Philadelphia

Philly Fourth of July Jam Lineup Announced

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According to HipHopDX, the lineup has been announced for this year’s Philly Fourth of July Jam, which is being hailed as the “largest free concert in America” with over 500,000 people attending last year’s event. Once again, The Roots will be headlining the evening with additional performances from Queen Latifah, Common, Darryl Hall and Joe Jonas (ewww). Things will be kicking off at noon on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

Philadelphia

Album Review: Bound for Glory – Peasant

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Damien DeRose has been making moody folk tunes under the pseudonym/stage name of Peasant since 2008. Each album has found DeRose more comfortable in his own sound and strengths. Though his albums, On the Ground and Shady Retreat, were greeted with notable praise, his latest offering, Bound for Glory, is arguably the most thoughtful, effortless sounding record to date. The final destination of Bound for Glory is somewhere between familiar and familial. Most of the time it is vaguely similar in composition, or a drum part or strum pattern, but there are also moments and melodies of eerie familiarity.  There is a focus on the waxing and waning of relationships so lyrically he isn’t reaching for the stars, but he comes off as honest and sincere.
 
The album’s opener, which also serves as the title track, is a quaint yet assertive number with groggy keys, vacant drums and DeRose’s calming vocals. The reoccurring “don’t worry” permeates the song and exemplifies Peasant’s ability to be simple yet effective. The lead single from the album, “The Flask,” is skittering, super catchy and sounds like a refined version of a Build Something Out Of Nothing-era Modest Mouse song. A bit later in the album we get “A Little One” which recalls early Jason Mraz (which is meant as a compliment). It’s just begging to be used in an eco-friendly car commercial. 
 
The second half of the album begins with a standout in “Gone Far Lost.” From start to finish it recalls the delicate beauty of an Elliot Smith song, especially “Pitseleh” from XO. Even the frail, overdubbed vocals are intact. “Take It Light” is a sauntering tune similar to the Fruit Bats or the more tender moments of Okkervil River. Similarly, the stark, finger-picking of “Mother Mary” offers weightlessness to a heavy heart, with morsels that we swear we’ve heard before. The album picks up a bit with a slight left turn musically, creating a psychedelic vibe with its keys and reverb-soaked vocals. While the change of pace was short and sweet, it set up the closing of the album with the nimble “Stars” and another standout track in closer “Don’t Let Me Down,” which sounds like DeRose charmingly singing karaoke to a Hall and Oats B-Side, but it works.  
 
While many artists try and separate from their audience by dehumanizing themselves and creating more of a brand, Peasant attempts to connect on a casual and intimate level with a fairly uncommon personal touch. It is more of a friendly conversation than a convoluted lecture, and such an effect can be quite refreshing. You can purchase Bound for Glory via London-based label Schitznel Records. – Adam G.
 

Philadelphia

“Sold Out” Free Pissed Jeans Show at MilkBoy Philly April 26

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Hate the mundane but can’t seem to escape it? Ever wanted to scream at Whole Foods simply for being there all the time? Tonight Allentown noise geeks and Sub Pop vets Pissed Jeans are bringing their brand of disaffected hardcore to MilkBoy Philly, and you can go and scream along with them for free courtesy of Dr. Martens (that’s if you already grabbed your tix because the show is “sold out”). Pissed Jeans capture the aggravation in day-to-day living, singing about pizza and ice cream as if they were the bane of middle class existence, and they channel this frustration into a live show where the question for you is not whether there will be a pit, but if you’ll leave it unscathed. With a squealing guitar, a pounding rhythm section, and the aggressive, charismatic antics of vocalist Matt Corvette, Pissed Jeans are unpredictable, uncompromising, and undeniably fun. What a better way to vent about reruns and cheap microwavable food? MilkBoy Philly, 1100 Chestnut St., 9pm, Free, 21+ – Adam Downer
 

Philadelphia

The Really Cooks Offering Up a Tasting Menu at North Star Bar April 25

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The half-cartoon, half-human, 100% foodie band The Really Cooks will be headlining the North Star Bar tonight. Formerly the Josh and Pete Band, the quartet has reinvented themselves to bring you their tasty brand of “food rock,” which actually serves up a healthy portion of ‘60s psychedelic Brit-pop heavily influenced by bands like the Zombies and the Kinks. Come get your fill this evening (and bring some of your favorite recipes because I’m sure these real-life cooks would love to share theirs with you)! North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9pm, $8, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

Knight Arts Challenge Awarded $2.67 Million to Philly’s Art Community

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We always enjoy hearing this type of news. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation just awarded $2.67 million in grants for the second year in a row to a diverse range of projects for the arts in Philly via the Knights Arts Challenge, which chose 35 winners from more than 1,260 submissions. Congrats to all those who made the cut which included music-related ideas from Little Berlin, COSACOSA art at large, Musicopia, and many others! You can view the complete list of recipients HERE.