhales’ album release show at Jammin’ Java in Vienna on 4/8! -Jonathan Goodwin  

Billing themselves as a therapeutic cure to “Tired all the Time” (TATT) syndrome, TATT’s edgeless tracks seem in many ways to mimic the emotionally dulling effects of anti-depressants. There are no snarling guitars, extended drum solos, or soaring Bono vocals on TATT’s new release PLEASE STOP, the stimulation from the music is intentionally blunted. However, beneath the smoothed out “post-pop” is an attempt to tap into deep despair, fitting for a band that aims to, “calm and sooth the existential stress of life”.

All in all, a highly original release from the Baltimore newcomers.  

-Written by Michael Dranove

 This Saturday, Baltimore’s favorite dance rock sons are back with at Ottobar, hosting the show and bringing their friends. The Milestones are blessing the gig with their oh-so infectious rock and roll, replete with saucy guitar riffs and gravelly vocals spilling out from the stage. Playing the night (in reverse order) will be friends of the band Luna June – a catchy melodic rock quintet from Towson, The (aforementioned) Milestones, The Fun Boys – an extremely energetic experimental garage band out of Frederick, Copper Marmalade – an experimental pop singer-songwriter hailing from Baltimore, and the openers will be Stevie Matthews’ Analog Kids – a Batlimore-based trio that plays barebones, cut-and-dried rock music.

 The night’s going to be one to remember and one not worth missing, so catch this stellar lineup of Maryland’s finest rock music at Ottobar, 8pm, 4/1. $10 advance, $12 at the door. -Jonathan Goodwin

Baltimore indie-folk veteran Andrew Spencer Goldman is back with a soulfully meditative E.P, A Secret Spell.   Known previously for his work under the name Fulton Lights, Goldman provides the perfect soundtrack to 2 AM summer porch chats and nighttime drives through the burbs as he pontificates on the meaning of music and life itself.

Here is Andrew Spencer Goldman with a song from his new EP, A Secret Spell.

 

-Written by Michael Dranove

Tomorrow is a don’t miss show! Anyone who can make it, please go see February’s Emerging Artist of the Month Bad Moves tomorrow night at Comet Ping Pong with folk punk veterans Nana Grizol. For anyone who has not listened to Bad Moves yet, this group is a major reason why DC is still known for its punk music. Simply put, the group is straight fire, maybe destined for greatness.

Catch Bad Moves with Nana Grizol (GA), David Dondero (VA), and Bacchae (DC) tomorrow night, March 26th, at Comet Ping Pong.

-Written by Michael Dranove

The first thing that pops out in DC rapper Airøspace‘s music are the vocals; the listener knows exactly what the rapper is saying at all times.  With this in mind, Airøspace tries to lyrically ramp up the intensity with each verse, his rising voice reaching towards a climax that doesn’t always arrive. Lines like, "bloody sickle like a sinkhole in my chest i feel a little take my soul up out my ribs inject my thoughts into the fickle" set to the gloomy minor backing tracks gives the music a real Marshall Mathers sound.

In less skilled hands, songs like these could easily come across as overly maudlin. However, rather than being trite, Airøspace’s tracks come across as wholly original, and some of the verses are really stunning.

Great production values makes this album a must listen.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Party music that you can enjoy with a pair of headphones, Baltimore, MD based SOOHAN‘s fourth full length album is a joyride. A virtuoso sampler, SOOHAN draws on Jewish folk music and Indian pop songs to craft infectiously melodic, trap heavy grooves. Every track on this album is a real treat: well crafted, smooth as butter, and an invitation to dance like a deranged banshee.

Check out SOOHAN at Rock & Roll Hotel April 22nd.

-Written by Michael Dranove

It’s never been quite clear if future funk is supposed to be an ironic criticism of capitalism in the 21st century, or serious straight ahead funk made in someone’s bedroom. Certainly, future funk legends like Saint Pepsi originally intended their music to build upon the social and economic criticisms so central to vaporwave music. However, there has always been an element of unironic enjoyment in the music, something which the most recent crop of future funkers seem to be focusing on.

Perhaps to highlight exactly what the appeal of future funk is, future funk artist Cero Rio, published through the Baltimore future funk collective Sunrise Collective, has titled their latest release "Towards the Future". The sparkling clean songs on this album embrace the sound of artificiality as the sound of the future, something exciting and fresh.  That takes care of the future, but what about the funk?  Groovy basslines and snippy horn melodies make sure to fully deliver on the promise of "future funk".

My recommendation, if you want to hear something new, give it a listen.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Kensington, MD is definitely not known for hip-hop, and yet, in a city defined by office buildings and a quaint, elderly feel, rapper Seez Mics has been slowly honing his craft for more than twenty years. The result of his steady musical output is his latest release, WITH, and it is pretty sweet. WITH two other rappers featured on every song (hence the title of the album), and the help of producer Scott Kuzner, Nicholas Policy (Seez Mics) and Co. have brought some serious poetic flow to this albm. On top of the pleasing beats and rhythm, clever rhymes and personal touches give this album a real sense of honesty.

Here’s "Won’t You" from Steez’s new album WITH.

-Written by Michael Dranove

The first song on Venn‘s self-titled EP, "Surreal", starts out on solid ground, but before you know it the dreampop kicks in and this EP never comes down again.  The textures of the album, to put it simply, are pretty.  The sounds of shoegaze, dreampop, and indie psychedelia blend nicely.  Specifically, the vocals sound almost like what might happen if Morrisey did shoegaze, insolent but cool as heck and full of passion.

All in all a great first original release from these DC youngsters.       

-Written by Michael Dranove       

Babe City Records artists Den-Mate have been turning some heads with their dark and disdainful electro-punk sound. Headed by singer-songwriter Jules Hale, the band has seen success following the release of their self-titled debut album last year. Heavy with a sense of foreboding, Den-Mate’s music is at once catchy and ominous, full of traditional post-punk tropes and the dystopian sounds of Crystal Castles like beats and distortion. With very modern and skillfully constructed songs, Den-Mate is a DC band to look out for.

Catch Den-Mate this Saturday, March 4th at the Black Cat.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Fresh beats and an unusual cutting edge flow define the appeal of politically inclined Gaithersburg native Ace Cosgrove. Drawing from the beats and flow of both trap and chillhop, Cosgrove’s versatility shines through on songs like “Making Moves” and “Righteous Views”. In turn lyrically boastful and politically charged, the most consistent thing about Cosgrove’s music is the quality of the tracks.

After a tour in New Zealand, Cosgrove will take the stage at Tropicalia March 3rd to headline DC’s Sounds of the City Festival.

-Written by Michael Dranove