On their sophomore album Grow, psych-blues rockers Them Jones continue their musical matriculation. Primed with guitar-led experimental voyages and reverberating vocals, the band sits in a hazy but cool-headed space. The mind gradually stretches, ditching its preoccupations as melody converges with mystic ambiance.
Ryan Egan’s “Hard To Lose” ahead of Berlin NYC show on 06.19
With new single “Easy To Lose,” electro-pop artist Ryan Egan has further sculpted his personal and sophisticated fusion of mellow and dancey tunes. The song follows his self-produced single “Finest Hour” and debut EP "Postures," which introduced us to his signature harmonizing vocal lines on top of entrancing electronic arrangements. The track captures the dark-pop and layered synth elements of his previous releases, while also crystallizing Egan’s melancholic voice and its ability to sustain emotional lyrics. The New York based artist will be playing Berlin NYC on June 19 along with Quiet Luke. – Tafari Lemma
VYPERS – “MR.GIRL”
Toronto’s garage scene is booming right now and right in the thick of it is Vypers. A wild 4 piece psych garage band that look as dirty as they sound. They just opened up for Black Lips at the Horseshoe but if you missed that don’t worry. Listen to their new single "Mr.Girl" right now and get lost in the duel guitar threat comin’ at ya. The fight between fuzz and reverb is a real battle with Vypers. It may never end. Vypers will be joining The Tenenbaums and Wine Lips on June 10th at Cherry Colas. – Kris Gies
Fly Anakin and Koncept Jack$on’s latest album is hip hop at its finest
From the moment the beat drops on the opening track, it’s clear that the style of Fly Anakin and Koncept Jack$on’s Chapel Road is influenced more by pathos, anger, and crunchy weed than the plush leather sounds of blemish free top 40. With a voice that seems uncannily similar to that of Brooklyn rapper AZ, Fly Anakin gives the opener a straight ahead, circa 1994 flow that dwells more on mental instability and a desperate need for catharsis than an auto-tuned worship of yachts and Bentleys.
Carrying the flow of Fly Anakin and Koncept Jack$on are the strong use of lo-fi backing tracks and minor harmonies on songs like “”03 steve harvey remix” and “swanton bomb”. Although there are some tracks which seem superfluous, in general this album is superb, start to finish.
-Written by Michael Dranove
Folksters Bandits on the Run! play American Beauty on June 10th
Bandits on the Run! is not Wings’ new millennial side-project, but it might as well be. This indie-folk trio is just as much fun as the song it references in their name, but with an updated twist, especially in their refined March 2017 release, The Criminal Record. NYC locals Adrian Blake Enscoe, Sydney Torin Shepherd, and Regina Marie Strayhorn, incorporate cello, violin, and even a banjo supported by melancholic harmonies that bring the fun-folk spirit of bands like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros or Noah and the Whale. The Criminal Record is must-listen full of campfire songs for the modern cowboy, or your local bolo-tie wearing barista. They play American Beauty NYC on June 10th and Pete’s Candy Store on June 11th. – Allie Miller
New Track: “Need to Feel Your Love” – Sheer Mag
It sounds like Philly punks Sheer Mag might have found their first commercial radio single with "Need to Feel Your Love". The rifftastic crew lays down an infectious groove for the title track from their forthcoming album. Frontwoman Christina Halladay shares a bit of insight into their latest offering: "When you get to the point of a romantic relationship and you feel as if you have done everything to give that person a chance to make the most out of it and you are at the breaking point and you NEED them to do something more, even if you don’t exactly know that is." Need to Feel Your Love is due out July 14 via Wilsuns RC, and the band has plans for a massive U.S. tour in support of the album. You can join them at their record release celebration in Philly on Saturday, August 26 at Union Transfer, where they’ll be sharing the billing with Purling Hiss, Haram, and S-21.
Roya celebrates debut LP at Brooklyn Bazaar on June 16th
To kick off the month of June, Roya have released their debut self-titled LP via Burger Records; to celebrate, they’ll play Brooklyn Bazaar on June 16th. The post/psych-punk quintet includes guitarist Jay Heiselmann of Grooms, former Jay Reatard bassist Alix Brown, and frontwoman Rahill Jamalifard, who brings her signature dreamy and slightly atonal vocals from her band Habibi. Together with guitarist Tyler Love and drummer Lyla Vander, they’ve already put out a few singles from the new album, including the infectious "A Sickness", which you can stream below. Roya’s release show will also feature performances from Blush, Scully, and Breanna Barbara. – Will Sisskind
New Music Video: “City by the Sea” – Chris Kasper
"Living down the shore, on and off, for the past few years has been a trip. You see the crowds come and go, you learn the oceans various personalities, you find love in the summer and feel the loneliness of winter… all beautiful, the loving and letting go."
Philly troubadour Chris Kasper has us ready to drop everything and head out to the beach for some much-needed summer relaxation. Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t received the memo today so we’ll just have to keep on watching this beautifully shot and directed music video by Sherry McCracken (Little Rock Films and Studio) with assistance from Patrick Taylor (ColourSky Films) until it does. "City by the Sea" can be found on Kasper’s new full-length album, O the Fool.
Krust Toons: “Gone Phishin (Part 2)” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "Gone Phishin (Part 2)" 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.
Jenaux opens the 2017 Governor’s Ball Music Festival
Opening the 2017 Governor’s Ball Music Festival was 25 year-old NYC DJ/ producer Jenaux, whose self-produced and self-released dance record, "Get It On," has gone viral on Spotify since its 2016 release. Having previously produced music for the Chainsmokers, Cher Lloyd, and the Grizfolk, Jenaux is now finding his place both on festival rosters (he also recently played the Lightning in a Bottle Arts & Music Festival in California) and the international dance scene. Charismatic and gracious behind the booth, at Governor’s Ball Jenaux created a vibrant and positive atmosphere. The quirkiness in his tunes, combined with funk influences, creates an instantly fun and refreshing atmosphere that separates his tunes from darker-toned EDM. – Simone Gabrielli
Debut Plaque Marks Single Available for Streaming & Download
Pulverizing backend and chainsaw guitars encircle the raw, gravelly power of vocals in "Oregon Chem-Trail"/"Plaque Marks," the first offerings from the power trio of Plaque Marks. Merging Mike McGinnis (Fight Amp), Doug Sabolik (Ecstatic Vision), and Patrick Troxell (Creepoid), the group announces its arrival with a primal punch to the gut. Having difficulty jumpstarting your Monday? These songs will abruptly wake you out of that lingering slumber. (Photo by Adam Wallacavage)
Terence Ryan releases video for “Mean It”
Born and raised on the South Shore of Massachusetts, folksy songwriter Terence Ryan strives to capture the beauty in the melancholy of his daily life in his lyrics and his videos. His job at an industrial warehouse is a sharp contrast to his drive home along the ethereal beachy coastline where he grew up, informing his songwriting in a way that may resonate to many of those who experienced life in small town. While his older videos (“Stranger than Fiction”) strive to showcase the latter, his newest creation "Mean it" (which Ryan wrote, recorded, produced, and directed) is set in his workplace. In the video, streaming below, he marries his creativity with his position in working class America using his soulful voice and a production that blends rock and R’n’B.