Candidly speaking one’s mind, backed by electro-beats that are catalysts to dancing in a daydreaming state, Dani in Public exudes an earnest kinetic energy. On the Left & Right EP, Dani delves into the nonstop process of self-evaluation. Seamless welding of spoken-sung words into fluid motion, there’s an ability to process personal challenges with a soulful honesty and a lyrical sharpness that hits the mark head on.

Below is the new video for "Are You Looking," which is featured on Salt (Stereophonodon Records), the forthcoming EP from Cave People, scheduled for release on September 7. Directed by Robert Salazar, a common thread of peppermints and nightly drives permeates throughout. Chronicling an evening as an Uber/Lyft driver, the job is displayed on the surface. However, the protagonist appears to recall more pleasant, intimate memories throughout. Mirroring the lyrics, one wonders what caused the distance/disconnect. Cave People are slated to appear at Union Transfer on Wednesday, September 5, as part of a lineup that also includes Kississippi, Ratboys, and Foxing.

Shimmy, the forthcoming full-length LP from Davey and the Chains, is due out September 14 via Tank Beach Tapes. Strands of slide guitar merge into backend, crafting an airy, infectious groove on “Lil Dreamer”. A breakup song told as a tale of escape and moving on; the single feels like cool breeze while traveling in the twilight. A crisp R&B/soul vibe lifts in a rejuvenating, dance-generating sense of freedom.

American Trappist‘s new LP, Tentanda Via, comes across as both an exploration of existential inventory and a multifaceted musical endeavor. Balancing the stressors of uncertainty while coming to grips with beliefs or lack thereof is something that can shake one’s foundation. The weight of importance in those decisions/realizations are heavy barriers to break through. Former River City Extension frontman Joe Michelini continues to impress as a skilled songwriter on his sophomore full-length album.

Featured on EP2, due out in October, Wax Wav recently shared a new single, “Modern Western World”. Longing for home, while immersed in the culture shock of central Pennsylvania, the song expresses a desire for progress while caught in the bleakness of the current state of society. That momentum of emotion, stemmed from the images presented by the outside world, seems to never stop. There’s both a sense of despair and a call to action.

Krust Toons: "Nice Show" 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.

Lost Tapes: 91-93, a new EP from THICKBOY, has supposedly been discovered. A degree of suspenseful menace creates an intriguing tension, making you feel the need to look over your shoulder. That haunting, grungy element veils a heaviness; however, there seems to be a playful joke on display, as if things aren’t meant to be taken so seriously. It’s definitely a nice find at F.Y.E. 😉

Before releasing his forthcoming solo LP Future Former Rapper via POW Recordings this fall, Zilla Rocca has dropped new EP. “Lamont Coleman” leads off Hard Boiled, featuring LA’s Henry Canyons. The tribute/nod to Big L is steeped in smoothness, within a grimy context. A means of exposition, highlighting resilience and a change in attitude, the climb is described, while Canyons dishes a spicy state of affairs. In the end, the beat takes a turn, finding its way to a sexy, nocturnal, funk groove.

At Work,  (Stupid Bag Records/ Drunken Sailor Records) the latest album from Dark Thoughts unleash a blistering, melodic-punk euphoria on their latest album, At Work (Stupid Bag Records/Drunken Sailor Records). The trio forges a forthright, raucous atmosphere – one that  speaks to listeners in a direct, immediate way. It’s a let-loose, launch-into-a-song, hard & fast, sweaty kind of record. It’s a heartfelt, hook-rich release. Tonight at First Unitarian Church, the band will be opening for supercharged shredding of Impalers, the steely snarl of riff-riding locals Grave Turner, and Sedation (who are performing live for only their second time).

BTW: There are numerous landing spots on the musical map in Philly this weekend. Fresh off a run of dates with Hop Along, Thin Lips (and Slaughter Beach, Dog) are making a quick home visit for a sold-out show this Saturday at PhilaMOCA. New release from American Trappist (at Boot & Saddle), Jesus Piece (at Ortlieb’s), and Nothing (Dance on the Blacktop Block Party) will also be echoing through the city’s streets. And of course, freak-folksters Espers triumphantly return to Philly at Union Transfer. So get out, and find your place to be. – Michael Colavita

A shitload of places to hit this weekend…

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Dark Thoughts (LP Release Show), Grave Turner, Sedation

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI The Point Breeze Country Club, SAT Cosmo Baker, Mike Nyce 

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Shane Henderson, June Divided, Saver, SAT American Trappist, The Vernes, Carroll

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Ali Awan, Love? Said the Commander/DJSC, SAT Grimace Federation / Fame Lust

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI Cabana Wear, SAT Slaughter Beach, Dog, Thin Lips, SUN Goodnight/Goodluck, The Bad Larrys, AllegrA

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Troi Lauren, Noel Scales, Devin Farrell, SAT Straw Hats, Lester, Gender Work

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Espers

TLA (334 South St.) SAT Reco Havoc, Ronny Alright, WALLO267

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Midlife Crisis, Hotbed, Mattress Food, Rabbit Heart

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

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Cult Objects/Taggart, Sick Panda, Honey Radar, SAT Mohican, SUN Horror Show, Jesus Piece (Record Release), Raw Force

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Midfield, Gainstrive, Dead Robins/Rover Rover, Keely Sibilia

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) SAT Knightlife, Vanderlyle, SUN Full Bush

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

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Rachel Andie & The V Element, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Bern and the Bastards, Little War, The Red Hand, SAT Primatives, Pravda

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Generation Empty

Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Downtrodder, Disappearances, Binary, SAT Lasciaté

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI The Outlaw Pandas

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN Slainte

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

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI-SUN Liberty Music Fest

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Steal Your Peach, SAT Denelle Anderson, SUN Countdown to Ecstasy, Muscle Tough

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SUN Nothing Vital

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Andrew Milicia, SAT Camp Candle, A Day Without Love, Weekend Athlete

The Ukie Club (847 N. Franklin St.) SAT Sensorium Music & Arts Festival: Tweed, Worldtown Soundsystem, Minka, Darla, Agent Zero, Patrick Richards

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Droopies, Petunia

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Eel Tank, Yureka Cash

The Waiting Room (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Slow Reader, Elaine Rasnake

Dance on the Blacktop Block Party (Livingston & E. Lehigh) SAT Nothing

Only Self, the debut full-length album from Jesus Piece, is out now via Southern Lord. An onslaught of quaking rhythm and guttural vocals enter the equation, hitting the senses at a relentless pace. Ominously, unleashing power as one stomps through the terrain, there’s an unforgiving, no-looking-back aesthetic. You can catch the band’s record release show this Sunday afternoon at Ortlieb’s, where Jesus Piece will be supporting Nicky Palermo’s Horror Show, along with Raw Force.

Being interrogated under the threat of force in a basement, transported in a trunk, and forced to dig one’s own grave doesn’t sound like the ideal adventure. However, when that scenario comes to fruition as the playful plot of Dominy’s “Mary Don’t Bury Me” video (directed by Bob Sweeney), it’s a reminder that everything doesn’t have to be taken so seriously. The song’s loose, catchy melody and humorous, laidback lyrics put one in a surprisingly pleasant mood. Sometimes, when surrounded by the grimness of the outside world, it’s important to remember that you can always make your own fun. "Mary Don’t Bury Me" can be found on the band’s new four-song EP Dry Pleather.

The self-titled album from post-punk quartet Full Bush recently hit our sonic doorstep. Calm confidence, humor, and aggression come together while the record spins. The narratives seem to take shape and play out in real time, providing an interactive avenue within a polished production. It’s direct, infectious and in your face when it wants to be. Full Bush will be headlining Bourbon & Branch this Sunday, August 26, supported by Video Futur and Daisy/Violet.