Philadelphia

What’s Droppin’ Today?

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There is a lot of great new local music droppin’ today! Off the top of our heads, grab Power Animal’s Exorcism HERE, and you’ll not only get some rad experimental pop tunes, but you’ll also be making the world a better place. Why? “For every $2 that you pay for this album, $1.50 will provide 3 meals for those in need through Philabundance while the other 50 cents will go toward funding future charitable projects with Human Kindness Overflowing.” That’s good stuff! Chiddy Bang’s long-awaited full-length album Breakfast is available a week early today via iTunes, which also is accompanied by a free new tune "Handclaps & Guitars" HERE. The Menzingers released their LP On The Impossible Past via big deal “indie” label Epitaph. Toy Soldiers also surprised their fans with a new self-released 3-song EP Tell the Teller HERE, a taste of what they’ve been working on with producer/engineer Bill Moriarty. Feel free to leave a comment about any other local albums coming out today that our readers should check out. Cheers!
 
 
 
 
Philadelphia

Shaking Through w/Strand of Oaks

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Check out below the February Episode of Weathervane Music & WXPN’s Shaking Through and its behind-the-scenes tech talk footage featuring gifted local singer-songwriter Strand of Oaks (a.k.a. Tim Showalter). The project was curated by Chris Ward (Pattern Is Movement, Johnny Brenda’s), who also joined Oaks along with Buried Beds‘ Eliza Jones for the recording of the track “Spacestations,” which you’ll find a sonic change in direction from Showalter’s past works with synths brought in to replace the usual strums of his guitar. The song was produced by Brian McTear and engineered by John Low at Miner Street Recordings. The video was produced by Peter English and edited by J. DeVirgilis. You can also take a listen to and download “Spacestations” for free HERE. Enjoy!

Shaking Through: Strand of Oaks from Weathervane Music

 

Shaking Through: Recording Strand of Oaks from Weathervane Music

Philadelphia

Dewey Decibel’s #BOOMBOXBOOKWORM Release Party at Silk City Feb. 21

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Dewey Decibel (a.k.a. Dewey Saunders) is a South Florida transplant who was “raised on surf and skateboard culture, inundated with hip hop and art throughout his younger years.” He recently released a dope ass mixtape #BOOMBOXBOOKWORM via Bold New Breed Records (which you can download for free HERE, and you really should) providing witty, laidback flow combined with hypnotic psychedelic production work from Eligh Gandalf of The Living Legends. Dewey Decibel will be celebrating his latest party-starter tonight at Silk City, and he has also assembled a fine lineup of rising hip hop artists in Wrecking Crew’s Has-Lo, Curly Castro, and Zilla Rocca. Add in the contributions of DJ PHSH, and you have a real throwdown for Fat Tuesday in Philly. Do this! Silk City, 435 Spring Garden St., 9pm, $5, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman
 

Philadelphia

Recap & Photos: Northern Liberties Winter Music Fest w/The Extraordinaires, Dangerous Ponies, Conversation with Enemies, Arrah and the Ferns, Break It Up & City Rain

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Just because it isn’t summer doesn’t mean that there can’t be any music festivals. Satisfying that summer longing with its Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival, The Fire provided a whole lot of Philly-lovin’ in the air this past Saturday.
 
Starting off the night was City Rain, with a special DJ set, complete with LED lights and plenty of dancing. Vocalist Ben Runyan even spit out a few bars before ending City Rain’s set with “Stay Inside.”
 
Break It Up occupied the floorboards next by fueling the crowd’s feet with quick, buzzy guitar riffs. During their set, they performed a new song “Amplify,” and finished the night out with “Architecture,” which left Dan Morse scraping his guitar neck in a semi-circular motion along the stage for a rousing hum.
 
When Arrah and the Ferns took the stage, everyone was given a thought to ponder for the night – “where does a photo go when you delete it?” According to scientific data, digital space has mass, so it can’t just disappear – keep thinking, folks. Arrah Fisher introduced her new guitar, which still remains nameless because of an on-stage debate of its gender. While Arrah and the Ferns had the crowd discovering answers to profound thoughts, the band put on a rousing yet soothing set with plenty of folk-fun and up-beat country moments. 
 
Conversations with Enemies pumped up the crowd via its tropical essence and touch of ska. The band had the audience getting physical by throwing a life-size inflatable cactus into the crowd as if it were a beach ball. The cactus stayed afloat of hands as Conversations with Enemies emitted a bunch of new tracks. Towards the end of the set, and after invitation, three fans joined the band in dance and song on the stage for “Hoist the Sails.”
 
Dangerous Ponies’ high-energy set gave everyone plenty to dance to and look at with their colorful sound and fashions. “This next song is about girls, my favorite thing,” Chrissy Tashijan declared as she introduced “Honey Trap.” As the set went on, members of the band jumped from the stage to slow-dance with fans. Dangerous Ponies ended the night with fan favorite “When You’re in Town,” but shortly after the crowd was chanting for more.
 
5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Happy New Year! The Extraordinaires set began with a countdown to midnight. While waiting for faulty bass string, Jay Purdy broke out in song, covering Roger Miller’s “You Can’t Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd.” Earlier in the day, the band played for a four-year-old’s birthday party, and Purdy announced that their song “Pen Pals” will also “be a song for a kids show..that doesn’t exist yet.” The night ended with Zach Poyatt belting out the Isley Brothers’s “Shout” (which was most likely a homage to Animal House’s Otis Day and the Knights performing across town at The Blockley) before and after “Hi-Five the Cactus,” with a special appearance, again, by the inflatable cactus. 
 
Day five of the six-day music fest was definitely a memorable one. The energy was high, the crowd feeling loose, and if you had no one to dance with, a life-sized inflatable cactus and band members were there to help. You can check out some of our photos from the evening HERE. (Photo by Brandi Lukas)
 
Philadelphia

BITBY Releasing Cassette Compilation

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BITBY will be releasing a cassette compilation featuring brand new songs by their favorite local artists like Break It Up, Oh! Pears, Psychic Teens, Attia Taylor, Streetwalkers, Spirit Animal and Faux Slang. There will be a 100 copies available of the tape starting April 13 at KFN for their episode premiere featuring Blayer Point Dujour. It will also come with a digital download code which will have a bonus track of Attia Taylor and Oh! Pears collaborating together.
 
Philadelphia

Black Thought’s Let’s Move It Philly! Charity Concert at Sigma Sound Feb. 18

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Sigma Sound is opening its doors for very special occasion this evening. The Roots’ Black Thought a.k.a. Tariq Trotter will be rallying folks for the Let’s Move It Philly! charity concert, which is held annually to raise funds for his GrassROOTS Community Foundation to benefit poor women and girls. According to AllHipHop.com, this year’s event will also help to bring awareness to childhood obesity in the African American community. Black Thought is scheduled to perform sets with his music brethren ?uestlove and Money Making Jam Boys. Pals Nikki Jean, DJ Rich Medina, and DJ Diamond Kuts (Power 99’s Nikki Minaj) will also be donating their time and talents. The Carson Valley Children’s Aid will be providing additional health services with free HIV testing and other health-oriented activities happening throughout the event where you’ll find participation from State Representative Tony J. Payton Jr. and Mayor Nutter (who most likely will bust-a-move or a rhyme to “Rapper’s Delight” before the evening is over). It’s a good time for a good cause! Sigma Sound, 212 N. 12th St., 8pm, $30 adv/$40 door, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

Instamatic & She Came Crashing at The Level Room Feb. 18

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Instamatic is currently in the middle of what they have labeled “Instamatic Appreciation Month.” The four man synth army is dedicated to bringing the dance party with time-warping sounds. The group recently dropped a new EP See the Signal which features their collaboration with Memory Tapes’ Dayve Hawk. The album is currently available for free HERE, but donations are encouraged. They’ll be tag teaming the grooves with electro-pop outfit She Came Crashing. It’s the brother/sister duo’s last performance for a while in Philly before Amanda Rose Taddeo heads out West so take the opportunity to soak it up. They’ll also be joined by NYC’s Head Trip Concept and Data Recovery. The Level Room, 2102 Market St., $7, 9 pm, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe

Philadelphia

Weekend Warrior, February 17 – 19

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The Fire has been heating things up with its annual Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival this week. But this Saturday they’ll be hosting a jam-packed lineup of local favorites. From delivering a homage to Philly sports at The Blockley, to doing an A Team tribute that featured not one but two Mr. Ts during our Halloween party at PhilaMOCA, to performing an all out Holiday Revue at Kung Fu Necktie, The Extraordinaires have showcased their ability to deliver some of the most unique performances ever. And they’ll get a chance to show why they earned a spot as one of the top performers in our Best of The Deli Philly 2011 Poll. After performing at their last big Philly show with Akron/Family at The Blockley, the 7-piece queer rock crew Dangerous Ponies packed up their flashy costumes, face paint, and sequins for a mini tour. But expect a dance-inducing performance when they join plenty of their pals on this Cloud Entertainment presented bill! Conversations with Enemies delivered an Ugly Christmas Sweater session of music the last time that they played with The Extraordinaires during the Holiday Revue. And as they come closer and closer to releasing their upcoming pirate and devil filled concept album, the more likely that you’ll get a preview of some new material. Since releasing their breakout single “Excavate,” newcomers Break It Up have garnered enough praise with their catchy tunes and live performances to also nab a spot as a top performer in our Best of The Deli Philly 2011 Poll. And when they perform this Saturday, they’ll have plenty of songs that you won’t be able to find anywhere else which will most likely make up their debut full-length album that they plan on recording when they return from SXSW. Add in the countrified melodic indie pop of Arrah and the Ferns and the dance beats of electro duo City Rain, and you have a show that we should all be attending this weekend! The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ (Photo by Ant) – Bill McThrill

 
More things to keep you entertained this weekend…
 
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Gang, The Homophones, Ruby The Hatchet, Early Ape, Circadian Rhythms, SUN The Front Bottoms, Catnaps, Three Man Cannon, The Districts
 

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Lindsey Buckingham Appreciation Society and Pete Donnelly, SUN Find Vienna

 
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Last Hour Battle, The Left Lingo, JT and the Mild Heat
 
The Level Room (2102 Market St.) FRI Silvox IV, SAT Instamatic and She Came Crashing, SUN The World at Large, GROOT, SICU
 
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) SAT Zilla Rocca, SUN Val de Val
 
Tritone (1508 South St.) SAT Buddhafest w/Soundwavves, Mid Western Exposure, East Coastamite, The Poet-Lariats, and More, SUN The Jersey Corn Pickers
 
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Dan Collins, SAT (Early) Josh Schurr, (Late) Close to Good
 
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Pulling Punches and Welter, SAT Voss
 
The Blockley (3801 Chestnut St.) FRI Writtenhouse and Kuf Knotz, SUN Tommy Up
 
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Alec Stewart and I Am Not The Universe, SAT Johnny Never & The Solar Pimps
 
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN William Fitzsimmons
 
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St.) FRI Sys2matik Overl0ad and My Parasites, SAT Delco Nightingale and Charlie Grace
 
Triumph Brewery (117 Chestnut St.) FRI Fat Panther, SAT The 9s
 
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Missing Keys, Calico Fields. Bottle Rocket, The Chelsea Kills, Boy Things
 
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Suzie Brown and Brittany Ann, SAT Ryan Tennis, Jacob Snider, The Grand Nationals
 
The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) FRI Daniel Bachman
 
Little Bar (738 8th St.) FRI Coup Coroux, SAT Lost Children of Babylon and Mad Scientist, SUN Psychic Teens
 
The Station (1550 McKean St.) FRI Gold Crowns 7" Release Show w/ Adam & Dave’s Bloodline and Joe Kusy & the Big Shirts, SAT Come, Adobayondei, Violetta, Polar Ice Cap
 
J.D. McGuillicuddy’s (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Tree Rats and Griz
 
Finnigan’s Wake (537 N. 3rd St.) SAT Portside’s Save the Arts & Music Benefit Show
 
Sigma Sound (212 N. 12th St.) SAT Let’s Move It Philly! w/Black Thought & ?uestlove, Money Making Jam Boys, Nikkie Jean, DJ Rich Medina, DJ Diamond Kuts
 
Highwire Gallery (2040 Frankford Ave.) SAT Alban Bailey & Charles Cohen, Matt Stein, Julius Masri, June Bender
 
Theatre of Living Arts (334 South St.) SAT Enstride and Imbala
 
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Meg Baird, SAT Luvstep
 
Philadelphia

New Video: “She’s a Dreamer” (Sofar Series) – The Spinning Joneses

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Below is footage from the Philly branch of the Songs From a Room (Sofar) concert series.

 
It is an innovative concept, dedicated to bringing the best of new music to an unplugged, intimate, unusual space or venue. Mix in a crowd of dedicated music lovers, other artists, and industry professionals, and you have an evening which promises electric performances and new networks.

Currently Sofar has branched off to New York, London, Paris, DC, Sydney, LA, India, Dallas…and now Philadelphia!

 
The video was recorded on January 29, 2012 at a living room in Queens Village by Jeremy Quattlebaum (The Angry Mountain Man). It features performances by The Spinning Joneses (“She’s a Dreamer” – at the 8 min mark), Asbury Park’s Lightning Jar, and the spoken word of Ms. Wise. Special thanks to The Key for bringing it to our attention.