Rich Mystics is Barney Cortez (vocals, songwriting, keyboards, guitars, percussion) & Nick Bockrath (guitars, piano, organ, drums, loops) (from Nicos Gun), with some additional help from Eric Slick (Dr. Dog) on drums and percussion, Nina Willbach on violin, Harry Zelnick on drums and Andrew Black. It’s got a very serious Bowie/Space Oddity-meets-Dukes of Stratosphear vibe to it which ranks pretty high in our books. Listen/purchase below.
Nicos Gun
RECENT POSTS
Listen to “Precious,” a funky new track from Nicos Gun
Philadelphia rockers Nicos Gun just released the first single off their upcoming EP, the follow-up to the band’s 2012 debut album, Plush. The single, “Precious,” features heavy bass grooves combined with lead singer Barney Cortez’s usual glam rock-influenced falsetto vocals and some electro vibes, which make for a funky track. The recording for the EP was split between Speak Easy Studios in Los Angeles and also Pine St. Studios in Philly with producer Steve Mckie and features special guests George “Spanky” McCurdy on drums, Aaron Draper on percussion and CJ Branch on keys. Listen to the full recording of “Precious” in the player below.
Watch Nicos Gun’s new video for “Universal Drug” (playing Morgan’s Pier this Saturday)
This Saturday’s edition of the R5 Productions free summer concert series at Morgan’s Pier brings indie-dance rockers Nicos Gun to the Delaware waterfront. The Philadelphia quartet released its debut album Plush last year and have since been featured at the Roots Picnic, played 4th of July on the Parkway, toured and released even more new music. Their new song “Universal Drug” showcases a mellower side to the band; watch its official music video below:
An early version of the song was recorded for the Key Studio Sessions when the band visited WXPN studios last year; check that out below:
When they’re not spacing out, the funky punk foursome brings a wave of energy to their audience, inviting the crowd to feel engaged in their music. Nicos Gun play at 6 p.m. at Morgan’s Pier this Saturday, August 11th. This show is 21+ and awesomely enough, free!
Raw Life Records presents Jam House tonight at The Legendary Dobbs
Eclectic local label Raw Life Records is hosting a label showcase entitled “Jam House” tonight at The Legendary Dobbs. The line-up is a genre-spanning mix of pop, hip-hop, rap, and dance music featuring host Rone and performances by Nicos Gun, Dice Raw, Black Stars, Young Gliss & De’ko (performing “The Dream Sequence” EP), Finesse, a DJ set by Les Professionnels, and special guests.
There’s no cover for the 21+ event and the show starts at 9 P.M. For more information visit the event page here.
Check out Nicos Gun’s video for “We Could Die” below.
Listen to Young Gliss & De’Ko’s “The Dream Sequence” EP in the embedded player.
Nicos Gun debut new video for “Wild Child”
Weekend Picks: Disappears at Johnny Brenda’s, Free Energy at First Unitarian Church, Chairlift at JB’s
Chairlift performs at Johnny Brenda's Sunday, April 22nd
FRIDAY, APRIL 20th
Disappears performs with Lotus Plaza and Nothing at 9 p.m. at Johnny Brenda’s; tickets to the 21+ show are $10.
Also Playing: Free Energy + Langor, Wildlife Control at First Unitarian Church (8:30 p.m., all ages, $12); Levee Drivers + Dirty Ghosts, Ghost Light, Peace Creeps at PhilaMOCA (8:30 p.m., all ages, $7-$10); Nicos Gun + DRGN KING, Tunde Olaniran And Miz Korona at Kung Fu Necktie (8 p.m., 21+, $8); The High Five + Crills Wilson, Wyldlife, The Donuts at Milkboy Philly (9:30 p.m., 21+, $10)
SATURDAY, APRIL 21st
Tower Of Power + Average White Band at Keswick Theatre (8 p.m., all ages, $42.50-$49.50)
SUNDAY, April 22nd
Usually a group with bizarre interests tends to show off such eccentricities within its work. Yet such is not the case for Brooklyn-based synth-pop duo Chairlift. For a group whose original intent was to create music for haunted houses, it’s surprising that its musical style has somehow strayed as far from spookiness as possible. Chairlift is now known for its innocent, sanguine-sounding pop melodies and soft male and female vocals that radiate with an undeniable chemistry. One of the only remaining strange aspects of this band’s work is the videos that accompany its childlike tunes; one of the band’s most successful singles, “Evident Utensil,” features a music vid in which impressive animation allows the scenes to weirdly melt together. Though Chairlift is now widely known for the appearance of hit-single “Bruises,” in a 2008 iPod commercial, its music has truly evolved from a dark oddity to the style it exudes today. Chairlift performs with Nite Jewel at 9 p.m. at Johnny Brenda’s; tickets to the all-ages show are $13-$14. —Lisa Henderson
Also Playing: Grandchildren + Hume, The Dreebs, Son Step at PhilaMOCA (8 p.m., all ages, $7-$10); Lucero + Deer Tick, J. Roddy Walston And The Business, Turbo Fruits at Union Transfer (7:30 p.m., all ages, $20-$22); Young Widows + Ladder Devils, Pygmy Lush at Kung Fu Necktie (8 p.m., 21+, SOLD OUT)
Nicos Gun releases the “We Could Die” remix EP, will perform at Kung Fu Necktie on Friday, April 20th
Today, Nicos Gun officially releases its “We Could Die” remix EP via Young Robots. The five-track EP features the original version of “We Could Die” and four remixes from local (and one non-local) DJs. From the Young Robots site:
In the spirit of “Brotherly Love,” Philly’s finest emerging dance band, Nicos Gun has linked arms with one of the city’s most forward-thinking dance labels, Young Robots, to create “We Could Die,” a retrofuturistic remix single that puts the 215′s best foot forward.
The original version of “We Could Die” chugs with Miami Vice-worthy synth-tensity, with a dose of vocals that brim with youthful nihilism and sex appeal.
Young Robots’ label co-chief DJ Apt One (of Philadelphyinz and RCMP fame) double dips with two remixes. First, a re-imagination that drenches the vocals in a sprinkle of Purple Rain, then a deconstructive, funky “Disco Dub” that teases the listener with seductively funky disco bass until it bursts with dancefloor intensity.
Vancouver’s Kutcorners brings a smooth shuffle to his mix, with warm synths that make you want to put the top down and spin down South Street.
Lastly, Peter Dragontail, adds not only a remix, but also contributes the cover art in his 215-famous signature style. Like his breakout single “Crazy Bout You” (f/ Maggie Horn), Peter’s remix has a slow burn, and he uses vocals to cast an eerie ambiance over his driving 3AM electro burner.
Young Robots and Nicos Gun will celebrate the EP’s release at Kung Fu Necktie on Friday, April 20th, during DJ Apt One’s monthly disco night, “The Ball.” The EP-release show will feature performances by Nicos Gun, DRGN King, Tunde Olaniran & Miz Korona (Exchange Bureau, Detroit), Peter Dragontail, DJ Apt One and DJ Bruce; tickets to the 21+ show are $8/$10.