NYC

Soulful singer-songwriter Zsela tours with Cat Power, plays Baby’s All Right 09.16

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With her strong, soulful voice and evocative, jazzy songs, Zsela stands out in the crowded scene of NYC songwriters. Her delicate debut track Noise (whose video we are streaming below) presents us with a sparse ballad full of poetry, led by vocals reminiscent of a more soulful Joni Mitchell from her early records. The lyrics tell a heart-wrenching story of the little things left behind after a failed love affair, leaving the listener with a sense of failed intimacy and emotional struggle Zsela evokes both through her lyrics and her vocal delivery. The Brooklyn native is currently on tour in North America with indie rock singer-songwriter Cat Power, stopping in New York, Canada, and Western America over the span of three months. See her live at Baby’s All Right on September 16. – Karigan Wright

 

Philadelphia

New Track: “Housefly” – Cheeky

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“Housefly” is the new single from Cheeky, a.k.a. Kaylee Sabatino. A ghostly, ominous, electro-percussive suspense lingers in the bare atmosphere – one that is reinforced by the isolated chill of the vocals and the wind-blowing, veiled, noir minimalism of the video. Looking back on what once was, the narrator appears to be in a period of change/transition. Cheeky is slated to take part in Ellen Siberian Tiger’s Halloween Bash, at Underground Arts on Thiursday, October 24, which also features Rana Ransom and Soul Cannon.

Chicago

Micro “Head 2 Toe”

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EDM producer Micro has a new EP called “Move” which is coming out on September 20th. You can currently hear the EP’s opening track, “Head 2 Toe”, below.

This is Micro’s third EP of 2019 and she is a part of a collective/label called Flower Witch.

Austin

Hayden James Brings Scintillating Sounds to Vulcan

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When the drumbeat of the lonely transforms into synth hooks and pulsating rhythms, this is what the essence of Hayden James emanates. James, an Aussie electro artist, has built his profile over the last five years by consistently creating music and refusing to stay complacent in his songwriting. James has opened shows for Odesza and Disclosure but he is beginning to build his own wave of audio ubiquity, especially since releasing his debut studio album, Between Us, in June 2019.

Hayden James sold out the Vulcan Gas Company on Friday night and tickets soared on the secondary market, going for as much as $150, up from $25.  Naations, another Australian electro act, performed as the opener for James but also collaborated on the hi-frequency pop hit “Nowhere To Go” that James would perform during his set.  Naations was bursting with infectious energy that originated from an intense live set and left quite an energy drop-off once they left the stage.

A simple yet dazzling minimalist stage setup gave Hayden James the environment in which he could be equal parts mysterious and invigorating. Understated yet sultry tracks like “Better Together” and “Something About You” melted an inhibitive audience into a melange of collective cool. A beautiful night came to a close abruptly and prompted the audience to beg for more.  Hayden James is a master of the exit, leaving his fans clamoring for a morsel more.

Toronto

Young Clancy – Eclectic Soul Infused Single “Level”

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Young Clancy has a new explorative EP due out soon titled “Volume II”. The latest single from this upcoming EP titled “Level” is inspired from 70’s soul music. This tune definitely has some soul influences to it along with a more modern electronic hip hop production. The chorus is so smooth and certainly full of soul.  The track as a whole is very eclectic. “Volume II” is available on October 4th. – Kris Gies

Chicago

Asher White “Ancient Collect”

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Experimental artist Asher White has released a new album called Ancient Collect. On the album White creates an array sounds with traditional instruments, but also employs room sounds, cardboard, metal, and other forms of programming.

However, for as abstract this may sound White finds many moments of beauty and melody through out the project.

L.A.

Listen to KidEyes’ bittersweet new single, “Take Me Back in Time”

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 In every relationship, that feeling of "newness" eventually fades. It’s a feeling that KidEyes think about on their new single "Take Me Back in Time," a joyful, all-embracing anthem where they let go of their fears and begin to accept that true love develops over time. The theme of stability also applies to the duo of Ben Epand and Greg Cahn, both of which approach their new creative endeavor without any premeditated expectations—and all they can do is celebrate the moment. 

"Tame Me Back in Time" is featured on KidEyes’ self-titled debut EP, which is due out on October 4. Throughout October, the duo is also hosting a month-long residency at the Hi-Hat in Eagle Rock. – Juan Rodríguez

Philadelphia

New Track: “The City’s Our Song” – Harmony Woods

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“The City’s Our Song” is the latest single from Harmony Woods‘s forthcoming album, Make Yourself At Home, which is scheduled for release on October 4 via Skeletal Lightning. The track explores the temporary euphoria of a freshly kindled connection. For at least one evening, everything appears to fall into place, and this infectious, melodic rocker captures those memorable moments. Harmony Woods will be hosting the record’s release celebration at Everybody Hits on Friday, October 11, joined by Highnoon, Sammy Heck, and Monster Bad.

Chicago

Dickie “Minus Thieves”

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Alt Rock duo Dickie have returned with a new album called Minus Thieves. This is the work of Dick Prall (vocals/guitar) and Billy Barton (drums/percussion/vocals), and this is the first new music from the duo since 2015’s self-titled album.

Austin

Rusty Dusty Brings Psychedelic Reassurement

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Hailing from the depths of central Texas, Rusty Dusty brings to the table the familiar qualities of psychedelic rock but harmoniously paired with southern rock. With this particular sound that can’t be mimicked, Rusty Dusty lets you drop out and take a step back to see where life has taken you and where you can go from here.
 
From your first listen to the album The No Good Serpentine Funtime Mosaic Experience, you find yourself diving into a headspace full of imagination and hope. There are a number of clear influences such as the likes of Dr. Dog and The Black Crowes. But, it would be wrong to simply say that they don’t hold their own. Rusty Dusty’s music has an individuality of its own. They present a different look at the way we approach music and the real benefit that comes from understanding the artist. It has a quality, a feeling as if you were being written about from their own perspective. 
 
Full of love and wonder, Rusty Dusty leaves us thinking about more than music. They have created a sound that remains true to the concepts of friendship, true love, heartbreak, and heartache. Feeling uplifted and joyful about the future, it allows us to take something more than a listener’s enjoyment from this band. With their opening track “Strange Strange Strange,” you can find yourself drifting into space to contemplate what you desire. Rusty Dusty not only connects to you, but welcomes you into their psychedelic world. If there were one simple message to be made out of their lyrics, it would be to never give up–keep pursuing everything and anything you love, no matter what life throws back at you. 
 
Even more, there’s something that comes out of the dissonant guitar and thought-provoking lyrics. Rusty Dusty reminds us that though the answers may be in front of you, there is a subtlety of pain that must exist alongside it. Sadness is a mere reflection in the music. They’ve reached a certain level of life experience that brings light to understanding that it’s not about the path you take, but the way you get there.
 
Overall, what might seem simple at surface layer for Rusty Dusty is actually more deeply entrenched in meaning. The atmosphere they create is a world you’d want to travel to. Their lyrics create a bridge where the artist and the listener can meet to have a mutual experience.
 
– Dylan Welch
Chicago

Punting Baxter “Sittin’ Pretty”

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Punting Baxter has released the first single, “Sittin’ Pretty”, from their forthcoming sophomore EP, “Melting”.

This is the Indie Rock trio of John Micensky (Voice, Guitar), Austen Goebel (Bass), and Evan Schirle (Drums).

You can catch Punting Baxter at 365-viii (3658 N. Clark) with Late Nite Laundry, Daydream Review, and MT Vice on September 28th.