Sometimes that ‘play’ button is nothing short than a time machine, and as far as Brooklyn four piece Savants are concerned, one that invariably takes you back to the late ’60s. With a heavier focus on organ riffs and keys as opposed to the guitar-centric psych rock that’s surfaced recently, it’s not difficult to draw comparisons to classic psych bands like The Doors. No song is clearer proof of this than “Death Rattle & Roll” (streaming below), which opens with pithy ‘legato’ Hammond chords a la’ Ray Manzarek and is followed closely by echoing electric guitars. The vocals, which sound washed out and muted, interlace between all the instruments with an appropriate lo-fi, bluesy feel. You can catch Savants live at Alphaville on May 12, or at Baby’s All Right on May 26th.
Portland
Posted on:
Mattress is back with a new track, “Fuck the Future”
Mattress‘ low, loungey tones have been a favorite around town since he started a few years ago. Mixing the Vegas appeal of Tom Jones in a nightclub with the sensually deep vocality of Nick Cave and a bit of Jamie Stewart’s eccentricity, Rex Marshall has filled a niche we didn’t even know was empty.
Yesterday, he released a new, somewhat nihilistic track called "Fuck the Future." It’s sentimentally exactly how it sounds – a catchy diddy that’s more about living in the moment than worry about all the crap that’s coming later.
His track release show is tomorrow at the Liquor Store with Roselit Bone and Jenny Don’t & the Spurs (who are also releasing a split that night!), and his new album (recorded in Isaac Brock’s studio) is due out this summer on Brock’s label, Glacial Pace Recordings.
Listen to the track below and be sure to get to the Liquor Store on time since Mattress opens up the night’s bill.
NYC
Posted on:
NYC rapper ELUCID releases political LP ‘Save Yourself’
“You want it all, but it can’t save you,” explains Brooklyn rapper Elucid regarding the title of his new release ‘Save Yourself.’ A prominent member of the eminent Backwoodz Studioz label, Elucid’s polemic vocals complement his Sonic Youth cum Trent Reznor noise collage beats. The album is transformative. It’s a meditation on life, inequality, love, and racial disparity. As more and more of our heroes disappear and disappoint, his advice is well heeded. – BrokeMC
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Stream “Collective Sigh” The Debut LP From Pinkwash
The highly anticipated release of Collective Sigh, the debut album from the duo of Ashley Arnwine and Joey Doubek aka Pinkwash officially ends this Friday May 13 when it’s released via Don Giovanni Records. Unloading the frustration and anger associated with grieving, the tandem hits the ground running dealing out heavy driving rhythms, which propel the hair-raising primal tear of the vocals. Catch the band’s record release Friday at Lava Space, which also includes SWARM, Andromeda Sky, and King Azaz.
Toronto
Posted on:
CASPER SKULLS – NOW ON BUZZ RECORDS!
Last month Casper Skulls joined Buzz Records. To celebrate they released a brand new track "Mink Coats". This in your face rock tune has a more gentle beginning before unleashing it’s fury on your ears. The guitars pierce as you get caught in a trance and before you know it your head is bopping to the thumping drums and the words are speaking directly at you. It’s quite the ride. Be on the look out for more Casper Skulls tunes from Buzz Records. They will be live at the Garrison on May 13th. – Kris Gies
Toronto
Posted on:
WOMB – LOTUS TWIST
Toronto rock trio Womb are getting ready to release their latest album "Situation Normal, All Fucked Up" this spring and they have done us the pleasure of unleashing a new track! "Lotus Twist" has some interesting parts going on. It has almost a circus feel to it with thumping drums and mesmerizing guitar parts. They always find ways to add a swingy-jazz element to their grunge rock sound. Singer/guitarist Ragwax might give you the creeps with his dragging vocals throughout this track. The Lotus Twist will make your head twist as Womb leads you down the path to the unknown world that Womb came from. Actually I think they came from Ajax but you know what I mean. Womb will be celebrating their record release on June 18th at Cherry Colas along with Flamingo Báy, The Ballroom Babies and The Retroaction. Have a listen to "Lotus Twist" below. – Kris Gies
NYC
Posted on:
DC alt-blues rockers Fellowcraft play House of the Temple, 5/21
Radio-ready and primed for a slot on the soundtrack of a summer action flick, Fellowcraft is a trio based in DC with a rugged, yet refined sound, one that fuels adrenaline rushes and supports an introspective mood. Distortion is cleverly deployed on the group’s debut album, Get Up Young Phoenix, which has a style blending disparate bands like Staind, Alice in Chains, and The Black Keys. Sick riffs and solos, growling vocals, and high-octane drumming make for some juicy rock and roll. Catch their next show at the House of the Temple, 5/21. -Jonathan Goodwin
NYC
Posted on:
Natureboy returns, at Rough Trade on May 13
Last we heard from Natureboy’s Sara Kermanshahi was in July 11, 2014 – her post read “Tonight! 8pm! Cameo in BK.” After that, radio silence for two years. That is, until yesterday when she posted once more the info for her upcoming show at Rough Trade. Three years ago we had crowned Natureboy’s “The Sweep” record of the month and eagerly anticipated future works, and though we don’t really know if this means we’ll be getting new songs soon it certainly has us hoping. Kermanshahi’s songs teeter curiously between folk and pop with modern elements, carving out a niche where her moody and evocative tracks blossom exquisitely and delve into the most quiet recesses of our minds. Make sure to see Natureboy play Rough Trade on May 13, you never know when she’ll play next. – Adriana Ballester
Nashville
Posted on:
Makeup and Vanity Set achieves neon electro perfection on “HIT TV”
Makeup and Vanity Set has been around for a long damned time. He may not be the only guy doing the 80’s electro revivalism thing, but you can bet he’s been around a lot longer than even the most famous names in that field. From the glitchy chiptune dance of his earliest works to the deliciously schlocky dance that came later, and even the ridiculously dedicated locals-tribute dance in between, we’ve seen a lot of faces from a guy known for wearing a ski mask at his performances. The entire weight of that history can be felt on HIT TV, a collection of songs composed for a bloodstained purple-and-red online series of the same name. The ambition of the project lands with both feet solidly on the ground, and it seriously stands up there with the best neon dreamwave you’re likely to hear.
Even if you don’t happen to have the Miami strip right outside your door, any nighttime drive with the windowns down will do just fine. –Austin Phy
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Krust Toons: “Some Other Band’s Drums” by Teddy Hazard
Krust Toons: "Some Other Band’s Drums" 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.
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Lux Perpetua EP Available for Streaming & Download
Since the turn of 2016, Lux Perpetua aka Justin Wolf has been on a monthly EP releasing run. His latest Music for Solipsistic Tendencies meshes frenetic experimental folk with mellower moments of internal contemplation. It’s as if the search party expanded the perimeter, only to realize what they were looking for was too close to originally see.
Portland
Posted on:
Get your low key dance on at the Liquor Store tomorrow
Combine the resonating sounds of Mamai with the soul tinged dream pop of Ellis Pink and 80’s-esque electronica stylings of Fringe Class and you’ve got the makings for a chill night of swaying. It’ll be the funkiest thing to do on a Tuesday and for $6, definitely not a bad way to take in an evolving music scene in the city. Be at the Liquor Store at 9pm so you don’t miss any part of this 21+ show.