Juke Jaxon - "Memory Man"

Check out the debut single, "Memory Man", from Juke Jaxon. It was released February 26. Stream it below; buy it HERE.

Meeting on the London underground in summer of 2014, Jack Moore and Ben Hawthorne discovered a mutual interest for classic British sounds and the 60’s Motown greats. Then, like many others before, took to bedroom songwriting before emerging as Juke Jaxon, now ready to demonstrate their re-imagining of this elusive genre. 

Musically the band’s début single ‘Memory Man’ wears its influences clearly on its sleeve, evoking classic elements with an electrifying crunch and soulful swagger. Think Alex Turner a la Last Shadow Puppets with vocal spice from James Blake thrown in and an added touch of Jamie Woon - you’ll see what sort of ballpark we are in here. 

‘Memory Man' has the sound that lashes out whilst masking tears. Melodically aggressive; Lyrically sensitive. The song tries to embrace you with one arm, but punches you, winding you, with the other.

Liam McClair - "Honest"

As a person that blogs about music, when going through my inbox, there are a variety of things that catch my eye and end up here on my little corner of the internet. Last week while reading various messages, a name jumped out at me. As a result, we have for you today, "Honest" from UK singer-songwriter Liam McClair. I don't know this young man personally but, I know a lot of McClairs. So, it seemed fitting that I share one of his songs; check it out below. It's from his EP, also titled Honest, released September 2015. It's a splendid record.

If you're in the UK, you have some opportunities to catch him live. See below for a list of tour dates.

Tour Dates

• May 7th Manchester, Deaf Institute
• May 9th Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
• May 11th Liverpool, Leaf
• May 12th London, The Slaughtered Lamb
• May 28th Ramsbottom, Irwell Works Brewery
• May 28th Glasgow, 13th Note

New Single From KIT

Check out the track "How Hard" from KIT. The song, her second single, was released February 26 via Marshmallow Pavement Records. I'm really digging this tune. Listen to the steam below and buy it HERE.

“The track originated from a drunken night with a best mate, and her experiences of never-ending heartbreak with an on- again-off-again partner. I wanted so badly to tell her to walk away, but I could see how much she loved this person. I used the words of a poem she shared with me to fuel the song. It was almost finished, when I found myself experiencing something similar with someone close to me. You love someone so much that you can't seem to break away, even though it's destroying every part of you. I used the last part of writing to get my own pain out and in front of me. It is now so personal for me as it holds a memory of so many people I love in it.” - KIT 

Caught My Ear: City Light - "Sweet Death"

City Light have released the track "Sweet Death".  Check it out below.

City Light is the electronic-pop project of singer/songwriter Matt Shaw and producer Nick Andre. They first came to prominence in 2010 with the album, Burned Out Bright. The band began as a long-distance audio experiment with the Seattle singer and San Francisco producer collaborating on tracks and with friends such as Andy Fitts (Airport Cathedral/Aqueduct) and Marc Bianchi (Her Space Holiday). Burned Out Bright received a glowing reception wherever it was heard, including landing the band as Filter Magazine's Undiscovered Band Of The Month. In 2011 Matt moved to San Francisco to give City Light full attention. Since then the band has toured with Her Space Holiday, done spot dates with A.C. Newman and Holy Fuck, and contributed post-production to How To Dress Well's album, Love Remains. With their 2013 album, Memory Guide, the band has reached new heights. Combining Nick Andre's hip-hop influenced, electronic-based indie-rock production with the poetic lyrics and hook-laden vocals of Matt Shaw has created a sound that is reminiscent of electro-pop giants The Flaming Lips, The Notwist, and The Postal Service, yet at the same time, is inarguably original.

Song of the Day: Dancing Heals - "Always On My Mind"

Earlier this month, Australian band Dancing Heals released their single "Always On My Mind". Their debut album, Into The Night, saw them receiving favorable reviews.  They are currently working on their second album.  Check out the track below.

Dancing Heals are currently finishing up their second album, that captures more of their live sound and draws from longtime influences such as Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac.

Dancing Heals love to wave the nostalgia flag and “Always On My Mind” is no different. A sonically raw reflection on the confusing emotions of letting someone go... and never forgetting.  With their unique brand of sultry indie pop, made for the masses, Dancing Heals are ready to take over the music world. Singer Jon-Lee Farrell's voice is smooth and haunting throughout the track, with echoing guitars and unforgettable harmonies that will certainly intrigue and charm you.

Caught My Ear: Hannah & Maggie

 

Sometimes it takes me a while to get around to listening to things ... work, life and stuff are time consuming.  So, I often tuck things aside to listen to later which I generally do.  At times, things get buried and I happen across it again usually while looking for something else I've tucked away.  I happened upon Hannah and Maggie in my "listen to later" file.  I finally listened and guess what?  I like what I heard.  Their harmonies are sharp and crystal clear; the vocals are very pretty.  They released an album, Muscle & Bone last year.  The tour video below features the track "Burlington, VT" from the album.  My pick for album highlight is "Curfew".

Song of the Day: John Michael Rouchell - "Holler"

John Michael Rouchell (you know, the guy behind MyNameIsJohnMichael) has a new song, "Holler", and I'm really digging it.  I'm going to have this on repeat for a while.  Check out the new song below.  Oh, and head on over to his website; he's being super cool and giving it to you for free! Now, listen and enjoy!

Swear and Shake To Play The Living Room on 4/12

 

Swear and Shake
Friday, April 12
The Living Room
154 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
11PM
Tickets: $5 21+

Mission South To Play Sullivan Hall on 4/11

Mission South
Cold Roses, Mama's Love, Cope
Thursday, April 11
Sullivan Hall
214 Sullivan Street
New York, NY
Doors: 7 PM
Price: $10
Age: 18+

DC based band Mission South will release their new EP Migration Vol. 2 on April 9.  Check out the first single, "Peaches", below.

Caught My Ear: Elephant 12 Release New EP

 

At the end of February, Elephant 12 came onto my radar.  Good news for me, since I'm totally diggin' their sound; they have released an EP titled Sold Out.  I've put this on my list of records folks should check out. 

Great Peacock Release Stellar Debut EP

 

Nashville based Great Peacock released their self-titled debut EP this week via This Is American Music.  The 5-song Great Peacock has earned a spot on my "you MUST hear this" list.

Last month the band's track "Take Me To The Mountain" found its way to me and I was immediately captivated.  To be honest, I was a little afraid to hear the rest of the EP.  I thought, 'no way could the rest of it be as good as that spectacular track'; I didn't want to be disappointed.  Well, color me wrong! From beginning to end Great Peacock is a stellar piece of work.  It's one of those records that demands to be put on repeat, drawing you in with its storytelling and harmonies.  While listening to it for about the dozenth time, I realized I can't pick a highlight; the whole album is a highlight! 

If Great Peacock keeps this up, they'll soon find themselves in the upper echelons of today's modern folk troubadour royalty.



Great Peacock Tracklisting:

• Take Me To The Mountain
• Desert Lark
• Sailing
• Family Home
• Bluebird

The Midnight Hollow To Play Glasslands, 3/14

The Midnight Hollow will be taking the stage over in Brooklyn at Glasslands Gallery on Thursday, March 14.  Doors are at 8:30PM, it'll cost you $12 and you've gotta be 21+. Head on over and show them some love.

The Midnight Hollow
Thursday, March 14
Glasslands Gallery
289 Kent Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
8:30PM
Tickets $12 21+

The Midnight Hollow formed in April 2012, when singer songwriter Spencer Draeger and drummer Andrew Segreti (Formerly of Greylist) met at a bar in New York's East Village and quickly formed a band with guitarist Trevor Murphy (Formerly of The Voxys). 

Enter The Haggis To Release New Record in March

Canadian band Enter The Haggis are set to release their latest album, The Modest Revolution on March 30.  Towards the end of last year, the band launched an extremely successful Kickstarter project.  Earlier this week backers received a digital pre-release copy of the record while the rest of the world were able to begin pre-ordering the record.  If you haven't checked this band out, you should.  I was introduced to their music about four years ago when I saw them put on a killer live show.

Leafing through a local paper in a small town this past winter, we were struck by the sheer number of interesting story-lines we found. After some discussion, we hit on an unusual idea: why not capture a snapshot of a single day musically? We bounced the idea around and eventually decided we were going to pick a day at random, buy a newspaper and write an entire album inspired by the stories and headlines we found within.

 

Upcoming: The The The Thunder to Play Glasslands

UPDATE!!!  New Date -- This show will take place on Monday, March 18 instead of the previously announced, March 13.  See full details below.


The The The Thunder
My Roaring Twenties, Great Caesar
Monday, March 18
Glasslands
289 Kent Ave
Brooklyn
8:30pm
Tickets $10
21+
The The The Thunder are hitting the road!  And, the deity of show booking has them making a stop in our parts.  They'll take the stage over in Brooklyn at Glasslands on Wednesday, March 13 Monday, March 18 at 8:30PM and it'll cost you $10.  See below for full show details.  These folks came onto my radar last year when I was introduced to their album All At Once.  To whet your appetite, scroll down and give a listen to my favorite TTTT track, "Leave Us". 

The The The Thunder
My Roaring Twenties, Ancient Sky
 Wednesday, March 13 Monday, March 18 Glasslands 289 Kent Ave
Brooklyn 8:30pm
Tickets $10
21+

New Single From Sharkmuffin + Giveaway

Brooklyn based band Sharkmuffin just released their debut single, "The Lake".  When I read there were some Chrissie Hynde comparisons I was a little skeptical.  But, I hear it!  I also hear a little Patti Smith grit & attitude in there too.  It's a lovely piece of dirty pop ... a little fuzz, a little jangle and a lot of good ol' fashioned, unabashed rock 'n' roll.  I'm looking forward to hearing their EP which is scheduled for a March release.  Check out "The Lake" HERE. 

Giveaway Alert!!! 

1) Sharkmuffin will be at The Delancey on Monday, February 25 at 9:30PM.  We have a pair of tickets to give to one lucky reader...21+!  For a chance to win, email contest@quirkynychick.com. Please put "Sharkmuffin Tickets" in the subject line.

2) We also have a copy of the 7" single "The Lake/Big" for one lucky reader.  For a chance to win this goodie, email contest@quirkynychick.com. Please put "Sharkmuffin 7"" in the subject line.

A winner (US only) will be chosen for each prize, at random, on Thursday, February 21. 

The combination of singer/guitarist Tarra Thiessen, alongside bassist Natalie Kirch with Drew Adler on drums, is deadly. Thiessen delivers gutsy vocals that will send shivers down your very spine. Jumping between gentle moans to rough, forceful screams, her vocals are sweetly complimented by Kirch's lighter, dreamier melodies which make you expect the unexpected. Their admiration for 90s alternative Grrrl group-esque hooks are paired perfectly with heavy 1970s inspired guitar riffs that create a raw sound not to be messed with.

Tour Dates

• 2/21 @ Public Assembly, Brooklyn
• 2/25 @ The Delancey, NYC
• 3/1 @ 73 Granite Street, Apt. 3 - 7" release party, Brooklyn
• 3/7 @ Alphabet Lounge (East Village Music Fest), NYC
• 3/8 @ Neapolitan Oasis tour kick off show, Brooklyn
• 3/9 @ Newtown Radio 2-4PM, NJ
• 3/9 @ The Kunt House, New Brunswick, NJ
• 3/10 @ The End, Nashville, TN

New Single from The Torn ACLs

Seattle based The Torn ACLs have released a new single, "Something About the Sky". The group has decided to release a series of digital singles throughout the year instead of an album.  Check it out below.

With four albums already under their belt, the group has decided to take a rather different approach when it comes to releasing new material. The Torn ACLs will be releasing a series of digital singles throughout the year, starting with the propulsive and synthy track, “Something About the Sky.”

Each piece is unique from the next, without a defining thread drawn between them, though there are some similarities that make the collection cohesive. The upcoming singles continue in the band's spirit of polished, energetic pop, which they have been crafting over the years. With a knack for stellar hooks, each song is built up with buoyant arrangements, stacked with bright and crisp melodic ideas, over an insistent and aerobic rhythm section. Ample proficiency and a danceable punch, help create the band's intriguing sound, that recalling indie pop phenom such as Ra Ra Riot, with a scrappy energy evoking Born Ruffians, and the compositional quirks of Islands.

The Torn ACLs are William Cremin (guitar/vocals), Miles Ranisavljevic (bass), Jason Tabert (drums), and Tim McClanahan (multi-instrumentalist).

Tour Dates:

• 3/8: Rendezvous, Seattle
• 3/9: Flying M, Nampa
• 3/10: Bar Deluxe, Salt Lake City
• 3/11: Walnut Room, Denver
• 3/12: Rock Island Live, Wichita
• 3/13: Soundpony, Tulsa
• 3/14: SXSW
• 3/15: SXSW
• 3/16: SXSW
• 3/18: Rogue Bar, Scottsdale
• 3/19: Tin Can, San Diego
• 3/20: Molly Malone's, Los Angeles
• 3/21: Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco
• 3/22: Kelly's Olympian, Portland

Little Brother Eli Release New Video

A couple of weeks ago, we were introduced to UK band Little Brother Eli.  We like them and we're looking forward to a recorded effort from them hopefully sooner rather than later.  This week, they've released a new video.  The clip is for the song "Hanging".  Check it out below.

Alex Grew - vocals
Josh Rigal - bass
Adam Stowe - guitar
Linus Taylor - guitar
Benji Page - shoe box (percussion)

Filmed by Mim Donoghue
Edited by Sam Rigal
Audio mixed by Josh Rigal
Audio mastered by Mike Saminaden

Caught My Ear: Little Brother Eli

Today we have for you a new band out of the UK.  Joshua Rigal and Alex Grew, collectively known as Little Brother Eli.  They've been working on a project for the last six months or so and the results, we will hear on an upcoming EP.

To whet your appetite, check out the video for "Awkward Positions" below.  It's a live acoustic number.  Grew has a warm soulfulness to his voice that really lends itself to this type of performance. After hearing this song, I'm looking forward to hearing more of their work.  Check out the clip below and keep an ear out for more from these guys.  

Caught My Ear: The Rebel Light

I've been playing catch up with emails and music; it's slow going.  At any rate, I happened upon an email about a band called The Rebel Light out of Los Angeles.  Their self-titled debut EP came out last month and well, it caught my ear.  You, my friends, can check it out using the handy widget below.  And while you checking things out, they also have a video for their song “Goodbye Serenade”, also below.  

HITS Releases Debut EP

New York based HITS (formerly Jump Into The Gospel) released their debut self-titled EP last week.

HITS is a tight piece of work.  The songs are overall more polished while the band maintains the natural charm and fun of their previous incarnation. The album is reminiscent of mid-80's dance pop and tend to get stuck in your head forcing you to put them on repeat. 

The wickedly wonderful "St. John" has been a longtime favorite from their live shows.  The recorded version is less funky and more pop but maintains its infectious dance quality and bad ass bass groove of their live performances. The catchy "Singularity" stands as the commercial appeal track and has great potential in the licensing world. 

On "Twin Peaks" first of all, is that even vocalist Louis Epstein singing?!  The vocals on the album sound strong and more confident in general.  But, on this low key, dreamy sounding track, the confidence particularly shines through in the deeper, richer tone.  Somewhere out there, teens in angst are declaring this their song.

After several listens, I have decided that "Madness" is possibly one of the sexiest songs of the summer in a geek girl love fest sort of way.  It makes me feel like I should be at this very moment lusting over some slightly odd, vaguely nerdy guy with a somewhat weird view on love. 

If I have any complaints about the EP, it would be as a fan of guitars, they're a little too tucked away in the mix for my personal tastes ... more of guitarist Ben Vescovi please and thank you.  And, a live favorite, "Start A Following" didn't crossover into their new world.

Get on board with this album and band.  They are ready to take their star turn and you don't want to be the only person to miss the boat.

GIG ALERT!!!  HITS will be at Pianos on Saturday, July 21.  They go on at 9PM and it will cost you $10.

You can listen to and buy the EP using the handy widget below.