New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Punk band C.H.E.W. has released a live album that called “Punx Play 2040”. The album was recored back in 2017 as the group performed at the release show for The Bug’s Not Normal tape release, “Humbug, or so Many Awful Things”.
C.H.E.W. also had a portion of their recent performance at Logan Square Skate Park released by Puddle Splashers.
You can catch C.H.E.W. at Sleeping Village on August 27th with Ribbonhead and Snuffed.
On their debut single, "Mother/Father," Cuffed Up shake off their inhibitions with a blistering call-to-arms. "Safety is not a guarantee / when you’re afraid of everything," sing co-founders Sapphire Jewel and Ralph Torrefranca, a vigorous reminder to anyone who’s ever been caught in a vulnerable moment. Having met through likeminded interests—specifically the modern UK punk scene—Jewel and Torrefranca stumbled upon a bracing new single without knowing that it’d develop into a full-time passion project, especially considering that they’d just left their bands Gypsum and Dr. Doctor, respectively (both great in their own right). The quartet may look into modern rabble-rousers like Shame and IDLES for inspiration, but what’s best about "Mother/Father" is what they subliminally reference through their shifting dynamics and dexterous guitar work—there are shadings of Sonic Youth’s Sister/Daydream Nation-era period, from their dual vocal parts and steady rhythmic passages. With such a strong debut, consider their formation by happenstance the happiest of accidents.
Check out "Mother/Father," and the accompanying double side A single "Small Town Kid," below. – Juan Rodríguez
Piano (Honeymoon) is the latest release from Philly quintet Joy Again. The seven-song selection delivers bright, bubbly, slightly-twisted pop-rock. A silky, fluid sound comfortably wraps around your ears. Take it for a spin, and enjoy!
The Psych Pop trio Future Silence has released the first single, “Kansas Plains”, from their forthcoming self-titled debut EP. The EP will be released on September 13th via the Australian label Half a Cow Records.
Future Silence is the work of Kirk McMahon (guitars, keyboards), Rose Schubert (drums), and Shannon Roberts (vocals, lyrics).
Kalijah, the 4 piece post-indie, sensuous rock band in Austin, Texas released their debut EP Mouth of the Cave complete with mouth watering melodies and lyrics that punch you awake. The namesake song of the album whisks your consciousness from where you last left it and you’re hearing words like:
“mouth of a cave was open up wide,
we climbed over teeth and we crawled deep inside,
crystal formations the size of a man,
a shining blue light on the red coral sand.”
The gruff vocals quickly endear you and the band’s full sound immerses you in the song, and then you’re the one in the mouth of the cave. Another notable song from the EP, “Man of Wealth” picks up the cave narrative and spurlunks deeper, reflecting on the complex nature of the human psyche. They sing, “I’m going to own myself. I’m a man of wealth,” in the face of a dark, daunting cave of subconsciousness; Plato would be impressed. What an empowering mantra of self-ownership and self-worth. Kalijah’s poetics amplify their already strong and cohesive sound.
Their spotify account reaches active listeners from, of course, good ole Texas all the way to our South American brothers and sisters in Brazil and Uruguay. Music so beautifully and indiscriminately brings people together from all backgrounds, and there’s no better time than now for music to build community and heal the world, right? Kalijah, thank you for bringing ears and hearts together through your sheer humanity and psychedelica-tinged resonance.
-Melissa Green
Before the summer begins its gradual fade, Man Man has surprisingly dropped a pair of new songs, “Beached” and “Witch,” via Sub Pop Records. The band fuses its custom brand of quirky, catchy, melodically-rich tunes, in joyous fashion. It’s a unique, almost off-the-rails perspective that lifts your spirits, hitting home like comfort food. The beloved Philly indie-rock elder statesmen are back, and will be performing on Saturday, September 28, as part of Philly Music Fest 2019 at World Cafe Live.
Psychedelic sludge rockers Crazy Bones have dropped a new three track EP “Slime Flux”. This 3 piece doom rock band always bring the heat with heavy droning tones alongside ripping solos and unusual arrangements. The EP (Produced and Mixed by Tallies’ Dylan Frankland) opens up with a heavy, deep riff on the track “Fruiting Bodies”. The vocals kick in and the song changes pace in a style reminiscent of some California psych bands Fuzz or Meatbodies. “Slime Flux” is available now! – Kris Gies
Derek Nelson has released the first two songs, “Water Runs Through” and “Number One”, from his forthcoming debut full-length album, Richer Soil, which is due out on October 10th.
Nelson walks the line between Country, Americana, and rock, but always manages to tell a compelling story.
You can help Nelson celebrate the release of the new album on October 10th at Schubas.
Krust Toons: "Wait…" 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.
Club Malos is wild garage rock of Jim Sanders and Ryne Holmquist. The duo is set to officially release their sophomore EP, “EP2”, on August 31st. This will be the first first new music from the band since their 2014 debut.
Tall Horse offers a curious blend of country and alternative rock to start your week right. The band’s leading guitar riffs and bright basslines distort to contrast the distinctive vocals outpouring with emotion. The Portland, Maine band’s new double single "Dogwater/Bedwetter" is Red Hot Chili Peppers’ soft side meets Kings of Leon for an unconventional sound born in New England. The rhythms are steady, the atmosphere easy-going, the breakdowns heartfelt: the music is as emotionally honest as it gets. The group’s latest effort should jolt them back into the New England music scene, and we are intrigued. The double single is streaming below to cure your Monday blues. – Rene Cobar
