Talented Brooklyn emerging singer/songwriter Frances Cone (one of our NYC Artists on the Rise a few weeks ago) will join LA based Indie/Folk outfit Milo Greene for a special performance at Bowery Ballroom on August 29th. Frances recently released her first single “Come Back” along with this music video, while Milo Greene has toured with The Civil Wars, after releasing their debut album this past July – if interested you can win VIP tickets to the private event by visiting this site. – Chelsea Eriksen

Pockets feeling a little light? Swagger misplaced? Subwoofer blown? Don’t fret NYC party people, get yourselves some Weekend Money. Take some electro-infused grind-worthy beats, lace them with some gritty street raps and get ready to sweat. Producer Ne$$ and Baghdaddy cite influences from Jimi Hendrix to Mobb Deep and are currently in the lab finishing up their premier ep tentatively titled “Naked City.” If you’re ready to drop it like it’s hot then seek them out, just be prepared for them to run their bass all up in your face. Check out the video for "Insomniac" here. -=brokeMC

MiniBoone‘s latest music video for punchy pop-rock romp "Brand New Thing" embodies every kid’s dream. You know, candy, junk food, soda, and … sasquatch? Well, it must be some kid’s dream: some very awesome, party animal kid’s dream to be precise.The song, off 2011’s On MiniBoone Mountain EP, lends itself extremely well to this… ahem… quirky video. Both are pulsing with energy and emphasize a tongue-in-cheek take on life; the New York-based five-piece didn’t cut any corners when it came to absurdity and a musically good time. Be sure to check it out – this could very well be the most ridiculous just-under-4-minutes you’ve spent in some time. – Corinne Bagish

Fresh from their graduation ceremony at Yale this past spring, the new-to-Brooklyn trio Plume Giant is hitting the road in support of their full-length album “Callithump.” The record comes after an eponymous EP in 2010, and shows off the band’s jovial fusion of folk and fiddle, highlighting playful harmonies with their male-female vocals combination. “Callithump” was recorded over an 11-month stretch around tour and exam schedules, and will be released on August 28, with a US tour to follow. Fellow local folkies Tall Tall Trees will join Plume Giant for their record release show at the Mercury Lounge on August 31. – Devon Antonetti

If you think their previous records were insane, this one’s about to blow your head off. On September 25th, Providence based (but constantly associated to the Brooklyn DIY scene) noise-rock duo Lightning Bolt will be dropping a seven-track compilation of some favorite unreleased recordings, ‘Oblivion Hunter’ (Load Records), which they’ve introduced with King Candy (streaming below). Nerve-wrecking explosion of gritty basslines, aggressive drums and howling vocals reminescent of Japanese noise aesthetics fusing from beneath the chaos, the track fully captures the furious energy of their sets, and opens an EP already much anticipated, with some teasingly tasty alliterations in the titles (Fly Fucker Fly or World Wobbly Wide) and a strongly suggested ‘not for the faint-hearted’ label. Currently on a tour which started in DC on Tuesday (8.21), the duo will – prior to the release – be shaking up Brooklyn’s 285 Kent on September 20th.

(Photo by Todd Zimmer)

Editor’s note and correction: Shelf Life is the second album release from The Hearts of Darkness. The band’s first album, a self-titled LP, was released in 2010 and available at Bandcamp.

"Welcome to the Middle of the Map!
Kansas City, to be exact!
I’m Les Izmore, and I’ve brought some friends along!
They go by …

THE HEARTS OF DARKNESS!"

The opening cadence of the very first song, the title track to The Hearts of Darkness’ new album Shelf Life, is not an introduction.  It is not a gentle request for your attention.  What it is … (deep breath) … is one of Kansas City’s most bombastic frontmen throwing down the gauntlet and defying you to turn your attention away from the forty-five-minute barrage of music and lyrics that comprise the first full-length effort of a band whose reputation as a live act without peer has been growing since its inception in 2008. Their progression has followed the standard blueprint of sought-after success: play gigs, become known for their live shows, record an EP, play more gigs, get asked to play high-profile slots in such big-ticket events as Farm Aid and Kanrocksas, release a bonafide album. Two years in the making, Shelf Life brings together the beat of West Africa, the spirit of New Orleans, the funk of James Brown, the rhythm of Fela Kuti, and the soul of Count Basie.  There’s also no shortage of KC pride here; HoD makes it very clear that they are raising the hometown flag high throughout the record.

Not bad for a group that bandleader Bob Asher describes as a "side project" when they came together nearly 5 years ago.  He says that most of the musicians (anywhere between 12 and 19 on a given night) had little to no experience playing in a band, so the Hearts of Darkness sound was carefully cultivated along the way.  The result is a collective that is amazingly tight in spite of its sometimes sprawling stage presence – and a presence they are, with Izmore and a formidable trio of dynamic, compelling ladies providing the lyrics to music that demands movement from the listener. While the rhythm is almost always on full-speed-ahead mode, the messages aren’t always simply about having fun and dancing the night away, as witnessed by such tracks as "Standing on the Corner" and "Got to Hustle."  Chad Meise at The Cooler Studio does yeoman work in capturing the energy of a live performance, but vinyl and plastic can only do so much, so attending HoD’s CD release party (emphasis on "party," as The Good Foot will be laying down the soul groove sounds as well) is highly recommended.

What’s next for The Hearts of Darkness?  According to Asher, some well-deserved down time, as the band will be cutting back on performances for the rest of the year and gearing up for 2013, with new songs at the ready. The target to kick back into full swing is around Mardi Gras time – and what better event for such an unstoppable musical force to flex its muscles? Shelf Life will either be the start of a new sonic addiction or the latest dose of an already-ingrained habit.  As Les and the ladies ask in "Numeration," how far will they go before they stop?

Here’s hoping we don’t find out where the “stop” is for a long, long time.

The Hearts of Darkness will be releasing Shelf Life at a special release party this Saturday, August 25 at Knuckleheads Saloon at 8:00 pm. They’ll be accompanied by special guests The Good Foot.

–Michael Byars

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Check out this new video from Thee Water MoccaSins, "Fumbling Toward the Abyss" from their album From The Rivers of Missouri and the Banks of Fear. This is the first of eight videos released by the band. They’ll also be performing tonight at The Riot Room with special guests Be/Non and Olivetti Letter.

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We have drummer, bassist, solo artist, emcee, reverend, and jack of all trades Amy Farrand in the hot seat this week. She tells us about her longstanding drumming career in this city, along with her penchant for toy drum kits. Catch the beat right here!

On The Beat is typically brought to you by Sergio Moreno, but has been overtaken this week by drummer and The Deli – Kansas City editor-in-chief Michelle Bacon. This weekly interview features some of the many talented drummers in the area.

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(Photo by Jessica Keller)

The Prolific has released the first single from its upcoming album Social Movement. "Take Me Down (Lucy)" showcases the four-piece group’s talent and dedication to a solid studio recording (mixed by Chris Cosgrove), with a pleasantly surprising horn section that propels the song forward. Jesse Thompson puts her soulful vocal pipes on display, accompanied by three musicians who have a clear awareness of one another’s abilities: Joshua Veach, Walt Powell and Stephanie Williams have collaborated  in other projects since 2005. Veach’s crunchy guitar riffs provide an abrasive but complementary counterpoint to Powell’s smooth, jazzy bass lines and Williams’ tight, compelling beats.

We look forward to hearing more from The Prolific when its album drops in late September or October.

–Michelle Bacon

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Equal parts art and music, People Get Ready is one of the most engaging and interesting new Brooklyn based bands. The quality and fun of their dance-ready jam sections in tracks like ‘Uncanny’ and the breathtaking launch of ‘Cathedral’ off their latest self-titled EP should be enough to make anyone want to join in their unique cross-genre, globe-hopping, head-tripping dance party. We asked them a few questions about their recording process – read the interview on Delicious Audio – The Deli’s blog about recording and Guitar Pedals.

Photo Source: Baby Island

This Thursday, August 23rd, Baby Island will play a set at The Vera Project for The Believer Love Songs for Lamps Cassette Release. A big kaboodle of artists are due to perform, including but not limited to Calvin Johnson, Broken Water, Shana Cleveland and the Sandcastles, and Happy Noose.

The four piece group released their debut album – which is self-titled – back in February of this year. Baby Island’s quaint, solitary name captures the minitature worlds that revolve in their songs. Rarely eclipsing the three minute mark, each creation embraces their gentle psychedelic grip. Fans of ’60’s and ’70’s pop music with a twist will respond well to the material.

The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Zombies, Love – these are undeniable pop pillars of yesteryear that draw reasonable comparison. After all, Baby Island’s record cover is a clear homage to Love’s classic 1967 LP Forever Changes. For whatever weight they pull from decades past though, the outfit also contributes a modern indie rock vibe with tracks like "Backwards and Forwards" and "Live With It."

"Woke Up" catapults itself into catchiness with precise licks and a soothing, rhyme-ready singer. Faint warbles of psychedelia begin to shake themselves into the mix as the singer’s voice echoes and spirals out into the distance.

With over ten bands featured at the show – every band that appears on The Believer magazine’s cassette compilation – this is not one to be missed. The show costs $9, with doors at 7:30pm. Check out "Woke Up" from Baby Island below, and then visit their bandcamp to hear the rest of their eponymous record. Digital copies are available for $5, and on cassette for $7.

– Cameron LaFlam

Allegedly The Men don’t care much for labels, but so far they’d remained close to the punk arena – even the title track of their new record ‘Open Your Heart‘, if nothing as rough as what we found on their two previous albums, still races feverishly along the lines of an ‘Ever Fallen In Love’ with more angst, fast and deliciously enthusing. ‘Candy‘ though – which you can download for free below, courtesy of the band – is a different story. A laid-back twangy alt-country jam picked up only by its steady drumbeat, unfamiliar echoes and strange backing vocals merely reaching the surface; a sweet song it its own awkward right, confirming that the Brooklyn quartet isn’t intrinsically hostile. Just determined to stay away from any routine. The band will be setting off on tour at the start of September, from West Coast to Europe (check their blog for dates) with Buffalo, NY as a first stop back on US soil on November 8th