Uniting two talented musicians in a collaborative effort is a promising proposition, especially when they are Dominic Angelella and Eric Slick. Tonight, Kung Fu Necktie hosts the duo known individually for their work in DRGN KING and Dr. Dog respectively. Despite their busy schedules, the two friends have released a pair of EPs under the name Lithuania. The latest, an adrenalized, catchy burst of garage-pop with a noisy element, Domesticated God, released this past spring, serves as a preview/precursor for a full length LP Hardcore Friends, which is currently in the works and scheduled for release in 2015. This evening’s show will also include the open-book folk of Anthony Leitch-led About A Million, while Chicago-based Shiloh, who recently released Last Time For Everything, will be performing a personal amalgamation of rock with notes of garage-grit, inflecting a humorous/up close lyrical personality and a stuck-in-your-head pop sentiment. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $5, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Ex Cops drop video for ‘Black Soap’
A few weeks ago we blogged about Ex Cops‘ new album, out on NYC’s Downtown Records. They just dropped this video for single ‘Black Soap,’ check it out! Expect a strong presence at the upcoming CMJ Music Marathon for these guys.
NYC Record of the Month: Baked’s “Debt” – release party at Shea on 08.22
Last year Baked came out with a tape called S/T Cassette. Two songs short, it’s enough to see where the band is coming from; they’re not afraid to blur themselves, letting the sounds melt into landscape jams. On Debt, their debut off Exploding in Sound, Baked is still melting, but it’s a much more guided flow. The album mixes high velocities with the turned down mellow feels that Baked just seems to ooze from every orifice. R.J. Gordon’s vocals take a back seat under a wash of reverb, sitting just below the pop driven melodies that surround him. "Mick Jagger" especially is a stunner, where Yoni David’s drumming drives the tune as the rest of the sounds float in zero gravity. There’s something unobtainably attractive about this band’s sound, whether it’s because they remind us of England’s long lost Wu Lyf, or because they channel Bedhead at the same time. Regardless, we are extremely excited for the record release show this Friday at Shea Stadium, with support from an all star bill including: Porches., Bueno and Ovlov. Stream "Mick Jagger" below. -Jake Saunders
P.S. Yes, we just had a record of the month last week, but when two good records come to us close to each other we’ve gotta jump at the opportunity, because at times we go without one for months!
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!
New Track: “Things Are Gonna Be Ok” – Illinois
Below is the title track from the upcoming album, Things Are Gonna Be Ok, by Bucks County’s Illinois. It’s the group’s second single off the record, and you can download it HERE simply for the exchange of your email. Illinois also has a show coming up in Philly this Saturday, August 23 on the outdoor patio of University City’s City Tap House with Clap You Hands Say Yeah and Mo Lowda & The Humble.
Devan DuBois Releases Debut Album “Le Fou”
Wowee; you know something is good when it rocks you and leaves you a little shaken up. Maybe it was just the frames of a snake coiling around Devan DuBois‘ hand, or maybe it was the never-broken tension that climbs in his video for "Long Live" that made me rewatch it a few times trying to figure out why my skin was crawling just a wee bit. It could be that the video’s stark black and white spaghetti Westernisms conjured up some associations with Jim Jarmusch’s "Dead Man," and… that’s a journey I’m not quite ready to take again. Anyway, it’s a great visual complement to DuBois’ hyperactive sweep of Southern rock. His debut album, "Le Fou" (French for "The Fool") was just released on August 19th on Sensibility Music. With a hip-hop mind in it’s beatmaking but a definite twang resonating throughout, it ought to be a primer on how genres should combine. -Terra James-Jura
Interview with Frances Luke Accord
Check out our recent interview with Frances Luke Accord.
You can catch them at Uncommon Ground on Clarke on August 23rd.
Walking Shapes’s new video for ‘Feel Good’
We really enjoyed Walking Shapes‘s first single Pusher, which came out in 2013, and we were quite eagerly waiting for new material. So far in 2014 the band raised their profile by playing a series of important shows (including a packed one at Music Hall of W’burg) and delivering new single "Feel Good" (video streaming) that didn’t disappoint, shifting their left-to-center sound slightly more to the center. The Brooklyn quintet plays a brand of avant pop vaguely reminiscent of Here We Go Magic for its impressionistic quality and alto male vocals, but doesn’t mind the occasional burst of distorted guitars, like testified by recent track Woah Tiger – another quality tune.
Itasca Announces New Album “Unmoored By The Wind”
Kayla Cohen, otherwise known by her moniker, Itasca, is set to release her first full-length album, entitled "Unmoored By The Wind", on October 14th under Matt Mondanile’s (Real Estate) label, New Images. Originally hailing from New York, Cohen moved to LA in 2012, the same year she released "Grace Riders on the Road". Almost two years later, the growth in Unmoored’s standout track, "Nature’s Gift", is apparent. Cohen has a distinct and slightly ironic mix of influences past and present. Her unique and wandering vocals have the ancient, other-worldly sound of a Gregorian chant, but the new age melancholy of modern day powerhouses Lana Del Rey and Sharon Van Etten. There’s an ethereal exoticism to her lyrics that is both captivating and sensual. She invites you into her world; a vulnerable, dream-like setting that’s hard to say no to. – Jennifer Mergott
New Music Video: “Guatemala” – Amanda X
Here’s an ADHD glimpse into life on the road with Amanda X. The new music video is soundtracked by the group’s lead single "Guatemala" from their debut full-length album, Amnesia (Siltbreeze). They are currently on an U.S. Tour, and will be back in Philly on Thursday, September 11 to perform at Underground Arts.
"Guatemala" from Amanda X on Vimeo.
Brandon Cunningham @ Schubas
Singer/Songwriter Brandon Cunningham has released his introspective new EP Give Out and will be celebrating the release on August 21st at Schubas.
Congratulations to Scary Little Friends for Winning The Deli SF Artist of the Month Poll
Congratulations to Scary Little Friends for winning The Deli Magazine San Francisco Artist of the Month Poll! Our readers have spoken and they’ve chosen this hardworking band as their top choice! Scary Little Friends is a fantastic San Francisco folk band and we hope they experience as much success as possible!
You can catch the final week of Scary Little Friend’s August Tuesday Residency at Amnesia in San Francisco on August 26th with Go By Ocean and The Rock Wolfz
Mascaras + Dottie Attie at the Know 8.19
How often do you hike to viewpoints and scream at the top of your lungs? There’s a very particular rush of energy following that experience and few situations can mimic the vibes. Tonight’s show at the Know will sway you that exact way.