Nothing just dropped a split 12" with pals Whirr via Run For Cover Records, which also comes with an etched B-side and a full-length "In The Studio" DVD featuring both the bands. To go along with the album’s release, the hometown quartet shared a new new single, "Chloroform," and music video to accompany the track. It was directed by Don Argott, who also did the band’s "Bent Nail" video as well as Kurt Vile‘s "Never Run Away" and the documentary The Art of the Steal.
NYC
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Weekly Feature: Tiny Hazard plays Mercury on 11.22
I really didn’t know what to expect when Tiny Hazard took the stage last Tuesday at The Silent Barn. My ultimate description of this band ended up somewhere around "surrealist nightmare fairy tale music." Alena Spanger set the tone not just with her appearance – barefoot, a white dress, she looked young, like she was straight out of a cartoon – and her vocals, which would change on a whim from operatic disney to demon lord fury.
Spanger and Tiny Hazard don’t want us to have any expectations, actively fooling us into thinking they’re one thing until they’re not. They’ll be in the middle of a soft, dainty melody until someone hits the tritone on the piano and everything goes dark. When you barely have time to adjust to the sudden change they’ll plunge into heavy, distorted, no-wave inspired insanity. But there’s a method to the madness, their recordings and their live sets are both highly contained and controlled atmospheres, where every move has a purpose.
Their most recent single, "Silhouette" is a further demonstration of their eclecticism. The song is disguised as a highly accessible pop song, but it’s clear that we’re in a confusing mid-point between light and dark. "All of those sick faces/Crooked and vacant/Mounting is your unrest/Warping silhouette," Spanger sings over a R n B/soul inspired synth melody, it seems almost out of place until someone turns on the ‘evil’ switch on and we’re shot into hell and the lyrics aren’t as out of place. Stream the track below (one of their slower ones) and check them out at The Mercury Lounge on 11.22.
INTERVIEW: Read Emilio Herce’s interview with Tiny Hazard.
San Francisco
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Congratulations to RZN8R for Winning The Deli Magazine SF Artist of the Month Poll
Congratulations to the Oakland based sound experimentalist and performer, RZN8R for winning The Deli Magazine San Francisco‘s artist of the month poll! RZN8TR stands out from the rest and puts an interesting spin on electronic music! We dig listening to what he comes up with from track to track.
We wish this local artist all the best in his future endeavors!
Philadelphia
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Last Rockers of 2014 w/Sunny Ali & the Kid, The Might Paradocs & More at Dahlak Paradise Nov. 19
The tandem of Hassan Malik and Abdullah Saeed, a.k.a. Sunny Ali & the Kid, will make a rare live appearance as part of an appropriately diverse/eclectic lineup for the final Rockers event of the calendar year, which takes place in West Philly this evening at Dahlak Paradise. Sunny Ali & The Kid have a fluid musical framework touching on numerous genre ideas and delivering a cognizant lyrical message through the blending of garage-punk, electronic-psych, and hip-hop feel. The night will also feature the Afropunk stylings of The Mighty Paradocs, packing a purpose-laden punch and a highly energetic instrumentation that balance groove and assertive aggression. Dahlak Paradise, 4708 Baltimore Ave., 9pm, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Chicago
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The Symposium
Garage-rock four-piece, The Symposium have released their new double EP, "Double Drugs".
You can catch The Symposium with mtvghosts @ Jumanji Park on Nov. 21st.
Philadelphia
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Free Download: NYCTaper CMJ Day Party – Amanda X
All-female power trio Amanda X rode the wave of buzz from their debut album Amnesia (Siltbreeze) into CMJ Music Fest this year. The band was invited to perform on October 23 at Cake Shop for the NYCTaper CMJ Day Party. Of course, the music archivist blog recorded the group’s set, which you can download for free HERE. Amanda X is also playing a killer show this Saturday, November 22 at Everybody Hits with Hurry, Lithuania, and Slow Animal.
Nashville
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Show Alert: Dustin Sellers, Kelly Ruth and Kylie Rothfield at The Stone Fox 11.19
We highly recommend heading out to The Stone Fox tonight to catch this lineup: Kelly Ruth, Dustin Sellers and Kylie Rothfield. These three artists boast distinctly different styles, but when taking into account their healthy respect for classics, the evening comes together as a cohesive whole. We’re always tickled when there’s an underlying un-or-intentional theme. The show tonight starts at 8pm, and cover is $5.
Kelly Ruth channels a 1940’s-jazz-chanteuse-via-Jenny-Lewis in her indie-folk tunes. It’s always a question whether she will break out her upright bass during a show, but intelligent songwriting and poignant lyrics are never a variable. Ruth recieved a ton of buzz around her interpretation of "Monster Mash," a video created to help promote epic Halloween party Monster Bash 2014, in which she sings really well and murders a few Nashville friends.
Dustin Sellers carries on the retro tradition of his other project The Magnolia Sons, hitting the stage with a group of American Bandstand-ready musicians. He the counters skinny ties and homages to soul greats with a hefty dose of folk and alternative to his music, ending up at an intersection of some unlikely roads that totally mesh thanks to his studied songwriting. Sellers is working on a second full-length album with a tenative December release date.
Kylie Rothfield interprets American blues in the school of Stevie Ray Vaghan with a Adele filter. The 22-year-old is already a salty road dog since her graduation from Boston’s Berklee College of Music, with a few national and one internatinoal tours already under her belt. She’s putting the finishing touches on a brand new single, but for right now we’re charmed by the walk she takes up and down the fretboard on her song "Cold in My Soul."
Portland
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Debut Release: Atlas and the Astronaut’s ‘Tiny Artifacts’
Traditional rock stylings and modern experimentation exist simultaneously within the fuzzed-out, controlled chaos that Atlas and the Astronaut have crafted into their debut full-length record, Tiny Artifacts. Simmering feedback, combustible rhythms and fire-breathing vocals all serve to super-charge the tight riffs that act as the backbone of the album, starting from the first note of the opening track, “On the Shoulders of Giants.” The quiet, droning of an initial progression fades into a bluesy melody that is quickly distorted into a lumbering colossus of a chorus; showcasing the raw energy that this borderline psychedelic brand of hard rock embodies.
The album continues as “On the Shoulders of Giants” fades into “Snake Oil,” a track that references a punk rock energy in it’s driving rhythms and anarchic shouts. This same energy is encapsulated at different moments throughout Tiny Artifacts, possibly most dynamically in the chorus of “Enter the Sun Beast,” one of my favorites on the first listen. It moves through quiet verses, fluctuating through subtle shifts into an explosive chorus. As the track ends and moves into “Weight of a Hummingbird” I’m reminded of some of my favorite progressive rock albums. It sounds as though the tracks are being woven together, and through the reverberating stitches I’m able to pick out a thematic arc without being quite certain of the story I’m being told.
The album continues on it’s rocking path from this point forward with “Flight II” and “Kings with Plastic Markers,” pausing for a few moments of silence and noisy experimentation. After returning from the “Flight III” and being driven to the end of the album with “Tension and Release” Atlas and the Astronaut leave the listener where they began, but with a new perspective on the place that they’ve landed. Overall, this album is a fantastic example of the quality of rock music that is being being produced in our area. Join Atlas and the Astronaut on Friday, November 21st at Analog Cafe as they celebrate the release of Tiny Artifacts along with The Mercury Tree, Divides and Patrimony.
– Ben Toledo
Portland
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XRAY.FM Present Modern Kin and The Ghost Ease 11.20
XRAY.FM’s broadcast signal is warming up the city, one receiver at a time. On top of the 168 hours of local unreceptive air play, they’ve put together a fantastic show this Thursday at Mississippi Studios. Headlining the show is Portland’s Modern Kin, along with The Ghost Ease and Kithkin.
Modern Kin play lush textured rock and roll music. Their excellent self-titled record shows serious song writing chops with arrangements that call to mind Electric Light Orchestra and Tom Waits. Their live sound provides a raw stripped down Replacements meet R.E.M vibe that is entirely fresh and a sound all of their own. Below, check their live version of “Abandon" from the fine folks over at Banana Stand Media to see for yourself.
If you’re not familiar with The Ghost Ease you must have just moved here. They are one of Portland’s most unique adventurous bands who would be right at home on a mix tape with Television, Pavement and Patty Smith. Seattle’s Kithkin will open the night with their brilliant self-described “tree punk” and join Modern Kin for the The Great PNW ‘Kin Tour of 2014.
– M. Rowan
The Great PNW ‘Kin Tour of 2014
Thursday, 11/20 – XRAY.FM Presents: @ Mississippi Studios
Friday 11/21 – KEXP Presents: @ Columbia City Theater (Seattle)
Saturday 11/22 – EMI Presents: @ The Cannery (Everett)
Austin
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Comforter tape release show
It’s been cold in Austin. Like the blast of frigid temps in your face make you almost miss the hot humid summer of 2014. Get your summer day vibes via the crisp indie rock of Comforter. These four guys – Ryan Curtis, Hunter Thompson, BJ Thomas and Russell Cole – know how to make you yearn for the days of 8 p.m. sunsets and cold beer. They are hosting their tape release show this Thursday at Holy Mountain. Dust off your Walkman and warm up with Comforter. -Allison Mayoral
NYC
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Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear performs a secret show at recordBar
(Photos by Todd Zimmer)
Last night, Madisen Ward and his mother Ruth turned down the lights at recordBar to play their songs to around 50 friends, relatives, and members of the KC music community. A few short months ago, an intimate dinner performance to a moderate crowd would have been the norm for Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear. Now, one of the best-kept musical secrets in the region is being recognized around the country; last night’s performance was unannounced and mostly by invitation. It was the duo’s first Kansas City show since opening up for B.B. King at The Midland on October 1.
The two performed about 45 minutes of new and existing material; according to Madisen, the final song of the evening, "Little Barrel," was just written last Friday. This set captured every aspect of why MW&MB has become the object of so many musical affections. Madisen Ward can write tunes that sound more seasoned than someone of his age should be able to do. Along with it, his vocal styling demands attention, ranging from serenely soulful to ardent and impassioned. Ruth Ward plays guitar effortlessly, as though it’s an extension of herself, and sings each note from deep within. The connection they share—both musically and as mother and son—comes through with the genuine delivery of each song.
Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear were recently signed to Glassnote Records, adding their name to a professional caliber that includes Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club, and Childish Gambino. The duo attracted attention from the likes of Rolling Stone, Paste, and NPR after playing an exclusive showcase at Third Man Records for the Americana Music Fest in September, only a couple weeks after performing to a capacity crowd at Crossroads Music Fest in Kansas City. They plan to record and release an album with Glassnote in 2015.
For more photos from last night’s performance, visit Zimmer’s Flickr album.
—Michelle Bacon
Michelle is editor of The Deli KC, a staff member for Midwest Music Foundation and Folk Alliance International, and plays in The Philistines, Dolls on Fire, and Drew Black & Dirty Electric.
NYC
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No matter what, you’re gonna STRUT to Phil Lassiter’s new video.
Philip Lassiter is a master band leader with a resume to die for, and he’s taking the fabulous funk and soul scene in DC to a new level. For the last few years, Philip Lassiter has been the section leader and horn arranger for The New Power Generation. Yes, you read that correctly. Prince’s horn man is in DC, and he’s set to go crazy and tear the roof off the sucker. These horns are the product of Philip’s talent, and his very own band of locals is bringing that talent to the streets and clubs of DC.
He’s already written and produced two full lengths this year. In February Phil dropped Philthy, followed quickly in June by DreamZzz. Both albums are chock full of top-of-the-line funk. Relentless rhythms drive the walls of sound to boogie. Horns, keys, guitars, choruses, blips and bloops, beat-boxing and scratching; anything and everything combines into a non-stop party. Listening to tracks like this, you can’t imagine anyone else being Prince’s horn man.
Despite being a horn man to the stars, and a rising star himself, Philip is totally down to earth. He just released a totally adorable video for the track STRUT off DreamZzz. Check it out below, and keep your eyes peeeled for news of upcoming shows. –Natan Press