“Observatories” is the latest collaboration between Jeff Zeigler (Valley Exit, Inlets, Arc in Round) & Dash Lewis (Gardener). Synth-fueled atmospherics envelope as one explores a pensive, pacifying state. The rhythmic, percussive motion steadies as the soft, bright touches of keys accent. Take it all in – just a little somethin’ to help ease ya into your day. You can also find them opening for Meg Baird & Mary Lattimore this Monday, April 29 at Johnny Brenda’s.

Barlow Hill, the new album from Tom Morris-led Swim Camp, is out now via Z Tapes. A innate, intimacy takes shelter in his latest release. Adorned in a sense of time-worn nostalgia, the delicate combination of beautifully subtle, folk instrumentation and genuine, memory-recalling lyrics brings the record’s imageries into sharper focus. One is temporarily transported back with vivid, familiar detail, yet the wisdom of time & experience remains.

“Holy Moses” is the new single from American Trappist, and can be found on Joe Michelini’s forthcoming EP Amuse-Oreille, Vol. 2. The track features NYC singer-songwriter Lesley Barth, and in the accompanying video, you find a disheveled Michelini drunkenly strolling towards the camera, sipping on some Tonewood Brewing. A breezy, humid, spring/summer-evening vibe sets the tone. However, that sense of ease is countered by the heaviness of guilt and seeking forgiveness, expressed in the lyrics. American Trappist is slated to co-headline Johnny Brenda’s on Saturday, June 29 with The Vernes and additional support from Grace Vonderkuhn.

Holy Moses (feat. Lesley Barth) from Joe Michelini

Recorded & mixed by Hank Byerly, Heliotrope is the debut EP from the quartet of Faucet. A graceful observational/contemplative duality radiates from these songs as a personal search matriculates throughout the album. Vocally, a sense of balance and calm guides, as one negotiates emotive circumstances. Tranquility and friction come together, creating a sound that one can naturally turn towards.

In the midst of touring in support of Camp Cope, Thin Lips van fell into disrepair. The funds generated from the band latest EP Carrot Milk (which is currently available for "name your price" via the Bandcamp) will aid in alleviating that financial burden. It’s a stripped-down sound for the rockers, putting the vulnerability of their songs on display. Through processing grief and consistently fine-tuning one’s personal framework, a freedom and strength emerges. Each day has the potential to be a fresh start/new beginning. You can catch the power trio with Camp Cope and Oceanator this Saturday, April 27 at First Unitarian Church.

Singer-songwriter Taylor Kelly crafts smooth seamless lyrical lines on her latest single, “JWYTK”. A soulful warmth radiates despite being the bearer of bad breakup news. Locked into the ever-expanding groove, one becomes invigorated by the soul-jazz hybrid. Within those apologetic tones, an optimism emerges, brought into the light by the compact, richly detailed, instrumental arrangement.

Krust Toons: "Game of Thrones" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

Body Meat is the musical alias of Christopher Taylor, whose newest release Truck Music represents a radical departure in vision from their earlier rock-oriented works. Backed by an evolving cast of players, the most recent iteration of the project features Mathew Anderegg on percussion. The constant volley of rhythmic samples and synths hammer the listener with the driving force of post-punk played out through an R&B lens. On the whole, Truck Music is more groove than grind – the momentum behind each track favors danceability over thrashing. Recordings like “No Garden” eek out traces of James Blake’s early works, reconfiguring sounds from the post-dub movement of the early 2010’s into music that is absolutely refreshing. Truck Music feels progressive, in that it is creatively expansive with little regard for boundaries, and yet the new direction feels wholly intuitive and natural. (Photo by Daniel Brennan)  – Josh Kelly

The Madalean Gauze Band commemorates its latest release, Nothing Feels Beautiful Anymore (The Deli Philly’s April Record of the Month), with a fantabulous show this Saturday at Boot & Saddle. The all-female outfit unites an enchanting/tumultuous resound – one that taps into deeply personal songwriting, while retaining a playful, psych approach. That ability to acknowledge life’s pleasantries and pitfalls, as part of a larger learning experience, is encapsulated in beguilingly memorable tunes, which will be brought to life at one of our favorite Philly listening rooms. The femme fatales will also be supported by the fantasy daydream of Tim Meskers’s Garden Gate and the Jo Kusy-fronted four-piece Pouring Silver. So for those of you who are looking for a bit of 4/20 weirdness, you now know where to go. – Michael Colavita

Other places where you can escape your family this Easter weekend…

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Rat Daddy, Dreamswell, Cody Cody Jones, SAT The Madalean Gauze Band (Album Release), Garden Gate, Pouring Silver 

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT DJ Mike Nyce, Mr. Sonny James: Philly Loves Prince

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT Shitty Wizard, Seeing Snakes/DJSC, SUN Nightfall, The Brood, Arseholes

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Control Top, SAT Sixteen Jackies, SUN Year of the Knife, Kaonashi, Simulakra

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Four Twenty Fest: Dawns Divide, Near Nightmare, Big Handsome, Black Melanite, Knolling Bones 

TLA (334 South St.) SUN Bry Greatah

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SUN Varials

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Gigantic (A Pixies Tribute), DJ Alex Vance/(Downstairs) Splintered Sunlight, Jah People

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dead:Stop (Acoustic), Groundwork, SAT Famous & Fallen, Night Mission

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Donuts, SUN Jamaaladeen Tacuma

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) SAT Levee Drivers, The Valets

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Welter, Mr. Lisp

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Tim Timur, Kevin Schultes and The Wild Dogs, SAT Dappa, Lil’ Blanco, Jaded

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, SAT DJ Deejay

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) SAT October Black

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI DJ Mighty Mike Saga, Elijvh Vrms

Century (1350 S. 29^th St.) FRI Los Gueys (Tape Release), Trash Boy, Roadkiller, Total Whine, SAT The Magnificent Shit Hawks

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Bunny Savage and The Plibmen, Under 95, Gozer, SAT Punk Rock Karaoke

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Los Festingos, The Classic Hunt, El Dwellers, SAT Dot.Gov

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Friend’s of the Devil’s Lettuce: Aron Magner

Rusty Nail (2580 Haverford Ave.) FRI Luminous Fins

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Youthfool

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) FRI Mattress Food, Johanna Baumann

Warehouse on Watts (923 N. Watts St.) FRI Winkdown, SAT Matthew Law presents Friends & Fam

Pickle Rehearsal Space (5213 Grays Ave., Unit B14) SAT Darlingtyn, Hambone Relay, Erik Kramer

The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Church Girls, Grayling, Soupy, SAT JamL

Cousin Danny’s (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Taiwan Housing Project, Chronic Anxiety, Mute Host

The quartet of Sun God has a new EP out, titled Life Skills. A breezy ease creates a composed yet energy-charged, melodic motion. Proximity with a sense of cohesive precision, the record retains a personal, polished dynamic. Sun God will be performing this evening at Anthorna Gallery, joined by locals Cherry, Bleary Eyed, and New York’s RNIE.

Empath‘s Active Listening: Night on Earth is slated to arrive on May 3 via Get Better Records. Directed by Ali Donohue (Fleabite, Swanning, Waxahatchee), a new video has emerged for "Hanging Out of Cars”. Amphibians scatter across and traverse various vibrantly colored, craftily constructed, outdoor settings. The noisy, psych-tinged soundscapes are wonderfully enriched by the video’s creatively intriguing landscapes.

Chris is the forthcoming full-length debut from Big Nothing, and is slated to arrive on May 10 via Salinas Records. The quartet recently shared its lead single “Real Name”. There is a catchy vulnerability in the songs emotive earnestness as a sense of isolation and not being seen for what you really are unfolds. You can catch the band, alongside Cherry and Swanning, at Radiator Hospital’s record release show on Tuesday, May 21 at PhilaMOCA. (Photo by Jared Castaldi)