If the internal dialogue you have between your ears spilled out onto the street when taking a walk to clear your head, I would hope that the conversation sounded like Liz & the Lost Boys. Liz Ciavolino’s voices projects in a theatrical fashion as she sings confessions sharing her wishes, desires, failures etc. The jazzy singer-songwriter’s musical accompaniment like keyboards or light twirling strings (guitar/harp) play off her vocals to accentuate a sense of the pensive tug and pull. Each word grabbing onto the next in an uneven chain that describes the pace highlighting the poignant moments by giving them just a little more time. She and her boys will be opening tonight at Kung Fu Necktie for Mice Parade and Floating Action. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St.,8pm,$12, 21+ (Photo by Fran Avendaño) – Michael Colavita
NYC
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Photos: Plaza Art Fair, 9.21 and 9.22.12
(Above photo: Diverse)
Last weekend, hundreds gathered at the Plaza Art Fair for art, food, music, and fun. The Ink stage hosted some of Kansas City’s most popular bands. See our photos below, from Todd and his budding photographer son, Ian Zimmer.
Photo by Ian Zimmer:
Photo by Ian Zimmer:
Photo by Ian Zimmer:
Photo by Ian Zimmer:
All uncredited photos by Todd Zimmer. Please do not use without permission.
NYC
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Low Hums Opening for Six Organs of Admittance at The Crocodile
Photo Source: Low Hums
Low Hums are set to play The Crocodile on Wednesday, October 3. They and Master Musicians of Bukkake will perform sets leading up to Six Organs of Admittance.
Their most recent album Low Hums pitched its official release in February of this year. Before even diving into the music itself, a run down of the song titles conjures a number of recurring motifs which crop up in the material: nature, experience, revelation, and exploration, to name but a few.
"Hands First Flower" is an excellent jumping off point to illustrate the band’s cross-pollination of styles. Mantra-like, its wavering hypnosis is anchored by deep rhythms that lull you inward. Psychedelic strums warble in and out of the portrait on occasion, but this is no ode to space rock’s sheer expansiveness. It is a form of earthen drone-folk that does not fear volume.
As "Morning Spirit" peels its translucent layers away, its core reveals a fondness for storytelling. The energy of the song unwinds at its own pace, crawling out of the collective that summons it. Other vital tracks include "Lightning Pass My Way" and "Down The Deep River."
They navigate freely between the characteristics of folk, drone, psychedelia, and post-rock music, subverting the lazy limitations listeners like to throw around. Appreciation for the Low Hums dawns on a listener like the gradual shift of a horizon that continually unveils its shimmering light.
The show on the 3rd of October is All-Ages for $12 a ticket. Doors are at 8pm. Give "Hands First Flower" a listen below and check out their bandcamp to stream the whole LP. Digital copies are available for $6.
– Cameron LaFlam
Philadelphia
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Ground Up Mixtape Release Show w/The Lawsuits at TLA Sept. 29
Tonight on South Street, local hip hop collective Ground Up return to the Theatre of Living Arts to celebrate the release of their latest mixtape, Supernatural. The tape dropped online last week and features collaborations with Philly artists Reef the Lost Cauze, Patty Crash and Chill Moody. Emcees Azar and Malakai and producer Bij Lincs will be joined on stage by their friends, Bucks County indie-folk outfit The Lawsuits, as their backing band. If you’re confused as to how a hip hop group and folky indie band would sound together, don’t worry it sounds great. If you don’t believe me, just check out the video of their HotBox Session below. Be sure to get your tickets for the show ASAP because when Ground Up came to the TLA last March, it was a sold out performance that you would not want to miss again. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe
Philadelphia
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Grubstake Vinyl Release Show at MilkBoy Philly Sept. 29
Touching on a musical variety that places their footprints in garage, blues, folk, grunge, etc., Grubstake has created a house-blend, which has been battle-tested over the past decade or so. The band has the ability to stampede the stage playing steady-rolling unadulterated straight-ahead blues complete with PW McHugh’s vocal growl, while being able to turn on a dime to showcase rootsy folk with the authentic touch of violin. It’s a bit of this and some more of that and the final product comes out with a thud and a whiskey grin. Grubstake will be celebrating the vinyl release of Anyhow tonight at MilkBoy Philly. Also joining the festivities are psych-rock power trio Satellite Hearts and indie popsters Early Ape. MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9:30, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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Guess Who’s Turning One? at The Boom Room Sept. 29
Multipurpose Fishtown community music space founded by producer/drummer Gary Dann, The Boom Room, is celebrating its one-year anniversary today with all-day party. The event will feature performances on the outdoor stage by Grimace Federation, The W.E. (featuring Jaguar Wright), Kuf Knotz, Edison, Camp Lo, and much more. DJs will be spinning throughout the night inside, and aerial acrobatics and fire performances by Wei-Wei and Rae-Mae (of Funtown Productions). There will also be complimentary beverages and food provided by Pabst, Vitamin Water and Local 215 Foodtruck as well as a cash bar by Kung Fu Necktie. (BTW: Also feel free to swing by The Boom Room’s Sunday Night Music Church, which is a weekly collaborative songwriting workshop and jam session designed for artists to meet and develop their ideas.) The Boom Room, 1300 N. Front St., 1pm, $30, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
Philadelphia
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The Walkmen Cancel E Factory Show on Oct. 6 “For Some Dumb Reason”
Bad news from The Walkmen camp – the band just posted on their Facebook page that their show at the Electric Factory on October 6 with The War on Drugs has been cancelled “for some dumb reason.” You can check out their message below.
Hi everyone. We’re really sorry but we are going to have to cancel our show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on October 6th for some dumb reason. We’ll be back there soon to make it up.
NYC
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Weekly Feature: Dynasty Electric plays Deli CMJ on 10.18
With their teeth cut from Portishead and Goldfrapp’s school of heavy romanticism flung over throbbing nightmare beats, Dynasty Electric offers an enthusiastic response to any question you had about staying up all night tonight. To this end, singer Jenny Electrik offers several compelling reasons to stick things out in your neighborhood dance floor this evening. The Brooklyn duo will be headlining The Deli’s CMJ Electronic stage at The Delancey on Thursday, October 18th – playing alongside Anomie Belle (Seattle), Maus Haus (SF) and Lushlife (Philadelphia) & more. The full schedule of this year’s Deli CMJ shows will be annouced on Monday! – Read Mike Levine’s interview with the band here.
NYC
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Weekly Feature: Eytan & The Embassy play Deli CMJ show on 10.17
Eytan & The Embassy will be co-headining The Deli’s CMJ Indie Pop stage with The Last Royals, at Spike Hill, Wednesday October 17th – full schedule of this year’s Deli CMJ shows to be announced on Monday! Check out their music video for ‘Everything Changes’ here & read Mike Levine’s interview with Eytan here.
San Francisco
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Free Weekend Fun: The Dodos, Geographer, White Fence + Special Guest Father John Misty
And now for some corporate-sponsored fun that might be actual fun.
VICE + JanSport are throwing their final Bonfire Session on Sunday, September 30th at the Fogwatch Picnic Area on Treasure Island featuring psych folk SF darlings the Dodos, the Deli SF’s Artist of 2011 Geographer, and SF/LA project White Fence. LA’s Father John Misty will close the show. Pick up a poster from local San Francisco artist Aaron Bo Heimlich at the event.
Being corporate-sponsored, it’s free with an RSVP here. If you’d rather pay, the Dodos open for Calexico on Oct. 23 at the Fillmore.
Chicago
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Nervous Cloud @ Cole’s
Nervous Cloud is celebrating the release of their self-titled debut album with a free show tomorrow night, Sept 29th, at Cole’s (2338 North Milwaukee Ave). Nervous Cloud is the duo of Travis Lee Wiggins and Sarah Sterling who have performed together previously in bands like The Salts and Essex Channel. Together and on their own they bring a quirky brand of indie rock that thrives on their exchange of vocals.
MP3: Nervous Cloud "How To Get Murdered In A Made For TV Movie"
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, September 28 – 30
The Norwegian Arms/Laser Background Philly house venue residency tour continues this evening at University City DIY staple Pilam. The guys are reliving their college days camped out in a couch fort, and they may or may not still be trippin’, but they’re ready to entertain some rowdy college kids. They’ve also brought along DRGN King, who was recently signed to Bar None Records, and Ladies Auxiliary to keep the party vibes going. It’s back to school time, y’all! Just don’t try a “Triple Lindy” off the stage tonight. Pilam, 3914 Spruce St., 8pm, $1 – $5 donation, All Ages – Alexis V.
Other entertainment as fall comes upon us this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI BITBY One Year Birthday Bash w/Faux Slang, Turning Violet Violet, Heyward Howkins, SAT Hermit Thrushes
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT (Early) The New Connection, (Late) Dear Althea, The Pretty Greens, Kate Ferencz, SUN Liz and the Lost Boys
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Sunburster, Skeleton Hands, SAT On Top, Clashing Plaid
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI I Yahn I Arkestra, dub-for-light, ANDtheNAMELESS, SAT Shortbread, Squalor Folk, SUN Mohican, Bengali Cockfight, Air Is Human
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SUN Sparta Philharmonic
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Katie Barbato, Ella Dars
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Liz and the Lost Boys, SAT The 2012 Philly Zombie Prom w/Live Not On Evil, The Young Werewolves
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI (Early) John Train, (Late) Aaron and the Spells, Sonja Sofya, David Cope, SAT Sylvia Platypus, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Ashes of Our Sins, Mach22
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI Suzi Analogue, Swarvy, SAT Looseleaf Trio, SUN Elliott Levin
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St. Philadelphia) SAT Rock & Rule w/The Wurxs, MICrophone Tone, Carter Woodz, SUN XVSK
Milkboy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Grand Nationals, Thee, Idea Men, SAT Early Ape, Grubstake (Vinyl Release Show), Satellite Hearts
Ortlieb’s (847 N. 3rd St.) SUN Leanna Song
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Ground Up, The Lawsuits, Mazon
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Beta Phase, Phantasm, Last Hour Battle, Scott Radway, SAT Long Walk Home
The Boom Room (1300 N. Front St.) SAT One Year Anniversary Party w/Grimace Federation, The W.e. Feat. Jaguar Wright, Kuf Knotz, Twister Baby, Cultureal, Edison and More
Cha-Cha’Razzi (Please contact one of the acts or the venue for more deets.) FRI Gypsy Death and You EP Release Show w/True Gold, Great Red Spots