Bear Call’s latest single, “Harsh” was just released as an end of summer jam and the title is oh-so deceiving. The smooth chill of “Harsh” is a jazzy mellow jam with warm strums and some nice key action with lyrics that are secretly funny. Oh la la, take a dive. Bear Call will be back playing in San Francisco in December playing with Goon at The Knockout. ’Til then, jam on. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
NYC
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STRANGEPRIDE perform at Rough Trade NYC
STRANGEPRIDE’s debut album, We’ll Take It From Here, reveals a talented indie band whose sound harkens back to the elegant electric indie pop-rock of late ’80s/early ’90s acts like Lloyd Cole and the Commotion and The Psychedelic Furs. Here, those influences are occasionally filtered through the gentle dream-pop atmospheres of contemporary acts like Real Estate through a guitar work that is at times textured and at times driven. The opening track “Kids” reminisces over life as kids, leaving the reader with a sense of nostalgia and yearning for what are – in most cases – the best days of our lives. Single Tumbledown, a distorted guitar-heavy track, highlights the kind of catchy and evocative tunes this band can produce, featuring a vocal performance R.E.M. would be proud of. Check out also Daisies and Blue, one of our favorite songs from the record, streaming below. The band played Rough Trade last night, check out their Facebook page for upcoming shows. – Karigan Wright
Chicago
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Neal Francis “Changes”
Neal Francis recently released solo debut, Changes, via Karma Chief Records and with that the fun, retro feeling, Cameron Lew directed video for the album’s title track.
Francis is hitting the road with Black Pumas this month for a West Coast tour.
Chicago
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LOWERLIPDRIP
The Hip Hop duo LOWERLIPDRIP have released a new two song EP called “I Put My Whole Life on the Internet”. This is the duo’s third release of 2019 and the one that is starting to get these two some major traction.
You can catch LOWERLIPDRIP opening for Victor Internet on October 10th at Subterranean.
Austin
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Alesia Lani
Five Local Acts to Catch at ACL
Photo Credit: Charles Reagan Hackleman
Alesia Lani
October 4th 1:15 PM @ T Mobile Stage
Southern chanteuse sings R&B/Soul
Abhi the Nomad
October 12th 12:45 PM @ Titos
Ex-UT rapper blends hip-hop and indie
Otis the Destroyer
October 6th 11:45 AM @ VRBO
Fast and rowdy rock from Austin vets
Blackillac
October 12th 11:45 AM @ VRBO
New hip-hop project featuring Phranchyze, Zeale and Gary Clark Jr
Night Cap
October 5th 12:45 PM @ Titos
Mellow indie rock/pop quintet
Chicago
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Good Enough
Pop Punk group Good Enough is back with their first EP in four years, “Odds”. This album is the follow-up to their 2015 debut, “It Is What It Is”.
The EP was recorded, tracked, mixed, etc by Roye Robley of RR Studios.
New England
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Aaron Noj defies his surroundings in latest single “M.O.T.M.”
We are always digging deep into New England’s talent garden to find rising artists from all corners of the region: we have unearthed a March gem we want to share with you. Derry, New Hampshire’s Aaron Noj released his single "M.O.T.M." with little fanfare and in relative obscurity but its bite should not be ignored as it leaves a lasting mark. Aaron rebels against the tranquility of Derry’s quaint Main Street and the town’s overall serenity with sharp grunge guitar chords that reverberate violently. Aaron’s distant voice is melancholic, angst-fueled, entrancing—grunge music’s preference. The culminating instrumental breakdown is destructive and has a lo-fi sound to it that delivers a cathartic finish. Whatever emotion you are feeling, Aaron’s track will be sure to discover it and animate it. We are looking forward to some show listings from this alternative artist; stream “M.O.T.M.” below. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
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DRAMA “Hold On”
Local R&B duo DRAMA, producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist Via Rosa, have announced an exciting new partnership with Ghostly International.
With the announcement the duo released a new single called “Hold On”.
You can catch DRAMA on October 19th at Metro for Ghostly 20 with TOBACCO, Shigeto, Steve Hauschildt, and SV4.
Chicago
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Mentalease “Ghost Town”
Mentalease has released a new EP called “Ghost Town”. This is the band’s second EP of 2019 and it delves deeper into the unique blend of Dream Pop and Indie Rock.
This is the work of Spencer Harris, Wesley Hunt, and Daniel Martinson.
You can catch Mentalease on October 22nd at Martyrs’ with Bryan Away and Will Bennett & The Tells.
NYC
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BODEGA debuts new EP “Shiny New Model”
Ahead of their forthcoming release Shiny New Model, New York garage heroes BODEGA headlined Brooklyn’s Market Hotel September 28th. The EP’s title track is a sunny and energetic romp, characterized by an uneasy sense of self—lead singer Bodega Ben riffs on the built-in obsolesce of technology (and people) while dropping metaphysical bombs, like “every woman and man is a microcosm of lust.” Watch the video below, and catch BODEGA’s wild, philosophical ride this Saturday alongside Native Sun, and Kahiem Rivera.
Chicago
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Garden on a Trampoline “Cover Me Please”
Garden on a Trampoline has released a huge collections of covers called “Cover Me Please”. This is the work Jim Laczkowski, aka James Eric, and the covers range from Banks to Roxette and from Tom Waits to Bombay Bicycle Club.
Laczkowski has been heavily involved in the local music scene for well over a decade and this album is a reflection of his many varied influences.
All proceeds from this album will go to benefit NAMI and Planned Parenthood.
L.A.
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Rosie Tucker’s “Ambrosia” is a candid, bittersweet slice of life, Bootleg Theater residency in November
Stepping into any of Rosie Tucker’s songs is always an experience. It’s like going inside the singer-songwriter’s internal monologue and watching the events, usually anxiety-ridden, unfold right before your eyes. "Ambrosia," her latest single, is a bit messy in its message—she worries about getting older, listens to John Coltrane, and stares at her fruit salad—all while she waits for her object of affection’s text reply. It’s funny to hear her open up with such candor, but also bittersweet, an open admission that amplifies an otherwise patient guitar strum.
"Ambrosia" follows Tucker’s debut full-length Never Not Never Not Never Not. The stand-alone single comes on the heels of her West Coast tour supporting Soccer Mommy, which precedes her upcoming month-long residency at Bootleg Theater in November. – Juan Rodríguez