The opening steps of illuminating keys broaden via synth/strings before unifying vocals engage in Spirits‘ latest single “Doesn’t Matter”. As the ethereal instrumentation expands its territory, intricately overlapping vocals hit from odd, encompassing angles. Exploring freewill, the song gathers strength, and overflows with emotion.
NYC
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spookyghostboy crafts haunting soft indie rock
spookyghostboy may not be all that scary, but there’s certainly an otherworldly quality to his music. The project of Nashville-based Austin Thomas, spookyghostboy’s soft indie rock has a spectral, lingering quality to it–inspiring reflection and, perhaps, the ghosts of the past to float out of the woodwork. With etheral vocals, and unadorned guitar playing, Thomas’s sound is simple, but effective, and commands attention just from its bold earnestness. Listent to spookyghostboy streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
Philadelphia
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Lame-O Records Rock Residency at Boot Saddle Every Thursday This January
One of the beautiful things that has provided me with hope when faced with the imminent reality of living in a Trump kleptocracy is witnessing the natural outpour of kindness and compassion that has spread throughout our communities, as we learn more than ever the necessity to be the keepers of our brothers and sisters. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure our neighbors, friends, family and loved ones are safe. Lame-O Records and multitude of talented artists will be taking over Boot & Saddle every Thursday in January to raise money for organizations in need of our help. Tonight will be the kick-off of the Philly label’s "Rock Residency" with family members Hurry, Dominic, and Cherry, who will be donating their proceeds to Planned Parenthood, followed by Slaughter Beach, Dog, Loose Tooth, and No Thank You for Juntos, Thin Lips, The Superweaks, and The Obsessives for The Attic Youth Center, and Three Man Cannon, Kate Ellen, and The Afterglows for the Philly ACLU. You’ll have plenty of chances to do some good this month, while still getting to rock out – a bit of guilt-free partying, except maybe when you decide to not go to work or school on Friday, which I totally give you permission to do. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $8, 21+ – Q.D. Tran
L.A.
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Iris Jupiter releases debut LP, play VLHS on 1/14
Iris Jupiter is a fuzz rock trio out of Orange County whose mostly informed by nineties American guitar bands with some post-hardcore influences. Signed to Open Door Records, a label you should keep on your radar, the band writes feedback-friendly fuzz rock with tense, anguished confessionals that balance noise with melody. If you’ve been seeking some modern alt rock that embraces the pedal trickery of Smashing Pumpkins-era Siamese Dream with some fleeting shoegaze tones, but with a lead singer that sounds closer to early days Roddy Woomble (if you’re of a certain age, there’s a good chance you have fond memories of Idlewild’s Hope Is Important), then they deliver a dense, textural brew of riffs that emit both a potent and vulnerable aura.
Iris Jupiter are set to release their self-titled debut on January 13th, followed by a record release show the day after at VLHS in Pomona. Juan Rodríguez
Chicago
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Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc has released a new video for the track “Two-Toothed Troll”. The track comes from their new album, "He’s Got The Whole This Land Is Your Land In His Hands” which is due out of January 20th via Joyful Noise.
You can catch Joan of Arc at Chicago Athletic Association on January 21st.
Chicago
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Zigtebra “Spectre”
Zigtebra has released a new video for their single new “Spectre”. The band plans to release a new single and video every month in 2017. Zigtebra is the bedroom pop duo of Emily Rose and Joe Zeph.
Portland
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Spellbound by Spare Spells
Enchanting in every sense, Spare Spells stirs a cauldron full of reverby psychedelic haunt rock and dark synth wave likened to that of a dream where My Bloody Valentine and the Kills are a joint effort. Playing shows somewhat sporadically for a little over two years, the group have but one six-song-long extended play that’s kept us under their spell since its 2015 release. It will continue to do so, at least until we see their slated sophomore release The Narrows.
We’re not sure when Spare Spells will be dropping The Narrows, though we did see some demoed previews of the album back in October of last year, with a live display of them played at their show with Murderbait and The Prids in November. For those that unfortunately missed the new tunes’ debut, Spare Spells will be playing their first show of 2017 on February 23 with Los Angeles acts The Great Sadness and Spirit in the Room at Valentines.
Until then, turn out the lights, like some candles and let Neon/Noir play throughout your spell casting.
New England
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Backwards Dancer Starts Off 2017 with a National Tour
Worcester alt-quartet, Backwards Dancer, is currently preparing to hit the road for a two-month national tour in support of Texas indie outfit Eisley. Led by Zack Shaw (formerly of The Hotelier), the foursome will be bringing the energy and emotion of their debut EP New Life in Old Shoes to new audiences across the country. First-time listeners, expect to hear tightly orchestrated emo-punk grooves, mixed with grunge-y, emotive vocal work with the perfect amount of intensity throughout. Catch them locally at the following dates:
Feb 26 – Mohegan Sun (Wolf Den), Uncasville, CT
Feb 28 – Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA
Mar 02 – Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
–Brian Varneke
Portland
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Post Up with 1939 Ensemble’s Post Jazz Rock
The first few days of 2017 have already been, for the most part, much better than 2016 in its entirety. Now that the holiday slump of shows is seemingly over, let’s attempt not to fall into the valley of warmth our beds provide as an incredibly cold weekend draws near. We can say that we’ve got a bit of inspiration for this with tomorrow‘s show, featuring the attention grabbing 1939 Ensemble.
Drum connoisseur Jose Medeles fronts the group and if you know anything of his history (like owning Revival Drum Shop or, I don’t know, drumming for the Breeders) the particular output of the group should be obvious. Featuring a variety of instruments including vibraphone, trumpet, Moog and general noise among the drums, 1939 Ensemble’s instrumental post rock, post jazz fusion is enthralling and captivating, making for a very stimulating production.
Again, you can see 1939 Ensemble tomorrow with Ethiopian soul seven piece Tezeta Band and KMHD jazz DJ Derek Smith at Mississippi Studios.
NYC
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Big Thief meet The Deli at sold out Bowery show on 01.07!
This Saturday January 9th 2017, Big Thief and issue 49 of The Deli (which features them on the cover) will meet in occasion of the band’s first headlining performance at the Bowery Ballroom – the show is sold out!
Check out the band’s latest video for single "Human."
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Garlic Soup” – Loose Tooth & Announce Album Release via Lame-O Records & Father/Daughter Records
Philly four-piece Loose Tooth just annouced that it will be part of a split release by Lame-O Records and Father/Daughter Records. The band’s forthcoming album, Big Day, is scheduled for release on April 7. Its lead single, "Garlic Soup," is now available for streaming below, and you’ll find Loose Tooth performing next in Philly on Thursday, January 12 at Boot & Saddle as part of the Lame-O Records "Rock Residency". All proceeds from the showcase will be donated to Juntos, a community-led, Latinx immigrant organization in South Philadelphia fighting for our human rights as workers, parents, youth, and immigrants. (Photo by Craig Scheihing)
NYC
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Gibbz releases “Oh My God” EP, lands Januray residency at The Knit, tours
Gibbz is a prolific synth-soul-pop artist out of Brooklyn whose music is laser focused on the various feelings and situations triggered by love. Single “Oh My God” (titletrack of his brand new EP) is a soul and R&B tune dealing with lust at first sight, while last year’s single “Stay for a While” is a ballad (based on a… tennis table sample loop?) about getting to know in depth the person you are dating. “Someone Like You” – a collaboration with Cobryama – could be described as a breakup song that might cause heartbreak even to the happily paired (“I wanna love somebody, someone like you.”) “Bright Lights”, the most uplifting of them all, trades moody soulfulness for a catchy pop melody that feels positive and invigorating. Check out Gibbz breakout single "Love Again" below, and – if his music resonates with you – don’t miss him during his residency at the Knitting Factory on the next three Wednesday in January.