Chicago

Dreamboats “Apple Tree”

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Dreamboats released their debut single, “Apple Tree”, this week. This is the Dream Pop group fronted by Maddy Marsan, and she is accompanied by Jeremy Marsan, David Hubbell, and John Duray.

You can catch Dreamboats at Schubas on April 27th with Town Criers, The Edwards, and In The Pines.

NYC

Leikeli47 brings distinctive hip hop sound to SXSW, 03.13

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In an industry dominated by big personalities, it takes a lot for a hip hop artists to stand out. Brooklyn based rapper Leikeli47 has taken on this challenge, ironically, by disguising herself behind a mask – one she dons in interviews and during shows, and is rarely seen without. However, you shouldn’t take the mask as a clue of her being shy, since on her latest album Acrylic she proves she is anything but. Her flow is playful and brash, and on tracks like “Tic Boom” and “Girl Blunt” she experiments with unconventional vocal intonation and rhythm in her takedowns of those who might doubt her individuality and self assurance. Leikeli47 is just one of many talented artists who will be playing this year’s SXSW festival – you can catch her set on March 13th at the Hip Hop/Rap Showcase, and stream Acrylic below. -Sunny Betz

Chicago

Carlie “Spare Me”

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Carlie (aka Emily Carlile Nichols) has release her first two singles, “Spare Me” and “Better Suitor”. This is powerfully minimal independent Pop, and follows up her previous work as Emily Nichols nicely.

You can catch Carlie tonight, March 8th, at Tonic Room with Gibbz and on March 24th at The Boxcar.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Free Around You” – The Dove & The Wolf

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“Free Around You” is the latest single from The Dove & The Wolf, and it captures a dreamy intimacy of a meeting. The beauty of vocal harmony takes a somewhat dramatic turn as the hard thump of percussion and horn fills the distance. A natural sense of familiarity allows you to drop your guard and embrace the moment. It’s a graceful, loving admission. Conversations, the duo’s forthcoming full-length debut is slated for release on May 3. (Photo by Marcus Maddox)

NYC

A Deli Premiere: New single “Breed” off Waterstrider’s new EP

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After a year of tribulations, Nate Salman of Waterstrider, poured heavy energies into his newest EP, The Way Out, on 30th Century Records. The result is a warlockian, mesmerizing blend of songs that have the surreal quality of our beloved Enya but with a Julien Ehrlich falsetto and dark, poppy synths. The single “Breed” is melancholy but hopeful. Lines like “Farewell to secrets/I’ll never keep them” are sung with a pure earnestness and are serenaded by keys with an airy, forestlike quality. This experimental, futuristic collection brings Waterstrider into a new realm. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Philadelphia

Debut Desperate Living EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Brian Medlin (The Minor Times), Timothy Leo (The Minor Times, Ladder Devils), Scott Signorino (SOLD), and Jonathan Van Dine (CRUISR) combine forces as Desperate Living. Their debut EP New Concrete was engineered and mixed by Uniform Recording’s Jeff Zeigler, and is out now via Brutal Panda Records. It’s a release of controlled aggression over frustrations both past and present. The band unites as a battering ram of musicality ready to tear it all down.

Chicago

Lexi Jones “Greetings from the Graveyard”

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Lexi Jones (of Phoenix Uncaged) has released her debut single, “Greetings from the Graveyard”. The single is accompanied by a Jake Neumann directed video, and gives you some insight into the song and Lexi herself.

The single is one of those classic jangling guitar pop songs with a beautiful melody and an underlying sadness. Think classic Tonya Donelly or, for a more modern comparison, Phoebe Bridgers.

Portland

Dream Wulf Turns Up The Heat

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Dream Wulf has a new EP coming out, and they’ve already proved its gonna be a good one with the pre-release “Confusing Times.” From the very first note, the dark, heavy psychedelic rock is intense and demanding. The song commands your attention, especially the vocals. The wailing, dramatic tones definitely set up the song’s mood. It feels like you’re swirling your hands in some hot sand, creating designs that are intricate and mesmerizing. Equally as attention-grabbing is the guitar solo near the end of the song. It’s very bluesy and high energy, playing off the drums remarkably well. They definitely turn up the heat on an already scorching song. It’s blisteringly enjoyable.

Dream Wulf will be playing PestoFest on March 16th. You can find more details about the event on the facebook page. 

  -By Nick Hartman

L.A.

Drinker take a pause on swaying, downtempo new single “Holiday”

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Like many of us, Aaron Mendelsohn could use a breather. On "Holiday," Mendelsohn—who performs under the name Drinker—gives thought to how some self-reflection can guide your life choices for the better. The swaying, downtempo track served as a defining moment for Mendelsohn, given that he wrote it in one aftertoon just before moving back to Los Angeles after spending some time living in New York City. With its murky, dimly lit mood—helmed in unison with his bicoastal creative partner Ariel Loh—the ambient-leaning "Holiday" reflects the uncertainty of making such difficult choices with a cautious sense of confidence.

"Holiday" is the fourth single off of Drinker’s forthcoming debut LP, Fragments, which comes out on May 3 via B3SCI Records. Juan Rodríguez

Toronto

Jay Feelbender – Garage Rock Debut Album “Big Bloom”

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Brand new garage rocker Jay Feelbender has just dropped his debut record “Big Bloom”. The opening track “Nostalgia, That’s The Autumn ft. Luna Li” sounds like the musical score for Napolean Dynamite. Track 2 “Solar” has the guitars come out to play. The riff is fuzzy and somewhat lazy which gives the track a great slacker feel. Put your feet up and blast this Feelbender record then you’ll feel better. – Kris Gies