Nashville

Show Alert: Blue Matches at Exit/In 12.6

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 We hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday; our fingers may be cramped from our so-called "team-building" retreat that consisted of hours and hours of updating our local charts with the rest of the Deli editors, punctuated by the random "unifying" exercises like nature hikes or painting our Editor-in-Chief’s house. But anyway, we’re happy to be back, and we’re looking forward to this show: Blue Matches at Exit/In this Saturday. 

We love these guys not just because they won our Artist of the Month poll a while back, but also because of frontwoman Michelle Marston’s formidable pipe’s and the fact that this band has more hustle than a 5th grade basketball team that no one thought would make it to the playoffs. This Saturday looks like a solid indie-punk lineup, with other faves The Daily Howl, Case Study and The Notion rounding out the bill. Here’s the second track from Blue Matches recent album starting over to get you amped for the weekend. -Terra James-Jura

 

 

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s December Record of the Month: The Spirit of the Beehive – The Spirit of the Beehive

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There is something rather dark and mysterious about a band that takes its name from a classic Spanish film that focuses on its protagonist, a young girl, who becomes fascinated by the 1931 horror movie, Frankenstein. And with an album cover that portrays a child in a bee costume positioned in front of a tombstone saying, “Here Lies Mom-n-Dad Now Their Gone Isn’t That Sad,” you can’t help but be intrigued, if not a bit disturbed. The Spirit of the Beehive is a local fledgling outfit who has popped up on my radar this past year, appearing on numerous bills, oftentimes at DIY spaces. The band has further grabbed my attention with its debut self-titled full-length album, which was recorded by The Weaks/ex-Dangerous Ponies, Evan Bernard and Chris Baglivo, and released via rising Philly indie label Ranch Records.  
 
The record’s opening track, “Roll Over,” begins with an eerie instrumentation before a languid female voice comes in with barely intelligible lines. “Cycles in and out of morphine hazes. Finding spaces between your floorboards. And I watch the dust move.” Thankfully the group provides us with lyrics on its Bandcamp page; otherwise, the beautifully poetic verses filled with drug-fueled imagery would be lost in the wash of power chords and feedback. “All lost in the black market. To wait in the fix aisle, I roll over.” You also get a sense of the band’s lo-fi, DIY aesthetic when you are abruptly taken out of the world, created by the album’s first, with studio chatter before moving on to the next track. With “Short Walk,” you can’t help but feel the influences of greats like Nirvana and more recently Creepoid with the hushed vocals and sonic bursts. These two tracks set the tone for the first half of the LP, where you travel in and out of the territories of dream pop and shoegaze when the female lead vocals grab a hold of you and then the grungier, harder-edged side takes over with the male lead. This juxtaposition provides quite an enjoyable balance that I actually wished went on longer throughout the record.
 
It’s not until “Ether,” where the two combine forces, changing the dynamic of their relationship. The title of the song suggests that you might be finding something more ethereal; however, the driving bass line provides a sense of urgency throughout the track. It also marks the point where the male lead begins to dominate the rest of the album, while taking on some of the characteristics of its counterpart. What remains a constant is a psychedelic, drug-filled angst full of guitar licks and distortion, giving off the vibe of a band that is here to rock, and they don’t care if you are ready for it or not.
 
The Spirit of the Beehive closes out their ambitious LP with the longest and cleanest sounding recording on the album, “Fever Dream,” demonstrating that they don’t need to hide behind studio effects, while making you wonder where their follow-up release will go next. It’s an eclectic and modern sounding record that also pulls from past genres I hold close to my chest. I highly recommend that you go download it ASAP. – Q.D. Tran

Toronto

Mountain of Wolves

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Uniquely harmonious and darkly charming , Mountain of Wolves defines a genre of Dark Folk. Telling emotional tales with dapper vocals and diverse blends of nostalgic elements, from reel accordions to glory trumpets, Mountain of Wolves has us listening! Every track is a different story told, ‘Hurt Myself’ is the one to enjoy, it’s more like dark-folk-pop track with killer hooks and a badass passionate vocal. Stayed tuned in…Mountain of Wolves is a collective to watch!

Philadelphia

The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Church Girls

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It’s Sunday. And for you religious folks (Satan is our master – j/k), we thought that it’d be fitting to share our interview with The Deli Philly’s latest Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner, Church Girls, which you can check out HERE. The group centers around the duo of Mariel Beaumont and Evan Anders, and they currently have plans to release their debut EP in January followed by a full-length this summer.

Philadelphia

Find the Right Balance w/Krispy Kareem at Chill Collins Nov. 29

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Krispy Kareem is the type of band whose balance makes their songs instant repeaters. With an unguarded honest lyrical approach and a freeing release of an open-air instrumentality, these songs come together with a conscious subtle layering, gradually surrounding you until they break through. Tonight, at Chill Collins, they will be joined by a few former Deli Featured Artist(s) Poll Winners Forever Lesbian, whose gentle endearing and revealing tunes softly sweep you in, and the enticing psych-punk of Seismic Thrust, whose pulse-regulating, mind-drifting tunes have that tasty pull of purposeful ragged worn for comfort tones with structural power to create and maintain a compelling shape. Chill Collins, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), $5, 6pm, All Ages – Michael Colavita

NYC

Weekly Interview: Landlady – live at Mercury on 12.08

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Led by keyboardist and songwriter Adam Schatz, Landlady’s lush, symphonic soundscapes on sophomore record ‘Upright Behaviour’ pull influence from everyone from Sly and the Family Stone to the Pixies. Such is the effervescent nature of the piece, you’d almost miss the existential tones embedded into the tracks.  Schatz’s examination on the human condition, however, proves life affirming,  and the album offers uplifting instrumentation, huge choruses and the frontman’s soulful but booming vocals at every turn. 

To celebrate the end of this great year that saw them tour with Man Man and Rubblebucket," Landlady is throwing a holiday season party at Mercury Lounge called "Landlady Holiday Spectacular" on December 8, featuring also Deli favorite Celestial Shore, Xenia Rubinos, Cantina and many more – all proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bushwick School of Music. 

Read Dean Van Nguyen’s recent interview with Landlady.

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, November 28 – 30

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For fans of Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete, which aired in the mid-1990s, this evening’s performance at Johnny Brenda’s might be a dream come true. The TV show’s house band, Polaris, will be gracing the Fishtown venue’s stage this evening. And for an added bonus, one of our favorite songwriters Sam Cook-Parrott, a.k.a. Radiator Hospital, will be the lone opener for this blessed event. For the lucky few, who were smart enough to get your tix ahead of time for this sold-out show, get ready to go back in time, and lose your shit tonight! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $17, 21+ (Photo by Dylan Johnson) – Alexis V.
 
Other places to party with your friends and fam this weekend…
 
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT West Philadelphia Orchestra
 
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI 20th Anniversary Tribute with Pleezer and Broasis
 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI ILL Fated Natives, Briana Cash, Ganou, KENNY/The Pink Angels/Dark Blue, SAT A Trunk Full of Dead Bodies (Reunion show), SAT Ruby Ruff, Sick Panda, Kevin, SUN Half-Ton of Humanity, Signs of Magnus, Fatal Verdict/ The Pretty Greens, Mike Writes the Epperson Airplane
 
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT MT Billions, Bike Crash
 
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI LE Yikes Surf Club
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.)  FRI True Will, Knightlife, Really Fast Automobiles, Fastride, No Reserve, SAT Wisdom in Chains, SUN Bakery Boys, Theodore Grams
 
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Conspirator, Cocktail Party Phenomenon
 
The Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St.) SAT Chiddy Bang
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Boris Garcia, The Karmic Repair Company, SAT (Upstairs) Barleyjuice (Downstairs) Beru Revue
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Judah Priest, Supreem Da Rezarekta’, Lanice London, Drusef, SAT (7pm) Harry Walther Band, Levi Schlosser (9pm) ILL Fated Natives (CD Release Show), Quitehype, SUN Soundwavves
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI ILL Doots, Thee Idea Men, OhBree, SAT Nicky P & Friends, Dawnchasers, The JP Bailey Trio
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Molly Rhythm, Wonder & Fury, Take Today, SAT Holland Crouse Duo, Lör
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) FRI Flamour (Brian Flanagan & Michelle Armour), Dominic Tursi, SAT (7:30pm) Francis Dunnery (10:30pm) Casey Alvarez
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.)  FRI Brown Sugar, SAT Sylvia Platypus (CD Release Party)
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI E. Ness, SAT Embers of Igneous, Sunblaze Lane, The Minutians/ Big Stall, Willpowerless, SUN Mike Liberatore, Nicki Sbaffoni, The Jericho Horns
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Blackhawks, SAT The Royal Noise, Flux Capacitor, The Funky T, SUN Seoul Delhi, The Butter Guns
 
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI No Outlet, McRad, Germany Hill, Kaye Says, SAT Devil’s Triangle, Love Panther, Cardigan Terrace
 
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) Fri Taggart, The Silence Kit, SAT Something Like A Monument
 
Ardmore Music Hall FRI The Box Social with Flightschool SAT US Rails, John Byrne Band, Brian LaPann Trio
 
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Dark Thoughts
 
West Philadelphia Retirement Center (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Ten Ton Hammer, Limits, Hells
 
Chill Collins Art Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Forever Lesbians, Seismic Thrust, Time Hitler & The Assholes From Space, When Ships Collide, Krispy Kareem
 
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Blue Smiley, Blankbook
 
Philadelphia

Free Download: “Almost” – Blood Sound

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For a lot of us, family holidays can often be a bittersweet time. So we thought that this new single, "Almost," from fledgling dark-wave crew Blood Sound might capture a little bit of the angst you might be feeling from spending too much time with certain family members yet we’re hoping that it’ll get you bobbing and dancing in the right direction. The band is made up of Chris Jordan, Tristan McKeever, and Vincent Tkac; we are impressed with the tracks that we’ve heard from the trio so far, and are really looking forward to an official album release. Labels, give them a holla! Blood Sound will be performing on Sunday, December 7 at Silk City with qqq and Lapses.

Philadelphia

Free Download: Caymen Islands Sessions, Volume II – Work Drugs

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Local indie-pop outfit Work Drugs just shared its new album Caymen Islands Sessions, Volume II, which is available for free download. "As a follow up to the first Cayman Islands Sessions, Work Drugs is releasing 10 new interpretations of classic Work Drugs singles. With help from fellow bandmate Nero Catalano and long time guest vocalist Rachel K Haines, new life has been infused into these tracks." The band also made the rest of its music collection available for free download for Black Friday only. Work Drugs will be performing on Friday, December 5 at Boot & Saddle for the group’s 3rd annual Christmas Spectacle, and it will be the band’s last show for a while.

New England

DOOMSDAY STUDENT RECORD RELEASE SHOW – SATURDAY IN PROVIDENCE

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Providence’s Doomsday Student somehow summon the joyful noise of four 8 year-olds who’ve never played music using very structured (but still noisy) songs. Live, singer Eric Paul moves around like a bully making fun of a "spastic," while his bandmates similarly bully their instruments.

Their new record, A Walk Through Hysteria Park, sounds a lot like their old band, Arab on Radar, and much noisier than their other previous band, Chinese Stars.  

Record release show this Saturday, 11/29/14, in Providence, at Dusk, their final show ’til March.

San Francisco

Ensemble Mik Nawooj Releases New Music Video – C.R.E.A.M

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Oakland based classical folk hip hop group, Ensemble Mik Nawooj has released an innovative cover of Wu-Tang Clan’s classic hip hop track, C.R.E.A.M. Although they recycle the wildly famous hook, the group’s lyrics have been revamped for originality. Oakland hip hop has always been on the cutting edge and this ensemble is no exception. Enjoy this crisp black and white music video that features people of all ages, races and creeds. We really dig this diverse video and the song is highly motivating and drenched with talent.

NYC

Weekly Feature: Beverly releases new video for “Madora” + plays Glasslands on 12.04

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Initially formed as a collaboration between Drew Citron and Frankie Rose, Brooklyn’s Beverly – after Rose’s friendly departure to focus on her solo career – has now evolved into a four piece touring band. , Even though Frankie’s contributions on the Kanine Records debut “Careers” is substantial, Drew is now moving the band forward with the help of Jamie Ingalls on Drums, Scott Rosenthal on bass, and Caitlin Frame on guitar, synth and the distinctive harmony vocals. The band recently completed an extensive North American tour with The Drums, followed by five appearances at this year’s CMJ Festival. The band’s music stands out from the pack due to their impactful pop songwriting concealed under big, 90s sounding guitars, also enhanced by their meticulously crafted vocal harmonies. That, combined with dreamy atmospherics and moody lyrical hooks places them firmly in the dreamgaze camp. The band recently released a string of videos from their Kanine debut, check out the latest, "Madora" streaming below, and see them live at Glasslands on December 4 with two other female led Brooklyn bands: Teen and Charly Bliss.

Read The Deli’s interview with Beverly by Dave Cromwell.