Michelle Zauner has had our attention since the Post Post days, when she first burst on the Philly music scene with her endearing, child-like vocals and ability to write ear-borrowing hooks. (How many of you out there still miss that band?) It was apparent to us then that after Post Post’s disbandment, we would certainly be hearing more from the talented songstress. Well, you can now check out the latest release from bedroom-pop solo project Japanese Breakfast, Soft Sounds From Another Planet (Dead Oceans), an album whose origins began as a science fiction concept musical. Though the concept was never fully realized, it remains the foundation of another heartbreakingly honest record of her new and reworked older compositions.
NYC
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Big Sticky Mess plays Boom Boom Room 07.22
Bay area funk sensation, Big Sticky Mess, is playing Boom Boom Room on July 22nd in support of Victor Little’s Big Hit. Big Sticky Mess is at once a tongue-in-cheek homage to ’70s funk, and an impressive display of musicianship, with wah-laden guitars, saxophones and punchy percussion abounding on their 2016 full-length release, "It All Looks the Same in the Dark." Listen to the title track below! – Ethan Ames
NYC
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New Guitar-Pop Project Brother Toaster to play The Great Scott July 18th
Brother Toaster, a new solo project by Boston local, Sean Galbraith, brings a new appreciation for music that is genuine. Zen Riddles, his June 2017 album release is exactly that. While it is in some ways classic guitar pop in its catchy melodies, garage-y rhythms, and a wandering, psych influence, it is not intense in any of these characteristics. The music sits somewhat quietly behind the vocals, showing a clear presentation of lyrics. In this subtle decision, Brother Toaster shows a pride in lyricism and personal creation similar to singer-songwriter stylings. Still, it remains a fun guitar project, only enhanced by Galbraith’s pride in his own work. See the band live at The Great Scott July 18th. -Allie Miller
NYC
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AIERS playing at Pianos 07.30
Hoboken-based post-punk band, AIERS, will be hitting the stage at Pianos on July 30th. The band’s only shared track is a Youtube clip of their song, "Forever Comes", an impressive blend of alternative sounds. In the video, the band plays untidy, post-punk guitar riffs against a backdrop of thick, green fog, bringing to mind the enigmatic performances of Joy Division and the syncopated and ominous style of early Interpol. With blunt but driving drums and spacey guitar riffs, “Forever Comes” takes a surprisingly melodic turn, drawing on elements from new wave and modern alt-rock. Be sure to check out the band’s performance and the live song below. -Pearse Devlin
NYC
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Evelyn to Play at Pianos July 29th
"You can’t say indie rock is dead, it’s just being taken over by women," Sophie Allison (of Soccer Mommy) once said. And with an up-and-coming band like Evelyn, it seems pretty hard to dispute. The Brooklyn indie rock band’s recent project may have proven that they possess the caliber to become one of the prominent, emerging female-led indie rock bands surging through the music scene at the moment. Their EP released back in March, Light Full, has tracks rooted in a mellow, indie rock sound, but soar into many distinct and uplifting directions throughout. The opening track, “Lament”, begins with trilling and whammy-barred guitars that build toward a more emotional, vigorous sound, eventually finishing with an emphatic guitar solo. The other songs don’t fall short either. “Endlessly” works in an indie folk vibe and “Light Full” immediately kicks off with fuzzier garage-rock. The way Evelyn brings forth a plethora of sounds while keeping it all within their style is definitely something to keep an eye on. Check out their performance at Pianos in NYC on July 29th. – Pearse Devlin
Philadelphia
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Debut Whaler Jr. Album Available for Streaming & Purchase
RFA bassist Brendan McHale just released his debut self-titled album under the moniker Whaler Jr. The lo-fi LP was recorded on a handheld tape recorder and mixed through Garageband on his iPhone. McHale played most of the instruments on the record, except for the drums found in "Mississippi Rain," which were courtesy of Christian Turzo. Feel free to crank up your air conditioning, and take it for a spin!
L.A.
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Flood Coats emerge into the air on “Billowing Open”
The dreamy opulence of Flood Coats is on a league of its own when pairing it against today’s electronic offerings. Theirs is more in tune with the bedroom recorders of this early decade (think of acts like M83, Teen Daze and Sun Airway), where the focus lies in providing a more headphone-enriching night-in than an infectious banger. And "Billowing Open" is a marvelous journey, where the duo of Joel P West and Darla Hawn evoke a yearning for peace of mind through rippling patterns and soft, yet penetrating harmonies. It has a pleasantly hazy groove with a soft rock finish that ascends and ascends until it gets lost in the clouds.
"Billowing Open" is the leading track off of the duo’s upcoming debut full-length Vaquita, which is out on July 28 via Hey Amigo Recording Co. – Juan Rodríguez
Portland
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PREMIERE: Melt – “Same Streets”
*photo by Kasey Elliot
As Melt grows as a band, their music expands along with them. Though the band has seen some changes among the years this newest iteration, featuring Jeff Schultz, Adria Ivanitsky, Ted Parker, Dan Bedell and Daniel McIntyre, seems to be their strongest yet. Proof of that can be heard in their latest single "Same Streets."
They’ve got a knack for writing a catchy tune and "Same Streets" is definitely one of those. Coming off their upcoming Pick A Fight, the track’s vibe is chill and mellow, with vocals by Schultz smoothly accenting dulcetly appealing rhythms.
Melt are having a tour kickoff Friday night at Brooklyn House, with sets from new local duo Malt Lizard, Seattle’s Critté, Nanami Ozone of Phoenix and a secret special guest. They’ll be on the road for a couple weeks, ending their tour back in Portland with the Pick A Fight release show at the Eagles Lodge on 7.29.
Chicago
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Runt.
Runt. has signed to We Are Trying Records and will release their debut EP, Good and Loud on August 31st. The EP’s first single, “Here’s Some Space” will be dropping on July 28th. Runt. is a trio fronted by Jay Pankiewicz.
NYC
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Restless post-punks Big Bliss release single “Fortune” + play C’mon Everybody on 7.14
Regardless of what’s going on in the world, punk music is like a cockroach the mainstream just can’t kill. It’s constantly growing and shapeshifting into new amalgamations that its originators couldn’t even imagine. That’s where the fast-paced, frantic post-punk of Brooklyn’s Big Bliss comes in. Taking cues from legends like The Cure, Blig Bliss’s arrangements are restless and rampaging, while their vocals are cold and detached. Their new single, “Fortune” (streaming below) is an explosion of angsty energy, with a thrumming bass line, a frenzied guitar part, and a hypnotic chorus. Catch them play live at C’mon Everybody on July 14th. – Lilly Milman, photograph by Kevin Condon
Philadelphia
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Ticket Giveaway: Ride at the TLA Next Saturday
Shoegaze-y Brit rockers Ride reunited in 2015, and have now released their first new album since the band’s return. They’ll be in town next Saturday, July 22 at the TLA in support of their latest LP Weather Diaries. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Home Is A Feeling". Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!
NYC
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Freya Wilcox & the Howl unleashes raw blues-punk goodness on new LP “Tooth & Nail”
Though there’s certain things that are maybe better left in Australia (sharks, poisonous snakes, spiders the size of your face, for starters) Freya Wilcox, frontwoman for the blues-punk trio Freya Wilcox and the Howl is a decidedly welcome import who (probably) won’t shoot venom into your eyes. The New York-via-land-down-under singer and guitarist creates music that’s brazen, barefaced, gritty, and unapologetically catchy. The band’s latest release, Tooth & Nail features the group’s signature powerful, raspy vocals, and blistering guitar riffs, but explores a down-and-dirty look at love, loss, and whatever is supposed to come next. Check out "Nothing" off the new album streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni