Ominous clouds set in as The Cloth hits the stage this evening at Johnny Brenda’s. The band shreds through obstacles as a combination of fury and torment fuse, revealing themselves in the determined, emotive immediacy of the primordial vocals. Loaded with a batch of freshly recorded songs as they prepare for a tour in late spring, the band steadily moves forward, wielding an unrelenting heaviness that storms the gates as plunging bass and pummeling drums are joined by serrated guitar. The clashing of tranquil subdued melody meeting swift blasts of fuzzed-out grunge creates an intriguing juxtaposing dynamic to Blue Smiley. Pop-punk quartet Left and Right celebrate their new EP, Pivot Foot, released today. With their own new record Life is Alright, Everybody Dies, Boston’s Kal Marks explores the dreary avenues of the mind with a pronounced heavy yet captivating personal touch. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Geographer Release New Music Video – Ready 2 Wear
San Francisco-based musician Geographer (Mike Deni) continues to establish himself as an indie pop romance purveyor with a dreamy music video for his Felix Da Housecat "Ready 2 Wear" cover. Filmed around San Francisco, California, the video sees Geographer exploring his city’s iconic locations including the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, Dolores Park, Mission District, and Twin Peaks.
Rich Jones
Rich Jones has released the first video from his latest project, Pink Slips. The video for the laid back track "Call First". Jones blends soul and hip hop in a causal and effective way.
Jonas Litton shows off jazz chops on “Backyard Beach”
Backyard Beach is far from the first release by Jonas Litton, but it’s one of the most interesting in the departure that it makes from his previous material. A longtime singer-songwriter, Litton has taken a hard turn into butter-smooth tropical jazz instrumentals for his latest. There’s plenty of noodling to be found, but the album avoids the cheesy wankery-for-the-sake-of-wankery tropes of Weather Channel bumper tunes by being genuinely interesting in its composition while still remaining completely accessible.
It’s the most relaxing collection of songs I’ve heard in a while, so you might want to see what’s up in the stream below. –Austin Phy
New Jo Kusy LP Available for Streaming
Hot on the heels of The Deli Philly’s February Record of the Month, You Break Me, Jo Kusy (Far-Out Fangtooth, The Whips) has quickly issued a follow-up. Wild Violets, which will be officially released on April 3, is currently available for streaming, and is chock-full of pillowy lo-fi pop, allowing one’s imagination to subconsciously float. Kusy will perform on the Sunday afternoon of its release date at Beautiful World Syndicate, as part of a double tape release with Birds courtesy of Time Castle Recordings.
Our Fathers
Our Fathers is working on their second EP which is due our later this Spring. They recently recently released the first single from the EP, "Jersey & Belmont". Our Fathers is mixes rock and electronics beneath the enticing vocals of Madeline Smith create a compelling sound.
White Mystery on Last Call
Local indie darlings White Mystery will make their network TV debut on March 31st on Last Call with Carson Daly. This is a huge opportunity for a great local band.
Buzz Alert: Told Slant announces sophomore LP ‘Going By’ + tours with The Hotelier
One of the most interesting bands to emerge from the NYC artist collective The Epoch, Felix Walworth’s brainchild Told Slant have been picking up fans one by one with their touching indie folk celebration of sadness. Their 2012 debut album ‘Still Water‘ has been a sleeper, but many found it thanks to the band’s persistence in bringing their unique live performances around the country: Walworth is a drummer and, on stage, has found a way to be also a front man, without giving up his instrument. The group has just announced the release of sophomore album ”Going By’ and an extensive tour with the Hotelier, which will end with a homecoming show at Bowery Ballroom on July 15th. Check out preview single ‘Low Hymnal" below.
Boston’s psych rock Plastic Waves to play Great Scott on 4.13
I don’t know if you’ve ever watched plastic melt, but there is something so beautiful and mesmerizing in the way it disintegrates. The way it moves and folds into itself. Listening to Boston’s psychedelic outfit Plastic Wave is much like that. Solo project of Andre Bellido, Plastic Waves weaves together fuzzy vocals over snarling reverb laden guitars and oscillating synths as a thick base rhythmically pulsates in the background, creating a rich aural texture. Their self-titled debut EP starts off gently, with delicate synths in “Intro” before climaxing into an eruption of kaleidoscopic proportions on “Pushing Me Down” and then easing into a dizzying electric comedown with “Melancholy Sleep.” Take a listen below and don’t forget to catch Plastic Waves entrancing sound at Great Scott on April 13. – Adriana S Ballester
New Music Video: “Nothing To Say” – Hurry
Despite initially depicting ideal daydream-like success, the new music video for "Nothing To Say" consistently finds Hurry‘s Matt Scottoline’s literary pursuits rejected. As a result, the dejected writer deposits his old school G3 Powerbook in the trash. Found on the band’s forthcoming LP Guided Meditation, which is set for release on April 29 via Lame-O Records, "Nothing to Say" possesses a gentle swaying melody that captures the apathetic sadness of failure. Everybody Hits will be hosting Hurry’s record release show on Friday, May 6, and the bill will also includes Telepathic and Cave People.
From basement to club: catch ROMP at Shea Stadium on 3.30
ROMP follows the release of their 2015 evocative EP Sorry, Not Sorry with their equally powerful full length album Departure From Venus. Fueled by the end of a relationship, Sorry, Not Sorry was an adrenaline rush of emotions accompanied by high strung guitar riffs and piercing vocals. Departure From Venus is what happens once the dust settles. With a more poignant and polished sound ROMP maintains the zestful quality of their EP without sacrificing what makes them such a joy to listen to: the dance inducing, punch drunk energy of the undulating guitars and the beautifully emotive vocals. Just as comfortable playing in a basement party as in a rock club, New Jersey’s ROMP is a band to keep an eye (an d two ears) on. Show them some love this Wednesday, March 30, at Shea Stadium BK or at Rough Trade on April 14th, and give them a listen below. – Adriana S Ballester
Debut Emily Doom EP Available for Streaming & Download
Scotty Leitch (Shelf Life) and Cameron Kennon (Cold Foamers) combine creative forces, injecting Tommy Fala into the fold, as Emily Doom. Their debut EP E.P. measures melodic fragility and grit against an eerily isolated cinematic backdrop. That sensitive exposure is contagious and simultaneously slightly chilling.