New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Heavy Psych band Dark Fog have released their latest album, Living The Past… Killing The Future, digitally and are preparing for a vinyl release on February 22nd. It was just last month that the band released Make You Believe via Eye Vybe Records, but since forming in 2003 Dark Fog has been pumping epic Psych music on a consistent basis.
You can help Dark Fog celebrate the new album on February 16th at Empty Bottle with Balms, Diagonal, and Bow & Spear.
Low Dose closed out 2018 celebrating frontwoman Itarya Rosenberg’s birthday at Kung Fu Necktie with a performance of their yet-to-be-released self-titled LP. Well, we now have the latest single from the forthcoming album, which they’ve named "Right On". Rosenberg shared, "It’s about the frustrations of just trying to exist in the world without being bullied by men constantly." The band’s debut full-length is schedule for release on March 29 via Brutal Panda.
Spark The Forest has released a new single called “The Suffering in Erosion”. This is the first single and opening track from their forthcoming album "Growth in Erosion”.
The track is atmospheric and cinematic through out but has moments of thundering rock.
The early roots of rock and roll are on full display in NYC’s Screamin’ Rebel Angels sophmore album “Heel Grinder.” Out via newly launched Hey-Lo Records, the full-length is set for release on 1/24. Fronted by dynamic, flame haired, tatood and glamorous Laura Palmer, the band evoke in each of the 13 tracks of the record the sprit of Littile Richard, Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline . Lead single “Oh! My Soul” (streaming below) in fact covers the legendary (Little) Richard Penniman, infusing it with it an additional level of barrelhouse, juke joint boogie-woogie. The accompanying video features red-hot Laura and her equally alluring “conjurers” tapping into the spirit world via tarot cards, magic potions, ouija boards and adorable Chihuahau puppies! Deeper tracks touch on elements of rockabilly (“Hands Off,” “Iris”), early Sun Sessions era Elvis (“I Believe”) and a blusey stroll, torch song raveup (“Something on your Mind”). The band celebrate with a record release show at The Mercury Lounge on Friday, 1/25. – Dave Cromwell
There’s an immediate feeling of satisfaction when listening to the music of Oceanator, the Brooklyn-based grunge project of Elise Okusami, one bore in equal parts from the its crunch-heavy guitars as well as Okusami’s no-holds barred lyricism. Oceanator’s 2018 EP Lows is bolstered largely by Okusami’s unapologetic narrative as songwriter, where, over the course of five sun-drenched tracks, she broods over past pain on songs like “Not Around” and Mistakes.” Not all of Lows is an emotional catharsis however, with closer “Inhuman” being an open meditation on what it means to be human, providing a deeply essential ending to a short, albeit standout effort.
Oceantor plays Trans Pecos on February 9th, lending support to BRNDA, Maneka, and Patti. Stream their most extended play below. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
Teulu’s music is a soft place to lay your head at night. It’s quietly but powerfully hopeful, the sort of music we need to get by in today’s world. “For The Learner” has a damp, earthy feel to it. It’s similar to the sensation of digging your fingers through damp grass, or the taste of a sweet, yet tannic tea. The soft, lilting tones take you gently by the hand and lead you into the best scenery the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Each song infuses the listener with the gentle gray skies we wake up to most days. It’s hard to capture the beauty of sunshine melting into cloudy skies, but Teulu does a wonderful job.
-By Avril Carrillo
Self-described rock n’ chair band Credit Electric just released their new EP, “Red Glow” and it is a mighty feast for the ears. If by rock n’ chair they meant that these songs make you want to sit back with a cold one and let the intertwining guitars work their soothing Americana magic, they nailed their goal. Tracks are infused with the sway of a lovely steel guitar, Ryan LoPilato’s vocals are like a less cutesy version of Stuart Murdoch (we love you, Stuart) and title track “Red Glow” provides a platform for some killer folk jam serenades. Ah, let that cosmo electric vibe float in. Recorded at Doc Boyd Audio in Oakland, this EP is truly a refreshing taste off their forthcoming album. Oakland is lucky to have these folks and we’re ready to see them comin’ up next month. Their next show is February 6 where they open for Fantastic Negrito at Harlow’s. Next up, February 7th at The Ivy Room, with Ariel Wang, My Evergreen Soul and Coywolf. So much good to come! –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Necessary NAH, a rather comprehensive collection of the artist’s material from 2011-2017, was recently posted. One can venture into the layered ambience. Hip hop/jazz/electronica, injected with noise, establishes varied precision across multiple dimensions. Cultivating spontaneity with a controlled hand, NAH‘s jams take hold, and bring you to places previously unknown. Go there with one of Philly’s most profilic and talented sound sculptors!
Gentle Heat are preparing to release a new EP called “Liminal” via Skeletal Records on February 1st. This is the Noise Rock band’s follow-up to their 2018 debut album Dissolve (Sooper Records, March 2018). The EP’s first single and lead track is called “Ghost Town Hiss” and can be streamed below.
You can help Gentle Heat celebrate the release of Liminal on February 1st at Flood House with LUME and Floatie.
The mysterious new garage rock duo Wht.Rbbt.Obj have kicked of 2019 by releasing their first two singles “Unlucky 13” and “Silence”. What we know is that this is a married coupled calling themselves Francis & River with other musical identities in the community. We could make some guesses as to who this may be, but we are too busy enjoying their music.
With a new album tentatively on the horizon, glam experimenters Cerulean Blue recently shared a new single. “Silver Birch” creaks the sonic door open amid the tension of strings. Once the eeriness subsides, the song artfully ambles punctuated by instrumental escalations along intersections. Sparse, poetic lines illustrate opposing view points through a momentary but longterm view.
AM Taxi has released a second single, “Brandy Don’t Let Me Down”. From their forthcoming album, Shiver By Me, which is due out on January 25th.
You can help AM Taxi celebrate the release of the new album on February 8th at Reggie’s with 6’10, Daniel Wade, and Take the Reins.
