Mr. Eric Slick had quite a collaborative day this past Sunday. While at Pickathon 2012 with his band Dr. Dog, he had a chance to hit the skins and sit in on sets with Violent Femmes’ Gordan Gano and Cass McCombs. He also shared his first collaboration with prolific, eccentric songwriter R. Stevie Moore. Slick is featured on two tracks off Moore’s 55-song album LUNATIKFRINJ (which you can listen to in its entirety and purchase HERE). Below is the records opener “Main Theme from Love Clumsy.”

Levee Drivers play country music. It could be put that way, yes, but digging deeper you’ll soon realize they reign over their own country with August Lutz’s mesmerizing, soulful baritone vocals guiding you along the rough and rugged terrain. Listening to their songs provide the feeling of drifters who’ve seen a lot of places, met a lot of people, and put all those elements and any emotions that go with it into their music. The good ole boys will be performing tonight at North Star Bar along with local favorite folk-blues outfit Toy Soldiers, and headlining the night is Virginia-raised musician and Deer Tick associate Jonny Corndawg. Rural tunes are a-comin’ to the urban jungle this evening. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Maura Filoromo

Just how decent is Mad Decent? Depends on how much you like to party, I suppose. Does a festival headlined by Major Lazer sound mad decent? What if it features Deli fave PO PO, dependably fun Georgian rock band Reptar, and tons of DJs? What if it promises to be one of the most fun events coming through Philly this summer? Is that decent enough to be mad decent? Yes, it’s that time of year again, the time where the Diplo-helmed Mad Decent Block Party hits Philly at Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Now in its fifth year, the party has extended to Toronto, New York, Chicago, and LA, and hits its hometown tomorrow for a free, all ages, nine-hours-of-dance-your-ass-off-music event. Were I in charge, I’d call it the Fuckin’ Awesome Block Party, but then again I suppose that’s why I’m not in charge of these things… Get there. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Chestnut St. and Columbus Ave., 12pm – 9pm, Free, All Ages – Adam Downer

This is a big weekend for free shows in Philly. After experiencing such a great time last year with its Nawlins-esque vibe, we have to give the nod to this Sunday’s 4th Annual 2nd Street Festival with its lineup of local favorites like Man Man, Lushlife, The Great Unknown, Kuf Knotz, Purples, The Spinning Leaves, Auctioneer, and many more and its liberal open container policy. There were plenty of good vibes last year, and we’re looking forward to more to come so hopefully the weather will be kind to all of us this weekend. Cheers! 2nd Street Festival, N. 2nd St. (between Germantown & Green Sts.), 12pm – 10pm, Free, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

Clearing out the archives of Sub Pop Records’ art department revealed enough hidden gems to fill a gallery, and this month’s exhibit at Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction does just that. “Art Debt,” presented by Philly design mainstays The Heads of State, will be opening at the chic Olde City store today for First Friday, and will remain up until August 24, presenting all manner of works produced for Sub Pop’s incomparable roster of bands. Sketches, designs, press materials, posters and album art that either became a part of the visual identity of bands ranging from Nirvana and Sebadoh to Fleet Foxes and No Age, or served a more unglamorous, functional purpose. Sub Pop is now as old as many people who frequent Art in the Age; watching music-scene old heads and young upstarts take in the show’s offerings is bound to be an eclectic, intergenerational sight. Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, 116 North 3rd St., 6pm – 8pm, Free, All Ages – Alyssa Greenberg

Today is your last chance to win the Novation UltraNova Synthesizer (MSRP: $849.99), which is part of our equipment giveaway with SonicScoop. The analog-modeling synthesizer has a USB controller and audio interface with a powerful effects processor, 12-band vocoder (included gooseneck microphone), wavetable synthesis, a software editor, a revolutionary new touch-sense performance mode, and much more. If all this sounds good to you, then go HERE for your chance to win. Good luck!

Tin Horses ride again tonight at Kung Fu Necktie when they open for Canadian alt-country outfit The Deep Dark Woods. The local four-piece is led by the drugged-out, lazy drawl of Purling Hiss’ Kiel Everett and his endearing yet slightly melancholy storytelling, which also possess hints of hope. The unit combines forces to create comforting melodies rooted in Americana that contain intermittent bursts of raunchy electric guitars – perfect for a night of heavy whiskey drinking and contemplation. So saddle up to the bar at KFN this evening, and get ready to call out of work tomorrow! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Q.D. Tran

Phreak N’ Queer Arts and Music Festival returns for its second year of bringing local and national LGBTQ talent to various venues throughout Philly. The 4-day showcase is a collaboration of 12 local artists and organizers uniting to highlight the surplus of creative talent in our community. It was originally the vision of local DJ and promoter, Kate Gormley, who wanted to give Philadelphians an opportunity to get back to the DIY roots of the music and art scenes and away from mainstream interpretations of these mediums. (Check out our interview from last year with organizers Kate Gormley and Sara Sherr HERE!) Phreak N’ Queer kicks off tonight with “GlitterBomb!” at Elena’s Soul (4912 Baltimore Ave.). There will also be events on Friday, Aug. 3 at Johnny Brenda’s (1201 Frankford Ave.) with “Hot Rods and Mustang Sallies,” an outdoor festival at Liberties Lands Park on Saturday, Aug. 4 as well as evening festivities at MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) with “HomoRama,” and on Sunday, Aug. 5 with the “Gay Ole Opry” at Ortlieb’s (847 N. 3rd St.). You’ll have plenty of opportunity to get your phreak on this week!

Below is a “new” beach party music video from Work Drugs just in time to help you soak in the last days of summer so grind out to “The Art of Progress” off their latest album Absolute Bearing. You can download the track for free HERE. They are scheduled to perform next in Philly on August 31 at Johnny Brenda’s with City Rain and Cold Fronts. (Photo by Brandi Lukas)