Chicago

The Dead Bolts “Keep It Movin”

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The Dead Bolts dropped the first single, “Keep It Movin”, from their forthcoming album today. This follows the Southside band’s 2018 debut EP, “Part Time”.

The Dead Bolts is Blues and Southern Fried Rock influenced sounds of John Rolence (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), James Ryan (Drums), Matt Paske (Benny Mace) (Lead Guitar), Tyler Hancock (Bass / Synth), and Eddie Hennessy (Vocals / Rhythm Guitar / Mandolin).

You can catch The Dead Bolts at Harte’s Saloon (Evergreen Park) on June 22nd and at Elbo Room on June 28th with The Jesters and Madema.

New England

Flash Trading debuts moody single “Similar Devils,” plans EP release for year’s end

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Brooklyn’s Flash Trading is back with a tastefully concocted sonic haze of ambient pop that has a touch of grey to it: the easy-listening vibe of the group’s latest single “Similar Devils” seemingly fits for both overcast mornings or foggy evenings, the music evokes a serene mood. “This track was inspired by the lazy monotony of seasonal affective disorder. The feeling of waking up in a drafty room for months on end, your curtains separating you and the world, wanting nothing more than to fall back asleep,” is what the band had to say about the composition. Despite having some elements of house music near the end of the track, “Similar Devils” cruises most of the song, letting its deep bass groove, atmospheric electric guitar phrases, and elegant synthesizer strains carry the listener to the comfortable corners of their mind. Flash Trading once again stimulates the brain, the way a good sophisti-pop band ought to do, letting the listener bask in their mood as they lounge. The band is preparing an EP for release later this year; in the meantime, we are premiering the new single for you below. – Rene Cobar

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior – June 21 – 23

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With tenaciously powerful vocals compounded and accentuated by riff-rampant grooves, Sheer Mag creates a sweaty, smoky, uncompromising brand of rock ‘n’ roll. Fueled by an earnest dynamic that exudes a savvy grit, their songs rally the listeners, building momentum in a fun, uproarious manner. The band will be starting its summer tour this Saturday evening at World Cafe Live, supported by Thin Lips, whose melodic powerpop opens a window into intimate, cathartic narratives. Also along for the ride is slick Louisville rock outfit White Reaper. – Michael Colavita 

Other places where you can enjoy this Summer Solstice weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Midnight Singers, Travel Lanes, Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Ramona/DJ Deejay, SAT Narcos Family Band, The Magnificent Shithawks Of The Greater Northern Americas/Fame Lust, SUN Behind Deadlines, Fuzzy Slippers/Curanderos, Moral Crayfish

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Boysetsfire, Restorations, SAT Boysetsfire, Restorations

The Foundry (29 E. Allen St.) SAT Tommy Conwell And The Young Rumblers, Creem Circus, SUN Catie Turner

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs)  DJ Oluwafemi/(Downstairs) Sheer Mag, Thin Lips

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI  Stripped Down & Unplugged Fest: Laura Purfield, Sh’Bang/Voodoo Death Cult, The Heels, Banged Up, SUN Gas Money, House Plant, Thrillchaser/Behind The Horror, The Lima Division, Big Handsome

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Camp Candle, SAT Tuck Ryan Band

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT GROSS, World Below

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SUN Rover Rover, Rachel Andie and the Fifth Element, Sleepmonster

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT Paul Green Adult Program, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Adventure Lost, Andorra, At Best, SAT Dirty Soap, River Bones Band, SUN Kicking Down Doors, John Galla

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT Knightlife

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) SAT Menace Cartel, SUN New Pony Band

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ AZN JAKE, SAT DJ Drootrax, SUN A Midsummer Nightmare: A Drag Tribute to Tim Burton

Century (1350 S. 29th St.) FRI Voltheque, Worst Ones, Pataphor, SAT Pushin’ it 2 the Limit (Tape Release), Code of the Jaguar, Los Gueys

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Live Not On Evil, Street Vengeance, The Noid, SAT Shark Bullet, Misfit Holiday

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Funky T, Rachel Andre & the Fifth Element, SAT Mesmeria, Dr. Beardface, Jay Skull In Spades, The Cluster Flies

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Electron, Catullus, SUN Ben Arnold, Matt Santry

Molestice (100 Block of N. Mole St.) SAT &More, Ali Awan, Great Time, Camp Candle

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Yeenar (EP Release), Honeytiger, Droopies

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Afloat, Science Club

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI Rob Paine & Francisco Collazo

Haus Of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Booklegger, Hyve, Ty Miller & the Miller Lites

New England

Tom Abbott’s “Puppet Boy” is a fantastic sonic collage, show upcoming at Wrentham Town Common 07.28

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No better way to start your weekend than with the upbeat acoustic brilliance of Wrentham’s Tom Abbott! The singer-songwriter has released his sophomore full-length record Puppet Boy, a collection of indie-folk tracks dipped in just enough lo-fi-production waters to provide a raw sound irresistible. The vibrant acoustic guitar phrases and upbeat drum patterns of "Hello" have the candid indie-folk spirit of bands like The Decemberists while "8 Hours" kicks off with serrated guitar riffs à la lo-fi star-of-the-moment Justus Proffit. In "Happy," Abbott bares his soul in a cathartic blues-tinged song that showcases his vocal magnetism to the tune of elegant piano chimes. The fuzzy bassline and fractured guitar arpeggios of "Fly on the Wall" are pure indie-rock goodness. The record finishes with the aptly-titled "Goodbye" a track that keeps the sonic sprint going, flashing sweet harmonies as it races to the finish line. Tom Abbott can be proud of a record that encompasses a variety of genres from punk in "Fake Punk" to alt-country in "Lemonade," treating everyone to something exquisite. Tom will be playing at the Wrentham Town Common July 28th, sure to unleash his sonic collage in a must-see performance. "Hello" is streaming below. – Rene Cobar

Portland

Wet Dream Song Release

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Wet Dream just premiered their song “See Foam Run,” off their upcoming album Future Nostalgic. The dream-pop band manages to peacefully blend the more wistful elements of their music with the more upbeat backing. “See Foam Run” creates a unique and lovely combination of moods. It feels lost but not lonely, guided by an earnest desire to explore the darkness it finds itself in. Listening to the song feels like looking at yourself in the mirror surrounded by shadowy neon lighting. It’s a beautiful piece of exploration. 

Future Nostalgic will be out on August 7th.

-By Suzy Harrison, photo provided via Instagram

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Broke Body

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Being broke financially is a situation that a majority of fledgling artists can relate to. For Broke Body, life has been taxing in the physical sense as well, so they wanted a band name that would represent their lives right now. However, things haven’t been all that bad for the trio here in Philly of late. After discovering “a really dope, supportive community,” the group just released its first EP, Bleed, via local imprint Good How Are You Records, and claimed victory in our recent Featured Artist(s) Poll. “Exploring themes of dissonance, loss, apathy, and anxiety,” you can give Broke Body’s fiery debut a spin below, and take a gander at our interview with the gang HERE. Tru.

Chicago

JOB LP Release @ Emporium Tonight! (6/21)

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JOB released their new album, Meaningless, today (6/21) via the local label Forge Again. This is the trio’s first new music since their 2016 self-titled debut EP, and it is a sonic adventure. The instrumental trio of Otto Junker (guitars/bass), Bill Myers (keys/synths), and Jim Myers (drums) create a sound that is somewhere between experimental ambient music and explosive cinematic math rock.

You can catch JOB tonight, June 21st, at Emporium Logan Square with Engines, American Draft, and William Covert. Proceeds from this event will benefit One Tail At A Time Dog Rescue.

Chicago

Of Origins “Discover”

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Progressive Djent Metal band Of Origins released their debut full-length album, Discover, earlier this month. This is the Schaumburg-based band currently consisting of Arman Zumberi (guitar), Shane Wegener (Guitar/Vocals), and Ernesto Yebra (Vocals).

Across the album the trio enlisted help for friends including John Matalone of VCTMS, Duaa Qureshi, and slak.

Philadelphia

New Little Gunpowder EP Available for Streaming & Download

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Baltimore transplants, Little Gunpowder, recently shared a new three-song EP, titled Don’t Fall Asleep.  A stirring, scene-painting, singer-songwriter atmosphere opens its doors. Observations and self-assessments make for honest, unfiltered, lyrical portraits. Raw, emotive turmoil leaves a lasting imprint.

L.A.

Goon releases new single “Check Engine Light,” debut LP out 7/19

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There’s a weary quality to Goon frontman Kenny Becker’s optimistic sentiment. "Alright/Okay/I’m walking on sunshine all the time," Becker sings on "Check Engine Light," subsumed by the anxiety that consumes his thoughts. His words may be sincere, but his dry tone says otherwise. And just like that indicator lamp that nags one to no end, it’s a feeling that’s better not to ignore—before it gets any worse.  

Goon’s fourth single off their full-length debut, Heaven is Humming, continues their solid streak of hook-driven scuzz rock—a sound they’ve been refining since the release of 2016’s Dusk of Pink -EP. Check out the band’s forthcoming headline release show at Echoplex on July 18. It’s out July 19 via Partisan Records. – Juan Edgardo Rodríguez

NYC

Fresh Buzz: Arthur Moon announces debut LP, plays Elsewhere with Palehound 07.10

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We’ve been huge fans of Arthur Moon for awhile. Admittedly, releases-wise things haven’t been moving at break-necking pace for the the avant-indie project of queer artist Lora-Faye Åshuvud, as it often happens with music that’s a little more sophisticated than the average. And Arthur Moon’s music is a lot more sophisticated – and complicated – than the average. But finally word is out that the project debut album, following their excellent 2017 debut EP Our Head and a few singles, is about to drop, and preview single Homonormo bodes well for an outstanding release. Subverting anything that can be subverted in the rhythmic, melodic and production realms, this vocoder and plodding drumbeat-driven song finds a perfect balance between experimentation and melody, with Lora-Faye’s vocals guiding us charmingly and confidently through an unexpected path of sonic twists and turns that never sound forced. 

Arthur Moon will be performing live at Elsewhere with Palehound on July 10th, with the debut record scheduled for an August 2nd release.

Chicago

KAINA “Could Be A Curse”

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KAINA has released a third single and video called “Could Be A Curse”. The track is taken from her forthcoming debut album, Next To The Sun, and features Sen Morimoto, who also stars in the video.

Next To The Sun will be released on July 12th via Sooper Records and can be preorder here.

You can catch KAINA at Lincoln Hall on July 14th with Sen Morimoto, Luna Luna, Kara Jackson, and Kahekili.