If your way of staying warm during the bleak New York winters has less to do with sipping cocoa by a fire and more with sweating it out in the middle of a mosh pit, Death Vacation’s new EP may be more welcome than a holiday trip to Florida. The NJ/NY-based singer, Michelle Mancuso, spits and snarls her way through the 5 tracks that make up Bones Grow Cold, and her gut-busting vocals are paired with grindcore beats that are coated with enough grime to satisfy even the nastiest hardcore fiends. Though the tunes definitely have melodic moments, the real payoff here is in the visceral, chomping percussive-ness of the tracks that grate against your ears alongside all the blood and noise. Check out the band’s track "Parasitic" streaming below. – Olivia Sisinni
Mood Music: Rio Grands – “Beverly”
Now that the flurries have stopped falling and the ice has melted away, it’s time to start planning how we’re going to celebrate the ending of the last immensely shitty 365 days. To help us get in the mood for what will most likely be a heavier than normal night of boozed debauchery, we’ve got some Rio Grands coming out of the speakers in preparation for their blowout bash.
They’ll be taking over Alberta Street Pub on the 31st, playing two sets that are sure to get the party started. Their first one, starting around 9:30pm, will be all original songs. The second goes from 11:30pm through the arrival of the new year, with them honoring our fallen heroes David Bowie and Prince, as well as taking on some songs by the Cars, the Police and other 80’s hit stars.
Laser beams, helium filled inflatable animals, fog machines and DJ Toggle Beats will all most definitely be in full effect, so stop by. It’s free and will be a lovely addition to your night’s plans.
Hip Hop artist Kotic Couture drops new EP “Abstract”
If there’s one thing Baltimore-based rapper Kotic Couture is trying not to do, it’s blend in. The artist delivers punchy hip-hop tracks that are as stand-out as his glam, neon-tinged appearence. Navigating the space between thoughtful lyricsim, and club-ready powerhouse anthems, Kotic Couture’s latest EP, Abstract, is 4 tracks worth of eclectic tunes that are sure to make an electrifying impression. Check out his track "Go Awff" streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
Hula Hi-Fi drops new EP of dark Hawaiian tracks
Chances are, you haven’t heard a band quite like Hula Hi-Fi. The Nashville-based threepiece, consisting of Sarah Bandy on ukulele, Annie Clements on upright bass, and Josh Kaler on lap steel, produce haunting, ethereal melodies that have the feel of 50s-era Hawaiian imports, but lack the saccherine sunshine. Like black sand on a beach, Hula Hi-Fi’s music is dark and unexpected, but perhaps all the more beautiful because of it. Check out their new release, Hawaiian Noir: Volume One, and listen to them streaming below.-Olivia Sisinni
New Track: “It’s Easy (Like Walking)” (Feat. Kurt Vile) – The Sadies
Kurt Vile made a guest appearance on the latest single from Toronto’s The Sadies called "It’s Easy (Like Walking)". Vile had toured with the alt-country group many moons ago, and they’ve "been friends ever since." The track will appear on the band’s forthcoming LP Northern Passages (Yep Roc), and Kurt has a big show this New Year’s Eve with Woods and Nathan Bowles at The Fillmore Philly so grab your tix ASAP.
Maggie Rogers takes things to the next level with trilogy of videos and tour
After being blessed by Pharrell Williams’ seal of approval, which got a lot of eyes on her and ears on her track ‘Alaska,’ NYC’s songwriter Maggie Rogers is trying to capitalize on the attention by unveiling a trilogy of videos featuring that single and two new songs. The second one of the series, ‘Dog Years’ (streaming below), resumes the atmospheric, electronic-pop-soul sound of ‘Alaska’, including the subtle African music influences. Maggie has also announced three legs of a winter/early spring tour that will take her – between January and April 2017 – from the east coast to Europe to the west coast and back, with a final date at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom on April 11. We are sure the third video will drop just before the tour begins, in early January.
Spill Record Release Show at Boot & Saddle Dec. 20
The beginning of the week often suffers from a monotony of motion as individually one falls back into a robot-like routine. However, Boot & Saddle offers a temporary respite this evening. Celebrating their newly released full-length debut Top Ten, available via No Sleep Records, Spill headlines a stacked show. Balancing the explosive force of emotive energy, which spikes in sparks of anthem-esque choruses and downhill instrumental surges, with melody-oriented laments, the sound fleshes reflective anecdotes in catchy, polished flourishes. Riding the riff-and-rumble, pop-and-punch feel, Thin Lips infectiously slip into a casually precise groove, lifting with their locked-in raw refinement. The fuzz-ringing possessive thunder of Straw Hats and the stretching shimmering emotives of Lancaster’s Seasonal help to shape an evening that will be further sweetened by the serene sincerity of an acoustic Kississippi set. Boot & Saddle 1131 S. Broad St., 7:15pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Mikey to the P
Mikey to the P has released a video for his track “Big City”. The video was shot all over Chicago and highlights both the beauty and violence of the city.
You can catch Mikey to the P at Cubby Bear Wrigleyville on December 30th.
Dr. Something Writes the Folky Prescriptions We Need
Atmospheric in every sense of the word, Dr. Something‘s minimalist chamber folk pop takes on strange artistic sensibilities with aural novelty mixed with a slight cat-crazy Tumblr aesthetic. Clarinet, keys and accordian are the gold, silver and bronze winners of her instrumental outfit. Yet it’s the eclectically toned pitch of Miss Dr. Something herself, Alison Dennis, that elevates its sapid qualities.
Since Dennis is well versed in all things musically weird (previously coming from the strange Dr. Something & the Pipin’ Hot Love Engines and Coney Island Cartel), the ways in which Dr. Something satiates this oft empty hole left in the market make sense. Her self described "sad bastard piano pop" could very well inspire some bummer feelings if you’re in the headspace for such, but it’s tracks like the indelilble "Imperfect Skull" off of 2015’s Tomorrow’s Just Fiction, to the hauntingly fun filled "Here Comes Count Dracula" from October of this year, that make it hard to be sad.
Having a sound unlike that of run-of-the-mill folk pop, Dr. Something holds high regard in local odd sounds, making music integral to keeping Portland weird.
Con Brio Returns to the Bay Area for a Special Three-Night New Year’s Eve
Con Brio is going to play three nights in San Francisco for New Year’s Eve! The San Francisco based 7-piece band will showcase music from their electrifying album, Paradise (produced by Mario Caldato Jr.), with three Bay Area shows leading up to New Year’s Eve, including at City National Civic (San Jose) on December 29, 2016 and two back-to-back nights at The Chapel (San Francisco) on December 30 & 31, 2016.Lead singer, Ziek McCarter’s magnetic live performances with his swiveling hips, splits and backflips, have earned him frequent comparisons to a young Michael Jackson and James Brown.
On Paradise, McCarter’s lyrics tell stories about modern life through its contradictions. Narratives highlight police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement (the band’s first single, "Free & Brave"), the struggles of city life ("Hard Times"), the rejection of societal pressure to equate success with a paycheck and abandon one’s dreams ("Money"), and of course love ("Honey").
Don’t miss them live this New Year’s season!
12/29 — City National Civic — San Jose, CA
12/30 — The Chapel — San Francisco, CA
12/31 — The Chapel — San Francisco, CA
Pink Frost Returns
It has been a year since Pink Frost released their latest album, Gargoyle Days, and many months since they have performed live. The band has been hidden away working on their next album which is scheduled to be released in early 2017.
You can catch Pink Frost on December 21st at Empty Bottle.
Krust Toons: “Swamp Gas” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "Swamp Gas" 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.