There are very few requirements when it comes to enjoying summer in Milwaukee, but one necessity is some good porch music. Here are the best local selections from the spring to put on when the sun is beaming down and there’s a cold beer in your hand:
“St. Yuppie” – Sat. Nite Duets
Judging by their capricious set at Locust Street Festival last week where Sat. Nite Duets tested out new, diverse material, the forthcoming full-length, Air Guitar, continues the throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach the band honed on 2013’s Electric Manland. On the first released single, “St Yuppie,” a cavalier Ben Gucciardi sings “I am the patron saint of young professionals,” and insists yuppie souls will shake their butts on the way to heaven.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates currently scheduled
“I Tried (Prod. Esmé)” – Rina
Even though she’s only released two singles over the past year, R&B singer Rina is making a big splash. Last fall’s debut “Temptation” has racked up more than 120,000 plays on Soundcloud. She returned in April with the steamy, slow-burning “I Tried,” a song that’s far more understated but plays to Rina’s strengths as a crooner.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates currently scheduled
“Business Man” – Mike Regal
The smooth-flowing rapper Mike Regal doesn’t waste much time getting down to business on the first single from his debut album Premonitiions, declaring his ambitious intentions to be a determined and prolific artist. Near the conclusion of the track, Regal heralds, “The work will never stop/ I got moves to make.”
“Television” – NO/NO
This neon-hued new wave track from NO/NO’s Sound and Light is an already making its claim for song of the summer.
Next show: Summer Soulstice Festival’s East Stage on Saturday, June 25 at 4:30 p.m.
“Disconnection Notice” – Space Raft
Come for the soaring power pop melodies and big guitar hooks; stick around for the 3-minute blues rock coda.
“Paid in Brains” – Direct Hit!
Drugs are bad. Direct Hit! thinks so, too. Don’t do drugs. Listen to music instead.
“Brooklyn Bodega” – Paper Holland
This breezy indie-pop song from Paper Holland’s 5-song EP Fast Food feels so relaxed that the Jurassic Park reference almost seems to slip right on by.
Next show: Chill on the Hill at Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave., on Tuesday, July 12 with Soul Low
“Bel-Air ft. Blizz McFly” – Vincent VanGREAT
Relive some ‘90s television with Vincent VanGREAT’s fresh sounding track from his debut full-length, UnGREATful, which came out today.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates currently scheduled
“This Is How ft. Siren, Lex Allen, & Christine Hoberg” – Strehlow x Chris Siegel
Kiings’ producer Chris Siegel teams up with Strehlow for this summery dance track.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates currently scheduled
“Feed Them To Each Other” – Midwest Death Rattle
Midwest Death Rattle embraces its moniker on this cut from sophomore album, Post- Apocalypso. “The teeth aren’t sharp/ But they’ll get the job done,” Nick Perow sings. That’s pretty menacing stuff.
Next show: Summerfest’s Harley-Davidson Roadhouse Stage on Thursday, July 7 opening for Violent Femmes
“Form And Function” – Heat Death
“This form denies a function” goes Step No. 4 in Heat Death’s facetious 9 Steps To A Happier Life, a dissonant no-wave dirge that reveals the band’s nihilistic tendencies and hits with an unceasing force.
Next show: High Dive, 701 E. Center St., on Friday, June 24 with Tigernite, Blinds and DJ Bob Marino
“Provisions” – Brief Candles
The shoegaze band has been quiet since 2013’s full-length Newhouse, but Brief Candles returned this April with this single and the promise of a new album in the fall. You can get lost in this song’s hazy atmosphere, but watch out because it also shows some teeth.
“All I Really Need To Know” – Dead Horses
This pastoral and lush tune from Dead Horses’ upcoming full-length, Cartoon Moon, is imbued with the calm and desolation of Wisconsin’s undisturbed natural areas.
Next show: No Milwaukee dates currently scheduled
“Again & Again” – Ugly Brothers
Ugly Brothers dive into retro soul on the first selection from this August’s full-length Tiny Mountains and perform some smooth backstrokes.
Next show: Album release party at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust St., on August 13
“Remember” – Tigernite
Glam rock should always be this fun. This track from Tigernite’s EP Blood Moon doesn’t make any reservations about focusing on the positive things in life.
Next show: High Dive, 701 E. Center St., on Friday, June 24 with Heat Death, Blinds and DJ Bob Marino
“Don’t Take That Shit From Anyone” – Something To Do
While ska music may have fallen out of favor over the past decade and the gaudy horns sections and skanking are generally looked back with unwarranted disdain, the local ska torchbearers Something To Do would argue “don’t take that shit from anyone.”
Next show: G-Daddy’s BBC, 2022 E. North Ave., on Friday, June 24 with The Disappointments
“Four The Fuck Of It (Prod. MAG)” – IshDARR
This absolutely fire track from IshDARR juxtaposes classical arrangements with modern synth beats and still provides more than enough space for the rapper to shine.
Next show: Summerfest’s Miller Lite Oasis on Tuesday, July 5
