New York – Experimental two-piece SOFI TUKKER has unveiled a new music video for the single “Drinkee” from the band’s upcoming debut EP called Soft Animals, to be released July 8th. New York-based musical duo consists of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern. Best New Bands caught the two opening for fellow New Yorkers The Knocks, at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall. Sofi Tukker left
Chicago – L.A. trio LANY released a music video for the single “Where The Hell Are My Friends.” This is the first official music video released by the band, which is comprised of Paul Klein (lead vocals, keyboard, guitar), Jake Goss (drums), and Les Priest (keys, guitar, vocals). The video was directed by Nadia Marquard
Portland - Best Friends’ debut album is Hot. Reckless. Totally Insane. Born out of Sheffield, the foursome delivers self-deprecating garage pop that is more about music than show. Their LP, Hot. Reckless. Totally Insane consistently surprises its listeners with tracks that are littered with playfulness and attitude but never loses sight of the importance of skilled
Portland – (Publishers Note: We all reach that point where our favorite playlist starts to feel a bit tired and needs some new songs; well most of us do. Not writers for Best New Bands though, because its our job to listen to all the best new stuff. Actually the issue with being a writer
New York - I had the chance to chat with Simon Stalhamre of Small Feet just after he’d performed his first NYC gig at Pianos in the Lower East Side. We talked about finding the right label, recording in the wilderness and his longtime affinity for the English language. Firstly, how did you come up
Chicago – Yes, yes it’s that time of year again! Time for one of the hippest music festivals around: Pitchfork. As to be expected, the line-up is stellar. As an added bonus, it’s loaded with Chicago artists, from the legendary Wilco and the remarkable Ryley Walker, to local hip hop celebs Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper.
Portland – Nothing screams Goth like Grave Babies. The eclectic four-piece stopped at Mississippi Studios in Portland Monday night in promotion of their upcoming album Holographic Violence due out July 24th. Their lo-fi, distorted sound has garnered them comparisons to The Cure and even a darker Jesus and Mary Chain. Grave Babies have continued to
San Francisco – Silence can be deafening. It brings fear to those who suffer from pressure-of-speech. It is angelic to those who seek it, yet demonic to those who aren’t used to it. As composer John Cage – famous for composing and entire song made up of musical rests called “4’33”” – once said, “what
Milwaukee – Saturday night at Summerfest, Ohio pop sensations Walk the Moon brought the largest audience employees recalled ever having seen at the U.S. Cellular Stage. The tightly packed crowd stretched out to the waterfront. Everywhere you turned, painted faces and smiles greeted you. Fans up front waited all day, also taking in The Griswolds
Berlin – Chris Marshall and The August Light’s new LP is out and it’s a welcome expansion of their previous work. Traditionally, Seattle has been known as the place on the West Coast to find the best emerging musical acts. But over the last few years, Portland has made its name as another city to