Philly’s storied avant-surf-punk-jazz vets The Notkillers had a chance to perform at Todd P’s new legal Bushwick music venue Tres Pecos (which once housed beloved DIY space The Silent Barn) on November 5, 2013. They were part of a showcase curated by Brooklyn indie label Northern Spy Records, and their set was recorded by music archivist NYC Taper, which you can download in its entirety for free HERE. You can also stream their live performance of "Eyelash," off the band’s 2011 album We’re Here To Help, below.
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The Deli Philly’s January Record of the Month: True Gold – True Gold
South Philly shoegazers True Gold turn up the fuzz with their debut self-titled LP. Opening with “Final Fantasies,” the album’s first is an atmospheric anthem amplified by subtle orchestration. Bringing to mind early cuts by Mogwai, the band’s buzzing riffs bend and echo with cinematic reverb as the track evolves, increasing its emotive weight and precision. A plausible yet refined throwback to acts like Pavement or Built to Spill, True Gold’s vocals in the track are equal parts brooding and earnest. Failing to feel rushed or forced, their opener cultivates catharsis in its listener while serving as a flawless start to their full-length album.
“Undulate” is initially subdued later sounding out with meticulous melody and percussion, prefaced by intentional repetition that expands as the song progresses. By the two-minute mark, it thrives with vocal harmonies that rest beneath the crest of crashing cymbals and driving riffs that rise and fall with finesse. The track’s instrumentation seems to possess diction of its own as “Undulate” slips into “Straight Cruising.” Catchy with a memorable bass line, “Straight Cruising” ignites at a brisker pace than prior tracks. Despite its quickened tempo, True Gold’s third song proves impressive, holding its listener captive by the hypnotic harmony of its latter riffs.
Like a psychedelic fever dream, “Poor Sentence 1” swirls from start to finish. Echoed vocals reverberate alongside trippy riffs and beats that accelerate into a plea of wanting, demanding “Do what you please, now.” Seamlessly easing into its heavier darker counterpart, “Poor Sentence 2,” the track fuzzes into a haunting aftermath. Vocally minimal, “Poor Sentence 2” showcases True Gold’s instrumental psych-rock chops, standing testament to their versatility and skill.
Before losing one’s self in the beautiful bittersweet chaos of “Poor Sentence 2,” “Slow and Bored” quietly unfolds, later booming into full throttle twenty seconds before its first minute. Marrying the most quintessential aesthetic aspects of shoegaze and psych, “Slow and Bored” is memorable and shaking. An epic in its own right, the album’s third to last track is quickly followed by “Honey Cat. ” Equally driving and audibly impressive, “Honey Cat” mesmerizes listeners with humming riffs followed by plucked chords that swell within a swirling soundscape that is simultaneously surreal and visceral. “Old Young,” comprised of jangly riffs and colossal melodies, is the perfect end to this astonishingly remarkable LP.
True Gold’s debut rings true to the outfit’s namesake from start to finish, leaving fans in anticipation of whatever comes next. – Dianca Potts
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The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Dylan Jane
Having been influenced by Cat Stevens from the womb, Dylan Jane (which is actually an anagram for her real name) began making songs with her elementary school classmates, using any musical toys laying around their play area. But when she picked up the guitar as a teenager, she found a lifelong companion. Now, you can find Dylan Jane enjoying performing out live on stage either solo or accompanied by her backing band The Turning Leaves, which is currently made up of a rotating cast of musicians. She recently won our Featured Artist(s) Poll in a heated race, and you can learn more about the “workaholic” local area singer-songwriter from our get-to-know-ya interview HERE.
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New Music Video: “Nancy” – Purples
Purples recently shared a more somber side than we are used to from the ex-Teeth members in their new music video for the title track to their upcoming album entitled Nancy, due out later this year. You can also stream the song and download it for free HERE. The footage was recorded at Laurel Hill Cemetery and features the band’s long-haired, mustached guitarist Brian Ashby as its tortured protagonist.
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Q.D. Tran’s 50 Favorite Philly Releases of 2013
So every year I tell myself that I’m not going to do one of these, but then I see all the lists come out, and I can’t help but chime on in with my two cents. Well, this year, I embraced the challenge, and spent the last month reviewing what has been a ridiculously amazing year for Philly music. These were some of my highlights. Hopefully they’ll be some of yours too. Looking forward to seeing you on the other side. Cheers! – Q.D. Tran
1. Night Panther – Night Panther
2. Chris Forsyth – Solar Motel
3. GrandeMarshall – Mugga Man
4. True Gold – True Gold
5. Pissed Jeans – Honeys
You can find the rest HERE.
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The Deli Philly’s Choice/Cuts: “Mountains” – Bad Braids
As we inch closer to the end of 2013, we are happy to share our final episode of Choice/Cuts for the year with you featuring another lovely performance by Bad Braids, a.k.a. Megan Biscieglia, of a brand new/unreleased song, “Mountains,” which will appear on her upcoming album. We’d also like to thank all the artists who were nice enough to come record with us and of course, the HotBox Studios crew, especially Matt Smith and Ryan Farber, for being so passionate, talented and all-around good dudes. We look forward to more rad collaborations!
Philadelphia
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Choice/Cuts: “Mountains” – Bad Braids
As we inch closer to the end of 2013, we are happy to share our final episode of Choice/Cuts for the year with you featuring another lovely performance by Bad Braids, a.k.a. Megan Biscieglia, of a brand new/unreleased song, “Mountains,” which will appear on her upcoming album. We’d also like to thank all the artists who were nice enough to come record with us and of course, the HotBox Studios crew, especially Matt Smith and Ryan Farber, for being so passionate, talented and all-around good dudes. We look forward to more rad collaborations!
Philadelphia
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Kat Kat Phest Day 3 w/Alex G, Pill Friends & More at KFN Dec. 30
While some maybe resting up for their New Year’s Eve festivities tomorrow night or from last night’s victory celebration of the Eagles over the Cowboys to win the NFC East, Kat Kat Phest 2 parties on this evening at Kung Fu Necktie. Anchored by a new generation of lo-fi, home-recording acts rising up from the basements of Philly’s DIY scene, Alex G (a.k.a. Alex Giannascoli) and Pill Friends are proving that having an ear for melodies and off-kilter lyrics trumps the need for expensive equipment. They’ll be joined by like-minded musical brethren Elvis Depressedly (keeping my fingers crossed for a collaborative performance of “mickey yr a fuck up” with Pill Friends), Midwest emo/post-hardcore outfit Tiny Moving Parts, chiptune trio Crying, and more out-of-state imports. So what if it’s a Monday! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7pm, $8, All Ages – Alexis V.
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The Deli & SonicScoop’s Pro Audio Giveaway: Win a Set of Shure Professional Headphones!
How about a new set of headphones to start off the new year?! We are giving away a pair of Shure SRH940 Professional Reference Headphones (MSRP: $299) and the SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones (MSRP: $199) – and picking a winner for each! For more info and your chance to win The Deli & SonicScoop’s Pro Audio Giveaway prizes, go HERE by this Thursday, January 2. Good luck!
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Man Man & Banned Books Providing Beautiful Insanity at Underground Arts Dec. 29
So, Man Man is returning to Philly this Sunday for a performance, and as always, it’s sort of a big deal. Not only are they amongst that select pantheon of local bands that have achieved wider renown, but they’re also arguably one of the cornerstones of our weird, wonderful indie rock community. Each song in their library is a sublime blending of straightforward rock and some sort of manic hallucination. Seeing them is like being hit over the head with a melody, after which you might be hit with more literal objects, because that’s the sort of thing Man Man does. They’ll be bringing this beautiful insanity to the Underground Arts tonight, joined by the harmonically berserk Banned Books, an outfit that mixes the intensity of a ska band with the composition of a boundary-pushing indie one. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $25, 21+ – Daniel Ludwig
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mewithoutYou Close Out 2013 w/an Intimate Sold-out Show at JB’s Dec. 29
As 2013 draws to a close, tonight offers a somewhat rare opportunity to see experimental quintet mewithoutYou in the ever-intimate setting of Johnny Brenda’s. Bouncing between or blending and bending genre boundaries, the group performs Aaron Weiss’ distinctly crafted narrative tales focused on delivering meaningful messages. The complex, personal-feeling songs bathe in a mixture of intense post-hardcore roots and smooth enriching melody. That undeniably powerful intensity where words and instruments work in unison becoming music that engulfs the listener in memorable moments with the crowd hanging on every word, riff and drumbeat. Those fortunate enough to have tickets to this sold-out affair are subject to a musical sermon that they won’t soon forget. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, Sold Out, 21+ (Photo by Amie Stanavicca) – Michael Colavita
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Kat Kat Phest Kicks Off w/The Hundred Acre Woods at Golden Tea House Dec. 28
The second annual Kat Kat Phest (presented by Kat Kat Records) kicks off tonight at Golden Tea House. The four-day event includes 7 shows boasting 40 bands in various locations. The Phest, which is an all-ages affair, represents an excellent, affordable opportunity to embrace the local DIY scene while also catching touring acts, with all tickets in the $3 – $10 range. Day one features local alt-country folksters The Hundred Acre Woods, whom intermingle the comfort of traditional string jangly Americana with occasionally assertive up-tempo punk flavored accents. They will be joined by an array of bands including New Jersey punk mainstays By Surprise, whose performance will be their last for a while as they work on their next LP. Golden Tea House, (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.), 6pm, $5 – $7, All Ages – Michael Colavita