NYC

Experimental banjo player, Tall Tall Trees, drops new video

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Tall Tall Trees aka Mike Savino, is the answer to that question: What should banjo playing sound like in 2017? Even if you’ve never given second thought to experimental banjo music, you’re going to want to check this out. The banjo-driven music of Tall Tall Trees is both innovative and impressive—and even more so when you consider that the sweeping soundscapes of Savino’s music are often the result of a one-man show. Wielding what he’s dubbed the Banjotron 5000, Tall Tall Trees makes use of mulit-fx pedals, and precisely timed loops to craft large sounds swells and multi-tiered tracks. Check out his latest video premiere, "SeagullxEagle" streaming below and see what I’m talking about.-Olivia Sisinni

 

Nashville

R.LUM.R’s Soulful Transparency

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R.LUM.R is offering the kind of electronic chops that don’t come often to Nashville. His Frank Ocean-style vocals perfectly compliment the R&B sound and aesthetic that characterizes his work. His lyrics are soulful, frustrated tails of internal emotional chaos, love lost, and existential confusion. “Frustrated” serves as a perfect example of the kind of poetic lyricism central to his work, “You give me your kaleidoscope in monochrome / so unlike the way you color me at home / some days it’s so vivid / but mostly I would rather be blind”. The irony of this lyric is that, of course, he isn’t blind, but facing heartbreaking loss and confusion head-on. R.LUM.R’s work is categorically bold not only because of its unique sonic makeup but because the lyrical content refuses to leave anything in the dark. Be sure to catch his show tonight at Mercy Lounge with BIYO.

-Andrew Strader

NYC

Venn covers New Order in a deliciously retro music video

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Here was a music video that put a smile on my face: DC Deli emerging artists of the month Venn covering one of my all-time favorite songs, Ceremony by New Order. Venn does a nice job capturing the sound of the original track and wrapping it in their own shoegaze sound, setting it all to a cute, superbly retro video.

Being such a huge fan of the original it’s hard for me to refrain from nitpicking. I do wish the guitars were more lo-fi and the vocals a little less intelligble among other things, but reservations aside a fantastic homage to a classic.

-Written by Michael Dranove

Philadelphia

New Sea Offs Album Available for Streaming & Purchase

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If one fancies a whimsical folk daydream, look no further than Sea Offs’ latest release, What’s The Point? Guided by elegant, gripping vocals, provided by Olivia Price (who also records under the moniker Fossil Jane), and instrumentation that illuminates the surroundings, the album unfolds in a fortuitous manner. One easily gravitates towards the casual, breezy rhythm amid the endearing stroll that accelerates at a moments notice. Sea Offs are set to perform on Sunday, May 14 at The Barbary on a lineup that also includes Shelf Life, Seagulls, and Mr. Husband.

Nashville

Diet Cig Unveils New Music Video for “Maid of the Mist”

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Diet Cig‘s first full length is a collection of bubbly indie pop tunes that tow the line between being cute and substantial in their social relevance. The duo’s newest music video for "Maid of the Mist" is no exception. "I am bigger than the outside shell of my body / and if you touch it without asking then you’ll be sorry," Alex Luciano belts in a verse, sharply adopting an outspoken feminist message that offers an assertive contrast to the tune’s cutesie synth hook. The track, though pop-oriented enough for the tamest listener, captures a kind of punk energy that compliments its lyrics. Luciano’s fuzzy guitars soar over Noah Bowman’s bouncy, driving rhythms. Diet Cig seems to be able to take the most stereotypical young adult issues and imbue them with a deeper sense of social and political purpose. When you look at the outfit’s young audience, you begin to understand the duo’s true genius. In a way, they’ve domesticated feminist punk for a much younger, milder audience that might never otherwise be exposed. This, however, doesn’t obliterate the genre’s core message, but rather, deepens and widens it. – Andrew Strader

Toronto

TORERO – “CANYON” MUSIC VIDEO

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Torero is a smooth country-rock band based in Toronto. Nice tunes with a great western tone and sultry vocals from frontwoman Eleanor Bull. They have released a video for the track "Canyon" from their self titled album. The video is very well done and features the band in what looks to be comfortable western attire for them. I find the chorus very catchy on this tune and the cowboy guitar licks compliment the easy-goin rhythm perfectly. Torero hits the road next week for a tour of Eastern Canada and they return home for an April 25th gig at the Dakota Tavern. – Kris Gies

Philadelphia

New Track: “Renovations” – Harmony Woods

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Philly singer-songwriter Harmony Woods, a.k.a. Sofia Verbilla, creates a touching imagery of a love that might not be meant to last in her latest single, "Renovations," which premiered ealier today over at Stereogum. The lines – "I tried to be build a home in you, but the foundation was overlooked. The floorboards are shaking in the room we loved once. Is this the end for us? Is this the end for us?" – hit like a ton of bricks before the hopeful, upbeat realization that letting go might be best. You can find the lovely ditty on her forthcoming LP Nothing Special, due out May 5 via Honest Face Records. (Photo by Ashley Gellman)

Philadelphia

New Data LP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Featuring members of both Palberta and Palm, Philly-based trio Data is comprised of Nina Ryser (keyboard/vocals), Eve Alpert (drums), and Gabe Adels (guitar/vocals). The group’s sound is distinct from their respective projects, while retaining the delight, jest, and talent that are present in their other ventures. Divine Creature is a sonic labyrinth, a savory fusion of no-wave and cocktail-lounge musical sensibilities – an album that sounds polished yet rough around the edges. It is cohesive and compelling, a collection of songs that amount to a very welcome addition to these artists’ musical canons, and is now available on cassette and in digital form via Single Girl, Married Girl.

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Plastic Impulse” – Tremellow

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Tremellow, a.k.a. Keith Abrams (of Pine Barons), delves into the delightfully strange in the new music video for “Plastic Impulse”. The song, featured on Doom Paste, a split cohabitated with Haggert Mctaggert, ventures into a waking freshness before cascading in a deep thumping body. Loosening, psych-pop exploits are punctuated by a combination of booming percussion and guitar spikes. The video creeps into one’s awareness, piecing together a mysteriously intriguing sequence of images.

Chicago

Pet Symmetry

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Pet Symmetry recently released the first single, “Stare Collection” from their forthcoming LP Vision. The new album will be released on May 26th via Polyvinyl.

You can catch Pet Symmetry at Schubas on May 26th.

Toronto

THE BLUE STONES – ADELAIDE HALL FOR CMW!

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Hailing from Windsor, Ontario….Here are The Blue Stones. A two piece indie rock band bringing you well put together rock tunes with a tinge of blues and a dash of grunge. They released a new record last year titled "Black Holes". Co-produced and Mixed by Ian Blurton. This 10 track album has some seriously solid rock tunes that could easily slip into regular rotation at any active rock station. The Blue Stones play Toronto on Friday April 14th at Adelaide Hall. – Kris Gies