Ahead of the March release of their new album "In Business," Nashville’s favorite landlocked surf rockers unveil a beachy, fuzz filled power pop tune sure to please both the garage rocker and easy listener. Big Surr refuses to be confined by a sonic niche. They dwell in the liminal space between the lo-fi, fuzzy, trashcan garage and sweet, breezy, reverb-soaked beach. "Sometimes" is no exception. The guitar hook structures and compliments an otherwise washy collage of smooth, atmospheric guitar swells, while Helen Van’s unassuming slacker vocals invite everyone in, disarming any skeptics with a charming, humble apathy. Big Surr’s releases are true gifts for independent music fans in Nashville, and they’ve got a lot more coming our way. You can preorder their album, out on 3/10, here. – Andrew Strader
Girl Fest is Giving Us Life
A much needed celebration of female power, Girl Fest is back with a showcase of some of Portland’s best female musicians of the moment. Hosted by the soulful Blossom, this year’s installation of GF touches on a few different genres, including jazz, folk and hip hop, to me enjoyed by all ages.
Coco Columbia has been a local love we’ve grow to appreciate more and more, with her refreshingly modern and eclectic take on jazz. Her voice, along with her production, have become indicative of the variety of other music scenes the city provides.
Other upbeat offerings come from some of the only female rap artists in Portland’s market right now, including Karma Rivera. Taking a beat and fully making it her own, Karma’s rhymes give the best of relatable expression and fun quips. Building off of that, duo Neka & Kahlo mix angelic bedroom pop with hip hop that results in a trappy type R&B that we need much more of.
Courtney Noe could easily dominate the pop charts with her retro ballads and after the Fish Eye EP, we’ve been dying for more of Haley Heynderickx‘s acoustic folk.
Thankfully Girl Fest 2017 is still happening tonight at the Crystal Ballroom. It’s an all ages show, including some performances from young artists involved with local youth music nonprofit My Voice Music, so bring all your loved ones out for a night of true female empowerment.
Anti/Beyond
Anti/Beyond is the work of Andrew Masters. He released his self-titled debut album last month and the beautifully disturbing video for the album’s single, “Piece of Glass”.
The Fantastic Plastics talk about gear on Delicious Audio
It’s almost impossible to not be immediately smitten with the Fantastic Plastics. With their bright colors and quirky demeanor, the Brooklyn-based duo re-imagines retro-synth pop for the 21st century. While they’re sure to delight nostalgia seekers, the band’s catchy, fun tracks have a wide appeal that’s sure to draw in even the most discerning Brooklynite. The artists were kind enough to talk a little bit about their expansive synth collection, and just what dimension the Fantastic Plastics come from. – Olivia Sisinni
Read the Q&A with The Fantastic Plastic on Delicious Audio.
Mating Ritual plays Hi Hat on 2/10, release debut album in 2017
On February 10, rising electro-pop band Mating Ritual will wrap up their winter tour with a hometown show at Hi Hat. The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Ryan Marshall Lawhon, the fun and upbeat project is gearing up for the release of their debut album How You Gonna Stop It?, which will be released as two six-track volumes in 2017. Opening for Mating Ritual is dream pop duo Satchmode.
Listen to their new single, Night Lies, below. – Juan Rodríguez
Weekend Warrior, January 13 – 15
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Square Peg Round Hole, Grimace Federation, SAT HIRS, Pinkwash
Stream Radler’s ‘Cool,’ Out Today
Emo revivalists Radler have dropped their debut full length, Cool, today via Match and Tinder Records. The new foursome, who adamently denounce the traditonal macho culture, use their aggressive take on emo pop to convey a message of fluidity and unity, while still lyrically touching on other relatable subjects.
The icy streets have unfortunately postponed the album’s release show, which WAS supposed to occur tonight at Black Water. When it’s rescheduled for, we’re not sure.
As for now, give Cool a full listen below. It’s available to digital download for free for the first week it’s out, so nab it for the low cost of nothing while there’s still time. Tapes are available for purchase on Radler’s Bandcamp page or at their next show.
Colbis the Creature Plays O’Brien’s Pub 1/18
With their self-titled debut, Colbis the Creature have released an EP, perfectly balanced between the catchy and the provocative. Seeming to fully understand the importance of tension-release, combining tasteful dissonance with memorable vocal melodies, Colbis offers their new fans a record meant to be played loud and disruptively. If intelligent lyrics are your thing, Nick Caliendo will gladly oblige with solid offerings throughout, although the highlight is closing track "James Dean". Join these suburban Boston boys at O’Brien’s Pub on 1/18 with Nox and Snowhaus. –Brian Varneke
DC band Cigarette offers charming ambient shoegaze
Released by local DC label Sister Polygon records, Cigarette’s “warm shadows” is a dreamy mix of 90s shoegaze and the music of 2009’s chillwave summer. But it’s not just nostalgia for dated genres that keeps their music interesting, Cigarette uses lush string and brass orchestration to add an extra nostalgic aesthetic to their music.
Catch Cigarette with Governess and Scanners January 18th at Black Cat.
Long Island’s reggae pillars Oogee Wawa play Amityville Music Hall tonight 01.13
If Long Island’s Oogee Wawa was a meal their ingredients would include a cup of reggae, a spoonful of rock & pop, a pinch of hip hop and a lot of feel good sauce to top it all off. Their chill, upbeat music – paired with a sunny day like today’s – has the power to make you forget that it’s the middle of January in NYC. Oogee Wawa is following the sun this winter with dates later on this month in Florida, but first, they will be making a stop at Amityville Music Hall tonight, January 13th. Check these guys out live for some guaranteed fun, and if you’re wondering why you might have already heard their music (like streaming 2012 hit "Spliff"), it’s because they have opened up for big names including Slightly Stoopid, Sublime with Rome, and 311. – Jocelyn Huggler
New Track: “Juicy J” – No Thank You & Signs to Lame-O Records
After recording her first EP A Nü Start on an iPhone at her home in South Philly, No Thank You, a.k.a. Kaytee Della-Monica, has teamed up with The Superweaks‘ Evan Bernard (recording) and Chris Baglivo (mixing) for her first full-length album. And apparently, Lame-O Records likes what its family members have been working on. The DIY Philly label has recently brought Della-Monica into the fold, signing her to its impressive, growing roster. No Thank You’s forthcoming LP Jump Ship is scheduled for release on February 24. Check out the lusher-sounding, new version of her lead single, "Juicy J," below! (Photo by Pete Murray)
New Haven’s Olive Tiger Releases Impressive Debut, Until My Body Breaks
Love standard fare indie rock, but wish there was something more? Enter Olive Tiger, a prolific songwriting trio, featuring non-standard instrumentation of orchestral strings, electronics, and more. Their debut album Until My Body Breaks expands on indie/pop sensibilities to create something new. At times heavily orchestrated, while keeping at its core a simple and compelling singer/songwriter feel, Olive Tiger keeps you on your toes, throughout. Check them out at Cafe Nine in New Haven on 2/17 with Xenia Rubinos. –Brian Varneke