Chicago

Album Premiere: Violet Crime “Paper Queen EP”

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We are proud to be able to premiere the full album stream of the new EP from Violet Crime “Paper Queen”. The "Paper Queen EP" not only shows off the band’s genre-bending sound and boasts production credits of pop-punk heavyweights Sam Guainana (Like Pacific, Story Untold, Silverstein, Young Culture) and Derek DiScanio (State Champs vocalist), but it’s also being released through Play Together Records — a social impact label that invests profits back into the Chicago elementary art and music programs.

In addition to a profits from the EP, via Play Together, a portion of Violet Crime’s merch proceeds are directed to the youth after school music program Intonation Music to support the next generation of Chicago artists.

We recently had the chance to ask Jeff Mills of Violet Crime about the new EP; "This album was a long time in the making. For the past year and a half or so, we’ve been trying to expand and explore our potential when it comes to writing. Our trip to Toronto to actually record everything was the frosting on the cake – our producer Sam Guaiana truly had a vision for all the songs, and challenged us daily in the studio to fulfill that. We all learned and grew so much from that experience!

Just as this album is a step up for us in writing and recording, our June 29th release show at Bottom Lounge will be a step up for our live performance. We have a backing ensemble of horns and vocalists performing with us which is so exciting, and we’re planning out every minute of the performance from start to finish. We can’t wait celebrate with all our fans, friends, and families!"

You can help Violet Crime celebrate the release of their EP on June 29th at Bottom Lounge with Bright Kid and Johari Noelle.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Kite Balloons” – Honey Radar

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Honey Radar recently dropped the lead single featured on its forthcoming album, Ruby Puff Of Dust, which is scheduled to arrive via What’s Your Rupture?. Contrasting the immediate grit and fire of guitar with the composed chillness of the vocals, “Kite Balloons” takes us on a heady excursion. That fuzzy, foggy combination is just the right complement for when you’re lost in the clouds. On Tuesday, June 28 at Boot & Saddle, you can catch Honey Radar on a rad lineup, presented by WKDU, that also includes Control Top & Lithics.

Chicago

Burr Oak @ Schubas (7/23)

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Burr Oak is the solo Dream Pop project of Savanna Dickhut of Elk Walking. Over the past year she has released two demos and plans to released her first two singles this summer.

You can help Burr Oak celebrate the release of her first single “Southside” on July 23rd at Scubas with Hanna Ashbrook, Sick Day, and Caroline Campbell.

Austin

Night Drive Illuminates Barracuda with New Wave Synths

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While dance/electronica music usually isn’t at the top of my list when I’m browsing my next show, Barracuda is always an intimate space where you can have a good time. Across the street was Austin Terror Fest at Empire Control Room where a curious juxtaposition of sound blended when you were outside.

 

[Michael] Parallax went on first. In case you were wondering, Parallax is a scientific term about the displacement of lines. The show had lots of light work, like a miniature rave. On a surface level, Parallax’s performance was fun, yet not musically something I’d sit at home and listen to. Several people there looked like they had wandered off 6th street and just wanted a spot to drink, the music being secondary. Many couples were huddled together on a date night. Michael told the audience to do a slow motion mosh pit, and that was amusing to watch. Some parts he unnaturally told the crowd to do things like pull out their phone lights and swing them around, or all do a certain dance. 

 

In contrast, Kae Astra made music that should accompany a night time dream or a guided meditation.The instrumental was similar to Beach House, and the high pitched, ethereal singing reminds me of Grimes. The backdrop changed as the musical atmosphere evolved, that aspect made the show more immersive. Her giant curly hair bobbed as she played her one woman show. Dream pop is a broad term but I would call her dream pop because of the light, airy atmosphere the music created. Overall, it was fun to close my eyes and listen to the music, but it didn’t draw the crowd in for a substantial amount of time. The eager “let’s get this over so I can see who I came for” energy was in the air. People going out to smoke, or having a conversation by the bar.

 

Ever since the show I have had Night Drive’s song “Anyone’s Ghost” stuck in my head. “Anyone’s Ghost” is the song that aired on KUTX and with 4.7k views putting it at their most popular song. If you’re a fan of strobe lights this is the show for you. Tastefully around the mic stand, drums, and synth stand were colored strobes that would periodically flash with the peak of the songs would go faster and faster. The band’s sound was similar to 80s new wave synth pop bands like Eurythmics, A Flock of Seagulls, New Order, or even Depeche Mode. It was the musical and emotional darkness of the songs that drew me to 80s new wave synth pop. So the familiar sound with a futuristic twist kept me and the audience engaged. The band draws inspiration from sci-fi cinematic landscapes and brings the visual of those landscapes into an audio sound. The audience gyrated like one giant mass wrapping around the singer as he stepped onto the ground to sing, immersed in the audience.

 

-Hillary Harris

New England

Kwaku drops truth bombs in new single “Ties”

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Kwaku’s devilish flow kills pretenders with high precision in his new single “Ties.” The Boston-based rapper is ruthless in his calling out of opportunists and lukewarm supporters, blasting them to smithereens with street probity and a booming low end. Kwaku rides the beat with style, not needing speed to break necks and blow minds, his words penetrate his targets like flaming daggers. “Ties” is the second single released by the hip-hop artist in two months, showing his intent to stay busy through the summer and get some truths out in the process. Kwaku recently showcased his style at O’Brien’s Pub and now looks poised to excite with new material at his next gig. Check out “Ties” for your daily dose of reality. – Rene Cobar

Chicago

tobi lou “Waterboy”

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tobi lou has dropped visuals for his latest single “Waterboy”. lou has become known for blending his fantastic sense of humor with serious beats and a flow all his own.

The video is visually stunning and features an array of easter eggs as Lou drops names like they are water.

This is single is just the first track lou has planned for this summer and follows the special Mother’s Day single “Like My Mom” from last month.

NYC

Singer/songwriter Sabine Holler spills her heart out in “Mother of Transition”

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Sabine Holler isn’t afraid to speak from her heart in her EP Mother of Transition: songs like “Everything I Want To Be” spill confessions to the tune of gorgeous guitar arpeggios and string-instrument embellishments. Holler can switch her vocal approach with ease from tender in “Filtered My Voice” to fierce in “Hanged Woman,” the last song boasting a killer drum beat. The artist seems entirely at ease in her indie-pop tunes, displaying the confidence of leading women of the genre such as Lorde and St. Vincent. “First Memory” is the singer/songwriter’s raging battle from the record, augmented with distortion, and streaming below, for your enjoyment. – Rene Cobar

Chicago

The Limbos “Freshly Squeezed Radio”

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Have you ever imagined what it would have sounded like if the ghost of Ian Curtis had been tapped to front Squirrel Nut Zipper instead of who ever it is that fronts Squirrel Nut Zippers? If you have, or even if you haven’t, you need to hear the latest EP, "Freshly Squeezed Radio”, from The Limbos.

The Limbos blend Post Punk and Swing like no other band we have heard. They are Ryan Miera (Keyboards, Guitar, Lead Vocals), Drew Current (Drums, Vocals), Chris De Salvo (Bass, Vocals), Geno Alesandrini (Trumpet, Vocals), Mathew Solomon (Trombone, vocals), Matt Riggen (Tenor Sax, Vocals), and Joe Foster (Bari Sax, Vocals).

“Fresh Squeezed Radio” is the groups third EP and follows 2018’s “Results!”.

New England

Worshipper kills the shadows of metal’s past in new album, plays ONCE 06.21

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The glory of heavy metal in the late ’70s and throughout the ’80s casts a large shadow on the genre today, making it difficult for groups to rise to the occasion. Allston’s Worshipper pays tribute to the grandeur of the past while also shining brightly enough to kill the shadows. In Worshipper’s latest record Light in the Wire, the band brings the goods: yes, there are screaming electric guitars, agile drum fills, and soaring vocals but there are also bright synthesizer flourishes and gentle acoustic guitar overtures. The acoustic strings and synthesizers are in full display in the album’s title track; they shine brightly among the power chords, passionate vocals, and steadfast rhythms, they summon the great power-ballads of the past for a modern audience. Worshipper will be playing at ONCE in Somerville on June 21st, bringing the old and the new aspects of metal to light. "Light in the Wire" is streaming below. – Rene Cobar

Chicago

Short To Ground “Cleanse”

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Industrial duo Short to Ground recently released a new EP, “Cleanse”. The EP, their first in eight years, presents a nostalgic nod to the ’90’s Industrial sound complete with the dirty, club ready remixes.

This is the work of industry veterans Brian Twadell (Vocals, Programming) and Sean Czaja (Guitar, Keys, Programming).

Philadelphia

New Baroness LP Available for Streaming

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Gold & Grey, the fifth album from Baroness and first with Gina Gleason (on guitar and backup vocals), officially arrives on Friday, June 14 via Abraxan Hymns, but it’s available for streaming now via NPR’s First Listen. A calculated, explosive sound provides a melodic heaviness that stretches the parameters. Some songs capture an anthemic aura; simultaneously, others bring you in close in a pensive, personal manner. It’s a sonic journey of epic proportions.

Nashville

D.D. Island releases summer-soaked debut LP “Lost Dog”

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Summer approaches, and D.D. Island’s new album Lost Dog marks the occasion with tracks full of bandleader Brandon Rhodes’s chilled-out arrangements and lyrics. Rhodes emerged into the Nashville scene with the release of the EP Last Summer in 2018, and this summer, the singer-songwriter continues to bring light into the world through grooves like "Sawtooth Sunshine", the first single from Lost Dog, which makes for perfect beach hammock music. Rhodes will take D.D. Island in its full band setup on a brief tour later in June to promote Lost Dog. Take a listen to "Sawtooth Sunshine" below. – Will Sisskind