I can’t vouch for the former, but this three-piece Boston outfit is certainly pretty-- their latest, Golden Rules for Golden People, has been slowly gaining critical acclaim that their long-standing Beantown fans can cheer for. Often compared to early new wave from Elvis Costello to Squeeze, don’t listen to the blogs that tell you Pretty and Nice are merely influenced performers. In their single “Hibernate”, you hear snippets of the Kinks and a snatch of electronic, but the blend is completely unique to the group. Holden Lewis and Jeremy Mendicino have been playing the New England scene since 2004 and are finally gaining some clout in the community. Golden Rules is terrific, but for even more Pretty and Nice fun take a listen to their earlier recordings-- their current sound is a careful blend of everything they’ve done to date, and it’s a cool journey to take. Catch them at the Sinclair on Thursday with the Thermals. - Jamie Loftus
Next Wednesday, May 22, Radio (381 Somerville Ave.) in Somerville will be playing host to a benefit show for the Boston Marathon victims. The event, titled "Concert for Boston: An Evening to Benefit Victims of the Marathon" has a line-up full of local favorites and newcomers alike.
The opening act, Greater Fools, is a new side-project from Troy Ramey, previous front-man for the now-defunct In Like Lions. If his previous band was any indication, Greater Fools will be sure to start the night off with great energy and catchy hooks.
Amory Sivertson is a Boston-area favorite, with her well-written piano songs and beautifully-crafted melodies.
The Rare Occasions are a great fit within this lineup--adding their unique blend of pop/rock n' roll to an already impeccable list of performers.
Closing out the night will be The Bridgebuilders, whose soulful vocals and music rooted in folk and dripping with bluesy emotion are an act you can't afford to miss.
Cover charge will be $10, with 100% of the cover being donated to The One Fund. Doors are at 7PM, with Greater Fools starting at 8PM. 21+ to enter, proper ID required.
Come show your support for Boston, have a few drinks and listen to some great live music!
For more information, check out the Facebook event here. - Dan McMahon
Samira Winter just received a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College, but has spent her college years cutting her teeth in the Boston underground music scene. Hailing from Brazil, Winter is one of Samira’s side projects when she’s not DJ-ing, producing short films, or working for her online zine “Wow & Flutter”. Joined with fellow students Nolan Eley, Kyle Oppenheimer, and Ana Karina DaCosta to develop some of the dreamiest, most forward-thinking sound in the scene.
The collaboration started solely with Winter and Eley corresponding, she with rough recordings and he with expert production skills, then expanded into a full performing outfit that’s played local venues like TT the Bear’s and station WERS 88.9. Their album Daydreaming sounds a little bit Vivian Girls and a little bit Beach House with a better sense of humor, airy vocals over a sonic soundscape in the title track and “Bedroom Philosophies”. Their sound doesn’t take itself seriously and runs in a stream of consciousness through Winter’s melodies, leaving us to hope that of all her talents, this girl sticks with the music. Four-track Daydreaming is available on Bandcamp now for a lean five bucks (dab of Winter’s perfume included).
Also worth checking out: the band released a killer cover of Pink Floyd’s “Time” last month, giving it the twenty-first century trip treatment it didn’t ask for, but certainly deserved. - Jamie Loftus
Thank God people still know how to play rock n’ roll. That was my first thought when I heard Whatever Forever, the latest release by New Hampshire-based quartet The Migs. After going to college in New Hampshire, I have become accustomed to associating that area of New England with smelly hippies and boring, repetitive jam music (my sincerest apologies to anyone who is a Trey Anastasio fan). Naturally, I was pleasantly surprised with The Migs’ raucous, surfy, 60s-inspired tunes. In fact, the middle of “When She says My Name” immediately conjured-up images of The Kinks playing a basement gig in 1965 (I wasn’t around then, but I’m fairly confident this is what they would have sounded like). The guitars are tight, and the vocals are loud and somewhat muffled, adding to the raw rock-awesomeness of this collection of songs. Weighing in at a modest 7 tracks, this record packs a hell of a lot of rock into such a small amount of time. I thought everything was very well-balanced and the use of organ (most notably on the eerie “Gravestoned” and the dance party that is “Fuzzy Sun”) really helped to add nice depth to the tracks. I’m more than excited to hear original rock tunes sounding so good that are coming from the Northeast. So, if you’re bored at work (and who isn’t), or just looking for some kick-ass tunes to listen to, scroll down and give Whatever Forever a listen. - Dan McMahon
Once again The Deli gives you the opportunity to be selected to play NYC's Rooftop Films' Summer Series 2013, which will run every weekend from May 10 until August, with special events in September.
The event couples films with live music on top of spectacular NYC roofs, and connects artists with audiences so that each event is unique and memorable. The Rooftop Film music programming staff will select some artists from those who applied through The Deli.
On Monday, April 29, the wait will finally be over. Boston-based rapper Caliph will be performing at Church of Boston to celebrate the release of his latest record, Heart in Mind. The disc, which he has been promoting relentlessly for months with the help of the Good Karma crew, is sure to impress even the most casual of hip-hop fans. In an age of increasing social media presence and frequently leaked records, I am impressed at how well Caliph has been able to control this album. He has managed to only release artwork for the album and two singles, "Go (The Baddest)" and "Dear Lord", without allowing any further information to reach the public.
"Go (The Baddest)" is a very well-produced single, and if this track is any indication of the quality of the rest of the album, I'm sure it will not disappoint. The song has a little more of a "club" feel than some of his previous work, which matches well with his incredibly tight flow. His rhymes and cadences are executed perfectly--something you rarely hear from non-major-label hip hop artists.
"Dear Lord" has much more of a smooth hip-hop feel--a style over which Caliph seems to have great command. This track has faint hints of Lupe Fiasco--just a really relaxed vibe, with well-written, powerful lyrics and a great hook. - Dan McMahon
The Rare Occasions sold me from the first guitar stroke of their “Applefork” EP which has the cadence of the Cranberries and the upbeat attitude of the Strokes. "Battin' Lashes" has the chops with Brian Mclaughlin's charming lead vocals that are seamlessly complimented by bright guitar licks. The rest of the EP shows an affinity for experimenting with rarely mixed genres. “Miss Mary Mack” combines baroque pop and garage with a bit of psych and prog mixed in. The EP came out a short 10 days ago and they’re playing at the Middle East next week for a show to benefit cancer research with a bunch of other local bands. RSVP below. - Hillary Anderson
4.26 - Backyard Block Party (benefit for cancer research) @ the Middle East Downstairs - RSVP
Whether your spring break was this week, or it starts next week, or maybe you just don’t have one because you no longer live in the fantasy lands of “high school” and “college” and have a real gundamn job, or you just aren’t ready to hear the term “spring break” because you’re still all partied out from SXSW – listen to some sage advice. If you’re working, not working, have class for 8 hours, laying in bed bemoaning last weekend: just stop. Spring break is a great excuse to have some awesome shows. Check out the lineup Speedy Ortiz has going for this weekend with plenty of locals and out-of-towners playing some righteous jams. - Hillary Anderson
3/21: WMUA 91.1 FM spring break show (amherst, ma) w/ Krill, Squarehead, Spelling Bee RSVP
3/22: Machines With Magnets (pawtucket, ri) w/ Radical Dads, Plates of Cake link
3/23: bs (allston, ma) w/ arvid noe, spelling bee, rad dads, plates of cake link
Sink your teeth into some crunchy sound bites from Hope & the Husbands, who released their “Demo ep” in February. It features Pixies-sounding punk rock vocals from both Hope and her husbands (?) (or at least Hope and someone male in the band, whether it be her husband or not). Hope & the Husbands is a four-piece female-fronted band. Despite the Wordart cover, this demo is way rock and roll. If you’ve been looking for a harder, grungier, Boston band, this is the band to go see. - Hillary Anderson
There's an irresistable alternative sound bite coming out of the Boston band Gentlemen Hall - it's called "Sail Into the Sun", and it's the first single off their upcoming full-length. They've been named "Best Act" by the Boston Phoenix in 2012, and they've shared the stage with a number of big names. Their synth-pop sound likens them to other popular electro artists coming out of the area right now - but these guys have a unique add-on to their stage presence and sound. Their 6-piece band includes a flute/piccolo player. So, lovers of wind instruments and catchy synth-pop - you've met your match. - Hillary Anderson
