Hailing from the cold lands of Cornell where she is getting a PHd, but no stranger to NYC"s hip-hop scene, Sammus possesses one of the most refreshing flows amongst emerging rappers today. While many emmcees have begun to incorporate more and more melodic RnB elements into their vocals and instrumentals, Sammus goes back to basics, equipped with a slow, lyrically dense style that through which she ensures she is heard loud and clear. On her latest music video for "100%", a track off her new album Pieces in Space, Sammus takes her peers back to school. Filmed on her stomping ground at Cornell, the emcee, alongside featured artist Latasha Alcindor, teach a bunch of college kids how to rap and have swagger in a class called "Hip-Hop 101." It’s a fun video, but what really stands out is the music portion. On a 90’s type soul flow, Sammus and LA go in with aggressive flows, filled to the brim with political messages and pop culture trivia. While Sammus’ music may feel a little out of place initially in today’s hip hop climate, on this track and others she demands her place at the table. Check out her music video below, and catch her at Alphaville tomorrow 10/28 where she’ll release her new LP. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber, photo by— CoolDad Music
BOYTOY tours Europe, unveils video for ‘Wild One’
Last year, Saara Untracht-Oakner and Glenn Van Dyke of BOYTOY released their delectable debut LP, Grackle. Approximately one year later to the day, the Brooklyn garage-poppers unveiled the video for single “Wild One”, which chronicles a wild night of Untracht-Oakner and Van Dyke roaming around Las Vegas, leading to their rambunctious desert romp as depicted in their music video for “Your Girl”. As of now, BOYTOY are on the last leg of their first European tour. Throughout October, they’ve rocked venues throughout Italy, France, Spain, and the UK. In the days ahead, they’ll entertain the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland before heading back to Italy for one final performance in Varese. Check out the list of remaining dates below, and don’t miss the shows if you happen to find yourself floating around those parts of Europe. – Will Sisskind
New Music Video: “Walkin’ The Fine Line” – Hound
Stream: Lo Moon “Loveless”
Lo Moon perform with a mercurial elegance that’s both graceful and intense. The LA trio’s introduction is certainly daring for a band who’s just about getting their start: the seven-minute "Loveless" is a sweeping, atmospheric piece that unfurls with a patience that draws out its emotional impact to a very high degree. Even if we’re not entirely sure as to what direction they’ll ultimately take (aside from the fact that their facebook page references eighties soft rock acts like Prefab Sprout and The Blue Nile as influences), the band has already caught the attention of some big names to follow their every step: not only do they have the support of major-label behemoth Columbia Records, but they’ve also enlisted record producer Chris Walla – who’s known for his affecting and poignant approach to songwriting – to work on their upcoming debut effort.
See the hype for yourself when they make a stop at the Bootleg on November 29.
Lara Downes Set to Release America Again Inspired by the Langston Hughes Poem
San Francisco based pianist, Lara Downes will release her next solo album, America Again on October 28, 2016. The album’s title is taken from Langston Hughes’ poem, Let America Be America Again, written in 1938.
Downes’ 2016 album, America Again, explores music that expresses different facets of the American dream – its hope, its impossibility, and its necessity. Lara Downes conceived of the album in June 2015, in response to the Charleston, SC shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. She recorded the album in March 2016 at Sono Luminus’ studio in Boyce, VA. Downes writes of the meaning in the album, “Today, as I write these words, we are living again in troubled times. For too many Americans, circumstance and skin color still keep the promise out of reach, the dream deferred. The hard-won rights and long-sought justice for which our parents and grandparents fought are too easily slipping away. The rifts and rivalries that divide us as a nation seem to run deeper than ever. But still, we dreamers keep dreaming our dream. This music is a tribute to the generations of Americans who dream the impossible: black and white, men and women, immigrants and pioneers. It tells the story of their journeys, their loves and longings, their hardships and their hopes. American music is made of everything we are, coming from so many different people and places, expressing so many different dreams
NYC EDM night at the BEMF on November 12th at Analog, with Turtle Bugg, Mike Servito and Honey Dijon
Turtle Bugg (from Brooklyn, pictured) is, like most artists associated with Bunker Records, of the retro/’80s house persuasion. He plays Analog on the 12 th within the Brooklyn Electronic Music Fest, alongside other locals Mike Servito and Honey Dijon. The latter, BTW, is probably the most completely retro house artist at BEMF this year, what with her use of full-throated soul singers and hard 4/4 beats, which sound life-affirming and totally non-cliché. For a full schedule of the BEMF, go here. – Brian Chidester
New Track: “Leaving the Light On” – MINKA
We think that MINKA is trying to answer the question – "What would The Talking Heads sound like fronted by David Bowie?" – with their latest single, "Leaving the Light On". It’s a good question to ponder, and now, we have been given a glorious dance track to set free into the ether. You’ll be able to get down to this one and many others this Saturday, October 29 at TJ Kong Halloween Costume Ball Rock N Roll Murdershow VII, being held once again at Underground Arts.
Be Calm Honcho Release New Track – Bad Man
The San Francisco based band, Be Calm Honcho has released a new track, Bad Man.
Bad Man tells the story of lead singer Shannon Harney’s brother who is currently serving a jail term. She explains: "In and out of the justice system, various addictions, the whole gamut of trauma and trouble and family can go through. It’s very personal, it’s very dear to me and the themes it tackles are important to the people who gravitate towards my music.
“I wrote this song for my kid brother in jail,” shares Be Calm Honcho’s vocalist Shannon Harney. “In and out of the justice system, various addictions, the whole gamut of trauma and trouble and family can go through. It’s very personal, it’s very dear to me and the themes it tackles are important to the people who gravitate towards my music.”
argonaut&wasp releases ‘Ha! Fiction EP,’ plays Rough Trade on 10.29
Brooklyn via Burlington lounge-dance band argonaut&wasp seems to have grown… a band since we last covered them! The duo led by Trey Schibli and Theo Klein, now a quintet, just released their sophomore EP ‘Ha! Fiction,’ and we can already sense good vibes taking over our lives. These guys just can’t make you feel blue, not even with a song titled "Loser Like You," their latest single streaming below, which somehow ended up making us think about something we’d like to say to Donald Trump. These guys’ more crowded live show should be fun, you’ll have a chance to witness it when they will be playing Rough Trade on October 29th.
New Music Video: “Follow You Around” – Purling Hiss
Mike Polizze of Purling Hiss takes a trek around the city, using the El as his main mode of transportation between Fishtown and West Philly in the band’s latest video for the single, "Follow You Around," off the group’s new album High Bias (Drag City). He also provides more hometown love, sporting a Dead Milkmen‘s t-shirt in Laurel Hill Cemetery, where the beloved punks recently did a special performance last month. It’s a lighthearted look and sound for the normally heavy-rockin’ power trio, who will have a chance to show off the nastier side of their instrumental skills that we have come to know and love this Sunday, October 30 at Johnny Brenda’s, alongside Honey Radar and Hothead. (Photo by Constance Mensh)
Buzz Alert: Ro James releases new album ‘ELDORADO,’ plays MSG on 11/10
Ro James’ music is cut from the cloth of a pristine vintage denim jacket. It’s the kind of neosoul music that would sound best on a record player in a candlelit room, or from a jukebox in a swanky room. On his recent debut album ELDORADO, James captures elements of the past, and immerses them with those of the present to create tracks and a project that’s even greater than the sum of its parts. At the center of his soul music, like all good soul music, are the vocals. All over the record James flexes his vocal range, elevating his suave, honey-whiskey vocals at will to devastating effect. His lyrics have a similiar conversational, casual quality to Frank Ocean’s.
The more contemporary elements of the album come in the instrumentals. James sings over arrangements that only take what they need, often featuring only percussion and distorted synth or acoustic guitar. They provide the perfact backdrop for James to reach past speakers and touch hearts directly with his vocals. ELDORADO is overall a really strong effort, and should solidify James in the pantheon of his genre’s best along with the likes of Gallant and .Anderson Paak. You can catch him at MSG, of all places, on 11/10. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber
New Track: “Talking To My Own Mirage” – Carroll
Carroll’s forthcoming sophmore LP, As Far As Gardens Go, is due out November 11 via Shattered Orb Records. “Talking To My Own Mirage” hits on a zany, breezy, psych melody as the infectious barrage of percussion lifts the cruising vocals. It’s bright with intriguing instrumental breakdowns and twists. Carroll will be performing next in Philly on the night of their release at The Barbary with Petunia & Thick.