Philadelphia

New Pulgas EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

Posted on:

A beautifully twisted portmanteau of candescent pop and arrhythmic flux, Pulgas’ Simon Martinez and Zane Shields return with More Like Us (Astro Nautico). Released as a companion EP to an album coming in the spring, More Like Us takes the listener through four concise yet dense tracks that display a growth in their craftsmanship from previous recordings. Their sense of dynamism in musicianship is fiercely on display, while the production and quality of the recordings are vibrant and smooth. If you’re a fan of DIY-pop aficionados in the vein of Ryan Power or Jake Tobin, the new Pulgas EP will be a welcome addition to your musical wheelhouse. – Josh Kelly

NYC

A Deli Premiere: Katy Rea releases “Actress” from debut EP; plays Elsewhere 10.24

Posted on:

Hot on the upcoming release of her debut EP, singer-songwriter Katy Rea has released the hook-filled track "Actress". Complete with Rea’s trademark grittiness, the song looks back on the artist’s upbringing in Texas and how her childhood shaped her present. With her band, Katy plays music reminiscent of Laura Marling, with her voice echoing Kate Bush’s idiosyncrasies and range. And if you listen closely, you might hear the quirks — such as alternate tunings and creative chord structures — singing from Rea’s guitar. Her upcoming EP S.K.O.W. — short for Some Kind Of Woman — will drop on October 26th with the release show scheduled for the 24th at Elsewhere Zone 1. Listen to the Deli NYC premiere of "Actress" below. – Will Sisskind

Toronto

Head – Dirty New Track “Your Money”

Posted on:

First of all rock n roll never died but if you need proof then crank up this new track from Head. “Your Money” is a rippin’ new tune from this dirty power trio. The guitar sets the tone immediately. You know you’re going to be getting sweaty listening to it. The bass rumbles and the drums thump in great rock n’ roll style. There isn’t enough dirt rock like this around right now so enjoy some Head like you know you want to. Head rocks the Monarch Tavern on November 10th. – Kris Gies

Chicago

Smoking Popes “Into The Agony”

Posted on:

Smoking Popes are prepping to release their first album with their original line-up Josh Caterer, Eli Caterer, Matt Caterer, and Mike Felumlee since 1998. The album is called “Into The Agony” and will be released on October 12th via Asian Man Records.

To date, the band has released two singles, “Amande My Love” and ”When You Want Something”, and from the sound of these tracks (below), they have really tapped into the sound that my made them local legends.

You can help Smoking Popes celebrate the new album on November 4th at Aragon Ballroom with Naked Raygun and Jawbreaker. 

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, September 28 – 30

Posted on:

When local artists and businesses throughout a music scene unite as a community in celebration and support of each other, good things are the result. Philly Music Fest serves as an opportune event. What began yesterday at Johnny Brenda’s with Pissed Jeans and Soul Glo continues for the next two days at World Cafe Live. Tonight, the elegant hypnotically galvanizing pop of Vita and the Woolf, the endless boogie of Low Cut Connie, the raw and ragged, sweat-saturated, surf-infused, garage rock of The Whips, and the earnest, scene-transporting, songwriting force of Waxahatchee are among those that shape its sonic surroundings. And tomorrow, Palm cultivates an experimental push-pull, hovering between tranquil waves and frenetic, unconventional changes in direction. The melodic, eruptive, dynamic swings of The Districts, the tenacious, cosmic-rocking, riff-combusting charge of Ruby the Hatchet, and the soothing, introspective vulnerability of powerpop trio Hurry are also slated for Saturday. Come take part in this locals only weekend! – Michael Colavita

Other places where locals will be this weekend…

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Philly Music Fest: The Whips, The Mysteries, Secret American, DJ Royale/Vita and the Woolf, Waxahatchee, Low Cut Connie, SAT Philly Music Fest: Great Time, Levee Drivers, Orion Sun, Kingsley Ibeneche, Hurry, Man About A Horse/End of America, Hardwork Movement, Ruby The Hatchet, Palm, The Districts

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Worriers, Harmony Woods, Earth Telephone, SAT It’s The Year 2008: DJ Emynd, Bo Bliz 

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Beru Power Trio, SUN Storks

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI CatBite/DJSC, SAT Automatic Colors, Thank You Thank You, Tapes & Tubes/DJ Lean Wit It, SUN Brother Martin, Jane Carver

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Drums Like Machine Guns

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Dice Raw, SAT DJ Sylo, Joshua Lang, SUN Lyve Harmon, Tray Verse

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI (Balcony) Tony Season Show, Shawn King, SAT Steal Your Face, SUN Sean Taylor, Folk Fugitive, Andrew Montoya

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SUN New Sound Brass Band

North Seventh (421 N. 7th St.) SAT DJ Robert Drake, SUN Philly Bluegrass Revival: Midnight Flyer

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Craig Lynch’s 30th Birthday Party

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Matt Cappy, SUN Derrick Hodge’s Philly State of Mind, Treway & the Now Generation

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI S.T.O.P., High Reeper, SAT Jukebox Zeros, The Prisoners, Thorazine, SUN The Stone Eye

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Hootsie, Buddie/A Charity Benefit Show for United We Dream: The Stammer, Full Bush, Young Pilgrims, SUN Birthday Boy, 3weekoldroses

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Aleana

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI Fall Fest: DJ Beatstreet, SUN New Pony

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Shawn Ryan, SUN Forever 27: A Burlesque Tribute to the Artists of the 27 Club

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Montoj, Trap Rabbit

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT James Pace Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI The Lot

Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Witching, Night Raids, SAT Violet Waves

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Rover, SAT The Strange Heat, Athensville(Cd Release), Parsnip Revolt, Scott McClatchey

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Echo Lad, Blueroom

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Puppy Angst, Rebecca Zimmerman, Heaven Man

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Bad Heaven Ltd, Susie Derkins, In Trouble

Chicago

LaLa LaLa “Scary Movie”

Posted on:

Lala Lala has released a video for the latest single, “Scary Movie”, from their new album, The Lamb, which was released today, Sept. 28th, via Hardly Art. The video utilizes recently found home movies the parents of Lillie West of Lala Lala shot before she was born.

Lala Lala will celebrate the release of The Lamb tonight at a sold out show at Empty Bottle with Choral Reefr and Dehd.

L.A.

Winnetka Bowling League release debut EP, perform at the Peppermint on 10/1

Posted on:

 A fun, flashy pop-rock group has nuzzled its way into the LA music scene with the single “Feeling California”. Winnetka Bowling League has perfected the California way of life: “I don’t care if every girl at every coffee shop’s perusing acting. We can swim on Christmas. Everyone’s high and obsessed with fitness.” The upbeat group has struck a chord in my heart with their pun-ny lyrics bursting with tactful, rhythmic beats and California state of mind vibes. The visualizer video paired with this jam has artfully captured every simple but great thing about The Golden State; vintage Subaru’s, RC Cola, the beach, and being high (on life, duh). I don’t know about you, but after this song, I am definitely feeling California, too. Kayla Hay

Catch Winnetka Bowling League perform at the Peppetmint on October 1st. 

NYC

A Deli premiere: QWAM’s video for “Dirty Feet”

Posted on:

If you aren’t on the QWAM bandwagon yet, now’s the time to jump on. Perhaps the music video for "Dirty Feet," which the New York quartet is premiering here, can serve as your jumping off point. The song, the closing track to their 2018 five-song EP Feed Me, evokes a sound that feels akin to Sleater-Kinney, right down to the vocals of frontwoman Felicia Lobo. The video, which features the band, as well as a charming little pooch named Toby, has a lot going on in it. It feels at times like QWAM had several ideas for a music video, and decided to go with all of them. However, the excess doesn’t diminish the quality of "Dirty Feet," a real standout track. Check out the video, and see the band at El Cortez in Brooklyn on September 28. – Chris Morgan

Chicago

The Red Moons

Posted on:

The Red Moons are preparing to release their latest album, Eat Your Own, on October 5th. This the Alt Rock of Anthony Sarillo (vocals, guitar), Eric Olsen (bass guitar, vocals), and Dave Haney (drums). Eat Your Own is the follow-up to their 2017 LP, A Heightened Sense, and their third album overall.

Three of the tracks are now available to stream and you can preorder the album today.

Philadelphia

New Tracks: “2042” & “Posing in Bondage” – Japanese Breakfast

Posted on:

Last year, Japanese Breakfast recorded a couple of tracks using a Tascam recorder as part of Polyvinyl’s 4-Track Singles Series, which was previously only available on vinyl. You can now listen to "2042" and "Posing in Bondage" below via Spotify. The songs harken back to Michelle Zauner’s earlier lo-fi, solo demos, before she settled on releasing material under her current moniker. Japanese Breakfast will be doing a three-night run at Johnny Brenda’s to close out 2018, and for those who can’t wait that long and are willing to take a mini road trip, Zauner and friends have a free performance scheduled on Friday, November 16 at Dogfish Head’s 8th annual Analog-A-Go-Go festival in Milton, Delaware.

NYC

Taking Meds promo second LP & play Elsewhere 11.05

Posted on:

Brooklyn-based four-piece Taking Meds boldly advocates their distinct musical style, ascribing to the self-created genre, ’math-punk’. With several members who were previously – and some who still remain – involved in Rochester’s pop punk project Such Gold, it is no surprise that Taking Meds’ complex instrumental sound draws from an assortment genres across the punk/rock board. Post-hardcore and math rock drive the majority of this band’s disjointed yet dynamic tracks, but it is their subtle emo and indie rock influences that pack their tracks with a chaotic tapestry of styles. After producing their debut album My Life as a Bro in 2016, the group returned to the studio earlier this year to begin recording their second LP. Many of their songs like “Blue Shirt Boogie” and “Comfort in Poor Planning” fuse aspects of classic, dissonant punk with the relatable energy of modern indie rock, creating a combination of hard-biting lyrics and rhythmic complexity that penetrates the spirit of punk rock. With vocals that err on the side of Four Year Strong or Neck Deep, blended into layers of Balance and Composure-esq post-hardcore instrumentals, you are left with a cutting mixture of pure, intense noise. See them live at Brooklyn’s Elsewhere on November 5.