Americana artist King Corduroy will release his new EP Avalon Ave. on August 16th; to preview the drop, he’s released the single "Workin’ for a Livin", along with its music video. A little rootsy and swampy, "Workin’ for a Livin" mixes a little Texas blues and Southern rock with sounds from the Mississippi Delta and New Orleans’ French Quarter. For the better part of the past decade, King Corduroy has written songs that reflect the world around him, and "Workin’ for a Livin" helps to tell the stories of people doing whatever it takes to get by in the somewhat unstable world we live in today. Take a look at the music video for the single, which features little clips of people on the job doing what they can to survive. – Will Sisskind
Chicago
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Spark The Forest “Reversion (Observation II)”
Spark The Forest has released a video for the first single, “Reversion (Observation II)”, from their forthcoming LP, Growth in Erosion. The album is due out July 19th and this is the Post-Rock duo of Anders Johanson (Guitar, bass, keys, sound design) and Ryan Nelson (Drums, programming).
The St. Charles based duo is kicking off a West Coast Tour on August 18th with a hometown show at The House Pub (16 South Riverside Drive, St. Charles, IL).
Philadelphia
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New Yellowhammer Fund Compilation Available for Streaming & Purchase
Bummer Presents… recently released The Yellowhammer Fund, a compilation that aims to raise proceeds for its namesake. "The Yellowhammer Fund provides funding for anyone seeking care at one of Alabama’s three abortion clinics and will help with other barriers to access (travel, lodging, etc.) as well as able." The nineteen-song collection includes contributions from Philly’s own Coping Skills, Big Nothing, and Queen of Jeans, as well as New Jersey’s The Carousers covering Modern Baseball‘s "Your Graduation". Take a listen to a variety of artists below with the added benefit of supporting an excellent cause in the process!
NYC
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Ariel Wang to release second single “House Upon a Hill”
This August 3rd at the Starline Social Club, Ariel Wang releases her second single, “House Upon a Hill,” off of her forthcoming album Bridges. The set will feature her string chamber orchestra, The Composer Arranger Performer Orchestra (CAPO). Wang’s music has simple folk melodies with an orchestral feel and although the vocals are at times not the strongest component of these songs, they are enveloped by a warm chorus of violins, booming cello and compelling drumlines. Wang’s music feels like the soundtrack to a powerful moment and listening, watching, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed in the right kind of way. Join the band at Starline, where they’ll be opening for Meerna’s album release. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
New England
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Strangers by Accident celebrates single release tonight at Aeronaut Allston
Keeping New England’s folk-rock history going strong, Strangers by Accident has released a brand new single titled “Clean,” which pushes the limits of the genre in ear-pleasing fashion. The track builds up slowly: soft acoustic guitar strings and ambient vocal harmonies are led by impressive drum patterns toward a sonic cyclone of bass arpeggios and roaring electric guitar chords. The song closes with a front porch type of tranquility that betrays the storm that precedes it and completes the folk and rock ritual the band is fond of practicing. “Clean” is everything a folk-rock aficionado could ask for; the group is sure to play the single this evening at Aeronaut Allston, we are streaming it below for you. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
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Fay Ray @ Sleeping Village (7/11)
Funk Pop band Fay Ray recently released a new single called “Up & Away”. This is the first new music from the Mariel Fechik fronted band since their 2017, “No Love”.
Fechik is joined by Noah Gehrmann (Guitar), Erik Opland (Bass), Tom Kelly (Drums), Rob Osiol (Keys), Joe Meland (Organ/Synth), Daniel Hinze (Saxophone), and Byron Allen (Trombone).
You can catch Fay Ray @ Sleeping Village tomorrow (7/11) with Deanna Devore and Cordoba.
New England
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Matt Maratea debuts funky new single “Can’t Make It Up,” MGM Live performance set for 07.12
West Springfield, Massachusetts is bumping to the latest single from their very own surging hip-hop star Matt Maratea. "Can’t Make It Up" revs up a deliciously funky guitar riff that then blasts off alongside a pounding bass for a dance groove that enkindles Maratea’s already captivating flow, abundant with charisma. The production by Tantu and Danny EB is squeaky clean, showcasing the producers’ ability to layer harmonies in such an organized way that they create an entrancing atmosphere for the mind to escape to and a sonic spectacle that commands the body surrender unconditionally. The brand new single incorporates just enough pop and funk elements to create a viscous hip-hop hybrid track too sweet to ignore. Matt Maratea will be taking the MGM Springfield Stage by storm on July 12th, and we got "Can’t Make It Up" streaming below in anticipation. – Rene Cobar
NYC
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Get lost in the ambient, lo-fi world of Public Library Commute
New York based multi-instrumentalist Conrad Hsiang creates chill, lo-fi influenced soundscapes under the project name Public Library Commute, drawing from both Japanese hip-hop and contemporary alternative RnB to craft something novel. Last year’s sienna 1999 encapsulates these diverse genre influences in perfect form, with tracks like “fake hawaii” employing sticatto vibraphone-like noodling over Hsiang’s detached auto-tuned vocals. Hsiang’s lyricism and vocal performance in particular breathe new life into a genre of music that’s frequently criticized for its repetitive nature, elevating lo-fi from its stream-heavy, easy-listening reputation to something that is engaging—but still relaxed. Listen to it below, preferably while basking in the warm summer sun. -Connor Beckett McInerney
Philadelphia
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New Booze Radly LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Four years in the making, Booze Radly has released its first full-length album Haunted Mind. Raw, expressive, anthemic lyrics spawn a relatable, guttural tone. A momentous, cathartic outpouring ensues. Instrumentation runs excitedly through the streets, while collectively tapping into unfiltered, lyrical resolve. You can find Booze Radly performing again in town on Saturday, July 20 at West Philly DIY space Haus of Yarga.
Chicago
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Lunar Ticks @ Sleeping Village (7/27)
Heavy Psych Rockers Lunar Ticks are preparing for an upcoming show at Sleeping Village on July 27th. They will be sharing the stage with Railway Gamblers and Goose Corp., and are currently running a poll on Facebook where you can help curate their playlist for the event.
The band released their latest album, Unknown Gnomes/Neon Horses, nearly a year ago, but it is absolutely one to revisit.
Toronto
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Hawkeyes – 6 Piece Space Rock Band Journeys to the Horseshoe 07.20
Hawkeyes are a 6 piece instrumental space rock band. Their tunes are layered with many sonic elements. This psych rock sextet’s latest release is a split EP with The Radiation Flowers. Track 1 is Hawkeyes’ “Atom Heart Motherfuckers Never Learn” which has some atmospheric tones to it while being extremely doom metal influenced. The track will make your mind spin in a slow, droning fashion for the entire 12 minutes. Hawkeyes will be performing live at The Horseshoe Tavern on Saturday July 20th alongside Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Espanola and Head. – Kris Gies
NYC
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07.18: Grace Ives brings lo-fi synthpop to Elsewhere
Lo-fi synthpop artist Grace Ives released her second album — appropriately titled 2nd — this past April. It received critical acclaim from sites like Pitchfork, where writer Sasha Geffen compared Ives’ music to LCD Soundsystem for its tracks’ electronic backbeats and succinct length. The album could attract resonate with the fans of James Murphy’s band, but also folks into Ariel Pink, or Slingshot Dakota — or any artist or band with a knack for sharp songwriting and explorative musical arrangements. Ives will perform on July 18th at Elsewhere on a bill with UK-based soul artist Tirzah; go discover both artists for yourself if you haven’t yet. Take a listen to Ives’ "Icing on the Cake" below. – Will Sisskind