When listening to the debut full-length LP Fish from the Sky from San Francisco-based E.G. Phillips, also known as Ducks With Pants, the first words that come to mind are ‘whimsical’ and ‘charming.’ The words ‘incredibly good’ also slip into the mix. Compiled of ten short tracks that blend quirky singer-songwriter pop with folk sensibilities, the album is Phillips’ “motley collection” of tracks he’s put together while living in the Bay and “haunting the various open mic venues in coffee houses and bars that the city makes available.” The opening track, “Tall Girls In Love” (streaming below) is the perfect example of what makes Phillips project so accessible. Apparently inspired by an episode of "Leave It To Beaver," the tongue-in-cheek lyrics absolutely refuse to take themselves too seriously (“the boys are intimidated / they hafta look up to see her eyes”), while the stripped down arrangements bring a certain intimacy one could only attain in the type of open mic night that Phillips describes. He will be next performing at Neck of the Woods on February 15th. – Lilly Milman
Don’t miss the new gnarly space rock EP from The Rupert Selection
Boston’s post-rock trio The Rupert Selection are one of the few bands in New England that can mash hard, progressive rock and ambient space noodles into a signature sound. Their newest EP Modern Playground Medicine, plays out like a soundtrack to a space-age action movie; it’s one part blistering, jagged rock and roll, one part ambient weirdness. The trio somehow manage to channel hard/space rock bands like Quicksand and Failure while simultaneously displaying their influence in the landscapes of Stanley Kubrick, ultimately showcasing an effortless comfortability within their own unique vision. Get sucked into the vacuum of Modern Playground Medicine below. -Charley Ruddell
Russian Bath’s “Slenderman” contrasts airy vocals with noisy shoegaze
Beginning with pummeling tom drums, Russian Baths‘ first single from the upcoming “Penance” EP could easily be a soundtrack to fleeing the titular Slenderman character. While the airy vocals emote almost plainly, the instrumentals jostle with each other to occasionally cacophonous peaks. At its calmest, “Slenderman” is a foreboding, gothic track but the noisy, feedback-laden guitars topple over in threatening outbursts that do justice to the fictional character’s horror legacy. Most startling about “Slenderman” is the calm portrayed in the vocals throughout it all. In another context the voice might be a soothing reassurance, but here it only adds to the tension. "Penance" is out February 23rd via Good Eye Records. – Cameron Carr
“Foreclosure” is the haunting debut album of Michi Tassey side project Nature Shots
The debut release from singer/songwriter Michi Tassey of Nature Shots is as haunting and spacious as its title suggests. Foreclosure is an exercise in both patience and resilience within its cavernous landscape, employing a slow-burn, textural approach from start to finish. Tassey’s vocal harmonies, layers of acoustic sounds, and intimate dialogues call comparisons to emotive songwriters like Laura Marling and the ladies of Warpaint. What serves as the foundation of Foreclosure is an innate and peaceful simpleness, an inward migration from her role as frontwoman for the feverish indie rock/jazz group People Like You. Get lost in the meditation of Foreclosure below. -Charley Ruddell
The Ballroom Thieves release bluesy, politically charged single “Do Something”
It’s been exactly one year since the presidential inauguration, one endlessly stressful and tumultuous year at that. This is no coincidence to Boston’s three piece indie/folk rock outfit The Ballroom Thieves, who released their new single “Do Something”, a bluesy, simmering plea to the abhorrent administration that currently occupies the White House. The band detailed in a statement to Baeble Music their feelings behind the new song:
"Now a year has passed and it’s apparent that the patience we once championed is wholly wasted on an egomaniacal president who cares for nothing but his own enrichment. As such, the meaning behind this song has shifted with the times and it now stands as a letter for you, to him, from us. Patience has become a virtue of yesterday, and time’s up."
Read the full statement and find the latest Ballroom Thieves tour dates here, and stream “Do Something” below. –Charley Ruddell
Weekend Warrior, January 19 – 21
Messy, The Deli Philly’s December 2017 Record of the Month and the latest album from Curtis Cooper, is being celebrated with a release show this evening at Johnny Brenda’s. Cooper harnesses an ability to expose an emotional intensity that’s endearingly accessible, developing a well-conceived, melodic framework, while still tapping into a raw, rip-it-out-of-your-chest, guttural tone. In contrast, they can create a sense of stillness, instrumentally illuminating pensions with a dim, folk backdrop, allowing the weight of the words to wrap around you in a comforting manner that still sends chills up the spine. The Andy Molholt-led Laser Background will also be joining them tonight, instilling ease as waves of playful, candy-coated dreams wash over. And infusing joy and humor into their infectious bummer-pop, the duo of Coping Skills will be leading the way. – Michael Colavita
More places to be this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Curtis Cooper (Record Release Show), Laser Background, Coping Skills, SAT OOLALA, David Fantasy & Adult Content
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI 722 (Reunion Show), Church Girls, Dylan Jane
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Eliza Edens/Slagmatter, Thunderbird Divine, The Gravies/Lil’ Dave, Dr. Plotkin, Gummibear/DJ Deejay, SAT The Charley Few, Fucksake/Pet Lizard, The Space Cats, Mesén Around/DJ Sylo, DJ PHSH, SUN Scantron, Trash Beach
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Kohoutek, Northern Liberties
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Al-Tarik
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) SAT Patrick Richards
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN Glenn Bryan & Friends
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Mt Vengeance, Bryant Eugene Vazquez, SAT Fixation/Traitor, Blasphemous
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Damn Right (Album Release), American Dinosaur, Greg D., SAT Mach22, Everlit, Siravo, Night Mission
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Air Is Human, SAT Goodnight Lights, Witch Bomb
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Creem Circus, RunHideFight
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Reed Streets, SAT Queue, Lizdelise, SUN Plastic Shrines, Styrofoam Dinosaur
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Hambone Relay, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease, Hannah Taylor & The Rekardo Lee Trio, DJ Dan Reed, SAT Adventure Lost, Tyler Kingsley
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT The Exclusive Tri-State Showcase
Century Bar (1350 S. 29th Street) SAT Blackhand, Buzzherd, Off Meds
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Port Arthur, Tiger Castle, This Kills Me, Justin Kerecz, SAT Kenny Price, XPresidents, Hank Henny
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Music For The Arts (11th Annual Benefit): Old Soul Revival, Chris Grunwald & The Slow Response, The TC Cole Riot, Droppin Deuce, The Bad Larrys, SUN The Whiskeyhickon Boys, Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI PT Benefit: Narra, SUN Small Circle, AllegrA
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Seeing Snakes, Billy Bollinger, The Absolute Sky/Heaven Man, Swwik, Sitting in Cars, The Ugly Barnacles, SAT Badnew, Snakeboy, Flamingo Chicks, SUN Shelf Life, Mavis the Dog/Fred Beans
Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.)FRI Maryn Jones, Mowgli’s Mirror, SAT Crooked Spine, Tim Woulfe
The Spreehive (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Supine, Get Well, Jennifer
Skulls (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Leadrs, Median
Abri shares retro pop jam “Need to Know,” plays DROM on 01/24
SHIMASHIMA Collective’s Abri makes hard-hitting retro soul-pop music (listen to her new song "Need to Know," and you’ll understand what I mean by "hard-hitting"). Abri’s unafraid and powerful vocals, combined with a dark, juicy Motown-inspired production make for a confident, pulsing track, and the songwriting displays an artist that takes ownership of whichever situation she’s put in. Abri is playing DROM on 1/24 with SHIMASHIMA, and the collective has more new music coming out this month. –Geena Kloeppel
New Profligate LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Wharf Cat Records recently issued Somewhere Else, the first full-length album from Profligate, a.k.a. Noah Anthony, since 2014. A calm intensity is evident almost immediately, as beats bend into unconventional sonic shapes, hovering over the threshold with precise cleanliness, while simultaneously scattering industrial scraps all over the dance floor. Passages of serene stillness are countered by jolts of jarring noise, establishing an ear-alerting balance.
The Sea and Cake
The Sea and Cake have announced that they will be releasing a new LP, Any Day, on May 11th via Thrill Jockey. Below is the title track and first single from the album. This is the band’s 11th studio album and first since 2012’s Runner.
Thanks. free their minds on “Your World”
Thanks. blend chic electronic pop with a vintage disco treatment on "Your World." The dance trio take on a sunny disposition as they promote a message of self-empowerment, funneled through a funky blend of Madchester-informed swagger and light rock elements with a sharp pop sense.
"Your World" is out now via Highland Park Records. Juan Rodríguez
The Muckers throwback rock takes on Elsewhere 1.21
With no fear, The Muckers embrace a rock ‘n’ roll of the past: cyclical riffing, healthy doses of reverb, song structures built for guitar solos, and a taste for the slightly psychedelic. There’s something classic New York about the band too, a bit of Strokes imagery (check the floppy hair and stylized logo font) and some garage rock sensibilities. But, the problem is, The Muckers only have one recording to their name, the retro-styled “Suspended for a Long Time.” For now, you’ll have to catch the band in concert to hear more—the group’s upcoming gig at Elsewhere on January 21st will be the next opportunity. – Cameron Carr
New Track: “So Familiar” – Ceramic Animal
Strolling keys set off the psych daydream of “So Familiar,” the new single from Ceramic Animal. Trapped in a state of déjà vu, the inherent warmth of new love permeates. Floating on a cloud but already questioning the long-term ramifications/outlook, the message is mixed. Ceramic Animal is slated to appear at World Café Live on Saturday, February 17 with Sixteen Jackies and Dr. Danny.