San Francisco

Chasms Gear Up to Release New Album: On The Legs Of Love Purified – 10/14

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Chasms is the San Francisco based project of Jess Labrador and Shannon Madden. The duo crafts percussive dirges that are at once beautiful and menacing. Labrador’s haunting vocals and hypnotizing guitar work wade between rhythmic bass lines and bursts of Madden’s stinging feedback, laid on a bed of pummeling drum programming. The band’s affinity for industrial rhythms, swelling textures, precise minimalism, and chaotic eruptions of noise sounds as equally informed by shoegaze as drone and doom metal—to choose just one would be a disservice.

On The Legs Of Love Purified is the band’s proper debut full-length album. Written over the course of several years, the album explores the healing force of love and the exorcism of pain that inescapably accompanies it. Light cannot exist without dark, bliss without suffering. …Love Purified conjures this atmosphere of duality as it drifts through an expanse of emotion.

NYC

Gus Dapperton releases new single + visual, plays Baby’s All Right on 9/15

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In his past efforts, Warwick’s Gus Dapperton has mostly paired his RnB vocals with standard instrumental arrangements, whether it be the guitar-driven "Moodna, One With Grace" or jazzy "These Foolish Things." Synths have been present on previous tracks, but usually only to provide textures or atmospheric effects. On his latest "Ditch" however, retro ’80s synths, the kind you might find on a SNES game, are the driving force of the track. Providing a nice touch of nostalgia, the synths are woozy, cerebral but ultimately rendered stable by GD’s smooth vocals and a nice snare beat. It’s great to see Gus change up his sound, and in a way that’s imaginative and effective. You can check out his new vid below, and catch him at Baby’s All Right on 9/15. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber 

NYC

Save Ends play the Middle East on 8.30

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Save Ends have been playing their energetic brand of pop punk and emo since 2010, and earlier this year the band signed with Black Numbers to release their latest EP Hug Your Friends. The album takes a more melodic approach to their songwriting than their previous efforts, while guitarist Christine Atturio and keyboardist Brendan Cahill maintain their dual vocal style reminiscent of The Anniversary. While the tracks are not as rowdy as their earlier work, they maintain an upbeat and poppy sound. Check them out live at the Middle East in support of The Ataris on August 30th! – John Honan

Philadelphia

New Fossil Jane EP Available for Streaming & Download

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Pittsburgh transplant Olivia Price, a.k.a. Fossil Jane, has released a new EP Will You?/You Will. As the door to these bedroom-folk songs opens, one notices the sparse solemn beauty. It feels bare, but then the reawakening of synth and vocal harmony emerge, providing a momentous illumination. (Photo by Brian Walker)

NYC

The YeahTones unveil single for ‘What Could I Do’ + play Brooklyn Bowl on 09.12

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NYC’s quartet The YeahTones are here to remind us that Blues Rock can still be the coolest (old) kid on the block, if only flawlessly executed and – at once – approached with the creative edge it too often lacks. Listening to ‘What Could I Do’ – whose perfectly gritty video is streaming below – we couldn’t help but being reminded how The Beatles, in tracks like Come Together, I Want You and Helter Skelter, were able to make that genre sound entirely fresh again. With this single, The YeahTones’ accomplish that same goal through subtle variations to the original 12 bar Blues "script," and an arrangement that delivers unexpected turns without lacking in the power department. The guys must be seen live for full approeciation – their next show is at Brooklyn Bowl on September 12th.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Dirge” – Eric Slick

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As the final days of summer creep upon us, Eric Slick has revealed another impressive new single from his upcoming solo effort, Palisades. "Dirge" comfortably meanders along as its protagonist languidly attempts to shed the thoughts and memories of his past relationship(s). Feel free to play it over and over again, at home, alone in your room, or just send it to someone that you once loved!

Philadelphia

Ursula Opening for Laser Background at BMA Aug. 28

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Experimental noise-punk outfit Ursula is just the type of weird that Philly enjoys nurturing. The dizzying guitarwork stands at the forefront, firing at you with unapologetic defiance. The Boston transplants bring a refreshing air of unpredictability – never afraid to test the boundaries with each sonic excursion. Ursula will be opening for Laser Background, the psych-pop project from the mind of Andy Molholt, this evening at DIY space BMA. They’ll also be playing host to Vermont’s Grape Room and Cali’s Banny Grove. BMA, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 8pm, $7, All Ages – Alexis V.

Philadelphia

American Trappist Opening for Oldermost at JB’s Aug. 27

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A commanding presence draws one towards the songs of American Trappist, the new project from Joe Michelini (formerly of River City Extension). After releasing three EPs in succession, compromising the totality of his self-titled debut album, which will be available on September 2 via Death Salon, American Trappist places spellbinding lyricism at the forefront. While the context shifts from the ghostly mysterious to a heartfelt, emotional spectrum, it’s equally captivating in sincerity, shrouded in Americana. The gripping, soulful folk of Candice Martello, a.k.a. Hemming, opens the evening. She’ll be performing solo, which may give her the freedom to unleash some new material. Oldermost closes out the bill, providing a sense of calm. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita

American Trappist – Nothing Short of Faithful from Brian L. Tice Jr.

Portland

Project Pabst and MFNW’s Fusion Sells Out Tickets

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Last year, news broke that MusicfestNW was somewhat merging, somewhat absorbing one of the newest fest’s to hit the PNW, Project Pabst. With skepticism concert goers awaited for the new superfest to announce its lineup and now that the fest is here, they’re proving a fruitful merger by selling out their weekend pass tickets and individual tickets for Sunday. 

Headlining Project Pabst will be Ice Cube and Duran Duran on Saturday and Ween and Tame Impala on Sunday, so of course it makes sense why Sunday’s bill is sold out. Since the reuniting of Ween last year, their sporadic playing of shows has fans devouring tickets like crazy. 

Festivities for PP technically started last night with a comedy show at Dante’s featuring Toddy Barry, Bryan Cook and Joann Schinderle, and with hip hop mainstays Digable Planets and Camp Lo at the Crystal Ballroom.

Local, more underground artists seem to be dominating the Project Pabst night shows (with the exception of Kyle Craft, who is blowing up and will be opening up the weekend fest tomorrow at 1 p.m.!), with Y La Bamba, Orquestra Pacifico Tropical, Haley Heynderickx, Candace and Talkative all playing tonight. Zirakzigil, Muscle and Marrow, And And And, Souvenir Driver, Rilla, Grand Lake Islands, and Summer Cannibals all play tomorrow night, with Last Artful, Dodgr and My Body opening up for Shy Girls Sunday.

Make note of the fact that Project Pabst’s weekend day shows are no longer at their usual Zidell Yards, but are now held at MusicfestNW’s location of the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Tickets to the weekend shows (minus individual ones for Saturday) are sold out, but ticket purchase for PP night shows are still available.

To find the Project Pabst schedule, purchase Saturday tickets and to find out just where and when the Project Pabst night shows are, visit the festival’s website.