Lexi Aviles, the soulful leader behind Love You Later, recently dropped her latest single, “Said That You’d Be There.” Filling the room with brooding dream pop, Aviles reflects over what it’s like to trust people who simply cant be trusted over a lavish electronic vibe. Her intoxicating approach appeals to a wide audience of listeners, gathering those from all spectrums of music genres including house, 80’s and 90’s pop, disco, and new wave. The relatability of her lyrics makes me feel less alone during that anxiety filled hour right before a first date: “I spent longer on my hair, cause you said that you’d be there.” An EP is set to be released in February in 2020. – Kayla Hay
New England
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Muddy Ruckus offers a haunting brand of Americana, plays Stone Church 12.05
Back in October, Muddy Ruckus released a single pleasantly infectious, a song with a sinister rhythm that haunts. “From The Floor” is led by an ominous banjo riff that is followed by a thumping bassline, marching to the rich harmonies of both Ryan Flaherty and Erika Stahl on guitar and drums respectively. The duo that is Muddy Ruckus takes in this song, and their work at large, a more somber approach to America’s usually upbeat style, and it works. With eerie lyrics like “I’ve been sleeping for so long/ I don’t know what’s right from wrong/ I don’t know if I was ever born at all/ Something’s happening again/ Hey man don’t you understand?/ There are voices coming up/ from the floor.” the Americana music the duo produces has a deliciously ghastly tinge. The Auburn, ME, duo will be playing on December 5th at the Stone Church in Brattleboro, VT. Stream “From The Floor” below for something different today. – Rene Cobar, photo by TBERG Photography
Chicago
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Junius Paul “ISM”
Composer and Bassist Junius Paul has released an amazing new album called ISM via International Anthem.
This album was record all around the city at locations like The Hideout, Comfort Station, and Co-Prosperity Sphere, and features likeminded musicians like Isaiah Spencer, Jim Baker, Rajiv Halim, Makaya McCraven & Marquis Hill.
Photo by Attila Kleb
Chicago
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Kill Scenes “Silent Knife”
Dark Dream Pop group Kill Scenes have released the first single, “Silent Knife”, from their forthcoming album Masque.
This is the work of Sean Whittaker, Margo Elena, Andrew Hertzberg, and Jon Podulka.
NYC
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Paper Fairy play footsie in new video for “We Laugh,” plays Berlin 12.8
Paper Fairy returns with a video for the new single "We Laugh", featuring project mastermind Chris Gaskell and a whole lot of feet. The single comes from the NYC-based band’s Tautology EP, a follow-up to last year’s Haunter Haunted. On Tautology, Gaskell’s avant-garde pop creates a dialogue between the concepts of the real self and the performed self. The video for "We Laugh" shows this conversation through close-ups of feet touching, Gaskell’s face appearing in the big toenail (an unlikely place for a face to appear), and glass causing blood to spill, along with other examinations of body, pain, and voyeurism. Take a look at the strange, weirdly-engrossing video below, and catch Paper Fairy at Berlin on December 8th for the video release show. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
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Noumenon “Tro”
Deep Space Objects has released the final LP, Tro, from the Math Rock trio Noumenon. The album was recorded over a decade and is finally available on vinyl.
This is the work of Kiel Arneson (Guitar), Owen Mallon (Bass), and Mike Cella (Drums).
NYC
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Woods’ got tunes, with Junior Reggae and SIFTER
The other night I found myself at Woods, playing cards with a friend and enjoying the finest cider I’d laid lips on in a while. A local quartet had just set up and as the music on the speakers died down, the vibrant sounds of jazz lit up the space and I’m telling you: the room shifted. Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa was killing it, Jordan Glenn snapped away on those drums, the trombone and the alto sax blended beautifully. At one point my card playing partner turned to me with happy shaking head, saying, “Who is this?” Between songs I went up to ask the trombonist (Rob Ewing) who wrote the piece and he pointed to saxist Beth Schenck. “It’s called ‘Dedicated To,’” he told me. Amazing.
I’ve since been digging on more SIFTER and found myself listening to another project led by Ewing, Junior Reggae, who just released their latest album These Lines, off Slow and Steady Records. The band is “avant-dub,” with modern jazz at its core but with—as the name suggests—a marriage of reggae, dub and fluid jazz compositions throughout. Influenced by Augustus Pablo and Lee “Scratch” Perry, the group is a unique find that brings together an inspiring collection of musicians. There’s Max Miller-Loran on trumpet and keys, Steven Blum on keys, Jason Levis on percussions and Rob Ewing on bass, trombone, keys and more percussion. It’s an ear fest. Junior Reggae is playing Woods this Friday December 6 from 5-8. Come on out for an evening and save me a cider. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Album artwork by Jesse Rimler.
Chicago
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Whitney “FTA” b/w “Far, Far Away”
Whitney recently released a new double single, “FTA” b/w “Far, Far Away”. This follows their highly acclaimed 2019 album, Forever Turned Around.
Whitney is performing at Thalia Hall December 4th through December 8th with tickets currently only available for the 4th and the 8th.
Chicago
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Tiger Hatchery “Rusty Opened Broken Soul of a Locust”
The Improvisational Jazz trio Tiger Hatchery has released a new EP called "Rusty Opened Broken Soul of a Locust”. This year the trio celebrates ten years together and this is their third official release.
This is the work of Mike Forbes (sax), Andrew Scott Young (bass), and Ben Billington (drums).
Chicago
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Sally Haze “Dining Room”
Sally Haze recently released their debut EP, “Dining Room”. This is the hazy dream pop of William Wright and Jessica Wright.
They also dropped a fantastic cover of The Beatles’ classic ‘Yesterday” with in weeks of the release of their EP.
Toronto
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Enchanters – High Energy Garage Trio Open For Danko Jones at Lee’s Palace 12.06
Enchanters are a throwback to the old school, thumpin’ garage rock. Based in Toronto, this power trio are inspired by legends such as The Stooges and The Damned. They have new 7” releases planned for 2020 including this track “Firetruck”. This is a high energy tune with shredding guitars and fuzzy bass licks. Crank this up and take it for a ride. You can enjoy this tune and many other rippin’ rock n’ rollers at Lee’s Palace on Friday December 6th when Enchanters opens up for Danko Jones at Lee’s Palace. – Kris Gies
Chicago
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Petrolane “All Day Long”
Petrolane has released a new single called “All Day Long”. This is an addictive blend of Hip Hop, Future Soul, and R&B. The producer has released a series of singles over the last year, and really shows no sign of slowing.