If an evening of seductive synth-laden music entices you, Kung Fu Necktie’s twin billing is right up your alley. With their latest EP Amore, appropriately released on Valentine’s Day, Work Drugs continues their trend of producing velvety grooves that take advantage of clean echoing whisper-style vocals, topping them off an airy foundation while incorporating horns to add a bright jazzy touch. Night Panther, an equally dance-friendly quartet, will also grace the stage. Bringing a sound that runs the full spectrum from an intense synth-and-bass-driven smack, to an airy vocal lead of smooth grooving pop. Night Panther creates an extremely energetic fluid vibe. Inspiring one’s inner animal to go out on the prowl. So, get to KFN, and get movin’. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7:30, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Album Review: Slowness – For Those Who Wish To See The Glass Half Full + SF Vinyl Release Party 3/10
Two years after the release of their debut EP, San Franciscan band Slowness returns with their first full-length LP, the alluring and addicting For Those Who Wish To See The Glass Half Full. Singer Geoffrey Scott, bassist Julie Lynn, and drummer Scott Putnam deliver eight hypnotic drone pop-shoegaze tracks set to a dreamy atmosphere and succinct lyrics that trigger pleasant familiarity. The album, although brief, doesn’t lessen the impression that you’ve floated away into aural ecstasy. The optimistic “Day For Night” starts off with an upbeat, infectious beat that leads to an intense outro, before mellowing-out in “The Glass.” Anti-political undertones are heard in the catchy anthem “Energy” and the entrancing, melancholic “Calm & Dispel.” The sluggish “Repeater” channels a lethargic vibe that paves the way for a gradual, two-minute long airy outro, contrasting the upbeat intensity of “Wired.” The journey ends with the visionary invitation to “Race To Mars” and the beautifully moody “Walls of Blue.”
With a polished sound that breeds intimacy and nods to many great 80’s bands, Slowness proves that their realm is one to get lost into… rapidly. -Natacha Pavlov
You can can also attand Slowness’ Vinyl Release Cocktail Party tomorrow at Bar 821. Find details and RSVP here.
KidRockers w/Ape School at WCL March 9
Since its launch in 2007, KidRockers has spanned through 4 cities, providing a platform where families could be exposed to original indie music in an all-ages setting. And since then it has managed to bring in big name acts like Silversun Pickups, Datarock, Nada Surf, and locals like Bleeding Rainbow and The Spinto Band. And now Ape School is set to join that list of storied artists as multi-instrumentalist Michael Johnson carries on the series tradition of providing old music heads and new music heads some much-needed bonding time. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 11:30am, $12, All Ages – Bill McThrill
Torres Releases Debut, Plays SXSW
Photo by Bekah Cope
A recent high school graduate travels up the road from Macon, Georgia to our beloved Nashville to attend Belmont University with songwriting aspirations. This is a fairly common tale in Music City. You’ve probably heard it before, interchanging cities and towns of origin. In this version, the protagonist is played by Mackenzie Scott whose given name is less recurrent than this common storyline. Lately though, you probably have heard some heavy buzz surrounding Scott’s musical monicker, Torres.
Since releasing her self-titled debut in late January of this year, Torres (which is Scott’s grandfather’s last name) has seen her pseudonym take shape in the public eye with warm reception. The 22-year-old wrote and recorded her debut while enrolled at Belmont, pulling double duty as college student and recording artist; neither effort suffered as a result of the other. Scott graduated from Belmont, and Torres put out a gripping record filled with 10 songs showcasing maturity and depth not often found among debut releases.
With a background in writing (poetry and short stories), Scott taught herself to play the guitar at the age of 16. She began performing in Nashville in 2009 in acoustic settings (read: Americana, folk, coffeehouse, granola). Unlike many songwriters in Nashville, she broke out of the writers rounds and developed a sound she describes as having the "teeth" she couldn’t achieve in the acoustic format. The dynamics and production of Torres are notable in that they display a specific mood and atmosphere without acting as bells and whistles. Torres’ vocal performance is emotive without feeling forced. She pulls listeners along her journey instead of pushing listeners into emotional submission. If you’re pressed for time, give a listen to "Chains" and "Jealousy and I." When you get some more time, have a go at the whole record.
Torres is representing Nashville and supporting her record with a run of performances at SXSW. She’ll be playing The Deli‘s Hangover Hideout on March 13th at 4 pm. –Jonathan Parrish
Austin Band on the Rise: Feathers open for Depeche Mode at SXSW
Are they called Feathers because their electronic beats mixed with the soft voice of Anastasia Dimou cause you to feel like you are flying through the city on a windy day? Probably not. The Austin band formed in 2011 after leading lady, Dimou, moved to Texas by way of New York and met three other lady musicians. Their new album "If All Now Here" will be out later this year but you will have multiple opportunities to check them out on their home turf during SXSW – most notably they will be performing at the exclusive Yahoo! Music show featuring Depeche Mode, a band they date – at least musically. For a quick reference on their other showcases see their cover photo on facebook. – Courtney Pierce
Weekly Feature: Team Spirit heads to SXSW + releases EP in April
Spunky and sunny, Brooklyn-based Team Spirit embodies all the characteristics of their name, creating a swinging surf sound with bursts of poppy cheer. The band is heading to Austin for SXSW and will release their second EP in April, under the wing of buzz creators (and conflict of interests defiers) Vice Records. Listen to the track streaming below from the upcoming EP – epic! – Read Meijin Bruttomesso’s interview with the band
Weekend Warrior, March 8 – 10
It’s kind of gloomy out today, and I’m feeling a little down. However, I know that there will be some good vibes emanating from PhilaMOCA tonight. Philly music community pals Norwegian Arms, Scott Churchman, Laser Background and Circadian Rhythms are ready to bring plenty of weird into the former mausoleum turned multipurpose art space. They’ll also be celebrating the release of Churchman’s cassette Ignore the Noise (Single Girl Married Girl Records). PhilaMOCA, 531 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21 + (Photo by Brandee Nichols) – H.M. Kauffman
Weekly Feature: Joy Kills Sorrow readies new album, plays Rockwood on 03.24
With their albums "Darkness Sure Becomes This City" and its 2011 follow-up "The Unknown Science," Joy Kills Sorrow has taken their captivating live performance to NPR’s "Mountain Stage" series, in addition to folk festivals and bluegrass competitions throughout the world. The band, whose name comes from the call letters, WJKS, of the Monroe brothers radio station in the 1930s, just finished tracking for a new album, in between shows on the East Coast. See them live at Rockwood’s Stage 2 on March 24. – Read Davon Antonetti’s interview with the band here
Photo Recap: Obits, Creepoid & LE Yikes SURF CLUB at Underground Arts
Since winning our Best of 2011 Poll, Creepoid has added a new member Jeff White on slide guitar and guitarist Pete Joe Urban moved to San Antonio to be with his girlfriend while she finishes up her graduate degree (she’ll be done in May, and they’ll be returning to Philly soon) so performances by the full band have been few and far between lately. That is why last night was a real treat having them all together again in Philly tearing things up in the side room (our first time seeing a show there) at Underground Arts with Obits and LE Yikes SURF CLUB. Surprisingly, no instruments were destroyed; however, their set still remained as explosive and intense as ever. The band has been working on another album, and a lot of the new songs were on display. Expect a more psych rock feel containing Creepoid’s signature dark demeanor. Our favorite was the longest jam of the night which continually morphed catching us off-guard with each sonic shift. They currently don’t have a name for the song yet, but it will definitely be on the new album. The band seemed very excited about how the “medley” turned out in the studio. It was a fun evening, and you can checkout our photos from last night HERE. (Photo by Zach Blum)
Premiere: Cotillon, ‘White Roses EP’
There’s no stopping Post-Surf/Garage Pop band, Cotillon. Their debut EP, Votive Flower, was released in October, and they’re already presenting their second offering – the less heartbroken ‘White Roses’ EP. This second dose still carries the same moodiness, pep and youthful vigor, but with more cohesive, stylized production, and more assured songwriting. Standouts “Talk to Her” and “Tijuana” are filled with frontman Jordan Corso’s slacker vocal moments and the amazing guitar work from Zach Miller we loved on the first EP. ‘White Roses’ is equal parts nostalgia, peyote-drenched romanticism, laissez-faire francophilia, and post-post-modern anxiety. Stream the entire EP before it’s release on March 14, to be celebrated with a release show at The Echo on the same day, with support from Raw Geronimo and Free Moral Agents. – Jacqueline Caruso
From Our Open Blog: Puritan Pine Tonight @ Township
Puritan Pine blends the sweet harmonies of 60s girl groups with the rough guitars and energy of 90s indie rock. You can love The Ronettes, Weezer and Flipper and still make solid musical sense. Puritan Pine is living proof. See and hear it for yourself this Friday night at Township, 2200 N. California.
Sample some advance tracks from Puritan Pine’s debut EP, Boomerang, on Facebook or Soundcloud. Puritan Pine plays with The Orions, The Sentinels and Handsome Lady. Catch four bands for $5. Guaranteed to beat staying at home folding your laundry while listening to the public radio pledge drive, watching the Rand Paul filibuster or waiting for the next drone attack. The music begins at 9.
Mister Lies “Hounded”
Nick Zanca (aka Mister Lies) has released a video for his track "Hounded". The track comes from his debut full-length album, Mowgli.
Nick will be touring for most all of March and April including several SXSW shows. You can find all of his upcoming events here.