Krust Toons: "Beverly Hills" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
NYC
Posted on:
Ninjasonik brings electro-hip-hop to Brooklyn Bazaar, 09.03
Ninjasonik is one of those rare musical "variety packs" that actually work. Pressing play is grabbing out of the hat, bringing surprising variations of hip hop, punk, pop. Their experimentation is defiant but, most importantly, it’s fun.
The duo’s flows offer meta-reflections of the genres they borrow from, adding a surprisingly intellectual element to their catchy beats, their particular brand of non-conformity offers a unique energy. Make sure to soak it up at their upcoming show at the Brooklyn Bazaar on 09.03. —Amanda Ogea
NYC
Posted on:
FRNDS to bring melodic emo rock to house venue Sunnyvale (09.09)
Nashville 5-piece FRNDS is just one of the many great new bands taking the music scene back from fat-cat record labels and commercialism. Their newest single “Wasting Your Time” (streaming below) a melodic mix of shoegaze and indie rock, complete with emo-influenced vocals and driving guitar riffs. The lyrics, written by lead vocalist and guitarist Nathan Brooks, are simple and show some stoner rock influences (“I’m so afraid you’ve been wasting your time / ‘cause I am not good enough / and I’ll never get it right,”) but they’re not without feeling either. Brooks’ voice can at once be droney and emotional, which is what makes their sound so unique. Catch them playing their next show at their house venue Sunnyvale on September 9th. – Lilly Milman
Portland
Posted on:
STREAM: Radio Macbeth – ‘Bubblegum Wasteland’
Those that enjoy indelible indie pop with a fuzzy, psychedelic flare need to be aware of Radio Macbeth, the new duo comprised of Darien Campo and Declan Hertel. Inspired by bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and Apples In Stereo, Radio Macbeth fashion fun and lively tracks with emotive and at times deep lyrics with poppy yet thick instrumentation. Bubblegum Wasteland is their debut, and it shows much promise for the new twosome.
Radio Macbeth went into recording Bubblegum Wasteland from an entirely DIY perspective. With about a $7 budget, the pair recorded their debut entirely in their apartment. The freedom of relying solely on themselves resulted in a truly lo-fi and enjoyable record.
Stream Radio Macbeth’s debut below and be sure to keep an eye on what they’ve got going on next.
NYC
Posted on:
Toulouse guides soul-electronic to Communion NYC 09.05
Electronic NYC artist Toulouse can produce anything from dancey electronic tracks to mellow soulful songs like "Reach Out" (streaming), featuring his borderline stoic vocals. With a few singles to his name, the project has garnered considerable attention, landing a spot on the soundtrack of Fifty Shades Darker with "No Running From Me", a soul-themed track that features a blues-based melody fit for a vintage rock and roll scene. The artist will be playing Communion NYC 09.05. – Tafari Lemma
NYC
Posted on:
Charlie & The Evil Mothers head to The 5 Spot on 09.08
Charlie Shea is the mastermind behind the Nashville project Charlie & The Evil Mothers, a psych influenced indie garage rock outfit with two releases under its belt. The first is a self-titled EP that finds its home in a bluesy and experimental psychedelia. More recently, with the help of Todd Bolden on bass and Luke Fedorko on drums, Shea has released the single “Strings” (streaming below), a much more upbeat use of his signature croon. The guitar-driven track is a moody foray into the realm of fast-paced, reverb-drenched rock. Charlie & The Evil Mothers will be taking the stage next at The 5 Spot on September 8th at 9 pm. – Lilly Milman
Philadelphia
Posted on:
Weekend Warrior, September 1 – 4
September has arrived, and with it, comes the ceremonial conclusion of summer. However, before the sun-kissed season draws to a close, Ben Franklin Parkway plays host to a recently vested (6th overall) tradition Made In America. While an assortment acts will grace the various stages over, the 2-day event, the local contingent continues to grow. This Saturday includes the silky, serenading electro-pop of Marian Hill, the retrofitted, harmony-harnessing Queen of Jeans, the devastatingly tenacious, melodic whirlwind of Mannequin Pussy, and experimental instrumental textures meets sincere Americana-folk songwriting of (Sandy) Alex G. And Sunday’s slate begins with PNB Rock, before a consecutive tandem that includes the heart-rendering, earnest elegance of Japanese Breakfast (whose Soft Sounds From Another Planet was our August Record of the Month) and the gritty, grab-the-wheel-and-drive indie rock of Beach Slang. Of course, the streets of Philadelphia will also be filled with bangers from Hova, Solange, Run the Jewels, Little Dragon, and many others. Hopefully the weather will hold out so that we can all enjoy a rad Labor Day Weekend in Philly! – Michael Colavita
More places where you can say goodbye to summer this weekend…
Made In America (Ben Franklin Pkwy) SAT Marian Hill, Queen of Jeans, Mt. Joy, Mannequin Pussy, (Sandy) Alex G, SUN PnB Rock, Japanese Breakfast, Beach Slang, Tigers Jaw
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Night Raids, Barakka, SUN DJ Lil Dave
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Hawk Tubley & The Ozymandians, Jason Ager (Trio), Rachel Eve, SAT Goodnight/Goodluck, Wax Wav, Cologne
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Devil’s Grippe, Truant Minds, Punkes/Gravers Lane ImHul/DJ Deejay, SAT Drones for Queens/Wolf Dem, KT Caustic, Teknacolor Ninja/Lunacy, SUN Sublaymen, Yeenar/Disinhume, Descendency, Depletion
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI The Improbables, SAT A Virgin
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Conjunto/Massive, Denelle Anderson, K-Soul, Rico Anderson, SAT (Upstairs) Steve Cal Quartet, Mike Kennedy
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Of the Archive (EP Release), Shy, Mage Hand, SUN Luxe
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Maggie Mae, Sonni Shine, Miss Cantaloupe, Granz
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI dot.gov, Dave Bakey, SAT Nicky P & Friends, Doug Wartman, Jeremiah Tall
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Shaky Deville, U.S. Lawns, SUN Langor, Circadian Rhythms
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Astro 8000
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Alec Stewart, Bryant Eugene Vazquez, I am not the Universe, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Project 28
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Menace Cartel
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Christian O’Connor Band, Calla Bere & The Attitude, SAT Take Cover
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Eat Your Beats
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI S-21 (Last Show)
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) SUN My Name Is Tom, MON Matt Kelly, Old Scratch
Beautiful World Syndicate (1619 E. Passyunk Ave.) SAT Dark Web
NYC
Posted on:
NYC Record of the Month: Nick Llobet (Live at Sunnyvale on 09.10)
The second most important thing in rock or folk music, after the actual song, is the vocals’ character. There’s no need to be a great singer if you are blessed with a voice that carries that elusive quality. Nick Llobet, an upcoming solo act from the NYC area, has it, and also happens to write really good songs. With his latest EP, Where To?, released this June, he delivers four gritty but immensely charming tracks: one is purely acoustic dream-folk bliss – with not-so-dream lyrics ("Puke My Thoughts"), while others flirt with indie, lo-fi and psych influences. Title track, "Where To?" is a wandering psych-folk gem for laying on the grass, channeling Bob Dylan’s spoken singing and Mac DeMarco’s inventive but simple arrangements. "Ear to Ear" borrows the loud/quite/loud production trick of the grunge bands of the ’90s, but adapts it to a songwriting approach that’s poetic, rather than energetic. Closer track "River" is a simple a garage-pop song you will want to dance along to live, at Nick Llobet’s next show, scheduled for September 10th at Sunnyvale. Do not miss! – Allie Miller
We added "Where To?" song to The Deli’s playlist of Best songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
Philadelphia
Posted on:
The Deli Philly’s September Record of the Month: Teen Spaceship – Teen Spaceship
Released in early August, Teen Spaceship’s self-titled EP is a distinctively sincere and atmospheric throwback to 1990s bedroom pop and indie rock. Filled with fuzzed-out riffs, nostalgia-inducing chords, and moody lyricism, each cut conjures a sense of emotional urgency that brings to mind autumn nights at Danger Danger Gallery, warehouse shows, and DIY ballads of yesteryear.
Opening with “Voices,” Teen Spaceship frontman Will Kennedy grapples with the weight of isolation and anxiety through earnest confessions like “I haven’t seen the world for a week” and “I want to make myself small.” A probable successor to tracks like “Cut the Kiss” by The White Octave or “Dramamine” by Modest Mouse, this song’s strength lies in its unapologetic vulnerability. “Half a Hundred” possesses a similar transparency, most evident when Kennedy croons, “I wish you would approach me,” right before adding, “I’d have nothing to say.” This juxtaposition between desire for human closeness and a fear of intimacy or inability to fully connect with others is as relatable as it is honest. Like a more minimal riff on Neutral Milk Hotel’s “Song Against Sex” meshed with Built to Spill’s “Cleo,” “Half a Hundred” documents the inner narrative of a loner with a contemplative heart. As Kennedy declares, “I’ll have a slow day/I’ll climb the steps to feel big again,” alongside crashing cymbal and swelling chords, listeners are left to consider their own methods of coping with the existential challenge of being alive.
The EP’s third offering, “Henry,” begins with the slow rise of guitar and Kennedy’s brooding vocals, which recount a conversation in the wake of a personal crisis. Here, the instrumentation heightens the tension of what is left unsaid, each lick of guitar and hissing cymbal embodies the dissonance between those alluded to throughout the song’s narrative. Perhaps the most dramatic anthem on the album, “Henry” is a memorable portrait of how language fails to fully capture the complexity of loss, love, and compassion. Befittingly, Teen Spaceship ends with “Pittsburgh,” which begins with laughter and stripped down strums of guitar. The final track is a slow but catchy meditation on finding a sense of belonging in places outside of one’s hometown. “Pittsburgh” unpretentiously pays homage to how hope can be found through candid conversations and embraces with friends. Kennedy’s diction conveys with ease the temporal yet everlasting testament to the power of community and chosen family, which is the perfect way to end this heartfelt debut.
Despite its brevity, Teen Spaceship is deeply meaningful and substantial. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself returning to this EP again and again this fall. – Dianca London
NYC
Posted on:
D.L. Rossi returns with new single + plays The Basement on 9.06
Nashville-via-Michigan performer D.L. Rossi is of the rare breed of songwriters that channels raw, unadulterated heartache through his music without eliciting any sort of pity or over-sentimentality. His 2015 release The Apartment EP catalogues a painful 2-year long marriage that ultimately ended in divorce, and he tells this story through gentle and honest lyricism. He is currently in the process of recording and releasing a follow-up EP called Crooked Love Vol. 1 & 2, a project that already has one released single: “First Time Around” (streaming below). This track offers more of the same subtle folk of his older releases. D.L. Rossi will be performing next at The Basement on September 6th at 9 pm. – Lilly Milman, photograph by Laura E. Partain
Philadelphia
Posted on:
New Music Video: “Glacier” – Caracara
Summer Megalith, the forthcoming debut album from Caracara (which pairs W.C. Lindsay compatriots William Lindsay and George Legatos with Sean Gill and Carlos Pacheco-Perez of Square Peg Round Hole), will be released on September 22 via Flower Girl Records. Directed by Emily Dubin, the music video for “Glacier” captures a sense of intimacy amid performance. Momentous emotives and matriculating instrumentation build up to anthemic status, filtered through a nightly neon glow. The quartet will be celebrating the allbum’s arrival with a record release show on Wednesday, September 27 at Everybody Hits, supported by So Totally, Sixteen Jackies, and Worlds Greatest Dad. (Photo by Emily Dubin)
Chicago
Posted on:
Moonrise Nation “Demo Day”
Moonrise Nation has released a live acoustic video for their song “Demo Day” through Northern Transmission. The song is taken from their recently released album Glamour Child.