New England

Tonight: Whistle Jacket, Young & Old, Fashion Snake, The Milkman’s Union @ PA’s

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whistle jacket

Whistle Jacket hits the stage tonight at PA’s lounge in Somerville. Often labeled as "quirky" we like this band’s high-pitched nasaly vocals and whimsical indie rock style..they’re definitely a good time and will make you want to dance!

Also on the bill are the indie folkrock band Young & Old, Fashion Snake and The Milkman’s Union (from Portland, Maine). Lead singer Henry Jamison’s lyrics are beautiful and along with his vocals and the music it all blends to create a dreamy-imagery, like Pavement only prettier.

If you’re in the mood for local pop music, this show is a must-see.

P.A.’s Lounge, Union Sq., Somervile
8:30 pm
–The Deli Staff

Philadelphia

Let’s Move Philadelphia Benefit w/Black Thought at The Blockley Feb. 18

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If you live in Philly and haven’t heard of the name Black Thought yet, then you must be living under a rock. The politically charged emcee and co-founder of the legendary hip hop group The Roots has rocked the foundation of the music industry with his complex lyrical content and intense live performances. Tonight you not only have the chance to see him roll solo inside an intimate setting at The Blockley, you also have a chance to contribute to a good cause in Let’s Move Philadelphia for Children. Branched off from Michelle Obama’s Lets Move initiative, this party with a purpose strives to support programs that promote healthy choices for black females by providing funding and resources to local Philadelphia youth organizations. So you can feel a little better about yourself as you listen to the funked out freestyle mastery. And hopefully members of the Money Making Jam Boys will be down for a good cause and a good time that will be amped up by one of the most recognized club DJs, Rich Medina. For close to 20 years, he has been taking people on a sonic journey using afrobeat, house, funk, and more. So tonight he is sure to be in his element to get yo asses on the floor! The Blockley, 3801 Chestnut St., 10pm, $20 adv/$25 door, 21+ – Bill McThrill
 
Philadelphia

Free Energy Sending Out Good Vibes at FUC Feb. 18

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Pitchfork darlings Free Energy refab American rock ‘n roll with a twist on the old familiar, falling somewhere between the earnest riffs of Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” and Spoon’s enthusiastic beats (long before they plateaued at mediocre with Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga). “Dark Trance”, off their debut Stuck on Nothing, possesses an inherent charm comprised of wailing riffs and straightforward poetics. “Something in Common” is the perfect mix of upbeat and heartfelt (reminiscent of what Sugar Ray’s “Every Morning” might have sounded like if they knew what indie rock was). “Power pop” for the masses, Free Energy sets to kick start your weekend with a bang pop premised by quirky jams compliments of Sweatheart. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 pm, $10, All Ages – Dianca Potts
 
L.A.

Purple Melon at The Roxy February 24th

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 Before you get all dolled and swagger’d up and hit the Sunset Strip next Friday with no destination in mind, stop by The Roxy and check out Purple Melon. These imports from the U.K. play pure rock ‘n’ roll, with an old school L.A. Guns type sound, and are always dressed to kill with looks to match. They have conquered venues like The Mint and The Viper Room, and are known to put on a hell of a live show. You won’t want to miss their first show of the year on February 24th at The Roxy next week!

–Jenna Putnam 

NYC

NYC band on the rise: Widowspeak open for Crystal Stilts and Beach Fossils

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Simple, droney guitar chords, bare-bones drums, and alluring siren vocals combine into a power trio called Widowspeak. This new Brooklyn based band sounds like Kim Deal doing lead vocals on some kind of twangy psych rock. If that’s not enticing enough, their slower numbers (see embedded song) sound like Deal doing a guest shot on The Velvet Underground. And – by the way – yes, we did have a crush on Kim when we were teenagers, didn’t you?
The band has a string of interesting shows coming up: they will be opening for Crystals Stilts and Beach Fossils at 285 Kent on 02.18 (tonight), play Mercury Lounge with Teenage Stride on February 20th, and Glasslands with Dirty Beaches, Yellow Fever on March 3rd. – Michele McManmon

NYC

Weekly Feature: River City Extension, live at Maxwell’s on 02.20 + The Studio on 02.22

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River City Extension formed in New Jersey coffee shops around lead singer Joe Michelini. They are a band that appeals as much to the studio-quality audiophile as to the live music party animal with a tight live show, complete with a horn section. Having this much musical variety is a rarity in pop music today and sets the band apart with its instrumental prowess. The band has a vast array of different instruments but does not play them just to be different they all fit in well with the ensemble and are almost all played with a level of virtuosity. – Read Alex Borsody Interview with the band here.

NYC

Weekly Feature: Translations

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Translations have a penchant for the sounds of 60’s pop and psych, as well as a healthy affection for classic R&B and soul. They’ve managed to merge these elements with the more modern sounds of reverb-soaked, lo-fi garage rock, and the results are impressive. “The Wanderer,” off the band’s recent EP (and not a cover of the Dion song), boasts a slinky bass line and crooned vocals, a hazy layer of organ, propulsive drum claps and a chorus laden with enough “oohs” for everyone to feel comfortable singing along to. “Tarantella” is a bit more out there, but no-less infectious waxing and waning like a lost early Velvet Underground demo. Translations formed about a year ago and have already managed to garner some local blog praise, with more to come after the release of two new singles early this year. – Read Bill Dvorak Q&A with the band here.

Philadelphia

The Mural and The Mint Collaborate w/Nichole Canuso Dance Co. at The Maas Building Feb. 18 & 19

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The Mural and The Mint collaborate with Nichole Canuso Dance Co. for live performances this Friday and Saturday at The Maas Building. Inspired by the chamber pop outfit’s new album, As the Eyes of the Seahorse, you can download it for free here. There will also be a vinyl version of the album available at this weekend’s record-release shows. Below is a quirky, groovetastic preview trailer for your enjoyment. The Maas Building, 1325 N. Randolph St., 7:30pm & 9:30pm, $12 – $15, All Ages – Alexis V.  
 

Philadelphia

Cloud Entertainment Launch Party at Millcreek Feb. 18

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Cloud Entertainment will be having a launch party this evening at Millcreek Tavern for their official website: http://www.cloudentertainmentphilly.com. If you’re not familiar with Cloud Entertainment, they’ve been booking shows and helping to spread the word about local talent for over four years now. They book primarily at Millcreek Tavern and Pterodactyl Art Gallery and also other venues independently including World Cafe Live, Kung Fu Necktie, The Fire and other non-conventional spaces. Tonight local acts Lion Versus, The Best Westerns, The Josh and Pete Band, and Baltimore’s A Cat Called Cricket will be helping them celebrate this occasion. You’ll also find head guy Josh Craft pulling double duty and performing around town with his band Conversations with Enemies or as the re-incarnation of The Bee Team. There will be drink specials from 9 – 11pm so liquor up and buy a round for the Cloud Entertainment crew while you are at it. Cheers! Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 9pm, $8, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 
NYC

Luke Rathborne releases double EP “I Can Be One / Dog Years” + plays Living Room on 02.18

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Luke Rathborne is just 22 years old and already knows what it feels like to be tired after a long night of drinking and other regrettable affairs, knowing he’s gotta pick himself up to do it all over again the next night. Hailing from the deep woods of Brunswick, Maine, his voice occupies a wide range of sparse and haunting settings; from sad bastard bar ballads to whispy folk tunes, he succeeds in turning otherwise stubborn melancholy to the kind of comforting intimacy I used to go to Elliott Smith to find. His wispy tenor is so effortless, Rathborne has no difficulty complimenting a very wide pallette, which can sometimes make his thread a bit difficult to follow, but that’s part of the fun that comes with discovering a new artist. You can expect something for anyone needing a shoulder to cry on when his debut double-E.P. Dog Years comes out March 8 on Dilletante Records. He’ll also be leaving for a London tour on the 21st of this month, so now’s the time to see him in an intimate, local space. Luke Rathborne performs at The Living Room Feb 18 @ 7pm. – Mike Levine
Luke Rathborne: Dog Years

Philadelphia

The Deli’s Philly Best Emerging Artists Poll – Top Performers: Levee Drivers

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When I first saw Levee Drivers two years ago at Yards Brewery, I was instantly blown away by the sheer boldness of the Bucks County outfit’s performance. The second time I saw them–at the 2009 Beta Hi-Fi competition where I was one of the judges for–I was equally mesmerized. And yes, they did win and deservedly so. These reactive moments, though, didn’t happen because what I heard was surprisingly singular. It was because there was this undeniable passionate force behind every guitar lick and salty intone. That’s probably why The Deli has had them on our radar for a long time now. Levee Drivers performed at our first-ever locals showcase, part of The Tunes Wit Whiz series, at Johnny Brenda’s. They also snagged the top spot last year in our Fans/Readers poll and got to share the stage with The Deli’s Best Emerging Artists 2009 overall poll winners Reading Rainbow and runner-ups Grandchildren. But what do you expect from a band that calls on dirty pick-ups ("Poor Boy’s Shoes") and driving swagger ("Tennessee Girl")? Just charismatic ruggedness, that’s all. On the real, their signature blend of vintage rockabilly, dust bowl country, working class rock, and crossroad blues melts to this sort of beaten Steel Country rock ‘n’ roll, and you can’t ignore it. I dare you to try. – Annamarya Scaccia
 

Portland

Seasons/Spectres at Someday Lounge

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What a great way to get ourselves through these last stretches of dreary winter-gloom – Alameda has just announced that their debut full-length Seasons / Spectres is ready for listening, and you can join the celebration March 5 at the Someday Lounge for their record performance, along with performances by Porches and OK Bird.

Alameda is not just another three-piece folk-pop Portland band – it’s vocalist/guitarist Stirling Myles, classically-trained cellist Jessie Dettwiler, and classical clarinetist, Jennifer Woodall, along with visitations by members of the Horse Feathers, AgesandAges and various musicians from regional symphonies. Altogether, the result is a collaboration of orchestral comprehensions, a full symphonic accord that finds balance between folk modesty and effervescent chamber pop; a balance that will doubtlessly put up a great show. 

So come out to the Someday Lounge and pick up your copy of the heavy-hearted yet seamlessly orchestral Seasons / Spectres this March; it’s diverse moodiness is exactly what you need during this bipolar winter season. –April Ehrlich

Also, here is a little sneak-peek of what to expect: New Leaf – Alameda