Michelle Zuaner (Little Big League, Post Post) is celebrating the debut label release, Pychopomp (Yellow K Records), from her solo project Japanese Breakfast at Ortlieb’s tonight. The new venture shows a radically contrasting side to Zauner as a songwriter through its use of experimental textures, pads, and loops. Compared to the dynamic energy of the guitar-driven Little Big League, Japanese Breakfast is airy and subdued with sonic nuances. The synth work brings to mind bands like Small Black or Brothertiger, but the songs have more of the carefree charm of The Sundays or Saint Etienne. Joining Japanese Breakfast this evening will be Littler, the fuzzy, poppy, punky band that sounds like the projected approximation of Veruca Salt in the universe where they subsequently became a twee band. Myrrias will also be also performing, bringing a psychedelic slant to the bill, with dark atmospherics and droning, interweaving melodies. Ortlieb’s, 847 N. 3rd St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Bryce Woodcock
More places to chill out this weekend…
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT St. James and The Apostles, Thee Minks
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SUN Heart Harbor
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Kalob Griffin, SAT Address
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Corpse Hoarder/Vincent Remember, Camp Candle/DJ Deejay, SAT Coffin Dust, Castle Freak, Fisthammer/Welter, Riverside Odds, 66 Stitches/Ecstatic Vision, Ancient Creatures, Harsh Vibes, SUN Supine, Brain Candle, Pigment/Cherry (EP Release), Sun Organ, Lowercase Roses, Cave People
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Ivy Sole
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Blacksalt, E. Joseph and the Sparrows
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI The Space Cats, SAT Zymotic Flow, Paul Kurrey, The Good Mess, Bright Future, SUN Instant Bingo, Vinnie Paolizzi, Bright Future
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI The Falcon, SAT Ceramic Animal
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SUN Radioactive Sandwich, Sex Black Female
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Tyler Fantini Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Cynthia Mason
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Hartline, The Bad Tequila Experience, Imankita, Wetbrain, SAT Duffy’s Cut, Dive In The Box, Legion 76, The Up Up Ups, SUN This Way to the Egress, The White Cheddar Boys (Record Release)
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SUN Young Graves
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Franky’s Foxes, Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Spicy Meatball, Matt Gauss Band, White Limo, Sweet Eureka, Andrew Jude, SAT Gavilan, Borrowed Equipment, Brianna Lee, SUN Matt Roach, Hayden
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Ross Bellenoit, Dirty Holiday (EP Release), The Parsnip Revolt, SAT Aphra, Power Animal, Baby Brains, SUN Josh Nussbaum, James Dukenfield
Millcreek Tavern (4200 Chester Ave.) FRI Crazy Bull
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Broken Arrow, The Newspaper Taxis, Su Teears, SUN Jefferson Berry & the Urban Acoustic Coalition, Stu and The Gurus, Brandywine Ridge, The Hoppin Boxcar’s
Chhaya Cafe (1819 E. Passyunk Ave.) SAT Twin Ghost
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) SAT Exploding Head Scene, Jewel Eye, Trish Keenan Duo
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Snow Caps, Hallowed Bells, SAT Slingshot Dakota (Record Release), Petal, Hurry, Mercury Girls
Girard Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Line Leader, Cabbage, SAT Neolibz, What Nerve, SCC
Lower Level (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Caffeine, Disappearances
2300 Arena (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Uphevil, Destruct Device, The Charley Few, Ali Wadsworth & A Fistful of Tights
TranCo (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Wolf, Dot.Gov, Satellite Hearts, Behind the Grandstand
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Roof Doctor (EP Release), Fake Boyfriend, Pet, Pauline, Yes Yes A Thousand Times Yes