We recently shared a rad, new collaboration of Moor Mother with Zonal, the duo consists of God Flesh/Jesu’s Justin K. Broadrick and electronic producer Kevin Martin (The Bug, King Midas Sound). The Philly genre-bending artist also just announced the release for Analog Fluids Of Sonic Black Holes. The solo follow-up to Fetish Bones is scheduled to arrive on November 8 via Don Giovanni Records. And with its lead single “After Images,” electronics and spiritual samples are tuned in as a bombarding, percussive beat announces its advent. Camae Ayewa’s confident, commanding vocals serve as an urgent warning.
L.A.
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Spooky Mansion: “The One Who Was a Real Jerk”
I found myself singing along to the chorus the very first time I listened to Spooky Mansion’s “Real Jerk," the new single from the Bay Area transplants who have found asylum in L.A. For the video’s release, the soulful garage-rock five-piece partnered with French artist Bleu Garou, pairing intricate and comical cartoons with a story of misplaced feelings in a world filled with irrational choices. “Misunderstood/ What we meant when we said taking a break, I thought we could be free,” vocalist Grayson Converse sings, which sounds like a sentence taken straight from the Friends episode “The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break."
Spooky Mansion releases their debut album, That’s Me! on October 28th, so stay tuned. Kayla Hay
Chicago
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Sleepwalk “Swivel”
Post-Rock group Sleepwalk has released a new split single with Wet Tropics. Their contribution is called “Swivel” and it a beautifully atmospheric rocker. This is the first new music from the group since their 2018 bed album, Splatter.
Sleepwalk is the work of Ryan Davis (Guitar/Vocals), Mike Kennedy (Guitar), Dave Jedlecki (Bass), Steve Burton (Drums).
New England
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Anna Rose releases electric new single “Broken Is Beautiful”
The eclectic Anna Rose is back with a single reminiscent of some classic alt rock, pre-grunge tunes of the late ’80s/early ’90s. After an atmosperic verse, “Broken Is Beautiful” holds nothing back as it bombards the listener with fuzzy guitars, a sonorous bassline, and Anna’s fierce vocal delivery. The track’s soulful melody gives an old-school tenacity that sets it apart, and Anna’s lyrics perfectly fit the anthem chorus. The single is a preview of her upcoming album The Light Between, set for release October 4th. Rose will be touring most of the fall, with stops in cities like Tucson and Chicago already scheduled. We are streaming “Broken Is Beautiful” below for your enjoyment. – Rene Cobar
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s September Record of the Month: Strength – Bad Heaven Ltd.
Somber strokes of guitar and a light dusting of drums develop the intimate closeness of “Inp,” the first song on Bad Heaven Ltd.’s sophomore album Strength. Amid an overarching sense of loneliness, the power and positivity of personal connection remains as John Galm (ex-Snowing) suggests, “…and I know that evening’s empire won’t absolve this place. I’ll burn three cigarettes, and you can call it sage. I’ll sigh a benediction after all its praise for thee.”
In contrast to the previous calm, “Almost” immediately rushes and rumbles creating a chaotic, contemplative intensity that then gives way to melancholy strings and a gentle, folk-oriented rumination. “Alex is lonely. They think that their body is worthless. It’s hard to stay hopeful, when you think that you lack a purpose.” There’s a refined elegance as the instrumentation gradually builds with a beautiful release that also seemingly serves as a tribute, rekindling the opening theme: “It’s almost better now.”
With the album’s title track, Galm exudes optimism in the moment of declaring, “Lucky and bored in love with you, it’s reasonably fine. I was not true. Try to be more. We’ll see it through.” The recording is punctuated by a demonstrative blaze of guitar, while “Stick Around” revisits the desire for existential meaning and purpose, bridging the divide and connecting on “…you and I,” and then transforming into an intimate, rejuvenating harmony of a duet, with the addition of keys/synth to retain an ethereal quality.
“100” delves into the weight of despair and loneliness within desolate surroundings. However, despite the frustration depicted in the dreary, folk/Americana setting, a glimmer of hope remains. “Fuck your landlord, it’s not their home. I live for you and for you alone.” In opposition, “Cross” serves as a cheerful song of appreciation for the person that’s always there for you. “I love you like a brother. It never ends. See you every weekend my only friend.” That breezy buoyancy is joyously interrupted by an instrumental foray.
The single, “Bed,” sinks into the sadness of depression and the desire for relief. Those quiet contemplations are infused with the force of unrestrained feedback, before acoustic guitar and piano delicately intertwine on “Forever,” describing a cherished relationship. “I just hope that you’re in my life forever. I thank every lucky star that you were born.”
Strength explores the difficulties that life can present and the redemptive qualities of having someone to rely on. They are two things that don’t always coexist together, but have found each other on this powerful release. – Michael Colavita
Chicago
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Kwote “List Worthy?”
Kwote (aka Edwin "Kwote1" Alvarez) of Tunnel Movement fame recently released a new album called “List Worthy?”. This is the first new music we have from Kwote since 2016’s “VENT”, and much needed statement from one of the city’s veterans.
The premise of the album and it’s title is asking the question is Kwote “List Worthy” as an emcee, and it is clear we should all reply with a resounding “Yes!”.
Philadelphia
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Krust Toons: “As a Matter of Fact…” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "As a Matter of Fact…" by Tedd 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
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Weekend Warrior – August 30 – September 1
Hopefully you have Monday off to recover from this week’s Weekend Warrior pick. SRA Records will be hosting its 10th Anniversary Bash this Sunday at PhilaMOCA. The local indie label is never shy about bringing us some of the heaviest, hardest-hitting acts to come out of Philly. The celebration’s stacked lineup will consist of SRA family & friends – Chronic Anxiety, Psychic Teens, The HIRS Collective, Soul Glo, Solarized, Exmaid, FOD, and Gene London Calling. Get there early for the matinee hours and beyond! And if you happen to be one of the unfortunate ones who don’t have Labor Day off, then just quit already because they obviously don’t appreciate you. – Alexis V.
Other places where you can spend your Labor Day weekend…
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN SRA Records 10th Anniversary Bash: HIRS, Soul Glo, Psychic Teens, FOD, Solarized, Exmaid, Gene London Calling, Chronic Anxiety
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI YellPunk Fest: The Droopies, Gaz, SAT Dania Hallak
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Sleep Tactics (Record Release), Savage Dads, Timelost
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Possum Kingdom, The Agoraphobix / DJs Paul T and Sean Hearn, SAT Witching, SUN Necrosexual, Basilysk, Atomic Cretins
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Rebel Foster, DJ Dommis, Mike Voss, Ill Dill Tha Vill, PRLM CHLD, Boob Mile$, Patrick Feliciano, SAT DJ Richard Reich, DJ Elijah Arms
TLA (334 South St.) FRI Petty Levels & Saucy Sev
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Grunge-A-Palooza:The Elysiums, White Limo, Superunknown, Purple to the Core/Urban Guerilla Orchestra, Al Chestnut
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Put Children First Charity Event: Dead Robins, Tortuga, The 1940s
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Bazmati Vice, Ariel Skye, SAT Chalk & The Beige Americans, Dirty Soap, Kelsey Cork & The Swigs, Jesse Gimbel
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Adventure Lost, Det Cart Sid, SAT Body Spray, Nowhere, SUN Soft Idiot
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI A Benefit for Tina Quigley: Reward, Nonfiction, Brandish, SAT Michael Wavves, Trent Thomas,Alex Catrambone, Sami Rahman
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT Live Band Karaoke, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Douse, Doused, SAT No Gods, Polemicist
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Scarlet and the Degenerates, DRACO, The Russells, Wormtooth, X88B88
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) SAT Kalicade, SUN Ear Me Now
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI This Temper SAT Packed Lunch, Moment To Capitalize, The Jumping Juvies
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Splintered Sunlight, Jah People
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Flesh Tomb, Schotzi, SAT Fixation, The Grip, SUN Moment To Capitalize
Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI Grace Vonderkuhn, Miss Cantaloupe, SAT DJ Lean Wit It
Couchtown (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI City Dressed, Rasan In The Heyday (Solo)
Free Candy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Moral Crayfish
Hubris House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Telyscopes, Vague Advice, Samryebread
TRUCK (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Puppy Angst
Made In America (Ben Franklin Pkwy.)SAT Pink Sweat$, SUN Lil Uzi Vert, Tierra Whack, Kur
Chicago
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The Safes “Baggage Claim”
The Safes have released a new single, “Baggage Claim”, from their forthcoming LP, Winning Combination. The album is set to be released on September 7th via Action Weekend & Bickerton Records.
You can catch The Safes at Beat Kitchen on November 27th.
L.A.
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On “Bess’s Dance,” Itasca goes on a creative retreat
It’d been three years since Kayla Cohen (a.k.a Itasca) released 2016’s Open to Chance, a sublime offering where the singer-songwriter sought to connect with the nature, and beings, that surrounds her with finger-picked acoustic melodies and lilting country ballads. There was a good reason for her absence—wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of L.A., Cohen went on a six-month creative retreat to rural New Mexico in hopes of finding something new and meaningful. One of her findings is documented on her new single, "Bess’s Dance," a gentle jazz-folk fusion that conjures images of her days living in an old adobe house.
"Bess’s Dance" is the first reveal off Itasca’s fourth LP, Spring, which is due out on November 1 via Paradise of Bachelors. Juan Rodríguez
Chicago
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American Grizzly “Much Stranger Things”
American Grizzly has released a soulful new single called “Much Stranger Things”. No this is not a song inspired by the popular Netflix series, but it is classic Rock & Roll tune about love and loss.
You can catch American Grizzly at Empty Bottle on September 18th opening for Austin’s Emily Wolfe.
NYC
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Camp Saint Helene release haunting single “Protector”
Sleepaway camp season has ended, but that won’t stop Camp Saint Helene from creating music that will give you memories of sunsets on the lake, sneaking out of your bunk at night, and holding eldritch rituals before a blazing fire. The group’s new track "Protector" inhabits the space between light and dark, hope and doom, life and destruction; it stems from the band spending most of their recording time in a studio on a Christian camp which became an arts colony. Liza Ibarra’s lyrics from the subconscious will intoxicate you like the shimmer of the lake or the twilight silence or the touch from a summer fling or the breath of darkness on the nape of your neck. Take a listen to "Protector" below; look out for Camp Saint Helene’s debut album Mother on September 27th. – Will Sisskind