Tomorrow, come support some local history through the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society at the Onderdonk House with a selection of some of the city’s finest indie rock bands, food and booze at the Arbitration Rock Festival. Bands include Not Blood Paint, PassKontrol, Bad Credit No Credit (pictured), Backwords, GunFight! (streaming) and more. Also, as summer’s starting to wind down (it’s already August?!), you might want to come for the opportunity to bask in the sun! More info here.

Like many contemporary Brooklyn based indie rock artists, Snowmine (featured on the cover of the summer 2012 issue of The Deli NYC) is very interested in the creative possibilities offered by the recording studio, but the results we hear on record showcase a band that masters the production process like few others. We took the time to ask them a few questions about their recording habits. – Read Paolo De Gregorio’s Q&A with Snowmine here.

Not too long ago, I reviewed She’s a Keeper’s self-titled effort from 2011 (see the review here). And to put it plainly, it was just a wonderful little slice of folk awesome. However, too often bands pull off a sonically exciting and successful effort in the studio but suck up the joint when playing it live. I am glad to find that this is not the case for She’s a Keeper. The Live at Midwestern EP is just one more indication that this band has quickly become a local music force to be reckoned with.

As to be expected, the live renditions offer a little more bite than their record versions. The drums break through the arrangements more, and while diminishing the dynamic range that the studio album provides, they provide an extra kick to the gut.

Overall, it is good to hear the increased emotion of the live performance not affect the quality of musicianship. The vocals, one of the key strengths of this band, stay powerful and true throughout. The folks at Midwestern Music Co. who recorded it paid close attention to making sure the songs projected both power and clarity. Overall, it sounds better than a lot of local studio records I’ve heard. Big props to them on this.

From a personal standpoint, I am glad to see my favorite track from the self-titled album performed here. “Branches,” even with its somewhat stripped-down arrangement and cello in need of a slight tune, still comes across powerful, dynamic, and full of songwriting surprises.

Word from the band’s Facebook page seems to indicate the group is back in the studio and that the members “have a good feeling” about the new songs. Based upon this live EP, I’d have to agree with them. 

Though Live at Midwestern was released back in March, She’s A Keeper will be celebrating the release with a party this Saturday, August 4 at Czar with Olassa and The Natural State. You can also check out our Artists on Trial interview with guitarist/vocalist Zac Jurden at the link here.

–-Zach Hodson

NYC

Atomic Bride Have Upcoming Show At The Funhouse

Posted on: August 2, 2012

Photo Source: Atomic Bride

Atomic Bride are going to appear at The Funhouse for a performance on Friday, August 10. Also on the bill are School Shootings, F-Holes, and Autolite Strike.

Back in May the five piece released their latest LP Dead Air. They have been putting on shows since 2007; the work put in since then to create their current record is palpable. They are governed by no one particular sound, spiraling through bouts of surf, alternative, punk and horror rock.

Take the track "D.N.A." for example, which transforms their surf-infused vibe of a modern B-52’s hit into a sing-song, rocking affair. They channel elements of former Seattle band Schoolyard Heroes but morph into something noticeably more punk and New Wave in behavior.

"Radio Recession" on the other hand rhythm-rides right in with a Dick Dale-like surf lick before breaking out with the straightforward energy of an alt-rock chorus. "American Meltdown" lands somewhere inbetween bands like Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie, and the Meat Puppets; but the song is not derivative in any sense of the word. Blending heaviness and country twang, Atomic Bride are fearless in their creations and thus are difficult to classify and pigeonhole. Kudos to them on their undeniable versatility.

Check out Atomic Bride on the 10th of August at The Funhouse for $6. The show begins at 9:30pm. In the meantime, visit their bandcamp page to stream the entirety of Dead Air and purchase it digitally or on CD. A preview of the band is below in the track "D.N.A."

– Cameron LaFlam

After road-testing a new batch of material in January across the UK/Europe, Brooklyn’s Emanuel And The Fear spent the better part of the winter/spring in the studio with Brendan Tobin (Red Sparrows/Made Out Of Babies) completing their new 8-song full length album "The Janus Mirror" which will be released by Germany’s Haldern Pop Recordings in Europe September 14th and in the UK September 21st. A US release will follow through a yet-to-be-named label. The Janus Mirror is the band’s forth release and is also the first recorded document of the bands slimmed down 6 member line up (from the previous 11). While the band’s previous releases have focused more on folk elements (2011’s "Hands" ep), orchestral pop (2010’s "Listen") and dance driven synth rock (the band’s 2009 self-titled ep). The Janus Mirror is a dark and mysterious rock piece with cutting yet ethereal lyrics touching on today’s tsunami of silicone madness we’re all currently stuck in. Emanuel and the Fear is currently touring Europe.

Former keyboardist for Passion Pit, Ayad Al Adhamy, certainly knows how to keep a room entertained. His Brooklyn/Boston based band Team Spirit played The Studio at Webster Hall on Tuesday, August 30th. Openers, Static Jacks and Beast Make Bomb (who celebrated their farewell show) set the right atmosphere, starting off the night with a lot of raw energy and catchy hooks. But Adhamy’s scratchy whine and his band’s punchy material succeeded in the most challenging of tasks: getting a NYC crowd to bounce to the tunes. With fast-paced punk/pop melodies, the band was completely in sync with tight instrumentals and vocals. The spirited front man jumped off the stage numerous times, dancing with girls in the audience, jamming with fellow guitarist, Cosmo Kilburn Di Giulio, and at one point, encouraging the audience to squat on the ground before he jumped back on stage into an aggressive fit of screams and powerful riffs. Team Spirit will be oopening for Miniature Tigers tonight at the TT the Bear’s in Cambridge, MA. – Chelsea Eriksen

So apparently singer Kendra is now into white guys. It’s true. Cold Blood Club’s new single ‘White Boyz’ (streaming below) reads almost like a wanted ad from some strange site where black girls look to take advantage of naive Caucasian gentlemen (ok, it sounds like an awesome site… and the kind of thing we are all for!)

While the Brooklyn act has always had a knack for biting, dance floor energy like in anthemic single ‘Ladies & Gentlemen,’ never before have they sounded this pungent. It’s a good thing for a new band that’s already played around town with members from TV on the Radio (Tunde), and set to continue burning through the club circuit when they take on CMJ this fall. See them live at the Manhattan Bridge Archway in Dumbo on August 9. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Nan Turner is one of the newest and hottest drummers to hit the Kansas City music scene. She’s one half of Schwervon!, who recently relocated to KC from Brooklyn. Nan tells us a little about her approach to the skins and her transition from the Big Apple to the ‘burbs. Catch the beat right here!

On The Beat is a weekly interview brought to you by drummer Sergio Moreno (of Hillary Watts Riot and Alacartoona), and features some of the many talented drummers in the Kansas City area.

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Vassals, a band that has studied at the altar of classic pop songwriting, is back with a new track (called ‘Informers’ – streaming below) that celebrates the possibilities of a warm guitar, a touching story, and what sounds like a drugged out zither.

The song shuffles its rhythms at a level on par with the most bouncy of Vampire Weekend’s tracks (but without even a touch of Cape Cod), while its story seems to take you in one direction only: awkward, adolescent love. The new song is the leading track from their upcoming record slated for later this year. I’m hoping this signals plenty of loud, raunchy guitar solos to come…

You’ll have many opportunities to see these guys live in August, since they are having a residency at Pianos on every Wednesday of the month starting from 08.08 – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Can’t get out to the water this weekend? Consider popping on Rebecca Brandt‘s immersive new single, ‘Staying Silent.’ Should be all you need to push yourself into the deep end. 

Molded in the style of fellow femme composers like Juliana Barwick and Zola Jesus, Rebecca’s latest record ‘Numbers & Shapes’ is a colorful tapestry of sound collage every bit as epic as much of the film scores she’s composed over the past several years. Not for the faint of heart, tracks like the hard-hitting ‘Run’ and ‘The Clock Breaks at Three’ should give you an idea of what to expect from time spent with this runaway personality. 

Sream the new record on her bandcamp and please leave her a message telling her she needs to play live soon! – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Photo Source: Grave Babies

Grave Babies are gracing The Funhouse stage this Friday for Day Two of the venue’s Pizzafest extravanganza. Other acts that night include The Biz, Golden Pelicans, The Yolks, and Shannon and the Clams. 

The group put out the Gothdammit EP in April courtesy of Hardly Art; the five tracks combine bouyant waves of synth with crunchy drum beats, warm bass tones, and solemn vocals.

"Fuck Off" is the first song on the record, both searing and lovely in its use of distortion, melody, and noise. Underground tremors seem to swell from all around when listening to Grave Babies – the music is otherwordly and dark, yet pinned down and precise in its rhythmic effect. "Bloodstains" behavior is similar in its regard for laying the foundation with subterranean and industrial-like sounds.

They will be at Pizzafest 2012 this Friday, August 3rd. The show begins at 7:30pm – and for only $12 you can enjoy eight bands in all. Stream Grave Babies’ song "Bloodstains" below and then check out their soundcloud page for more. You can also pick up their new EP for $11 through Hardly Art’s website.

– Cameron LaFlam

Blonds – Deli NYC artist of the month a few weeks ago – are about to release their debut album "The Bad Ones," which Stereogum is streaming in its entirety. With its beautiful mellow female vocals, slowed down groovy loops, Morriconian references, and occasional sonic bursts, this is a record that will appeal to many and make its ways in many "active" bedrooms. Don’t miss the release party at THe Rock Shop on August 28. Check out the recent stunning single "Time" streaming below.