Inward, the new album from the trio of Hotel Neon, cultivates a peaceful, meditative ambiance. One’s sonic surroundings blossom in gentle waves of instrumentation. Freshly awakened by the inviting drone sound, a sojourn of self-discovery begins while simultaneously finding the natural balance between internal contemplation and the beauty of the external world. Inward was originally made available during the band’s recent tour last month with Marcus Fischer & Benoît Pioulard.
Portland
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Freakout Fest 2018
The 6th annual Freakout Fest is coming up quickly, and more than a few great Portland acts will be there. The festival, which will be taking place in Ballard this year, helps celebrate both Seattle bands and artists from across the country. The Shivas, Jenny Don’t And The Spurs, and Gold Casio will all be playing sets. Since’s it’s next Friday and Saturday, you should grab your tickets quick. You can check out the full lineup and schedule here, and buy tickets here. A one day pass is $35, and a two day pass is $60. Some venues are all ages!
-By Avril Carrillo
L.A.
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Indie rock duo The Drives unveil bright new single “Rebel”
The Drives get lost in a love-struck daydream on "Rebel." The indie rock duo of Andrew Levin and Casey Chen recall the effusiveness that comes from imagining the life of someone whose captivated your heart, like that object of affection who involuntarily blurs your senses and everything feels bright and new. Led by a blithesome hook that recalls Robert Smith at his cheeriest, the wholesome track takes flight with a jangly arrangement and a minimal swirl of sparkling synths. Its uptempo rhythm rushes through with a hazy sweetness that will have you smiling from ear to ear.
"Rebel" follows the duo’s 2017 debut EP, Am I Alright? – Juan Rodríguez
NYC
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Sammy Rae brings soulful jazz to Bowery Electric on 11.19
Sammy Rae forges a sound entirely of her own in her debut EP, The Good Life, released July 20. This artist executes her style with such playful spirit and vocal dexterity that this new collection can’t help but gleam with personality. Rae’s tracks don’t feel as though they’re sung, but rather performed, and laced with a bit theatricality and a ton of confidence. Capable of fitting comfortably in either a swanky cocktail lounge, a roaring jazz club, a theater, or a suburban kitchen, her sultry jazz soul has a quality that allows it to wear a multitude of stylistic hats. The EP’s opening track, “The Feeling,” is a flawless preview of her sound, unveiling the liveliness that exists in her layers of joyful saxophone, bouncy percussion and vibrant lyrics. Sammy Rae’s songs are alive and pulse with brilliant authenticity, showcasing not only her musical acuity, but also her colorful character as an artist. To stream Sammy Rea’s The Good Life EP, check out her pages on Soundcloud or Bandcamp. See her live at Bowery Electric on November 19 – Rebecca Carroll
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, November 9 – 11
With a mesmerizing, industrial buzz melding the chaos of noise and the cathartic calm of enveloping electro experimentation, Lunacy (a.k.a. Nicky Kulp of Far-Out Fangtooth/Remote Control) sonically maneuvers through the post-apocalyptic/dystopian landscape. The vocals are transmitted in hushed, haunting tones as an eerie metallic echo and the thump/tic of a percussive beat reverberates in one’s chest and seemingly serves as a reminder of the clock we’re all racing against. This Saturday night at Everybody Hits, Lunacy will be celebrating his new compilation of EPs and singles delivered thus far. Released via Altarpiece Records/Third Coming Records, Just The Beginning is presented as the precursor to a forthcoming debut album. Dancing Plague develops a somber synth-anchored state of darkwave, daring you to move towards a dim path that Columbus’s Child of Night leads you further down. The spine-chilling synth-pop of Tristan Victor-led Kiss of the Whip rounds this lineup into form. (Photo by Jo Kusy) – Michael Colavita
Other weekend sounds…
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Full Bush, Love Club, Grace Vonderkuhn SAT Lunacy (Record Release), Kiss of the Whip, SUN Cheer Up
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Nik Greeley & The Operators, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, Trap Rabbit, SAT New Sound Brass Band, Looseleaf, SUN John Train (duo)
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Aiden James
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Manikineter/DJ Deejay, SAT Horrendous, Daeva, Scorched/Fame Lust, SUN The Rectors, SUN Lojii, Iunnowho
TLA (334 South St.) FRI Levee Drivers
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI Mitis
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Hannah Krupa, SUN Ultimate Live Evil
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT The Tone Bandits, The Mojo Machine, The Justines
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Rylan Brooks, SAT Mars Parker, Casto, SUN Downtrodder
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Blushed
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Holy Mountain, Children’s Books, SUN The TC Cole Riot, Los Gueys, The Deadeyes
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Thick Red Wine (Album Release), SAT The Classic Hunt, Georgey V, Medium Rare, SUN Mosquiat Grease
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Weezadelphia, Torn & Ironic and Show Me How To Live, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Royale, SAT Ian St. Laurent, SUN Launchpad Burlesque
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Polar Bear Lars, Tiger Castle, Assemble, SAT 7th Victim, KeN, Workhorse III, Gibbous Moon, Thee Minks, Disoriental, Instant Smile
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Crossed Keys, SAT Dj Mighty Mike Saga, Elijvh Vrms
The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Bastard Thieves, SAT Lust for Nothing, X88B88
Century (1350 S. 29th St.) SAT Rentboy, Xoul Kool, Slugqueen
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Sitting in Cars, Groove Merchants, SAT Dave Joyce Band, Windjammer, Apple Juice Jones
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Star Kitchen, Catullus, Wyllys, SUN Whiskeyhickon Boys
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) SAT Ron Gallo, Sixteen Jackies
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) SAT The Whips, Mike Matteson & The Sketchy Freaks/Breaklite, The Valets, Wax Wav
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SUN Rasan In The Heyday, Spooky Mulder, Modern Fiction, Sad Sinderella
The Mothership (602 S. 52nd St.) SAT Curanderos, Dire Wolves
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Swim Camp, Ntive Flora, SUN Heaven Man, Secret Nudist Friends, Dani in Public
Haus of Yarga (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Georgey V, Rentboy, Diaphane, Huey
Nashville
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Indie group Low Sol release self-titled EP
Relative newcomers to the Music City indie scene Low Sol have released their first EP, a four-track collection of songs they’ve played and honed since their formation. The band, led by singer-songwriter Landon Hunt, consists of music students seeking to create music based on influences from major indie names such as Weezer and Moose Blood. You can hear hints of those bands in Low Sol’s sound; they fall somewhere between jangle pop and the anthem pop of groups like Grouplove. That electricity in their music helped their single "Tongue Tied" appear on Spotify’s "Nashville On The Rise" playlist. The group released their self-titled debut EP at The Well on November 3rd; the album’s now available on their Bandcamp page. Take a listen to it below. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Explore Reliant Tom’s moody, gritty world on “Bad Orange”
Reliant Tom’s Bad Orange is one of those records that proves art is all in the details. Each of the album’s nine tracks are underscored by sparse, gritty electronic production that feels at once cold and analogue, creating a musical mise-en-scene for powerful vocal performances by vocalist Claire Cuny. Track “Alien” perfectly sets the scene in this regard, with Cuny crooning against electronic drums and brooding bass in a manner similar to that of Trent Reznor or Thom Yorke circa OK Computer, albeit more melodic and less rough around the edges. Overall the entirety of Bad Orange is a moody, cool, and well-produced effort, representing a bold vision for Brooklyn duo’s first full length release. Stream below the video for single Happy Birthday, and the entire record under it. –Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
Philadelphia
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New Track: “H*le” – Bad Memory Time
“H* le,” the debut single from Bad Memory Time, quickly accelerates from a breeze into something with a bit more force. That strolling feel is takes on additional weight/baggage with the murmur of peripheral atmosphere. That eerie openness, given the hushed, deeply personal tone of the vocals, provides a point of focus. It’s both ethereal and in the moment.
Chicago
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J Fernandez “Volcanic Winter”
J Fernandez has released a new video for his latest single “Volcanic Winter” from his forthcoming LP Occasional Din which drops this Friday.
You can catch J Fernandez at Hungry Brain on November 10th.
NYC
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Lost Boy ? Releases New Album ‘Paranoid Fiction’
Behind the Lost Boy ? moniker, Brooklyn-based rocker/guitarist Davey Jones draws a character from tales of the late ‘60s through the early ‘90s in Lower Manhattan and Downtown LA. Inspired by memoirs, literature, and music from this era, Lost Boy ? tells the story from this retro vantage point exploring the trials, tribulations, and sounds of the Sex, Drugs, & Rock N Roll era. Today, he’s back with a new record titled Paranoid Fiction.
Jones’ grizzled vocals, paired with rattling guitar licks, make for a truly vintage sound beholden to ’70s garage rock. Each track plays like it’s been dipped in whiskey. On Paranoid Fiction, Lost Boy ? hones the ability to write sticky melodies that are equal parts aggressive and fun; Jones rips through 13 tracks and keeps you in the palm of his hand the whole time. Listen below.
Nashville
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Jon Pattie releases atmospheric EP “Reflections Vol. 1”
Rather than release a new LP of twelve songs, singer-songwriter Jon Pattie has chosen to release four three-song EPs; the first of these, called Reflections: Vol. 1, dropped on November 7th. The first salvo of atmospheric tracks by Pattie showcase his self-reflective lyrics, his knack for playing with effected string and horn instruments, and his ability to arrange harmonies around his carefully crafted melodies. Pattie, who hails from Texas, calls Bon Iver and John Mayer inspirations; the softness from both of those artists comes through on the new EP. Take a listen to the three tracks below. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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“Revolution, Volume 33” returns with Samira Gibson, Ryan Peter Scott and Addison Frei
Once a month, National Sawdust puts on “The Revolution,” a performance series showcasing Brooklyn & Harlem artists as a means of empowering and invigorating the local music and arts scene. Each month, three innovative and emerging artists from different genres get to showcase and share their work in a space that fosters connection, healing, and revolution. Sponsored by the Deli, Revolution Vol. 33 will take this place this upcoming Saturday featuring Addison Frei, Ryan Peter Scott, and Samira Gibson.
Based out of New York by way of South Carolina, Samira Gibson taps into a haunting groove in her experimental neo-soul. Wielding her rich, powerful vocals like a knife, Gibson cuts through the noise and lets her words shine in her latest release, “Mona Lisa Remix.” The young singer has an impressive repertoire, having performed background vocals for heavyweights like Mary J Blige, Vic Mensa, and Elle Varner.
Ryan Peter Scott looks for answers to life’s greatest conundrums in his particular style of smokey, guitar-based blues. His introspections are highlighted on his latest record, Smoke & Licorice, which focuses on the journey of a young man searching for his own voice and autonomy. In a blend of funk, jazz, avant garde, and 70s rock, Scott creates a sound that feels familiar but innovative, as he flexes his prodigious guitar skills in his music.
Pianist, composer, and producer Addison Frei writes socially conscious and compositionally complex neo-jazz. He’s currently studying at Julliard, and working on a digital EP called Future Speak that explores today’s political climate through spoken verse, acoustic improvisation, and components of electronica amongst his piano compositions.
Catch these three acts this Saturday at National Sawdust. Tickets and info can be found here.
Listen to the playlist below: