A man known for making the old sound new again, Sam Amidon has made a career of taking folk's vernacular and re-making it to suit his needs. While some artists draw a line between roots and pop, Amidon takes all of it under his banjo's wing, and communicates a shared heritage common to all these voices. Now he's been signed to Nonesuch, and his new material showcases classic folk ('As I Roved Out'), contemporary pop (Mariah Carey's 'Shake it Off') and even a cover of a hymn his parents recorded on harps in 1977, 'Weeping Mary.' Always surprising, check out his moving cover of Tim McGraw's 'My Old Friend' below, and the new video for 'As I Roved Out here.' - Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

When the demos from Bad Side first surfaced, I began to get very excited because they gave me similar feelings to when I first discovered local powerhouses Leather and Sickoids. It was a sense of pride that Philly had another punk outfit that people should definitely take notice of. It is also certainly nice to see that others are feeling the same way with Bad Side being booked in the highly-coveted opening slot for JEFF the Brotherhood and Hunters’ final evening of their two-night run at Kung Fu Necktie. There will be blood. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $15, 21+ - Alexis V. 

Hot off their Harvard & Stone Residency, The Black Apples have released the video for their cheery surf pop tune, “Tales and Truths,” off of their EP of the same name. The video showcases the band playing live while a beautiful woman wanders in the dappled sunlight of an unknown wilderness. It’s almost a video within a video, and while there isn’t much of a narrative, the charisma of frontman, Campbell Scarborough, is sure to hold your attention. Rife with delightful harmonies, and bordering on both the anthemic, and at times, the bubblegum, their sound is always rooted in that ever present garage rock sound that’s permeating the LA atmosphere. The band is currently working on their second LP, ‘Patio.’ - Jacqueline Caruso

What's worse than finding yourself lying awake late at night, requiring nourishment, but stuck with the realization that nothing all that edible is open at 3 in the morning? A Great Big Pile of Leaves can relate. When lead singer/guitarist Peter Weiland found himself in this predicament, his mind went about creating the Dismemberment Plan-sounding ode to this dilemma for the band's new track 'Snack Attack.' Frustrations be damned if this isn't one of the group's most satisfyingly catchy beach-pop songs yet. Weiland puts it best: "The song is like a trip to the boardwalk and a ride down the tallest, twisty-est waterslide on the hottest day." Just remember to take care of your munchies after going down that waterslide.

The band will release You're Always On My Mind on July 2nd (Topshelf Records). Join them for their record release at Webster Hall's studio on July 13th, and check out 'Snack Attack' below. - Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

We added this song to The Deli's playlist of Best NYC songs by emerging NYC artists - check it out!

For a whole decade, Drexel University’s storied record label, Mad Dragon Records, has been able to gain a huge amount of acclaim while releasing over 20 albums. It has also managed to sign and do recordings for well-known local and indie artists like Motion City Soundtrack, The Redwalls, Toy Soldiers and The Swimmers. In honor of its tenth anniversary, the label will be hosting a special concert that features some of their local favorites at The Trocadero tonight. While Cheers Elephant bring their infectious blend of danceable indie rock to the table, Hoots & Hellmouth will provide plenty of vibrant, soulful folk. Meanwhile, BurnDown All Stars and The Hustle vet Kuf Knotz will tantalize the masses with his lyrically sound emcee work, and Andrew Lipke & The Prospects will have the crowd in awe with their powerful and enchanting rock ballads. The evening will also feature performances by Matt Duke and Wild Rompit. Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 7pm, $10 - $15, All Ages - Bill McThrill

Joe Pug released a lyrics video for his track "Deep Dark Wells" which appears on his second album "The Great Despiser" (Lightning Rod Records).

Pug also announced most of his summer tours dates which include four local shows in June.

June 2 Chicago, IL -- City Winery *

June 3 Chicago, IL -- City Winery *

June 22 Chicago, IL -- Beat Kitchen (SOLD OUT)

June 23 Chicago, IL -- Green Music Festival

* Supporting Calexico

After months of writing songs in a small town hardware store, just outside of Rockford Illinois, La Historia began playing shows regionally and recording with Mike Hagler at Kingsize Sound Labs in Chicago. The band members have all played in a variety of bands, including The Braves and Gods Reflex, over the last fifteen years'€”sometimes together. They couldn’t resist the chance to continue creating electric, Midwestern guitar-rock.

Now, enthusiastic to be making music together again, the members of La Historia spend time writing music and discussing/listening to the records that made them want to do so in the first place.Although their influences are numerous, La Historia manages to filter the inspiration through an atypical lens that is both competent and consistent. The band is more likely to draw influences from the underdog, guitar-based bands from the '€˜80s and €'90s that have kept their attention for the past 20 years than anything from classic or modern rock eras.

The band employs a somewhat familiar wealth of sounds in their music, balancing roaring and chiming guitar parts, fuzzy bass tones, and nuanced drumming, but avoid sounding too nostalgic or derivative. La Historiaâ€'s intersecting guitar-lines, thoughtful, pronounced drums, sturdy bass lines, and commanding yet emotive vocals are the product of four friends who love to listen to one another just as much as they love listening to their favorite bands. The "€œAwake Enough EP" contains the first five songs the band wrote together. Members: Kevin Schwitters, Jesse Carmona, Phil Goudreau, Luke Kramer.

Merey Kimbrough of Mother Merey and the Black Dirt has a vocal style so unabashed it would make Bessie Smith proud. Combine that with the group's foot stomping energy and this band delivers a solid bluesy folk sound like no other. Last week they were the perfectly placed opener for The Builders and the Butchers at The Buzz Mill's Jamboree. Amid the hatchet tossing, jerky making and flapjack eating, there was Mother Merey and the Black Dirt, bringing down the rain with their glorious down home raucous. On May 29th they'll be releasing their album, Down to the River, at Antone's alongside Holiday Mountain, Whiskey Shivers and Old Gray Mule. -- Written by Charise Sowells

Telequanta is the electronic solo project of musician/graphic designer J. Termini. Check out his latest track "Chala," which combines electro-dance, world beats and ambient-noise to produce a captivating sound that is like the hyperactive cousin of rising Chicago-based artist Mister Lies. He is currently working on a new EP, the follow-up to last year's Programmable Matter EP. Telequanta will be performing live tonight at Johnny Brenda's, accompanied by projections from visual artist Patrick Schlitzer, opening for UK-born German resident/globetrotting producer Gold Panda.