A segment in which I talk about band’s I’m really excited about and you should check out immediately following this reading. This week I talk about Delta Spirit.
Who is Delta Spirit? On paper they’re a Rock/Soul/Americana band from San Diego led by Matt Vasquez, but if you catch them live they’re an entirely different machine. I have a fading memory of them playing back in South By Southwest in 2009, and being blown away by the energy and talent they possess on-stage. Even though I missed them this year in Austin, stories of their performances past live on through those witnessing them touring behind their debut record Ode To Sunshine. I picked up their record the next chance I got and it’s been on repeat ever since. From the trash-can percussion leading off Ode with “Trashcan” through the territories in between that lead them into Walkmen-esque territory of “Strange Vine” and all the way back to their own on the cautionary “Children”.
They’re back on the road again touring a new album, History From Below. Similarly to Ode, this one is also likely to end up on my year end list. The record is a little more folky at some parts, less bar-band at others, and ultimately more rewarding. They’re holding nothing back by releasing “Bushwick Blues” as the lead-single, as it’s the most accessible piece they’ve released yet.
You can catch them on tour, and I’m going to make sure to catch them perform locally at The Masquerade on July 9th.
You can download “Bushwick Blues” from History From Below and “Children” from Ode To Sunshine below!
Download: Delta Spirit- Bushwick Blues
Download: Delta Sprit- Children
Watch: Delta Spirit In the Studio
This segment of Yeah Wow (the segment in which I talk about upcoming acts that I’m really excited about) focuses around Suckers, a band your hipster friend might have mentioned to you, but you ignored it because you thought it wasn’t worth the time.
If you haven’t heard of Suckers, an experimental synth-groove-celebration (my made of category of bands that so-far include just Suckers) from New York City, then you’re welcome in advance. This band led by Quinn Walker (admirably working the Spencer Krug vocals) creates synthy pop goodness that was all over their debut Suckers EP. My favorite track from that EP was a little piece called “Beach Queen”, which is my idea of what a modern Huey Lewis and the News might sound like. Just listen to it.
Anyway, they’ve been touring the heck out of their debut EP, but the good news is that they’re coming out with a debut album Wild Smile on June 8. The debut will feature “It Gets Your Body Movin’” and also this great new single they just recently released called “Black Sheep”. I’m not even going to try and describe the sound of it, but you’ll just have to listen to it yourself. Also; get pumped if you’re anywhere in the United States because they’re touring with Local Natives; the other best new band playing around. They’ll be in Atlanta on May 1st at Masquerade. I’ll be there.
Download: Suckers- Beach Queen
Download: Suckers- Black Sheep
This segment of Yeah Wow (the segment in which I talk about upcoming acts that I’m really excited about) focuses around Class Actress, the group fronted by female vocalist Elizabeth Harper.
Journal of Ardency, their debut, features dreamy vocals by Harper set on top of gorgeous synth-pop backgrounds. You can tell the band has it’s influences from M83 to Garbage among others. And is it bad that listening to the 7 minute “Someone Real” gives me reminders of LCD Soundsystem? I don’t think so at all.
You can download the whole EP (I highly recommend it) from Chris Taylor’s (from Grizzly Bear) Terrible Records label on iTunes, but here’s a taste of what you’ll hear.
Download: Class Actress- Journal of Ardency
