Pitchfork reported earlier today that Diplo’s Mad Decent has launched an offshoot label called Jeffree’s, which plans to give exposure to emerging producers. Its first release “Heyyo!” (which you can take a listen to and download HERE) is from the Vancouver duo Expendable Youth. The label will be making a new free single available every other Thursday, and then will be collecting the tracks for digital compilations every two months. Below is a statement from Diplo about the new venture.

Before things mellow out at Elena’s Soul Lounge tonight for their Thursday Nite Chill with DJ Paulie Paul, it’s going to get a little sci-fi weird with extraterrestrial sounds from improvisational prog/jazz/noise/math/rock power trio Many Arms. Led by Deli favorite scary Twilight Zone shredder Nick Millevoi, the mood will be anything but chill during their set at the West Philly watering hole. The band recently signed to John Zorn’s Tzadik label, and will be dropping a full-length album next year. They’ll be joined by noisy pop-tinged rockers Banned Books, West Philly punkish metal outfit Split Red (who will debuting new frontman Justin Duerr from Northern Liberties), and headliner NYC’s Little Women. Elena’s Soul Lounge, 4912 Baltimore Ave., 8pm, $6, 21+ (Photo by Matt Hurst) – Alexis V.

If you are like me, then you may balk for a moment when your friends suggest that you should check out their pal who is a singer-songwriter. The genre has certainly gotten a bad rep over the years with every fraternity bro picking up an acoustic guitar to increase his chances of gettin’ laid, or sorority gal deciding that it’s time to make her high school journal entries and poetry into a song. However, there is something to be admired when someone is brave enough take an instrument, their voice and thoughts, and successfully captivates an audience. Our Griffins a.k.a. DJ Brown is such a young artist with the ability to do just that. The nineteen-year-old multi-instrumentalist is wise beyond his years. Like many great artists and thinkers, he’s not signing up for a college introductory course to figure out what he’d like to be or do in the future. He’s simply just doing it. The unconventional Lehigh Valley recluse, who dropped out of high school after three days and opted for home schooling, discovered his passion for music at the age of ten on a vacation at Disneyland when he listened to a Beatles album that he bought for his sister’s boyfriend. “I fell in love with the music, the experience was so intense I can still recall the smell of the bed sheets in that hotel,” said Brown. From there, he went on to discover a variety of artists and genres through the internet, and seriously picked up the guitar at age fourteen. Inspired by a love for poetry and the words of Bob Dylan, Brown captures the attention of his listeners with earnest, sometimes abstract but universally relatable lyrics and astonishingly beautiful vocals that sound like a mixture of Nick Drake and David Bowie. Take a listen and purchase Our Griffins’ debut EP Conversations HERE, which was mixed by Grammy award winning producer/engineer Stuart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, Cat Power, The White Stripes, etc.). – Q.D. Tran

Phonographic Arts will be presenting a hardcore/metal benefit show for Gods and Queens this Sunday, December 4 at Little Bar (738 S. 8th St.) to raise money to help them cover the medical expenses that they incurred from their recent van accident that happened this past weekend during the band’s European tour. Donating their time and talents will be Ladder Devils, Carved Up, SGNLS, Ominous Black, Exemption, Tile, and a special guest. There will also be a raffle for prizes from R5 Productions (3-day pass), Beautiful World Syndicate, Living Out Loud Tattoo, and more. The event starts at 6pm, will be 21+, and admission is $10, but you can also come early and enjoy a metal brunch with Arthur Rizk spinning tunes while you fill up on some tasty food. If you were looking to do something to help out Gods and Queens, this is a perfect opportunity for you to do so. Thanks in advance.

Before power punk trio Band Name head out on a weekend mini-tour with Algernon Cadwallader, they’ll be playing what will most likely be their final Philly show of 2011 at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. The band also has future plans to release a split 7” with DC’s Shat Shorts so you might just be in for some sadistic new material. Canadian garage rocker Mark Sultan was originally scheduled to headline the evening, but he dropped off the bill, and has been replaced by local pals The Eeries. They’ll also be joined by garage punk rock trio The Pussy Dogs. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $5, 21+ – Bill McThrill

Dr. Dog premiered a new track today called “That Old Black Hole,” which you can stream via Stereogum. It’s off their upcoming album Be the Void that will be released on February 7 via ANTI- Records. You can also check out the new music video that accompanies it and Dr. Dog’s spring tour dates below. If you missed last week’s performance at Kung Fu Necktie, then they’ll be back on stage in Philly on March 24 & 25 at the Electric Factory.