THE DELI

Slithering through dimly lit passageways, “Urgency,” found on the self-titled debut from dark-pop collective She Policeman, creates an anticipatory sense of unease. Those creeping-beyond-the-shadows vibes are further accentuated by the spectrum-morphing, sensory overload of its video’s colorful, shape-shifting display. Catch the record release and debut performance from She Policeman this Friday, March 3 at Boot & Saddle with Purples and Langor.

She Policeman | ‘Urgency’ from She Policeman

Originally featured on the Too Far Gone Records compilation Three Years, “Teeth (alt.)” by cllctyrslf has been released as a single. The alternate take rushes instrumentally with jagged edges in opposition to the largely acoustic original version. The emotive momentum of the lingering post-breakup narrative surges with a sweet sting. The band is part of an upcoming billing at The Sound Hole on Thursday, March 16 that also includes Ridgewood, Welman, We Have Ghosts, and Sadhound.

We just witnessed another sprint to the end of our Yearly Readers’/Fans’ Poll for the category of Alt Rock. Thank you to all who participated and voted for this round of talented nominees.

Congrats go out to the quartet of PHNTMS! Led by the powerful, soulful lead vocals of Alyssa Gambino with Adam Jessamine on guitar, Mikal Smith on bass, and Beth Murphy on drums, the group creates a sound meant to be heard from larger stages. Their fans had a taste of what that would sound like with PHNTMS ending 2016 on a high note, gracing the stage of Union Transfer. The band is currently in the studio with producer Mike Watts (The Dear Hunter, Glassjaw), working on its debut full-length album. Keep a look out for some new material from the gang coming in the near future!

Rebecca Waychunas, a.k.a. Aphra, strings out stirring, sensitive songs, developed through personal/familial struggles. Her latest release, Sadness is a Gesture (Inherent Sounds), exhibits an unimpeded array of vocally-anchored, heart-rendering exposures. These songs maintain an intimate, aching proximity, aided instrumentally by scene-sketching electronics, molding the many moods. Waychunas finds a way to create elegantly raw music that shifts the focus onto the real and gritty darkness of addiction. She’s set to perform on Wednesday, March 8 at The Barbary to celebrate its release, with a lineup that includes Blood Sound and The Undercover Dream Lovers.

Proceeds from “If You Harden On The Inside,” the new single from Hezekiah Jones, will benefit the Women’s Law Project. Paced by the bump of bass and snap of snare, the song delicately weaves, led by sunny stretches that counter the potential commentary of lines like the power play/greed of “What’s the point of having all the world? When your hands are so small” or the call to kindness of “If you harden on the inside, you’ll be easy to break.” While it may seem simple to get swept up in the recent reign of negativity, “If You Harden On The Inside,” with its inviting harmony and delicate sway, reminds us that the power of positivity remains.