You might pass a hundred singer-songwriters in the Music City every day, whether they’re lawyers, cashiers, or even your best friend who has a secret diary which you don’t know about. Often times, they’re university students, as is the case with Nicole Jackson. The Portland-born singer-songwriter studies the music business at Belmont University, but she’s also put out a collection of four tracks called Radio Silence. The EP showcases a talent with songwriting on par with indie up-and-comers like Snail Mail and big names like Kacey Musgraves and Carrie Underwood. Tracks on Radio Silence range in intensity from barnstormer "Disappear" to post-punk tinged "Ghosts" to the ballad title track. It’s a promising debut from one of the many aspiring musicians who walk among us. Take a listen to Radio Silence below. – Will Sisskind
Looms’ “Eclipse” is an ode to emotional paralysis – live at Berlin 3.28
It’s hard not bask in the languid world of “Eclipse,” the first single off dream punk act Looms’ new record The Way Up. Written after a summer tour and a break up, frontman Sharif Mekawy’s lyrics about “wishing the moon would make it dark” embody a passive paralysis, the feeling of watching the hours tick by, a stupor from the reception of unexpected and unpleasant news. Looms’ interweaving guitars bolster this vibe, its impressive sundrenched noodling a sonic representation of the frustration that lies just below the surface. And while the Brooklyn four piece may have chosen to name this track after a solar eclipse, it feels just like a lazy afternoon in how it encapsulates the boring-to-death moments in between the events that define our lives. Give it a listen below, and catch Looms at Berlin on March 28th alongside Color Tongue, Monoculture, and Huh. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt), Photo by Liz Maney
Coaster “Be Who”
Coaster has released a new single, “Be Who” b/w “Power Tools”, last week. This is the DIY Rock of Matt Kissinger (vox/guitar), Seth Engel (guitar/vox), Dillon Kelley (bass), and Marcus Nuccio (drums, percussion).
These tracks were recorded back in August before Matt departed for LA, and most likely will be the band’s final release.
Weekend Warrior, March 15 – 17
Tonight, Boot & Saddle hosts a benefit for Erika Almirón, Democrat for City Council. The trio of Yarrow addresses the agitation and frustration over societal shortcomings and the divide that currently serves as the status quo. A noise-inflected, raw, post-punk approach creates a formidable tone, pulling you into the group’s chaotic vortex. However, within that bombarding storm of sound, a personal fire burns, and the fuzzy-friction of a heavy groove results. This evening, they will be joined by the cathartic outpouring of Joey Doubek and Ashley Arnwine, a.k.a. Pinkwash, with Pancho Cuacuil completing the lineup. – Michael Colavita
More places where you can get out to this weekend…
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI A Fundraiser For Erika Almirón: Pinkwash, Yarrow, Pancho Cuacuil
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Nic Sanderson, Looser, Lazy Eye/DJ Deejay, SAT HR, Pet Lizard, Mr. Lisp/DJSC, SUN The Ancient Mariners
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI Presages, Julia Rainer, Chelsea Sue Allen, SAT Horrendous, SUN Devil Master (Record Release), Haldol, The Ire
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Dj-Sun, Kingspy, Mellowbastard, LIPSHITZ, SAT The Philadelphia Pancakes & Booze Art Show
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Sophie Coran, Lauren Scott , Emmett Drueding, SUN (Balcony) Little Strike (With the Pop Academy Strings), Rachel Andie
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Downstairs) Seamus Egan Project, SAT (Downstairs) Little Stranger, SUN (Upstairs) Rockdale Music: Winter Showcase/Barleyjuice
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Royal Ghosts, Stealing Fame, SUN Big Boy Brass, Common Icon, Trash Boy
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Stealing From Thieves, Delmont, Threefold Fire, SAT Honey Radar, Rubber, SUN Body Spray (Record Release), Plot, Table
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Oh Jeezus/Peace & The City Grease, Mat Burke & The Painkillers, SAT Joe Kenney, Della Chase
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Ancient Puzzle Arts: DJ Matpat, Alex Burkat, Diamond Girl, Yōsuke DJ
Milkboy South Street (401 South St.) SAT Rachel Andie, Jackson Howard
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Tiger Castle, Dear Forbidden, This Kills Me, SAT Nakama, Juice Wax, House Plant, SUN Tucker Hill, The Classic Hunt
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Dj Baby Berlin, SAT Decontrol, Gibbous Moon
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI DJ Marco:All That 90s Party, SAT Sad & Boujee
The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Creem Circus, Instant Smile, Guy Campo, SAT Dumal
Century (1350 S. 29th St.) FRI Rollin’ Loaded, Space Caravan, Horrible Charlie, The Sketchy Freaks, SAT E. Grizzly (Record Release), Reek HellaSmoke, Torito
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof, SUN A Show Has No Name: A Game of Thrones Burlesque
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Whalewolf, Matt Gauss Band, Cosmic Lottery, SAT Dot.gov, Idle Kyle, Proper Dark, Mighty Joe Castro & The Gravemen, Athensville
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Nik Greeley & The Operators
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Laser Background, Julian, A Million Dollars, SAT Eel Tank, OOLOI
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Badnew (EP Release), Drift, Yeenar, Naff, SUN Colin Lenox & Friends
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Telyscopes, Americanadian, SUN Moment To Capitalize, Playing Pretend
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) FRI Truckstopcanyon, EyeBawl, Crooked Spine, SAT Goings (EP Release), Rally Point, Kinda Alright, Life Instead of Sleep
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SUN Plastic Club, Busy Bee Project, Overwinter
The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Acidic Dreams , SAT No Thank You, Earth Telephone, Kate Dressed Up
Warehouse on Watts (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Minka, OOLALA, DJ Humble, SAT Matthew Law presents: Friends & Fam
Sympathetic Frequencies (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Aphra
Airstream Futures Spirale Infernale Reissue
England’s Little Rocket Records has reissued the debut LP, Spirale Infernale, on sky blue vinyl. The LP was originally released by Paper + Plastick back in 2017.
Airstream Futures is the work of Devon Carson (vocals), Jeff Dean (guitar), Megan Edgin (bass), and Mike Soucy (drums). Below is the video for “Dreams of Narrow Wings”, the lead single from the album.
Airstream Futures will be performing at 350 Brewing’s 350 Fest V August 23rd to the 25th.
Photo by Fareine Suarez
Debut Devil Master Album Available for Streaming & Purchase
Satan Spits on Children of Light is the debut album from Philly’s own Devil Master, and is out now via Relapse Records. A menacing, metal momentum bombards the airwaves as you listen to these hard, searing, snarly tracks. Guttural vocals compound the sense of instrumental urgency, while crossing genres and making you feel like tearing it all down. Supported by Haldol, The Ire, Sadist, Public Acid, Satan’s favorite sons will be honoring their release this Sunday, March 17 at PhilaMOCA.
Juice Cleanse “36 Hours”
Juice Cleanse has released the first single, “36 Hours”, from their forthcoming album, False Start. This is indie rock trio’s first release since their 2017 self-titled debut EP.
You can help Juice Cleanse celebrate the release of their album on March 24th at the Hideout with Bloodhype and Gloss Coats.
New Music Video: “No Expectations” – Little Strike
A beautiful, new video for “No Expectations,” from Littles Strike‘s latest EP Beyond Things, has arrived. Animated by Raymo Ventura, the visuals find Tamar Dart traversing through both physical and mental spaces. Following that enchanting, subconscious daydream, Dart thoughtfully expresses her feelings in an elegant, even-keeled manner. This Sunday at the Trocadero, Play On Philly will be presenting Little Strike with the POP Academy Strings, and they’ll supported by Rachel Andie and Poppin’ Off Brass Band on the billing.
American Wolf “Not My Life”
Bedroom producer American Wolf has released a new single called “Not My Life”. This is his second single of 2019 follow-up “Growing Pains” which was released back in January.
For this track American Wolf lays down a Synth-Heavy Dream Pop instrumental to embrace his introspective lyrics. The single is accompanied by a beautiful Jeff Engelmann directed video.
“Are You With It?” showcase with Austin Prince, Madi Sipes & the Painted Blue, Trace Repeat & Cereus Bloom, March 30th at Cornerstone
The “Are You With It” showcase, presented by Makings, is coming up at Cornerstone the 30th of March and it’s getting quite the local buzz. Makings is a music and artist advocacy group founded by Austin Prince and his manager, Kara McCall. Makings is all about helping promote Bay Area musicians who might not yet have a huge name or representation. The “Are You With It?” series does just that.
Says Austin Prince, “There’s no genres; we’re not trying to put on a big clubby scene or something where you have to know people to get in a set. You just have to be musicians who have talent and the passion to perform. We’re all about making those connections within our communities, at these shows. We want to help less-exposed artists find their footing and get their music out there.” So who’s on feature at this month’s Are You With It? A lot of funk, sassy R&B, and a touch of poppy indie rock, all brought to you by Madi Sipes & the Painted Blue, Trace Repeat & Cereus Bloom and–back by popular demand and fan’s insistence–Austin Prince. To honor Mr. Prince, check out his charming new music video featuring a skateboarding bird. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Silent Age
Silent Age released their debut LP, Display, via Play Alone Records. This modern take on vintage New Wave from Patrick Donohoe (Vocals), Vinny Segretario (Guitar), Julian Cabrera (Drums), Benny Hernandez (Bass), and Brian Cundiff (Keyboard).
The album’s first single is called “Scattered (Never Let Me Go)” and can be streamed below.
Country rocker Kyle Daniel releases sophomore EP “What’s There To Say?”
Maybe you like the Allman Brothers Band. Maybe you like Chris Stapleton. Maybe you’re looking for that sweet spot between Southern rock and good old Americana country music. Put your faith in Kyle Daniel‘s music. His sophomore LP What’s There To Say? comes out on March 15th, and it’s already received write-ups from the press including big names like Billboard and Rolling Stone. The lead track "Born To Lose" sheds light on Daniel’s football field-ready voice, the roar of his band’s organ and electric guitar, the smooth dance of the strings, and the light swing of the drums. Any fan of country music will see that Daniels does it right; if you’re that fan, take a listen to "Born To Lose" below. Daniels is touring the Southeast to support the new album; he’ll be back in Nashville on March 26th to play Twang Tuesday at ACME Feed and Seed. – Will Sisskind