Former Deli Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners Edelweiss will be bringing their polished post-punk/math-rock tunes to DIY space Michael Jordan this evening. The quartet recently signed to MAD Dragon Records, and will be releasing a four-song 7” in late spring via the Drexel University label. They are going into Headroom Studios next month with Joe Reinhart to record the album, and tonight, Edelweiss will be joined on the bill by Philly’s Slaughter Beach, Dog (the side project of Modern Baseball’s Jake Ewald) and Ohio’s Runaway Brother (Tiny Engines) and Heart Attack Man (Mayfly). Michael Jordan, (Please email michaeljordanhouseshows@gmail.com for more info.), 7pm, $5, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman
Austin
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Modern Melancholy with Caterwaulrus
If his music is anything to go by, Caterwaulrus is probably a nice dude to kick it with. He seems like he could be the kind that’d show up to a hang with some flowers he picked on his walk over, just for you, but who’d also be willing to tell you that he feels a bit weird about killing something pretty. That feeling of sunshine and good days with an underlying soft gloom just drips from the sound on songwriter’s newest album, the just-released "Songs that Go Nowhere." That title is a bit misleading, but also a bit of the truth- these songs do float around like gentle clouds, but they’re also dense and complex and there’s nothing ambiguous about the way they hone in on their target tone. The album is laced with looping vocals all reverb-ed out to blissfulness, little electronic touches and pieces of beats, all of which melds together with no element ever threatening to overwhelm the rest of the track. And, despite the expansive warmth and haze in the sound, the sounds collectively bely the underlying subject of the tracks on the album, which almost all speak of Caterwaulrus’ melancholy. Lyrics like "I’m so fucking picky and I over think god damn everything," or "I’m a synesthetic skeptic slowly snoozing with regret, it’s not quite what mom expected" reveal a mind that is a bit worried and not always happy with itself, though it’d like to be, and that thought tunnels through the whole album. But, it’s delivered in such a poppy (albeit highly experimental pop), major-key fashion, buried deep within the summer smile that is the overriding tone, that you barely notice that these aren’t songs about having a good day at all. It’s a modern feeling buried in a modern sound, and if you have enjoyed artists like Toro y Moi in the recent past, you might find Caterwaulrus a good fit for your modern moods. Give it a go below, and float through your own contemporary, confusing life with a friend in your ear who understands.
Toronto
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Beliefs @ Johnny Jackson
Beliefs
NYC
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Folk Alliance 2015 conference celebrates music from around the world
(Photo above of Betse and Clarke)
The sentimental thank you Facebook posts have all gone out. The Instagram pictures have all gotten their double tap hearts of approval. The videos of various raucous late night room parties have been shared. The hangovers have (mostly) subsided. Over the next 12 months, the hazy “remember that time at Folk Alliance when…” stories will joyously be told and retold. As most of us return to the wicked monotony of the work week, we must finally accept that the 2015 Folk Alliance International conference is over.
Simply put, it was an unparalleled celebration of music over the course of 6 days. For those who did not attend or are not familiar with the conference, it’s like a musical version of Disney Land AND Disney World combined into two hotels with a 4-minute skywalk in between. There was something going on most days in excess of 20 hours. You could rise early to partake in group yoga and meditation before spending the morning in seminars, classes, or the open exhibit hall. Catch a showcase or speaker in the afternoon. Head down to the lobby where a jam with musicians from 4 different continents has spontaneously busted out. As evening hits, the official showcases begin in the ballrooms. As night rolls in, one could argue the real fun begins as damn near every room on floors 5, 6, and 7 of the Westin hosts a showcase put on by organizations across the world. Partake in the various libations flowing freely throughout and wander in and out of rooms listening to hundreds of performers until the wee hours of the morn. Make a plethora of new friends from Australia, Canada, Japan, France, etc. Maybe catch a few zzz’s and then wake up and do it all over again. It is truly unbelievable the sheer amount of activity crammed into a relatively small amount of time and space. Therefore, it would be impossible to offer a full recap, but there were things that stuck out from the sensory overload. Here are some of the highlights.
Official KC Showcases/Local Representation
Wednesday night saw a slew of official showcases played solely by local artists. These musicians did a fine job representing the strength and variety in our music scene. Driving down to the conference, I was treated to Ruddy Swain being live broadcasted on KKFI 90.1 FM from their showcase. A stripped down version of The Latenight Callers (pictured above) offered a sultry set of noir pop tunes. Dollar Fox emerged from a somewhat lengthy hiatus with a slimmed down lineup and new musical focus towards pure rock ‘n roll. Some of the rooms featured “in the round”-style setups with 4 artists trading performances for hour-long blocks (memorable acts included Amy Farrand, Vi Tran, Cheri Woods, Jen Harris, Ben Byard, amongst many others). The Hardship Letters closed down their room with a fantastic set of emotional rock songs.
Upstairs, the KC Music Collective Tower Room showcases (put together by some of the fine folks from Midwest Music Foundation, Money Wolf Music, and others deeply involved in the Kansas City arts scene) further showed that our little slice of “flyover” country is not to be ignored. Some comments coming later on specific highlights from these rooms.
It’s an odd thing to wander into a random hotel room around midnight and hear a group that describes itself as “a real dance-along turbo-Nordic-folk band which brings back the energy, purity, and sincerity of Estonian folk music.” Featuring a 12-string guitar, a cajon, a jaw harp and more sing-songy group vocals than you can shake a kepp at (thank you Google Translate), this trio was delightfully entertaining, also working the crowded room between each song with gusto.
(Photo by Tyler Bentson Jennings)
Another “I wonder what is going on in this room …” discovery, this duo from Los Angeles (real names Lee Ferris and Bianca Caruso) served up an impactful set of smartly written acoustic pop songs. The real draw here is the sensational natural blend of their vocals. Some voices just seem made for each other with the ability to weave into a singular force of vocal performance. Ferris and Caruso have found their respective vocal soulmates, the kind of perfect harmonies that send a gripping shiver down the backbone of the listener.
I caught a few minutes of their set on Wednesday night, but it was the performance on Friday that really stuck out. A little less “official,” a little more raucous, a little better sound, and a little more just all-around fun, the band took us through vast points of their catalog with the jangly precision that we’ve come to expect from the country rock sextet. Vocalists Jimmy Fitzner and Lauren Krum are another example of two voices that join forces so damn well as one. Krum also exhibits such exuberance on stage, bobbing and weaving to the groove with a warm childlike cackle that just makes you grin.
This was my first Carswell and Hope show, surprising since they are based in Lawrence and it is musically right in my wheelhouse. Songwriter and lead vocalist Nick Carswell clearly knows how to write intelligent, poignant pop songs. Dreamy and textured in all the right ways, the band behind him (especially keyboardist Austin Keys) provided the perfect complement of additional instrumentation without getting in the way of the raw beauty of the material. It ends up sounding something akin to the more recent mature work of Nada Surf or the poppier moments of the Sigur Ros catalogue. Safe to say, I will be checking them out much more moving forward.
(Photo by Michael Byars)
Another local artist I am kicking myself for not being more familiar with before this event, Arsenia played a very entertaining set of tunes, both while strumming a harp and a cappella. He has such an impressive appearance and performance, like folk vaudeville with a voice that is just unbelievably strong.
In an event with this sheer amount of activity, there is a good chance no two reviews will read the same. Everyone will see a different batch of performances. Everyone will look for their favorite attributes. That is the inherent beauty of an event of this magnitude.
That said, The HillBenders should and will end up on most Best of FAI2015 lists. It’s the age old story of bluegrass band does Tommy by the Who (my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, if you could not tell). Not selections from Tommy. The whole damn thing. Beginning to end.
Now, I will admit that I don’t have an avid knowledge of Tommy. I have heard the record a few times, but I would never describe it as important to me; it’s not even my favorite The Who album. The HillBenders are already fantastic in their own right, but the treatment the Springfield quintet gave Tommy was inspirational and transcendent. The musicality was there, the harmonies were brilliant, the stage presence was vigorous. They took an album featuring arguably one of the most powerful percussionists in rock ‘n roll history and blew the cover off it with no percussion whatsoever.
If I saw anything at the conference that I would label as “about to break,” it would be this.
The Cody Wyoming Show
God love this man, I won’t soon forget his late night showcase in one of the KC Music Collective rooms. If ever a public event was suited to one individual, it would be Folk Alliance 2015 for Cody Wyoming. It was far from a perfect performance, but more importantly it was a perfect example of the power and purpose of our community as Wyoming invited several random musicians in the room to join his set minutes before he started. This sentiment was shown time and time again throughout the event, but it was his showcase that sticks out in that regard.
The Dollar Fox Room Party Collective
(Photo by Michael Byars)
Rivaling the aforementioned Wyoming for the “Who is Folk Alliance Conference 2015 best suited for?” award, what I will call the Dollar Fox Room Party Collective rolled through the various private showcase floors like bearded ball lightning, leaving a trail of empty whiskey bottles, knocked over furniture, and amazed faces in their wake. It’s hard to encapsulate (or remember) who all was involved at what points. Mostly consisting of members of various Money Wolf Music artists, it’s probably a shorter list of who wasn’t involved in the horde (hell, even I sat in with them for a set late Saturday night). In an event where it is very easy to be forgotten as “just another dude playing an acoustic guitar and singing sad songs,” this group took great care to make sure their show was special, brash and, above all else, damn entertaining. Whiskey, oh whiskey indeed…
I really could write for days about everything I saw, but those are just a few that stuck out. I am sure there were countless other wonderful performances I missed. Folk Alliance 2015 was an amazing event to experience, both as a performer and member of the media. My overall suggestion: do whatever you have to do to attend next year (and any other year you can).
The countdown begins. Only 357 shopping days until Folk Alliance 2016.
—Zach Hodson
Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings begins production. He is also in Dolls on Fire and Drew Black & Dirty Electric, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects.
NYC
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Chrome Sparks keeps New Years Resolution + plays Webster Hall on 04.03
Chrome Sparks is the moniker of classical percussionist turned synth-and-sample master Jeremy Malvin. Malvin started his career in Ann Arbor, MI and has since toured extensively, drumming for bands such as Miniature Tigers and playing festivals under Chrome Sparks; he now resides in Brooklyn, where he produces lavish and intricately textured soundscapes. More than being good to dance to, Malvin’s soundscapes encourage synesthesia — the beats and fabrics are so clear and tactile it is difficult not to experience sights or even tastes. Every song is a self-sufficient habitat. In 2014 Chrome Sparks released an EP entitled Goddess, toured North America and Australia, and kept a new years resolution to eat lunch with a different person every day of the year. The ambitious lunch project is all documented here. Chrome Sparks’ next NYC show will be on April 3rd at Webster Hall.
NYC
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Nashville’s Torres is now Brooklyn based
Catchy magazine headlines and conversations overheard on the train might lead you to suspect a mass exodus out of NYC, but recently Brooklyn snagged Mackenzie Scott of the songwriting project Torres away from Nashville. For many artists, nostalgia is an easy route, but Torres’ songs rarely allow that kind of distance — there is something dangerous and she’s touching it now, she has a fresh cut and she’s washing it now. Scott will sing a statement with grace and tolerance but repeat the line until it drives her mad enough to shriek it. Torres primarily utilizes guitar and drums with influences of folk, country, and punk, but Scott’s voice is the power capital. In the past Torres has toured with Lady Lamb The Beekeeper, worked with Sharon Van Etten and War on Drugs, released two albums. She recently headlined at Brooklyn Night Bazaar and Bowery Ballroom. This May she will embark on a U.S. and European tour. – Leora Mandel
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
NYC
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Sleepwalkers launch tour, play Jammin’ Java March 1st.
The fantabulous Sleepwalkers are playing Jammin’ Java on on March 1st! YES! They’re opening up for Ithaca’s Jimkata, so it’s gonna be a huge trippy party, which is a great scene in which to enjoy Sleepwalkers’ dirty pop/psych-rock amazingness.
For those of us living close to DC, we’ve had to enjoy Sleepwalkers’ rise through the Richmond scene from afar, listening to their brilliant album, Greenwood Shade, or watching videos of their live shows. Now they’re here! And Jammin’ Java will be just the first stop on a two month tour that will take them througout the Midwest and South. Exciting times! Don’t miss the beggining of a great career, at Jammin’ Java, March 1st, doors at 8:30, $10.
It’s hard to pick which song I want to stream here. There’s at least 5 singles on the album, and they’re all different. I’m gonna pick the second track, "Breaking My Heart," cause I’m feelin’ it right now. Sounds a lot like Moby Grape’s "Going Nowhere" mixed with some psychedelic power-pop like the Lemon Pipers. Or something. Seriously, listen to the whole thing. –Natan Press
L.A.
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PANTHAR debut new single “Ghost Rocket”
The 80’s called, they said they wanted their music back. We said no. Shelina Louise, of PANTHAR, has been gradually establishing her name in the streets of L.A. with the collaboration of Allison Wolfe. After hitting the studio with Mark Raines of BRMC, Summer Twins and Gothic Tropic, the duo has been able to craft a poppy, classic 80’s sound. Releasing their newest single, “Ghost Rocket”, on February 17th, Louise and Wolfe take listeners back to The Breakfast Club, sliding through the halls with Judd Nelson and Emillio Estevez as retro, space age, and punk-rock comes alive. Guitar riffs, dreamy electric jams and artful lyrics mash up to capture their vintage analog debut. PANTHARS is a “dreamy feedback-induced coma” that will have you zoning out of your reality and right into the 80’s punk era. – Kayla Hay
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, February 27 – March 1
Ever since forming from the remnants of The National Rifle in late 2013, Bondage & Discipline have been hard at work honing their sound and creating material for their debut LP. They’ve also been recording with Todd McCaughey of Cambridge Sound Studios, and are slated to drop the album later this year. But the band just recently shared its third single, “First Kiss,” which is based on a discarded letter that singer/guitarist Hugh Moretta found on a train. It explores a desirous sentiment that was never shared with the person whom inspired it. It also reveals more of the bands danceable ambient electronic beats that you’ll be able to hear if you catch them during the Winter of Y-Not Concert Series at Ortlieb’s this Saturday night. They’ll be joined by Steve Goldberg’s melodic synthpop project Resistor and darkwave trio Blood Sound. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Bill McThrill
Other places to chill out for this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Callowhill (7” Release), Dreambook, Whisper, SAT Philly Loves J Dilla: DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Mike Nyce, SUN The Pretty Greens
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Thee Idea Men, SAT Ali Wadsworth, Bill McCloskey, Maitland, SUN Amanda X, Blowdryer
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI CaveWomen, The Plums/Skeleton Hands, SAT Kreig, T.O.M.B./DJ Lil Dave: Good Company
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI-SUN Philly Video Music Festival FRI (7:30pm) The History of the Music Video Part 1, (10pm) Name That Video, SAT (2:30pm) Extended Play Theater: Longform Videos of the 1980s, (6pm) Metal Movie Madness, (10pm) They Might be Weird: A Burlesque Tribute to Weird Al and They Might Be Giants, SUN (4pm) Life on the V: The Story of V66, (7pm) Backwards Into The Future: 120 Minutes Tribute
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Grimace Federation
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Dry Feet, Le Yikes Surf Club
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT (Balcony) Chartel, SUN (Balcony) Fis Geez, E-Hos
TLA (334 South St.) FRI OCD: Moosh & Twist, Ground Up
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN 4th Annual Tri State Indie Music Awards
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Foxhound, August John Lutz II, Gretchen Lohse, SAT Wade in the Water, Jake Cancer Action Man
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI City Rain, Minka, SAT Modern Suits
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI New Sound Brass Band, Something Like A Monument, SAT Bondage & Discipline, Resistor, Blood Sound
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI The Future Race (Record Release), Swarms, Witch Fist, SAT Blendmode
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI The Boom Bap, DJ Coolout SAT DJ Deejay
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Jason Reed Band, Jessica Graae, Jeremiah Tall
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Pat Finnerty, SAT Dave Steel Blues Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Dirty Purple, Soraia, Black Rue, SAT (1pm) Theotis Joe & The Bad Attitude Band, Felicia Punzo, Justin Aries /(7:30pm) Jackie Bobbi, Cris & Lou (Valkyrians) / We…Our War, Givethemrope
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Sparklefight, GASH, 66 Stitches, SAT Corey James & Patrick Fiore, Minerva, Black Rue, Dell-P, Sweet Eureka, Zymotic Flow, Carfax Abbey
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI King Magnetic, SAT Tommy HoGunz, John Tordini
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Curtis Jr., Keystoned, Dave Hoagie & His Heroes, Addison GroveSAT Joshua Popejoy, Alex & The Beggars
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Morse Coda, Spotted Atrocious, SAT Jacqueline Constance
El Bar (1356 N. Front St.) SAT Jantones, When Ships Collide, Dan Malloy
XO Lounge (1437 South St.) SAT Cal¡co, The Strange Heat, Witch Fist
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SAT Cultureal, Paulette Branson & Mixed People, George Urgo Band
Eris Temple Arts (602 S. 52nd St.) FRI S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., Buster, Spirulina
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St. Suite 76) FRI Quit
Everybody Hits! (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Mannequin Pussy, Hound, Sean Plays the Drums
Ardmore Music Hall FRI Swift Technique
Girard Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI The Spirit of the Beehive, Kerosene
The Nest (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Walking Distance (Tape Release), Balloon Boy, Mumblr, SUN Direct Effect, Liam Betson, Marge, Clique, Constraint
Hazzard Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Cranes Are Flying (Release Show), Ruby Buff, Problems, Curve
3rd & Girard (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT In Place, Little War Twins
Safety Meeting (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Hello Shark, Liz & The Lost Boys, Matt Holden (Legs Like Tree Trunks)
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Eleby, Water Polo
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Dirt Queen, Harsh Vibes, Legendary Divorce
Little King Trash House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Alps Head, Chad Avery
Michael Jordan (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Slaughter Beach, Dog, Edelweiss
The First Banana (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Blau Gemacht, Hypoxia, Tourism
502 South (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT The Sixties, The Good Excuses, Welter, Proof and Proving, Leadership
Second Empire (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Dronez, No
Toronto
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THE EFFENS *PHANTOM*
THE EFFENS are hypnotizing with driving bass lines, brilliantly placed FX guitar riffs and a ruff & vibrate vocal. A interesting style of psychedelic, post-grunge, glam-pop they prove themselves to be bizarrely unique and fabulous. “Phantom” the title track off Phantom EP, opens up with heavily distorted bass and guitars, then pairs up with the precision of the drums; the bass guitar line brings in an almost “siren wailing" on the chorus, while maintaining a dreamily smooth vocal throughout. Don’t miss THE EFFENS riveting charm. It’s gonna be a hot night out, incredible lineup Sat Feb 28 @ the Horseshoe! -Courtney
Philadelphia
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Callowhill 7″ Release Show at JB’s Feb. 27
Tonight, the relatively fresh formed four-piece Callowhill celebrates the release of their eponymous debut on 7” via Exotic Fever Records with a headlining performance at Johnny Brenda’s. The band, which includes Katy Otto of Trophy Wife, seems to find a middle ground between ironed out melodies and heavier unforgiving instrumentation. As a result, a bridge is built meshing the two, establishing songs guided by the constant propulsion of clean thudding bass lines, snappy percussion, and zigzagging guitar riffs with strong yet soothing vocals. However, despite a polished edge, the band retains a punk rooted core capable of elevating the intensity at any given moment. This evening, the dark, melodic shoegazing outfit Dreambook makes an appearance with a new bassist in tow, dishing out a sonic meal that simultaneously soothes and jars as you drift along. Pop-punk trio Whisper will be kicking off the night. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Nashville
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The Last Chance Dance is TONIGHT!
Alright ya mooks, our little shindig with Kelly Ruth and friends is TONIGHT! We hope to catch you this evening at Lucky Bamboo (5855 Charlotte Pike, right next to K&S Market), toting a six pack in one hand (remember, it’s BYOBeeee!) and a fistful of raffle tickets in the other (we have prizes from Pinewood Social, Sack of Cats, Crema, Lindsay Walker Jewelry and Young Gun Apparel, to name a few.) We have tickets for sale here: http://tickets.soundstampmusic.com/last-chance-dance/, otherwise they will be $10 at the door. There’s also the option of paying $20 at the door to take part in a hot pot feast courtesy of our gracious hosts at Lucky Bamboo. Doors are at 8, then we have Twiggs kicking off the night at 9, followed by Kelly Ruth, Korby Lenker, and Blackfoot Gypsies closing out the night. If you’ve never had a Blackfoot Gypsy nightcap, it will look a little like this (just, ya know, with a koi pond in the middle of the room. Sidenote, don’t molest the koi.):