New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Check out the new remix from Shabazz Palaces for Lushlife’s track“Hale-Bopp Was The Bedouins”! As you may know, the originally version featured Das Racists’ Heems. Well, you’ll also find contributions from the palaceer, fly guy Dai and Thadillac on the Seattle-based hip hop collective’s latest offering. It was mixed by Blood in palaGlow. The remix premiered earlier today via Gorilla vs. Bear.
Below is a live performance by acoustic trio Market East of their song "Marielle" from a cozy apartment show on February 16, 2012. They’ll be performing this evening at Silk City with Bridge Underwater and Spirit Animal for BITBY’s “No Alternative.” Special thanks to Out of Town Films for sharing.
One of NYC’s most interesting new "non-DIY" artists, Snowmine boasts a hypnotizing and beautifully delivered live show. The band gave us yet another proof of it on April 26, when they opened for WIM at Pianos. Their melodic, atmospheric compositions were complemented by a rare onstage energy and intensity, which allowed the band’s sophisticated studio sound, made of layered background effects, swelling soundscapes and controlled distortion, to be recreated faithfully in the live setting. Lead singer Grayson Sanders’ confident falsetto at times brought to mind Vampire Weekend Ezra Koenig’s voice, covering an impressively wide range. The band will headline The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest ) with Lucius at Cameo on Saturday May 26. The fest, hosted by 4 Williamsburg Venues in 4 days (May 23-26), will involve more than 40 of the best NYC based emerging independent artists. Full schedule here. – Chelsea Eriksen
I haven’t tried this out yet, but I have a distinct feeling that Brooklyn’s Candidate might provide a pretty good soundtrack for the next international flight you find yourself stuck on. The band’s steady spaciness and alt-guitar chug-chug energy could work as an excellent backdrop to aviation… and likewise, the band has some lofty dreams, coming a long way even just since their singles posted from last year.
Their newest song, ‘April Again,’ charts singer Cedric Sparkman’s realization of not getting what he wants out of love, while his bandmates’ backing vocals provide a down-to-earth muse to second his thoughts. This back-and-forth between the trio’s members is a great strength, and makes the group’s shiny guitars and rolling bass lines work together as a well-oiled machine. Though it also sounds like this girl might still be giving him some issues… Catch them when they play The Trash Bar on Thursday May 17th. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)
Having already established themselves as heavyweight psych-rock contenders, Brooklyn’s Naam are about to release their new EP "The Ballad of the Starchild" with an ambitious scope that further enhances their claim to the "Psych-est Band in NYC" title. "Sentry of Skies" blends unadorned acoustic and mournfully bended electric guitars with a folky tale of being lost in space. The full band emerges halfway through, propelling the track to its psyched-out conclusion. "Lands Unknown" pulses along on rubbery guitar figures and keyboard chords as bass and drums keep a steady pace for the sonic fireworks soon to explode over top, while "History’s Son" introduces mystical percussive elements to an acid-trance groove, serving as a shamanistic bridge to the EP’s thematic centerpiece "The Starchild." At nearly 11 minutes in length, this ambitous tour-de-force rides on a sinuey bassline, allowing crunching guitar chords and thunder-crack drums to throttle the center of your mind. Organ textures fill in open spaces when needed, creating a sonic hybrid that melds elements of bands like The Doors and Pink Floyd with the bombast of Black Sabbath. – Dave Cromwell
Hot Guts recently celebrated the release of their debut LP Edges (Blind Prophet Records) at Wierd Records in NYC. (You can stream its dark wave title track completely HERE as well as other sample clips from the record.) Founded in 2007 by frontman Wes Russell and drummer Greg Frantz, the duo is accompanied by Michael Reaser (FNU Ronnies) and Adam Cooper (Tickley Feather, Akasha Blade, the Chimeras) on the album, which also features contributions from Miss Shari Vari (a.k.a. Void Vision) and Philly-based experimental musician Charles Cohen (on the Buchla Music Box). Hopefully Hot Guts will be joined on stage by special guests tonight at Kung Fu Necktie when they open for Quintron (who ingeniously invented an analog “drone synth” called The Singing House that you can learn more about HERE) & Miss Pussycat and S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Kevin Riley) – Alexis V.
Little Big League, the latest project from Post Post’s Michelle Zauner with support from Kevin O’Halloran (Post Post) on guitar, Deven Craige (Golden Ages, Strand of Oaks) on bass, and Ian Dykstra (Titus Andronicus) on drums, won some free studio time last year in our contest giveaway with Fancy Time Studio’s Kyle “Slick” Johnson. Tonight at Kung Fu Necktie will be your first opportunity to purchase their debut self-titled 7”. You can take a listen to the recently released B-side from their album below called “St. Johns.” Little Big League will be opening this evening for Portland, OR’s Kind of Like Spitting and Folklore, the local mini-orchestra led by Athens transplant and music vet Jimmy Hughes. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., $10, 8pm, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Accessibility and intensity often unite at the entrance of music. Orchestral string-based productions develop a natural sense of dramatic importance. However, the complexity characterized by this drama can be overwhelming – like an intricate labyrinth of sound where the listener is easily misled and frustrated. Fortunately, Oh! Pears avoid this frustration unlocking the gates to an expansive estate allowing the listener to wander freely and embrace the surroundings.
While Corey Duncan’s earnest voice may hold the reins of this vehicle, it’s the instrumentation that provides guidance along the path. At times, the layers of percussion, strings, and his vocals converge building a sonic mountain to climb, but the musical hike is certainly worth the view at the summit. Oh! Pears will be headlining Johnny Brenda’s tonight with support from Alex Winston and Octant. Johnny Brenda’s 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Tonight’s show at The Fire is a lineup of local music vets, as well as the debut performance of Language Problem, which features Steve Quaranta (Paper Masques, Yellow Humphrey, Zelda Pinwheel), Claire Connelly (The Sw!ms, The Daylight Savings & Loan), Mike Spano (She Policeman, Daylight Savings & Loan) and Brian Langan (Langor, The Sw!ms, Kock 107). You can check out their first proggy, synth-driven single “Hurrah, Harrah!” below. (BTW: It’s also Quaranta’s birthday so wish him well and buy him a drink if you’re feeling really nice.) They’ll be joined by earSnake’s two headed chimera Mikronesia + Pandar, who are otherwise known as Gemini Wolf, and the enigmatic Fantasy Square Garden. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, 9pm, $5, 21+ – Bill McThrill
Penn Treaty Park will be abuzz for another spring-ish day as it hosts the annual Fishtown Shadfest. And while local arts and craft vendors sell their wares, Philadelphia Brewing Company will serve their brews and host the Kenzinger Challenge Run, and you have the chance to enjoy a shad sandwich from the chefs of Standard Tap. Philadelphia Rollergirls and WXPN have joined forces to showcase an afternoon of exciting music. First the bad news, Grandchildren had to cancel their anticipated appearance last minute. But Asteroid #4 and Mondo Topless alum Jamie Mahon and the rest of his psychedelic garage rock outfit St. James & The Apostles will be taking their place. And today will still be the last chance to catch Buried Beds before they tour alongside local natives and pals mewithoutYou. York Street Hustle will be headlining with their soulful jazz beats, while the Citywide Specials will be kicking it with some country bluegrass twang. And come out to support Girls Rock Philly and Rock to the Future as they give you a proper glimpse into the future of local music. Penn Treaty Park, 1199 N. Delaware Ave., 12pm, Free, All Ages – Bill McThrill
