Dena Miller, a.k.a. Deer Scout, drafts songs that are relatable, personal narratives that feel like part diary entrees/part letters. That bedroom-folk simplicity is brightly detailed and sincere as is her latest EP Customs, which is available to streaming and purchase digitally below, as well as on cassette via Fox Food Records. You can catch Deer Scout’s tape release at PhilaMOCA on Thursday, August 18 with Kississippi, Fits, and Boosegumps. (Photo by Amanda Silberling)

When The Smell was given notice to close for demolition, news spread like wildfire and galvanized Southland's music comunity into action. Organizer/musician Gregory Cole (Crescendo) scrapped plans for his summer DreamGaze Festival and concentrated efforts to raise funds for the legendary venue. But he was not alone in that endeavor—Cole reached out to two active veterans for help: Top Acid's Chris Gonzalez and guitarist/singer Sophie Negrini (Janelane).

"Gregory messaged me out-of-the-blue because he had read a post of mine [where] I wrote about how much The Smell meant to myself and the rest of the community when the building first received its demolition notice," Negrini recalls. Even though the three ran in different scenes, the DIY venue's monumental influence brought them together. 

With owner Jim Smith's blessing and months of planning and outreach, over 30 bands joined with hundreds of fans on August 6th in a converted warehouse space near the San Antonio Winery. The three were rarely in sight—always running from stage to stage, prepping backlines, moving equipment, and keeping the cross streets free of pedestrian traffic and litter. Crowds moshed and nodded in solidarity. Despite minor issues with sound and schedule (it's never picture-perfect when you're DIY), the festival came up with over $15,000 raised.

"This is the teamwork & togetherness that saves The Smell. I have no doubt in our community's ability to achieve [The Smell's] permanence of address for generations of music lovers of all ages," says Cole in retrospect.

Gonzalez was even impressed by the results. "I think that’s just a huge indicator and a true testament to how much respect everyone has for Jim and the sober scene he’s created at The Smell."

Check out our photo recap of Save The Smell Fest on our Instagram @TheDeliLA. - photo by Rachel Collins

Hello Shark, a.k.a. Lincoln Halloran, has a new full-length album, Delicate, coming out on September 30 via Chicago-based label Orindal Records, which was produced by Attic Basement's Michael Rheinheimer with Katie Bennett (Free Cake For Every Creature) on bass and vocals throughout the record. Below is the first single from the LP called "Drake Night" (available for streaming at Stereogum), and it finds Halloran reflecting on lost love after a run-in with an ex at the artist-themed club night. The lo-fi ditty also features Florist's Emily Sprague on backing vocals. Hello Shark will be heading out on the road next week with Advance Base, and they will be ending the tour in Philly on Wednesday, August 31 at PhilaMOCA.

Kevin Nickles (Ecstatic Vision, Taiwan Housing Project) and Daniel Provenzano (Purling Hiss, Spacin') rocket through space as The Writhing Squares. Tonight, the duo celebrates their latest album In The Void Above (Siltbreeze) with a performance at Kung Fu Necktie. The hard-driving record circles as components of chaotic noise emanate amid the locked-down bass and percussion, while the vocal interjections serve as captain-esque reference points. Splashed with the additional sonic colors of flute and saxophone, this noise-rock meets jazz ambiance steers toward the unexplored in a twisted futuristic groove. This evening’s festivities will also feature the local psych-punk of Igneous Eyes and the commanding psych-rock power of Birds of Maya. The genre-elusive, jazz-rock freak-out that is Massachusetts’s The Blues Dream Box completes this adventurous night of music. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Ben Leaphart) - Michael Colavita

“No,” the new track from Eric Slick (Dr. Dog, Lithuania), will be featured on his forthcoming album Palisades. Surrounded by the ringing echo of guitar bouncing against the steady crisp pecussion, the keys offer a sense of melancholy and warmth, reinforcing his calm approach to the personal lyrics. Slick is part of a bill on Tuesday, August 16 at Johnny Brenda's that also includes Mary Lattimore, Ahleuchatistas, and Shimmer.