Austin

Live Review: Motel Aviv @ The Parish 2.12

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For 35 minutes, Motel Aviv turned back the clock on the fickle Parish hipsters to a time when bands like the Smiths, New Order and the Clash ruled the airwaves. Effusing a polished, mid-80s pop radio sound sans keyboards, Aviv delivered a sweaty, danceable set. A subtly shifting blend of bright guitar chords, simple, energetic drum parts, a deep, clean and hollow JJ Brunner-sounding bass, and Morrissey/Bono-esque vocals kept the show from veering into a saccharine monotony. 

The fans who managed to overcome their scenester posturing and dance had a smashing good time. It’s a shame Aviv hasn’t acquired a wider following here in Austin. They’re absolutely professional in sound and showmanship. These kids are stylish pop song writers, vivacious live performers and sartorially consistent with their music without seeming pretentious. If Motel Aviv can find their audience, they have the potential to be the next Killers.

–London Ferguson

[Ed.: Motel Aviv have a new 10-song LP in the works & expected out sometime this spring…]

NYC

Weekly Feature 190b: The Girls at Dawn – live at Don Pedro, 02.25

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Sugar and spice and everything…mischievous! That’s what The Girls at Dawn are made of. The self proclaimed “axis of evil” – featuring Erin (guitar and vocals), Ana (bass guitar and vocals) and Sarah (percussion and vocals) – has been disturbing their neighbors in Brooklyn with their beautiful brand of post punk/French pop/garage since 2008. With tracks already released on record labels HoZac and Captured Tracks, these three lovely ladies are preparing to work on their first full length album, which will surely feature their signature combined vocals (which sound tunefully creepy, yet sweetly hypnotizing), 60s psych-inspired guitar riffs and light drumming. The threesome has also begun playing shows, and hopes to embark on a tour in the future. The Girls at Dawn recently took the time out to speak with The Deli about their favorite lyrics, most memorable show, and…boners! – Read Cecilia Martinez’s interview with the band here.

NYC

Weekly Feature 190a: Pearl and The Beard

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One of the first things you’ll notice about the Brooklyn-based band Pearl and the Beard comprised of Jeremy Styles, Emily Hope Price, and Jocelyn Mackenzie, is their innately warm, friendly attitudes and quirky sense of humor that instantly triggers a smile. Don’t be fooled by the simple, happy façade, however, this folk trio creates music drenched with emotional depth and exquisite harmonies. Fresh off of their first national tour and riding high on the success of a clever music video concept, the group is enjoying their time back in NYC promoting their first full-length album, “God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson.” Powerful, haunting melodies, coupled with sweet, soft guitar picking and rhythmic percussion has established “Pearl and the Beard” as one of the hottest acts to emerge from the Brooklyn indie scene, generating fans who love them the way they are, and the way they’ve always been. – Read Christina Morelli’s interview with the band here.

Philadelphia

Conversations with Enemies and Eat Your Birthday Cake at JB’s Feb. 16

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Conversations with Enemies and Eat Your Birthday Cake will have you dancing your pants off Feb. 16th at Johnny Brenda’s. Indie-pop at it’s best, these emerging Philly artists will definitely put on a good show that you shouldn’t miss. What else could you be doing on a Tuesday night? Get ready to hear songs about youth, summer, zombies, love triangles, and everything in between. Also, watch for Conversations with Enemies full length album (complete with a graphic novel!) dropping this spring! – From The Deli’s Open Blog
 
San Francisco

Noise Artists Remixing Railcar’s “Cathedral with no Eyes”

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Good news for fans of noise and the shrill! Later this month railcars will be releasing an EP with a number of equally talented noise artists’ remixes of the title track, from their latest album, "Cathedral With No Eyes". San Francisco’s own (or at least formerly so) Xiu Xiu  is providing one of the remixes, making a lovely scrambled version of an already chaotic song, with Portland’s White Rainbow and Massachusetts’ Truman Peyote also contributing their own versions. Other’s promised to appear on the EP include Lucky Dragon and Neon Navajo with more still to be announced.  While the Truman Peyote version can be heard here and the White Rainbow remix can be previewed over at XLR8R, the patient will get to hear the Xiu Xiu adaptation, as well as the others, when the EP is released for free from Aria’s website.

In the meantime, as railcars finish up their European tour, Aria has been soliciting donations through Kickstarter so that he can do a full cover of the Kate Bush album Hounds of Love. So, if you’re curious to see how Aria Jalali’s imagination will render this album, drop him a few dimes and wait for the copy he will send. For a hint of how he might be inclined to interpret it check out his cover of the Cranberries’ song “Linger” here.

 

-Ada Lann

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape Returns Next Friday to The Bellevue!

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Next Friday, February 26th The Deli’s Lunchtime Escape returns to The Bellevue, and we are happy to present performances by August Lutz (from Levee Drivers), Death Panel (a.k.a. Sir Charles Latham) and Lion Versus (a.k.a. Hilary White)!
 
Levee Drivers’ frontman August Lutz will be making a rare solo acoustic performance before he joins his bandmates later that evening to rock out Johnny Brenda’s. We are also very thrilled to welcome southern transplants and first-time Deli showcase performers Death Panel and Lion Versus! Death Panel’s witty, quirky lyrics are sure to bring a grin to your face even though one rarely comes to his, and Lion Versus’ sultry Georgia peach vocals and dark poetic verses become more captivating with every listen. This show will certainly be a most excellent start to your weekend! So join us next week for some great music and good eats. – The Deli Staff  

 

Chicago

Last Minute Plans: The Cathy Santonies @ Jimmy’s Woodlawn Tap

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Punk Rock is so much more enjoyable when four beautiful women deliver it. Riot grrrl perfected, The Cathy Santonies are just one example of a scene that is about to come into the spotlight. Mojo Santoni, Jane Danger, Radio Santoni, and Kaylee Preston these girls have the energy and fire to masterfully pull of the fast paced sound.

The Cathy Santonies will be playing tonight (Feb. 15th) at Jimmy’s Woodlawn Tap and at Liars Club on March 5th.

NYC

Jamie Lidell’s 3rd album out in May on Warp

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Warp Records just announced the release of Jamie Lidell‘s third full-length album "Compass" on May 18, 2010. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, New York and Canada, and features notable guests like Beck, Feist, Gonzales, Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear and Pat Sansone of Wilco. Peeps who like party music with an eclectic element thrown in should check out this NYC based artist.

NYC

NYC Artist on the rise: The Aviation Orange – Live at Santos on 03.08

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The Aviation Orange play alternative electro rock with a strong emotional element and a sound that ties them to the 90s. The band recently released their debut album, the most notable components of which include the noteworthy mixed vocal work of Hana Mogulescu and Michael Nesci and the strong basslines of Jon Levine. The band brings forth a danceable energy that should translate in a fun live performance – check them out at Santos Party House on March 8. Recommended Tracks: “Darling Johnny,” “Untitled,” “Seattle Slide”. – NP

Austin

Live Review: Follow That Bird! @ the MOHAWK 2.12.10

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Follow That Bird! opens their set with the feel of a road trip, the sense of freedom that comes from existing between a past and a future and a burning desire to stick your head out the window. But somehow this road trip takes place in another time, and images of drive‐ins, drag races and route 66 flood my mind. What is it about these guys that has the same energy as the wonderful car culture of the 50s and 60s? It’s not in their musical stylings but perhaps it’s in the unconscious motivations. Maybe it’s the combination of innocence and power. When I asked the guy standing next to me what he liked about the band he replied, “I like that the girls seem like strong women but also very approachable.”

 

Make no mistake, Follow That Bird can rock, and they can rock hard. They cite their influences as Erase Errata, Sonic Youth and Siouxsie and the Banshees. They’re not afraid of a little cacophony, but there’s always a wholesomeness that bleeds through the rust. That’s not a bad thing; in fact I think it’s what makes them special. Lauren Green’s voice is a soap bubble dripping with motor oil, and it gives you the pleasure of getting your angst out and experiencing hopefulness at the same time.

 

Like most road trips, the monotony of the drive can set in, and there were a few songs that read as Midwestern landscape. Especially one introduced as a new song (unfortunately I didn’t catch the title), it just seemed like it hadn’t been punctuated yet…the words and the idea might be there, but without commas and exclamation points the feeling was lost. I should point out that there was at least one person who did not share this viewpoint at all, and shouted “EXCEPTIONAL!” after the song was over.

 

By the end, the initial excitement and momentum had built again. And with the tank refueled Follow That Bird! took the wheel and drove the crowd into the sunset. Well, maybe more technically sunrise, considering the show ended around 2 AM.

 

‐-Bella Glasel

 

[Ed.: Follow That Bird! has another show upcoming at Club 1808 Feb. 24th with Snake Handler]

Chicago

Yea Big & Kid Static on Daytrotter

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Recorded awhile back, the Daytrotter session with Yea Big & Kid Static has finally been posted. The energetic duo recorded three tracks during the session, the Mae-shi version of “Run To The Facts”, “Middle America” from The Future’s Looking Grim, their classic closing song, a cover of “Thank You for Being a Friend” (Golden Girl’s Theme). It’s an interesting selection of tracks. “Middle America” is a great song, but not the most well known track from the latest album, and there hilarious closing track is entertaining, but not really representative of the work in general. Regardless, I am glad to see Yea Big & Kid Static finally getting some buzz and on a larger scale.