Lion Versus have been on a bit of a hiatus, but tonight the gang will be returning back to the stage at The Fire. Led by the sultry vocals and charming poetic verses of Hilary White, the 7-piece create a backdrop full of old world beauty for her bittersweet tales to play out before audiences. The multilayered tunes can transport you from the grit and grime of the noisy city to the tranquil, expansive stretches of the countryside which are moments that should be cherished. They’ll be joined by local acoustic pop punk brother duo Corporate Hearts and Boston crooner Ariel Rubin. Looks like Tutlie recently dropped off the bill. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $7, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Break It Up had an impressive debut year in 2011 by garnering a lot of local blog love from just their lone single Excavate, which manages to channel Sleater-Kinney style alt grrrl memories. Since that time, the trio featuring Jen Sperling (ex-Conversations with Enemies), Dan Morse (Wigwams), and Casey Bell has delivered exciting live performances making them a new act dear to our hearts. They also laid down some most enjoyable sessions with the BITBY and The Key crews. The band is getting ready to kick off their 2012 by performing at The Fire for the Northern Liberties Music Festival with a stellar lineup of locals and Deli faves like The Extraordinaires, Dangerous Ponies, Conversations with Enemies, Arrah and the Ferns, and City Rain. They’ll also be making their first trek down to Austin to maneuver through the sea of indie acts hustling to get noticed on the national level at SXSW so look out for some exciting things from Break It Up including their debut release! (Video by BITBY) – Bill McThrill

This is an odd pairing, but more power to locals Work Drugs for getting hooked up with an opening slot for the SOLD OUT Umphrey’s McGee show at the Electric Factory tonight. In fact, the smooth-fi crew is doing a weekend run of Boston, Philly and Baltimore with the popular jam band outfit from Chicago. They’ll also have new female vocalist who just joined the band at their side. Hopefully Work Drugs will be able to get all their friends and fans into the spacious backstage at the E Factory. It’s a party y’all so don’t forget your hippie drugs (and hula hoops)! Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St., 8:30pm, $25 + fees (SOLD OUT), All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

Don’t miss a new installation of John Vettese’s “Still Life” (a series dedicated to showcasing experimental/ambient music) tonight in the Side Chapel of the First Unitarian Church! Philly’s own Northern Valentine will be performing this evening with their dreamy, atmospheric soundscapes that manage to travel “the spectrum between tranquil and massive” while being cerebral yet full of heart. They’ll also be bringing video projectors into the mix, which will be the first for the experimental showcase. Joining Northern Valentine will be the debut of South Jersey’s Endor Endor, a new instrumental project from Tom Ryan (Young Statues, the Atomic Square, It’s a King Thing, etc.), and Baltimore duo (that sound more like a six-piece) The Water. So “turn on, tune in, and drop out.” First Unitarian Church – Side Chapel, 2125 Chestnut St., 8pm, $8, All Ages – Q.D. Tran

South Philly’s Rajesh Haldar a.k.a Lushlife has consistently proven why he is a force to be reckoned with in both the city’s hip hop and indie scenes. Sure, plenty of hip hop artists rhyme over indie samples nowadays, but Lushlife’s approach to this concept is what sets him apart. His music is so eclectic that everyone from hardcore hip hop heads to the hippest indie fans can find something to enjoy. The groundbreaking emcee/producer combines his raspy, Nas-influenced vocal delivery with the indie sounds of artists like Fleet Foxes, Brown Recluse, RYAT and Clams Casino and features Roots’ affiliates STS and Dice Raw for a truly unique sound on his latest mixtape No More Golden Days. On the follow-up to his sophomore album Cassette City, Haldar takes these influences to impressive new heights, which has brought the performer some well-deserved critical acclaim and attention in the blogosphere. When the mixtape was released back in October, its lead single “She’s a Buddhist, I’m a Cubist,” which features a guest verse from up-and-coming Memphis emcee Cities Aviv, was a featured track on Pitchfork. Later that month, No More Golden Days was the mixtape of the week for October 26th on Stereogum, where it beat out tapes from more well-known artists like Waka Flocka Flame and Philly’s own Freeway. Lushlife also received some hometown love when his latest offering was featured as our November Album of the Month (you can check out the review HERE), and it made #4 on Q.D. Tran’s Best Local Albums of 2011 List. 2012 is already starting off more promising than last year with his recent signing to Western Vinyl and the announcement of his new album Plateau Vision (due out in April). Hometown fans can come experience Lushlife’s impressive one-man show this February 15th at Union Transfer. – Dan Brightcliffe