Club Spaceland

Gran Ronde

Their debut EP, On and On, creates a dark atmospheric sound while still retaining some lightness in both melodies and vocals. On “Trouble (Hide)” and “The River”, lead singer Chris Pearson eerily seems to transform vocally into Robert Smith, making connections to the Cure well warranted. However, tracks like “Retrace” really stand Gran Ronde on their own two feet, with catchy guitar hooks and a more modern feel to it. Overall, an enjoyable collection of songs from a genre that can sometimes feel a little cold, Gran Ronde takes on the current invasion of British sounding pop bands and gives them a good kick in the ass. - Littleradio.com

with:
Sleepercar
Aushua || Listen
The Republic Tigers

Efterklang || Listen

Denmark’s Efterklang, recipients of a rare 10/10 DiS review for last year’s Parades LP (review), are traditionalists only in the sense that they use guitar, bass and drums as cornerstones of the creations they erect, rising from the stage slowly, revealing nuances sweet and affecting with each clutch of so-many seconds. Scattered about these essentials are electronic boxes full of circuit-board wizardry, additional percussion things to swing, whack and shake…Digression terminated, the concluding fact: Efterklang, live and on record, are rarely less than an incredibly moving and inspiring listen. If you’re yet to let them breach your taste defences, watch the bombs explode below ‘til your heart pops in time. - Drowned in Sound

with:
Slaraffenland || Listen
Karin Tatoyan || Listen

Radio 4 || Listen

It only takes a few seconds of “Enemies Like This”, the title track to Radio 4’s new album, to realize that the Brooklyn-based band has returned with all cylinders fired up and with a rejuvenated sense of purpose. Radio 4 have never been ones to shy away from making a loud noise or issuing a firm statement, but on Enemies Like This, they’ve both streamlined and stretched their sound, they’ve cut the fat, trimmed the filler, and focused on the meat that makes the music, not the spices that can bury it. Enemies Like This is the album long awaited by all those who know that, up to now, Radio 4’s strongest impression has been made from the stage.
- Insound

What Made Milwaukee Famous || Listen

Surrounded by shifting, muted post-punk guitar chords and minor-key keyboard twinkling, vocalist/guitarist Michael Kingcald croons through lo-fi sheen, “Hey, weren’t you told / How brutal life can be?” before the rest of the band rips into a soaring, guitar-and-saxophone-laden build up. The sense of dread and crashing noise certainly is a change for WMMF, especially when considering the upbeat indie-pop template established on their debut, Trying To Never Catch Up. Then again, if the title to their forthcoming LP is any indication, the boys in What Made Milwaukee Famous aim not only to survive the brutality of life, but come out stronger than ever. - Spin.com

with:
The Dead Trees
The Whipsaws || Listen

Mezzanine Owls || Listen

“Working with producer Andy Lemaster (Now It’s Overhead, Bright Eyes, Azure Ray) at Chase Park Transduction has proven to be a winning combination yet again, as there is nothing we can think of that would make these tracks sound better than how they are presented to us. The ethereal “Snow Globe” creeps in and takes the listener on a fuzzed out guitar ride, one that ends far too quickly. “Temporary Health” closes the EP in an eruption, leaving the listener wanting more. As a matter of fact, each of these little gems lasts only about three minutes.
Here’s to hoping a full sophomore album comes sooner than later.”
- The Tripwire

with:
LoveLikeFire || Listen
The Henry Clay People || Listen
Eli “Paperboy” Reed || Listen

FREE SHOW

Gran Ronde

Their debut EP, On and On, creates a dark atmospheric sound while still retaining some lightness in both melodies and vocals. On “Trouble (Hide)” and “The River”, lead singer Chris Pearson eerily seems to transform vocally into Robert Smith, making connections to the Cure well warranted. However, tracks like “Retrace” really stand Gran Ronde on their own two feet, with catchy guitar hooks and a more modern feel to it. Overall, an enjoyable collection of songs from a genre that can sometimes feel a little cold, Gran Ronde takes on the current invasion of British sounding pop bands and gives them a good kick in the ass. - Littleradio.com

The Hard Lessons || Listen

These successors to tourmates OK Go make fast, catchy power pop that will inspire both roadtrip singalongs and serious ambivalence from hipsters. But, of course, it’s the first half of that equation that counts for radio play. A pair of male and female lead singers (“Augie” and “Ko Ko”, respectively) share songwriting duties here, each offering a gendered perspective on the scene with their track. The first, Augie’s “See and Be Scene”, is a nearly perfect pop song. It has the melody, the swagger, and the right amount of instant accessibility to hit just about everyone in the right place. - Popmatters

with:
Children Collide || Listen

You Me & Iowa || Listen

Featuring a good mix of indie, pop, and dance rock, You, Me, & Iowa stand out from much of the LA indie scene. They make simple, fun, and meaningful rock music that could be adaptable by hipsters, teens, and college kids alike (and everyone else, for that matter). Their short, but impressive six song set featured a mix of songs from their debut EP Bigger Than Boston and a taste of new material from their upcoming, yet to be titled full length. Their lyrics are reminiscent of early Weezer circa Pinkerton with catchy indie pop melodies the likes of Death Cab for Cutie with a hint of prog thrown in to the mix. - Billboard Mobile Beat

BigBang (from Norway) || Listen

Tight as a nun’s wotsit live, BigBang combine dreamy Tom Petty type vocals and lyrics with hints of a mellower Led Zeppelin, melody wise. Beautiful. With accessible songs and photo friendly faces I reckon we’ll be seeing a lot more of these lads in the months to come. - Disorder Magazine

FREE SHOW

Mezzanine Owls || Listen

“Working with producer Andy Lemaster (Now It’s Overhead, Bright Eyes, Azure Ray) at Chase Park Transduction has proven to be a winning combination yet again, as there is nothing we can think of that would make these tracks sound better than how they are presented to us. The ethereal “Snow Globe” creeps in and takes the listener on a fuzzed out guitar ride, one that ends far too quickly. “Temporary Health” closes the EP in an eruption, leaving the listener wanting more. As a matter of fact, each of these little gems lasts only about three minutes.
Here’s to hoping a full sophomore album comes sooner than later.”
- The Tripwire

with:
The Quarter After || Listen
Exitmusic
The Asteroid #4 || Listen

FREE SHOW

Gran Ronde

Their debut EP, On and On, creates a dark atmospheric sound while still retaining some lightness in both melodies and vocals. On “Trouble (Hide)” and “The River”, lead singer Chris Pearson eerily seems to transform vocally into Robert Smith, making connections to the Cure well warranted. However, tracks like “Retrace” really stand Gran Ronde on their own two feet, with catchy guitar hooks and a more modern feel to it. Overall, an enjoyable collection of songs from a genre that can sometimes feel a little cold, Gran Ronde takes on the current invasion of British sounding pop bands and gives them a good kick in the ass. - Littleradio.com

The Swayback || Listen

Like a sexy snake slithering through your bushes, the Swayback moves swiftly, stealthily and unpredictably. The swaggering trio of Eric Halborg, Bill Murphy and Martijn Bolster melds influences – from glam to goth, MC5 to MSTRKRFT, pretty to perverse – into a sweeter-than-sugar and harder-than-nails alloy of rock boogie. On their latest long-player, Long Gone Lads, the Denver-based outfit struts its stuff with 11 tracks that veer across stylistic lanes with reckless intent. Live, the Swayback stuns audiences with its effortless musicianship, thrilling stage presence and undeniable attitude. The band unites diverse genres with a unique and uncompromising sense of style, sass and sensuality. Invite this snake in and you won’t want it to leave. Swayback has shared the stage with: The Hold Steady, Gang of Four, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Raveonettes, Louis XIV, The Von Bondies, Secret Machines, Hot Hot Heat, High On Fire and more.

Tickets Available at The Door

Pela || Listen

Known for their awesome live shows and two well-received EPs, Pela has finally put out a full-length release. It is one of the year’s best. Pela are a self-styled “American” rock and roll band, with Bruce Springsteen, The Replacements, Wilco, and the Hold Steady as guiding influences. That is quite a serious lineage to follow and to compare oneself to. Yet the ambition in those comparisons is more than met by the music, which is charming, humble, passionate, and achingly sad all at once. - Popmatters

with:
Neva Dinova
Ladyhawk || Listen

The Fiery Furnaces || Listen

Though prolific brother-sister duo Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger have jumped around stylistically on each of their four previous full-lengths, the rhythmic, almost chamber-pop sound of Widow City is nonetheless surprising. Yes, Matthew is still a master of strange time signatures and unusual instrumentation—he currently seems to be most inspired by the Chamberlain, a keyboard that triggers tape loops of strings, woodwinds and harps—but the basics of his songwriting are surprisingly accessible here. Opening salvo “The Philadelphia Grand Jury,” anchored mostly by a funky blues guitar vamp, announces that the king and queen of indie quirk are finally ready to make approachable songs. But lest you worry that they’ve lost their arty, adventurous spirit, know that the track is still more than seven-minutes long and includes moments where the likeable main melody is jarred apart by spare, insistent pianos or a strident rhythm change. - CMJ

with:
Grand Ole Party

The Fiery Furnaces || Listen

Though prolific brother-sister duo Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger have jumped around stylistically on each of their four previous full-lengths, the rhythmic, almost chamber-pop sound of Widow City is nonetheless surprising. Yes, Matthew is still a master of strange time signatures and unusual instrumentation—he currently seems to be most inspired by the Chamberlain, a keyboard that triggers tape loops of strings, woodwinds and harps—but the basics of his songwriting are surprisingly accessible here. Opening salvo “The Philadelphia Grand Jury,” anchored mostly by a funky blues guitar vamp, announces that the king and queen of indie quirk are finally ready to make approachable songs. But lest you worry that they’ve lost their arty, adventurous spirit, know that the track is still more than seven-minutes long and includes moments where the likeable main melody is jarred apart by spare, insistent pianos or a strident rhythm change. - CMJ

with:
Grand Ole Party

Neil Hamburger

If Neil Hamburger wasn’t the Funniest Man in America, why would the record company keep letting him make so many albums? Can’t answer that question, can you? No, it’s beyond dispute, he is the funniest. End of debate. Don’t even mention Jack Kevorkian, Neil is waaaaay, waaaaaaaay more side-splittingly hilarious, and he’s a much bigger bummer. And he’s got a million of ‘em - why, if one of his jokes falls flat or makes you groan or feel like gagging, or say the next 80 or 90 “gags” don’t exactly make you howl with uproarious laughter, just wait, because Neil will pounce with just a killer, killer line that will make you pee in your pants and nudge the guy next to you so he spills his drink (and when he hits you, that’ll be funny too). You’ll be glad you shelled out your money and chose to spend your time, on a Sunday night, no less, with America’s funny man, Neil Hamburger. - LA Weekly