Krust Toons: "The Ramones of Punk Rock" 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.
Philadelphia
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New Ther EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
nonultrajoy, the new EP from Andi Jones-led Ther, is available on cassette via Deep Sea Records. A calm, contemplative catharsis unfolds. Words are woven in well-realized stories/songs that carry depth whilst flowing breezily free. On Wednesday, April 17, Ther will be performing at Everybody Hits as part of a lineup that also includes Noera, Lirra Skirra, Christina Puerto, Host, and Warm Dust.
Chicago
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CAVE Psychic Summer Reissue
CAVE has released the first single, “Made in Malaysia”, from the forthcoming reissue of 2009’s, Psychic Summer, which is due out April 26th via Drag City. This will mark the first time the album will be widely released and available through Drag City, and will celebrate the album’s 10 year anniversary.
Cave is currently touring Spain and will spend the Spring in Spain, Portugal, Netherland, France, and Belgium.
NYC
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Trace Mountains release autotune-heavy single “Where It Goes”
One of the positives to come from the split of beloved-indie rock band LVL Up in 2018 was the beginning of Dave Benton’s solo project Trace Mountains. While some elements of LVL Up could be found on Trace Mountains’ debut album A Partner to Lean On—lo-fi production, understated vocals, and a subtle taste for pop hooks—for the most part it ventured into new territory. Tender acoustic guitar, bedroom production, and light electronics made Trace Mountains a different but equally exciting project. The band’s newest single, “Where It Goes” opens with the same gentle charm of that debut but moves into a more heavily electronic territory only briefly explored on the album. With a minimal arrangement ruled by bass and an 808 drum beat, Benton sings of a childhood friend and the death of her father in a nostalgia-glazed whisper. It’s a soft but worthy addition to the Trace Mountain catalog that opens up the field for an even more eclectic sophomore album. – Cameron Carr
Toronto
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Lenny Bull – Single “Don’t Talk About It” From Debut Record, Rivoli 04.25
The frontwoman from the now defunct alt-country band Torero is off on her own now playing a similar style but with a more retro rock n’ roll vibe. Lenny Bull’s first solo single “Don’t Talk About It” has a very catchy feel to it with a classic rock sound similar to The Heartbreakers. The solo has some psychedelic licks goin’ on and the vocals are as powerful as the lyrics themselves. According to Bull the song’s she writes “dive into relationships, getting over yourself and not taking any bullshit.” Lenny Bull’s record release party is Thursday April 25th at The Rivoli with Huttch. – Kris Gies
NYC
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Barrio Manouche’s single, “El Joven”
This month Barrio Manouche released their newest single, “El Joven” and the song is another fantastic hit. With "El Joven," Barrio Manouche does what they do best: invigorating Spanish gypsy jazz all with beautiful backing, from trumpets to the cajón, lots of sax, beautiful guitar work, and plenty of reason to get up and dance. Check out their video and go see them in San Francisco April 13th or 20th at Club Deluxe, and April 26th at The Chapel! – Lucille Faulkner
Nashville
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Synthpop unplugs: Basic Printer & Kytoon play Bowery Vault 04.06
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
Chicago
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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.
NYC
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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
Philadelphia
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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
Philadelphia
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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.
Chicago
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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.