Krust Toons: "Plug What In?" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
Chicago
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Commonweather
Commonweather has released a new EP, Apparitions, with a ominous theme and tone.
You can catch Commonweather at Beat Kitchen on July 17th with California’s Seahaven.
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Camp Candle
After originally backing another artist in 2012, Camp Candle, the psych-pop combination of Nu-Ra and Hetepsa, knew that they would "need to make music together! As a duo!" Drawing inspiration from all that surrounds them, with specific nods to Michael Jackson and the music genres of shoegaze, dream pop, post-punk and new wave, the band is steadily finding its voice and sculpting its own sound one single at a time. Hopefully, someday, Nu-Ra’s plan to perform in every major venue in Philly will come true, and before that happens, you can get the inside scoop about Camp Candle, our most recent Deli Philly Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner HERE.
NYC
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Tangina Stone plays Joe’s Pub on 05.24 + announces ‘Elevate’ LP
While the term “singer/songwriter” may connote such masters as Sufjan Stevens, Brooklyn-via-Ohio’s Tangina Stone radiates the troubadour spirit in her girl-group poetry. Favorite quip: “Your love so bright you’re giving me a suntan.” Her EP The Fall highlights both the singer’s colloquial talent as well as her pipes, while her latest remix of single ‘Don’t’ (video streaming below) interestingly steers towards soulful, electronic hip hop. The Brooklyn-based singer will play for the first time music from her new album "Elevate" coming this summer on Monster/Empire. – Brian Chidester
NYC
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Dead Waves release sophomore record “Living Inside” on May 26 at Shea Stadium
Queens, NY-based trio Dead Waves are set to release their post-psych-noise sophomore record “Living Inside” on May 27. If you are a fan of wild, loose, jammy drumming, distant guitar drone and angst-filled screaming vocals, you’ve found your band here. Calling their music "transcendental post-punk," the direct lineage to early works of Sonic Youth, John Zorn, and Swans are readily detected. Having Martin Bisi produce (who worked with those three artists) solidifies that connection. Some of the albums six tracks introduce a heavier guitar sound in places, while quieter moments evoke the vocal style of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. There are also moments where spoken word segments are introduced a la’ Jim Morrison or Henry Rollins. The band will play Shea Stadium on May 26 along with PC Worship, Martin Bisi, Parlor Walls, Prima, and Ritual Humor. – Dave Cromwell
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Three Leg Dog” – Mumblr
Mumblr recently shared a new single, "Three Leg Dog," off their forthcoming record The Never Ending Get Down. The tune is also accompanied by a music video that was directed by the band’s bassist Sean Reilly. The album is due out on June 10 via Fleeting Youth Records, and the group will be hosting a release party the following evening, Saturday, June 11 at PhilaMOCA with Mannequin Pussy and Amanda X.
Portland
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Catch Roselit Bone while you can!
Just in case you haven’t heard, country music is alive and well in Portland. We’re not talking about that American Idol mess your mother probably listens to. We’re talking the dusty steel, brooding Americana that keeps the genre a contender for space on your playlist.
Both Roselit Bone and Jenny Don’t & the Spurs can turn even the most stubborn anti-country music fan into an appreciator of that twang. The two just release a split a couple weeks ago and while Jenny Don’t & the Spurs have already hit the road for tour, you’ve still got a couple chances to see Roselit Bone before they leave for theirs in August.
They’ve got a show coming up tomorrow at Bunk Bar with Abronia and Tucson’s Ohioan. You really can’t miss it, since that second chance won’t be coming up until right before they hit the dusty trails.
Philadelphia
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Lushlife Opening for Islands at JB’s May 22
Raj Haldar, a.k.a. Lushlife, weaves silky lyrical lines, incorporating a mindfulness into a texturally rich sound. A white-hot yet controlled fire burns in his delivery, etching a place within one’s head as you follow the thread. Riding the wave of releasing a pair of new albums, Should I Remain Here at Sea? and Taste earlier this month, Islands sweep you up, hitting on a wide subject-ranging and emotional spectrum. Wade into Johnny Brenda’s waters, and anchor down for an evening of musical depths. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $15, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Portland
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Saturday Night Sounds: Small Million – “Sleep Long”
Sleep is a cool mistress, forever beckoning you to disregard all plans and responsibilities with her seduction of comfort. The latest track from Small Million, titled "Sleep Long," premiered earlier this week on The Wild Honey Pie and is coming off their upcoming June 4th debut, the Before the Fall EP. Malachi Graham’s varied harmonies atop Ryan Linder’s cleanly produced instrumentation make it perfect for a Saturday night spent cuddled up in bed with you know who.
Their album release party will also be on June 4th at the Secret Society with Leo Islo and Mothertapes, but if you’re really itching for some of them you can preorder Before the Fall on their Bandcamp page for $5.
Philadelphia
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Beach Slang Return Home at Union Transfer May 20
Punk outfit Beach Slang has hit the shores of Philly’s DIY community with a vigorous punch. The group’s gritty anthems, with their tenacious tones, contain a rollicking, vibrant energy, even in the darkest of places. They refer to themselves as "weird and wild," and these distinctions are certainly recognized within their music and performances. The band has started working on its second full-length album, the follow-up to The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us. To close out the end of an extensive spring tour, Beach Slang will return home to Union Transfer tonight, where they’ll be joined by Potty Mouth, Dyke Drama, and Positive No. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 7:30pm, $15, All Ages – Gina Rullo
NYC
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Psych rockers Special Guest play Shea Stadium on 6.28
The sound of Queens natives Special Guest’s is a hard one to nail down – which is always a good sign. They blend together elements from indie rock, shoegazer, psychedelia, and post-punk to create a uniquely layered, complex musical style. Their self-titled debut album was released in the winter of 2015, and features 12 tracks, each one standing out in its own way. “Quatro” and “Bouncy” rely heavily on psychedelic flourishes and evolving synths, while “Trace” and “Ghost Rocket” feature a more straight indie rock sound. We are diggin’ in particular shoegaze/noise number ‘UNO’ (streaming below) and mathy instrumental "Five-Four." The band recently played a Sofar Sound show and will be performing next at Shea Stadium in support of Banned Books on June 28th.
NYC
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Hector’s Pets and Fletcher C. Johnson take Union Pool back to simpler times on 6/1
There’s nothing like some good ol’ nostalgia — even if most of us weren’t around for the music that largely inspires NYC area bands Fletcher C. Johnson and Hector’s Pets (pictured). the former takes cues from rock-pop bands of yesteryear, inundating listeners with prominent, simple guitars and airy vocals to match. Hector’s Pets, too, carry a vintage sound, albeit one that is faster and harsher. Quick guitar riffs, driving drums and hard lead vocals supplanted with cooing back ups will be sure to get feet tapping. See them both at Union Pool tomorrow night (05.21).