Gentle guitar gradually opens the hushed, semi-secretive recollections of “Learned Behavior” by Weekend Athlete. Counteracting the ache of vocals with harmony, the song unwinds as a subdued but smoldering guitar run gives way to the fading trail of voices. There’s a lingering resonance of proximity with an underlying identity of isolation.
NYC
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Field Mouse talks about pedals on Delicious Audio
Philly and NYC-based Field Mouse have been known for their dreamy, shoegazey tunes, but while their hook filled songwriting is still on full display on their latest album, "Episodic," the five-piece’s sound has evolved in a punchier direction, which is a bit more barefaced, and less shrouded by layers of fuzz and reverb. Our sister blog Delicious Audio recently spoke to the band about the tonal shift, and what kind of gear goes into the making of their music – check out the link below!
Q&A with Field Mouse about pedals and the creative process.
Portland
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Visual Vices: Star Club – “Saturday Night”
On any given weekend night, it’s possible to miss out on a great deal of happenings. If you care about it, the term is apparently deemed "FOMO" (fear of missing out) and if you don’t care, well then you don’t. But whether you lean more towards the introverted Netflix-and-chill solo type situation or if social interaction beckons you to leave your room, Star Club‘s "Saturday Night" is somehow appropriate for both instances. And its video is interestingly appealing.
In "Saturday Night," vocalist/guitarist Nate Lown can be seen having some sort of life crisis involving quite a bit of paint. It’s honestly the kind of thing many of us left alone with lipstick, markers or really any type of pigment would do, before the painted reality sets in and we wash it off staring at our own reflection with concern. Add in pretty hued lights and some interesting film angles and "Saturday Night" becomes even more of what you want to watch whether you’re leaving your house or not.
Check it out below.
NYC
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Bands on the rise: Grim Streaker release debut EP at Wicked Lady 07.06
One of Brooklyn’s fiercest emerging bands will be releasing their debut EP next week. Grim Streaker, a five-piece punky outfit out of Brooklyn, will release Girl Minority, a four track collection, on July 7th. Their release show is scheduled for the day before at Wicked Lady, and, judging from the video below for single "Guts," we’ll surely be in for a ferocious performance; the band has already picked up a reputation for their raucous, fanatical performances, that resurrect the intensity of 70s/80s punk rock. Singles “Psycho” and “Miami Girl” are ruthless punk anthems, carried by rapid drumbeats and bass lines, fuzzy guitar riffs, and abrasive, powerful vocal bursts from their charismatic lead singer, Amelia Bushell. – Pearse Devlin
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
NYC
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Dream pop band Orchin releases new single, tours east coast
We don’t think there will ever be a day when we’ll get tired of dream pop, and newbies Orchin are a confirmation of this. Perfectly timing their June tour with the start of summer, this group of Losangelinos is about to end their US tourwith a show in Phonex, AZ, on 06.30. With a sound and aesthetic reminiscent of beloved groups such as Tomorrow’s Tulips, Cosmonauts, or Froth, their lingering, cosmic new single “I Think I” (streaming) illustrates a deep familiarity of the genre, although featuring a slightly more aggressive twist to it. – Allie Miller
NYC
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Garage rockers BIRDS share track “Get Away,” play St. Vitus on 07.08
With the recent roll out of lead single "Get Away" (streaming below), Brooklyn psych-rockers BIRDS prepare to release their debut album “Everything All At Once” on 8/18 through Greenway Records. Emerging from a two-chord progression similar to Iggy & The Stooges “Search & Destroy,” the single adds bass counter-melody and rising background vocals, positioning the track closer to a pop song. “I’ve been awake all morning, watching the light pour in. I keep away from stealing – I do my own healing,” describe the self-reflective lyrics. Catchy melodic lines unfold via speedy guitar lines woven in and around emphatic vocals. “I get away so easy” becomes the ultimate key line towards the end of a power-packed two and a half minute song. You can pre-order “Everything All At Once” now and catch them live at the Greenway Pop-Up + Free Day Show on July 8 at St. Vitus. – Dave Cromwell
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
NYC
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Amira B’s releases “Defined” + lands July residency at Pianos
R&B and soul singer-songwriter Amira B showcases a noteworthy vocal talent in her new album, Defined. Backed by a soul/funk group featuring also a fierce brass section, the vocalist delivers dazzling soul tracks worthy of FM radio rotation, like intimate single “I am Defined,” which expresses her self-discovery through personal hardships. Amira B landed a residency at Pianos during the month of July (every Tuesday), which is always a promising sign. – Tafari Lemma
Philadelphia
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New NAH EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Finding what surprisingly feels like the right roads to where punk and hip hop meet, NAH, a.k.a. Mike Kuhns, continually releases jaw-dropping recordings at breakneck speed. You may get a bit bruised and battered with each listen. But it’s definitely a good hurt. Take his latest six-track EP Aged for a round or two below! You can also cop it on cassette via Philly’s own Ranch Records.
Philadelphia
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New Career Crooks LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Continuing their longstanding creative collaboration, Wrecking Crew compatriots Zilla Rocca and Small Professor join forces as Career Crooks. Hot on the heels of its companion EP Take What’s Coming, the full-length, Good Luck With That (which is available via URBNET), kicks back to a classic 90’s hip hop sound. Embedding true to life details within impassioned, in-the-moment lyricism, further accentuated by cinematically synchronized beats, the album zooms in up close and personal. Assertive aggression met with a coolly, confident demeanor, this hits hard and sticks.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Listen Close” – The THANGS
Breezy, the new EP and byproduct of their collaboration with Mike Robinson, is a musical field of eclectic electro-funk via The THANGS. In their new video, Robinson creates constantly morphing, celestial montages with an 80’s flair that serve as the visual accompaniment for album opener, “Listen Close”. Wielding an array of samples/synths, the group toes the threshold between intimacy and strangeness, with darkwave undertones emanating from Robinson’s vocals, while still maintaining an undeniable attachment to the groove.
L.A.
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Happy Hollows return with new LP Concordia, release new track “Feel the Moon”
It’s been a good four years since we last heard of Happy Hollows. The post punk duo were always quite adept at refreshing the rhythmic thrust of eighties new wave with a more joyful anthemic thrust, but not without considering the gloom that also surrounds it. And it sounds as if they’re taking it right where they left off with their latest single, "Feel the Moon," a synth-driven stomper with a krautrock bent that also reminds us of Sarah Negahdari’s spellbinding vocal delivery. In a year that’s had so many unexpected reappearances in the indie rock landscape, theirs is a welcome and necessary return.
"Feel the Moon" is the first single off of the band’s latest release, entitled Concordia. Before the album’s September 8 release, you can catch them play a hometown show at The Echo on July 17. Check out the official video below. – Juan Rodríguez
Portland
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Turtlenecked’s ‘Vulture’ Draws Attention During Tour
On the local front, Harrison Smith has been catching attention for a little while now with the fairly weird art punk he makes as Turtlenecked. Part of one of the most dominant labels of the year, Good Cheer Records, Smith and his latest record Vulture have been the topic of write ups left and right. It’s entirely warranted.
They’re not just from the publications typically expected. Of course the usual Portland pubs like the weeklies (and now us) had words of praise and critique alike, but some the more nationally known outlets are zeroing in on his new sounds. Stereogum has always been a fan, but Pitchfork’s evaluation isn’t doing Vulture enough justice.
Smith released the album halfway through June and has been on tour in support of it ever since. It shows a progression in Smith’s abilities as both a songwriter and a composer of powerful avant-art rock, openly coming into his own at the age in between youthful naivety and the beginnings of aging jadedness. Even more, Smith speaks on ills that seem more prevalent in Portland than anywhere else.
On one of Vulture’s standout tracks "Meeting You in the Hospital," Smith touches on the ideas of typical white male bullshit and the all too commonly expected desire for the manic pixie dream girl. It’s a bitter reality that’s present everywhere, but is so true out here that it has become almost like a caricature. For his second "full" album, Smith hit the nail on the head. Hopefully this third is just as pertinent.