L.A.

Video: TS and The Past Haunts, “Heart Attack”

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One of the most epic, self-made stop motion videos I’ve seen to date comes from garage rockers, TS and The Past Haunts. Perfect for this Halloween day, there is nothing more simultaneously cute and creepy than a tiny wind-up heart wandering through the world of a Fraggle Rock diorama. The impressive attention to detail over the proclaimed 180 man hours paid off in this psychedelic cartoon world come to life. The stand-out guitar licks between lines in the chorus are a tasty icing atop this driving, energetic cake of a tune. Pace yourself as you’ll be tempted to binge watch this one. – Jacqueline Caruso

L.A.

Body Parts Release ‘Fire Dream’, Announce November Residency

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There have been a ton of great releases this month from local acts, but one we’ve been anticipating with tween glee is the debut from avant-pop innovators, Body Parts. The build up to ‘Fire Dream’ has been almost unbearable, as they slowly leaked single after impressively delightful single. This ingenious strategy has turned tracks like, “Unavoidable Things,” “Be A God,” and “Desperation,” into already familiar favorites. In the wake of their big release, they’ve also announced their November Residency at The Satellite. Starting November 4 and continuing every Monday night for the remainder of the month, they will be serving up their intricate synth-drenched pop tunes for your discerning palettes. Stay tuned for more details as The Deli LA will be presenting one of the nights. Stream the album below from Father/Daughter Records out now on vinyl, CD and on iTunes. – Jacqueline Caruso

NYC

Midwest Music Foundation Staff Spotlight: Brenton Cook

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(Photo by Forester Michael) 
 
The Midwest Music Foundation staff constantly works behind the scenes at live music events you have likely attended. They’re the ones who search for facilities, supply entertainment, coordinate with vendors, and generally ensure that your live music experience will be a good one. They’re also the ones that get the word out about musicians’ health care and other educational resources for musicians, filling a vital gap in the community.
 
Before the advent of the sixth annual Apocalypse Meow benefit, we hear back from some of the staff to find out what they do and why they do it. We’re talking here with Brenton Cook, Web Admin and Music Promotions Assistant.
 
The Deli: When and how did you first get involved with MMF?
 
Brenton: I guess MMF first came to my attention around 2010 as I was heading down to attend my first SXSW. That first year [the MMF showcase] was called Midwasteland Takeover and I had an absolute blast down there. In 2011 after spending some time with the staff at Murder Ballad Ball, I decided to volunteer some of my time and filled out the online volunteer form online at work one day. I heard back from Rhonda within an hour and I’ve been spending time on various projects with them ever since.
 
The Deli: What is your current role with the organization?
 
Brenton: My background is computers, particularly software programming. There was a real need for someone to handle all of the web updates when I started, so it just seemed natural that that’s where I could help out best, so I’ve been the web administrator since I started, but I work on a lot of different stuff. You’ll find me behind the MMF booth at a lot of events, or asking questions at the Musicians’ Bootcamp, or working with bands to get tracks contributed for MidCoast Takeover samplers or the Midwestern Audio compilation series that I have been assembling.
 
The Deli: Why is MMF such an important cause to you? What do you hope it will accomplish in the future?
 
Brenton: I’ve always been such a music nerd and even though my experience in physically creating music is limited, I feel like I have a really good ear for it and a genuine passion to push Kansas City music further. That’s one thing that I’ve found to be so great about MMF: the idea of helping form this community of musicians and music enthusiasts and make the most out of what is already here. And there are so many very talented musicians in this area. I’d like to see MMF continue to grow and provide more opportunities for everyone; be it more exposure, more musical connections or better health care and easier access to emergency medical funds. There are several similar organizations that are thriving in other music cities that I think serve as a good guide for what we could grow into.
 
The Deli: Who are some of your favorite local artists?
 
 
The Deli: Do you have a favorite memory of a past Meow? 
 
Brenton: Last year’s Meow was pretty memorable. It was at the cavernous Beaumont Club, but we still did a pretty good job of filling the room, and the love and support was really felt. My favorite memory from Meow though was a sealed envelope casually handed into our donation jar. I knew the person who put it in there and couldn’t resist opening it at the end of the night as we were counting up the proceeds. I was surprised to see a crisp $100 bill, and I knew that this was from a person that normally has to watch every dollar spent. It was a strange feeling at first, but I knew that this person wanted to share what they had with their music community.
 
The Deli: What are you most looking forward to about this year’s Meow?
 
Brenton: I’m very interested to see Chris Meck’s new trio (The Guilty Birds) play songs for the first time. I just feel like this is going to be something really special. I’m also excited that day two is at Knuckleheads this year. I can’t wait to see Meow fill that space full of people enjoying the music and be a witness to the outpouring of support for the local music community.
 
 
Say hello to Brenton this weekend at Apocalypse Meow. It starts tomorrow, November 1 at The Midwestern Musical Co. and Saturday at Knuckleheads. Doors open at 6 pm both nights. Friday’s show is free and all ages, Saturday’s show is $10, 21+. Visit http://www.apocalypsemeow.net for a full lineup and schedule. Ticket link. Facebook event page. To find out more about MMF, visit http://midwestmusicfound.org, and learn about Abby’s Fund for musicians’ health care. 
 

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NYC

Midwest Music Foundation Staff Spotlight: Sondra Freeman

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The Midwest Music Foundation staff constantly works behind the scenes at live music events you have likely attended. They’re the ones who search for facilities, supply entertainment, coordinate with vendors, and generally ensure that your live music experience will be a good one. They’re also the ones that get the word out about musicians’ health care and other educational resources for musicians, filling a vital gap in the community.
 
Before the advent of the sixth annual Apocalypse Meow benefit, we hear back from some of the staff to find out what they do and why they do it. Our first spotlight is on Sondra Freeman, Director of Promotions and Artist Relations.
 
The Deli: When and how did you first get involved with MMF?
 
Sondra: I met Rhonda [Lyne] at an event while buying raffle tickets from her. She explained what they were doing and I said I wanted to volunteer IMMEDIATELY, if not sooner. 🙂
 
The Deli: What is your current role with the organization?
 
Sondra: I handle all of the booking for fundraising events and serve as a liaison between the artist and the foundation. I am also in charge of radio, print, and television promotion, though I think they should find someone much more attractive to do television. 
 
The Deli: Why is MMF such an important cause to you? What do you hope it will accomplish in the future?
 
Sondra: MMF is important to me because I simply believe that musicians who remain true to their craft and make the sacrifices necessary to perfect it are worth taking care of. My ultimate goal is to be a small part of making being a musician a viable occupation. Imagine your life without music. I can’t. 
 
The Deli: Who are some of your favorite local artists?
 
Sondra: Did you really just ask me that? The list would be too long! There are SO many. 
 
The Deli: Do you have a favorite memory of a past Meow? 
 
Sondra: Apocalypse Meow III will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first. And the friends we’ve lost along the way were still with us. 
 
The Deli: What are you most looking forward to about this year’s Meow?
 
Sondra: So many things. I’m looking forward to utilizing the amazing space Knuckleheads provides for an extra stage, and the auction items. I’m looking forward to the extra push that our campaign with Boulevard Brewing Co. will give us (more on the KC Pils campaign here). I’m looking forward to TWO bands that I’ve never seen before performing this year. Chris Meck, along with some of his friends, is building a guitar from scratch to raffle off. I’m REALLY excited about that. 
 
 
Freeman has lined up an all-star cast for this year’s Meow, with thirteen bands/artists over the weekend. It starts tomorrow, November 1 at The Midwestern Musical Co. and Saturday at Knuckleheads. Doors open at 6 pm both nights. Friday’s show is free and all ages, Saturday’s show is $10, 21+. Visit http://www.apocalypsemeow.net for a full lineup and schedule. Ticket link. Facebook event page. To find out more about MMF, visit http://midwestmusicfound.org, and learn about Abby’s Fund for musicians’ health care.
 

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New England

Introducing Nominated NE Band of The Month – And The Kids

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And The Kids is a Northampton quartet who got their start busking on local streets, and playing in an underground studio/performance space in Holyoke run by lead singer Hannah Mohan and drummer Rebecca Lasaponaro.
The band, who tag their genre “indie folk rock glitter popsicle crisis” have a haunting wild sound generated by unruly riffs and melodies and Mohans unmistakable rich dreamy voice.
Their most recent LP Neighbors, released last month, is moody, mystical, youthful, rowdy, dark and fun all at once.
Although comparisons can be drawn between And The Kids and indie folk rock, dream pop artists like Cults, Lykke Li and Florence and the Machine – the band have definitely forged their own stand out style.
See them live at Toad, 1912 Massachusetts Ave, Friday Nov 1st

San Francisco

NOBUNNY Shannon and The Clams The Monster Women Yogurt Brain Play Halloween Bash at the Stork Club TONIGHT

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In celebration of Halloween, local garage punk rock bands will be taking over The Stork Club in Oakland as band counterparts. NOBUNNY, best known for his iconic bunny mask that is worn during performances, just released their album “Secret Songs: Reflections from the Ear Mirror” earlier this month and will be taking on the music of 60s rock and roll R&B artist, Bo Diddley. Shannon and The Clams, Oakland based woman fronted garage rock band, will be taking on the songs of 60s Peruvian garage rock band, Los Saicos. The Monster Women, an all-female 80’s/punk fused band based out of Eureka, CA, will be playing as memorable rock group, The Go-Go’s. Yogurt Brain, a lo-fi punk band based out of Oakland, will be playing as the iconic alternative rock band, Weezer.

The line-up for this show is going to be loud and fast in itself, but with the new identities each band will be taking, this show is one for the year. Be sure to celebrate your Halloween the right way – with some great local music! –Victor Casillas Valle

NYC

NYC rappers you don’t know: Chaz Van Queen

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When you’re emcee Chaz Van Queen, there’s a lot to be positive about. If lyrics are to be believed, Queen is constantly surrounded by a vibrant community, plenty of sunshine, and has quite a few Twitter followers too.

With Slick Rick’s panache, and a dash of Q-tip’s bebop swing, most of Queen’s tracks are built for movement, constructing anthems out of whoops and shouts, all while keeping the backbeat steady and laid-back throughout. Last record ‘A:)4U’ displays one of the smoothest flows going right now. Take a listen to ‘Can You Hear the WOOP!?’ below, and see him when he announces more shows soon. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Philadelphia

Happy Halloween & Don’t Get Arrested!

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We love Halloween; however, we’re also not always the greatest planners. For those who actually have a costume but still aren’t sure where they’ll be getting into trouble tonight, please allow us to make a few suggestions. Surprisingly, the weekend before Halloween was rather a disappointment this year. We’re guessing that with the holiday falling on Thursday, people figured that it was close enough to the weekend to make it a long one. Hopefully, you were able to take off work tomorrow to fully enjoy the festivities. Or at least, you have a cool enough boss who can forgive you smelling like a dive bar while still having some residue of zombie makeup on at work.
 
Well, a good place to be where there will be no judgment this evening is the 4th annual TJ Kong Halloween Costume Ball Rock N Roll Murdershow at Underground Arts with Kong and the Atomic Bomb, Cold Fronts, Johnny Showcase, Purples (ex-Teeth), Manterial Girl and DJ Breakfast (Jonas Oesterle). This will surely be the place for fine up-and-coming local acts, drunken debauchery and human sacrifices – if you’re into that sort of thing like we are. If you’re looking to spend Halloween in a bigger space, the Philly staple for live concert craziness, Man Man, will be closing out their two-night Halloween run at Union Transfer with King Khan & The Shrines, MELT-BANANA and Hell Shovel. Another traditional Philly favorite is Making Time with this year’s party dubbed “Pure Halloween.” You’ll find the usual suspects raging to futuristic sounds.
 
Now, those are the bigger events on our radar. So if you are feeling like doing something kind of off the beaten path, there is Mercury Radio Theater, who will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of their album The Death and Life of the Undead Boy, at Johnny Brenda’s with local burlesque mainstay Miss Rose and her lovelies. And for those who are in a giving mood on this unholy of evenings, you can find likeminded people at The Mitten for the Halloween Cover Show to Benefit the Philadelphia Student Union and at The Boot & Saddle, where our friends Iron will be hosting a benefit show for BuildOn.org, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education.
 
All these events should have you covered for tonight – just don’t get arrested. Have a happy and somewhat safe Halloween – cheers! – Q.D. Tran
 
NYC

DC bands on the rise: GEMS release debut EP ‘Medusa’ at U Street on 11.14

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I wonder if this decade will be remembered as the "Dream Pop" years – these days the genre seems to offer an endless reservoir of new acts coming out to grab the spotlight, from The XX to Beach House and so on, which means there’s a growing public out there appreciating this sound. DC’s GEMS are one of the dream pop bands of the moment, thanks to two gorgeous singles "Sinking Stone" (streaming) and Pegasus, plus a string of other above average songs already available online. There’s a lot of anticipation about their first official release, which will be celebrated with two shows at DC’s U Street Music Hall on November 14 and at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on the 11th.

Portland

The Parson Red Heads Record Release at Aladdin Theater 11.2

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It’d be easy to say that The Parson Red Heads are a classic rock band. It’d be even easier to say that they’re a Portland indie-folk band. This band can excel in separate categories through well-placed songwriting that translates their music into a storyteller platform. These stories are told with their lyrics as well as their instruments. Portland music fans tend to get sensitive when they hear the word jam so I’ll say that their songs often climax in orchestrated instrumental arrangements that do not stray way from the original idea. The Parson Red Heads have been giving us fresh rock and roll with a vintage/psychedelic feel for several years and are following up the successes of their last album with a new LP, Orb Weaver. Playing alongside PRH will be Alialujah Choir and Mimicking Birds. – Colin Hudson