Movers & Shakers, Boston’s prodigies of all good-things Americana, performed a tight nine song set at the Middle East Downstairs on Thursday, March 25th. Movers & Shakers’ music encapsulates some of the best elements of Americana: A fusion of rock, country and blues that form a fluid, sometimes gritty, simultaneously mournful and uplifting sound that hits as comforting and familiar even when it’s brand new. Their vocals are strong, at times melancholy and always imbued with a playful twinge of country twang that lends itself to both rambling rock songs and slower, mournful ballads. The balance of alt-rock lamentations and bluesy warbles blend harmoniously to bind the songs to each other, creating a cohesive overarching feel to the music that allows the group to shift focus to different styles ingrained in their work.

The instrumental work is strong: Rambling country-rock guitar sounds break into darker crescendos as effortlessly as they spin into freestyle breakdowns that showcase elements of bluegrass and jam bands. Drum work is tight, forceful without being overpowering, a solid and deep rhythm while the use of symbols adds a layer of metallic dissonance that comes across as being a necessary punctuation to the music. These musical layers inter-weave to create songs that ring as comforting, enjoyably familiar and accessible without being a rehashing of previous styles.

Movers & Shakers have carved their name through their catchy Americana offerings, energizing songs that draw equally from rock and country, bluegrass and rambling jams that all sounds fresh without sacrificing the portmanteau essence of the genre. Indeed, stepping into their music is a homecoming of sorts, a return to the classics ingrained in our musical consciousness that simultaneously challenges the audience to experience those classics in new ways. Movers & Shakers consistently re-examine the roots of American music to create glittering songs that blend dynamic vocals, talented guitars and solid rhythms to create the unique sense that their music is not something heard but something remembered.

–Meghan Guidry

I just want to take a moment and thank one of our writers for her time. Nicole Soriano will be moving to the great city of Austin, Texas tomorrow. The great thing about Nicole is that she truly loves the Boston and Cambridge music scenes. She is a devoted fan of many wonderful bands and musicians and got the word out about shows. She attended probably more live shows than you have. It is sadly rare to know a fan who cares so much about music that they spend their days soaked in it and cultivating it. We are losing a trooper, one of our best. Not just on the Deli, but in Cambridge and Boston. We all need to go see live music more often to make up for the lack of her presence.

Come back soon, Nicole. Miss you already. And thank you.

You can take the Nicole out of Camberville, but you can’t take the Camberville out of Nicole.

–The Deli Staff

Freezepop will be performing a rare all ages show at Café 939 on Boylston Street in Boston this Saturday at 4:00. Even if you don’t immediately recognize the name, if you’ve been around any media in the last decade, chances are you’ve heard Freezepop. This Boston based electro-pop group has featured their music in television series (MTV’s The Hills and PBS’s Arthur, to name a few) and have contributed music to video games such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. The band has slowly been making their mark in the US and Europe through songs like “Frontload,” and “Less Talk More Rokk,” which took the #4 spot in iTunes top dance/electronica songs of 2007. Freezepop made their musical mark by blending pop song structures with electronica to create a sublimely dance-able sound that resonates with hipsters and rock aficionados as much as it does with dance crowd. Vintage DJ/VJ gear, phenomenal stage presence and Freezepop’s infectious electro-pop songs ensure this show is not to be missed.

–Meghan Guidry

When Neon Indian bailed on Boston’s Together Fest, PPALMM got bumped onto an already fantastic Great Scott’s bill with the likes of Das Racist and locals Southern Belle, Mystery Roar, and DJ Die Young. PPALMM, aka Paul J. Morse, serves up danceable, droney Blade Runner beats in sets that are each, “…meant to be presented as new aural textures, distinctly different from the last,” according to their myspace page. His latest release Cal-Aesthetics will be debuted (on tape) alongside a stellar lineup including Cate Le Bon, the Ruby Suns and your favorite R&B/disco chillwaver Toro Y Moi. Find out what’s new with PPALMM at the Middle East Upstairs this Saturday the 27th.

–Mike Gutierrez

Christoph Krey is the mastermind behind the Boston indie-rock sensation McAlister Drive. Recently they rocked SXSW and are preparing to release a new EP on April 1st. On Thursday they are saying good-bye to three members of the band with a farewell show at the Lizard Lounge on Thursday the 25th. Tickets are only 5 dollars. ‘

Deli: You’ve worked a lot with Mark Kaye of Hear Now Live, what do you think about what he has been doing [for the Boston music scene]?

Christoph Krey: He’s a really good guy. He’s really got a unique, strong vision with Hear Now Live. I think what he is trying to do is bring the best bands he can find, bring them to a smaller venue and make them discovered through his resources. He’s also the type of person who knows a lot of people and you wouldn’t think so. So he [has the means] to support a band on any level. He’s seen us and helped us on many levels.

Read the full interview HERE

–Interview by Meghan Chiampa

Jakob Battick & Friends won last month’s Deli band of the month, and for very good reaon. The young artist along with his rotating cast of musicians are sonically pushing things in their hometown of Portland in the most delicately poweful way possible. Jakob mixes folk and atmospheric elements in the style of Current 93, but brings a unique and more diverse edge to the stage that carves their sound out to stand wholly on it’s own.

Jakob is releasing a new EP at the end of the month, Heavy the Mountains, Heavy the Seas, and has even bigger things planned for the outfit.

The Deli: How and when did you get your start and what does the "Friends" in your name refer to?
Jakob Battick: I started playing music at the same time that I started recording. I would craft these song cycles of loner folk on an old four-track tape machine, like soundtracks for little strange cartoon worlds, and give them to my friends. I remember banging on dollar store cutlery in my garage to make drum tracks. From there, I passed through loud fuzzed-out noise rock things to slow and wilted dreamfolk things. I formed bands, 1800s Sea Monster & Swollen Spring Violets & Mt. Moon. Somewhere along the line I decided to use my own name, but added "& Friends" to pay honor to the loose…

Read the whole interview Here.

–Interview by Will Ryan

A little rock, a little roots, Boston’s Movers & Shakers will be performing at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, Mass this Thursday, March 25th and along with the Box Elders and the Black Lips. The will be playing Radio Bean on the 26th. The Movers & Shakers are a superb Americana group. Their music combines rock and country inspired vocals with bluesy instrumentals, harnessing a sound that’s clean and defined without sounding forced. There’s an ease to the music that allows the audience to slip into bittersweet rock-inspired tracks like “Bottom of the Ocean” as easily as the twang-tinged “Boom Splat.” Be sure to check out their Mid East Down show this Thursday and their upcoming residency at the Plough and Stars this May.

–Meghan Guidry

It is always interesting to see a band slip away from their norm and enter the world of another music genre. It takes guts and talent and tonight 28 Degrees Taurus hits the Plough and Stars in Cambridge with their rarely-been-heard-before country set. Armed with a pedal steel, twelve string and sans drummer, the regularly psychedelic/shoegaze 28 Degrees is prepared to play some unplugged country rock. After 2 1/2 years of writing, recording and mixing there’s one record due out in June and another one in the Fall sometime.  The record due in June is more upbeat, pop-oriented and catchy and the Fall one will be alot darker and more psychedelic/ambient. The show is FREE so you have no excuse. It starts at 10 and Paul Sentz (formerly of This Car Up) is playing the middle set. 

Plough and Stars 912 Mass Ave Cambridge

–The Deli Staff

Jenee Halstead, a country-folk singer-songwriter out of Boston is planning a European and US tour to promote her new EP Hollow Bones. The only catch is she needs fans to pledge 2500 dollars in 30 days toward funding the tours. She is playing in the Deli showcase this Friday at the Armory (see above) so obviously we like her. Check out her cute video on her website to see how you can help this lovely young artist get her music across the pond and across the conutry. You can make your pledge and watch the video here.

–The Deli Staff

Deli New England is proud to announce a showcase for the ages. On Friday March 19th at the Armory Cafe, Dan Blakeslee, Brendan Hogan and Jenee Halstead come together to offer a sample of some of Boston’s best folk. Blakeslee, a self-described "Artist Musician Type", designs the flyers for each show he plays (see above). He carries the non-nonsense attitude of Johnny Cash, while holding a soft Dylan-esque spirit. Hogan just celebrated the release of his first album, Long Night Coming in January which was well-received. You can read the interview we did with him HERE. Halstead teeters on the rural side of the folk spectrum. Like her influences, Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin, her songs are wise and saccharine with audible roots in the past. We are very excited to present these fine, fine musicians. Dan will be selling his art at the show as well. The Armory is a short walk from Davis Sq T stop on the Red line or Union Sq. There is free parking in the back of the building. It is a large white castle-type building. Can’t miss it, just like you can’t miss this show! 

BUY TICKETS HERE

Friday, March 19th – 7:30pm – Arts at the Armory Cafe – 191 Highland Ave. Somerville, MA – 7$ – All ages

–The Deli Staff

Joy Kills Sorrow  is not an average of folk/Americana string-band. The band is known for genuinely incorporating swing-and-sway jazz rhythms with high-energy roots styles associated with American folk. The talent that makes up Joy Kills Sorrow ranges from the smokey voice of lead-vocalist Emma Beaton to the intense mandolin styling of Jacob Jolliff. A fantastic and fresh sound stemming from old school American sounds.They recently released Darkness Sure Becomes This City in February. Joy Kills Sorrow will be at  Club Passim this Saturday at 8pm. You can purchase tickets HERE.

–The Deli Staff

Couple of Burlington’s better folky/rocky left-fielders will be showing up at the big stage at Higher Ground in South Burlington tonight. Paper Castles was nominated for The Deli New England’s best artist last year and Buzz Jar has been kicking their twangy jams all over the place recently. A weekday show definately worth checking out.

—The Deli Staff