Photo Source: The Hoot Hoots

The Hoot Hoots are playing with Caught in Motion and The Torn ACLS at The Sunset Tavern on Saturday, July 21st; it is the latter group’s CD release show.

This band is, in a word, delightful! Their tunes are driven by floating, bubbly synth arrangements, energetic drums and playful harmonies. Their lyrics are often quirky, like they are reeling off their own versions of bedtime stories. At times, the words take a turn towards poignance, like the Broken Social Scene-esque song "Brighter" – (although still retaining their decidedly power pop flavor).

You will inevitably hoot, stomp, surf, and cheer your way through their full-length Appetite For Distraction, which came out in December of last year. "Do You Know What They Say About the Pacific?" is anchored by a voice that sounds remarkably akin to Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes; they then promptly guide it out of bucolic territory with a happy, buzzing synth melody.

Songs like "Mr. Ghost" and "Scully" show they can rock their fuzzy pop with the best of them. Listen to the former track below, and take care to visit their bandcamp to stream the whole album. The Hoot Hoots will be at The Sunset Tavern on the 21st of July – tickets cost $8 and the doors open at 9pm.

– Cameron LaFlam

The masters of keeping gritty blues and old time rock ‘n roll alive, The Dead Exs, are serving up a brand new single for the 4th of July. Recorded at Converse’s Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn, “Relovolution,” streaming below, showcases the New York-based duo’s signature slide guitar-driven garage blues merged with energetic rockabilly, teasing fans with a fun track that builds anticipation for the rest of The Dead Exs upcoming record. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Black Whales, Seattle’s answer to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, have released a new single entitled "Vietnam."The fuzzed-out rock track features echoing vocals courtesy of lead singer Alex Robert, and an undeniably catchy chorus ("I can’t get out of Vietnam"). What with it’s psych-rock sound and it’s title, "Vietnam" is a love letter to 60’s music, but still feels fresh and modern. The band will play Tractor Tavern July 13th, and "Vietnam" is streaming below. – Josh Johnson

Photo Source: Robin McGarrity

Monogamy Party are set to appear at local D.I.Y. venue the Black Lodge this Saturday, July 7th. The following week they play Chop Suey, opening for Mean Jeans and The Spits.

Made up of a primary vocalist, bassist, and drummer, the fiery group pummels ears with its distinct musical creations. Equal parts noise rock and fuzzed-out punk, they channel the abrasive grooves of a band like Death from Above 1979, but move into territory significantly more aggressive and defiant. 

This past fall they debuted their first EP Pus City via Good To Die Records. The track "Drunk or Dying" introduces itself with a stop-start drum/bass part that gives the impression of a by-the-books punk song before crashing into a wall of noise and shouts. The vocals oscillate between taunting and expressive singing to deeper, roaring screams. 

Eponymous song "Pus City" begins with a segment of quiet and spaced bass tones, the occasional tom roll and bell, before turning into a twisted march of distortion that burns with intensity.

See Monogamy Party at the Black Lodge this Saturday, or Friday, July 13th at Chop Suey for $10. Stream "Pus City" below and check out the band’s entire EP at their bandcamp where it can be purchased digitally or on vinyl.

– Cameron LaFlam

(pictured above: Oriole Post)

Olassa

Georgia Gordon

She’s A Keeper

Stephen Paul Smoker

The Hearts of Darkness

Since his last EP, filled with holiday-themed cake throwing and wailing guitar solos from behind the driver’s seat, it’s been two whole years since Brooklyn based psych-folkster Fletcher C. Johnson‘s had a release.

Thankfully, the psycho-scorched jangle of ‘Messin’ with My Mind’ has just been released to 7", crafted especially for all your messy road trip fantasies. The pleasantly twangy guitars are ready-made for sun worshipping, while Johnson’s vocals fill a nice space between the folksiness of Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold and the brassy energy of Primus’ Les Claypool.

No matter what kind of dust you’ve got kicking around in your head, you’ll always find something new to put in it with Fletcher C. Johnson. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Brooklyn rave rockers My Best Fiend have been around since 2005, and their persistence got recently rewarded with a record deal with UK forward looking label Warp. In their Warp debut "Ghostlike Fading" the band puts an almost spiritual twist on a sound that introduces itself quietly, only to erupt into a full-on psyched-out jam. The single "Cracking Eggs" starts out with gently strummed acoustic guitar and stark, spacious piano chords, while emotive vocals sing about "the crack in the egg that provides relief." It’s not long before full band pomp and stomp fills the sonic spectrum as harsh textures lift the listener into the clouds. Another favorite song, "Higher Palms" (streaming below) turns to an electric piano for keyboard figures, as full instrumentation is then added in, creating a high western plains feel. Vocals are layered and embedded in hallways of reverb, enhanced by synthesized textures extending the tones. Guitars join in from multiple angles, merging with the rising sonic tide without obscuring the defined rhythm. – Dave Cromwell

It’s quite rare to find an artist who gives us a Christmas song on a record released during the warmer time of the year. But with The Devyl Nellys‘ latest release, you get ‘Hot Santa‘ along with plenty of other tracks.

All this from a band clearly rooted in Country Americana, but whose ambitions are far flung. The New York group’s debut full-length ‘Charm Land’ moves from James Bond-style riffing in the mysterious ‘Attracted,’ to a doo-wop chorus in radio-ready ‘Hush.’ Singer Nelly Levon handles most vocal duties, but guitarist James Mastro’s voice shines in the lush ‘Airport’.

For the Devyl Nellys, diversity is their strength. ‘Charm Land’ is a full-bodied debut to suit most tastes, and just might work equally well in any season. Stream the record here and see them when they play Gizzi’s Cafe on Jun 20. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Here is the new video from the world’s raddest raga-soul-pop lady Santigold – for the song "The Keepers." She just wrapped up her Spring US tour in support of Master of My Make-Believe, and she will be appearing at festivals internationally throughout the summer including Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds.

Special Explosion are on the bill for The Next Fifty Plays the First Fifty, an exciting event hosted at the Seattle Center to bring the community together to watch up and coming local bands. Appearing alongside acts like Fly Moon Royalty, Candysound, and Brothers From Another, the performers will be playing original material as well as covers written by some of Seattle’s most enduring musicians.

This young five piece will be a highlight, no questions about it. They self-released their debut EP this past February; the four songs included on the album depict a band electrified with creativity and enthusiasm. Lead track "Lifeguard" builds up its impact with the guitar line and drum beat locking in perfectly – from there, the vocals connect in passionate, soaring fashion. The six minute song flows seamlessly from moment to moment, thereby transcending its patchwork of parts to become a unified whole.

Special Explosion’s take on punk-infused indie rock is novel as it is optimistic: a perpetual positivity exudes from their material, in no small part thanks to their excellent guitar riffage."Two Mile Time Trial" is another six minute tune that decides to take an atmospheric turn two minutes in, showing the band’s ability to slow down and not lose the attention of listeners. Their judicious use of singing – when to let the vocals shine versus letting the instruments do the talking – lends it more thoughtfulness and force than words excessively thrown about.

Hosted at The Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center, the show is this Saturday, July 7th from 2:00-8:00pm. Best of all, it is free! Eights bands in all are on the bill. For more information on the event, visit EMP Museum’s website. Give Special Explosion’s bandcamp a visit to stream their whole EP right here. 

– Cameron LaFlam

Los Encantados most likely write their music by forcefully giving each other high fives until the music spontaneously happens. This is just an uninformed guess of course, but with the band’s name loosely translating to ‘The Enchanted,’ it wouldn’t surprise me. The septet deals with the same chapters in life shared by most of us, city dwellers. Only when they do it… it’s actually uplifting!

Their latest EP ‘Same Damned Soul,’ opens with a barnburning athem to lost loves (‘Ghost’), and continues at this speed ’til you arrive at the beach in time for the party with closer ‘Maritime.’ This is quite a bit of fun to be sure, but nowhere near as good a time as seeing the six-piece live. So check them out on July 6th when they play the CBGB fest at The Delancey. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets) – Los Encantados submitted their music for review here.