C. Hundreds, a.k.a. Craig Hendrix (Japanese Breakfast, Auctioneer, Aderbat), recently shared a new EP, Nauset Tapes, under his latest moniker. A pulsating, desolate-folk sound creates an intriguing songwriting platform. With a solemn key/synth foundation, the album builds suspense, leading toward potential on “How Hard Did You Try,” while “Song Man’s Blues” captures a lonesome wisdom. C. Hundreds is slated on a billing tomorrow night at Ortlieb’s that also includes Birdie Busch and William H. Travis.

“Feeling anger after an encounter in which the rights of trans and non-binary folks and women were belittled and disregarded,” Julia Rainer penned a new single, “I’m Not Like You”. Paced by the percussion, the languid ring of guitar and the expansive vocal echo creates a track that hits at the core as Rainer satirically dives into one of the many divides that currently separates our society. Rather than embracing differences and finding common ground via empathy, fear is currently being used as fuel to justify and enable cruelty; however, art will always be here to push back – much love.

Z Tapes Records has compiled a collection of Johnny Utah singles, and released them as an EP/cassette, Big Dogs. A funky, R&B/soul vibe permeates throughout these five tracks. Mixing revealing,  bedroom-pop songwriting with omnipresent, potent grooves creates an instantly infectious energy. Sounds like the Big Dogs gots some bite.

Brian Medlin (Sun Opus, ex-Legendary Divorce) recently shared a new album, entitled Hawks. Produced by and featuring Matt Brasch (of The Wonder Years), the album has a thoughtful, melodic, indie/folk-rock familiarity. Stacked with sincerity, the songs maintain an airy, patient, personal reflection. Sit back or better yet, take a walk and let the merger of Medlin’s refined instrumentals and earnest lyrics soak in.

Winston’s Dubplate is the new album from Wrecking Crew member Curly Castro. Bringing previously unreleased material up to the surface, the collection balances grit and groove in these dub-inflected tracks. It’s a precursor to his forthcoming LP TOSH, due out December 14 via Backwoodz Studioz. Feel free to roll up a spliff, and let that head bob.

The Kieran Garvey-led, baroque-folk quintet of No Sailor recently shared a new video for the project’s debut single. “21 Rules” dispenses a series of advice, melding humor and earnest experience. The rolling rhythms of piano, drums, and standup bass create an infectious, kinetic energy, as the warmth of violin weaves through the narrative, which provides wisdom through a list of dos and don’ts. The video enhances the good-time feels of the recording, showing the band in an intimate, autumnal, barn setting for an audience of one.

Krust Toons: "What’s Your Draw?" 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.

Bloodshot is the new EP from stoner-punk cult Breaklite. With a "don’t give two fucks" attitude, it’s easy to hand yourself over to the gang’s mischievous brand of slacker rock. Wanna party all night like you’re 21? You can give your neighbor a brotherly shove while doing so on Friday, December 14 at The Barbary, where Breaklite will be joined by Full Bush and Grace Vonderkuhn.

The creative collaboration of J Termini and Patrick Schlitzer, a.k.a. Night Bloom, recently shared a new single. “Tinted Vision” swims in a fluid, R&B groove. With a slinky, soulful, harmonious sound, it’s a laidback, dancing track, bringing out both a playful and a sensitive side. Embracing the idea of moving on and living in the moment, while caught up on a person from the past, there’s a tug of war between understanding a theory and putting it into practice.

World Cafe Live will be showcasing a trio of local talents tonight. Clarity of thought arrives via youth as Masie Blu hits the stage. Blu blends soulful vocals, while also injecting a poetic, spoken-word approach. An unwavering confidence and wisdom shine throughout her music, providing a reassuring stability that cultivates a peaceful, motivating atmosphere. When paired with an array of refreshing, liquidy grooves, the power of those words/mantras is unlocked. This evening’s billing will be fortified by the genre-melding electro-experimentations of Kilamanzego, whom continuously creates an imaginative landscape, weaving a seamless quilt of sound that simultaneously celebrates the details and transitions. The silky, synthpop exploits of Gender Work comfortably complete this lineup, sharpening the mind whilst providing the body a vehicle or catalyst to let loose and get down. – Michael Colavita

Other places to chill this Thanksgiving weekend…

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI ( Upstairs) Masie Blu, Kilamanzego, Gender Work, SAT (Downstairs) Beru Revue

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Octave Cat, Wax Future, SAT Killiam Shakespeare, Bilal, DJ Aktive, SUN Michael Stasis 

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Lower Wolves, Gigantic

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI ZekeUltra, Hello Jordan, Pastel Williams/DJSC, SAT Squawk Brothers, Spelling Reform/Fame Lust: HomeGirl, SUN Riverside Odds, The Bad Ups, Roadkiller

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI A Philadelphia Tribute to The Last Waltz 2018: A Benefit For Philadelphia School Music Programs

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI DJ Mighty Mike Saga, SAT The Menzingers

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Alcyon Lake

TLA (334 South St.) SUN Frost Giant

The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) SAT So Far Gone: Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz, SUN Sy Mosquiat

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI LiMM, NxG, SAT Kur, Lil Na, LHU Chainz

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Jamie and the Guarded Heart, Moment To Capitalize, Qwirk, Dune Puma/Glassgrade, Rally, Old Head

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Max Swan, My Funky Brethren, Taylor Kelly, SAT Afterimage, All Good People

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) SAT Liam and Me, SUN Yankee Bluff, Los Ricos

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

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen, Three Chord Money, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI The Brown Stripes (Ween Tribute), SAT Corfu, Space Kamp

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Brian Toll

The Tusk (430 South St.) SAT Overcoming Gravity, The Good Mess

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI Chalk & The Beige Americans

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Sage Turtle, El Dwellers, SAT Expansion Project

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Ill Fated Natives, OOLALA, SAT Andorra (Beard Oil Launch), Leo Moon, Summer Scouts, Evergo

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI The Quixote Project, SAT Huffamoose, Cookie Rabinowitz, SUN Swwik, Heaven Man, Bird Watcher, Souls On Fire, Dylan Hepner

The Maas Building (1325 N. Randolph St.) SUN Julia Rainer

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Dark Thoughts, E.D.S.

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Lil Bøyband, Lil Grime, SAT Apollo Oko, Juanny Makk, Eddie Madrid

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Paul Green Academy

Thrown Voice, the forthcoming record from Seagulls, is slated for release on January 11 via Evergreen Prefecture & Honest Face Records. The band recently shared a lyric video by Noah J Landers for its lead single, “Like U Do”. Soaked in soothing harmonies, the song has a pacifying tone that gradually ventures in a more aggressive, surf-pop space. "Thrown Voice is an album about communication – interpersonally, with the environment, within one’s self – and the way that technology can facilitate or get in the way of those interactions." The video craftily taps into nostalgic memories, displaying the lyrics through Windows 98, AOL Instant Messenger, etc.

Brown Bunny is the debut album from Francie Medosch-led Florry, and is now available via Sister Polygon Records. A delicate-fierce, folk dynamic is in play as the intimacy of the personal narratives reels you in. Amid the contemplative, cathartic tones, there’s an adventurous beauty; that balance of stillness and movement consistently shifts the scope from zoomed in to panoramic. All the while, the precision and vulnerability of the songs hold one’s focus.