If the idea of sleek, dance-inducing synth-pop is on your radar, head to Johnny Brenda’s tonight for A Work Drugs Christmas Spectacle. Work Drugs have a soothing alluring tone as if the whispered vocals are secrets shared between close acquaintances. The synth/percussion/bass union generates subtle calculated grooves that garner appreciation for the shifts and changes throughout a song. The music envelops you in an intimately intense yet cozy dancing haze – one that you may want to embrace for the evening. Tonight also marks a rare opportunity to catch the delightfully eccentric open-book, pop stylings of The City and Horses. Kicking the night off will be Teen Men, an intriguing project that looks to explore the interaction between multiple mediums using video projections throughout the performance. The group includes Nick Krill and Joe Dobson of the Spinto Band as well as photographer Catherine Maloney and local filmmaker Albert Birney. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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Weekend Warrior, December 13 – 15
The Yah Mos Def started when Bryan Poerner began rapping over old hardcore beats to see how many ways he could intersect the two worlds. But when he linked up with Rick Mitchell and released Play Ugly for Suckers, the duo gained a cult following that was largely fueled by the energy of their live performances, where you can find them pogoing and headbanging to their beats with fervor. After reaching their peak in 2008 with the release of their full-length Excuse Me, This is The Yah Mos Def, the group went on a lengthy hiatus. Now, after five years, The Yah Mos Def will make their long-awaited return this Saturday at The Boot & Saddle tonight alongside spaced-out basement boogie outfit Prowler and the celestial electro psych-pop crew Tygerstrype. The Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St, 9PM, $10 21+ – Bill McThrill
Other places to hideout from the frigid weather this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI West Philadelphia Orchestra, SAT A Work Drugs Christmas Spectacle w/The City And Horses, Teen Men
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT Community Service, The Adults, Stereo Coma
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Mathew K, No Stranger, Ryan Villa Nueva, SUN Everhart Release Show
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI I Yahn I Arkestra, Dirty Soap Blues Band, SAT Everhart Release Show, SUN "Dorothy Is Stuck in Kansas" Benefit Show w/Murchant, Hezekiah Jones, Sharon Little, Kevin Killen
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Wild Rompit, SAT Ronniepalooza! w/Cold Roses, SUN Ang & The Damn Band, Rob, Lately
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SAT Northern Arms, Jackie Paper (Record Release Show), Echo Orbiter
The Trocadero (103 Arch St.) FRI Luther
TLA (334 South St.) SUN Schooly D, Vivian Green, Gillie Da Kid, Asia Sparks
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Damn Right!, SAT Get The Led Out
M Room (15 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Dead in The Face, Corpse Hoarder, Dark Water’s End, Burial Mound
The Station (1554 Sansom St.) SAT The Naked Sun, This Temper, TIMBERS, Croth on the Cross Fet. Spear Ritual Hip Gnosis
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Mock Sun, Those Clever Foxes, Nervous Nikki and the Chill Pills
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Leo Minor, SAT Johnny Showcase
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Keystoned, Those People, Izimo, John Faye, SAT The Royal Noise, Chaos Thompson, Somewhere South, Matt Sturman
Vox Populi (319 N. 11th St. #3) FRI 185668232, SKGB, A.P. Vague
Golden Tea House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Flag of Democracy, +HIRS+, Regular Adults, Spectrum Disorder
Beaumont Warehouse (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Astronaut Your Planet, Dopestroke, Wally
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Dying, Boroughs, Bleach Bath
The Slow Club (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Batworm, Fuck SS, Drug Lust
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Less” – Psychic Teens
Psychic Teens look like they needed to release some serious aggression after a funeral in their new music video for the track "Less" that premiered yesterday over at Pop Matters. It was shot by Anthony Zagarella and Nick Hatsis, who also edited the footage. The group just repressed their latest LP COME, which is available on opaque blue vinyl via SRA Records. They’ll be performing next in Philly on Friday, January 3 at The Boot & Saddle with Ladder Devils and Faking.
Philadelphia
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The Blockley Will Be Closing Its Doors at the End of This Year
Last night The Blockley made a surprising announcement that they’d be closing their doors at the end of this year. The University City music venue has been building its reputation in a little over four years as a home for Philly’s jam band and hip-hop community, which will be surely missed by fans and artists alike. Below is an excerpt from the announcement, and you can read the rest of the post over at The Blockley’s Facebook page.
“In short- we lost our liquor license, without much notice. We’ve been negotiating it, but at this point we’re forced to move the license out of the building at year’s end. The news has blindsided our staff & family here, and it derails an experience and a community that we have been so very excited to see grow and flourish here.”
While the future for the space remains uncertain, we are pretty confident that there are many conversations happening today at the offices of Four Corners Management, who already own The Boot & Saddle, Ortlieb’s Lounge, The Dolphin, Morgan’s Pier and Union Transfer.
Philadelphia
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Market East Opening for Lee Fields & The Expressions at Union Transfer Dec. 13
One could call Lee Fields a master craftsman. With over 40 years of experience, Fields with his backing group The Expressions headline a performance tonight at Union Transfer. He encapsulates the sound of soul; his vocals have a multifaceted feeling maintaining a smooth sweetness while still carrying an authentic heartfelt yearning. With The Expressions accenting the vocals via dramatic strings, bright punchy horns and an omnipresent sensual groove, the connection or concept of retro/old school R&B/soul could be there. However, this sound isn’t as revisited as it is timeless. Locals Market East have the honor of directly supporting the living legend. The acoustic trio released their sophomore EP Children of Summer earlier this year, which possesses their signature graceful, tautly layered vocal harmonies. Also on the bill will be the inspired soul-rock combination of Aaron & The Spell. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8pm, $18, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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Ticket Giveaway: Yacht at Underground Arts This Friday
We continue this week of dancing the cold away with a ticket giveaway to Yacht at Underground Arts tomorrow night. To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line “Anchors Aweigh” Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency).
Philadelphia
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Box of Stars’ Sparklehorse/Mark Linkous Tribute Album Needs Your Help!
Box of Stars, a Philly-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness of mental health issues, is gearing up to put out a Sparklehorse/Mark Linkous tribute album entitled Last Box of Sparklers. The compilation already has a fantastic lineup of contributors such as the Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Cowboy Junkies, Mark Lanegan, Phantogram, Portugal. the Man, Califone, The Joy Formidable, and other notable names, alongside local up-and-comers like Toy Soldiers and TivaTiva. The compilation will be mastered by Dave Fridmann (the Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, MGMT, etc.), and Box of Stars has also partnered up with Minding Your Mind, an organization that visits schools to educate young adults about mental health. The project is in the final stages of its funding campaign through Indiegogo, where you’ll find vinyl, CDs and downloads of the album, signed items from participating artists, mixing/mastering time, clothing, and much more as a reward for your contribution. We’re sure that there are many of us out there who have been affected by mental health issues in our lives, and we encourage you to give what you can for a truly great cause. Much love!
Philadelphia
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Heyward Howkins Record Release Show at JB’s Dec. 12
Johnny Brenda’s welcomes Heyward Howkins this evening as he celebrates the release of Be Frank Furness. The follow-up to last year’s debut, The Hale & Hearty, is a multi-purposed album whose title/song is a nod to the famous 19th century Philadelphia architect Frank Furness. What captures one’s immediate interest is Howkins’s tantalizing turns of phrase as he crafts vivid descriptions showcasing an attention to detail while demonstrating songwriting abilities that interweave literary meaning with phonetic functionality. However, the words only represent a portion of Be Frank Furness. The instrumental elements breathe life into Howkins’ tales. Some songs provide an energetic open airiness, while others shift toward an intense weighty direction. The great unifier is a musician that finds balance, enriching lyricism via instrumentation. Add the premium blend of jangly psychedelic boogie rock of Needle Points and the first full band appearance of Sad Actor, and you might forget that it’s below freezing outside. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Bourbon Coated” – Levee Drivers
Levee Drivers recently shared a new music video for the track "Bourbon Coated," which you can view HERE. The song is off their latest EP Speakin’ Bourbon Coated Blues. The footage gives us a behind-the-scenes look at fun, intimate moments with the band during practice, and was directed by Bob Sweeney. They’ll be performing next on Sunday, December 29 at The Ardmore Music Hall. Enjoy!
Philadelphia
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New Pink Skull EP Available for Streaming
The Pink Skull dudes, now consisting of Julian Grefe, Justin Geller and Joe Lentini, have a new six-track EP out on vinyl entitled Huitlacoche, via Canadian label My Favorite Robot Records. The album is out a month before its digital release, but you can stream the record in its entirety below, and the single "Mutant Comfort" is available for free download HERE.
Philadelphia
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New Music Video: “Impregnable” – Reef The Lost Cauze
Here’s a new, lengthy music video from hip-hop veteran Reef The Lost Cauze for the track "Impregnable," which will appear on his upcoming release The High Life 2013, due out December 17 via iTunes. If you happen to follow him on Twitter, then you probably know about his love weed (which probably had an influence on the album’s title) and his love for his son. Well, the latter is definitely apparent from this footage that brings together images of a younger Reef and the realities of his life today wrapped up in a Griswold-type adventure. The video was directed by Sick Six and Erik Tha Viking (Sleep-E). (BTW: We love Munchos too! :o)
Philadelphia
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New True Gold Album Available for Streaming & Free Download
After releasing two attention-catching singles, "Undulate" and "Final Fantasies," it has been quite some time since we’ve heard any new material from shoegaze-y psych rockers True Gold. There were talks of a release via Parts Philly (which may still be happening on vinyl or cassette); however, earlier this week, the band posted an eight-song self-titled album to their Bandcamp page. You can listen to the record in its entirety below as well as download it for free. Enjoy!