Pivot Gang have dropped a new Contact directed video for their track “Mortal Kombat” from their debut album, You Can’t Sit With Us.
The song and video both feature a special appearance from the talented Little Rock emcee Kari Faux.
New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Pivot Gang have dropped a new Contact directed video for their track “Mortal Kombat” from their debut album, You Can’t Sit With Us.
The song and video both feature a special appearance from the talented Little Rock emcee Kari Faux.
St. Louis emcee ChaseTheMoney enlisted two of Chicago’s finest, Valee and Z Money, on his latest single “On The Way”.
Valee will be dropping his latest EP, Runnin’ Rich, which will feature Vic Mensa, King Louis, and G Herbo, in the coming weeks. He will also be performing at Pitchfork Music Festival on July 19th.
Z Money recently released a new mixtape called “Shawty Paid” which features contributions from Key Glock, Young Mai, Gucci Mane and Hoodrich Pablo Juan.
Half-Russian, New York-based synthpop artist Shura explores connection, queer love, and musical growth in her sophomore LP ‘forevher,’ set to release this fall. Following her first project, 2016’s ‘Nothing’s Real,’ an indie pop LP that revealed the anxious side of vulnerability and unrequited love, the new record takes a new, decidedly soulful direction. Saxophone-tinged "BKLYNLDN" showcases her musical influences, which include Prince, The Internet, and Minnie Riperton. The project’s first single, "religion (u can lay your hands on me)" is a fun, playful track that compares sex to religion while toying with innuendo. Shura and director Chloe Wallace cleverly use the strengths of the artist’s vantage point in the song’s video, inspired by the religious iconography of HBO’s ‘The Young Pope.’ Walking the line between romanticism and ’80s nostalgia, the clip reveals a perspective on love where weakness and transgression are necessary strengths. The LP, set to drop on August 16th via Secretly Canadian, features co-production from Joel Pott, Jona Ma (Jawar Ma), and Will Miller (Whitney), as well as additional vocals from artists Rosie Lowe, Kerry Leatham, and Reva (Nimmo). ‘forevher’ expands Shura’s stance on queer desire, don’t miss the release party at Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 23rd. – Susan Moon
Krust Toons: "For the Rest of Us" 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.
The rich history of jazz and funk’s marriage is in good hands thanks to groups like About Time, a six-piece band that knows how to get down. The upbeat songs of the Vermont-based group flash some elegant chord progressions and right down sticky basslines. The groovy rhythms and harmonica solos that decorate the tracks of the band’s latest record I Don’t Think I Belong Here mix well with smooth saxophone arrangements and the playful vocals of Lauren Kelley and Stephanie Jacobs. The group is having fun in this debut record: the album has an experimental feel to it with the main ingredients of jazz, funk, blues, and rock measured beautifully for a compelling listening experience. About Time will be performing at Radio Bean in Burlington, VT on June 30th in promotion of the new record. We have the group’s superbly engaging song "Rose Colored Glasses" streaming below. – Rene Cobar
After prolifically posting multiple releases over the last few years via his Bandcamp, Philly singer-songwriter Scotty Leitch, a.k.a. Shelf Life, has cleared his page, and shared FEARLESS, Leitch’s latest full-length album. The LP occupies an intimate, pensive, folk-anchored sound. However, within those contemplative melodies, there are experimental twists that create an intriguing, mysterious element. Keep them coming; please don’t quit making music, Scotty.
Connecticut’s Big Fang plays pop rough, and it sounds so good: the band’s distorted guitar chords, massive low end, and swift pace allow its vocal harmonies to flourish for a pure power-pop effect that delights listeners. Power pop always has a vintage feel to it, championed by bands like Cheap Trick, the style is light-hearted but has some serious muscle to it, Big Fang embraces that wholly by letting its instruments do the roaring and voices the howling. Big Fang’s debut EP Human Distance has arrived, and it is a thrilling sonic sprint of intrepid guitar solos and skillfully-timed drum fills throughout. In and out of vogue, power pop seems to charm regardless, Big Fang makes it easy to see why. The band is playing Cafe Nine in New Haven on July 5th to keep the momentum going. Enjoy "Emergency" streaming below. – Rene Cobar
We know it is a beautiful sunny Friday afternoon, but sometimes it is good, freeing, meditative, to cry, and when this previous unreleased single, “Last July”, from Trey Gruber arrived in our inbox, that is exactly what we did.
Gruber, who passed away at 26 back in 2017 after a long battle with alcohol and heroin addiction, was beloved in our community, and was on the verge of something substantial with his band Parent.
With “Last July", he had created a somber, meditative, folk-inspired, break-up song that will leave you with visions of sitting alone in your bedroom and wondering what went wrong. This track was originally recorded in the Fall of 2015.
Numero Group has released the single and will be releasing a collection of Trey’s music called Herculean House of Cards on June 28th.
The Deli Nashville wants to take a moment to check in with one of our favorite artists, Adia Victoria, who will perform at 3rd & Lindsley on June 23rd. The blues singer-songwriter announced at the beginning of June that she had received the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Holly Prize, an award named for Buddy Holly which "recognizes and supports a new all-in-one songwriter". Adia’s show at 3rd & Lindsley falls right in the middle of her Dope Queen Tour, which will take her to Europe later this summer. She’ll headline a few shows in the UK and in Germany, as well as open for The National while she’s out there. Later this year, Adia will open for Calexico and Iron & Wine at several shows around Europe; these performances will grow her audience and give her scintillating Southern blues the attention it deserves. Take a listen to Adia’s latest single, "Different Kind Of Love", below. – Will Sisskind
It was just last month that Spencer Radcliffe released his latest album, Hot Spring, via Run For Cover. This week Puddle Splashers released the band’s Pallet Session where they performed Side A of Hot Spring and it is fantastic.
A reassuring, intimate openness wafts through the songs of Strawberry Runners. Delicate, clear-visioned recollections and imagery create a confidential, transportive quality to the songwriting. One floats through the ripples of melodies as the deftly painted details are enhanced by the composed yet resonating vocals. Tomorrow evening at Everybody Hits, Strawberry Runners will be joined by Comfy. Breezy melodies, reinforced by vocal harmonies, cultivate an at ease, bedroom-pop nature. However, that calm, coasting approach can be accelerated by some riff-fueled, enthusiastic, guitar work. They’ll be setting the stage for the garage-pop of Ontario’s Billy Moon and the pop experimentations of Mauno, whose forthcoming album, Really Well, is slated to arrive on August 2. – Michael Colavita
Other places where you can chill at this weekend…
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Strawberry Runners, Comfy
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Scantron, SAT Witching
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Hound
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Goddamnit, Hold Down The Ocean, SAT DJSC, SUN AyBe, Internal Rhyme, Bran Bav, Hashland
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Karl Blau
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI No Option
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI Outer Heaven
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI So Far Gone: Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) TIMBALONA, DJ Shango, SAT (Upstairs) Levee Drivers
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Haxon, Dawn’s Divide, We Are One, SUN Bastion’s Wake, Frost Giant
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Jackson Howard, SUN Local Smokes
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Wormtooth, Bury Your Fish, Soft Idiot, SUN The Drowned God, Andross, Castor’s Hollow
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds, Tiger Castle, Truant Minds, SAT Folklore
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Sylo, Astro 8000, SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Live Band Karaoke, SAT Live Band Karaoke , SUN Rusty Cadillac
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Dot Gov (EP Release Show), The Pool Boys, SAT The End of America (7” Release), Kirby Sybert, SUN Anime Dessert Club
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Stolen Wheelchairs, Dive In The Box, SAT A Benefit for Sylvain Sylvain: Blessed Muthas, Mr. Unloved, Kiss Boom Bah, Decontrol, The Prisoners
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Wisdom In Chains, Guillotine, SUN Broken Rib, Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Kalicade, SUN Michael Thompson
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Royale, SAT Ed Christof, SUN ASS YOU WISH: A Princess Bride Burlesque
The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT DJ Johnny Bats (The Bathaus) and DJ Robin your grave 1348
Century (1350 S. 29th St.) FRI The Droogettes, Beer Me, Under 95, SAT Twin Beds, The Front End, Egocentric Plastic Men, Stay Loud
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Jac with No K (EP Release), The New September, Kennel Club, Sock Revival, SAT Stellarscope, Sonny Knockout, Chaos Theory, Minerva
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Wild Dust, SAT Brad Rau and Bobby Waterman, SUN The Lot, Those Troublemakers,
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.)FRI Hivelords, Vulturepeak, Night Raids, Desperate Living, LMI, SAT Absinthe Father, Midfield, Nonfiction, Tonks
Vox Populi (319 N. 11th St.) SAT Kohoutek, Pure Enchantment
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SAT Body Spray
Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI DJ Matpat, SAT Matthew Law presents Friends & Fam
Lizard Lounge (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Blame Jakob, Chloe Likes Olivia
Haus Of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Overwinter, Gorpho, Noera
Tundra Dome (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Brackish, Cave Weta, Spellbinder, Bleary Eyed