Buddie, the fuzzed-out Philly powerpop project of Dan Forest, just dropped its debut EP Change of Scenery. The origins of the songs began while Forest was employed as a conservation biologist in Bioko (a small island in Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa), and have been fleshed out in the Grays Ferry studio of Keith Abrams (Pine Barons, Tremellow), who is responsible for mixing the album. The cassette is now available via Super Wimpy Punch, and the band will be rockin’ the label’s South Philly headquarters tomorrow evening to celebrate its arrival. They’ll also be joined by Qwark, Swim Camp, and Vermont’s Yellowfront.

Breaklite have branded themselves “the stoner punks (from hell) we all know and love,” and that just might be the case after you take their debut EP Bloodshot for a spin. It gave us the feels, and we’re down to see/hear where this party bus is going. We recently caught up with frontman Johnny Germ for our Featured Artist(s) Q&A. Check it out HERE, and join the cult!

It’s been more than a minute since we’ve heard from Philly indie popster(s) Bridge Underwater – about three years in fact. Bringing in a glimmer of sunshine on this overcast day, the lighthearted "Blue In The Face" is providing a much-needed bounce in our step. Its the lead single off Bridge Underwater’s forthcoming self-titled album, due out on February 8. Enjoy!

So we’ve diggin’ on Philly’s own Secret Nudist Friends for quite a while now. Their split EP with pals and fellow bandmates Blushed was our July Record of the Month 2018, and we are definitely interested in hearing a new album from the local garage-psych quartet sooner than later. Well, until that comes about, we have for you a new video for their single, "Something On Your Mind," which was directed by Deb Gilmore. Enjoy the groovetastic little jaunt with the gang through Point Breeze, and you can catch their next performance in Philly on Friday, January 25 at Everybody Hits! (Photo by Mike Arrison)

Bummer-rockers Booze Radley just shared the latest single off their forthcoming album Haunted Mind. "Teenagers" is accompanied by a video, highlighting the emotive anguish of the song’s lyrics. The band takes us for a stoney, blurred-out adventure through a cemetery in Pittsburgh. The combination finds its way to be an unassumingly cathartic experience.

Singer-songwriter Goodbye Max recently dropped a new split EP Out in the Quiet, with music brethren Half Birthday. For his part, the Philly artist counters the chill of this weather with the warmth and isolation of these recordings. It might not bring you completely out of this winter hibernation funk, but the comfort of his loneliness just might help you feel less alone. Go ahead, and give it a try.

Philly’s Ben Loomis and Flanafi, a.k.a. Pulgas‘ Simon Martinez, released a collaborative EP Hoss Flat, a homespun collection of melodically rich, meticulously layered bedroom pop. Although the album was recorded over a 24-hour period, the end result is a sophisticated and captivating experience. Both artists display an affinity toward 2000’s indie pop like Grizzly Bear, Akron/Family, and Radiohead, but have synthesized these influences into a delightfully clever and aesthetically robust album. Hoss Flat is rhythmically fit and focused, successfully threading together expansive melodies into a tightly knit sonic fabric. – Josh Kelly

Krust Toons: "Theme Night" 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.

Grisette just released a yearning, bluesy debut single, called “Ditches.” It was recorded and mixed by Jake Detwiler at Sleepless Sound Studios. With twilight on the horizon and the gentle, strumming pattern guiding you along the way, there’s a pleasant ache in the atmosphere. Then, that fervor ignites in a ripping, instrumental release, before returning to form and winding down.

Cool, composed, cultural commentary, approached at an energetic yet cruising speed, The Guests create music that balances a dynamic of deep thought, whilst in a casual, intimate mobility. Mysterious, mercurial synthpop engages describing the bleakness of the world in which we currently live, with a compact bright open air instrumentation. Acknowledging the disturbing dreariness, it’s as though a grey cloud perpetually hangs over our heads and the compact precision of the music gracefully attempts to out race it in search of hope. This Saturday evening at Boot & Saddle, The Guests will be headlining a benefit for the Philadelphia Tenants Union, supported by art-punk quartet JUICE, whose enchanting, chaotic, contagiously kinetic EP 100% was our December Record of the Month, as well as the beguiling psych-punk of Madalean Gauze. (Photo by Sam Pellegringo) – Michael Colavita

Other places that you can hang at for the first weekend of 2019…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Mothers, Empath, Corey Flood, SAT Philly Loves Philly: DJ Mike Nyce, Rich Medina, SUN Eric Slick

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The Guests, Madalean Gauze, Juice

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Queen Jesus, Sandcastle, Weekend Athlete/DJ Deejay, SAT DJ Lean Wit It, SUN BLK MGC

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Candy Volcano presents: Bowie Birthday Bash! Ziggy vs. The Thin White Duke

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI A Night of Stardust – Celebrating Bowie

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs)  Conjunto Philadelphia/(Downstairs) Kuf Knotz, SAT (Upstairs) School Of Rock/(Downstairs) Breakwater

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Haxon, Earth 7, SAT Allarms, SUN SEB, Ascension Drive, Enigmyst, Cardinal Sin, Infinity

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Mixed People, My Funky Brethren, SAT Baby Berlin, Elijvh Vrms

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Elison Jackson, Pouring Silver, Shadow Band (Solo), SAT VoirVoir, Morgan Pinkstone

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT A Scent Like Wolves, Last Minute Hero, Zombie Shark, SUN Mage Hand, Dean

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN The Jawn, Mercury Retrograde

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Paul Green Rock Academy Punk Rock Brunch, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Adventure Lost, Jesse Gimbel, SAT Melt With You, 7@7

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Limm, ShawnWeTrust, Ignant Yuth

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Samantha Rise, Brother Martin, The People, SAT Cubbage, Emily Drinker

Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Fairfield Project, New Alone

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Cabaret Sauvignon/DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI All-star Graceland Tribute Band: Ryan Tennis, Stella Ruze, Looseleaf, Emily Drinker, SAT Steal Your Peach, The Newspaper Taxis

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Floor Space, Socko, Andross, Menace of the Canvas

No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SUN So Totally, Knifeplay, Yung Sham

Hubris House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Puppy Angst, Feel Something

Lizard Lounge 215 (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Blubird, Americanadian, Swim Camp

The Glass Onion (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Lazy Eye (Album Release), Gorpho, Bona To Vada

The Sankofa House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Masie Blu, Interminable

Warsaw, the latest album from grindcore trio BANDIT, was recently released via Cricket Cemetery. Brutal instrumentation tears ahead as raw, rapid-fire lyricism cuts to the core.The songs diffuse the pressure in cathartic bursts. The album eventually closes with the blunt force of grief and the calming beauty of a Polish folk song.

TOSH, the new album from Wrecking Crew member Curly Castro, recently dropped via Backwoodz Studioz. Meshing the grimy with elements of dub, the record brings the heat in a perpetual, potent, slow burn. Balancing an air of danger and determination, there’s an authentic wisdom delivered. However, you’ll also an emphasis and enthusiasm, embracing the moment at hand. Polished beats and bars come together on a versatile LP that won’t stop.