Honestly, we’ve admired Blues Control from afar for years now since first discovering the few tracks that were originally posted on their MySpace. Since then, Lea Cho and Russ Waterhouse have left behind the hectic life of New York City, spent a brief stint in an apartment that they did not care for in Philly, and have now comfortably settled into their current home nestled in the Lehigh Valley on a mountain. We really didn’t know much about the duo’s backstory beforehand – just simply their music that is provocatively unique while still giving a nod to the multiple influences that they’ve plucked from music history, which is a good reason for you to grab their latest release Valley Tangents (Drag City) if you haven’t already. (You can also read our review of the album HERE.) It was a pleasure having the opportunity to learn more about Blues Control. Please check out our interview with the couple/bandmates Lea Cho and Russ Waterhouse HERE.

Folkadelphia’s Fred Knittel continues his curation of this month’s Tuesday Tune-Out tonight at PhilaMOCA. Now, over the years as the name Hezekiah Jones has gained notoriety and come to be known as a folk outfit to some with a rotating cast of over thirty members. To me, it will always be the moniker of gifted singer-songwriter Raph Cutrufello, the guiding force that the constellation of talented local musicians has gravitated around. It’s usually unpredictable how many of his Jones family members will join him on stage, but as long as you have Raph’s earnest vocals, thought-provoking narratives and welcoming stage presence, you will leave the venue thoroughly entertained. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $5, All Ages – Q.D. Tran

UPDATE: SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS.

Hola! We’re back with another episode of Choice/Cuts. This time around Keith Birthday and Dr. Awkward, a.k.a. Norwegian Arms, a.k.a. Fulbright scholar/ESL Folk founder Brendan Mulvihill and Dr. Dog’s Eric Slick were nice enough to come by and chat, crack a plenty of jokes, and play us some tunes. Check out a sweet sounding version of “Tired of Being Cold” off their upcoming album Wolf Like a Stray Dog. As always, special thanks to the awesome crew at HotBox Studios! We love working with them, and you will too so drop them a line for your audio/video recording needs. Enjoy!

We are excited to announce that The Deli’s Executive Editor Q.D. Tran will be curating Tuesday Tune-Out at PhilaMOCA in September! The current lineup is the awesomely unpredictable Jason Ferraro from The Homophones (9/4), ambient sonic experimentalists Tadoma and Arc in Round’s Jeff Zeigler performing separate sets (9/11), countrified indie pop sweethearts Arrah and the Ferns (9/18), and geek-rock royalties Vintage Kicks (9/25). Expect some wild, weird, fun stuff happening at Tuesday Tune-Out in September with much love!

Below is a new remix from Work Drugs of “Beth/Rest” as part of the Bon Iver, Bon Iver: Stems Project, a contest that will award 10 participants $1,000 and will feature them on Bon Iver’s remix-only album exclusively on Spotify. You can vote for the smooth-fi crew HERE if you dig what you hear.

Below is a new track called “Kenosha” from pop-punk, lo-fi four-piece Swearin’ (featuring members of P.S. Eliot, Big Soda, Bad Blood and Radiator Hospital), who will be officially a Philly band in September. The song first appeared on their EP What a Dump, and is now available on their latest self-titled LP via Salinas Records. You can catch them performing live in Philly on September 11 at the Golden Tea House opening for Tenement.

When I initially heard about Heavy Medical, I first checked their Facebook and found their cover photo to be two guys grinning knowingly covered in some gory fake blood, and thought “hey, these guys look pretty cool.” Intrigued, I went to Youtube and discovered a video of one of their basement practices. Through careful examination, I found that they were a band of two bass players and two drummers and that they play heavy fucking hardcore, and thought “holy goddamn shit, this is awesome!!!” So in summation, I’m here to tell you that Heavy Medical are on a bill with Fight Amp, Bubonic Bear, and Cassils tonight at Pilam, and it’s going to be loud – like, the kind of loud you imagine the chanting armies of Mordor being – and that you oughta go because it’s also gonna be pretty damn sweet. Pilam, 3914 Spruce Street, 8pm, $5, All Ages – Adam Downer

Soothing vocals melt into easy-going atmosphere created by a combination of synth and percussion generating the sound known as Lockets. Even when heavy guitar briefly enters the equation on “Camera Shy” provided by former hardcore punk rocker Todd Mendelsohn, there is no doubt Dani Mari’s vocals remain the soothing focal point. While the instruments dance around her voice pointing in new directions, Lockets provide a comfort with a consistent backdrop picking up steam as one delves deeper. Attic Dancers are a trio that plays music which thrives on building a moody undercurrent and developing a vibe that only pushes those moods to the next level. With female lead vocals that can run the gambit from dark grungy confessions to cheerful pop aspirations; sometimes within the same song. The group strikes a crucial note when the various elements run together – the sensitive vocals crashing downward at the same point the bass guitar and drums speed up with the guitar lays a sneaky solo right in between. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St. 7:30, $10, 21+ – Michael Colavita

This Is Jazz? Perhaps a more accurate name for the band playing at Johnny Brenda’s tonight is this is hardcore. Or maybe This Is Off-Beat Hardcore, but that’s not particularly catchy, so I suppose This Is Jazz is doing the best it can. Nevertheless, these hardcore locals are a sight to behold, and tonight they split the bill with Violent Bullshit, which features alumnus of legendary hardcore outfit Orchid, notoriously fun live band Les Savy Fav, and other indie-famous players. The show promises to be loud, raucous, and booze-filled, and were I a betting man I’d wager that there will be blood. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Dan Bassini) – Adam Downer

Philly’s epic folk teller Strand of Oaks a.k.a. Tim Showalter with Pattern Is Movement drummer Chris Ward in tow has been roaming the American countryside and wowing crowds (I’m sure) on a highly-successful tour with Sweden’s The Tallest Man On Earth. Showalter will be spinning his captivating tales for both old and young today at Philly Folk Fest representin’ for a new breed of folksters on the rise who are ready to add to the genre’s rich heritage. It’s going to be chill, but damn sure beautiful! Old Pool Farm, Upper Salford Township, 12:30pm, Various Prices, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman  

Michael Johnson’s Ape School will be celebrating the release of his latest glimmering psych-pop LP Junior Violence (Hometapes) tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. It’s going to be a packed house of local music community favorites. Johnson will have his most excellent backing band, which is made up of members from Philly acts like Dr. Dog and The Extraordinaires. Joining him on the bill will be fellow maestro at the boards Jeff Zeigler building soundscapes with harpist Mary Lattimore, the dynamic duo of Norwegian Arms (our featured Choice/Cuts artists), and the delightfully oddball outfit Laser Background. You’ll also be treated to tunes being spun throughout the evening by Adam Granduciel and Dave Hartley from The War on Drugs with help from special guest friends. Sounds like a local music family affair that you don’t want to miss! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran