by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Butter The Children - "Lupus" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ovlov - "Blue Baby" (MP3)

Butter The Children

NYC pop shoegazers Butter The Children (members of Sweet Bulbs, Night Manager, and Le Rug) play local shows a lot and it's recently been announced that they've signed to Downtown Records. Last year they self released their impressive self-titled EP, and Downtown will presumably put out its followup at some point this year. You can download the EP for free at bandcamp and stream in full below. One track, "Lupus," can be downloaded above as well. The EP is a quick blast of punchy pop rock with MBV-inspired guitar wails, and if you've yet to see them at one of their many shows, they bring that same kind of power to the stage too.

As usual, they have upcoming local dates, including one this Friday (5/24) at Big Snow with Big Muff, Roses, (ex-Deer Tick), and Ceramics. They also have a show scheduled at Death by Audio on June 27 with Ovlov, Suns, and Flagland. Both shows are all ages and admission for both shows is $7 at the door. They're also playing Day 1 of Hillstock, which takes place across various Brooklyn venues from June 21-23.

Ovlov

Newtown, CT's Ovlov, who also play that DBA show, are set to release their debut album, Am, on July 2 via Exploding in Sound, who are becoming pretty consistent in supplying good '90s-inspired indie rock (like Speedy Ortiz, who since signed to Carpark). And like most of that label's roster, Ovlov do the sound well. The album's single, "Blue Baby," has buildups that are straight out of the Sonic Youth songbook, and the singer likely learned a thing or two from J Mascis. Check the song out below or download it for free above.

Ovlov is on a tour now with labelmates Grass is Green which includes other NYC shows happening on June 1 at Big Snow with Appomattox and Miniboone, and the previously discussed Exploding In Sound showcase on June 15 at Big Snow with Speedy Ortiz, Pile, Fat History Month, Two Inch Astronaut, and more.

All dates are listed, along with song streams, below...

Continue reading "Butter The Children signed to Downtown, playing shows; Ovlov on tour, releasing debut LP (dates & MP3s)"

by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Two Inch Astronaut - "Blood From A Loyal Hound" (MP3)

Two Inch Astronaut live in 2011 (photo by Ann Amrine)

Maryland rockers Two Inch Astronaut are set to release their debut full length, Bad Brother, on June 18 via Exploding In Sound Records, the label that gave us Speedy Ortiz (before they signed to Carpark), Pile, and more. And if you liked those bands, Two Inch Astronaut will be right up your alley as well. On the album's two singles, "Swol" and "Blood From a Loyal Hound," Two Inch Astronaut embrace similar stop-start dynamics to '90s post-hardcore wizards Shudder to Think, but they also have a knack for bashing out crunchy power pop melodies. "Blood From a Loyal Hound" is downloadable above, "Swol" is downloadable at bandcamp, and both tracks can be streamed below, along with the album art and tracklist.

Two Inch Astronaut are playing some shows this month and next ahead of the album's release date, including the previously announced Exploding In Sound showcase in Brooklyn during Northside (it's an unofficial show though) on June 15 at Big Snow with Speedy Ortiz, Pile, Grass Is Green, Fat History Month, and just about the rest of the Exploding In Sound roster.

Speedy Ortiz play a bunch of other shows too.

All dates are listed, along with those song streams, below...

Continue reading "Two Inch Astronaut releasing LP, playing shows (dates/MP3s)"

by Andrew Sacher

Speedy Ortiz at WBAR-B-Q in April (more by Amanda Hatfield)

As mentioned, Northampton, MA's Speedy Ortiz have signed to Carpark Records and will release their debut album, Major Arcana, on June 9 via their new label. The album perfects the formula Speedy Ortiz had on the Sports EP and "Ka-Prow!" 7" and tops both of those releases. That's immediately evident from the album's first single, "Tiger Tank," which starts out like the Speedy Ortiz we're familiar with, but by the chorus is bringing in melodic left-turns and powerful crashes that show how big of a force this band can really be. Listen to the song over at NPR.

As mentioned, Speedy Ortiz have a number of upcoming shows, including a few previously discussed NYC shows on May 17 at Silent Barn with Island Twins, Advaeta, Idiot Genes, and Lunchbox; Cake Shop on May 31 with two great Brooklyn bands Sleepies and Bennio Qwerty; and an unofficial Northside show on June 15 at Big Snow Buffalo Lodge.

The rest of the lineup for that Big Snow show has been announced and it includes Pile and Fat History Month (who just played NYC together), in addition to Two Inch Astronaut, Grass Is Green, Ovlov, Porches., and Hive Bent. The show is being presented by Exploding In Sound Records and Gimme Tinnitus.

Speedy were also since announced for a NYC Popfest show happening on June 1 at Public Assembly with Ringo Deathstarr, Sua, and Advaeta. Advance tickets for that show are on sale now. Popfest was supposed to be on both stages at Public Assembly, but with renovations all the other bands originally booked except Ringo Deathstarr were moved to The Bell House (more on that in a Popfest-specific post coming soon). Festival passes are still accepted.

Updated dates are listed below...

Continue reading "Speedy Ortiz release a song from new LP, playing w/ Ringo Deathstarr, Northside Fest w/ Pile & more (updated dates)"

by Andrew Sacher

Grass Is Green

Boston's Grass Is Green hearken back to a time when the lines between post-hardcore and indie rock weren't so clearly defined. Listening to their 2012 album, Ronson, and split 7" with Two Inch Astronaut, both out on Exploding In Sound Records (Pile, Speedy Ortiz), you'll quickly make out traces of the stop-start post-hardcore of bands like Shudder to Think and June of 44. The guitars ring with that kind of off-kilter technicality and the vocalists shout with an emotionally charged cry. You can take a listen to the two aforementioned releases below.

Grass Is Green has two NYC area shows happening this weekend. First they'll play New Brunswick, NJ on Friday (2/1) at Court Tavern with Neur and For Sleeping or Jumping; and then Brooklyn on Saturday (2/2) at Big Snow (89 Varet St) with NYC shoegazers Butter the Children (mems. Sweet Bulbs, Night Manager, Le Rug) and Brooklyn indie rockers Bennio Qwerty.

A list of all dates and streams below...

Continue reading "Grass Is Green playing shows (stream some tracks)"

Theophilus London will headline the "Official Northside Festival Opening Party" at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Thursday, June 16th. Tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon, and then general sale Friday at noon. You can also try to get in with a Northside Festival badge.

The hip hop artist is one of 65+ new artists being officially added to the lineup of this year's Northside Festival (June 16-19 in various venues across Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY). Here's the full list:

Continue reading "Northside Fest adds 65+ bands to lineup, Theophilus @ MHOW, Mount Eerie, Iceage & more ++ open studios & DIY films"