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
San Francisco – What’s that sound? It’s a punk band. No, it’s a metal band. Nah, it sounds like gritty prog-rock. Not quite – it’s Mutoid Man, a heavy hybrid of all those genres, possibly the result of some sweaty, noisy orgy featuring Black Flag, Exodus and King Crimson. Mutoid Man’s name certainly captures their
Portland – Portland was introduced to Shady Elders Monday night at the industrial district’s Rotture. It being their second stint in Portland, they were noticeably excited to be playing again. The four-piece border indie rock while managing to maintain an array of dark dream pop and shoegaze. Fox Rodemich sets their gloomier tone with her
Los Angeles – Those that arrived early to The Troubadour for last week’s Surfer Blood-headlining show were treated to the guitar-driven rock and roll of Edmonton’s own Alex Calder (though he now resides in Montreal). Although his band’s opening performance was not particularly long, it was packed full of some of the best tracks from
San Francisco – There’s always been a hint of sadness evident in the California Dream, whether it was expressed by Warren Zevon coming down from a bad hangover in a seedy Hollywood motel or Sly Stone up in the Bay Area lamenting the sorry state of race relations in America. Cayucas, with roots in the
Los Angeles – In the awakening of ‘90s alt-rock revivalists, Bully has emerged with the most dynamic sound from the long list of their peers. The secret to Bully’s early buzz and success is Alicia Bognanno. The singer/songwriter/guitarist/engineer/producer masterminded her band’s debut record, Feels Like—a collection of fuzzed out tunes that permeate in the mind
London – With a few days until the gates open at the UK’s premier festival, Glastonbury goers are dusting off their tent pegs, checking the wellies don’t leak and consulting that marvelous donations-please resource, www.clashfinder.com. The latter may be a pre-requisite for the informed fan, yet faced with a bewildering choice of live music spread
New York – Brooklyn-based chamber pop sextet Friend Roulette played a gig at Palisades, premiering much of the new material, recently released via sophomore LP I See You. Your Eyes Are Red, out on Goodnight Records. Comprised of Julia Tepper (violin and vocals), Matthew Meade (guitar and vocals), John Stanesco (bass clarinet and EWI), Tlacael
New York – North London quartet Wolf Alice, comprised of Ellie Rowsell, Joel Amey, Joff Oddie and Theo Ellis, officially release their debut LP My Love Is Cool June 23rd on Dirty Hit Records. The album is highly anticipated after the release of several EPs, international tours (read a review of their recent Austin gig covered by BestNewBands
New York – Nashville outfit Bully, fronted by Alicia Bognanno alongside fellow bandmates and friends Stewart Copeland, Clayton Parker and Reece Lazarus, have quickly developed a reputation as one of the most talked-about bands of 2015 with their brand of brutally honest lyricism and punchy, guitar-laden songs that are sure to engage listeners with the