Dedicated to Spenser Spirit Hogans, Queen Jesus recently shared a new album, titled Glass Hat, which is available on cassette via Stereophonodon Records. Coasting along in a melodic jangle, with an underlying, unpredictable edge, the record seeps into one’s system in a peaceful, low-key yet well-honed manner. Sink into the shadows of the harmonious haze.
The Revolution returns on 09.21 with Ryan Egan, Niya Levon and Liberation Era
The performance series The Revolution will hold their Vol. 42 show on Saturday, September 21 at 10:00 pm. This show will highlight three artists from Brooklyn and Harlem, including Niya Levon, Liberation Era, and Ryan Egan. The Revolution has a new volume every month, with three artists from three different genres performing at each one. These shows not only connect the music community in Brooklyn and Harlem, but they also present the opportunity to share their own stories while also spreading awareness and positivity.
Niya Levon
A product of a musical family, Niya Levon is influenced by several old school soul artists, including Prince, Luther Vandross, and Lisa Fisher, but also contemporaries like Lady Gaga, Brandy, Justin Timberlake, and Alex Lacamoire. Levon stands out from the crowd with her elegant and fragile voice in single “Sweet Victories,” complementing the light and dainty melody. Levon has worked with several renowned artists, including Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, John Legend, Smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle, Mark Ronson, and Lauren Hill. In 2015 she introduced Real Entertainment Industries (REI), her own nonprofit talent agency, where she works to find new and unique artists.
Ryan Egan
Singer, producer, and multinstrumentalist Ryan Egan‘s songs are delicate and smooth, his velvety voice accompanying his rather soft melodies. Egan has released several singles and two EPs, “Postures” and “Fever & Bloom.” Having over 1 million total plays on Spotify, Egan is quickly and seamlessly making a name for himself in the music business.
Liberation Era
Kyle Shedrick and Jean Mahoney are Liberation Era. Inspired by societal injustice, the duo of home grown musicians takes inspiration from R&B, folk and jazz. Their song, “Quiet the Monster,” is an acoustic tune highlighting Shedrick and Mahoney’s smooth and tender vocals effortlessly harmonizing over the single’s mellow and quiet melody. They are currently working on their first EP, the “Liberation Era EP.”
-Karigan Wright
Watch: The Addition debuts music video for gritty track “In Between”
Some argue that grunge music’s meteoric rise led to its eventual fantastic-flaming disintegration from general consciousness toward the end of the ‘90s; should we go with that argument, then finding its scattered fragments is a rare and beautiful experience indeed: enter Boston’s The Addition. The group’s new music video for its gritty single “In Between” is a grainy black and white dance of pale silhouettes surrendering to growling electric guitars and punchy drums. From pain-stricken vocals to quaking basslines, the group brings it all together for breakdowns that display grunge’s still-smoldering appeal. The Addition has done an excellent job of stoking curiosity for its next move with a song and video that displays the band most naturally. We are streaming the group’s new music video below for your enjoyment; careful, it is hot. – Rene Cobar
Return Fire “Product of Abuse”
Thrash Metal band Return Fire has released the first single, “Product of Abuse” from their self-titled debut album which is set for release on September 27th.
This is the work of Kevin Jame (vocals), Joe Nunez (drums), Scott Cohen (guitar) and Vince Salvador (bass).
Numerical Control Society
Sludge Rocker Numerical Control Society are preparing to release their debut EP, Circular Reasoning For Squares, on September 27th. The band release a video, awhile back, of them rehearsing the EP’s closing track “Arvo”.
This is the work of Samuel Bloom, Steve Kiraly, Michael Klayman, and Matthew O’Dell.
You can catch them on October 11th at Burlington Bar with Arriver and Marmora.
Debut Wet Brian EP Available for Streaming & Download
The quartet of Wet Brian recently dropped its debut EP Criterion. An ominous, mercurial environment develops a haunting tension. Eerie vocals pair with a steady, instrumental drive, chipping away at your psyche. One uneasily anticipates the other shoe dropping.
Loyal Lobos’ “Criminals” is a touching ode to a dear friend
Andrea Silva’s latest single, "Criminals," feels like you’re eavesdropping into two good friends having an honest conversation. Silva, who goes by Loyal Lobos, recounts a series of past experiences —and how these have shaped their present lives. "You were also there in the morning/ When I saw everything dark," she admits, playing a dreamy, cascading guitar melody set to swelling ambiance—an element that gives the song a strong feeling of nostalgia.
"Criminals" is the first reveal off a series of sessions Silva recorded with singer-songwriter Evan Voytas and famed songwriter/producer Terry Geiger. She’s currently in the middle of a West Coast tour supporting Girl Ultra, including a stop at the Regent Theater on September 17. Juan Rodríguez
Fran “Company”
Fran has released visuals for the first single, “Company”, from their forthcoming debut LP, A Private Picture, which will be released via Fire Talk on November 15th.
This is primarily the work of Maria Jacobson, and the video below was directed by Reilly Drew.
You can help Fran celebrate the release of her album on November 23rd at the Hideout.
VIDEO: Desert Sharks party til the end on “I Don’t Know How to Dress for the Apocalypse”
NYC garage rock outfit Desert Sharks make a good case for the new subgenre—tentatively titled “armageddon punk”— on new song / video “I Don’t Know How to Dress for the Apocalypse.” Bolstered by anthemic guitar tones and breakbeat major-minor chord changes, the track (and their latest offering from forthcoming full-length debut Baby’s Gold Death Stadium) details the myriad of seemingly unlimited challenges humanity faces that we seem in no hurry to fix: the wage gap, global warming, that sort of thing. Against this macabre-yet-unavoidable subject matter, Desert Sharks hunker down to have themselves an apocalypse party; as lead singer Stephanie Gunther truthfully points out, “it’s ok, no one knows what we’re doing anyway,” raucous celebration in the face of the end of everything seems like a pretty good plan. Watch it below, and catch Desert Sharks on September 20th at Mercury Lounge. -Connor Beckett McInerney
Canter “Call It Safe”
Synth Pop band Canter has released the first single, “Call It Safe”, from their forthcoming album which will be released next month via Lakeshore Records.
You can catch Canter at Sleeping Village on October 15th to celebrate the digital release of their album. You can also catch them at Livewire Lounge on November 23rd with Protector 101, Street Cleaner, and Replicant.
The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Arch Of Love
Chris Schackerman has drummed for such notable acts as Literature, Mercury Girls, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, but he “was never satisfied enough” with his own recorded demos to release them out into the world. For Chelsea Brennan, making music was never “really a large part” of her life. The two came together a few years back to create a project that was mostly just for fun; however, with their latest collaborative effort, Arch Of Love, it became apparent to the duo that they wanted making music to “become a larger part” of their daily lives. Schackerman and Brennan have already released a few singles via Richmond, VA’s 6131 Records, and are currently working on their first full-length album. You can take a listen to Arch Of Love’s new track, “Reintroduction,” below, and learn more about our most recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner HERE.
I Fight Dragons “Punch Drunk Destiny”
Local 8-Bit legends I Fight Dragons have dropped the lead single, “Punch Drunk Destiny”, from their forthcoming LP, Canon Eyes, which will be released on December 21st.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, Sept. 20th, for the album release event at Lincoln Hall on December 21st with Violent Crime and Secret Bad Boy.