Portland

PREMIERE: The Late Great – “Shape of the Sea”

Posted on:

Expressing snarky banter and melancholy through fitting songwriting and equally expressive guitar work, The Late Great convey both innocence and feminist tones with their dark pop execution, as seen on their debut album Easy. 

The sincerity of the lyrics from "Shape of the Sea" are a good example of this, where songwriter and The Late Great leader Sarah Lane imparts strength and power by saying "I’ll take on the shape of the sea/Lord go on & lay it down on me/I am your pride, I’m your enemy/So go on and take what you want from me." Women do take on a lot in the world and Lane welcomes that weight without fear – a message that’s both relatable and empowering. 

Easy will be digitally released on August 17, with a release show happening on August 20 at the Turn! Turn! Turn! with Mike Coykendall and Hollow Sidewalks. Dive into the "Shape of the Sea" below.

Philadelphia

Dash Through the Twilight Streets w/Birthday Boy at KFN Aug. 14

Posted on:

The three-piece of Birthday Boy immediately rushes forward as the emotive pop-punk sound generated is unified, dashing through the twilight streets. The murky undertow of bass prowls, while percussion triggers anxious anticipation and the guitar picks points to jump ahead; meanwhile, first person observations paint the ever-moving exterior. Tonight, the sonic canvas can be found at Kung Fu Necktie, where they’ll be joined by the sparse yet revealing slowcore of Glenn Matthews and episodic folk of Spot Collins with its endearing descriptive lyricism. The rousing pop-punk energy of New York’s Dizzy Bats applies the finishing touches. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $6, 21+ (Photo by Andrew Tomasino) – Michael Colavita

Portland

Saturday Night Sounds: Blowout – “1 I Want”

Posted on:

Blowout left for tour last week, just before their highly praised No Beer, No Dad came out on the 5th. We won’t be seeing them back home until near mid-September, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them tonight.

With a showering of the Perseids leading us into the weekend, all the gazing up into the stars has left us feeling a bit romantic. Blowout’s "1 I Want" is a simple, sad song about a love lost. The lyrical repetition of "The one I wanted is the one you took from me" really acts to drive home the loneliness, especially when sang through vocalist/bassist Laken Wright’s tender voice.

"1 I Want" packs both a powerful punch and the delicacy needed for a soft emo heart on this Saturday night.

Portland

Come Together for the Sweet, Simple Things

Posted on:

Just in case you didn’t get to make it out to HOMIEFEST 3 Friday and Saturday, you’ve got second chance to catch the Domestics and yet another Papi Fimbres affiliate, the established groove pop group Minden, play on Sunday at the next Rontoms’ Sunday Session.

Sweet, Simple Things, the anticipated followup to last year’s Saint, dropped on August 5 and continues to show Minden as the indie pop group that’s got a bit of soul. This week’s Sunday Session is a celebration of the album’s release, and they’ll be joined by the Domestics and Reptaliens (just days before they head out on tour) for the party.

As always, the Sunday Session is free, 21+ and starts at 8pm. Stop by Rontoms tomorrow and enjoy the last fun thing happening this weekend.

NYC

Bishop Briggs releases electropop single “Pray (Empty Gun)”

Posted on:

Following her appearance at Ontario’s WAYHOME festival, Bishop Briggs (fka BISHOP) releases her new single "Pray (Empty Gun)" to much blog fanfare. The net-banger pits In Return-era  Odeszian synths strained through recuperated trap beats, courtesy of producer duo MJ&iRoK, with the cosmopolitan voice of LA-transplant Briggs.

Bishop Briggs plays her next show with Coldplay at the Rose Bowl on 8/20. Listen to Pray (Empty Gun) below. – Photo by Chad Kamenshine

 

Philadelphia

MilkBoy 5th Anniversary w/Ceramic Animal at MilkBoy Aug.13

Posted on:

Whether it’s a gradual climb, turbulent, enriching, guitar boosters, or a backend thrust that tempers those confident gravitational vocals, Ceramic Animal catches ones ear with their psych-pop semblance. That casual air lures, and then invigorates, tapping into astral grooves that sharply tunnel at warp speed as the instruments push toward their limits. It’s loose with the capacity to quickly flip the switch and push the afterburners. Tonight, as the band participates in the final night of the 5-year celebration for Milkboy, they’ll be joined by soulful blues inferno of Foxtrot & the Get Down and the energetic contemporary southern rock of The Weeks. Milkboy, 1100 Chestnut St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita

NYC

NYC surf-pop band YJY is “Through Being Hip”

Posted on:

"Through Being Hip," the latest single to drop from fuzzy surf-pop band YJY, is an upbeat anthem set against the millenial malaise. The song explores the murky territory of navigating trends while still trying to figure out a person’s own individuality–a crossroads many twenty-somethings face. The ironic lyrics are supported by catchy instrumentals with surf rock drumbeats, that have the potential to become our next earworm. Look out for a full album dropping soon, but in the meantime, check out the latest single below. – Olivia Sisinni

San Francisco

The Gentle Cycle Releases New Single – Follow Light

Posted on:

The San Francisco based psych revivalist band, The Gentle Cycle has released a new single entitled, Follow Light.

With a painstaking attention to detail, these songs were filtered through a cool grip of vintage guitars and components, like an antique Echoplex tape delay and a funky old spring reverb unit. They even recorded on a 1970s Tascam 388 analog reel-to-reel, replete with a deadstock spool of old quarter-inch tape. But Derek’s melodic musings come from an abstract foundation that’s more modern and forward thinking than most musicians beholden to period-correct tones. Listen to The Gentle Cycle and you’ll hear a band that somehow balances universal emotions with astral, atmospheric sonic architecture.

 

L.A.

Springtime Carnivore announce new album Midnight Room, tours the US

Posted on:

Springtime Carnivore, the nom de plume of singer-songwriter Greta Morgan, was going through some significant changes after the release of her self-titled debut. A number of unfortunate life events, from a devastating breakup to becoming a first time solo-dweller, turned Morgan’s world upside down, except that she took from those learned experiences to fuel her spirit and settle her mind as well. This self-actualization can be heard on her latest single "Face in the Moon", off of her upcoming follow-up Midnight Room, a bouncy, finger-snapping number that highlights Morgan’s sweet and tender croon as she confronts the loneliness that overtakes her. In spite of this, the effervescent mood of the track symbolizes a rejuvenating place of sweetness and light.

Morgan recently anounced a fall tour supporting friend and collaborator Katy Goodman (of La Sera). The tour will kick off on October 7 at Pomona, and will continue across the US before wrapping it up with a hometown gig at Bootleg Theter on November 5. Midnight Room comes out on October 7 on Autumn Tone Records. – Juan Rodríguez

NYC

Soft Fangs brings his intimate bedroom pop to Cake Shop on 8.13

Posted on:

Soft Fangs is the lof-fi bedroom pop recording project of singer-songwriter John Lutkevich. His debut album The Light was recorded in the attic of his childhood home, to be then released in March via Exploding in Sound Records and Disposable America. Its lo-fi quality and melancholic vocals breed a warm and intimate atmosphere born from Lutkevich’s desire to alleviate life’s struggles. Evoking the vulnerability of Elliott Smith and atmospheric sonic inclination, Lutkevich wears his heart on his sleeve when talking about growing older, being unable to find a job, and waiting around for someone to love you back. His vocal delivery is desolate, and sometimes borders on a whimpering tone, however, when paired with the tender guitars and lush instrumentation, his songs can provide a cathartic release. Soft Fangs will be playing at the Cake Shop on August 13th and the Throne in Brooklyn on August 19th! – John Honan

NYC

NYC Record of the Month: Sleepies – ‘Natural Selection’ LP

Posted on:

After four years, Sleepies are back with a new full length entitled Natural Selection, released on July 16th via Mirror Universe Tapes. The record marks a definite shift for the band towards late ’60s British psych. The opening two songs ‘Chips Left‘ and ‘Genetic Cousins’ (streaming) toy with melodies reminiscent of unforgotten madman Syd Barrett, but fill up the sonic spectrum with a tense and fuzzy blend of garagey distorted guitars. Following song “All Over The Years” follows recycles Parquet Courts’ "Nu-Post-Punk" sound (a recurring influence), although the spacey chord changes never fail to remind us the psych nature of this work. Delirious power-track Sky Chase is filled with urgency and intriguing vocal arrangements, while pushing the saturation of their garagey sound to eleven. Throughout the album, the guitars always lay the groundwork with threatening tones and riffs, but this tension is constantly resolved through memorable choruses and vocal melodies – for a satisfying listening esperience. – John Honan

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, Aug. 12 – 14

Posted on:
The lovely lo-fi bedroom rockers of Cherry, a.k.a. Russell Edling, will be filling the airy spaces of Everybody Hits tonight. His sound is placidly expressive and sweeps through introspective, somewhat dispirited soundscapes on a strikingly even keel. You can also witness Philadelphia’s favorite weirdo rockers Mumblr, back in action for another zestful, dizzyingly energetic performance. The band has made a name for itself in sweaty, dingy basements across the city with its anthemic pop-punk flair and intense live performances. Sporting a fresh catalogue of newly released material, now is a great time to see the band strut its stuff and turn up a little. Chicago’s Yeesh will be rolling through town with their aggressively mystifying post-punk a la Wipers or early Wire. Everybody Hits, 529 W. Girard Ave., 8:30pm, $5-$7, All Ages – Bryce Woodcock

 
More places to rock this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Illinois, Aphra
 
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) Infinity Tree
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Janelle/Husky Bundles, Chad Avery, SAT Acolytes, SUN Birthday Boy, Glenn Matthews
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI LoveKilledKurt, SAT Voss, Tiani, I-Know Brasco, 3T3N, Chris Vance, SUN EBGIII
 
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Steal Your Face, Cultureal, SAT Bij Lincs, Kat C.H.R., SUN 46 Sherman, Sugar Rush Rocks, Nijah Dupree, Jared Landau
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) AP The Plan, Stevie Rogers w/ Henry Stuart, Astro 8000
 
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Sinstock 4:Big Stall, Strength in Numbers, Rawq Savy,We Are One, The Aberdeâns, Jesus’ Older Brother
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Downstairs) Christie Lenée/(Upstairs) Dukes of Destiny
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Judah Priest, YxvnGoon, Mercy Gang, Madd Squablz, SAT Joie Kathos, The Ill Fated Natives, Chalk & The Beige Americans, Attic Tapes
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Nik Greeley & The Operators, Hardwork Movement, SAT Ceramic Animal, Foxtrot & The Get Down
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) FRI Levee Drivers, William H. Travis, SAT The Danger O’s (Record Release), The New Connection
 
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Lee Mayjahs, DJ Everyday, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Rich Medina, Francisco Collazo
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Dave Steel Blues Band
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT Heart Harbor
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Dan Kassel, Red Cedar Strings, Zap Goes Pop!, Radio Eris
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI LE Yikes Surf Club, The Burgeoning
 
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Mr. Sonny James
 
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI York Street Hustle
 
Festival Pier (601 N. Christopher Columbus Ave.) SAT Mad Decent Block Party: Diplo, Dirty South Joe, Swizzymack
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Mikey Potatos, Dorkosaurus, SAT Tektonic, GR Stone, Hambone Relay, Psychoskunk
 
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SUN Beats Walkin’
 
The Pharmacy 1300/02 S. 18th St.) SAT Church Girls, Secret Nudist Friends
 
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Space Pizza, Wyldflowers
 
Little Italy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Tombo Crush
 
The Storefront (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Cabbage