Philadelphia

Lion Versus Opening for David Wax Museum at JB’s Nov. 4

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It would be easy for me to sing the praises of Lion Versus. After all, the local alt-folk outfit crafts something so bewitchingly human, so insanely poetic, so tragically sweet, and so happily depraved that it’s like you’re walking on the raw, dusty, debauched roads of Deadwood‘s Old West. But, it’s better if you see them live tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, where they’ll open for Boston’s David Wax Museum. To know it is to feel it, y’all. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave, 9pm, $12, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia

Philadelphia

Illinois Wide Awake at KFN Nov. 4

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Illinois from Bucks County, Pa. (wait, what?) will be headlining Kung Fu Necktie tonight. With stabby beats, soothing vox, and the prolific songwriting skills of Chris “Arch” Archibald, the group has the power to correlate with the mood of any audience member with their audibly varied songs. It’s been quiet in the Illinois camp over the last couple of years or so due to continual lineup changes, but the band seems to be coming out of hibernation as of late. They’ll be joined by Former Belle, the moniker used by Bruno Joseph, who recently transplanted himself to Boston to work on the demos for his next release Cathedral, and New Platz, NY’s Breakfast in Fur. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Brandi Lukas

Philadelphia

Chris Kasper Album Release Show at WCL Nov. 4

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The First Hundred Years Are the Hardest is the new album from soulful folkster Chris Kasper. The album’s title says a lot to me about what you should expect from his third release, which was produced by Andrew Lipke. Yes, everyone can attest that life certainly isn’t easy, especially if you are an artist trying to make a career out of your passion. Kasper has been a mainstay in the Philly singer-songwriter scene for a good part of the last decade, and a favorite among his peers so you should expect plenty of his collaborators, friends, and fans to come out to World Café Live tonight to celebrate his work and another fine chapter in the hard-living life of a gifted performer. Joining him this evening will be Vandaveer and Adrien Reju. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8pm, $15 – $20, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

New Music Video: “The Island Song” – U.S. Girls & Debut Release from Her Newly Formed Record Label w/Slim Twig

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Below is a new music video from U.S. Girls (a.k.a. Meg Remy) for the track “The Island Song” from her latest LP “U.S. Girls on Kraak,” which was released via Kraak Records. The song is also available as a 7” single from Remy’s newly formed record label with Slim Twig (a.k.a. Max Turnbull), Calico Corp. It’s the debut release from their joint venture.

The Island Song – U.S. Girls from Ross Turnbull

Philadelphia

Time Warp w/Hot Guts, Catholic Workers & The Bad Doctors at KFN Nov. 3

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Come to Kung Fu Necktie this evening for a night of dancing and brooding all in one with locals Hot Guts, Catholic Workers, and The Bad Doctors. Conjuring up the influential sounds of early Cure and Bauhaus, Hot Guts has been performing off and on with different musicians in the group, but the four-piece has seemed to finally settled in, and is eager to re-debut their post-industrial punk-ish sound. And speaking of debuts – this will be Catholic Workers’ first show ever. It’s the new solo project from Arc In Round drummer and multi-instrumentalist Matt Ricchini – which embellishes on dark and dance-y synths that reminisce to the good ole days of 80’s New Wave – mainly the acts who came “from Europe and mostly dressed in black.” The Bad Doctors, who have been building their name in the Philly house show scene while smoothly making the transition to bars and other legitimate music venues, will also be on the bill. The post-punk Devo-inspired ensemble guarantees raw energy and passion with every performance. Embrace the retro-ness at KFN tonight! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Emma Branson
 
Philadelphia

New Track: “Awakening Day” – Blues Control & Laraaji

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Rad avant-noise duo Blues Control recently collaborated with experimental zither player Laraaji for RVNG Intl.’s FRKWY’s series, which brings together young experimental musicians with likeminded veterans. The eighth installment of FRKWY will be available on November 15. You can check out the track “Awakening Day” from the upcoming release below. (Special thanks to Pitchfork for bringing it to our attention.)

Blues Control & Laraaji – Awakening Day by RVNG Intl.

Philadelphia

Dr. Dog Releasing New 7” on Black Friday

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Dr. Dog will be releasing a new two-song 7” for Record Store Day’s new celebration of Black Friday (November 25) this year. The local outfit is offering brand new songs, “Control Yourself” and “Warrior Man,” as an incentive to get people into local independent record stores the day after Thanksgiving. Check out the video below of the crew as they reminisce, make bets on music history, and assemble the new 7” single.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Before They Make Me Run” (Rolling Stones Cover) – Kurt Vile & Black Bananas

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Kurt Vile teamed up with Black Bananas, the new project from Jennifer Herrema formerly of Royal Trux and RTX, to cover the Rolling Stones’ “Before They Make Me Run” from Some Girls. You can check it out HERE via Pitchfork. Vile will also have a very limited 7", which features the tracks "Runner Ups" (Sweet Mix) and Ghost Synth (Harp Chimer), available for FREE (while supplies last) at his Union Transfer show on November 12 and at Webster Hall in NYC the night before. (Photo by Leigh Ann Hines)

Philadelphia

Strand of Oaks Opening for Crooked Fingers at JB’s Nov. 2

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Pretty fresh from his first tattoo – Timothy Showalter a.k.a. Strand of Oaks has been getting into adventures on tour with his growing band. The imaginative, long-haired songwriter with the sweet, sweet voice will be making a pit stop at Johnny Brenda’s tonight, but you should take advantage of the appearance because he won’t be in town for long. Oaks will be spending the rest of November into December on the road with Crooked Fingers (a.k.a. Eric Bachman from Archers of Loaf), who will also be headlining the bill. So grab a few beers and enjoy the folk out of this evening! Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N Frankford Ave., 9pm, $12, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Philadelphia

The Deli’s November Album of the Month: No More Golden Days – Lushlife

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South Philly’s Lushlife a.k.a. Raj Haldar has returned with the follow-up to his impressive sophmore album Cassette City. In his new mixtape No More Golden Days, the local emcee/producer continues to effortlessly find common ground for his multitude of influences melding a cornucopia of flavors into a delectable stew that has its tasters coming back for seconds and more.
 
No More Golden Days seductively pulls you in with its opening track and intriguingly titled “She’s a Buddhist, I’m a Cubist” and its soulful hook, but when Haldar’s flow comes in, you know that the party has just started as he lays down whimsical and certainly memorable lines like “chasin’ ordinary dreams of mac n’ cheese and mackin’ bitches” while he trades boastful verses with Memphis’ Cities Aviv – “Parisian models and broken bottles, cocaine by the kilos, Italian grottos…95 on the turnpike that’s why we never stop until we livin’ in the lush life.” In the following track, Haldar delves into a more introspective side of his lyricism as he rhymes about his hometown surroundings, its urban decay, and the future over a Clams Casino-produced instrumental originally rapped over by Lil B (which I actually prefer over the original). Lushlife crosses over into the indie pop/rock world with help from OMD’s “The Romance of The Telescope” and vocals from ex-Titus Andronicus member Andrew Cedermark. However, the local native maintains his hip hop street cred exchanging lines with up-and-coming former Atlanta emcee now Philly transplant STS and Roots family member Dice Raw, who both are part of Black Thought’s Money Making Jam Boys crew. As you may have already noticed, you’ll find guest appearances throughout the mixtape, but not so excessively that it blurs out Haldar’s voice and direction. Worlds collide even further as he brings together unlikely bedfellows Frank Ocean and Fleet Foxes with the merging of the track “Novacane” and the chorus of “Mykonos” for the obviously titled “Novacane Mykonos,” which kind of sounds like something Yeasayer would have created – a world music vibe. It’s also evident that Lushlife has a partiality for the ethereal with the use of vocals from local area songstress and recently turned LA gal RYAT on Sun Glitters’ remix of “Still I Hear the Word Progress” – beautifully deconstructing what you might have thought was simply another hip hop album. The gifted young emcee/producer also feels some love from one of alt-hop’s latest poster children, Das Racist’s Heems, who contributes some lyrics while stating that “I don’t like features. But I’ll do it for Lush. Do it for cuz; cause cuz is one of us.” Gang Gang Dance’s “Adult Goth” provides the backdrop for Lushlife’s stamp of approval. And in “The Age of Imagination,” Haldar captures the inherent pop sensibilities of its collaborator Philly’s own Tim Meskers from Brown Recluse, and forgoes dropping any verses allowing for the joint effort and production to speak on its own merit. No More Golden Days roams the rough terrain of unlikely musical landscapes where you’ll find acts like Slowdive (“Catch a Breeze”), Katy Perry (“Teenage Dream”), and Drake (“Dreams Money Can Buy”) traveling along the same path, yet their inclusion on the journey all seems quite natural. Lushlife chooses to close out his latest offering by spitting his final words for a brief moment leaving me wanting more, which is quite an accomplishment for a piece of work packed with seventeen tracks.
 
While the albums title No More Golden Days may at first be read as cynical, it can also be interpreted as hopeful – words of advice. Not wanting for us to rely so much on the past and memories of the “glory days” for our enjoyment of hip hop – urging us to move forward. After all, the once ground-breaking genre was always meant to be painted on a “blank canvas.” You can download the mixtape for free or purchase the cassette HERE. – H.M. Kauffman