If you have any familiarity with the Nashville synth scene whatsoever, you may have seen a show including either Kytoon or Basic Printer. You know that they pepper their masterful tracks with a secret blend of synthesizer magic. And you know that if you stripped away their electronics and handed each of them an acoustic guitar, they could still wow you with songwriting wizardry. You can see and hear this for yourself when Kytoon and Basic Printer play The Bowery Vault on April 6th in an event called Synthpop Unplugged. The show begins at 5:00; come early and prepare yourself for an electrifying evening of music sans any electric instruments. Below, take a listen to each of the artists’ latest releases: Basic Printer’s "Good Weird" from the album of the same name, and Kytoon’s latest single "Save My Breath". – Will Sisskind
Vesper @ Empty Bottle (4/16)
Vesper is the Synth Pop duo of producer Zak Fox Jablow and vocalist Samantha Humphreys. They recently released a new single “Elastic” from their forthcoming debut full-length LP, Years. The album is due out on April 20th via Shuga Records.
The duo had previously release the LP’s first single “Sway” and both tracks are beautiful examples of how they blend Synth Pop, Dance Music, and more into a fierce and inventive sound.
You can help Vesper celebrate the release of their album on April 16th at Empty Bottle with Zigtebra and Big Syn.
A Deli Premiere: LOUIZA’s “Roll Your Eyes”
On April 5th, LOUIZA releases her sophomore album Swim at Night, recorded with producer James Riotto (The Mountain Goats, tUnE-yArDs, Ezra Furman) at Oakland’s Tiny Telephone. The Deli is pleased to premiere the sweet, folk-jazzy single “Roll Your Eyes.”
Swim at Night is a blend of folk, jazz, electropop and art rock. When asked about that last genre, LOUIZA’s Rebecca Mimiaga says the name allows for more experimentation. “When I think of rock, it’s so expansive…my music isn’t rock but it isn’t jazz either; it’s this total blend of all these things and I want to keep this project in the vain of ‘experimentation.’ [On this album] …everything is more experimental [than the last]–the harmonies, everything.”
On the creation of the album itself, Mimiaga says she wants to give credit where credit is absolutely due. “With this album I’d come in with the song and a sort of mood board for what I wanted the song to be like, and Jaime (Riotto), would help determine what kind of synth sound to create. We have a lot in common sonically and he really helped determine the soundscape on the album. As for the musicians, I rarely tell them what to play, I want them to bring their own musical interest and influence to the album.” Tracks are refreshingly varied, from folk poppy rock to fantastic, horn-infused hip-hop jazz. Swim at Night is an exciting journey we recommend taking. Give it a listen and go see LOUIZA at Rickshaw Stop on April 18th for the album release show. Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Weekend Warrior, March 29 – 31
Light up, and head on out to High Reeper’s record release this Sunday at Johnny Brenda’s. The local ensemble fearlessly dives head first into multiple chasms of the metal genre, while keeping true to its stoner roots and retro 70’s aesthetic. The quintet’s riff-tastic LP is a fine example of why Philly’s underground sounds can’t be put in a box. High Reeper will also be joined at the beloved Fishtown watering hole by celestial beings Green Meteor and NYC hard rockers Mick’s Jaguar. So feel free to bang your head, and let those locks/freak flags fly! – Alexis V.
Other places where you can rock or not this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI The Clap Back – Benefiting Small But Mighty Arts: Rieko Copeland, SUN High Reeper (Record Release), Green Meteor
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Baker Man (Record Release), Mesmeric Haze, Aspect Ratio, SUN Augusta Koch
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Gringo Motel, The Rectors/Shake It Off: Taylor & Friends Dance Party, SAT HIPS, DJ Lean Wit It
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI RFA, Secret American, Ali Awan
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) SAT Brainrack
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT The Pogos, Floaters, Voodoo Death Cult, Standard Bearer, SUN Man Like Machine, Timelost
TLA (334 South St.) SUN Lee Mazin, Bry Greatah
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI DJ Diamond Kuts, Lee Mazin, Bri Steves, Summer Valentine, Wyo Chi, Mamba Cinco
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI DJ Kaz: Drop It Like It’s Hot
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Reverend TJ McGlinchey, Mason Porter, Christopher Davis-Shannon, Alec Stewart/(Downstairs) Marah, John Train, SAT New Sound Brass band, Scantron,The Dull Blue Lights
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Jaxy & the Three 57s, SAT Drums Like Machine Guns, Aggressive Trial Attorney, Paradise Gardens, Night Terrors, SUN Broad Cast, The Zheroes/Slokey (EP Release), 3hibachi, BK Friendly, Mr.Hideyoshi, Toadofsky, Magnetic The Shaman
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI S.R. Frost (Record Release), SAT Goddamnit
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Crozet, XXIIIXIX/November Lounge, Det Cart Sid, The Third Arrangement, SAT Mirrorsigns
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Rich Medina, SAT DJ Deejay
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Bill Guy and The Essentials (EP Release), Referee, Puppy Angst, SAT American Dinosaur, Lady HD, Stonewall Vessels, SUN Christian Real Keez, Tori Seven
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio, Transistor Rodeo, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Only on Weekends, Wolves Can’t Dance, SAT Raw Street Cabaret
The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT GHOUL B.C., Night Mission
Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI The Age Of Truth, Thunderbird Divine, Ritual Earth, Grey C.E.L.L., SAT Tartarus Horde, Stopping Power, Hallucinogenic Bulb
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SAT Hot Damn, SUN Necrosexual, Rockers Galore
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Darlingtyn, Briz & the Revival, SAT Viewing Party, Chaos Theory, Minerva
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Big Mind, Crucial, Solomonic Sound System, SAT Breakwater
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Murayama, Overwinter, Expansion Project, SAT SteveO & The Crippling Addictions, Lost Boys Lottery, SUN Gloves Off, World Below, Snake Charmer
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Rebecca Zimmerman (Album Release), Canine 10, Stereotytans, Drew Arden, SUN all boy/all girl, Phoebe Fm
The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Medusa’s Disco, SAT Full Bush, Dweller
Warehouse on Watts (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT DJ Everyday, Rob Paine & Francisco Collazo
New Track: “Saucy” – Son Step
Fossilillies is the forthcoming album from Son Step, and is set to come out on May 17 via Grind Select. The experimental pop quartet recently introduced its lead single. “Saucy”. A gentle, bouncy, rhythmic thrust propels the track forward as backend and synth mingle in a vibrant tone. Harmonic, vocal warmth helps to retain a closeness, while exhibiting a drifting-toward-discovery danceability. You can catch the band’s album release celebration ar Johnny Brenda’s on Thursday, June 6, supported by Great Time and Data.
Macie Stewart & Lia Kohl
Astral Editions will be releasing an EP, “Pocket Full of Bees”, from multi-instrumentalist and Composer Macie Stewart (formerly of Marrow) and Cellist and multidisciplinary artist Lia Kohl of ZRL and Mocrep on April 5th. The duo were recorded live at Experimental Sound Studio last June.
Below you can hear the EP’s closing track, “There’s Something In My Sock (It’s Good Good)” and watch a video released by Experimental Sound of the duo performing an excerpt from this recording.
You can catch Macie Stewart & Lia Kohl at Constellation on April 5th with Charles Rumback Quartet.
New Track: “Louder” – Slingshot Dakota
“Louder,” the lead single from Slingshot Dakota’s forthcoming album Heavy Banding, expresses an undeterred perseverance in the face of doubt. Keys and percussion barrel ahead in bright, brutal fashion as a relentless message is delivered. Reinforced by Kiley Lotz (Petal) as well as the members of Dikembe and Expert Timing, the chorus serves as unflinching mantra: “We’ll just keep getting louder.” The record is scheduled for release on May 24 via Community Records/Specialist Subject Records/Stiff Slack, and the duo will begin its tour on Thursday, May 30 at Everybody Hits, supported by Harmony Woods and Hit Like a Girl.
The Jack Moves ride new album’s momentum to Knitting Factory 04.04
The Jack Moves are at it again with a new single “Money Clouds” which once again puts their love for soul/rhythm and blues on full display. The group’s new LP Free Money brings into focus the journey of the duo who marries decades of music effortlessly and applies them to their contemporary sound. The Jack Moves offers the groovy basslines of the ‘70s, the urban feel of hip-hop’s ‘80s heyday, the R&B renaissance of the ‘90s and just the right amount of modern indie rock. The New Jersey natives are bringing their smooth style to The Knitting Factory on April 4, and you will not want to miss it. – Rene Cobar
Screenwriter
Screenwriter is the moniker of electronic music producer Corey Hill. It has been three years, and the release of his EP “Bather”, since we’ve seen new music from Screenwriter.
Hill recently announced that a new single called “Miriam” dropping April 19th and leading to his debut full-length later this year.
Below is “Bather”, but we will be sharing “Miriam” as soon as it is available. If you are not already, get familiar with Screenwriter.
LUTHI releases funky twin-single “Episode One” on 03.29
LUTHI likes to call their music "Cumberland funk", but "boogie circus" will work in a pinch. The seven-piece band provides a sound in which you’ll find both terms equally accurate. On their release Episode One — the first in a series of twin-singles to come out in 2019 — LUTHI brings two new songs full of their ability to get you in the mood to dance wherever you listen. The premiere new track on the single, "Sleepwalkin", has a beat and horns which would wake the dead, and the studio version of the live staple "Out Of This World" pushes all of the energy of the band’s stage antics through your headphones. Episode One drops after a productive past year, during which LUTHI performed over 80 shows, released their debut full-length album Stranger, and played a handful of shows at SXSW 2019. Watch the band perform "Sleepwalkin" below. – Will Sisskind
Pink Avalanche “Blood on Tile” Video
Pink Avalanche has released a video for the first single, “Blood on Tile”, from their forthcoming LP, III. The album is due out on April 19th via Past/FuturesRecords & File 13 Records.
You can catch Pink Avalanche at Empty Bottle on April 18th with Anatomy of Habit and Djunah.
PREMIERE: RVBY MY DEAR’s “Draw” washes over listener and performer
Australia-by-way-of-Brooklyn artist Gabbi Coenen (known professionally as RVBY MY DEAR) lays down a not-so-quiet storm of her new single, “Draw.” The product of stress-induced sleep paralysis, “Draw” finds its strength in Coenen’s economy of movement: her confidence, as a songwriter and vocalist, resonates during the track’s introductory sequence, where Coenen’s stillness and cold crooning weaves daftly between minimalist keys and reverb-heavy claps. This isn’t to say the entirety of Coenen’s performance is based around minimalism. Rather, the careful slow build of tension over the tune’s three and a half minutes has a tendency to wash over the listener in waves of increasing intensity – similar to how water mists, then finally drenches Coenen in its music video. This drama inherent to RVBY MY DEAR’s performance is engaging, never overwhelming, and overall a deeply satisfying experience. Catch the premiere of her new video below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt), Photo by Ebru Yildiz