Toronto

NEAVV – New Synth-Pop Track “So Sick”

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Neavv (formerly known as GRAY) is a Toronto based artist who makes alternative synth pop along with producer “DV”. Her latest track “So Sick” is like a rockin’ version of a hit pop tune. It has all the synth and thumpin’ kick you would want in a pop tune to crank in your car but also has some real instrumentation and a rippin’ solo reminiscent of an 80’s hair metal song. Listen to the track below to see what it’s all about. – Kris Gies

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, May 25 – 27

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Philly’s Blowdryer released a new full-length self-titled tape today, and this evening, they’ll be celebrating its arrival at Everybody Hits. Acknowledging present circumstances in direct lyricism, keenly cutting to the points, the band melodically maneuvers with exuberant ends, highlighting observations & issues on the individual (micro-level) that can be applied on the larger scale. The post-punk trio creates something that’s fun and catchy, while touching on the shortcomings of living in our own self-contained bubbles. Tonight, Sarah Everton (Telepathic, Bleeding Rainbow), Robyn Campbell (Permanent Body), and Dominique Montgomery will be supported by noise-punks Chronic Anxiety and the quartet of Soft Crime, which is made up of Jason Killinger (Spacin’), Jenna Robb (Louie Louie), Colin Pate (Total Discharge) and Emily Burtner (Marge). – Michael Colavita

Other haps this Memorial Day weekend…

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Blowdryer (Tape Release), Soft Crime, Chronic Anxiety

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI A Benefit for Suzie Rapp and Cody Ferdinand: The Cobbs, A.M. Mills, Fox Bay

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJSC, SAT The Fleeting Ends/Fame Lust, SUN Kohn, Matty Moonshine, Internal Rhyme, Shon Goner, Ikechukwu, Chedda Bandz, Bino Da Singer/Bryant Eugene Vazquez, Smellco, Sad Actor

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT The Divine Hand Ensemble present The Music of Frank Zappa, SUN Mary Lattimore

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT LCD Soundsystem vs Daft Punk Tribute Night

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Ellen Siberian-Tiger, Queue, SUN (Upstairs) Joshua Park (Record Release), Hinton, Bower, Jones

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Krooked Youth

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Lör, SAT Tiedye Ky

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Gene Wildest, American Letters, SAT Blood Sound, SUN Knightlife, Weller

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Beasters, Total F*cking Destruction, SAT Death By Bong, SUN Pete Hill

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Aktive, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Brendan Bring ‘Em

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT David Cope

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT Nazeer Art’aud, Allan Moor, Mason

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Parlour Noir, SAT Mesén Around. SUN Frank Porter, Tanner Gerard King

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN DJ Lean Wit It  

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Philly’s Foxes/DJ Chris Urban

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Breathing, Countdown From Ten, SAT The Dispersions, Uncle Dan/Caleb Michael, Hayley Dare

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Crosstown Traffic, SAT Flannel

The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) SAT Break Free Fest: Soul Glo, Sour Spirit, SUN Rare Form, Black Urn, Complex

University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St.) FRI Basquiat Blues, Durian Brow, Kyle Press

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Knightlife, The Stone Eye, SAT Point Breeze Country Club, The Extraordinaires, Nick Millevoi & Brian Osborne Duo / Great Time, Punk Hands

The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Rope Trick, Kohoutek

The Waiting Room (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Swim Camp, Fred Beans, Little Stray

NYC

Woodhead headlines video release show 05.30 at The Footlight

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The music made by New York art-punk quartet Woodhead takes in equal parts from the complexity of progressive rock and the immediacy of punk. Full of abrupt rhythms, squalling guitars, and moments of unhinged screaming by guitarist/vocalist Vern Woodhead, it’s a sound that’s conscious of its ability to be challenging and abrasive. It can be heard on 2016’s El Inmortal, from the twisted garage pop of “Boys Float” to the flurry of free jazz saxophone on “El Perro.” On May 30, Woodhead will release a new video for a track called “Four Corners.” You can catch the band live that night at The Footlight. – Cameron Carr

Chicago

Kevin Drumm “May 18”

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Experimental musician Kevin Drumm released a new 32 minute track this month called “May 18”. Drumm has been releasing a new recording every month for the last few years, and has built an excellent case for the bandcamp subscription model.

“May 18” is an ambient exploration of sound, space, and environment built on a ever-shifting foundation of drone.

Chicago

Beauty School “Claimed To Be Cool”

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Beauty School has released the second single, “Claimed To Be Cool”, from their forthcoming full-length debut, Pushover, which will be released on June 12th. This is the follow-up to their 2016 debut EP, "Ghost Beach". The LP’s first single was the poppy but agnst-filled track "Class Ring".

You can help Beauty School celebrate the release of their new album on June 12th at Steppenwolf Theatre with Speaks In Tongues.

Philadelphia

New Dani in Public EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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New music seemingly arrives from Dani in Public monthly; the latest being Has It Has It Happened Yet. Revealing one’s emotive inner-workings with an even-keeled, smooth-talking precision, there’s an innate movement in these low-key, infectious electro-grooves. Seamlessly switching between spoken and sung lines, while stretching and synching with the beat, a soulful openness is unlocked.

NYC

Shaolin Jazz’s Nancy from Shaolin is modern and exquisite

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The brainchild of accomplished DJs Gerald Watson and DJ 2-Tone Jones, Shaolin Jazz is a fresh look at the sounds of the Wu, mixing their signature flow with chill and jazzhop. Their latest release, Nancy from Shaolin, is a real treat. Starting off with a wonderful chillhop intro and title track, the album hits high points on “Special” and “My M.E.T.H.O.D”.

Aside from making great music, Shaolin Jazz seems committed to celebrating the aesthetics of the Wu, holding a unique film series screening classics like Shogun Assassin. The Next screening is May 29th, 6-10pm at Songbyrd. No cover.

Hoping for more releases, and for this group to put DC on the chillhop map.

-Mike Dranove

Chicago

Pet Symmetry “Reflection”

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Pet Symmetry, the trio of Erik Czaja, Evan Weiss, Marcus Nuccio, released a surprise EP this morning called “Reflection”. It features a song originally recored for their 2017 LP, Vision, a new track called “Periodontal”, and a cover of The Ramones song “Pet Sematary”.

You can catch Pet Symmetry at Chop Shop on July 21st with Baggage, Reaganomics, and The Cell Phones.

NYC

Folk songstress Mary-Elaine Jenkins releases two singles from upcoming debut LP

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The first time I heard Mary-Elaine Jenkins was at a Janis Joplin tribute show at The Way Station in Brooklyn. It was a small venue, an intimate atmosphere, and she had come alone with her guitar. When she took the stage, I felt like I knew her somehow, like she had always been a friend. A New Yorker for over five years now, Mary-Elaine is a 13th-generation South Carolinian, so it makes sense that her modest southern charm would so easily make the audience immediately comfortable with her. And then she started singing. 

Jenkins’ voice is a mix of cloves, sage, ash, thorns, and honey. The music sets the mood of a sunrise on a brisk fall morning, wrapping a blanket around yourself in your pajamas and eating biscuits on a wooden rocking chair on a white front porch, only rolling hills in view for miles. Reminiscent of Jolie Holland, Lady Lamb, and yes, a piece of Janis Joplin, her lyrics and vocal style seem timeless and raw. 

Jenkins’ music is the opposite of frenetic. She knows how to sink into a slow blues groove and lives there like it’s the new pace of your life now, an especially powerful feat in our bustling metropolis. And yet it feels easy to sink down with her into a hammock you never want to climb out of. 

Recording at Good Child Music Studios, Jenkins collaborated with producer / engineer Thom Beemer, along with musicians Cat Popper (Ryan Adams), Lawson White (My Brightest Diamond, Tony Trischka), JJ Appleton, and Dave Hassell, to make an album as well traveled as it is rooted in the musical traditions of the Southern east coast.

Singles Fools Don’t Stay and The Rooster release today on Good Child Music and we are proud to premiere them below. They will be included in a debut LP scheduled for later in the year. You can catch Mary-Elaine Jenkins with band live at The Bitter End on Friday, June 22. – Meghan Rose, photo by Paul Storey.

Chicago

Easy Habits “Perfect Lady”

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Easy Habits released a great new single last week called “Perfect Lady”. This is actually a cover of a song written and recorded by a country musician named Hikory. The b-side, “Where Do We Go From Here”, also has a classic feel in the vein of ’60’s romantic pop.

This is the band’s first releases since their debut full-length, Greeting From…, was released back in January.

Philadelphia

New Weathervane Music Benefit Compilation Available for Streaming & Purchase

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An assemblage of local artists unites on a new compilation benefitting FONE (Friends of Neighborhood Education). All the songs featured on Equal Loudness Vol​.​1 – Music to Benefit Philadelphia Public Schools were recorded at Miner Street Recordings, and released in collaboration with Weathervane Music. American Trappist, Cayetana, Square Peg Round Hole, Julia Rainer, and Bitter Bitter Weeks are among the cavalcade of contributors whom hope to raise awareness and funds for schools. This is an excellent example of musicianship paying it forward/back to the future by providing much-needed aid to education.