Portland

PREMIERE: The Secret Sea – “My Beautiful Hell”

Posted on:

 *photo by Sean Gutierrez

Today we’re premiering the third single from The Secret Sea‘s U.S. debut and 7th album, Everest, which was recorded and mixed by Larry Crane of Jackpot! Studios.

His previous singles "Army of Souls" and "Canada" opened the door to the intimate confines of Amit Erez’s soft acoustic world, but it’s the thoughtful lyrics and imagery of "My Beautiful Hell" that takes us further and deeper into the revelation of his story.

Steadily rolling forward in a lush full-band arrangement, this song is the journey of a protagonist through his past and present, reflecting on events that shaped his life as an artist and as a person with haunting visuals and metaphors. Lyrically heavy, "My Beautiful Hell" pulls the listener into a hallucination, questioning the perceptions of home, happiness, and the endless chase after one’s own calling. 

The track also features guest musicians Gil Assayas of GLASYS on keys and former Elliott Smith and current Eyelids drummer Paul Pulvirenti. 

Amit will be joined by a full band for the first time onstage for the album release show for Everest, taking place at the Liquor Store on November 16th. The show will also be a single release for Arrows in Orbit, along with a performance from GLASYS.

Limited edition cassettes with download codes from Dazzleships Records will also be sold at the show and Everest will be digitally available on all known platforms on Nov 15th, with a pre-order on iTunes from Nov 12th.

Portland

KPSU and Lola’s Room Team Up for All Ages

Posted on:

In the first of what is sure to be a successful slew, KPSU has teamed up with McMenamins Lola’s Room for a series of all-ages shows that begins with a perfectly curated lineup promising strong hints of shoegaze, dream pop and a touch of 90’s revival.

We have no doubt in our minds that Lubec will bring yet another good set, since the Portland vets have played and shared consistently great music for the last five years. Cosmic Debt, their September release, continues on in that same vein, but the other bands on the bill add an extra bit of intrigue to the show.

Alien Boy has done a lot with their poppy post punk in the last year and it’s something that can’t be missed, while Helens take on the genre is a bit heavier and gazed out. Floating Room, the newest endeavor musically bringing together drowse‘s Kyle Bates and Maya Stoner of Sabonis, could not offer a better representation of both bands’ sound fused into one. Their debut Sunless is due out in just a couple weeks and sees the glum echo of comfort found in drowse’s production while giving another platform for the signature gossamer tone Stoner’s voice provides to Sabonis. 

Doors for this KPSU/Lola’s Room show tomorrow open at 7pm, with music starting at 8pm. Tickets are only $5 will any Student ID and just $8. Get excited, there are a couple more KPSU and Lola’s Room shows this Fall that are just as promising.

Philadelphia

YIKES the ZERO Album Release Show at KFN Nov. 5

Posted on:

Celebrating his latest album, The Animal Box, released via local label Extra Lovely Records, YIKES the ZERO steps into a late evening affair at Kung Fu Necktie. Riding wide-ranging experimental beats that encompass electro, psych, jazz, etc., YIKES drops the gauntlet on the spectrum of hip hop, shifting between the drama of cinematic tones – the dial-tuning merger of juxtaposing genres and transmissions from another galaxy. A pair of local emcees (whom he collaborated with on the single “Gauntlet”) in the eloquent, white-hot experimentations of Raj Haldar, a.k.a. Lushlife (providing a DJ set), and like-minded labelmate Stainless Steele (whose album, Escapism, was produced by another of tonight’s performers Josh Hey) will be joining in the festivities. And crisscrossing between electro-folk-R&B among others, the upbeat vibes of Tamar Dart, a.k.a. Little Strike, will also aid in fortifying this late-burning night. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 11pm, $6, 21+ – Michael Colavita

Philadelphia

A Benefit for Orlando Pulse Shooting Victims at FUC Nov. 5

Posted on:
“We seek to lead meaningful lives, to love one another without prejudice, and to build a just and sustainable world.” These words are written in the mission statement for Philly’s historic First Unitarian Church in Center City, who will be hosting A Benefit for Orlando Pulse Shooting Victims today. A plethora of hometown do-gooders such as +HIRS+, Soul Glo, S-21, Body Party, and Solarized are bands whose music embody a fierce tenacity and political clarity that lays the invaluable groundwork for effecting positive change. The headlining act for the evening is queercore outfit Limp Wrist, who will also be supported by New Yorkers Krimewatch and D.C.-based Homosuperior, as well as DJ sets during the day and into the night from DAME LUZ, precolumbian, and Alex DB. Everyone will be donating their time and talents for what is sure to be a raucous, unabashedly fun throwdown, intended to aid the victims of the deadliest mass shooting by a single shooter in U.S. history. Hardcore acts and DJs alike will take the stage to get people moving en masse, to take a stand against the antipathy directed at the community, who fell victim to the horrendous attack, and to unite various peoples under the common cause of communal care and respect. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 3pm, $15, All Ages – Josh Kelly
L.A.

Max Fite share video for “The Devil in Me”, new EP out now

Posted on:

Upcoming L.A. rock group Max Fite has recently released a new EP called Shake It On Down. Lead singer and guitarist Max Fitelson paints a beautiful, visual picture on the video for “Devil In Me”, a single off of the new album. The song opens with Fitelson emerging from a shipwrecked boat on the beach with a woman walking along the shore. “Devil In Me” has an amazing rock ballad, similar to that of The Killers or Gaslight Anthem. With beautiful guitar solos to back up Fitelson’s imaginary lyrics, this lively rock group creates a scene of incredible yearning for something that is no longer there, the innocence of childhood: “Then we get to grow up old, learn about the worlds disease. They said gods with you, he’s no where to be seen.”

If you missed out on their release party, don’t fret! They will be playing at The Viper Room on December 5th, or pick up Shake Me On Down from iTunes. – Kayla Hay

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, November 4 – 6

Posted on:
Ominous ruminations churn in the post-punk trio of Psychic Teens. Larry Ragone’s bellowing baritone commands one’s attention, circling the gloomy pensions that bounce in the mind during periods of isolation. That unnerving spiral rushes ahead, as a hanging electric charge of guitar sparks and a smattering of shadowy backend accelerates, completing the heavy melodic circuit. This Sunday night, the power trio will be rustling the crowd at the First Unitarian Church. Ronnie Vega ushers in the evening, delivering a grimy, grungy brand of hip-hop and a pair of Don Giovanni artists in the socially conscious, status-quo-shaking, noise-sample-smashing force of Camae Ayewa, a.k.a. Moor Mother, and the locked-in, adrenalin-pumping sound of Screaming Females completes this stacked billing. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 7:30pm, $15, All Ages – Michael Colavita
 
More shows to check out this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Hardwork Movement (Record Release), Julia Rainer, SAT Kate Faust
 
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The Broken Prayers (Record Release), Dixy Blood, Sara Mercedes & 13 Ft. Of Rhythm
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Skeleton Lipstick, Cumquat/Petunia, Maryse/DJ Deejay/LXV/Christian Mirande, Hero/ Victim, Deflector (DJ Set), SAT (6pm) The Danger O’s, Welter, Readership, Faringwell/Cemetery Flowers, Phonographiq/Yikes The Zero (Album Release), Josh Hey, Stainless Steele, Little Strike, Lushlife
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SUN The Seance Tattoo Parlor 1 Year Anniversary Party: Wolves Attack
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT Cayetana
 
TLA (334 South St.) SUN Girlpool
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Downstairs) Ernest Stuart Band
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Riots, SAT A Day Without Love, Last Full Measure iAlive
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Miners, The Knife And Fork Band, Whiskey Jam, SAT Sonnder, Sun Tioga, The Dispersions
 
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Explosive Head, Duffy’s Cut, The GTVs, Bohemian Mule
 
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT The Disgruntled Sherpa Project
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) SAT Amy Faden
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Roxy Rollz, Rage Baby, The Mojo Machine, Great Neck, SAT Thunder & Glory, Sweet F.A., Please Die
 
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Rivers Monroe
 
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Hambone Relay, John Venezia Project, SAT John Galla, SUN Cerebelles
 
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SAT American Speedway
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Strange Heat, Franco and the Detonators, SAT Ridge Summit, Dave Joyce, Justin Kerecz
 
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dark Blue (Record Release), People Skills, The Smarthearts, M//R 
 
The Pharmacy (1300/02 N. 18th St.) FRI Honeytiger, Geisha Façade, Secret Nudist Friends, Motherwhore, SAT Sun Hat (Album Release), Lomez Place of Worship, Gavin Riley Smoke Machine, SUN Crooked Spine
 
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Clique, SAT +HIRS+, Soul Glo, S-21, Body Party, SUN Moor Mother, Psychic Teens
 
Girard Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI QQQ, Hooded Leaders, Sam Greens, Dentana, Nobi
 
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Whipworm, Integriteens
 
The Storefront (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Telepathic, Sun Organ, Kat Bean
 
All Night Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Tall Friend, Spring Onion, SAT Tombo Crush, Pauline
 
Nacho House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Humanshapes, Swanning
 
JJ’s Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Tall Friend, Most Selfless Cheerleader
 
Rigby Mansion (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Chelsea Sue Allen, Strawberry Hands, Jonathan Davenport & Co.
 
Philadelphia

New Lightninging Album Available for Streaming & Purchase

Posted on:

The quartet of Lightninging just released its new album, The God of Sun & Tuesdays. Pulling from multiple rockin’ fronts, the crew appears equally adept at stewing in the expanding, psychedelic cauldron. Conversely contagious, clear-skied harmonies spill fortuitously forward in loose-feeling, expertly-spun instrumental sequences. You can catch Lightninging tomorrow night at Double H Ranch with Something Like A Monument, Man Like Machine, Vaudevileins, and Sedgewick.

Philadelphia

Dark Blue Record Release Show at Everybody Hits Nov. 4

Posted on:
Given the current state of the way things are in Philly and the United States, due to situations like the presidential election and the Septa strike, the world could use some more hard-hitting, post-punk anthems to shake things up! Fortunately, Dark Blue have arrived to grab that need by the jugular, with the follow-up to their pulse-pounding debut LP, Pure Reality. Start of the World is a bold soundtrack to a decaying U.S. that blends the heart of punk rock with Britpop and shoegaze sensibilities. It’s officially out today via 12XU, so the band has much to celebrate this evening at Everybody Hits. They’ll also be joined by The Smarthearts, a new powerpop project to watch that features members of Sheer Mag, and People Skills, the local avant-indie project from Jesse Dewlow. Everybody Hits, 529 W. Girard Ave., 9pm, $10, All Ages – Bill McThrill

NYC

A Deli NYC Premiere: Julian Cubillos’ video for ‘Scared’

Posted on:

LA-born Julian Cubillos graced the world last Friday (just in time for Halloween weekend!) with two-track single Scared, his newest release on Tiny Montgomery Records since his 2015 full-length album Evil. Scared – which includes the A-side of the same name and the B-side “Can I Win” – offers the same mind-warping lo-fi and colorful gravitas as Julian’s past output. 

The brand-new psychedelic video – from which the single’s cover takes its image – comes from the mind of Brooklyn visual and recording artist Christina Schneider. In it, she blends clips of old horror films (Psycho, to name one) with CGI images of rotating knives, vintage commercials for toys and toiletries, and images of bugs that crawl uncomfortably close. Check it out below. – Will Sisskind

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “Drop Out Of College” – Coping Skills

Posted on:

The duo of Coping Skills (a.k.a. Rachel Dispenza and Lauren DeLucca ) covers a lot of ground in close proximity, mimicking real life in the video for “Drop Out of College”. Holding down a plethora of tasks/responsibilities at their real place of employment (Boot & Saddle), getting fired by their boss, consuming a large amount ofbooze, and playing to an unpacked house, filmmaker Jackie Papanier’s playful interpretation of the song, featured on Relatable Web Content, takes on a Garfunkel-and-Oates-type vibe. It’s something that many young artists must go through in their every day lives – only probably in a more humorous manner. (Photo by Julia Leiby)

NYC

Topaz Jones drops new album releases trippy video for “Motion Sickness”

Posted on:

Hailing out of Northern NJ’s underrated hip hop scene, Topaz Jones is equipped with a sound that’s catchy and all his own. His latest record Arcade is aptly named: it’s a joy to listen to, showcasing bright, flashy production and Jones’ own suave mix of rapping and soul. Following his recent release, Jones just dropped a music video for standout track, "Motion Sickness,"  where he serenades while basked in vibrant light colors, donned in eccentric high fashion and at one point tethered to ballons Pixar’s "Up"-style.  It’s a surreal video that highlights Jones’ unique ability to get bodies moving and minds thinking at the same time. Definitely an artist to watch. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber

NYC

Slow Hollows to Play Release Party for Sophomore Album “Romantic”

Posted on:

Tomorrow, Danger Collective veterans Slow Hollows release their third album Romantic, graduating from the manic inferiority complex of Atelophobia into a more assured compilation of youth retrospectives. The homespun procession of tape warp, appregios, and Austin Feinstein’s somber voice sketches the songwriter’s ennui and rose-tinted glasses. A release party is being held at the Teragram Ballroom for Slow Hollows’ new album, and in 2017, Slow Hollows will support a national tour with Cherry Glazerr, another Slimane select. Listen to the album in its entirety below. – photo by Joey Tobin