With the promise of a full-length and three records already under their belt (2008’s The Antique Sessions EP, 2009’s The Corrina Sessions EP &2010’s A Collection of Love Songs LP), The Lawsuits stir a medley of genres into their scorched Americana sound. From riverside blues sermons (“Talk You Down”) and barroom booty rock (“Hot Mama Blues”) to secluded, forlorn folk (“Beautiful Anger”) and vintage coastal pop-rock (“Heart Grown Cold”), the local four-piece – and idée fixe of singer/songwriter Brian Strouse – wears their sonic influences on their sleeve. But it’s not an ode to what’s been. Instead, The Lawsuits’ workhorses are contemporaries, modernizing a pastoral sound that’s threaded deep into the fabric of America’s sonic blanket. You can watch the outfit weave itself into musical history tonight at West Philly’s Millcreek Tavern for the Philabundance Benefit (also on the all-local acts bill: brooding indie rock troupe Lightninging, female-fronted alt-rock/soul mashup VeNT, and neo-soul rap star Manchilde). Along with the cover charge, bring several canned goods to donate to the food bank and hunger relief organization and help feed the number of hungry families this holiday season. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave, 9pm, $8, 21+ (Photo by Stephanie Juris) – Annamarya Scaccia