Bringing a harmony that can only be created through shared DNA, the Boleys have created a sound on their recently released self-titled debut album that peaks and crashes with a magnetic urgency. Influenced by classic rock artists as well as unique contemporary artists, the Boleys are a fusion of eclectic influences and sounds that are pushed through a Southern fried filter. Songs like "Learning" and "Purple Skies" are short staccato songs that thrash and wail with wanton abandon. The Boleys are riding their new momentum into an October 13th show at Kick Butt Coffee with other artists like Dayeater, Naga Brujo, and Burn Ban. Catch his family act live on Friday the 13th!
NYC
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Rachel Angel debuts new tunes at The Owl on October 6th
With biting vocals and powerful songwriting chops, Brooklyn (via Oakland, CA) Rachel Angel radiates effortless cool. In her 2014 debut EP Revelations the indie rocker serves up tracks that are as catchy as they are sincere, but you never feel as if she’s tipping all of her cards. She recently unveiled a stripped down two-song demo featuring a folkier sound. Edgy, poignant, and immediately compelling, Angel is one to watch – you’ll have an opportunity to do so at The Owl on October 6th. – Olivia Sisinni
Nashville
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Zula Releases Politically Poignant Single Ahead of Forthcoming EP
NYC’s minimalist, psychedelic pop outfit, Zula, released “Anything For You” last week, a politically relevant single from their forthcoming EP, 6 Passes. The track blends ethereal synths, atmospheric guitars, and poignant lyrics about the effects of white male domination on the collective psyche.
The structure of the track feels cyclical, with twinkling piano riffs and fuzzy bass runs sprinkled over a looped and textured beat that creates the sensation of running in place. Zula combines the emotional sentiment of cultural and political stagnation with the drudgery of modern life on this number: soul-molesting technology, environmental despair, nauseatingly ubiquitous convenience, and a general lack of human connection. In the larger indie music context, “Anything For You” proves unmistakably unique. At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be any group in the circuit that has managed to insert their own sense of sonic experimentation, atmospheric creepiness, and political insight into a single track as well as Zula has.
6 Passes is out via Forged Artifacts & Inflate Records on October 13th and is available in cassette tape and digital format. You can listen to “Anything For You” below:
-Andrew Strader
Philadelphia
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Krust Toons: “No Doubt” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "No Doubt" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
Philadelphia
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The Deli Philly’s October Record of the Month: Slacker Paint – The Mary Veils
The surf-psych brilliance of The Mary Veils is an answered prayer for Philly fans of Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees. Fuzzed out and awash in reverb, Slacker Paint, the debut from Brian Von Uff’s solo project, tows the line between invention and pure nostalgia, reaffirming the blueprint of garage rock’s seemingly unending revival.
Opening with the atmospheric dissonance of “Alter Alone,” the album’s start mimics the sensation of being transported. Whirs and humming chords engulf the listener before dissipating into licks of guitar and Von Uff’s echoed croons of “She’s fever, she’s fever.” Recounting the decay of a romance, “Alter Alone” is seductively bittersweet. “Time” reveals itself as a thematically worthy successor to The Chamber Brothers’ iconic ‘67 single, exploring the temporal limitations of mortality with an urgency that makes each harmony and crash of cymbal immediate and nearly tangible.
The ironically titled “Carefully Carefree” is a less pensive alternative to fraught apprehension of Happy Birthday’s interiority and Kurt Vile’s, at times, somber introspection. An earworm with heart, the track accurately captures the ups and downs of everyday life, without feeling trite or cliché. The LP’s title track, “Slacker Paint (Summertime Jesus),” channels the nonchalant aggression of No Bunny and the “Beach a Go-Go” swagger of Hunx and His Punx, a pairing that results in a catchy ballad bound to make listeners reminisce about warmer days. Its buzzing riffs alone are as memorable as its seasonal namesake.
Von Uff’s diction on “Who Are You” and “Lime” brings to mind Twins and Mikal Cronin, while “Believer” and “Emily” feel like a darker rendition of King Tuff’s moodiest cuts. The brooding pulse and electric shreds of “See You Run” and “Feel the Air” are dance-ready anthems for psych and garage lovers alike. As Slacker Paint nears the homestretch with a haunting ode to the West Coast and desire, the sparseness of “Cold As A Knife,” the closest Von Uff gets to acoustic, highlights his strength as a lyricist and storyteller.
With “Good Night,” the album shifts back to full throttle, each drumbeat and swirling riff re-energizing the audience, before giving way to the contemplative and delectably moody closer, “The Mope.” Familiar yet inventive, Slacker Paint will undoubtedly become a fall favorite that you’ll return to again and again. – Dianca London
NYC
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Kalbells play Brooklyn Bazaar on 10.04
Kalmia Travers (the lead singer of Rubblebucket) will play Brooklyn Bazaar as Kalbells on October 4th as part of NNA Tapes’ NU Ground: A Celebratory Showcase of Live NNA Music. Her performance comes on the heels of her main band’s Dream Picnic at the Knockdown Center this past week. Travers side project’s debut album, Ten Flowers, is ten tracks of work less raucous than that of Rubblebucket, but packed with reflection and power in every synthesized note and experimental vocal harmony. Two music videos exist for tracks from the album, the first being for "Bodyriders" which came out in July. The second, released earlier this month, is for "Alonetime". Watch it below. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Cut Worms begin tour supporting The Lemon Twigs and Nick Lowe
Jagjaguwar’s newest signee Cut Worms — the project of Max Clarke — has set off on a tour supporting The Lemon Twigs and Nick Lowe. Though festivities begin in Toronto, Clarke will play on November 2nd at Baby’s All Right to release new EP Alien Sunset. The psych-rock collection features six demos with tight harmonies and lo-fi charm, all recorded during Clarke’s time living between Chicago and New York. The lead single, "Like Going Down Sideways", comes with a Super 8-styled music video – watch it below. – Will Sisskind
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Aqualamb” – HOUND
"’Aqualamb’ is an open letter to the man in the White House (who shall not be named)," HOUND frontman Perry Shall shares. "It is written from the perspective of all the people whose lives he is trying to destroy." And with a chorus that pays homage to Harry Nilsson’s "Jump Into the Fire," the band’s latest single is a riff-heavy denouncement of the Cheeto-in-Chief. The protest anthem can be found on HOUND’s forthcoming album, BORN UNDER 76, due out on October 20 via Let’s Pretend Records, and you can rock out with the power trio that very same evening at Space 1026 with Dialer.
Portland
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Family Tradition is back again!
The Lonesome Billies are more than just adored crusaders of traditional, whiskey swillin’ country western tunes, but they’re also hard working fundraisers for an important nonprofit integral to keeping youth involved in music.
Outlaws in their own right, the foursome, who go by the names of Bill Collins, Gator Bill (vox, lead guitar), Ornery Bill (vox, acoustic guitar) and Whiskey Bill (vox, bass) ask for a flurry of support to head to the Alberta Abbey tomorrow, 9.30 for their 7th Annual Family Tradition extravaganza. The Family Tradition involves more than just music – it’s also an auction, a potluck and a little bit of a barn house dance, with all of the proceeds going to My Voice Music.
Items provided by Pendleton Woolen Mills, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Obey Giant and other companies will be auctioned off. A great deal of food will be offered as well, including band member Gator Bill’s famous brisket. Along with the Lonesome Billies themselves taking the stage, expect performances from some My Voice Music artists, a bit of alternative folk rock from Vancouver, Washington’s Lincoln’s Beard, and a reading or two from Oregonian Cowboy poet Tom Swearingen.
The Lonesome Billies are asking for just a $10 suggested donation to attend the Family Tradition, though surely no one will be turned away for not having that much. For such a great cause, why not come out and get your cowboy on?
Portland
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Friends of Noise hosts music for everyone!
*pictured: the Woolen Men, taken by Dino Matt
Advocates of all-age safe spaces and music venues, local organization Friends of Noise is doing yet another bit of good to bring music to community… for free.
From 4pm-8-pm today, Friends of Noise is hosting their "Music For Everyone Day" at Portland City Hall. This is the nonprofit’s second attempt at throwing this event, since the initial date had to be rescheduled due to poor air quality caused by the wildfires surrounding the city. Nevertheless, FoN have forged on to bring a wide range of artists to those around the downtown Portland area today.
Young artists are strongly supported by FoN and a couple of them will be taking the stage, like Daniel “D.J. Max” Lasuncet and 15-year-old singer/songwriter JoJo Scott. My Voice Music project BLK + IVY will also perform, along with poet Maurisa Destiny Golden and some of the bigger Portland names. Skull Diver‘s alternative psych rock is sure to make everyone swoon, while the raw energy of the Woolen Men should perfectly juxtapose the gloominess of today.
Other youth-oriented organizations and programs were also a part of making this event possible, such as My Voice Music, Outside the Frame, Marrow PDX, Momentum Alliance, SMRYC, the Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls and the Bus Project. It should be noted that water and restrooms are available inside Portland City Hall, but that patrons will have to undergo a back check upon entry.
If you’re looking for something free, fun and inclusive of all-ages and people, Music For Everyone Day is definitely something worth checking out.
Chicago
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Spa Moans “Obedient Vibrations” Coming Soon!
Spa Moans is the work of Jenny Pulse. On October 13th she will be releasing her debut mixtape, Obedient Vibrations, via Drop Medium. Jenny combines elements of post-industrial minimalism with early house and RnB. Her new mixtape is both sexy and spooky. Over 9 tracks, this self-taught producer grabs your attention and then twists it.
Below is a mix she made recently called “In My Mouth”. It is not from the mixtape, but may give you sense of where Spa Moans is coming from musically.
Chicago
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Salvatore Cordova
Salvatore Cordova released a new EP, Wolf Lichen, this month via Cut Records. Sal beautifully blends acoustic guitar and other organic instrumentation with sweeping beats and electronics.